THE INSTITUTE

december 1997 / planet of the arts 47

STUDENTS’ UNION

by Bronwyn Masson, CGA

he Executive started the year with 29 members. It took
several meetings to organize when the entire group could
meet and during this process our number of active mem-
bers quickly diminished. Also, most of the portfolio posi-
tions were not filled until December, giving a relatively late start to
structuring the work of the executive. In January we saw the threat of
a law suit (which appears to have been dropped by the complainant);
this increased interest in attending executive meetings for a while.
Still, we were unable to organize any action to prevent the elimi-
nation of the Part Time (Continuing Education) Concourse show. It
will be necessary for the new executive to undertake the task of
improving communication between all of the various student repre-
sentatives. Over the spring term and during the summer vacation
period the list of active executive members decreased in number to
only eight. Hopefully recent by-law changes will improve the func-
tioning of the new executive and equalize the distribution of neces-
sary work.
Looking back over the 1996-97 year, significant and important
things were accomplished by the executive, by working groups oper-
ating autonomously from the executive, and by-individual students:

The lounge project was initiated to focus on developing and improv-
ing the use of this space for students.

The decision was made to improve the resources of the Students’
Union Office, by updating the computer equipment and by
engaging the services of someone (yet to be appointed) to act asa
custodian of the SU equipment, who will also post information to
the student body about executive committee, working group, and
individual student initiatives.

The decision was made to place four e-mail computers in the cafe-
teria space for students to have access to e-mail. (We are waiting
for parts to be able to do this, but these are expected shortly.)

The structure of the executive was reviewed by discussion and con-
sultation with the present and past SU executive members and
students. An outside researcher was hired to prepare a survey,
accumulate the results, and make recommendations to the execu-
tive for changes to its structure. All this research led to the pro-
posed amendments to the by-laws subsequently referred to refer-
endum.

A referendum was held in October, over a 7 day voting period. This
timeframe resulted in a significant increase in voter turn out rel-
ative to other Institute elections.

Sad memories of the conflicted 1995-96 Students’ Union.

Somewhat smoother (and more productive) sailing in 1996-97.

The results of the referendum were published
around the school. 106 people voted. Both
resolutions were passed by a significant
majority.

In summary, the student body voted to
reduce the executive committee to twelve
positions, six females and six males.
Furthermore, the two representatives for
Social Constituents will each receive a one
hundred dollar honourarium per month of
service rendered.

The second amendment was to change
the audit requirement in the by-laws to per-
mit a review or compilation engagement in
satisfaction of the need for an annual exter-
nal examination of the SU’s financial
accounts.

The working groups processes were also further
developed in regard to their autonomy vis-a-
vis the SU executive. Memorandums of
Understanding were developed by Planet of
the Arts, the Handbook Working Group, and
the Life Drawing Working Group, among
others. These documents describe the pur-
pose and mandate of the group, and outline
accountability for the group’s use of SU
funds. These documents are the basis of a
mutual understanding between the SU exec-
utive and each working group in accordance
with the by-law requiring the executive to
respect working group autonomy.

Planet of the Arts increased its distribution to
5,000 copies. It is now distributed through-
out Vancouver and receives positive public

comment on the quality, depth and range of
the work done by students at Emily Carr
Institute.

The 1997/1998 student handbook was success-

PHOTOGRAPH BY HARALD GRA\

fully produced and distributed by the Bronwyn Masson, Chair of the 1996-97 Students’ Union Executive Committee

Handbook Working Group.
We continued to send representatives to the CFS meetings.
Mo Sihota and Glen Clark each visited the Institute during the year.
There were no strikes and no demos this year.
We are in good standing with the Registrar of Companies. oO

This report was delivered and accepted at the
SU’s Annual General Meeting on November 18, 1997.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY ERIN GILLGANNON

THE INSTITUTE

december 1997 / plonet of the orts 47

> |B

‘ed memories ofthe confled 195-36 Students Union

Somewhat smoother (nd mare productive) sling 199637

bby Bronwyn Masson, CGA

he Executive started the year with 29 members. t took
several meetings to organize when the entire group could
eet and during this proces our numberof active mem
‘ers quickly diminished, Also, moxt ofthe portfolio pos
tions were not filled until December, giving a relatively late start to
structuring the work of the executive In January we a the threat of
law suit (which appears to have been dropped by the complainant)
this increased interest in attending executive meetings for awhile
Sill we were unable o organize any action to preven
ration ofthe Part Time (Continuing Education) Concourse show.
willbe necessary forthe new executive to undertake the task of,
improving communication betwcen all of the various student ep
sentatives. Over the spring term and during the summer vacation
period the list of active executive members decreased in number to
only eight. Hopfily recent by-law changes wll improve the nc
tioning ofthe new executive and equalize the distribution of neces
sary work
Looking back over the 1996-97 yar, significant and important
things were accomplished by the executive, by working groups ope
ating autonomously from the executive, and by individual students

the elimi

‘Thelounge project was initiated to focus on developing and impo:
Ing the use ofthis space fr students.

‘The decision was made to improve the resources of the Students
Union Office, by updating the computer equipment and by
engaging the services of someone (yet to be appointed) to act as
custodian ofthe SU equipment, who will aso post inormaton to
the student body about executive commie, working group, and
Individual student initiatives.

‘The decision was made to place four e-mail computers in
tera space for students to have accesso e-mail (We ate wait
for parts tobe able todo this, but these are expected short)

“The structure of the executive wss reviewed by discussion and con
sultation with the present and past SU executive members and
student, An outside researcher was hited to prepare a survey
accumulate the results. and make recommendations othe execu:
tive for changes to its structure, Al this research led tothe pro
posed amendments tothe by-laws subsequently referred refer.
‘ndum.

‘A referendum was held in October, over 7 day voting period. This
timeframe resulted ina significant increase in voter turn out rel-
ative to othe Insitute ection.

cafe
8

The results ofthe referendum were published
te. Both

ed by 0 significant

I summary the student body voted to
reduce the executive committe to twelve
postions, six females and. six lnales
Furthermore, the two representatives for
Social Constituents will each receive a one
hundred dollar honouraium per month of
service rendered

The second amendment was to change
‘the aut requirement inthe by-laws to pe:
mit a review or compilation engagement in
satisfiction ofthe need foram annual exter-
‘nal examination of the SU's financial

‘The working groups processes were also further
developed in regard to their autonomy vi-2-
vis the SU executive. Memorandums of
Understanding were developed by Planet of
the Arts the Handbook Working Group, and
the Lie Drawing Working Group, among,
others. Thee documents describe the pur-
‘pose and mandate of the group, and outine
accountability for the group's use of SU
funds, These documents ae the basis of a

tal understanding between the SU exee-

‘tive and each working group in accordance

with the by-law reqiting the executive £0

eet working grup autonomy

Plane ofthe Arts incrensed it datribation
$00 copies. Iti now distributed hough
a Venter and ee oe ree
omest on the quality depth and range of
the work done by ates a Emily Cae
Insti.

“The 997998 student handbook was ss
fully prodiced and. distbuted. by the
Handbook Working Group.

We continued to send representatives tothe CES mestngs.

Mo Set ad Gen arkach ised the Isttute dating the ye

‘hard wares srs rod ne dome is ye

Weare in god standing wih he Rei of Companies ©)

‘This report was delivered and accepted atthe
‘SU’ Annual General Meeting on November 18,1997

‘Bronwyn Masson, Char of the 1996-97 Stadens Union Executive Committee