I hope exams/papers are going well. For those of you who just finished Managerial Econ or Finance or will have GBizz tomorrow, my heart goes out to you.

Here are the dates for the upcoming AMS council meetings. What better way to get into the new year than with a healthy dose of the AMS!

• January 6^th & 20^th
• February 3^rd & 10^th
• AGM & turnover February 12^th

More info to come!

Love.

The AMS UN Debacle.

INTRODUCTION

Once upon a time, in a land far away called UBC there lived three young students. Facing high debt and slim job prospects, they were opposed to any tuition increases. They knew that something had to be done. With their vast knowledge of politics and activism (as two held titles as student leaders), they went on a quest to seek counsel. With this wise council, they began to create a document of great power. This complaint was directed at some very important people indeed.

Now all of this would be lollipops and puppies had it not been for the big mean monster called Democratic Process. Now, Democratic Process had a henchman, Bureaucracy, and together they made things for these young lads very difficult. Instead of facing the two head-on, the three young students decided to sneak around them to get their way. For nine long months, the big mean monster and his crony were avoided….at least until they caught wind of the complaint.

What an uproar sprouted from the monster! Councillors from all the land assembled to see what was going on, and they were not please. You see, to them, the monster called Democratic Process was actually a friend, and those poor students fell folly to their own greed at getting something done, so much so that they completely forgot to tell Councillors about their actions and follow the Democratic Process.

One by one, Councillors asked Tim and Blake, as that were their names, to say they were sorry and to give up their titles. Meanwhile, the UN prepared.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The bigger issue regarding this debacle is that of student apathy. Or rather, the complete lack of care around student government. Do not get me wrong here, this is prevalent in all levels of government, but when people do not care, then a vicious cycle occurs.

LET’S BREAK DOWN SOME KEY ISSUES HERE

On Apathy: Simply put, students do not care about things unless it affects them somehow. Students see things like the Great Farm Trek and lower athletic fees but do not see the countless hours of planning/effort that they require. It’s a sad fact, and can only be addressed if we focus on addressing three resulting issues:

1. Bad Leaders: Good person. Good intentions. Bad process.

2. Lack of trust: People have their own personal agendas

3. Further Divided Student Body: It’s a weird phenomena where people in the middle are pushed towards wither side of the political spectrum. I hate the term “crazy knolly”. It’s juvenile and creates separation in our university, but the very fact it exists means that there’s a fundamental problem within our student body. Yes, there will always be radicals, but they should NOT be put in a position of power. That means no crazies: no crazy lefties or righties. Call me naive here, but given a student population of 45,000, I am pretty sure we can find five level-headed individuals that can be elected as executives.

WHAT SHOULD WE DO?

Increase student engagement: Not a simple task due to its cyclical nature. The questions remains, how and is it even possible?

1. Improve Leadership: It’s unfortunate but something has to be done. Whatever way this ends up going, let’s all hope that a signal has been sent that the AMS NEEDS effective leaders that can deal with conflict management and that do not have a personal agenda.

2. Improve culture: Culture starts with a huge focus on relationships: with the students, with council, with other execs, with the Administration, with the BoG , with the UNA, UEL, Translink, VANOC etc. etc.

3. Focus on Students: More FarmTrek, less “equity”. More Sprouts, less “representation”, more resource groups, less “matyr activism”.

THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW!!!!

1. Run for a position

2. Apply to committees here

3. Read various blogs from all sides

4. Come to council meeting this WEDNESDAY at six, council chambers. The agenda is here.

5. Email me with any concerns (I’ve gotten a few already!) at amsrep@cus.sauder.ubc.ca

Love,

Your AMS Rep

COMMERCE students, recent events in the AMS provide evidence that the AMS needs strong support from students like you. There are a multitude of great entry positions as Members at large open for all students that want to get involved. This is a GREAT way to get involved, especially if you’re in first year or have never gotten involved in student government before.

There will also be an emergency meeting this Sat, Nov. 28th at 5:00pm in the room 206 in the SUB regarding impeaching our current president. For more info check out: http://blogs.ubc.ca/ubcinsiders/

THE POSITIONS starting immediately until September 2010!:

3 Students needed for the External Relations Committee: This committee deals with representing the AMS to external bodies like other student unions, political parties and students at large regarding lobbying. This is a great position if you are interested in politics or learning more about how the UBC administration works.

3 Students needed for the Legislative Procedures Committee: This committee deals with policies and drafting new policies. This is a great great position for anyone interested learning the behind-the-scenes action on politics.

3 Students needed for the Business and Facilities Committee: This committee deals with businesses! This is the ideal position if you want to learn more about running businesses. You will be in charge of making marketing, pricing, renovation and other decisions regarding all AMS businesses.

3 students needed for the Student Life Committee: Looking for new initiatives to get involved in? This committee deals with increasing student engagement and truly helping students get more out of their degree. This is a great and fun committee to start with!

2 students needed for the Chapman Learning Commons/Learning Enhancement Academic Partnership Student Advisory Committee for a term effective immediately and ending March 31st, 2010: This is a joint committee and a great way to network and learn more about the UBC administration.

1 student needed for the University Athletics Council: Another joint committee, but great for students interested in athletics.

Interested?

Please email me your

1. Name

2. Year/Faculty

3. A short summary of your accomplishments/why you want to sit as a committee member. (This will only be read out if there are more candidates than seats).

OR, show up to the meeting: 6pm, SUB Council Chambers ROOM 206 on WED, Dec 2nd

MY EMAIL IS

amsrep@cus.sauder.ubc.ca

This is a great opportunity and shouldn’t be missed, especially if you’re not normally the type to get involved!!!

Email me if you have any comments/concerns.

The Alma Mater Society of U.B.C. Vancouver November 18, 2009

PLACE: Council Chambers SUB Room 206

Themes: awkward turtle, Chinese herbal yummy tea, and heckling

Food: sandwiches and cookies (I LOVE COOKIES…no seriously, I am at Blue Chip far too much)

Best Dressed: Madam Green: smart blazer+ heels+ jeans= lovely.

Shout-outs to haircuts: Matt Naylor, Tim Chu (and I think Tahara). WAY TO GO!

