MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN THE BULL-PEN OFFICE AND VIA ZOOM ON 13 JULY 2026 AT  9.37AM        

PRESENT

          Daniel Leamy (Chair), Kamesha Jones (zoom), Troy Gibbons, Hansini Wijekoon, Flynn Nisbett, Irfaan Ariffin, Zoe Eckhoff and Jarna Flintoff

IN ATTENDANCE

           Debbie Downs (Chief Executive Officer), Donna Jones (Association Secretary) and         Gryffin Powell (Critic New Reporter)

CO-OPT MEMBERS ONTO THE STANDING COMMITTEE

          Moved from the Chair

^sc264/26 THAT Flynn Nisbett, Irfaan Ariffin, Zoe Eckhoff and Jarna Flintoff be co-opted onto                       the Standing Committee for the duration of this meeting.

                                                                                                                          CARRIED U

APOLOGIES

          Rihanna Warsame

          Moved from the Chair

^sc265/26 THAT the above apology be accepted.

                                                                                                                          CARRIED U

              Noting also that Adeleine, Ella, Sami and Fergus apologised.

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS EXECUTIVE MEETING

          Moved from the Chair

^sc266/26 THAT the minutes of the executive meeting held on 18 June 2026 be accepted as a                       true and accurate record.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

INTEREST REGISTER

          For noting

SPEAKING RIGHTS

          Moved from the Chair

^sc267/26THAT Donna Jones, Debbie Downs and Gryffin Powell be granted speaking                                  rights for the duration of this meeting.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

EXECUTIVE SECOND QUARTER REPORTS

          Irfaan and Flynn’s reports were late.

          Hansini left the room at 9.41am and returned at 9.42am

          Moved from the Chair

^sc268/26 THAT Hansini Wijekoon’s second quarter report be accepted and she continue to be                   paid her honorarium.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

            Zoe left the meeting at 9.43am and returned at 9.44am

            Moved from the Chair

^sc269/26THAT Zoe Eckhoff’s second quarter report be accepted and she continue to be paid                     her honorarium.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

            Troy left the meeting at 9.44am and returned at 9.45am

            Moved from the Chair

^sc270/26 THAT Troy Gibbons second quarter report be accepted and he continue to be paid                      his honorarium.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

            Moved from the Chair

^sc271/26 THAT the Chair to assumed by Kamesha Jones at 9.46am

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

            Jarna arrived at 9.46am

            Daniel left the room at 9.46am and returned at 9.47am

            Moved from the Chair

^sc272/26 THAT Daniel Leamy’s second quarter report be accepted and he continue to be paid                   his honorarium.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

            Moved from the Chair

^sc273/26 THAT the Chair be resumed by Daniel Leamy at 9.48am

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

            Kamesha offline at 9.49am and back online at 9.50am

            Moved from the Chair

^sc274/26 THAT Kamesha Jones’s second quarter report be accepted and she continue to be                      paid her honorarium.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

            It is noted that Irfaan’s report was late.

            Irfaan left the room at 9.51am and returned at 9.52am.

            Moved from the Chair

^sc275/26 THAT Irfaan Ariffin’s second quarter report be accepted and he continue to be paid                      his honorarium with the amendment of the word count.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

            Jarna left the meeting at 9.53am and returned at 9.54am

            Moved from the Chair

^sc276/26 THAT Jarna Flintoff and Sami Harrison’s second quarter report be received and their            honorarium be paid.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

            It was noted Flynn’s report was late.

            Flynn left at 9.55am and returned at 9.56am

            Moved from the Chair

^sc277/26 THAT Flynn Nisbett’s second quarter report be accepted and he continue to be paid                       his honorarium.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

            Adeleine asked for her report to be read in her absence.

            Moved from the Chair

^sc278/26 THAT Adeleine Eli’s second quarter report be received and she be paid her                             honorarium.

                                                                                                                        CARRIED U

            MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING – NDSA/OUSA

          As attached.  Daniel has been meeting with The National Disabled Students’        Association Incorporated and has a good working relationship. This MoU establishes             a formal, accountable partnership between NDSA and OUSA to improve             accessibility, inclusion, and equity for disabled Ākonga in tertiary education.

          It was agreed that OUSA will pay the agreed annual financial contribution to NDSA.         Previously OUSA paid $2500.  The MoU budget balance is slightly less. More time needed to address this. Te Rōpū Māori would like to consider helping.

          Tabled for more information.

REFERENDUM RESULTS

          As attached.

          4 & 5    currently running protests with other groups assisting

          6          Hot options for breakfasts are being supplied already with hot porridge.

          7          Investigate Drop Kicks as a venue – Debbie pointed out we have already                        looked at this venue three years ago. The venue has bad accessibility, not                        outdoor areas and wasn’t suitable.  OUSA agreed a bar was                                              needed and will continue to look.  

          8          Options already out there.

          9          Should OUSA advocate for an increase in base hourly rates paid to Tutors                        and demonstrators under the University of Otago Tutors and Demonstrators              guidelines? Kamesha offered to write an action plan with next steps. 

          10        Should OUSA advocate for payment of the living wage to all UoO staff?                          Daniel will communicate this with the Vice Chancellor and the Chief Operating                  Officer.

          11        Not the Executive as they are paid honoraria

          12        Staff vetting for student support positions – yes, they should, especially the                     pastoral care area.  Daniel will communicate with the University.

          13        Regular engagement by the VC with Te Rōpū Māori and Pacific Island SA?                    Donna and Daniel have been following up on this. The VC has agreed to this.

          14        Hybrid Workshops – all should attend.  Daniel will follow up.

          15        It was obvious students misunderstood this question about swapping 2                            executive positions.

          16        Should OUSA oppose and advocate against the proposed demolition of the                    Archway Building Lecture Theatres? 

                      Could the University release more information and inform students?                                 Daniel will follow up with the University.

EXECUTIVE ROLE CHANGES

          There are suggestions of changing some of the current roles, especially the Finance        and Strategy Officer to an Engagement Officer.  Also, suggestions of other positions    being added, Disabilities Rep and Queer Rep. Should the President role be split to    Co-President? 

          Daniel will write a discussion paper on the Co-President idea and Kamesha will write       proposals for the other positions.

          Decision will be made at the next executive meeting in two weeks.

          Hansini left at 10.56am

GRADUATION CEREMONY PROPOSED ADDITION

          As attached.

          The University has been working on options to improve the graduation ceremony availability as several students are missing out on walking across the stage. Over         the past couple of years, the December ceremony traditionally offered to Sciences        graduates has been filling quickly.  This has been resulting in sciences graduands       either graduating in absentia or being pushed to other ceremonies away from their      cohort.

          The executive agreed with the idea proposed and Donna will communicate this to            the university.

          Flynn left at 11.06am

AFFILIATION

          Moved from the Chair

^sc279/26 THAT the Otago Students Forensic Science Society be affiliated to OUSA.

                                                                                                                             CARRIED U

     CONDOLENCES

                 Moved from the Chair

^sc280/26THAT OUSA executive and staff express their condolences to the family and friends                     of Paul Mugambi Mwenda who passed away suddenly recently.

                                                                                                                          CARRIED U

MOVE OUT OF STANDING COMMITTEE

          Moved from the Chair

^sc281/26 THAT the powers of the Standing Committee be delegated back to the Executive             forthwith.

                                                                                                                          CARRIED U

          Meeting closed at 11.08am

          Signed: ___________________________________            Date: _________