RGU: Union’s Annual General Meeting was held yesterday, the 19th February. Students had the opportunity to discuss and question each of the six proposed motions, with some amendments being made.
RGU: Union’s Annual General Meeting was held yesterday [February 19] at 4.30pm in the Amphitheatre of the Sir Ian Wood Building. Students had the opportunity to discuss and question each of the six proposed motions, with some amendments being made.
The AGM began with a rundown of the minutes from the AGM last year, including a breakdown of the results from the previously passed motions. This includes the introduction of 24-hour access to the Architecture building two weeks before deadlines, healthier and affordable eating options on campus, access to hot water facilities to make hot drinks, lowering the rent in the Woolmanhill Halls and the introduction of gender neutral toilets which will begin over summer this year.
The first motion of this year's AGM was to introduce free condoms and sanitary towels in toilets. The motion was proposed by Vice President for Wellbeing & Equal Opportunities, Jennifer Ritchie. An amendment was made for the motion to remove sanitary towels as of Summer 2018 it will become a legal requirement for schools and universities to provide access to free sanitary products in toilets. Jennifer stated that although condoms are available to students from the Union, many students may feel embarrassed to ask for them. After some discussion for and against, the motion was passed.
The second motion, proposed by Computing (Graphics and Animation) student, Craig Robertson, was to introduce phone charging lockers on campus. Craig stated that “many students can’t find somewhere to charge phones and find their phones distracting while they work”. Another student stated that such lockers would need to be available across the Garthdee campus as to not disadvantage any students in different buildings. The motion was passed.
The third motion was to improve the locker situation in the Sir Ian Wood Building. Proposed by Martha Gilmore, Vice President of Societies, the motion sparked some debate over lockers in different buildings, including the Business School. Martha stated that “many students are left without lockers and have no safe place to store their belongings”. The motion was amended to include lockers across campus and was passed.
The fourth motion, proposed by Kerry Harrison, President of Education & Welfare, was to extend access to Macs. The problem of students requiring specific software only available on Mac computers for their course means they are often disadvantaged by building opening hours and teaching timetables. The motion was passed to include the extension of building/lab opening hours.
The fifth motion was to create an action plan for gender based violence for student societies. Proposed by Adam Johnson, a Media student, the motion outlined the need for guidance and new systems for reporting violence on campus. Adam’s solution was to introduce training days for society heads with health organisations. The motion sparked some debate and two amendments were suggested to include racial and religious violence and to include sport alongside societies, added by Eilidh Paterson, President of Sport & Physical Activity. The motion was passed.
The sixth, and final motion, was proposed by Michael Ife, President of Communication & Democracy. The motion suggested the improvement of wifi and module navigation. The motion was passed, along with the amendment of replacing the overall student systems across campus (including student halls).
If you have any questions about the above motions, the AGM or Union activities in general contact Michael Ife (President of Communication & Democracy) via PRESCD@RGUUNION.CO.UK