Shout-outs to facial hair: Bijan who, along with looking like the Persian version of Mario, had a fantastic moustache

And like always, if you are simply craving more AMS, please check out UBC Insiders!

“We might be in for a late night/ Stuck in a lava flow of brake lights”- Julian Casablancas

A late night indeed. But hey, I expected it and I live to tell the tale: a tale of political power plays, secret motivations, and student government. So let’s go down this rabbit hole yet again, all together now, and delve into another council meeting, discussed, analysed and ultimately reported to you by yours truly. Once again, despite my steady descent in jadedness, I enjoy writing this to you, the commerce student, and I truly hope you can gain a better understanding of what YOUR AMS does.

(1) A Non-voting Disability Seat on Council

“Your constituency is engaged, I hope all you have your ears open”- Rory Green

The issue: Whether the AMS should establish a non-voting seat on council for a self-identified disabled individual (broad definition intentional).

The good: (1) this would allow council to move one step closer to being a more “representative” body, thus fulfilling a mandate for formal representation (2) would allow for another leadership role for a disabled student who can voice concerns that are (apparently) not typically raised on council (3) legitimacy within the AMS as to truly having a disability voice (4) ability for said councillor to sit on committees and speak up there as well (5) a whole host of other things, including a sense of “doing good” for the AMS

The bad: (1) Council would not necessarily be more representative, especially if this seat simply becomes a token seat on council (apparently this was the case for an aboriginal seat long ago) (2) As far as I know, there already are “disabled” councillors/general AMS hacks. I can easily count at least 4, and if my recent fail on a mental health test is any indication, 5. With that said, we expect students, disabled or not, to raise concerns to their representatives. (3) There is a potential for this non-voting seat to open a veritable Pandora’s Box of multiple “minority group” seats. (4) There are other, perhaps better options.

The ugly: There were a few complaints as to the guests that were at council that evening in support of this motion. Without getting too personal, let’s just say that respect was not a priority at that particular moment. And that’s totally fine, it occurs when people feel strongly about an issue and become passionate and heated in discussion, but I wasn’t particularly pleased with being made to feel like a complete monster. Therefore, I strongly believe in having a less hostile talk and collaborating instead of bringing, what I believe is an Out of the Blue motion. Essentially, I feel that people want to do good and feel like they have accomplished a tangible result, hence motions such as this. The problem, however, lies in the process and not the purpose.

The solution(s): (1) Create a resource group (2) Invite all students, including students with disabilities to council meeting where they can always voice concerns

The result: Motion failed

“It’s meant to shrink wrap our presentation”- Stephen Owen, UBC VP External

(2) Presentation on MetroVancouver‘s proposed zoning bylaws

The issue in three sentences: 1. MetroVan wants to create new zoning bylaws that will decrease UBC’s power when it comes to academic zoning 2. UBC is obviously angry about this whole ordeal (a) because it undermines their power (b) increases the time to get any approval for academic-type buildings on campus 3. The AMS is like, “hey, this might be a good thing; MetroVan was willing to listen to us when the UBC Farm issue came up, maybe they’re trying g to tell you something UBC”

What did Stephen want? To update council and get support

What did he get? Council telling him that perhaps the REAL problem is the UBC governance structure and not Metro Vancouver. The very fact that Metro Vancouver is starting to look at this speaks volumes.

Executive Updates are Always Great

What does Blake seem to be doing?

Figuring MetroVan’s plan and SUB renewing.

Johannes spoke at Remembrance Day

And according to the UNA

Saltspring is no more

And while meetings are a bore

Crystal is SUB-ing and chatting with alumni

Tom seems to be a fun guy

Even though things might have gone sideways

Out East he spent his days

Pavani is meeting with student development

Services is her element

Tim is campaigning

And while this is particularly draining

There will be two more b-line stops

And the cuts campaign is tops!

Constituency Updates (because we like other faculties….no, seriously, we do)

ARTS is getting ready for night of a 1000 dinners

New dean reveal because they’re winners

And FrAUSTbite at the Chan Centre

ENGINEERING wants us to watch tbird play

And pre-drink and say yay!

SUS is lacing up for the kids

And suiting up for finals

In LAW there’s a lot of “banging in the library” (Dia)

And HKIN is also lacing it up

BoG is looking at the brand

Senate changes entrance requirements

For Albertans

Yay to all!

“…suck it up and do your jobs!” –Matt Naylor

(3) Oversight motion

The issue: The executive is not meeting nearly enough, leading to a lack of communication so oversight is forcing them to meet at least once before each council meeting

The ugly: Few can doubt that the lack of communication is leading to a dysfunctional executive when it comes to working together. It is unfortunate it has come to this but Oversight Committee and council strongly feel that to avoid “random” motions, it is imperative for the executive to meet. The desire is fully reasonable.

The solution: It is executive’s responsibility, especially the president’s to act as leaders and manage conflict. In other words, be a leader, suck it up and work things out. Reality: that’s what leaders do.

The result: Motion passed

(4) Grad Class code changes

The issue: Apparently Grad class council, a council that decides the grad present and such, cannot do anything because it never has quorum. These are code changes to change that.

The  result: Motion passed

“You have the black cats, the white cats and you vote in the mice”- Tim Chu

(5) Electoral procedures

The motions:

1.  Better appeals deadline so that appeals occur within 7 days after balloting closes

2.  International Student election to better define who can vote and who can run and a whole bunch of nomination procedural things

3. Slates! Slates! Slates!

1. Passed

2. Passed

3. talk talk talk……tried to be amended….talk talk talk…motion failed

“I raised my head. The offing was barred by a black bank of clouds, and the tranquil waterway leading to the uttermost ends of the earth flowed sombre under an overcast sky–seemed to lead into the heart of an immense darkness.”- Joseph Conrad

The Issue with Slates: If these past two years have taught council anything it is this: people work better when they genuinely like each other. What are slates? Basically, slates occur when people run together. For example, if Susan ran for President, she could endorse Brad, who was running for VP External. They could, also, pool their money if they wanted to and create posters with both their faces. According to the proposed changes, they would have to register with the Elections Administer if they ran on a slate.

