I confess now that my main reason for covering this year’s AGM at the Students’ Union was an expectation of drama and strong discourse. We all remember last year, when at the height of the Palestinian situation, a group of fairly well-organised students took to the stage and demanded that the Students’ Union call a ceasefire. They were countered by others who pointed to Hamas’ legal designation as a terrorist group. I will not pass comment on the merits of these positions, but it was obviously a tense and dramatic affair, which took up the whole of its allotted time without getting through the entire agenda.
The footage filmed by members of the audience was put onto social media, and was commented upon by significant members of the Senedd and the House of Commons. By contrast, this year was a smoother event, without the tension and controversy of last year. Every motion on the agenda was passed without opposition, and despite a bit of booing when a few attendees voted against a pro-Palestinian motion, there was no disruption or disorderly behaviour. Nor was the hall as full as last year, and from up on the balcony above the hall I could see very few people not sat down, as well as a smattering of empty seats. There was some debate over the union’s affiliation with the NUS, and there were a significant number of votes against renewing it. Nonetheless, the AGM voted to maintain the link by a strong margin.
Despite the lower attendance and more subdued atmosphere, important motions were passed, and those proposing a motion to tackle sexual assaults on campus gave powerful speeches on the need to act against that scourge. Members of the union’s executive gave clear and substantial answers to the question that were put to them, proving their commitment to student issues and the many ways they are seeking to resolve them.
After all business was complete, the meeting was terminated by a vote of all present, well before the previously declared endtime of nine o’clock. Reactions have been mixed on social media, with many disappointed at a lack of drama and debate. But it seems that this year’s AGM was a more civil affair, that gave great attention to the problems faced by Cardiff students day to day.