Student Representative Council – 21 April 2020

MINUTES

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL

Unconfirmed minutes of the meeting of the Student Representative Council

Date: Tuesday, 21 April 2020 Time: 1.00pm, Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) Conference ID: Zoom: 954-8223-2777

PRESENT: Ms E Bryson (Acting Chair) Mr N Patel (Postgraduate International) Ms M Armstrong (Sunshine Coast Region) Ms E Potts (Western Region) Ms S Battula ( Region) Ms S Rose (Indigenous) Ms T Bratt (VET Student) Ms S Sarangi (Undergraduate International) Mr M Dela Luna (Cairns & Far North 2.00pm Region) Mr G Sheean (Undergraduate Online) Ms N Gilewska (South East Queensland Region) Ms C Sibley (Townsville Region) Mr B Godar ( Region) Ms S Tinney (Skills for Tertiary Education Ms M Goldenberg (Gladstone Region) Preparatory Studies) Ms J Mitchell (VET Student) Ms R Tumpa (Research Higher Degrees) 2.00pm Mr J Mukherjee (Rockhampton and Yeppoon Ms L Williams (Mackay-Whitsunday Region) Region) 1:30pm

IN ATTENDANCE: Ms K Brock Ms D Kelly (Secretary) Ms K Carige Professor N Klomp 3.00pm Ms S Connor Ms J Perry Ms A Croft Ms K Seary Mr A Dawson Mr R Spencer Ms K Harrington Mr C Veraa Ms H Huntly 3.00pm Mr B Young Ms A Kalczynska

APOLOGIES: Ms Roksana Tumpa

1. OPENING OF MEETING

The Chair declared the meeting open at 1.00pm, acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the lands, past, present, and future on which the Student Representative Council (SRC) meeting took place.

The Chair thanked outgoing members Ms Rhianna Wood (Chair and Townsville Region Representative), Ms Brittany Cheel (Indigenous Representative), Mr Vindhya Raj Pokharel (University Council Nominee), Ms Mechele Negovetic ( Region), Mr Daniel Hicks (Wide Bay Region), Mr Mark Clarkson (Postgraduate Online), Ms E’Kayla Clarris (TEP Representative) for their service and wished them well for their future endeavours.

The Chair also welcomed the following new members: • Gladstone Region – Michelle Goldenberg • Indigenous Representative – Sandra Rose • New South Wales Region – Bikram Godar • Postgraduate International – Neel Patel

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• Research Higher Degrees – Roksana Tumpa • Skills for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies – Sarah Tinney • South East Queensland Region – Natalia Gilewska • Sunshine Coast Region – Michelle Armstrong • Townsville & North West Queensland Region – Chloe Sibley • Vocation Education and Tertiary Representative – Jasmine Mitchell • Vocation Education and Tertiary Representative – Tarah Bratt • Western Australia Region – Emily Potts

2. DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The Chair asked for declarations of conflict of interest. No declarations were declared.

3. STARRING OF ADDITIONAL ITEMS AND ADOPTION OF UNSTARRED ITEMS

The Chair invited members to ‘star’ any additional items of business that they wished to discuss. ‘Unstarred’ items would then be accepted en bloc.

Resolution: The Student Representative Council resolved as recommended with respect to all unstarred items.

4. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES AND ANY BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETING

The Student Representative Council considered the minutes of the meeting held on Friday, 29 November 2019.

Ms Sharon Connor, Coordinator, Student Representative Council, spoke to this item. Ms Connor provided background on the funds received from the former CQ TAFE Student Association and advised funds have been transferred to CQUniCares to provide emergency grants of up to $1000 for VET students affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Mr Francois Gallais, Deputy Director- Philanthropy, is responsible for allocation and approval of grants, and will update the Student Representative Council on allocations of funds throughout the year.

Resolution: The Student Representative Council confirmed the minutes of the meeting held on Friday, 29 November 2019 as a true and accurate record of that meeting.

5. REVIEW OF ACTION SHEET

Item 1: Suspension of Moodle Access Ongoing - The Chair invited comments regarding proposed changes to Moodle suspension processes. Ms Joanne Perry, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Student Experience, reported that as a result of COVID-19, Moodle access for students who had not paid fees by census date would not be suspended during Term 1 2020. Ms Perry also advised that additional changes are planned for an improved collection process. It was decided that given current circumstances the item should remain on the action sheet pending a more suitable time for discussion by VCAC.

Part A: Reports and recommendations to the University Council and/or University Management

Nil.

Part B: Matters finalised or remaining for discussion

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6. STUDENT SERVICES AND AMENITIES FEE FUNDING REVISED BUDGET ALLOCATIONS

Ms Joanne Perry, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Student Experience and Governance, spoke to this item.

Ms Perry reported that the allocation of Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF) for 2020 would be adjusted due to a reduction in projected student numbers for the year. It was noted that SSAF allocation might vary from term to term based on student numbers. Ms Perry also confirmed it would be possible to reallocate unused funds previously allocated to events such as CQUni Games, UniSport Nationals and the Student Leadership Conference.

Members discussed and noted: • The importance of maintaining services such as Studiosity • Why CQU continues to charge SSAF while other universities do not • The preference for SSAF fees to be spent in the year received rather than rolling over to the following year • International student fees and available assistance for those continuing to study in Terms 2 and 3, 2020 • The possibility of utilising SSAF funds to assist individual students experiencing difficulty transitioning to online studies.

