Src Officers

SRC Officers are elected directly by the SRC, which is open to any student who cares to attend (most Wednesday lunchtimes in the Union Hall). As I said earlier, they are responsible for much of the political work of the association. This doesn't mean just South Africa and East Timor, as some people like to think. There are 7 positions: Education, Welfare, Women's Rights, Environmental Affairs, National Affairs, International Affairs and Overseas Students. Each Officer is expected to take charge of actioning the policy within his/her area, to mount such campaigns as appear necessary, to cooperate with the SRC Co-ordinator in making sure that SRC reps on the committees say the right thing at the right time, to take up student greivances (exec members will also do this if you ask them nicely) and generally work in with the President who should try to co-ordinate the levels of activity in each area.

SRC Officers are responsible to SRC and are supposed to make periodic reports on what they have been up to. Earlier in the year one or two officers insisted on giving a report every week even though the work done didn't always warrant it. That seems to have stopped now, although some officers go to the other extreme and don't give any reports at all. Others have adopted the practice of winding up their reports with a motion or two. Because reports come early in the meeting this means they are using their privileged position to jump the agenda, and also can (and sometimes do) introduce new or controversial business which really should be advertised beforehand.

A budget of $100 is allotted to each officer to spend as s/he wishes. SRC is technically in control of these monies but experience has shown it is difficult for this control to be exercised. One officer (who has since resigned and left university) had the cheek not so long ago to request $30 from the association to fund a speaking tour. When it was discovered that he hadn't spent a single cent of his own budget SRC directed him to cough up from that source. However a hat was passed around when the speaker came and more than enough was collected. Passing the hat was a good idea, but SRC Officers must recognise their responsibility within their own areas to ensure proper publicity, etc.

In contrast to exec members SRC Officers are paid $50 per year, which says something about their general status. If activity in any of these fields is to increase the time will have to come when more appropriate recompense is made for the services expected. SRC Officers are supposed to be contactable in Committee Room 1, Middle floor of the Union building next to Radio Active. No luck there, try studass.