Union President Shah Yaseen Ali welcomed a busy Bamburgh Room, as the evening began with the AGM. A full Sabbatical Officer team was present, along with Chief Executive Officer of Newcastle University Student's Union (NUSU) Lindsey Lockley. On the front panel, a framed photograph of University Vice-Chancellor Chris Day with the words "Reserved for Chris Day" sat in front of an empty seat.
The AGM witnessed the appointment of trustees, auditors and the approvement of NUSU statutory accounts. Yaseen reflected on the Impact Report, which showcased the Union's successes in the past year. A short video showed some of these successes and statistics collected by the Union, including showing 99% of service users expressing happiness with the Union.
Chair of Council George Wood then took charge, as council officially began. George started with a statement of respect given by NUSU, highlighting the importance of respectful discussion.
The first order of business saw the minutes of the previous meeting passing. A clarification was expressed by a student, who noted the minutes mixing up "possible" and "plausible," to which George noted as the minutes passed.
Following multiple motions receiving feedback from the Steering Committee, Postgraduate Officer Chirag gave a verbal update on the Steering Report. A motion replacing the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism with the Jerusalem definition was steered out, and a motion to lobby the University to not engage in research activities that can be used to harm human life was recommended changes. Chirag outlined that these changes occurred following legal advice sought.
Several questions were raised following the Steering Report, the first questioning the well-being support given to the proposers of the motions, who were given short notice and in a vulnerable position during the month of Ramadan. Chirag responded stating nothing more than what is already in place, and Chief Executive of NUSU Lindsey stepped in to clarify nothing extra was provided, though the point is valid and is something to be looked into in the future.
Another student expressed discontent with the timeframe given, stating a "battle for humanity." The Chair of Council made a point of Order to discuss how since the report, motions have had time adjusted to give time for legal advice with there having been no precedent for a situation as such before.
Following questions, the Steering Committee was passed with no objections, with the Scrutiny and Disciplinary Report following.
President Yaseen gave the State of the Union report, but began by highlighting current events in the University's relationship with Leonardo S.p.A. Yaseen confirmed the Sabbatical Officer team has met with Senior University staff, relaying concerns, to which the University has assured of no investments or current research with Leonardo S.p.A.
Recounting the current work of the Officers, Yaseen stated he has met with a multitude of societies to plan a community fast event. This event is expected to be held on the 20th of March in Venue. Postgraduate officer Chirag has been participating in the PGR subcommittee along with student reps and the senate. Education Officer Lulu has been working with the Student Pantry in the Helix. Welfare Officer Lucy met with police and crime commissioner Kim McGuinness to talk about women's safety in the night-time economy. Athletic Union Officer Kimiko is supporting handover club planning, as well as working on temporary tattoos for varsity. Activities Officer Alex has helped to plan society awards and graduation balls. Student Media Officer Gabbi has hired and trained five new editors, and two new podcast assistants.
The Officers were then invited for questions, where several students took the opportunity to express concern about the Union's response to the student support for Palestine. A student highlighted the Union statement on Gaza, which read "ongoing events in the Middle East." The student cited the differing attitudes to the Ukrainian conflict despite radically different statistics and asked directly to President Yaseen whether he believed the definition was accurate.
Yaseen responded referring to the officer's meetings with the Vice-Chancellor, stating they continue to push for recognition of the seriousness of actions occurring. Student Media Officer Gabbi added the officers continue to ask the same questions, and the most direct answer they received was the university adopted a response to that akin of the government, to which the officer's addressed the contradiction in that but were rebuffed.
Another question from the officer's asked if they were willing to acknowledge the events in Gaza as a plausible genocide. In response, Activities Officer Alex invited NUSU Chief Executive Lindsey to provide guidance. Lindsey referred to the United Nations (UN) ruling as a plausible genocide, and legally NUSU has to work within charity law. She empathised that those deeply affected won't know the ins and outs of charity law but they have to work within in order to not put the trustees and directors at risk.
Following this, a question was raised regarding the Union's independence from the University, despite weeks of student protest raising concerns. Lindsey again answered, referring to Student Union's becoming charities in 2008, which makes it a "pain in the neck for activism... it silences the officers as it makes them trustees." Lindsey confirmed charity law as the problem they have to deal with, not the University, as they can remain independent and seeking legal advice is the way they can get the motions to council.
