Adelaide Student Politics

Few expected Liberal newcomer John Bowers to snag the Vice-Presidency of the AUU in October of 2008. Gaining the position in a meeting marred by discord and feelings of betrayal, he has since shown up to only one out of the last four monthly board meetings (two out of five if you count the one that got him elected).

It shouldn’t come as any surprise that Board is less than impressed. In the January Board meeting, after John was unable to submit a report due to being in Singapore, Aaron Fromm (Clubbers/Independent) asked the Chair (AUU President Lavinia Emmett-Grey, Indy-Go) how one goes about ‘getting ride of him’. Lavinia explained the process (see Clause 6.4 of the Board, President and CEO Policy), before writing out the motion. It is quickly seconded by Jake Wishart (Indy-Go), with Yasmin Freschi (Clubbers/Independent) also showing an interest.

Lavinia then asked if there was any debate. Mark Joyce (Liberal) made a somewhat half-hearted defense of John, saying that he was ‘very dedicated’, and that his flight had been delayed, preventing him from being attending the meeting despite his best efforts. Paris Dean (Activate) argued that even if he had good reason to be absent, he still had not submitted reports. John was smoothly put on notice with a huge majority, with only Mark dissenting.

The role of VP is an interesting one within the AUU. While the AUU Constitution outlines in detail the powers of the President, CEO and Executive, no mention is made of the Vice-President. As such, it falls to the ‘Board, President and CEO Policy’ to define the role. Clause 6.1 calls the VP ‘the Deputy Chairperson of the Board’, and gives their duty as assisting the President in their role as Chairperson. The Vice is also Chair of the Finance and Development Standing Committee (F&DSC), which currently does not exist. The policy is telling in several respects. In the absence of a F&DSC, there is relatively little for the VP to do. The role being so loosely defined, it is perhaps little wonder that it is almost never taken seriously. 2008 VP Emilio Roberts only submitted two written reports to the Board during his term, one of which was a recipe for chicken chowder. If one takes attendance issues aside, John Bowers does not seem to be doing much worse than his predecessor. With few direct responsibilities, the role of the VP must be created by the holder of the title, a charge which John does not appear willing or able to do.

Should John be deposed at the next meeting, Andrew Anson (Pulse) and Aaron Fromm (Clubbers/Independent) appear to be the frontrunners for his crown.