7+ hours of defeating motions. Highlights:
Oh, AMS emails.
To whom it may concern,
I would like to formally apologize for certain content contained within the original version of my 3rd quarterly report. I originally chose to include comments about executive dynamics within the report in an attempt to shed light on the causes of recent events. I now realize that an official quarterly record is not the appropriate venue in which to raise these issues.
Further, I would like to specifically apologize for a reference made within the original document. The intention of drawing on an historical example (Wikipedia further apologies for lack of citation) was to support a shared executive responsibility for the current state of affairs. However, if such a reference has at all caused negative feelings or implications outside of that intent, I take full personal responsibility for those feelings and sincerely regret any such outcome. Such a sensitive reference should not have been included.
Please find enclosed an updated version of the report to replace my original submission.
Sincerely,
Tom Dvorak
What appeared in his original quarterly was a dissertation on dysfunctional executive dynamics and the reasons for that. It detailed how executives were more concerned about making sure their personal point of view was put forward, rather than coming to a consensus as an executive. Communication is poor. It was also disconcerting to hear that executive committee meetings were rarely, if ever, happening. Note that Tom is careful not to retract what he had to say, just to concede that the quarterly was not the appropriate venue.
Of course, what the second paragraph of the letter refers to is that Tom took it to a whole new level, referencing the “banality of evil”, in which it is postulated that great evil can be done not by psychotic or evil individuals, but by regular people who accept that what they are doing is considered normal and acceptable. This was put forth as a theory for how things got the way they did within the AMS. Tom acknowledged that it was “fairly drastic” to compare the executives to war criminals, but then… did it anyways. On a side note, we are extremely proud to proclaim UBC Insiders: Not war criminals, since 2007.
To all this we say: meh.
The AMS is at its best when it looks outside itself at issues rather than internal political BS. The navel-gazing that normally goes on, however, is a huge turn-off. With tonight’s council agenda focused on the slate debate, a proposal for a non-voting disability seat, and probably some discussion of this quarterly, it’s pretty clear which types of issues they are absorbing themselves with. My level of interest is at a near-low.
Executive dynamics are, I’m sure, a perennial problem. Hey look! UBC Insiders even had a post about it just last year. But why care? It’s a complete waste of energy investing any energy in this issue. This is one problem that is 100% guaranteed to work itself out, and quite soon: elections are just around the corner.
Today we offer you a point/counterpoint on an upcoming resolution before AMS Council. We offered Tim Chu, present AMS VP External, to argue for and Matthew Naylor, past AMS VP External and current Arts Councillor, to argue against the resolution: “AMS Council should have non-voting equity seats”. This is Matt’s response, for Tim’s, visit here.
Every word over the 750 word-count we told them to stay under has been greyed for fairness. Enjoy.
At the November 18th meeting of AMS Council, on the table will be a motion to create a non-voting seat for students with disabilities. While this is a well intentioned motion, it is not the right one in terms of furthering the interests of students with disabilities. I urge Council to defeat this amendment.
Today we offer you a point/counterpoint on an upcoming resolution before AMS Council. We offered Tim Chu, present AMS VP External, to argue for and Matthew Naylor, past AMS VP External and current Arts Councillor, to argue against the resolution: “AMS Council should have non-voting equity seats”. This is Tim’s response, for Matt’s, visit here.
Every word over the 750 word-count we told them to stay under has been greyed for fairness. Enjoy.
AMS Council needs a seat for students with disabilities
AMS Council is the highest elected decision making body of the AMS. AMS Council is intended to be the organization that represents UBC students from all walks of life. However, in reality, the composition of AMS Council is not very representative of the student population. There is a long list of equity-seeking groups that are grossly under-represented on AMS Council. This list includes racialized students (students of colour), female students, and openly queer students. This list also includes students with disabilities.
Highlights from tonight:
Highlights:
Before Imagine day, I managed to sit down with Presidents Toope and Frederick to ask them three questions:
1. How will the Class of 2013’s UBC experience differ from the Class of 2010’s?
2. What is the value of an incoming undergraduate to the University?
3. Why did the entering class decide to come to University, and how will UBC deliver?
The Presidents were given the questions days in advance of their interview. Here are their responses.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3ywsazhHls]
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn2gV5F8GUw]
Highlights from tonight:
Highlights from AMS Council tonight:
Long overdue, you can now get the agenda and documentation on the AMS’s own website!
Geoff Costeloe wants everyone to know he is hot and sweaty. But I’m pretty sure he didn’t mean it in the fun boy-girl way.
Big party tonight! Highlights:
There was a very full house tonight, 90-100 people for the hour-long Olympics presentation by Michelle Aucoin, UBC 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Secretariat, Kristen Harvey, PR person for VANOC (and former AMS president!) and Manon Chouinard, PR for the Integrated Security Unit. Although those were the speakers, the delegation was much larger including two RCMP officers, three ISU members and other Olympics Secreteriat staff.
Spam prevention powered by Akismet