The good: (1)Slates would allow for candidates that work well together to get elected (2) Implicit slates already exist, formalizing them would show some light into the matter and allow for less trouble come election time (3) It would be easier for individuals to get involved as they would have support from other candidates

The bad: Because of the nature of slates, (1) students might be forced to adhere to the slate’s goals and not their own, polarizing the political pool into three huge slates and no others, (2) slates would limit the diversity of opinion on council once candidates are elected, (3) slates have the potential to actually decrease the number of people running as candidates would need to find slates to become members of and(4) some slates will simply have people there for token diversity who are not necessarily good candidates.

The ugly: This is an extremely time-sensitive and controversial motion and of course we spent a disgusting amount of time on it. Some did not want senate seats to be on slates, others wanted to bring it back to committee, and so on.

The solution: Let’s go back and ask ourselves why we need this motion. Two very simple reasons: (a) we want a better executive that can work together and (b) we want more representation, more people, engaged and running in elections. With that in mind, council needs to understand that slates may not hold the whole answer. Indeed, as far as I’m concerned, inspiring the executive to work together is the president’s and executives’ duty. In all honesty, I am a firm believer that while there may exist left and right-wing tendencies within council, the truth is that all members of the AMS want to help students first. So…suck it up, collaborate and work together. In the real world, people rarely agree, yet somehow things get done regardless. It’s called compromise and working together and now is a great time to learn those skills. As for more representation, people will start to run if they can see that they can make a difference. The solution, therefore, encompasses vastly changing the way the AMS is perceived and motivating students to care enough about the AMS to run. For this to occur, the AMS needs to start caring more about engaging students at the grass roots level (having more entry level types of positions).

The result: Motion Failed

At this point it was midnight, six long hours into the meeting… my laptop was dead, my head was not functioning and my mind was elsewhere.

(6) YVR motion

The issue: If you are going to the airport, the upass is not enough; you need to pay an addfare in the amount of $2.50. The AMS is against this addfare.

The motion:

Whereas TransLink has proposed a Canada Line YVR Add Fare which would require a passenger, travelling between Bridgeport and Templeton Canada Line stations in either direction, to pay $2.50 in addition to the applicable zone fare for travel to Richmond; and

Whereas TranLink has indicated that, if implemented, U-Pass holders would be required to pay the YVR Add Fare; and

Whereas TransLink has agreed to provide U-Pass holders “unlimited use of TransLink funded bus (including Community Shuttles), SkyTrain, and SeaBus transportation services within the GVRD”;

Therefore Be It Resolved That the AMS oppose the inclusion of U-Pass holders in the scope of the YVR Add Fare; and

BIFRT the AMS President submit comments to the TransLink Commissioner prior to November 30, 2009, articulating the AMS’s position on this matter.

The result: Motion passed unanimously

(7) Committee Appointments

Councillors got appointed, but I wanted more MAL positions as that’s a great way for students to get involved in the AMS.

Looking Beyond the AMS

I’m starting to realize that the AMS is more than simply student government. It has such potential for enacting positive change, but unfortunately, I’ve also seen its faults, and as a result, have grown a rather thick skin when it comes to issues. Last council meeting, I felt judged because I was blonde, white and in commerce. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. The environment in the AMS is one that lacks inspiration and is extremely hostile. When people believe that what they are doing is right, they will go to trmendous lenghts to attain it, even if it means harming others. I truly hope you all understand that I for one want the AMS t change for the better.

Together, I know we can make it work.

Thank you’s: Before I start, I truly think a big thank you is in order for our VP Marketing, Johnny Lee and the whole team for creating such an amazing website. As someone who has no knowledge of computers beyond word processing and excel (how I love Excel!), I am constantly amazed at what Johnny (& co.) have accomplished.

Thank you.

And so we begin with a meeting full of the three C’s: Committee Reform, CASA, and the Campus Plan

Props to new haircuts: Geoff, Johannes, Jeremy

Food: Sandwiches and cheesecake, and later pizza

And the award to best dressed goes to: Mitch’s cat t-shirt with a very close second by Crystal’s silk skirt

It’s Time to Thrive

Thrive Week is coordinated by the Office of the Vice President, Students and the Department of Health, Safety and Environment. It is a week that celebrates wellness and health and encompasses a series of free events for UBC Students, Staff and Faculty. Council had the benefit of having a presenter come in and discuss the various events, such as a breakfast with Professor Toope, happening during the week of November 2-6th. For more information, I would encourage all Sauder students to visit the Thrive Week website.

Let’s be SAS-sy

Presentation by Anthony Smith, AMS representative to the SAS working Group

The Sustainability Academic Strategy is the result of a working group composed of students, faculty and external representatives given the mandate to consult and develop a comprehensive draft strategy by the fall of 2009 regarding how to fully incorporate sustainability into UBC. This strategy would become part of UBC’s large Campus Plan. All too often, sustainability is stripped of its meaning and becomes nothing more than a buzzword, and we need to realize that the concept of sustainability is not simply changing a few things here and there, but rather it is a completely new way of looking at our society, our consumptions and the limited amount of resources we have.  I was very happy to see UBC take concrete steps to ingrain the concept of sustainability into all its processes. Some highlights of the new SAS plan include:

• Teaching and Learning: The development of up to a minor in sustainability, the creation of academic sustainability teaching fellows (new staff that would be responsible for developing sustainability courses), and a certificate program where students involved in extra-curricular sustainability initiatives can have that recognized on their degree
• Research and Partnership: The development of CIRS, a sustainability hub, focus on receiving funding and grants that are due to sustainability research and changing the peer review system to allow for more interdisciplinary work
• Operations and Administration: the implementation, within the next 3-5 years, of a municipal scale micro-grid waste, water and energy project, and working with suppliers to build lifecycle-based sustainability targets and tracking systems (say what? Basically making sure we get cheap and environmentally sustainable supplies)
• Implementation: creating The University Sustainability Centre (TUSC) with a full-time Director and appropriate levels of staff and budgetary support, Enhance support for staff, faculty and community (alumni, First Nations, UNA) to engage in sustainability leadership and practice in teaching, research and campus sustainability

The Strategy is extensive and I would greatly encourage all those interested to look through the website and to check out the draft. I will be writing a story on the SAS plan for The Cavalier’s next issue.

Last Council Meeting, the AMS endorsed the SAS plan

C is for Committee Reform

"What? You can't tell me committee reform is impossible!"

