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Salient. Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 42 No. 7. April 9 1979

So that's an AGM eh!

page 4

So that's an AGM eh!

This year's AGM, held last Wednesday in the Union Hall, could well represent a watershed so far as the constant attacks on basic freedoms (such as democracy and freedom of speech) staged by our president go.

AGM's are held (appropriately enough) once a year, and are the places where the budget for the coming year is presented, outgoing members of the exec, make their reports, and any constitutional amendments are discussed.

At this meeting, there was certainly no paucity of constitutional amendments. However, many of these "amendments' were contrary to both the spirit and the letter of the constitution, that a complete redrafting of the constitution would have been more appropriate than mere amendments. The motions I am referring to are ones calling for the editor of Salient to be elected by SRC, for VUWSA to have no policy on abortion, and for VUWSA to have no policy on foreign affairs.

Significantly, all these motions (in common with every motion at this AGM) were moved or seconded by the President of the same association that these motions would seek to curtail so severely. Tees has obviously forgotten that his job is to protect the rights of students and to ensure that their wished are carried out. All has been crushed by his desire to vanquish his critics and to further his own views. But perhaps I am running ahead of myself, and should start at the beginning.

Due no doubt to the intense lobbying carried out prior to the meeting by a large number of interested groups, there was a very large crowd gathered at the Union Hall (although various old-timers in the crowd were heard to mutter "This is nothing compared to the good old days'). As is customary in such gatherings, once apologies, minutes and matters arising had been dispatched, we got on to the annual reports.

High-ho Silver and Away

This point is particularly important when one regards the report of our secretary, John Hebenton. When he finally deigned to arrive at the meeting, he was spectacularly unimpressive. He lambasted last year's Association for its missed chances in such fields as the General Election. When asked the reasonable enough question why he didn't do his job and ensure that there were election speakers here, he said that he didn't have the time — and then gave his last year's exam marks as proof.

If that was the case, why the hell did he stand in the first place? And, even more mysterious, why did he stand this year? He cheerfully admitted that he didn't have the time to do the job this year — stage three zoologists are so busy you know. 'I would willingly hand over to anyone who could do a better job' said John, and with scarcely a pause for breath that he only stood for the position because no-one else did, and he though it would be better to have a bad secretary than no secretary at all. While this touching emotion doubtless makes Zebenton a leading contender for canonisation, it doesn't explain why he felt obliged to stand for three positions this year. Hebenton seems to be eager for the honour and the glory (not to mention the honararium), but doesn't want to stand up to the responsibilities his big hearted gesture has brought him.

The first report to be presented was also the longest and the most wide ranging. It was that of last year's President, Lindy 'Hopping along for the last time' Cassidy. Although Lindy's report covered such diverse things as the national economy, unemployment and the Catering Service, the overwhelming thing that came through in both her written and spoken reports was that exec. members and SRC representatives must accept the responsibility of their jobs and assume a leading and guiding role in student affairs. To quote her written report; it is a truism to say that the Student's Association can only be as effective as its membership but there is of course the other aspect - that of leadership. Leadership in our Association must be provided not only by the the Executive, but also by the various SRC officers'. These qualities she said were absent from too many officers last year. The corollary of this is worth mentioning. We must observe our elected officers this year carefully and ensure they are doing the jobs they are elected to do.

Stephen Underwood, last year's treasurer gave his report and the prospects he gave were mildly optimistic. The main problems were catering, NZUSA and STB. In 1977, catering profits were $18,000. Last year they were down to $1,900. Fundamental changes will be required to reverse the down-hill trend. The impending negotiations with the University over Union financing will be of vital importance to the Association and it is essential that a satisfactory agreement be reached.'

NZUSA and Student Travel Bureau Ltd. were 'a cause of concern during the year. The solution of the problems of these two organisations lies in debt reconstruction and strong management. STB Ltd. has reorganised in association with the Bank of New Zealand and the future looks promising.'

This was Stephen's last report as a member of the Executive. He has been involved in student affairs for many years and has been a source of inspiration and advice to many of the more inexperienced members of the Exec. As recognition of his work for Victoria he was voted by the meeting a life member of VUWSA.' The unanimous support for this motion is a measure of the respect that Stephen has, and of the debt of gratitude VUWSA owes him.

The other officers tabled their reports, but it was left to the Accomodation Officers to provide the controversy. One of them made suggestions that were helpful and constructive, the other launched into a tirade as stupid as it was embarrassing.

"Is the Association a threat to these people?"

Kevin Callinicos said that with officers accountable to SRC's often contradictory instructions, a certain amount of efficiency is sacrificed to democracy. He suggested that we must try and find the balance between democracy and efficiency.

