On Thursday night, AMS Assembly met in Macdonald Hall for its first meeting of the academic year.
Members passed the Society’s governance budgets, approved members of the Judicial Committee, and discussed issues ranging from the University District Safety Initiative, to the JDUC redevelopment project.
In an omnibus motion, assembly passed all AMS governance budgets, baring budgets for the Secretariat’s Office and the Vice-President (University Affairs) on account of clerical errors.
Assembly also motioned to confirm seven nominations to the Judicial Committee—including its new chair, Seema Sidhu.
Students confirmed as members of the Committee are Victoria Gudzak, James Taptelis, Noah Brennen, Mahad Ali Asif, Max Teitelbaum, and Jeremy Jingwei.
Additionally, Kingston Mayor Brian Patterson, and Interim Provost and Vice-Principal (Academics) Tom Harris, were guest speakers at assembly. The pair took questions on the new University District Safety Initiative.
JDUC Redevelopment
The AMS is officially searching for an architect to re-design the John Deutsch University Centre (JDUC).
A student fee hasn’t yet been secured for the project.
According to AMS President Miguel Martinez, the Society has worked with Physical Plant Services over the last few months in preparation for the release of a request for proposal (RFP).
On Aug. 15, the RFP went out and all bids for the project were due on Sept. 12.
Martinez told AMS Assembly the Society has received 18 applications from different firms bidding for the project.
“The RFP requests that the selected architect have four separate consultations with students. Those consultations will be with AMS Assembly, Clubs Caucus, an open town hall for all, and a full day with AMS service managers,” Martinez wrote in his report to AMS Assembly.
Last year, the AMS held a referendum on Feb. 12 and 13 to secure a student fee of $89.00 for the project. The vote narrowly failed.
When asked at Assembly when a second referendum will occur on the JDUC project, Martinez said a vote will “likely occur early second semester.”
Martinez also noted the Society is lobbying the University to fund a $1 million bursary for students who may not be able to pay the full student fee, if it passes.
“Even if the students now may not necessarily benefit or get use of the new building, it is important that we as student leaders continue to think of students in future years as much as our students here today,” Martinez wrote.
“Many of the success[es] that we have today [are] due to the commitment and forward thinking of previous student leaders.”
Alcohol Harm Reduction Program
In his written statement to assembly, Martinez reported Orientation Week leaders received a test harm reduction workshop.
He wrote the participants’ expressed an “overwhelming amount of support for the workshop.” Despite this, an incident in the workshop meant many students were uncomfortable, leading Martinez to promise it would be reviewed.
The review aims to ensure that what goes into [the workshop] is factual, appropriate, and does not create an environment where students feel uncomfortable.”
Corrections
The original text incorrectly stated the AMS had secured a $1 million bursary. They have only lobbied for it.
The Journal regrets the error
Tags
AMS Assembly, JDUC revitalization
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