Welcome to RGU:Union's AGM Motion List. Here you will be able to find the AGM motions which have been submitted by the RGU student body. These motions will be discussed, debated and voted on by students at the RGU:Union AGM 2022/23.
These motions can also be ammended before they are voted on by students. If you have any amendments/suggested changes to these motions, then these can be submitted here. It is possible to submit a motion at the meeting itself, but we recommend submitting in advance to help the AGM run smoothly on the day.
If you have any questions about a particular motion or require further information on the AGM, then please contact the President (Communication & Democracy).
PROPOSAL FOR SOLO AND DUAL 'WORK POD' STATIONS
Motion Proposer: Erinne Bird MacKellar; Motion Seconder: Cassandra Egan.
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
The effects of COVID-19 have meant an increase in hybrid-style working staff and students and full-time remote staff and students; this has led to the increase of zoom and team calls in the university. Overall, the university has seen an increase in zoom and team calls for meetings and lectures that require students and staff to come together, for example, recent Course Representative training sessions and meetings – these are also held on teams.
Some on-campus students work with staff, and work with those working hybrid or entirely online, meaning they must find quiet places on campus to hold online calls/meetings where they can have a fully engaged conversation. This issue is particularly problematic for students carrying out a thesis or any primary data collection who may need to discuss elements with their supervisor, host interviews or focus groups, and require their full attention.
This means that some students must adapt to highly noise-polluted areas in the university, which sometimes means having to book out group pods or find obscure quiet places on campus where they can have these online calls/appointments. Sometimes this cannot be carried out, and there is an interference of loud background noises, which can significantly impact the quality of online calls/meetings.
WHY IS IT A PROBLEM?
It is a problem as there needs to be more on-campus working areas dedicated for students to use to effectively talk and engage in their online meetings/lectures/calls without noise disruptions.
WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?
The solution is to provide solo and dual working pods on campus where students can focus and freely engage with the content of their online meeting/call and know that they are not disrupting neighbouring students or disrupting the respondent of the online call.
The university is adapting to post-covid working conditions. RGU must make adjustments for the benefit of students and staff where there are comfortable and appropriate working conditions to hold online meetings and calls on campus.
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SPACES FOR MENTAL HEALTH, RELAXATION AND WELLNESS
Motion Proposers: Tamsyn Lampkin, Oluwafunmilola Akinoso.
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
- Students often have large gaps between classes where they want to relax and refresh.
- Students do not spend much time on campus after class time or in between classes.
- Staff also have similar issues and would benefit from access to similar spaces, possibly shared.
WHY IS IT A PROBLEM?
Often times class and coursework can feel overwhelming, if there was a room or space on campus where students could spend 10mins - 2hrs of their time this will help with their mental health.
For example, similar space was created at The Hilton TECA for their staff to use during breaks or after work. They found great results in moral and dedication to work. The room is dark blue/green, mostly empty but has a vast amount of soft furnishings, soft lighting and calming music.
WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?
Students, and potentially staff, should have access to a dedicated relaxation and wellness space on campus, recommended within the Union, where they can rest and recuperate.
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MULTI-FAITH FACILITIES
Motion Proposer: Suzanna Bamigbola; Motion Seconder: Joel Adebanjo.
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
The current location for the University's multi-faith facility on campus at Kaim Cottage is not visible to students and is not accessible to students with disabilities or mobility issues.
WHY IS IT A PROBLEM?
The multi faith facility is in a building not easily recognised or easily reached by the students. The facility is not visible.
WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?
The Union should work with the University to ensure multi-faith facilities are created in all buildings across the campus. This should be a priority development with quick progress displayed.
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SUPPORT THE 'DIVEST FROM FOSSIL FUELS' CAMPAIGN
Motion Proposer: Audrey Opara; Motion Seconder: Maja Huebers.
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
Go Green is starting a campaign for RGU to divest from investments in fossil fuel companies.
Issue: Environmental problem
With the investment money RGU enables further usage of fossil fuels which are proven to play a big role in climate change and therefore the current climate crisis we are living in.
Issue: Time concern
The issue is that as a student we can only do so much in our 1 or 4 years here. We have limited time to engage in out-of-uni activities and after our 4 years here we have to leave this behind.
WHY IS IT A PROBLEM?
RGU actively negatively influences the climate crisis by investing in fossil fuel industries.
WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?
Adopt the Fossil Free campaign and demand that RGU:
1. Exclude the fossil fuel industry from their investment portfolio;
2. Introduce a publicly accessible ethical investment policy excluding the fossil fuel industry;
3. Commit to and fully divest from all fossil fuels within 3 years.
Mandate a Full-Time Paid Students' Union President Role to
A. Support students to lead, and put resources towards, a high-profile divestment campaign on campus, including - where relevant - the dissemination of information about the university’s investment practises.
B. Request quarterly updates of the university’s investment portfolio.
C. Lobby for and secure student representation on all university investment-related committees.
D. Lobby the university to end all future investments in fossil fuel companies and to divest from fossil fuel industry companies immediately.
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INCREASE RGU ACCOMMODATION PROVISION FOR FAMILIES
Motion Proposer: Samson Akinrinola; Motion Seconder: Patricia Nkem Innocent.
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
International students are being exploited by hotels and private property owners due to the lack of family-friendly student accommodation in the city
WHY IS IT A PROBLEM?
International students arriving in Aberdeen for the first time do not know their way around and the have to rely on hotels and private property owners for accommodation on arrival. The cost of staying in hotels is expensive, and some students have found themselves in unsuitable situations.
Based on fact, many international students have found themselves in an unpleasant situation due to the desperation of finding a roof over their head in an unknown city.
WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?
Family friendly accommodation should be available for student parents. RGU Union should work with the University to ensure students with families have access to suitable and affordable student accommodation.
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AFFORDABLE BUS TRAVEL FOR STUDENTS OVER 21
Motion Proposer: Samson Akinrinola; Motion Seconder: Patricia Nkem Innocent.
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
It is possible for under 21’s to access free bus travel, but many students are not within this age bracket and do not qualify for the discount. A one-way ticket can cost £2.85 and an all-day ticket costs £3.95. These prices are excessive.
WHY IS IT A PROBLEM?
Students who are over 21 are struggling to keep up with daily bus ticket costs alongside other bills and daily expenses.
WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?
The Union should campaign for cheaper bus tickets for students of all ages.
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INSUFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF STUDENT PARKING PERMITS
Motion Proposers: Jonny Marshall, Sandy Shepherd, Harry Whitson
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
Insufficient allocation of student parking permits
WHY IS IT A PROBLEM?
Parking is a problem because some students live miles away from the university and have no option but to drive to campus. If they have not been issued with a parking permit, they will have to either: use available parking spaces within the local community potentially causing disruption to local businesses and residents; park miles away from the campus and walk; or they must make inconvenient and impractical journeys via public transport. This risks lateness and impacts the ability to attend classes.
WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?
An increase in the number of parking permits released to students with the convenience of been able to apply for one at any time.
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