Three Campuses to Vote; or Seven?

The second motion put to the special plenary related to this. It urged Otago, Lincoln and Victoria to hold student meetings to re-assess their stance on the question of a WVP before the July SGM.

There was much discussion over the date set in the first motion. Victoria's delegation felt it left them too little time to organise a campaign before the SGM because of the two week study break. August Council was suggested as an alternative, but rejected because it left no time to advertise the position.

The motion was finally amended to read that the SGM be held on July 26 and carried.

The second motion caused even more debate. An amendment was moved by Victoria and seconded by Otago that the issue be discussed and voted on by all seven campuses because of new economic conditions and a new student body this year.

Undemocratic comments like, "we won't do that because we might not get it through a second time," flew around the room. A member of Victoria's delegation, Roger Tobin, pointed out that it was not just policy but genuine support that campuses needed in actioning such a constitutional change. The meeting broke up while delegates caucused. When they returned, the amendment was lost.

A further amendment was proposed by Massey - that the issue be raised again for debate on all campuses but no new vote be taken except at Otago, Lincoln, and Victoria. The meeting eventually decided to lapse the second motion and simply leave it to constituents to decide what sort of action to take.

Michele A'Court