by Rohmatus Saniyah

MONGA unofficially dubbed this meeting a void catcher for a reason. Not long after 2026 was born, the year began quietly, with a concise agenda laid out by the MUSA General Secretary for the first Monash Student Council meetings–MSC 1.1 and MSC 1.2– with the first meeting held on what happened to be my birthday night, 3 January 2026, and 10 January 2026, respectively. While these meetings focused primarily on interim appointments, constitutional amendments, and departmental reports, the atmosphere was ineffable.

Say YES to the New Interims

A significant portion of MSC 1.1 was dedicated to the interim appointment of office bearers across three divisions: MUSA Welfare, School of Information Technology (SOIT) Representatives, and MONGA (Editors). MSC 1.2 continued this momentum with an additional interim appointment under MUISS.

A huge congratulations to the newly appointed interims : 

MSC 1.1 NEW APPOINTED INTERIM RESULT
MUSA Welfare Interim: Astrid Leow Zi Xuan

School of Information Technology (SOIT)  Representatives: Quah Xuanyu & Angeline Tan Pei Yee

MONGA Admin Interim: Yong Jin Yi

MSC1.2  NEW APPOINTED INTERIM RESULT (MUISS)

MUISS Treasurer: Pascal Axell Leander Pido

MUISS Media: Nazmi Rabita Sharif

This is YOUR Call !!

If you have been watching MUSA from the sidelines, consider this your sign. Subcommittee recruitment across MUSA departments is now open until 22 January, and with the year just beginning, fresh ideas and committed hands are needed. Speaking of which, MONGA is currently recruiting videographers, photographers, administration members, writers, and especially graphic designers to join our team. Whether you are looking to build your portfolio, gain experience, or contribute creatively to student media, this is your invitation to be part of the work that happens before the headlines are written. In fact, this is your moment. 

Constitutional Changes: A Long Conversation, Not a New One

Constitutional amendments formed the most extensive discussion across MSC 1.1 and MSC 1.2. Proposed changes have been under consideration since 2023, with attempts by the 2025 team to implement them ultimately limited by time. As such, the matter was carried forward to the 2026 term and presented by the MUSA President on behalf of the Constitution Committee established in 2025.

It was clearly stated in MSC 1.1 that the amendments applied solely to the Activities, Publicity, and Welfare department, whose elevated divisional status has already been practiced since 2023. With that elevation comes increased responsibility, such as more meetings, greater accountability, and deeper interaction with the staff. Despite two motions being proposed and seconded across the MSC 1.1 meeting, neither passed due to significant number of abstentions and one opposing vote. Concerns were raised, but the conversation did not end at the meeting tables. In the “silence” between sessions, it became evident that governance is as much about listening as it is about voting. One conversation truly can change a single motion.

Slow Progress, Necessary Groundwork

Governance is rarely glamorous, and structural change seldom moves quickly, but these early meetings demonstrate that a groundwork for the year ahead is being laid with caution and extra care. As the semester progresses, these conversations –however long they are– serve as the scaffolding upon which student life, initiatives, and events will soon be built.

Beyond motions and debates, reports from the President and Executive Committee reflected extensive behind the scenes preparation. Clubs and Society (C&S) are in the process of amending their constitution and implementing a new charter, while MUISS has begun restructuring its Country Representative (CR) system, with updates shared via their Instagram page, @musamuiss.

The activities team remains at the centre of event planning and discussion, preparing for collaborations with various clubs and divisions such as MBP and MUISS. Publicity officers are gearing up for orientation season, liaising with vendors and initiating new merchandise designs. Meanwhile, Welfare officers reported on office clean up efforts and their Semester 1 initiatives that live up to their name, which include several potential welfare-focused events currently in discussion.

MONGA: A Gazette Dilemma

The Monash Gazette Magazine 2025 will, unfortunately, remain unavailable in physical copy for the public. As a result, printing can only proceed subject to the outcome of our budget proposal. This decision was due to the unfinished design before the Monash Finance Department’s 2025 closing period. However, following the decision, physical copies would be printed, but most likely archived internally within MUSA. Instead, the digital version of the Monash Gazette Magazine 2025 Semester 1 issue is now available for viewing on the MONGA  website. 

Progress may not always be loud, but it is happening. This conversation may pause, but our work continues quietly. Until the next MSC, this is MUSA Did What episode 1. 

Design by Giselle