An Extraordinary meeting called to discuss the removal of ovens from gyp rooms and to propose steps to move forwards, including the formation of a working party to investigate and construct a report documenting the situation.

Minutes – Extraordinary Open Meeting 09.10.07

Motion: KCSU notes: 1. That ovens and hobs have been removed from gyp rooms over the summer without consultation with students. 2. That students picked their rooms according to the facilities they expected, including the provision of cooking facilities. 3. That many students are prevented from using hall facilities by irregular hours, specific dietary requirements, or cost. 4. That full cooking facilities allowed said students to provide themselves adequately with hot, cooked food, essential to a healthy diet. 5. That the removal of cookers significantly prevents said students from providing themselves adequately with hot, cooked food. 6. That no information has been given as to when cooking facilities will be restored. 7. That in no other form of accommodation would one's landlord be able to change the provision of facilities without a renegotiation of rents.

KCSU believes: 1. That the removal of ovens and hobs was done without adequate (indeed any) consultation with students. 2. That our first priority should be to ensure that all students have access to adequate cooking facilities without undue delay. 3. That it is unfair for students to only have access to reduced facilities but be charged the same amount of rent.

KCSU resolves: 1. To mandate the KCSU coordinator (Tom Deacon) to get for the next open meeting a specific timetable on how college plans to go forwards, and when facilities will be restored/what provisions are being made for accommodation that won't have access to facilities, from David Munday (Second Bursar), and to provide a report to the next open meeting. 2. To mandate the KCSU coordinator (Tom Deacon) to get written assurance from David Munday (Second Bursar) that no other accommodation is currently impacted, and that students will be informed before any future inspections take place. 3. To mandate the KCSU coordinator (Tom Deacon) to request the presence of David Munday (Second Bursar) and Ross Harrison (Provost) at the next open meeting to explain the current situation from colleges Point of View. 4. To mandate the new working party, led by Helen Ridsdale, to take what it believes to be appropriate action with regards to moving forwards on the issue of cooking facilities, through direct discussions with college, and to provide a report to the next open meeting. 5. To support students in asking their Tutors for deferral of their college bills until the issue of cooking facilities has been resolved. 6. To make it official KCSU policy to actively encourage students to defer their bills, as in 5. 7. To negotiate a reduction in the rents paid by students who have lost cooking facilities, until their facilities are restored. This is done without prejudice to Belief 2: "That our first priority is to ensure [cooking] facilities are restored". 8. To engage college in long term discussion with regards to communication with the student body.

Proposer: Adam Kessler Seconder: Jennifer Blair

Eddy announced that, with Helen Ridsdale, was drafting a letter for students to send to their tutors that he would distribute if the motion was passed.

Tom proposed an amendment to KCSU resolves 3): that Martin Reavley should also be invited to the next open meeting, where he could also explain the current EPOS card situation. This amendment was accepted by the proposer.

It was brought up that it would be hard for people who still had cooking facilities to ask their tutors to defer their bills.

An amendment to KCSU resolves 4) to strike out “through direct discussions with college” was proposed by Helen Ridsdale. This amendment was accepted.

A vote was taken on the motion; the motion passed.

It was decided that Eddy would distribute the template letter to tutors only if bills come out before compensation has been sorted out.

Any Other Business: Tom reported that he had emailed Martin Reavley to ask for a delay in college bills and to arrange a meeting to discuss compensation.

Eddy reported that he had emailed the Second Bursar and Clerk of Works to arrange a meeting.

Tom announced the Presidents & Externals meeting on Wednesday and invited anyone to get in touch if they had any issues to bring to the meeting.