AMS gathers for first assembly of the year

Assembly approves budgets, discusses Student Choice Initiative and campus alcohol policy

Image by: Tessa Warburton
From left to right: Auston Pierce

The AMS kicked off its first assembly of the year by approving service and governance budgets, discussing the Student Choice Initiative, and talking updates to the campus alcohol policy.

Discussion about the JDUC redevelopment was tabled until the next Assembly in October.

In his first President’s Report, Auston Pierce said this year will be “pivotal” for the history of the Society.

In his written report to Assembly, Pierce said Queen’s students are facing a unique set of challenges this year, including cuts to OSAP, rising food insecurity, the Kingston housing crisis, and the effects of the Student Choice Initiative on the Society’s governance structures and student jobs.

“In the past there have been divides on our campus, but this year we cannot afford to be anything but united,” Pierce wrote. “We all have an incredible opportunity this year to work together to address some of the most important questions and challenges that we face in our community and in our province.”

Ratifications and Motions

Assembly unanimously ratified Bruce Baker, Laura Devenny, Tenzin Shomar, and Callum Robertson to the position of elections deputies.

Assembly also approved budgets for elections spending limits, the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA), the External Advocacy Commission, the Campus Activities Commission, the Clubs Office, the Vice-President (University Affairs), the Secretariat, the Social Issues Commission.

Student Choice Initiative

During discussion period, the body discussed the impacts of the Student Choice Initiative, (SCI) announced in January.

According to Pierce, the SCI caused a 30 per cent cut to AMS jobs, with a total of 100 student jobs lost. 

Campus Alcohol Policy

One of the Society’s major goals is to enforce a campus alcohol policy on campus that will create a safe environment for students.

According to Greene, the AMS is not enforcing drinking restrictions on students this year.

Greene said imposing restrictions of alcohol consumption on students puts a limit on their choices. Instead, Greene said the AMS will impose a time frame for the amount of shots ordered at Queen’s Pub.

The executives also said the new alcohol policy will undergo a public consultation period in October.

With files from Luca Dannetta.

Corrections

This article has been corrected to reflect correct AMS opt-out rates and alcohol advertising policy on campus.

The Journal regrets the error

Tags

Alcohol policy, AMS Assembly, ratification, Student Choice Initiative

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