Chief Tyrol of Battlestar Galactica (a.k.a. Matthew Naylor) was kind enough to visit council this Wednesday to present on Committee Reform. In brief, Committee Reform is a proposed change to completely rework how motions are made and committees are structured. In other words, committee reform will result in an operational division of power, committee chairs that would work 12 or so hours a week and a crazy amount of changes to code and to internal processes. Is this a good thing? To be honest, I have no idea (especially since code changes amount to 50+ pages and I’m not that policy obsessed…yet), but the straw-pull (a non binding vote to see what the preliminary thoughts are) Naylor asked from council to gage interest was favourable. More details will be given next week, including the code changes, and I will be posting another update then if I receive anything. I would love to get any feedback from an outside point of view regarding the proposed changes once more information is available.

Mi CASA no es su CASA

I have been discussing CASA for quite a while these past couple of updates. What is CASA? CASA is a national lobbying organization. In other words, the Canadian Association of Student Alliances, made up of certain student unions (like the AMS), lobbies the federal government with regards to issues such as post-secondary funding and childcare.

While this might sound pretty dandy, the AMS has seen a lot of problems with regards to CASA. Some include too much staff involvement, two conflicting constitutions and a whole slew of other problems. In other words, CASA is seen as unprofessional and not necessary to the AMS. At this point, I would like to mention the age old concept of ROI, or return on investment: indirectly, it seems like CASA has done some things to improve post secondary education in Canada, however, if we take a look at our fees, which are approximately $35,000 or so every year as associate members, we begin to see that the bang for our buck is not all that much.

Of course, the debate on whether or not we have fully used CASA to our advantage stands. We are as much a part of CASA as any other school, and I would like to add, probably one of its biggest players. It is unfortunate that (a) there is so much instability at CASA (b)the AMS has not taken the time to fully see ways we can work with CASA (c) CASA has not taken the time to sit down with the exec, and hash out a solution. But since it is relatively easy to leave/enter CASA, I have a feeling that there will always be a CASA debate.

And in the effort to avoid any legal ramifications due to CASA operating under two constitutions and the AMS being bound to at least some sort of contract, the AMS motion to leave council will take into affect once our 12 month period as associate members (members that essentially have no vote) is up in April. Then, for one solid year, we will not be part of CASA.

And so, here is the hefty motion in all its glory:

Whereas the AMS has been engaged in independent federal lobbying efforts, incurring costs in addition to those funds paid CASA; and

Whereas the allocation of funds towards federal lobbying represents a proportion of the overall external relations budget disproportionate with the impact that the federal government has on post secondary education; and

Whereas there are insufficient concrete returns on investment to warrant continued CASA membership, and

Whereas significant AMS concerns with the constitution under which CASA is operating, most notably the fact that such a constitution was rejected by Industry Canada, have not been rectified in a timely manner; and

Whereas AMS efforts to reform CASA governance structures, or embark upon a process that would lead to the recommendation of such reforms, have not been treated as a priority by CASA; and

Whereas CASA’s efforts to develop campus-centered campaigns to complement more conventional lobbying efforts have been either insubstantial, ineffective or non-existent; and

Whereas AMS ability to steer the organization is incongruent with the AMS contribution to the organization; and

Whereas CASA institutional rules prevent the GSS from becoming a CASA member; and

Whereas the voting structure of the organization gives a disproportionate voice to regional voting blocs and;

Whereas the Member Driven Principle continues to remain undefined on an organization wide basis, and insufficient safeguards exist to prevent situations of excessive staff control or ensure that the priorities acted upon and the policy priorities reflect the will of the membership;

Therefore, be it resolved that the Alma Mater Society of the University of British Columbia – Vancouver cease its affiliation to the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations; and

Be it further resolved that the AMS remain unaffiliated to any federal lobbying organization, for no less than one years; and

Be it further resolved that if the AMS considers affiliation with an external lobbying organization, it negotiate with CASA first.”

(There was an amendment to the motion from Tahara to change it to the intent to withdraw on April 1st: a smart move considering that the last thing we want is a lawsuit)

While essentially, this motion means we are leaving CASA, we are leaving on April 1st, and council can change that at anytime by 2/3rds. My biggest apprehensions has been the fact that (a) the motion wording itself is grossly negative (one of Natalie’s, the forestry reps concerns) (b) the motion binds next year’s council to a certain degree (c) the process has always been “how do we leave CASA” vs. “how do we improve our ROI in CASA”

I agree with Neal, one of the writers for the UBC Insiders, when he mentions the complete lack of outside student involvement with CASA. Therefore, as your AMS Rep, I would love any feedback with regards to CASA. Take a look at the website, the letter, and the CASA presentation highlighting some concerns. Then, please comment or shoot me an e-mail with your views.

Last council meeting, council voted in favor of leaving CASA as of April 1st*

*Now let’s all hope that we do not have a lawsuit in our hands

Presidential and Executive Reports

Blake was sick but don’t you fret

To a $25 Upass his sight is set

Rallying for students rights

Yanni’s off to new heights

Talking to the senior manager for HR

Hopefully our org. culture will go far

Tom got catering to talk about us

Because the AMS made such a fuss

IPF Applications are due soon

This Friday, so be like Daniel Boone

And take the initiative, get it done

And off to Tim for some fun

Campaigning against the cuts

With our postcards we’ll kick some butts

Crystal still sub-ing away

Pavani helping plan Suicide Awareness Day

Making a workshop for SLC

That’s what the execs are doing for you and me!

Constituency Reports

SENATE: Congrats to Geoff who has been elected as the UBC Senate Vice-Chair, the first student ever to be elected: WAY TO GO!!

HKIN: Oct 30 Halloween Boat Cruise

ARTS: Retreat, “Free” bzzr garden on Oct.23rd

LAW: still no building

MUSIC: found a VPX

ENGINEER: Free bzzr? NO cover? When? Parties? They sang a song but I couldn’t understand

SCIENCE: Retreat, met a bear, Oc.28 First year Halloween Dance, POITS AND SUS on OCT.30= EPIC

BoG: New powers, Bill 13, Concerns, Opinions and Thoughts

And Everything Else…

After passing countless minutes, Council finished off the meeting with a discussing on electoral reform and the UBC Campus Plan

UBC Campus Plan: Please Please Please visit http://www.mycampusplan.ca to have your say in the UBC Campus plan. This will be your only chance in twenty years!

