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MINUTES
PRC MEETINGS of the 2014-15 PRC
Wednesday 22st April 2015
ANUSA Boardroom, 12pm
Attendees: Ben Niles (Chair), George Carter, Chris Wilson, Michael Curtotti,
Fausto Villota Alvarado, Kimberly Ashby-Mitchell, Razi Pilli, Arjuna Mohottala ,
Omar Gao, Aagam Shah, Upul Wickramasinghe, Wayne Joseph, Monica Fernandes,
Gaea Cornelius
Apologies:
Inna Gallat, Jessica Rogers, Hassan Fiaz, Gilbert Mbipan,
Bravani Kanna, Salim Masoumi, Bishal Chalise, Kim-Marie Spence
Resignations: Grestl Xi
1. Welcome & Acknowledgement of Indigenous Australians
We acknowledge and celebrate the First Australians on whose traditional lands we
meet, and pay our respect to the elders of the Ngunnawal people past and present.
2. Confirmation of Minutes
The President motioned that the Minutes of the last PRC Meeting held on 1 April
2015 be ratified.
Moved: Ben Niles
Seconded: Chris Wilson
3. Communications Officer: End of Year Report
Communications Officer, Kimberly Ashby-Mitchell, requested all end of year reports
be sent to her by Friday, 1 May.
4. International Officer Report
International Officer, Kim-Marie Spence, invited the PRC to attend the Kabuki
performance that is being hosted by Global Café on 1 May at 6pm at BNG.
5. Indigenous Officer Report
Indigenous Officer, Gilbert Mbipan, invited PRC members to attend the Tidbinbilla
trip on 1 May and an indigenous awareness meeting to be held at Toad Hall on
6 May.
6. Environmental Officer Report
Environmental Officer, Hassan Riaz invited PRC members to attend the PARSA
Knowledge Conference on 5 and 6 May at ANU Arts Centre. Hassan is also working
on Climate Café.
7. Education Officer Report
Education Officer, Omar Gao, also invited PRC members to attend the PARSA
Knowledge Conference for day two where the will be a focus on academic skills for
non-native English speakers. PARSA is also hosting an ANU Sports Day on Sunday,
10am to 3pm.
8. Social Officer Report
Social Officer, Fausto Villota reported on a highly successful Networking Drinks
evening that was hosted by Chris Wilson and Wayne Joseph with a total spend of
$617. He also invited PRC members to attend the movie tonight at Palace Electric
Cinema for the movie The Avengers.
9. President’s Report:
PARSA President, Ben Niles, said that having reflected on the past nine months, he
can see that we have had good participation from General Reps and have done a
good job. A few objectives put together by the team for 2015 whilst on retreat
where a focus on developing leadership in different ways was highlighted as well as
showcasing postgraduate student leadership skills have been realised.
As an example, Richard Baker recommended and has announced the Vice
Chancellor’s Leadership Program be extended to postgraduate students.
Applications open next week and 18-20 postgraduates are being sought - the
application process will conclude before the end of this semester. The program
involves a session with a coaching and development expert every fortnight along
with two intensive weekends. Successful candidates are also matched with a
mentor. Ben asked the PRC to let those who are suitable and are running for the
PRC this coming election to know about this opportunity. He noted that PARSA is
also able to support this initiative financially.
10. Returning Officer Appointment
In response to a request from the PRC to know more about the proposed Returning
Officer, Dale Brosnahan, the Chair read to the PRC a statement from Dale Brosnahan
that was distributed to all PRC members earlier in the day and that included the
returning officer reports from past years. The President then motioned that the PRC
accept and appoint Dale Brosnahan as the Returning Officer for the 2015 PARSA
elections.
Moved: Ben Niles
Seconded: Arjuna Mohottala
(a raise of hands showed all in favour)
11. Appointment of Cat Martin as Honorary PARSA Member
The Chair explained that due to Constitutional constraints, in order for Cat Martin to
sit the GAC Panel as Campus Life Officer, she would need to be appointed an
honorary member of PARSA. In line with this need, the Chair motioned that Cat
Martin be appointed Honorary member of PARSA.
Moved: Ben
Seconded: Razi Pilli
(a raise of hands showed all in favour)
12. Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer, Chris Wilson, firstly advised that access to Xero has been restored. He
then tabled a list of expenses incurred since the previous PRC meeting held on 1
April 2015. Following discussion, he motioned that the financial report be ratified by
the PRC.
Moved: Chris Wilson
Seconded: Razi Pilli
2014 Audit Report
Chris Wilson advised the PRC that a full financial report from the auditor and a
Treasurer’s report are to be uploaded on to the PARSA website by Monday 11 May,
two weeks before the AGM.