Ian McElwee, after accepting totally unwarranted credit for making the staff creche a reality, launched into a tirade against the other members of the Exec. We were informed that last year's Exec was dominated by lefty politicos whose only concern was politics, and trying to perpetuate their own little clique. Apparently good Exec members "do their jobs and keep their mouths shut.' Well, well, well.

And then, dearly beloved, it was time to discuss this year's budget. A call to amend this document was immediately forthcoming. Only $500 was budgeted for implementing SRC policy, a figure that has not increased for several years. A motion that SRC receive $1,000 was tabled and passed. The other bone of contention was the cultural affairs budget of $5,500. This is the money that finances most of the clubs on campus, and was deemed by the meeting to be too small. The cultural life around this place is going through a boom period at the moment, and it is is hoped to send several acts down to the arts festival in Christchurch. The budgetry allowance was increased to $7,500, and that was that.

The First of the Motions

Tees then abandoned the chair and spoke on the first motion (moved Tees/Stainthorpe):

That Schedule No. 3C 2(c) be amended to delete the word 'editor' in specific reference to Salient the VUWSA newspaper, and that (e) be added to read as follows: —

(e) The Salient Editor each year shall be elected by SRC in the third term of the previous year and if a vacancy shall occur for the position of Editor of Salient at any time during the year the SRC shall elect a new editor at least thirty (30) days of the position becoming vacant, the publication board retaining power to appoint an interim student newspaper Editor of Salient if it becomes necessary or if the vacancy occurs during the vacation.'

The arguments against this motion were covered at length in last week's Salient so I will not go into them, especially as the motion never came up for discussion. The Association's lawyers, who must be consulted whenever a change to the constitution is being considered, had written to Mr Tees saying that while there was nothing wrong with the idea of the motion, it's wording was unacceptable. Andrew was, unaccountably reticent about why he was withdrawing the motion, and it was only with difficulty that he was persuaded to, actually read out the letter.

This sent Andrew into a bad case of the sulks, and he mumbled his way through the next motions. 'That the position of accommodation officer be abolished and be replaced by a welfare officer on the executive.' and That this Annual General Meeting does formally abolish the position of SRC Welfare Officer duly elected by SRC, effective immediately.' The Association has now moved pretty much out of owning flats, rendering the Accommodation Officer to a large degree redundant. Under these circumstances, it makes more sense to amalgamate the Accommodation Officer's duties into the new position which would have far broader interests and powers These motions were passed, as was the next one:

That the VUWSA Constitution, Part E S.l (1) be amended to include the following:

(d) Every person who is an internal student at the clinical school of Medicine in Wellington under the University of Otago and further that under Part F, (3) be added the following:

(3) That all internal students attending the Clinical School of Medicine in Wellington, notwithstanding their current membership of Otago University Students' Association, shall be members of VUWSA on payment of an annual subscription of $4.00 to be paid into the Association's general account.

Photo of a man with his hands on his hips

"I didn't know you cared"

SRC Attacked

The next motions attacked students' democratic right to say what they like at SRCs. The first was

That VUWSA have no Policy on Abortion

Tees, in his mover's speech, took the line that it was ridiculous for VUWSA to have policy on this issue. On this topic, which he described as one of moral and religious viewpoint, opinion in this university is as divided as anywhere else. Rather than alienate a large group of people we should have no policy.

The naivete and short sightedness of this point of view was pointed out by a large number of people who spoke against the motion. Significantly, these speakers came from both sides of the fence.

The implication behind this motion is that SRC is not representative. Yet SRC is the voice of the students, to which all students are able, indeed encouraged to go. All this motion would have done would be to place students under an enforced silence. If students genuinely do not want to discuss abortion, then all they have to do is throw it out whenever the matter is raised at an SRC. This has never happened people obviously want to discuss the matter.

The democracy we have at this university is something that we should all be very grateful for, but if this motion had been passed, perhaps it would signify that we don't deserve such a system. I am pleased to be able to report that the motion was convincingly defeated.

The following motion, seconded by Tees, was

That VUWSA has no International policy on foreign affairs except that relating specifically to overseas students.

The mover of this motion, a certain Mr Broad, was not present at this stage of the meeting, and it was an interesting comment on the strength of Tees' convictions that he refused to move this motion himself.

It is worthwhile to ponder what Tees' motives were for putting forward these motions. If they had been passed, they would have severely restricted the freedom of speech of students; it is not scare-mongering to say they would have spelled the end of democracy in this university.

It is fitting that this article finished with the words of Lindy Cassidy, who said in her report to the meeting that "it is important that this year's executive be reminded that the are representatives of you, not of themselves."

Andrew Beach