AMS External Policy Manual - Alma Mater Society of UBC

Policy Number:2012-01 Passed:Title:Advanced Education Statutes Amendment Act, 2011 (Bill 18)March 21, 2012Expires:March 21, 2015Summary:Opposes the Advanced Education Statutes Amendment Act, 2011 (Bill 18) and requests that the governmentmodify the proposed Act to prevent university board of governors from removing student, staff or facultymembers or exclude staff and faculty from membership. Asks that all board members be subject to thesame improper conduct or conflict of interest rules in the Act.Whereas the government of British Columbia wishes to adopt the Advanced Education StatutesAmendment Act, 2011 (Bill 18);Whereas this Act will allow the Board of Governors of UBC (and other post-secondary institutions) toremove by a ⅔ vote an elected student, staff or faculty representative from the board;Whereas all board members must avoid improper conduct or conflicts of interest, regardless of how theyare nominated or elected;Whereas B.C.’s Society Act, to use but one relevant example, does not allow society boards to removedirectors; andWhereas to be effective and act in the best interests of the institution, all board members must not fearreprisal for making legitimate but critical statements during board meetings;Be it resolved that the AMS respectfully request that the government modify The Advanced EducationStatutes Amendment Act (“The Act”), 2011 by: Withdrawing the sections of The Act allowing UBC’s board of governors (and those of other postsecondaryinstitutions) to remove student, staff or faculty board members; Withdrawing the sections of The Act excluding certain members of UBC’s staff and faculty; and Amending The Act so that the same improper conduct or conflict of interest rules apply to allmembers of the board;Be it further resolved that the President and Vice-President External of the AMS issue and widelydistribute a public statement based on this motion as soon as possible; andBe it further resolved that the AMS Executive rapidly engage all relevant stakeholders on this issue with aview to having the law modified in a way that will allow students, staff and faculty to continue to beeffective members of UBC’s board of governors.AMS Policy Manual Page | 16