He also advised that due to the ANU governance review and the ANU Executive wish
to tighten financial systems and reporting requirements, the previously administered
SSAF Agreement was cancelled and a new agreement is being negotiated. He noted
that a SSAF meeting was being held later in the day and that a new agreement is to
be finalised before the AGM that is being held on 25 May.
George Carter requested we make certain we know the number of postgraduate
student enrolments before negotiations take place.
Emergency Grant Presentation
For the benefit of new PRC members, Student Assistance Officer, Wayne Joseph,
presented to the PRC details of the $500 cash emergency grant available to
postgraduate students who are experiencing hardship. Woolworths grocery
vouchers are also available if there is a need.
Wayne then advised that Woolworths grocery vouchers were recently purchased
that came to over $1,000 but explained that there was already approval in the
PARSA budget for this purchase. In future, he said, we will purchase grocery
vouchers in smaller batches of 10 to avoid the possibility those that are on hand will
reach the expiry date.
Appointment of a new Financial Controller
The Chair advised the PRC that because the previously appointed Financial Controller
did not work out, interviews are being held for a new Financial Controller – the PRC
will be informed when an appointment is made.
13. PARSA Elections
The Chair thanked Monica for her work in producing a PARSA 2015
Elections poster and asked everyone to take a few minutes to look over it. He then
ran through some of the benefits and detail that come with changes to the PARSA
Election Procedure. The new regulations allow for a new level of transparency, he
said, requiring nominees to state not only if they are running for a General Rep or
College Rep position, but also the Executive position they are running for. This
means that if a person nominates themselves for an Executive position and no one
else nominates for that same position, then they are automatically elected into that
role.
These slight changes, he explained, represent a soft launch for the 2016 election that
will incorporate other Election Regulation changes that will come into effect
following the ratification of the new Constitution at the end of May.
Presentation by PARSA Lawyer, Michael Curtotti on 2015 Elections
Michael Curtotti, PARSA Lawyer, ran through changes made to the Election
Procedures and in particular, highlighted Section 4 (disputes committee) and Section
5 (disciplinary measures). He advised the PRC that a few information sessions are
scheduled during the nomination period. He also explained that the AGM is being
held early to allow for the new President to attend the ANU Council meeting where
the new Constitution will be tabled for ratification.
PRC members were encouraged to ask questions as he read through the various
itemised changes to the Election Regulations.
Discussion notes follow, noting that only those items where any significant
discussion took place is included here:
1.5.3&1.5.4
changed order with college reps elected first
Discussion took place as to whether General Representative or College
Representative votes be tallied first – the decision having the result eliminating the
opportunity to be elected into the other position (if both positions have been
nominated). Options include:
Option 1: College Rep then Gen Rep
Option 2: Gen Rep then College Rep
Option 3: run simultaneously – stipulating one is the preference
•
•
•
•
Option 1 preferred but understand the concern that General Representative
numbers will be watered down as a result
Option 2 preferred as there has been a complaint not enough has been done
on the academic side of student life, and so the need to fill College Rep
positions first.
Option 3 was preferred at first but because we don’t know if it can work, it
was safe not to go with this option
People can still hold two positions – it’s easier if voted as a College Rep first if
wanting to be an Executive member
Following discussion, the President asked for a raise of hands in support of each
option, the majority of which voted for Option 1.
2.3.5 Following discussion, it was agreed that email nominations would be
accepted
2.6.1 clarification was made – to include the statement that candidates are able to
provide an audio or video statement
2.7
2.8
remains the same as in draft regulations – noted it is very similar to ANUSA rules
The Chair explained that it is the little things that we are trying to prevent
happening that came up last year.
2.8.f9 It was pointed out that this includes but is not limited to libraries offices and
laboratories – it extends to halls of residences or someone’s house or going into
Fenner Hall, for instance, and saying ‘vote for me’. It was further explained that
we are trying to avoid a stranger going up to a stranger – and maybe to a lesser
extent a student calling another student they know, and explicitly asking for
their vote. Out of consideration for student mental health, Ben explained that we
don’t want people to be intimated in places of work or study – or to be harassed
in kitchens. This regular therefore allows for candidates to monitor each other’s
activities and to be given the option to report to the Returning Officer with a
formal complaint whereby action can be taken to remedy the situation or put in
place a recommendation.
Following all discussions, the Chair put forward a motion for the PRC to
accept the 2015 Electoral Regulations.
Moved: Ben Niles
Seconded: George Carter
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING CLOSED AT 2PM