The meeting of Monday, February 2nd, 1998 was called to order at 5:12pm. Tabobondung was in the chair by consensus.

BISCHOFF, Laurel University Transfer Representative (arrived 5:24pm)

BRANDT, Jason C.I.S. Representative (left 6:40 pm)

DOHERTY, Eric Male College Board Representative

JOYCE, Rob University Transfer Representative

LEE, Cleara University Transfer Representative

MacPHAIL, Raven Academic Affairs Co-ordinator (left 5:45pm)

McGREAL, Debbie Women’s Liaison

PALMER, Ami University Transfer Representative

ROBINSON, Erma Native Students’ Liaison (arrived 5:25pm)

SIDHU, Nina University Transfer Representative (arrived 6:35pm)
SYKES, Dayna University Transfer Representative

TABOBONDUNG, Rebeka Treasurer

TAYLOR, Chantel Female College Board Representative

THOMPSON, Donavin Male Education Representative

WYCKS, Bernadette Fine Arts Representative
ZOLLMANN, Paul Disabled Students' Liaison

ACHAMPONG, Ethel Guest
ALFONSO, Mig BCCASA/General Member
ARSENAULT, Tina General Member
COOPER, Julia Voice Newspaper
MISKELL, Tyrion BCCASA
O’SHEA, Anne General Member
RODES, Steve General Member
VENTURA, Leoncio Guest
WATKINS, Heather BCCASA

BIGGERSTAFF, Sandy (minute taker)

ABBASSI, Wendy External Affairs Representative

FERRAO, Savio Internal Affairs Representative

LAKE, Nereid University Transfer Representative

HARDY, Sarah Business Administration Representative

LOUIS, Jean Female Education Council Representative

PETCH, Treva Applied Arts Representative

ROJAS, Henry University Transfer Representative

TRUMBLE, DeAnna Female Education Council Representative

YOVANOVICH, Doug Journalism Representative

Doherty asked Executives for their suggestions and welcomed people to attend the next building committee meetings: Tuesday, February 3^rd (9:30pm) and Friday, February 6^th (9:30pm).

Executives were informed that Glen Clark would be speaking live on Rogers Cable on February 18^th at 7:00pm.

Robinson said that she was very disappointed with clean-up at the January 29^th pub. Robinson was most concerned because only two Executive members were available to assist with the clean-up.

Sykes wanted to know if something could be done about the empty beer cans left in the smoking section.

Sykes was informed that their was no other place to store the beer bottles.

Since 1990, BC CASA has sent annual delegations to Guatemala. The primary objectives for the tours are as follows:

Finally in 1996, thirty-six years of civil war ended with the signing of the peace agreements. This year the tour will focus on Maquilas (sweat shops), indigenous people and student issues.

The tour will be approximately one month (August 98) and will include a short orientation in Guatemala City and then travelling to various rural communities and projects. It is estimated that costs will be in the vicinity of two thousand dollars and will include air fare, accommodation, ground support and airport taxes.

BC CASA is interested in sending someone from the Executive, because of the Students’ Union’s activities with Corporate Butt Kick Week. Participants will be meeting with members of human rights groups, women’s groups, union leaders and student activists. Deligates will also be learning about the country’s history, contemporary social and political issues, and regional and cultural diversity.

Executives interested in attending are encouraged to contact BC CASA at 488-0521 or 929-6731. It was also noted that deadlines for applications have been extended until the end of February.

Leoncio Ventura explained that he has lived in Canada for the last five years, but is originally from Central America. During the last few years, Ventura has been organising on behalf of the Mayan people, particularly in respect to the education of Mayan Children.

Ventura outlined some of the problems that exist for the Mayan community:

With the help of his brother, who is a pastor, Ventura has set-up a co-op to help educate people. As a result of their work, many young children have had the opportunity to learn to read.

Ventura said that he is not asking the Students’ Union for money, but wanted some help with organising. He informed people that an organising meeting would be held at La Quena this Thursday and that he could be reached at 431-7632.

Since, most students would not be able to make that meeting, it was also decided that there would be a meeting in the Students’ Union Building on February 12, 1998 at 12:00pm.

The Students’ Union has been asked to consider the possibility of including a Student Health Access Centre in the Building expansion. Janice Swan, the College’s Nurse, has approached the administration regarding this project, but has been turned down.

It was decided that the Executive would ask Janice Swan, to make a presentation regarding the Student Health Access Centre. Taylor and Sykes said they would contact Janice to arrange an appropriate time to meet with the Executive.

In order to facilitate the building expansion, which will cost approximately 1.5 million dollars, the Students’ Union is going to have to negotiate a loan for approximately six hundred thousand dollars.

98/02/6:29 Be it resolved to authorise Bell, Biggerstaff and Lee to negotiate the terms of the loan not exceeding six hundred thousand dollars and report back to the Executive before any lending contract is signed.
CARRIED

Steve Rode is a Langara student, who attended the January 28th Day of Action Rally. As a result of his participation in the demonstration, he has been charged with mischief and assault.

Rode has come to the Students' Union to request financial assistance in respect to his legal fees.

Lee asked Rode what he had done in order to get charged by the police.

Rode explained that he had written "Stop Classicism" on a wall with an erasable marker. Rode also said that when the police approached to arrest him, he initially put up his arm, as he didn't want to disappear until people knew that he was being arrested.

Zollmann felt that we have an obligation to help Rode, as he had attended the rally as a member of the Langara Students' Union.

Doherty and Wycks strongly agreed with Zollmann.

Wycks and Arsenault offered to be witnesses for Rode, although both said that didn't see the entire incident.

98/02/6:48 Be it resolved to cover the legal expenses for Steve Rode and that this money be taken from the
Legal Expenses budget.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Zollmann felt that the Students' Union should consider changing the policy in respect to the placement of first names on election ballots and platform statements. As it presently stands, only the last name and the first initial is used on election ballots. Zollmann said that in investigating the reasons behind the exclusion of the first name, he discovered that this is done in order to prevent gender biases.

In order to increase voter awareness, Zollmann felt that we should include first names on the ballots. Zollmann said that he understood the reasoning behind excluding first names, but felt that in the interest of gaining exposure, using first names is essential.

Zollmann said he had also spoken to candidates running in the election and they also wanted to have their entire name placed on the ballot, as many times their fellow students knew them only by their first name.

Robinson also said that while working the polls, she overheard people asking what candidate to vote for, as voters were not familiar with the last names of the people running in the election.

98/02/6:55 In the continuing effort to make the Langara Students' Union elections as accessible as possible
for our entire membership, be it resolved that both the first and last names of Students' Union candidates running for office, be placed on the ballots and on the polling station platforms.

CARRIED

Achampong is presently organising events for Black History month and is looking for funding, in addition to volunteers. Achampong informed the Executive that the Students' Union has had a long history of fighting against sexism, classicism and most importantly racism.

Achampong said that she will need approximately $250.00 dollars for refreshments, film rentals and travel costs.

98/02/7:00 Be it resolved to allocate $250.00 (two hundred and fifty dollars) to organise Black
History events and that this money be taken from the Peace and Social Issues Budget.

98/02/7:10pm Be it resolved that the meeting adjourn at 7:10pm.

CARRIED

The next meeting will be held on February 9th, 1998 at 5:00pm