January SUGM

This months Student’s Union General Meeting (UGM) proved little better then the equally ill-fated AGM meeting last term. Despite 103 people initially turning up, meeting the minimum quorum for policy to be passed, numbers dropped as the meeting went on, reducing figures to 86 before the second motion. Since the constitution states that a quorum of 100 or over students is required to pass student union policy, any motions that were carried during the meeting could not be passed in any official capacity. This makes the 4th UGM in a row that has failed to meet quorum. Their were 4 motions tabled at this terms UGM, one for a Darts board in Dylans or D2, one for changes to the constitution regarding Clubs & Societies leadership qualifications, one regarding the bulk student spam mail and one regarding fylering just outside the Uni gates. The one most people were eager to debate on was motion two, proposed by both the Christian and Islamic societies, which proposed that the
SU constitution is amended to allow the freedom of a society to elect leaders who adhere to that society’s aims and core values. This proved a very controversial point, as opposers within the Students Union itself felt that this went against the “equal opportunities” principle that the union upholds. After some back-and-forth, the motion was eventually passed with a majority of 54 -32. The motion to put a stop to all the junk mail wasn’t as popular as people reckoned, falling with only 10 people voting for it. The final motion, to do something about the fylerers outside the uni gates, was passed 32 – 0, after being amended to add the inclusion of a bin. However, due to the fact that the flyerers are outside University property, it remains to be seen what action the union can actually take. The two passed motions will be brought up again at the next UGM, to make sure the students are happy with their choice, and to try and pass them officially with a Quorum.

By Joe Robinson

Interview with Mark Jenkins

By Joe Robinson

'All work and no play' is a maxim that Mark Jenkins, Head of Sports and Recreation at Bournemouth University, believes strongly in. “Students these days don’t do enough to keep fit” he claims, and so he has made it his mission to do something about it. Mainly by using this little anecdote to get extra money for the Departments budget.
Mark has been in his current role as at the university since July 2004, after coming from a background in Local Authority Sport/Recreation, and has been fighting a progressive battle to try and bring the Universities “unfit” facilities up to scratch, with only 4 Sports Degrees at the University, the department has been largely neglected in the past. Since taking over from the previous regime, Mark has managed to increase the sport department’s budget (and expenditure) in recent years, gaining an extra 80 grand in the last academic year alone. With the Vice-Chancellors new 'Corporate Plan' currently in progress, Mark sees this as a golden opportunity to gain some much-needed investment.
Not surprisingly, Mark also has a quite active Sports History, having been a competitive swimmer from the age of 11 through to most of his young life. Unfortunately, since leaving collage, Marks time as been sparse, and so he has had to let his passion lax in recent years, especially since Bournemouth lacks its own Swimming pool. These days, Mark takes a more 'business' view on sport, He may not know who England is facing next in the championships, but he’ll make sure you have a pitch to re-play the match on.
The bit Mark most enjoys about his work is seeing a well-thought out plan come to fruition, and with development plans such as the new playing fields at Wallisdown, the creation of a third generation Astropitch, and new sports facilities well in the works, Mark has a lot of ‘enjoyment’ to be had.
What has been Marks greatest Success? Convincing the University that having the County Sports Partnership based at the University would be a good thing. Having come from the Dorset Initiative himself, he knew how trapped the Partnership was by the 'political interference' of Local Government. Bringing the Partnership to the university not only freed it from the clutches of the LA, but also made a perfect excuse for an extension to Bournemouth’s existing facilities.
What does the future hold for Mr Jenkins? Despite enjoying his time here at University, the poor standard of Bournemouth’s facilities trouble him deeply, and if the funding for his projects isn’t granted, he may have to give the local Jobcentre a quiet visit.