Electoral Reform: (1) Should we have slates (2) Should we have paper balloting stations?

What are your opinions? Send them, comment, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Personal Update

And a little update on what I have been up to as your AMS Rep: Mostly, I have been working hard in the External Policy Committee, working on the Anti-cuts campaign, the CASA motion and the Olympics report. I’ve been attending meetings and while I find them particularly draining (and disheartening at times), I have tried to remain un-jaded, which has been tough, and relatively hack-free (even more tough). Regardless, I am enjoying meeting all the members of council and working with them to enhance student life.

I have also had the privilege of writing in the latest issue of the Cavalier. My most recent (and only for now) article introduces the AMS to students and urges commerce students to participate in their AMS. On that note, I would like to reiterate and speak on the absolute importance of taking the time to recognize the various goings on at UBC: go to a bzzr garden not put on by your faculty, read the Cav and the Ubeyssey, check out the campus plan, read UBC blogs like the UBC Insiders and UBC Student Media, go to a senate meeting and see Geoff in action, and, last but not least, shoot me an e-mail with your opinions.

After all, UBC might very well be a big place, but it’s our big place.

Tuuem est!

Memorable Quotes (taken out of context of course):

“We don’t need CASA”-Blake

“I can intend to commit murder, but not actually commit murder”-Colin

“I’m not Bijan, I don’t represent the university”- Geoff

Food: Sandwiches and wraps, and peaches (that ended up being rotten inside)

no no not THIS Peaches…although equally awesome.

no no not THIS Equity…although equally awesome.

Because they’re awesome. No other reason but for your viewing pleasure.

“I slept on the train, I slept on the plane……I slept in the Seattle airport where I got my camera stolen”-Johannes (that’s Seattle for you)

And now for Constituency updates:

HKIN is a win
because they lace up for the kids
AUS is retreating away
in Whistler that’s a yay
GSS does some code
LAW is in no building mode
FORESTRY has a demonstration
And a new councilor is from EDUCATION
ENGINEERS party on Halloween
And a sexy sexy party is yet to be seen
with Commerce and Science that’s what I hear
Mayhem, mischief and beer
Regent have soup at two bucks
on Tuesdays at noon if you’re in luck
All other faculties are equally cool
Because they’re all part of the UBC School

Announcements: October 30th is DAVE’s Birthday!! If you will be attending, there will be two rounds of clicking in. Please have your clickers ready.

Carollee’s Birthday was Thursday!! Shoot out.

BoG and Senate:

No more Hospice near Marine Drive,
Bijan and Mike have mad vibe
Totem infill is most likely a go
I think we should celebrate with pho

As for Senate, at Toope’s to dine
Because student senate caucus is so fine
Student awards and consultation
on increasing student engagement!

Then there were a whole bunch of motions to approve minutes from one YEAR AGO. Which is a complete planning fail. Essentially, money was taken, things were done that did not really go through council last year.

Thank you.

Minute Fail.

sigh.

And five (or four?or six? who knows anymore)

hours later…

Until the next one

because students deserve to hear what happens through multiple channels of communication

even if it is only about the AMS.

Much love,
Kat

The following recount will try its best to outline the absolute gong-show of a meeting September 23rd. And because Neal always beats me to it with his speedy typing and reporting abilities, check out his stellar update

COUNCIL UPDATE

Date: September 23rd
Council Chambers
Start: 6:10pm End: sometime near midnight
Food: Pasta and bars, and later pizza (unfortunately not the pizzas with whole broccoli pieces)
And the award for best dressed goes to: Alex Lougheed, who was just one pair of Ray-Ban’s shy from perfecting the ultimate sailor/hipster/nerdy chic look.

Theme: ABSOLUTE CRAZINESS

Presentations to Council:

New SUB Project Overview – Blake Frederick and Crystal Hon

It’s tough to update council when all of your updates are either extremely confidential or extremely tentative. This is why I absolutely commend Crystal (and Blake) for this much needed and much appreciated presentation. While most of the “good stuff” is in camera, meaning I can’t disclose anything, some interesting highlights include:

1. The work with getting students engaged through (a) the awesome outdoor sign near the bus loop (b) SUB renew booth (c) including SUB renew aspects into curriculum in new or existing classes such as APSC 261: Sustainable material selection for the new SUB and CHBE 45X: Biogas system Design.
2. The work with project management which has (a) short listed 7 architect candidates (b) done value analysis etc. and (c) are looking forward to preparing a risk log, time/cost plan and coordinating with other building plans such as the new University Square plan and bus terminal loop.
3. The overall progress of SUB negotiations that while may seem slower than a Lemche lecture, is actually progressing.
From this presentation, the overall idea I got was: “yes, we’re making headway but no, we cannot tell you much, but please, trust us.”

President and Executive Remarks:

Constituency Reports (in free verse):

ARTS is working on MASS review
And meeting the Dean too!
Fall elections Sept.30th to 0ct.2nd
Schematic design process to BUCH courtyard
SCIENCE beat us in tug of war
But that’s because Jimmy is a muscular monster
New agenda for science students
Now they won’t steal our prospectus
Frosh 300+ participants
Ladha bookings “going like hotcakes” so book your events early!
FORESTRY week was this week
ENGINEERING had their frosh
Working on improving the Cheez
Helping students looking for Grad School
Being awesome
LAW has a boat cruise
Law Library is open still
Demolition
HKIN “Every night should be Swiss Chalet night”-Dave
Personal development series
Early morning runs

MOTIONS:

1. “BE IT RESOLVED THAT $1,000 be withdrawn from CPAC to install baby change tables in 2 bathrooms in the SUB.”
Note: The balance in CPAC is $420,000
Motion passed; there will be bay tables in the elusive gender neutral washroom and the female washroom

“Students do have babies”-Tim

2. “BE IT RESOLVED T HAT $81,252 be withdrawn from CPAC to develop club offices and relocate the photocopiers on the lower level.
Note: The balance in CPAC is $420,000
Motion passed; we will have club offices in the bottom level of the SUB where the really sketchy photocopiers are right now.

