The UVSS Board of Directors met on Oct. 20 and addressed a full agenda that included committee appointments, policy approvals, and updates from various advocacy groups
Photo by Belle White.
The meeting was called to order at 6:10 p.m. with a land acknowledgement. Shortly after, an amendment was made to the agenda that included a directors report that was submitted late, which the board then unanimously adopted.
The Board began by unanimously ratifying Jayce Kusardi as the Pride Collective’s representative on the UVSS Board. After this, committee appointments began. Eight UVSS committee vacancies were open for nominations, five of which were filled during the meeting.
Committee Vacancies
Director of Campaigns & Community Relations Michael Caryk nominated himself for the Advocacy Relations Committee, and was elected. Both Director of Events Katie King and Director of Finance & Operations Jonah Arnold nominated themselves for the Electoral Committee, and after each board member gave two minutes of motivation, King was elected via blind ballot. Director at Large Lily Luz Yeo nominated themself to the Member Outreach Committee and was unanimously elected. Director of International Student Relations Abhee Senthilkumaran nominated herself to the Finance and Operations Committee, and was unanimously elected.
Finally, Caryk nominated himself for the Food Bank Committee and was unanimously elected.
Main Motions
The three committees that still hold vacancies are the Events Committee, Policy Development Committee, and the International Student Relations Committee. No nominations were received for these committees.
Several motions were brought forward from committees and councils for ratification. The Board approved the Anti-Violence Project (AVP) Terms of Reference, which defines the AVP’s practices and procedures. The document had previously passed the Policy Development Committee.
The Clubs Postering Policy, intended to ensure proper approval before clubs advertise via posters, was unanimously approved. Additional sections to both the Clubs Policy and Course Unions Policy, previously passed by their respective councils, were unanimously ratified.
The Board also accepted the draft audit for 2024-2025, prepared by Grant Thorton, with unanimous approval.
Reports
During the reports period, several directors and constituency groups provided updates. Michael Caryk reported ongoing work with the BC3 association to lobby for reduced BC Ferries rates for students. Events promoted upcoming activities, including Pride Halloween celebrations and a winter holiday market. The Pride Collective announced two Halloween events scheduled for Thursday and Friday of that week.
The public portion of the meeting concluded as the Board moved in-camera to discuss any legal and personnel matters. The next UVSS Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 3 at 6 p.m.
