High noon Weds

The heart of last Wednesday's Students' Representative Council meeting (held most Wednesdays in the Union Hall at 12) was contained in the reports presented. Loong Wong, the VUWSA Overseas Students Officer, praised the efforts of those who have contributed to the abolition of the LATOS exam for overseas students. The President of VUWSA, Virginia Adams, talked about the results of the previous weekend's NZUSA Executive meeting, at which a new national President was elected. Deryk Shaw will take up his position on April 1. Virginia moved on to describe a proposal put forward by the Women's Rights Action Committee co-ordinator at the meeting, that a conference for university women be held in August of this year.

The proposal was accepted, although both Victoria's and Otago's representatives opposed it. Neither Virginia Adams, nor the VUWSA Executive, object to the conference in general principle, but believe the Women's Commission at present operating within the NZUSA structure would be unnecessarily duplicated by the proposed conference. Because of the high financial costs involved in accommodating and transporting people to the conference, the WRAC coordinator suggested that a certain number of delegates be selected from each university to attend, thereby creating a closed conference. In comparison with women's representation in NZUSA at the moment the conference is seen as being less democratic. A proposal for a conference for university women is also opposed because of the unknown degree to which it will be financially supported by NZUSA. Outside sponsorship will be sought, but NZUSA would be expected to contribute if the necessary funds are not found - a position which NZUSA's bank account may have difficulty coping with. The National Executive agreed that the WRAC coordinator should investigate the problems of a "delegates only" conference and the uncertainty of how finance will be obtained.

The SRC members present saw the President's report as warranting discussion, and Paul Wiggins proposed a motion that the VUWSA Executive's stand on the issue be ratified. There was much comment from the floor, indicating that some people see the proposal as a good proposition, to be considered more carefully, and not opposed outright. It was generally agreed that a delegate basis and financial vagueness are disadvantages of the proposal, but some speakers felt that the democratic foundations of NZUSA would be maintained as the conference would only be able to implement any findings through NZUSA's hierarchy. When put to a hand vote the motion that SRC ratify the decision of VUWSA Executive to oppose the Conference, was carried.

After the election of a number of SRC representattives, a motion by Andrew Tees, that tooth fairies exist on the campus and that the Prime Minister be informed of this, was discussed. Students agreed that this wasn't especially funny, and it was lost.

The following are those SRC Reps and Officers elected: Education Officer: no nominations

Publications Board: Michele A'Court, Mark Wilson, Jessica Wilson, Mark Harris, David Murray, Stephen Dawe Catering Board: Rosalind Roberts

Radio Board: Rosalind Roberts, Roy Torlesse, G. Cotmore, Dave Drees Teaching and Learning Committee: Mary Hubble, Jessica Wilson

Accommodation Committee: Lesley Huffam Careers Advisory Committee: Richard Hellyer Disciplinary Committee: Paul Cochrane, David Murray Parking Committee: Angela Main

Teaching Aids Committee: no nominations

Bursaries Committee: Andrew Tees was nominated but not elected