KSJC AGM 2012 – As It Happens…

Greetings Junior College students, University students, ex-Junior College students and those who care to keep updated. We’ve set up at the Junior College Foyer in order to cover the KSJC AGM 2012. We’ll be providing minute-by-minute updates as the meeting progresses, so stay tuned as the day goes on. Got something to say? Leave a comment in the comments section below, or drop us a line on ceo@insite.org.mt.

14:26 – Chants continue, as several students rush out of the hall, leaving us at Insite with that feeling of emptiness which follows such live feeds. Thanks for following,

Insite

Your University, Your Media.

14:24 – Auditor is approved unanimously, the meeting has come to an end. Both ends stand up to chant.

14:21 – There has been a vote regarding the presentation of statutory amendments, approved unanimously. The amendments are currently being discussed between SDM and Pulse executive members. It is being proposed that the role of ‘KSFR’ be changed to ‘KKD’. Approved.

4:14 – Financial report approved nem con.

4:11 – Zerafa clarifies that there have been lesser profits for the PROM as they were reduced due to expenses. [Though the expenses for the prom are listed as 0?]. Zerafa says that Vodafone chose not to sponsor the coucil.

4:05 – A students asks why there was a lesser income for the PROM and what happened to the Vodafone sponsorship. Another student asks why the freshers’ week expenditure increased so much. In fact, the 2011 prom costed 13,060 euros, and this year’s prom expenses are listed as nill. The buddy system and freshers’ week went up from 83 euros to 633 euros.

3: 58 – Financial report being read out. The KSJC financial officer speaks of the past year as financially demanding. The council seems to have decreased it’s income from the PROM, and let off it’s Vodafone sponsorship. The officer speaks of a 27 euro surplus, as the total income is 14,106 and 14,079 expenditure.

3:54 – The report is approved nem con. The chair is prompted the skip to the election of representatives for the electoral commission. Sean Meli is voted as electoral commissioner unanimously. Both organisations nominated 5 members and 2 reserves each.

3:48 – Treating the issue regarding certificates for a photography course, a KSJC representative says that certificates are not within the KSJC’s responsibility. Another KSJC representative answers the concern shown regarding the nurse’s room being closed, saying that there is a list of students trained in first aid which are readily available.

3:43 – Zerafa negates that there were students who were not allowed to benefit from the organisations’ fund. Howling ensues.

3:36 – Matthew Zerafa [KSJC president] begins his answers. Referring to the games room, he states that the said games require a license which is unattainable by the council. Treating the lockers, he says that the council has attempted to make the system regarding lockers more efficient, while acknowledging shortcomings, he points out that work is being done. An executive member from SDM interrupts to point out that KSU [University Council] installed the lockers. Zerafa promptly thanks KSU and states that the KSJC has no problem with working with the University council.

Referring to the refurbished football pitch, he says that KSJC never claimed that the refurbishment was their work – the inauguration, by the principal and two other MPs is testament to this.

3:30 – Yet another student, complains about lockers being damaged. The next student claims that SDM have criticised the student organisations’ fund, which it benefited from. An SDM executive member can be seen waving his finger in the air in displeasure; an echoing ’Int Bis-Serjeta’ from the SDM side.

3:28 – Another student complains that the first aid room at the college was closed last week, when a student who had hit their head required attention.

3:27 – A student raises concern with the fact that the KSJC website only being updated as the AGM approaches. Another two students deliver their questions, which are inaudible.

3:25 – A student comments that SDM are trying to find the needle in the haystack. A student from the SDM end seems to have been kicked out.

3:22 – Another student, sporting shutter shades criticises SDM for tarnishing the KSJC office space initiative.

3:21 – Back to the question as order [relative, extremely relative] is maintained, the student originally meant to ask why the KSJC claimed the football refurbishment as their own work.

3:15 – Howling ensues, as the third student, claiming to represent SDM, attempts to ask a question. He is interrupted by a Pulse executive member who asks the student not to politicize the meeting. Chaos ensues as things get slightly physical between the executive members,of both organisations, supposedly the older and more mature students in the hall; policemen approach the scuffle as it calms down. SDM members put up a Jackie Chan meme photo captioned “int bis-serjeta”, as Pulse members put up a “keep calm and stay positive” paper. Ah, Junior College.

3:13 – A student asks [read: complains], about an apparent lack of games. Another student complains about never being given a locker, after giving Matthew Zerafa her details.

3:10 – Both sides break into applause as students from both ends take the floor to ask questions about the administrative report.

3:08 – Zerafa finishes off reading his report, question time.

3:04 – As Zerafa proceeds with the report, we here at the Insite table draw comparisons to this year’s KSU [University Council] AGM. During that AGM, 407 students were present – just under half the number of students present here today; one would be amiss to avoid stating that many of the students at the KSU AGM were also Junior College students.

3:00 – The report also refers to the KSJC award, awarded Ms. Elaine Camilleri, the teacher responsible for the theatre group and promoting other extra-curricular activities. KSJC has taken an official stance on animal cruelty within the circus, released a document regarding the JC warning system, petitioned to the Arriva task force and also took an active stand on ACTA.

14:55 – Within the report, the KSJC also states that University Representatives said that extending Degree Plus would not be possible. Also within the report, the KSJC states that it has convinced the principal that installing a ramp to facilitate access for disabled persons was essential.

