News

Tuesday’s Exec meeting was a lengthy one, and to make matters worse the temperature of the room was conducive only to freezing the balls off a brass monkey. Luckily Critic was put in charge of ordering pizza partway into the ordeal, which significantly increased our tolerance for boring Exec stuff. As Ariana wisely pointed out, it was a decision best made by one person, otherwise the Exec would have tried to turn it into a “lengthy discussion” about the merits of each different pizza, how many to get, etc.

It was Acting President Brad Russell’s first time chairing a meeting, and after a bit of gentle guidance from Secretary Donna Jones and policy pedant Dan, he got there in the end and did a pretty darn good job (Critic’s praising of Brad is in no way related to him letting us use his credit card for ordering the pizza).

 
Education Officer Katie Reid has been appointed to the University Council, replacing former President Harriet Geoghegan in the role. Reid also sits on the University Senate, and would now like to be referred to as Councillor Senator Reid at all times. Recreation Rep Sarah van Ballekom endorsed this with a rousing “You go, girl!” and later tried to usurp Russell from chairing the meeting – simmer down there please Sarah. Pizza clearly has a strange effect on some of the Exec.
 

Budget discussions resulted in the Postgraduate budget being increased from $4,000 to $10,000, after a very determined case was put forward by PG Rep Thomas Koentges. Increased monies = their shout at Starters this week? Or just a bigger jelly bath?

 
Colleges and Communications Rep Francisco Hernandez was also asking for a budget increase, having provisionally planned to spend his entire budget on prizes for a chess tournament for first year students. Russell pretty much summed this idea up when he called it “fiscally irresponsible,” and Ariana’s suggestion that the money could have been better spent on a trophy or shield which could suffice for future years seemed a little more sensible. Critic doesn’t know how many first years even know how to play chess, but any event which involves randomly handing out $50 to each student who emerges as ‘College Champion’ seems a little fucked up. Kinda like that Triwizard Tournament, except with fewer dragons and mermaids, and more boring board games dominated by former Soviet Bloc nations.

 
Former Finance and Services Officer James Meager made another guest appearance (he should get a hobby, perhaps chess?) at the meeting to speak to the proposal that the Exec pushes forward the date of the presidential by-election to first semester, to allow greater certainty for the student body and fairness to candidates who may wish to run. The motion passed and nominations for President opened the next day. Critic has a lovely looking pot plant in the office that we’d like to nominate; it’s very charismatic and seemed to be quite keen on the idea when asked. Watch this space for candidate endorsement.