AMS Council met on February 12 to approve four referenda questions which students will be voting on in the upcoming AMS elections.
The first referendum item involves the creation of a new position, VP student life. This idea was initially introduced by AMS President Christian 'CK' Kyle in an earlier meeting this year, where councillors engaged in informal discussion over this position’s creation.
The VP Student Life Portfolio would focus on the mental health and wellbeing of students, events programming and on providing extended supports for clubs and constituencies.
The second referendum item concerns the democratic process of constituency creation. This amendment allows for students to vote via a democratic referendum to become a separate constituency if their membership of their degree-granting school exceeds one per cent of the total UBC student body.
“This would allow a democratic choice, as opposed to an imposition by AMS,” explained CK. Right now, he said this process is automatic.
The third referendum item involves a budget deadline extension for clubs, constituencies and resource groups. This would shift the date of the AMS budget deadline for constituencies, clubs and resource groups to submit their budgetary information from June to July.
These groups will also be required to submit previous statements of revenues and expenditures as well as proposed revenues and expenditures, allowing for the AMS to utilize these materials in addressing the society's deficit.
Finally, Interim VP Finance Amber Dhaliwal presented the final referendum item. This involves two items: first, increasing AMS student fees by $4.95, and second, indexing the Athletics and Intramural Benefit fee to the BC consumer price index.
The $4.95 increase will be allocated toward the AMS General Membership Fee, Clubs Benefit Fund, Capital Projects Fund and Constituency Aid Fund.
Included in this referendum question will be a note written by CK, explaining how the AMS may be “unable to maintain current levels of support for Clubs, Constituencies, Athletics & Recreation and AMS Nest projects,” among other initiatives, if this fee increase is not passed.
All referenda items were approved by council, and students will be able to vote on these issues during the AMS General Election from March 7-14.
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