During an unusually short AMS Assembly this Thursday, Vice-President (University Affairs) Carolyn Thompson proposed that everyone in attendance develop a proposal or suggestion regarding their thoughts on Fall Term Break and bring them to the next assembly. 

Thompson stressed that they “need some sort of strategy moving forward” so as to not present a fragmented student opinion to the Fall Term Break Committee.

During its brief convergence, lasting under half an hour, Assembly motioned to amend Section 18 of the AMS Constitution. The changes functioned to officially reflect budget allocation conventions. 

According to Vice-President (Operations) Dave Walker, general office budgets have conventionally been left out of AMS Assembly because they are negotiated between the VP Operations and the manager of the campus service in question. 

Since the motion passed, the AMS Constitution now officially acknowledges this.

After the vote, Thompson prompted a brief open discussion about Bystander Intervention Training. She explained that all paid AMS staff have received the training and that they plan to extend the training to all assembly members.

“As student leaders its really important that all of us have this training,” Thompson said. “[It’s] a conversation we really need to normalize on campus.”

Thompson then asked if attendees would like to receive the training within the context of AMS Assembly or together with their respective societies and faculties. Those in attendance expressed strong support for the training initiative. 

While most agreed training within their faculties and societies would be best to reach a broader audience, Commerce Society President Bhavik Vyas pointed out that “it’s a top down change … the onus is on us to go through it first before we start asking anyone else to go through it.”

Assembly agreed to discuss a time to undergo training all together in second semester, following which they will open up training to their respective faculties and societies.

President Tyler Lively was absent from this week’s assembly, but provided updates regarding the long-term plan for renovating the JDUC in his President’s Report.

The AMS has hired a project manager and plans to meet with various stakeholders to discuss potential future renovations and advancements for the building.