Hi everyone,
What a whirlwind start to semester! As we hope and pray for WA to stay safe from the virus, we are thankful for the return to some sense of normalcy. The Guild’s work is moving at as breakneck a pace as ever, and I’m delighted to share with you some of the updates from the past two months.
A quick glimpse (yes, this is the quick version!) at some of the motions passed through Guild Council:
- Condemned the announcement by Minister Tehan to take HECS support from student who fail more than half their units
- Moved to redevelop the Guild Student Centre and Volunteering space to revitalise ground floor Guild.
- Approved the use of a Chapel in upstairs Guild precinct
- Stood in solidarity with strike action and safe COVID-19 workplace practises
- Condemn the cutting of the Asian Studies undergraduate major and postgraduate studies
- Acknowledged the pain of Lebanese students and staff as a result of the recent tragedy in Lebanon.
- Accepted the updated Environment Department rules.
- Accepted the NUS Key Performance Indicators
- Recognises the decline and hazards of the ALVA campus, and commits to supporting ALVA to fix risks
- Encourages the Federal Government to intervene to resolve copyright disputes involving the Australian Aboriginal Flag
- Approved the Mid Year Budget Review as recommended by SRC
- Accepted the Student Guild Regulations
- Endorsed the NUS Raise the Rate campaign
- Endorsed the NUS “No Fee Hikes!” National Day of Action
- Condemned the treatment of refugees in asylum as brought to light by Priya’s story
- Recognises the recent increase in military spending would have been better used on students and universities.
What a mouthful! As always, the motions in Council represent just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the work the Guild does.
Some of the recent achievements I’m most proud of include:
- Passing the new set of regulations (years in the works!)
- The Ref is now completely full, providing a diverse range of options for students.
- Sub-$5 and $4.50 meals now in every café!
- The University has committed to a Week Zero
- We ran a successful Women’s Week
- Secured a Cameron Hall accessibility feasibility study
- Ran a Careers Workshop through the RSD
- Outspoken and Damsel Publications
- ISD Employability Web-Series
- Ran the inaugural Grand Challenges Hackathon
- Launched the Innovation Grants program
- Guild Ball event launched (and sold out in 15 minutes!)
Alongside many many other achievements that our OBs have worked hard on.
If you ever have a question please do not hesitate to either pop into my office hours or flick me an email at [email protected]. If you’re interested in watching the next Guild Council, we have been live-streaming it for some months now and you are more than welcome to join!
Thank you for your time, and best of luck for the rest of the month!
Luke
General Secretary 2020