And this is just about the time where things started to hit the fan….

3. “Whereas the AMS owns and operates a lodge in Whistler, BC, and; Whereas council has accepted a prior proposal to capture additional revenue from the market opportunity in Whistler during February, 2010 to support student programs, and; Whereas the AMS has been approached with a variety of public proposals that would capture additional revenue to support student programs for all UBC students; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the AMS suspend the AMS Whistler Lodge pricing policy to allow business operations staff to negotiate a deal for the full public rental of the AMS Whistler Lodge for February 2010, with final approval from council.”

You may be wondering why we’re discussing the lodge yet again; apparently though, Tom was given an offer to rent out the lodge during the Olympics. A couple of meetings ago, council decided to open up half of the lodge to the public, charging $149 to $199 per night per bed. Council voted in favour. A couple days later, a new offer was given: about $83,000 more to rent out the entire lodge to a private company, with a potential offer of $630,000 to rent it out for four months.

During meeting, Tom presented why we should revoke our previous decision and rent out the lodge. For your viewing pleasure, I have made a pro-con list so that the facts are known:

:

We were lucky enough as councillors to have former VP Finance Chris Diplock and representatives from the Outdoor Varsity Club as well as the Ski and Board club (with, might I add, amazing T-shirts). They stated that the AMS lodge is one of the most tangible ways students use AMS services (since many do not actually know where their fees go) and that denying that would be going back on council’s word and favouring money over students. The problem is that that extra eighty grand would have gone into student services regardless, perhaps with even more value-added. So what do we do? Give an amazing opportunity to a few special students, or do what is best for all students?

The following video, I feel, best describes the AMS’s situation with regards to the Whistler lodge.

AND precisely at this moment council became a (theoretical) gong-show.

“If you kill all seniors, the health care system will be better”- Tim

I love this because it is so ironic.

There were a whole host is discussions surrounding this motion. At one point Matt wanted to put the hypothetical money we would get into the external lobbying fund, then decided to challenge the speaker and at that point I was too confused, tiered and frustrated to understand, let alone care.

“Blake is not going to have to shine shoes and do shit I don’t want to even know about” -Chris Diplock

MOTION FAILED

4. “BE IT RESOLVED THAT on that Council approve the creation the Equity and Diversity Assistant Position as presented.” 2/3rd
Cost of position: about $3000
Value to students?: Unknown

As blood-sucking , money-hungry commerce students, the only true equity we care about is the one shareholders have. That’s not the equity council was talking about though.

Last council meeting, the Equity & Diversity coordinator proposed an assistant position. Why? Because the amount of work she was given and the amount of progress expected of her was far too much to handle alone.

There is whole lot of debate around the merits of having a duplicate program, but that wasn’t the issue debated on in council. The issue was whether or not, given the workload, the coordinator needed an assistant.

Perhaps, perhaps not. But, I think the greater debate here is whether we need this program or not. In the meantime (since I have a feeling that this issue will be brought up in the very near future), I’d like to point out how these, and these, these, and these amazing people do an astounding workload and are NOT paid.

MOTION FAILED

And at this point it was midnight, and councilors were a)drunk b)falling asleep c)close to tears d) disenchanted with the world so very nicely, the meeting (albeit abruptly) was adjourned.

FORCED ADJOURNMENT = absolute craziness

I hope the next meeting will not be as chaotic. In particular, I hope everyone will be more respectful and will not ignore other councilors when they are trying to be nice. With that said, rest assured that I will report that meeting just as well as this…. because despite all the tears, the childish behavior, the rants and deep faculty stereotypes, I truly enjoy letting my constituents know about the (mostly) wonderful things their AMS does.

Until the next one,

Ekaterina

Hello young men and women of the commerce constituency. Let your AMS rep enlighten you for a while. So close that Accenture newsletter (yes, I am also on the e-mail list), stop complaining about Ivey and how many formidable people have been seduced by it, tell your mentor in consulting/investment banking/accounting that you’re sick and can’t make it to coffee, and take some time for yourself instead and read away:

The writing of this post was started literally twenty minutes after AMS council meeting ended. Why you may ask? Well, your AMS rep must commute one and a half hours to get to UBC from her “house” in Surrey, so naturally, she chooses to effectively use her time and do work.

HIGHLIGHTS:

a. Lack of speaker (no Dave=no technology=mass chaos). Luckily, Sauder Alumni and now turned law student, Colin Simkus, was able to be an amazing speaker, ruling with an iron fist. Way to go Colin!
b. The themes here were: TRUST, healthy minds, speaking lists
c. The food was sandwiches and prosciutto covered cantaloupe?

PRESENTATION TO COUNCIL:

Healthy Minds at UBC, presented by Vanita Sabharwal & Patty Hamble

Is that Corker with a free hugs poster!?! Awesome!

FORKS FORKS FORKS. There were none at council. I ate cheesecake with my hands.

Lobby days flow chart.

General overarching themes this meeting: my lack of a laptop, hot yoga, French accents and sucking wind

Food: GREEK food. This definitely made my day

And the award for best dressed goes to: Brian Sullivan, wearing a very snazzy tan suit with a plaid green and red bowtie. Bow ties are hard to wear properly without looking like a waiter, and Brian managed to pull off the Academic-distinguished look perfectly. A very close second goes to Matthew Naylor’s black hat and CPAC shirt combo.

Coming to this meeting from a gruelling hot yoga class puts everything into a weird perspective. As I slowly inhaled and exhaled and watched the meeting unfold, I couldn’t help but think on a grander scale, quickly realizing that every single change this university (and this council) puts forth will always have both a negative and positive side regardless of how hard we try to please all.

PRANAYAMA BREATHING: Just like the beginning breathing exercises in hot yoga help establish the rest of the class, so too did Brian Sullivan, VP Students at UBC, and Pierre Ouillet’s, VP Finance Resource and Operations, presentation on a new financial model help establish a new plan for upcoming years here at UBC. Working hard with UBC’s strategic plan (http://www.strategicplan.ubc.ca/index.html), this financial model will serve to (a) develop a simple and sustainable budgeting framework (b) deliver a balanced budget for 2010-2011 and (c) identify revenue and expense opportunities. For the next few paragraphs, I will try to outline the main changes proposed, but before I start, I‘d like to commend UBC on coming to present to council and their frankness, honesty, and transparency this year. Please note that these proposed changes that have not yet been approved, and thus may undergo significant changes when they are brought to the Deans come September 9th.