The final question for the officers questioned their alignment with the student body, to which Activities Officer Alex reaffirmed their support for students with welfare resources, editing motions, seconding them, trying to get legal advice and lobby the University. Alex stated, "if Chris Day was here as invited he could say how we have begged the University to give some statement."
After questions, officer reports and executive committee minutes were passed as a block. This was followed by end of term reports from Sabbatical Officers, Liberation Officers and Chair roles as passing as a block also.
In the first constitutional motion proposed by the Postgraduate Officer, Chirag proposed Liberation Officer's to be elected by only student who self-identify with each respective liberation community. The motion received feedback from several students, with one expressing concerns for the likes of LGBT Officer deterring closeted people from voting. Current Ethnic Diversity Officer Jon Lee spoke in support of the motion referring to the value of representation experience. In voting, the motion did not manage to meet the two thirds threshold, with a vote of 65.91% in favour, meaning the motion did not pass.
Athletic Union Officer Kimiko proposed the second motion to change the individual clubs and societies meeting quoracy requirements. Several of the Sabbatical Officers spoke in support of the motion, addressing the benefit for smaller clubs. In a closing statement, the Activities Officer summarised: "please make peoples life easier." Attendees of council seemed to agree with the motion passing with 100%!
Chirag proposed his second and the last of the constitutional motions, changing the elections of Student Union Chair positions to be elected at the last student council of the year, instead of through the student election. Several students shared opinions on the motion, with current Chair of Scrutiny Lewi and his successor Tom both opposing the motion. This echoed in voting with 70.45% vote against the motion, rejecting it.
Onto the ordinary motions, Ella Spray proposed the first, seconded by Activities Officer Alex. The motion called for 50% plant-based options by 2025, to align with Newcastle University's sustainability pledges. As outlined in the motion details, sustainability is one of the four NUSU campaign priorities, with the plan committing to the United Nations sustainability goals. The proposers addressed in the outline a lack of mention around the environmental impact of animal agriculture. Seeing this as an opportunity to align with set ethical and sustainable commitments, the motion proposed for NUSU to publically endorse the plant-based Universities campaign and support the student campaign. The motion further dictated, that if successful, ticketed events run by NUSU would offer at least 50% plant-based menu, with other events moving towards 100% where possible.
Following a question on the semantics of the motion being "enforced or suggested" Ella confirmed the wording was changed after steering came back suggesting events specifically for guidance. The motion was voted for with 89.36% meaning it has passed and will be enacted.
Ethnic Diversity Officer Jon Lee proposed the next motion, which outlined NUSU to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. Activities Officer Alex seconded the motion and answered a question regarding why the Union cannot call for blanket no fire. Alex stated motions are easier achievable when they have one direct goal to lead to, therefore this motion has a more direct mission. A question was also raised into the methods of calling for a ceasefire, which Alex clarified it would involve writing to MPs and officers actively calling for ceasefire. The motion passed with 95.56%.
Following a brief pause allowing some attendees to break fast and pray, before the final motion, Chair of Council George announced elections for committees. Two places on Welfare and Campaigns, two places on Disciplinary and two places on Scrutiny committee were filled.
Turning to the final motion, it called for NUSU to lobby Newcastle University to ensure that the University does not engage in any research activities that could be used for offensive purposes, rather than defensive purposes within the military sector. Numerous speakers referenced the journey this motion has gone through and expressed frustration in the battle to get the motion to council.
Numerous questions were raised around the changed wording in order to include distinctions of "offensive and defensive." Lewi, who had proposed the motion, called on Chirag to answer, who stated it was the suggestion following legal advice following laws around research within the University.
Whilst not the original motion they sought, many supporters spoke in favour, affirming this motion as a start, and will not be the last.
During the opportunity for against motions, a student expressed a critique, whilst not against the motion, stated concern that the distinction between offensive and defensive allows permit for harm. The student stated they see how British law continues to affect the Union's abilities to cut these ties. The final motion passed, as Council reached its guillotine time.
The next Student Council takes place on May 9, with amended motion submission in order to create space for legal advice.
