AMS student politicians closed their year welcoming incoming AMS executives KMV and their team into AMS Assembly.
The ratification of commissioners, review of the student-run non-academic misconduct (NAM) system, and traditional transition Assembly took place at Sutherland Hall following the corporate general meeting (CGM) on Apr. 6.
Thomas Crawford, judicial affairs manager, submitted a verbal and written report on the conditions of NAM that are overseen by the AMS—particularly, level one and two violations of the student code of conduct.
“The main goal of this office is to investigate non-academic misconduct cases. What has happened over the years is the purview of this office has been decreased by school,” Crawford said to Assembly.
Peer-to-peer restorative justice was discussed as an important facet of the AMS’s involvement with the NAM system. Crawford said the purview and scope of the office have been limited due to jurisdictional changes of alleged violations.
“The amount of level one cases that happen usually happen outside of the judicial affairs office’s jurisdiction. Residence takes on all cases that happen within residence, athletics take on all cases that happen on sports teams, and the Student Conduct Office takes on any case that’s category two,” Crawford said.
The future of the Judicial Affairs Office (JAO) as it’s known is in “possible crisis,” according to Crawford. He said the office’s main goal is still to build students up and not punish them by looking at restorative options.
According to the results presented to Assembly, JAO processed four cases of non-academic misconduct in the 2022-23 school year. Of these, three cases were resolved, and one was pending investigation. The JAO found all students responsible for the alleged violations.
“Currently, we are the only voice in the [NAM] system and if it’s lost you lose that value and advocacy this office can give to students,” Crawford said.
President’s report
In President Eric Sikich’s last report to Assembly, he outlined the work undertaken by staff in his portfolio.
The Marketing and Communications office has been working on re-branding and campaigns, with the Communications office working on newsletters and annual reports. The Secretariat’s Office was working on policy and a committee is being created on the conversation around AMS candidates running in slates.
“The past month has been busy working to continue or finalize some of the projects that I have been working on throughout the year, such as work on our Health and Dental plan accessibility, moving the MBA program to the SGPS, working to review issues arising from elections and more,” Sikich said at Assembly.
Vice-President (Operations) report
Tina Hu, vice-president (operations), shared the many successes of AMS service managers over the course of the year. She personally addressed each manager, highlighting their notable accomplishments in her address.
Hu announced the AMS is working with a third-party company to expand the menstrual product facility initiative.
“I’m collaborating with student affairs to streamline communications regarding menstrual product accessibility as more dispensers are being installed across campus,” Hu said.
Vice-President (Student Affairs) report
Reading Vice-President (Student Affairs) Callum Robertson’s report, Sikich congratulated all AMS commissioners on their “dedication, passion, and commitment to serving students this year.”
Sikich emphasized the expansion of the Commission of Campus Affairs and Commission of Environmental Sustainability to include new assistant manager positions.
“These new positions are just one signifier of the expansion plans we have for each Commission, where we hope to see new advocacy and events being run in future years,” Sikich said.
Ratified Commissioners
All eight new commissioners were ratified by the outgoing AMS assembly members.
Incoming Commissioner of External Affairs Julian Mollot-Hill told Assembly he is “really excited to make an impact.”
Dreyden George, incoming Commissioner of Clubs, wants to increase the interaction the commission has with each club at Queen’s, particularly clubs involved in equity work on campus.
Starting her AMS career as the Social Issues Commissioner (External), Khadija Farooq’s interest in social issues stems from her own lived experiences. She is hoping to create a “synergistic set of initiatives” for next year.
Incoming Social Issues Commissioner (Internal) Ruth Osunde told Assembly the AMS “has a lot of work to do addressing equity internally.”
In her new role, Osunde will focus on anti-oppression training for AMS contributors at all levels and improving transparency with the student body.
Callum Fraser, the incoming commissioner of campus affairs, is committed to streamlining the event sanctioning process for campus clubs.
Bringing experience in environmental advocacy, Ryan Kuhar is the incoming commissioner of environmental sustainability. Kuhar hopes to centralize environmental initiatives within the AMS.
Incoming Secretary of Internal Affairs Alysha Ahmad believes her experience as an AMS policy analyst will assist her in stepping into her new role.
Calder Bryson, the incoming chief electoral officer, wants to make AMS elections more accessible and convenient for students.
Tags
AMS Assembly, KMV, non-academic misconduct, Team ETC, transition
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