By Matthew Butler
The Guild holds Special General Meetings (SGMs) to address important issues. On Wednesday, August 15, over 600 students gathered in Z block to vote on whether QUT should divest from Israel and cut ties with weapons companies.
I spoke with QUT Student Guild President James Reid to talk about the process and outcomes of this Special General Meeting.
Can you explain the process behind calling a Special General Meeting at the Guild? How often do these meetings happen?
When students want to raise an issue, they can request an SGM by getting enough signatures (0.5% of enrolled QUT students) from their peers. Once the 0.5% signs the written petition, a meeting is called. After that, it’s up to the Guild staff to handle the event, such as coordinating with university staff and security to make sure everything runs smoothly. We also make sure the meeting is safe, fair, and that only QUT students can participate. We spread the word through our marketing channels, so everyone knows about it.
Once voting is in, whatever the students call for becomes the official stance of the Guild! These meetings are quite rare. In fact, this was the first SGM in several years.
Do you only call for a meeting if you think it will pass?
Not at all. Our job is to give students the chance to have their say, regardless of what the outcome might be. If a petition meets the requirements, we’re obligated to hold the meeting and ensure a fair process. The result is up to the students.
How was the atmosphere during the meeting? Were there any surprises?
The energy in the room was electric! Hundreds of students came together, many of them deeply passionate about the issue. However, there was also tension due to the sensitive nature of the discussion, particularly around topics like divestment and defence companies.
There were also safety concerns due to incidents at the University of Queensland SGM, which had escalated into chaos. To prevent this, we collaborated with QUT security and the Queensland Police Service to ensure safety, limiting entry to QUT students only. While a few non-students tried to attend, security peacefully handled the situation, and overall, the event ran smoothly with no major disruptions.
What was the voting process like? Were there any opposing views?
The voting process was straightforward. It was done through the digital platform, Mentimeter, which allowed students to vote in real time. However, the discussions leading up to the vote showed a clear divide in opinions.
On one side, students supported the motion to divest from companies involved in military defence and to cut ties with Israel. They argued that QUT should not be associated with companies contributing to violence or conflict, calling for the University to take a moral stance on human rights issues.
On the other hand, students, particularly those from engineering, voiced concerns about the impact this decision could have on their future careers. They pointed out that companies like Boeing and Thales offer significant employment opportunities, and cutting ties with such companies could reduce internships, research funding, and student job prospects.
Both views were given a platform for discussion, and students were encouraged to voice their opinions respectfully. The debate highlighted the complexity of the issue, as students weighed ethical considerations against practical career concerns.
What steps will the Guild take to effectively communicate the meeting’s outcomes and the reasoning behind the decision to the broader student body?
After the meeting, we will publish the minutes along with a recording, so everyone can review what happened. We’re also continuing discussions with the University to address student concerns and make sure QUT research focuses on projects that are fair and responsible.
Closing Thoughts from the President
The SGM raised a lot of attention and led to discussions with the University on how to assess research funding and its applications. Our collaboration with QUT will continue as we address the complexities of research ethics and how it relates to weapons development. The Guild will always support students in voicing their concerns and work towards ensuring all student voices are heard in future discussions.
