University of Bradford Union Executive

Minutes of the meeting held 21st March 2017, 6:00 p.m. – 7:25 p.m., UBU

In Attendance: Andrew Fitzpatrick, Kieran Turner (minute taker), Siji Akinlusi, Aphrodita Darmadi, Subira Ismail, Hamza Butt, Aleem Bashir, Topher Burn, Tariq Hemmings, Faiz Ilyas, Akinwale Akinyemi

1. Roll call and apologies

i. Apologies: Aneela Ahmed, Awais Ahmed, Rayana Ahmed, Biance Ilina, Shazmin Akhtar.

2. Welcome and introduction of any new Executive members

i. Hamza Butt was the Chair, and welcomed members. There were no new members.

3. Minutes of the last meeting

i. None available as the last meeting was cancelled.

4. Elections update

i. Hamza announced that the turn-out had been 46% which is 28% above sector average. NUS calculated that based on Bradford’s 15,000 students, this is the third- best turn-out in the country. They will be asked to recalculate using the on-campus figure of 9,000 and it may turn out to be the best nation-wide.

ii. There were some complaints during the election, but Hamza and Siji described the work of the Elections Committee to deal with these and said that the committee had worked very well.

iii. Andy said the turn-out was a real credit. The election was well run, with a good atmosphere. The Student Voice office had served well as an elections office. The candidates’ breakfasts were well attended.

5. UBU Away Day

i. Andy ran through the background to this day, which will include sabbaticals past, present, and elect, together with Trustees, guests, and staff. It will address the structure of the sabbatical team and ask whether the present structure is fit for purpose, going forwards.

ii. He mentioned that any changes eventually decided on (in a further process involving Council and the Trustee Board) would then be protected from external pressures for 5 years thanks to the Charity status of the Constitution. 6. External Trustees

i. There are vacancies for External Trustees.

ii. Andy and Kieran, together with existing External Trustee Arthur have been working on a pack to assist with recruiting.

iii. Some examples of suitable candidates were given; 5 are in mind.

iv. Exec is invited to suggest other suitable candidates, who should have an understanding of the Bradford situation.

v. 2 new External Trustees should be in place by July.

7. New layout for office

i. Andy described plans to rearrange the Student Central space.

ii. This includes an improved media area between reception and RAMAIR, and moving the Student Voice to near reception. The existing Student Voice area may be used by Activities and Sports, though details remain to be arranged.

iii. A key advantage will be to help sabbaticals to work closely together.

8. Motions for Council

i. The motions that have been put forward for this week’s Council were discussed so that the Executive could have a consistent view.

i.i. Mental Health

i.i.1. Subira commented that she had not been consulted.

i.i.2. The general feeling was this motion needs to clarify what precisely it wants UBU to do.

i.i.3. Faiz and Aleem commented that it would be better if it used the word “campaign”.

i.ii. Music in the mall

i.ii.1. The general feeling was that this motion was overly complex and a little off-putting.

i.ii.2. There were concerns about attempting to mandate staff and barstaff, which we don’t have power to do.

i.ii.3. It was noted that some events organisers have been rude to RAMAIR when asking them to switch off.

i.ii.4. It was also noted that only RAMAIR pay for a music license. i.ii.5. Topher asked whether some speakers are blown.

i.ii.6. Tariq commented that people don’t come in to Student Central to listen to RAMAIR, since it’s available online.

i.ii.7. Subira felt the motion would spoil spontaneity.

i.ii.8. Topher said we should encourage notice of “music” on the events booking form.

i.ii.9. The discussion moved on to engagement.

i.ii.10. It was also asked what is the definition of “offensive”?

i.ii.11. It was felt it is too much to ask individual students to turn off their music, and this might drive people away.

9. Free Printing / Paperless assignments

i. Subira presented this which will need to be an Emergency Motion to Council due to timing – the reason being University Student Affairs Committee is coming up on Monday.

ii. There was unanimous support for the idea in general.

iii. Subira gave more details of the company which is going to provide UBU with free printers and ink for students. We will just provide paper. The print-outs have a banner ad at the bottom so are suitable for notes and personal use. A guillotine could be provided at the printing station.

iv. We will be able to veto any advertisers on ethical grounds.

v. The slant of the discussion moved to the issue of paperless assignments.

vi. This is a very popular idea with students for all the reasons outlined in the motion. These include reducing costs, improving access, and saving the environment.

vii. A petition will be taken widely to provide evidence of this. Aphrodita will email societies about this and Topher and Tariq offered to go out to get signatures. Akinwale will make it available at a PGR event on Friday.

viii. Unanimous approval to take this to Council.

10. Activities Ball

i. Aphrodita reported sales are slow – please promote this!

11. Sports events i. Siji outlined forthcoming Varsity and Colours events.

ii. There was discussion of transportation to Huddersfield. Details are on the event information online.

iii. Colours tickets are selling well but clubs will still be chased up.

12. AOCB

i. Topher announced auditions on Thurs/Fri for Bradford’s Got Talent, a charity fundraiser. Then there will be more auditions on Weds between 4 and 7 in the Communal Hall. It is fundraising for charity.

ii. Tariq announced the Pandora’s Box event, Red Ribbon’s fashion show. It will have guests and live performances and is Saturday at 6 p.m. in the Great Hall.