The first debate for the upcoming Edinburgh University Student’s Association (EUSA) referendum drew a crowd of less than forty last night.

The event, held in George Square Lecture Theatre and hosted by the EUSA Sabbatical Officers, was intended to allow discussion of half of the referendum questions – the other half are to be discussed Tuesday night in Pleasance Theatre.

The audience debated issues including the campaign to provide a free bus for veterinary students at the Easter Bush campus, structural reforms to EUSA’s undergraduate representative system and a potential exchange programme with Birzeit University, with which EUSA is twinned.

Liam O’Hare, the President of Students for Justice in Palestine, spoke in favour of the issue, telling the audience that an annual visit from Birzeit students could benefit students here culturally, as well as a show of solidarity for the residents of Gaza.

Emma Meahan, Vice President for Societies and Activities, spoke in favour of a question that would allow EUSA to pursue affirmative action to promote gender equality within its democratically elected posts.

Her proposal would see EUSA reserve 40% of all NUS delegate seats for female candidates, as a measure to promote more women students becoming politically active.

Student Kirsty Heigh challenged the proposal on the grounds that affirmative action would not make any meaningful gains, saying “I don’t think this is a positive thing, I think we should earn our places”.

James McAsh, Undergraduate representative spoke in favour of question 4, which would mandate  EUSA to support university Rector Peter McColl’s campaign to provide better accommodation for students.

He said, “the university’s decisions on this matter are emblematic of a university that has lost its way and lost sight of its objectives”, citing the recent conversion of Masson House in Pollock Halls into a hotel, and the accommodation of several students at the start of this academic year outside of the city itself.