The One With Rex Futurus.
KSCU Open Meeting Minutes for 31/1/2008
Apologies: Charlotte Payne, Julien Domercq, Sara Lyon
Matters relating to the previous minutes: 1. The welfare officers would like to note that the college nurse is working on extending her hours, with KCSU support as per the last open meeting. 2. Formal ticket sales have been altered to meet the criteria set out by the open meeting dated 18/10/2007
Emergency motions: 1. Proposed by Lucy McMahon Seconded by Anna Richardson As the agenda for this meeting was not circulated more than 24 hours prior to the meeting as per the constitution section V7, KSCU proposes that all of the motions in this meeting should be considered Emergency Motions as described in the constitution section V8.
Motion: Passed
Reports and Announcements:
The Chair apologies about the delay in the distribution of the agenda. The Secretary made a mistake, and the Chair and President should have chased it up and prevented this. They will ensure that this is not repeated.
[Emergency]Motions: [2]1.
KCSU notes: I. That Jennifer Blair, third year undergraduate, is asking the College for £800 to fund the student play ‘Rex Futurus’, scheduled to run from the 5th – 9th February, which involves several members of the College and which will make the £800 back at the end of that time. II. That ‘Rex Futurus’ will involve a matinee performance exclusively advertised for local children and families, after which the cast will run Medieval workshops III. That RATS, the Kings’ College drama society is no longer active, even though numerous members of the College are involved with Cambridge drama.
KCSU believes: I. That it is worth supporting the student body in creative and artistic endeavors II. That this play offers useful interaction with the local community III. That this play will signify the availability of in-College drama to other Kings’ students IV. That this is play is a good investment for KCSU, since the play will earn all the £800 back.
KCSU resolves: I. To make is KCSU policy to support RATS by funding Jennifer Blair’s production of ‘Rex Futurus’.
Proposed: Jennifer Blair Seconded: Rafiq Thayer
Jennifer Blair (JB) said that organisation for the play began in the middle of Michaelmas Term 2007, too late to apply for ADC funding. Kingfolk make up the majority of the cast and production team. The roles have been cast, rehearsals are well underway, as is the publicity. Ticket sales are starting too. £800 is needed to rent the lights.
Seiriol Hughes (SH) points out that this motion is unconstitutional as any sums greater than £50 can only be asked for and given at the third Open Meeting of Lent Term, and the third Open Meeting of Michaelmas Term and the first Open Meeting of Easter Term, subject to a vote with 30 or more voting members present. He also points out that the exec have shown little regard to the constitution by circulating the agendas late for both this meeting and the previous meeting at the end of Michaelmas Term 2007. By allowing this motion through, the exec will be setting a precedent for future meetings. He proposes that this meeting should be called off and that no motions should be allowed to be heard or voted on.
The Chair (Kat Hanna, KH) says she’ll allow this motion using her discretion as Chair, as the dates of the play mean that the third Open Meeting this term will be too late.
SH challenges the Chair’s ruling: 2/3 majority required to successfully challenge. Vote: For – 2 Abstentions – 4 Against -- 30 Motion to challenge the chair: Unsuccessful
Eddy Eccles (EE) points out some ambiguity in the proposed motion; KCSU Believes IV. This does not explicitly say whether or not this is going to be a grant or a loan. Will the money be paid back? JB replies that the money will be paid back at the end of the running time (9th Feb). The play hopes to sell out and will make a profit. The money WILL be paid back.
Natalie Higgins (NH) proposes an amendment to the motion to say that the money will be returned: KCSU Resolves: II: To draw up a contract stating the exact amount and the date at which that amount will be paid back to KCSU. Vote: Amendment passed
Amy Buchanan (AB) asks if the lights will be available to use by King’ after the play. JB replies that the play cannot afford to purchase the lights, and are renting.
Rob Raine asks what proportion of the play involves members from King’s. JB/QF reply that it’s at least 50%.
Vicky Barthram (VB) asks if this play was really open to all Kingsfolk. Quin Frey (QF) says that the play was advertised as being produced, directed and written by Kingsfolk and that emails were sent to the list advertising casting.
