Update regarding Undergraduate Open Letter amended and endorsed at AMS Assembly on March 31st, 2025

Written by Communications on April 2, 2025. Posted in My AMS.

Dear students,

On March 31st, 2025, AMS Assembly met for a special meeting. The meeting was called by President Rocchi to discuss how the AMS can support undergraduate students during the ongoing PSAC 901 strike.

The four recomendations of the letter were presented as discussion topics, and through Assembly’s discussion there were four stances taken. The following motions were all proposed during assembly, and all motions proposed passed. Please find details of the stance below:

Please note that all discolosed information is tentative until minutes are approved.

Moved by: Jack Walker, EngSoc President

Seconded by: Helena Shimwell, ASUS VPSA

That AMS Assembly make the recommendation to the university that students be given letter grades preferentially, and if that’s not possible, be given a choice between CR and GD.

Motion passed (unanimously).

Moved by: Sagaana Sivathason, ComSoc President

Seconded by: Jana Amer, Social Issues Commissioner

That AMS Assembly strongly urges that Queens return to the bargaining table immediately to negotiate in good faith a fair and dignified offer that respects and recognizes the work of PSAC 901 members.

Motion passed (unanimously)

Moved by: Owen Rocchi, AMS President

Seconded by: Katarina Bojic, Director of Communications, Proxy for Ayan Chowdhury

That the AMS Assembly endorse the recommendation that a partial tuition refund be issued for the education we have paid for but not received.

In Favour: 11
Opposed: 4
Abstain 5

Moved by: Josh Cowan, COMPSA VPOPS

Seconded by: Hugh Tuckwell, Proxy for COMPSA PRES

That AMS Assembly urges Queens’ to ensure that all completed assignments and exams are graded in a timely manner by the original markers following a successful agreement.

In Favour: 18
Opposed: 0
Abstain: 2

On top of the motions regarding the open letter, Assembly passed a motion directing the President Rocchi to advocate on the topic of GPA requirements that students may be affected by because of the strike. Find specific language below:

Moved by: Owen Rocchi, AMS President

Seconded by: Lucas Balog, Student Senate Caucus Chair

“That the AMS Assembly direct the AMS President to advocate for an exemption to regular GPA requirements for both scholarships and academic probation.

In favour: Unanimously
Opposed: 0
Abstain: 0

Lastly there was a motion added to the agenda requesting the release of AMS Assembly’s e-votes circulated on March 27th. These votes are now updated to appear alongside the original news update regarding the results of this e vote and can be accessed at the following link: https://www.myams.org/special-meeting-of-ams-assembly-on-monday-march-31st/. Please find the motion language and associated results below;

Moved By: Nico Brasset Duque, member at large

Seconded by: Rehea Puri, member at large

That the AMS Assembly release the results of the three motions via e-vote [in reference to three e-votes approved on March 27], more specifically who voted for, against and abstained.

In favour: 13
Opposed: 1
Abstention: 6