For more information on this year’s budget, please check out:http://www.finance.ubc.ca/budgets/documents/2009_10UBCBudgetSummaryBook06Aug2009.pdf (Sauder is on page 22)

THE STANDING SERIES:

(A) Mo’ money, mo’ students and no mo’ historical budget allocations
One of the emerging recommendations brought forward was to allocate resources to faculties and student aid on strategic enrolment and not on historical numbers. In other words, if Sauder received $55,325,000 last year, it will not necessarily receive the same this year simply because that was the previous amount.

According to Pierre and Brian, the amount given to faculties will be approximately 75% of a student’s tuition (actually it’s per student enrolment per class since some students from arts might want to take commerce courses and so forth) plus an extra amount per student that will be adjusted over time and greater for graduates than undergraduates. What is the percentage now you ask? Well, since I am currently unemployed, I took the time to figure that out using actual enrolment figures from last year and while the numbers were confusing at best and I had to do some assumptions, I focused primarily on the GPO allocation with regards to enrolment. The General Purpose Operating fund (or I believe that is what it stands for) “is the primary funding source to support the University’s academic mission”. Currently Sauder receives $25,043,000 from this fund, which is about $8,231,946.80 less than what it receives from tuition (Assuming 20% international enrolment across the board and that all graduates are MBA full-time). So if we crunch all the numbers, and I’ve included the screen shot of the excel sheet in this post, we get about 75%. This means that already, according to the 2009/2010 budget, Sauder receives about 75% of its tuition back in the form of GPO funding. Of course, this is only one fund of many and in the end Sauder receives much more from other funds but the allocation of the GPO here is basically where it would be in the new financial model.

(B) B is for Balanced Budget!

The expected 2010/2011 Budget includes a:
13m structural deficit from the 2009/2010 budget
6m previously negotiated salary increases (unions!)
3m in a reduction in investment income (recession!)
3m Strategic Priorities (development!?)
Which amounts to a projected deficit of 25 million dollars

To balance this budget, UBC proposes to take out from their building operations savings, increase ancillary contributions (ancillaries are basically wings of UBC such as UBC housing or UBC Conferences and Food services) and reduce contingencies. This will total about nine million dollars.
*One interesting thing here that UBC would like to do is to invest more in housing/properties and essentially leverage itself to buy properties. This is an interesting funding proposal and while the province cannot offer UBC the loans it needs, UBC is looking at other methods. Hummm, maybe UBC can start to buy houses near the university and rent them out to students? Just sayin’. This would total about 16 million dollars.

(C) Revenue Enhancements and Cost Reduction initiatives

A series of eight recommendations have been formulated:

1. International Student Enrolment expansion
To increase full time international student enrolment from 10% to 20%. One particular concern from the AMS regarding this issue is whether the increase will come at domestic student’s expense. Brian assured the AMS that as a public institution, UBC is mandated by the provincial government to provide domestic students sufficient seats first. To increase international enrolment, UBC will focus on international marketing (thank you Olympics), making sure there is enough capacity, different admissions since GPA is not standardized across the world, student housing, and lastly ESL requirements. I think I speak on behalf on the average Sauder student when I say that this is all great and dandy just as long as I’m not forced to be in a group with someone who clearly cannot speak English. Another concern lies with provincial funding; if UBC expands to include more international students, the argument for the province would be why should we pay our tax-payer money to support foreign students (of course tuition for international students is at “full-cost” but still).

2. Efficient Learning Model
Seek opportunities to reduce teaching costs while maintaining or enhancing the student learning experience. From what I gather, UBC is proposing to redesign curriculum at least on some level. Coming from commerce where many upper-level courses are specific and small and many classes are innovative and experimental, I fear this proposal will do more harm than good but I look forward to seeing how this plays out.

3. Increasing Professional Tuition
A professional education is basically an education that prepares novices for highly skilled occupations such as law, medicine, engineering, and (mostly) commerce through a combination of theory and practice potentially ending with a certification, licensure, or other formal credential. Therefore, UBC is lobbying the provincial government to relax the 2% tuition cap so that they can charge more money to certain students in certain programs. An increase in tuition will, no doubt, cause an increase in student aid and directly benefit the faculty (via the 75% budget change mentioned above). With that said, I think Bijan brought up an important concern that the higher cost (and higher perceived cost) in such programs will restrict people with a lower income from enrolling, causing a reduction in income diversity and is therefore against UBC’s mission to create global citizens. I would go one step further and warn UBC against fostering an elitist group of faculties where only the richest students can attend. As someone who comes from a modest background, I personally know students who have decided to attend other universities simply and only because they were cheaper. For me, university choice should NEVER be because of available funds, and I’m afraid that while this will end up helping Sauder on a whole (so much actually), it might significantly hurt students on an individual level. In the end, this discussion is way too large to be further developed here, but needs to be considered on all fronts at one point in the near future.

4. New IT model
Centralize IT. woot woot ERP’s!!!

5. Supply Management
Develop partnerships with providers such as Xerox and software providers and execute a management plan encompassing all of UBC

6. Cultural Venues
Increase revenue of cultural venues such as the museums and other venues. (mo’ concerts!!! well, maybe not considering the current situation with the RCMP and the UNA)

7. Administrative Faculty efficiencies
Combining the administrative wings of smaller faculties together

8. Look into better summer usage of campus in terms of housing and such
Personal idea: more Irish folk! Ahahha.

It seems like UBC is starting to significantly change the way it operates (duh) in the wake of financial turmoil and changing demographics. As UBC quickly becomes a university-town, it will have to somehow balance creating a community of undergraduate students (something it is losing quickly) with providing research and grad opportunities (something it wants to increase). MacLean’s just recently published an interesting article where it interviewed Canada’s biggest five universities and from that interview, a unanimous sentiment of undergraduate “relocation” was expressed. Check it out: http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/2009/07/28/our-universities-can-be-smarter/

Just a funny note here, as I was making my way across campus Wednesday afternoon, I came a across a young family. The little boy kept lagging behind his parents and his father was getting frustrated. He turned to his son and said, “Come closer, this is UBC. This is one of the most dangerous places in Vancouver” and proceeded to grab the kid’s hand. Dangerous? Really? I was both embarrassed and slightly angered. Clearly those people do not go downtown often enough.