14:50 – Among the new initiatives are the organisations’ fund, a fund established to give financial aid to organisations at the Junior College – it had it’s first meeting last Monday; Second hand book sales service; interactive whiteboards and projectors.

Among the controversial issues in the report: the setting up of the outdoor gym, which was mocked by an SDM campaign for not meeting expectations; the refurbishment of the football pitch, for which KSJC’s contribution has been questioned.

14:48 – Zerafa Begins reading the report, which treats, in brief:

Administration: Meetings of the executive, college administration, KSJC award, affiliations [KSU and KNZ].

PR: social networking, positions on government policy, buddy system, public transport, student representatives, first aid room installed this year.

Projects: Interactive Whiteboards, improved of the chapel area, outdoor gym, foyer seating, access for disabled people in the library, plug outlet, 11-aside football pitch, library lockers, technical design boards, home economics lab refurbishment, gamesroom refurbishment.

Services: Second hand book service, projectors for students, lockers, KSJC office being let out, online complaint system,information about Exchanges, KSJC discount card, degree plus and job centre.

Activities: PROM 2012, KSJC students festival, KSJC Gatherings [Charity], KSJC Organisations’ Fund, Sponsors for Soiree’

Miscellaneous: Blood drive, Photography course, Nets for the Football Pitches and a meeting with ‘Student Voice’ a contact with students at the Gozo sixth form.

14:37 – Minutes approved.

14:35 – KSJC president Matthew Zerafa beings reading the minutes from lat year’s AGM, only to be interrupted by someone complaining about students leaving after 15 minutes. Zerafa carries on.

14:32 – The AGM seems to have started, as members from both organisations stood up howling and clapping at eachother, order resumes shortly. Total Head count: 907, 409 in the SDM seciton, 487 in the Pulse section and 11 in the ‘Neutral’ section.

14:29 – We’ve had a slight hiccup with our internet connection, counting seems to be finalized amid some minor concerns of students which weren’t counted. Shouldn’t be long now.

14:26 – This year, the Junior College Students’ Council was occupied by a Pulse team. The representatives were as follows: President – Matthew Zerafa Social Policy Commissioner- Christian Busuttil Secretary General – Nicholas Martinelli Treasurer – Claire Azzopardi Public Relations Officer – Daniel Camilleri Education Commissioner – Clara Fenech Culture & Entertainment Commissioner – Matthew Calleja Cremona

14:24 – While we wait, here is KSJC’s about us, from their website ksjc.info: The KSJC (Kunsill Studenti Junior College) is your student council whose main aim is to voice students will and concerns. KSJC is a student body with no political attachments whatsoever and represents all JC students. Our goal is to meet and fulfil the students’ needs. The KSJC consists of 7 board members that are elected by fellow JC students through annual elections held in December. The board members’ roles are clearly defined by the Official KSJC statute whereby they are obliged to fulfill their manifesto according to its framework. Moreover, KSJC forms part of the KSU’s Social Policy Commission and represents JC students’ interest when it comes to KSU’s decision making with regards to the JC. The KSJC aims to: – Represent JC students on a national and international level – Voice students’ concerns – Safeguard their interest and strengthen their rights – Fulfill students’ needs with regards to JC matters or any other student-related issues – Promote education and cultural activities amongst students.

14:21 – Head count still in progress, doors have closed as we eagerly await for the exact number of students present.

14:16 – Everyone in the foyer has stood up for a head count, SDM and Pulse executive members have split up in couples in order to count heads together. Cute. Students on both sides are taking their seat as they are counted, in what is starting to seem like a very slow Mexican wave.

14:14 – Nigel Vella voted as chair, unanimously. Applause from the Pulse area breaks out, followed by applause by SDM. Currently electing ‘Tellers’, those who count votes.

14:13 – Matthew Zerafa welcomes everyone to the AGM, perfect silence…

14:08 – Nonetheless the rest of the foyer is still split up into two sections, one for Pulse and one for SDM; only distinguishable by the fact that SDM and Pulse executive members being attached to their respective area. The KSJC representatives can be seen setting up their table in the centre. A significant number of Pulse members are sporting colourful shutter shades, Kanye West’s ‘Stronger’ is playing somewhere at the back of my head.

14:06pm – Indeed, there is an area between the columns which seems to be bordered with red tape, supposedly for the students who do not wish to associate themselves to either of the two organisations. We here at Insite have set up a few steps away next to the closest plug, outside the red tape – rebellious kids we are.

14:03pm – If you’re not familiar with what usually goes on during the AGM, feel free to check out last year’s live feed: http://insiteronline.com/news/ksjc-agm-live-updates/ This year, the atmosphere seems a tad less partisan, no students are wearing their SDM/Pulse t-shirts, and we’ve been informed that a space has been allocated to students who do not wish to sit with either of the two political organisations, SDM [Christian Democrat Students] and Pulse [Social Democrat Students].

14:00pm – We’re locked and loaded to kick off the updates, behind one of the Foyer columns, students from the college have grabbed a seat (space on the floor). Despite scheduled to start at 2pm, judging by the bustling atmosphere of students heading out from their last lecture, the AGM won’t be starting until another 10 minutes.