Ben Phillips (BP), KCSU Junior Treasurer, says that the RATS allocation is currently at £200, and that KCSU has £911 to spend on Open Meeting motions this term. If this motion is passed, KCSU will be left with only £311 for the rest of the term, which is unacceptable. It is pointed out that the money WILL be paid back.
Izzy Finkel (IF) asks if an exact date will be set for repayment. QF replies that KCSU WILL get their money back, as soon as 9th February, but probably a few days later. It is pointed out that the amendment passed earlier stipulated an exact date.
SH says that in principle, this motion is unconstitutional, the agenda was sent out late, and that this meeting should not continue.
Vote on the motion: Motion carries with two abstentions. (Quorum >30)
MOTION PASSED with amendment.
KCSU Resolves: I. To make is KCSU policy to support RATS by funding Jennifer Blair’s production of ‘Rex Futurus’. [the sum of £800] II. To draw up a contract stating the exact amount and the date at which that amount will be paid back to KCSU.
[3]2. KCSU notes: I. That King’s formals are very good. II. That only King’s members can go to them at the moment. III. That some people have birthdays. IV. That fellows have booked in excess of 40 tickets for Wednesday 27th February - granted, all are for King’s members in their department - significantly reducing the number of tickets available to all on EPOS.
KCSU proposes: I. That for normal formals, students of kings should be permitted to make bookings, at the discretion of the catering manager OR ents officer (??) II. That these should be of up to 10 NAMED guests including themselves III. That these should be booked over a week in advance IV. That the total number of pre-booked tickets should not exceed 30 individual tickets.
Proposed by: Anya Saso Seconded by: Charlotte Payne (absent but in support of)
Anya Saso (AS) describes her motion.
Anna Richardson asks if the proposed changes will apply to swaps.
NH reminds those present that the system has only just been changes (as per the motion proposed at the penultimate Open Meeting of Michaelmas Term 2007). She also describes the old system which was in place 3 years ago, where students had to persuade friends who were not going to formal to purchase ticket for swaps and parties etc.
EE agrees with NH and says 30 tickets is a lot.
VB dos not trust Jason Waterfield’s discretion, and describes a previous incident where someone had asked Jason if they could invite friends and place name-tags on a table, with reserved seats. This was refused, but another formal swap taking place that evening had name tags...
LM provides some background to the motion. The Economics Department has block booked 50 tickets for students and fellows, which was mistakenly passed by the catering committee as it was against regulations. She also informs all present that there is a catering committee meeting on Monday 4.2.2008 and that formal-reforms are very much part of the agenda. She also informed the people present that she’ll gauge people’s opinions by sending out emails to the list and conducting a couple of surveys.
The Chair says that this is not an emergency and that formals are going to come under review with the catering committee, and reminds those present of the motion passed last term.
James Long recommends the withdrawal of this motion.
The Chair asks AS, the proposer, if she is has anything to say before a vote to withdraw is called. AS says she is happy to withdraw the motion, and just wanted to bring these points up. She was unaware of the catering committee meeting and is happy to speak to LM regarding her ideas. The Chair asks all present to present their ideas to LM.
Vote to withdraw: Passed MOTION WITHDRAWN
[4]3. KCSU notes: That almost two years ago a motion was passed to spend up to (as I remember) £80 on a rack for the pool cues in the college bar, in order to prevent them from warping when placed horizontally on the radiators; that this was never effected. (Witness the absence of said rack.)
KCSU believes: That motions which have been passed by KCSU should be enacted where possible, within the confines of the law, the budget of the Union, the conformity of the motion to the constitution of the Union as interpreted by the Chair, and other constraints temporal and spiritual etc.
KCSU resolves: I. To spend a sum equal to or less than £80 on a (preferably wall-mounted) rack for the pool cues in the bar. II. To nominate an appropriate member of the KCSU exec to do this. III. To mandate such an exec member to report back to the open meeting by the end of Lent term 2008 in order to confirm that this has been done.
Proposed: Stuart Smith Seconded: Seiriol Hughes
Neither the proposer nor the seconder were present, and this motion is nnot considered an an emergency, so this motion is being put on hold until the next meeting.