You know you’re a university-town when…. young families refer to campus as a “dangerous place”

SAVASANA:

Approval of a whole bunch of minutes and updates:
Blake’s all about communicating, doing radio, TV and interviews
Getting himself on the evening news
First week events he will attend
And more student groups he will befriend
Never forgetting his student views

Johannes: First year seminar in the strategic plan
Looking into the allocation of housing points for the Greek System
Working on the Appointments Review Committee
MED palliative care application
VPs Academic meeting (I would like to know if Chris was there!)
Taking a Stay-cation

Crystal: Working on a consolidated subsidy form for Upass and sub-renew
Integrating the SUB project into classes
Having a SUB booth in Clubs Days
Waiting for the P3 report
Organizing Clubs Days and Dean’s debate
Adding a baby change table in the gender neutral washroom (we have a gender neutral washroom!?)

Tom: Working on hiring a Senior HR Director (three really good candidates)
BOC is looking at new fancy point-of-sales systems
Looking forward to a meeting with UBC catering
And looking at the Whistler Lottery system
TANNED

FLOOR SERIES:

Motion to oppose StudenAid cuts:

“Whereas the post-secondary education system has been underfunded;
Whereas the budget for StudentAid BC was frozen as per the 2009/2010 BC Government Budget; and
Whereas the BC Government recently cut $16 million in student aid programs;
therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the AMS oppose the $16 million cut in student aid programs;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the AMS call on the BC Government to reverse the $16 million cut;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the AMS work towards adequate funding for student aid; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT AMS Council authorize an awareness campaign in regards to the cuts.”

Recently, the Provincial government cut 16 million dollars in student aid (http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastnews/story.html?id=3c8e1c84-153b-4948-b646-7d130f6b5af3&k=11215). This sucks. End of story. But as a student organization this should be the beginning of a very nasty and publicized campaign. The science-proxy, Colin Simkus, motivated this motion, saying that come September 1st, when the BC government introduces its new budget, cuts to students will most likely be more than 16 million. Therefore, we need to make some noise and be heard and cause a ruckus so that the government takes notice. That is why the awareness campaign needs to occur. There was an amendment included saying that the campaign can only come from previously budgeted funds.

I am a little apprehensive about this as I really feel the urgency of this campaign. What I’m most afraid of is student apathy. I think Colin got it right when he said that we should be marching at the art gallery, getting those sob stories out and making it the big deal is already is. I am relying on the External Policy Committee and Tim to fully get this campaign going, and going soon.

APPOINTING A MAL TO THE AD-HOC EQUITY AND DIVERSITY COMMITTEE. There is one spot left! E-mail me with your contact info and why you want to be on it at amsrep@cus.sauder.ubc.ca Also, like always, feel free to e-mail me with any questions/concerns you may have.

FINAL BREATHING EXERCISE:

Sometimes, AMS meetings are a lot like hot yoga classes: they drag on, serve to crush your ego and are too hot and sticky— but when they’re done, you can’t help but feel absolutely, positively amazing and inspired.

Namaste.

I love EXCEL. Please tell me if I got the numbers wrong. (Comm 290 fail)

The reason for this semi-epiphany? A chance conversation with someone outside my faculty that would catapult me far away from my excel spreadsheets and into a strange and exciting world where words such as “purview”, “albeit” and “centre-left” (gasp!) reigned supreme. What I have learned, and what I have continued to learn has helped me become a more-rounded individual and, oddly-enough, a better business leader.

The importance of inter-faculty relations is something we often take for granted. In our individual pursuits of knowledge, we are segregated and then taught the world by our respected faculties. All too often, that knowledge is limited by our degree. This is extremely prevalent in commerce, where elective choice is small and the focus on community, albeit extremely beneficial, can lead to a lack of relations with those outside the “privileged” few (In addition, true intellectual dialogue, I believe, is lacking in our faculty). The ability to recognize other view points and collaborate with people who are greatly different is vital to a successful career in any field, especially business. In today’s age, one must be able to engage with stakeholders as well as stockholders and learning early in our college lives how to recognize other opinions will help us make well-informed decisions in the future.

No doubt, engaging with people who share starkly different view points is crucial for business development, moreover though, as far as college lives go, getting to know people from other faculties in a more social setting couldn’t hurt either. From conferences to house parties, from wine and cheeses to “more-wine-than-cheeses”, college is just as much about meeting new people as it is about getting that killer job right after. In fact, that killer job might actually be an effect of widening your social network. Of course, you may never truly put “Beer Pong Champion”, “Designated Driver” or “POITS Flip Cup Winner” on your resume (although I challenge all of you to try!), that is not to say that they are not achievements, nor that they do not open the door to meeting people completely different than yourself.

I guess the way I see it, all relations are important (no duh!), and just as it’s completely bogus to limit friends according to race, belief, or orientation, it’s silly to only have friends in one faculty. Perhaps now you’re wondering, carefully editing your résumé while checking you gmail inbox, how on earth can one engage in activities outside of Sauder? Well the solution is simple and while I by no means hold all the answers, there are a few things I would suggest doing if getting to know others is on your long list of “Things to do before I Graduate”:

1. Participate in your Alma Mater (there you’ll meet a ton of dynamic, motivated people)
2. Go to one (at least) party hosted by another faculty (I heard Engineering is a good one to go to)
3. Go to a conference where there are delegates from other faculties (ex. Enterprize or the Model UN)
4. Join the Greek system
5. Join a club outside Sauder (I heard the French club makes crepes)
6. Hang out outside HA (Easier said than done. When it’s raining, all I want to do is sleep in Dlam)
7. Sit on the Knoll (no seriously, do it)
8. Go to ACF Block Party and Welcome Back BBQ
9. Go to the Pit (on Wednesday night preferably, but I didn’t need to tell you that now did I?)
10. E-mail me at amsrep@sauder.ubc.ca for more info on how to get involved!!!