Close-up, the UOS Student Council, once again failed to convene the General Student Assembly. The Assembly was planned for September 16 at 5 p.m., but after two hours, the Assembly still did not have a quorum. Prior to the meeting, the council had collected 400 written agreements from students to attend. At least 544 students were needed for a quorum, but only 350 attended.

However, this number did represent a slight increase compared to the council’s previous attempt to convene a General Assembly, thanks to improved notification about the Assembly and the use of written agreements as a method of having more students pledge some commitment to attend.

Close-up showed much more effort to convene this Assembly. At the Assembly, they used an online system called Quea to view the number of attendees and the questions they submitted in real time. By doing this, Close-up demonstrated improved communication with students. Although the Assembly could not convene, Close-up was still able to report on some of its business, including the condition of the Main Library since opening to the public, a change in the Grade Retake Policy, and the national restructuring plan for universities.

The last valid Assembly was held in the first semester of 2013. In order to hold more valid assemblies, one simple way would be to lower the quorum. However, a change in the quorum rule can be made only during a valid Assembly, and many council members point out that such a change would cause problems in representation. Also on the agenda for this Assembly was a discussion of the important restructuring plan from the Ministry of Education. Without a full assembly, the students and their council cannot hear the UOS administration’s ideas about restructuring.

By Moon-joo Lee