Liz's report from 15/12 meeting

Seanus Report from Liz
Meeting on 16th Dec 2005 Christchurch Student’s Union

In attendance

Bubble (Chair)
Nick
Katie Hawley
Liz Tomlinson
Flo
Becky Hume
Emma (FE Canterbury College)
Steve Coole (UCCA)
Stephen Brown (NEC)
Ellie Russel (FE VP NEC)

Apologies
Jess, chileya,

Campaigns/Project Updates

The South East is officially an area

Regional Rag day-has not gone ahead this time. Will discuss further under agenda item 6.

South East Weighting- Still our biggest campaign. Postcards have been filled out at each university and will be sent in a the next few days in batches from each university. The campaign will take time and we will keep the pressure on the government. Plans coming up next term include an MP question time at Canterbury College. Julian Brazier is behind our campaign. Next is also targeting local press and working towards pitching the campaign to VC’s, heads of colleges etc.

Rights at work bubble is contacting the local TUC

International language courses-Steve has been looking into this. Research still going on into what each university offers.

Ethical/environmental/recycling Nick is dealing with this creating policy. Recycling is to be discussed at next nec meeting

Thames Valley University-Has asked if they could affiliate to Seanus as they have campuses within the south east region. Seanus Exec agreed unanimously on this matter. Seanus were also informed that Greenwich wishes to affiliate with Seanus.

National Council Reports-three members of Seanus were all at national council and Seanus was able to get a view from all three members.

NEC Observer Report-Becky Hume gave the observer report.

LGBT Conference-Nickers went to LGBT Conference on behalf of Seanus.

RAG-A new date will be set for a Rag event by the 10th January. It will be for South East Specific Charity. All members of Seanus to contact their Rag officers to find a good date.

Smoking In students Unions-Steve brought up a problem that was brought to light due to a smoking policy. The student union has no real control over what happens in the union building as the university owns the building. After discussing the issue it was clear the no union was really sure about what control the university had over them. Each union agreed that a policy or a review was needed about student leading and controlling the organisation. Also the idea of a student autonomy charter was needed. Steve to leas on this

Sharing practice in Governance-all unions are going through governance. All in different stages. Each union to feed into bubble the main areas they are looking into.

Student Safety- Everyone encouraged to work and sit on their local council safety boards as it has been working well at both Christchurch and Farnham

Volunteering-The group discussed the possibility of having Seanus recognition of some sort. Ideas such as a letter of thanks from Seanus and also working with Volunteer UK. Volunteering accreditation was also discussed as part of student’s degrees. Reading has also got a system in place and is going to send out information on this to members of Seanus.

EDM 1229- All members of Seanus Exec were encouraged to support the campaign and bubble will also be sending letter on behalf of Seanus as well.

NUS Conference Amendment time-Seanus was reminded that all motions were now up on the NUS website.

Next meeting will be taking place some time on January.