Ms Perry noted that legislative requirements preclude the allocation of SSAF funds to individual students. However, Ms Perry reminded members of CQUni Care funding and confirmed that other way to provide assistance would be investigated, including discounted textbooks at the bookshop, and waiving printing and other costs incurred as a result of the transition to online study.

Resolution: The Student Representative Council discussed the updated allocation of Student Services and Amenities Fees for 2020 and unanimously endorsed the recommendation.

7. CHAIR AND DEPUTY CHAIR ELECTION Ms Sharon Connor, Coordinator, Student Representative Council, spoke to this item.

Ms Connor advised that the positions of Chair and Deputy Chair positions for 2020 are now open for election. SRC members interested in the positions are to self-nominate.

Ms Connor provided an overview of the timeline for the nomination and election process and the duties of the Chair and Deputy Chair, including additional volunteer hours and reporting to VCAC on behalf of all SRC members. Ms Connor advised that elected members will commence at the next SRC meeting, to be held on Tuesday, 26 May 2020.

8. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL ACTIVITY REPORT TERM 3, 2019

Item not starred. The Chair took the report as read and approved it.

9. OTHER BUSINESS

9.1 International and Domestic Student Support

Ms Perry and others provided an overview of student support initiatives across the University, including: • other areas are assisting Student Services to contact students and ensure they understand and are coping with new study requirements • newly arrived international students on campus were provided with food/care packages to assist them through their isolation period

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• ongoing food relief is currently being provided to approximately 400 students weekly on the Melbourne campus; it is hoped to implement similar initiatives on and campuses • the Melbourne campus has provided students in need with access to laptops and internet to enable them to continue with their studies online International students experiencing financial hardship have been offered the opportunity to undertake a part time study load and access to payment plans during Term 1.

Members discussed: • the possibility for students to apply for study and other emergency grants to aid with study/loss of income • making calls to students to make them aware of available assistance and how to access it • targeted campaigns for ongoing call outs to students to ensure that no one is being forgotten • ongoing flexibility with study loads and payment plan options • virtual sessions to keep students engaged with the University • SRC members reaching out to their cohort to see what assistance the University may offer as many students are unsure where to turn to • Mailouts to advise students about available support services and how to access them.

Members raised the following concerns: • Mr Jeet Mukherjee, Rockhampton and Yeppoon Region Representative, noted that regional international students felt unsupported. Mr Spencer advised that care packs distributed were available to all students who had arrived in Australia and who were required to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival, and recommended he meet with Mr Mukherjee offline to discuss any other perceived gaps for international students • Ms Tarah Bratt, VET Representative, enquired how domestic students were being contacted by the University and noted students are feeling inundated with emails and are unsure where to access relevant information. Ms Perry confirmed that emails are the preferred method for student communications, and advised that the student portal is updated regularly with information about support services and virtual sessions available to students. Students are also encouraged to reach out to Unit Coordinators, Lecturers and the Student Advice Team if they require further assistance.

9.2 ‘Not so distant’ initiative Members discussed the initiative, a new portal page created by Student Communications to improve student engagement in their studies and University life during isolation. Members were encouraged to join or promote the initiative.

9.3 Committees Ms S Connor confirmed she had sent members a list of CQUniversity Committees and advised students interested in a particular committee to email the SRC Coordinator who would obtain an invitation for the member to attend the meeting as a guest. Students were reminded to be aware of time commitments for each committee as these may vary across the University.

9.4 Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Nick Klomp Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Nick Klomp, addressed members in response to the email sent to all students. Professor Klomp assured members that he is doing everything possible to support students and even with reduced staff, CQUniversity aims to prevent any disruptions to students’ studies. Professor Klomp discussed the projected closure of Biloela, Yeppoon and Noosa campuses. It was noted that many nursing students are concerned about the effect on their studies if the University were to remove Noosa as a Nursing hub for the University. Professor Klomp advised that Executive staff were working on a plan to find alternatives for this group of students in addition to offering personal support to affected students and staff.

Members discussed: • the implementation of pay cuts for the University Executive Page 4 of 5 Student Representative Council – 21 April 2020

• the proposed restructure • the effect on students of not being able to attend campus. It was noted that 50% of domestic students are already studying online • the possibility of late offers for Term 2, 2020 to international students. Professor Klomp advised that due to international travel restrictions caused by the pandemic the University may not have new commencing international students until Term 1, 2021 • the return to on-campus studies once lockdown restrictions ease • the Vice-Chancellor is working to obtain government funding to assist the University to maintain operations • courses to be assessed on a case-by-case basis to decide whether they will run in 2021 • how best to equip academic staff to utilise online teaching time to engage students • the provision of scholarships for the remainder of 2020 and 2021 to ensure underperforming students are not disadvantaged • Mr Mukherjee raised concerns regarding course accreditation with the transition to online studies. Ms Perry reassured and confirmed that the Deans of School and academic staff were working closely with accreditation bodies to ensure all requirements are met and no courses are jeopardised with the change.

10. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Student Representative Council will be held on Tuesday, 26 May 2020.

Agenda items for this meeting are to be submitted no later than 9.00 am on Monday, 18 May 2020.

9. CLOSURE

The Chair declared the meeting closed at 3.58pm.

MS EMILY BRYSON ACTING CHAIR

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