Vote YES and these changes will be the results

The Key Changes the new constitution would bring:

Essentially, the proposed constitution is clearer, easier to operate under, more accessible and regularly involves more students in its activities. The main change from the current structure is that it would reinstate the Student Meetings at the top of the decision making structure such that any student, regardless of their prior involvement in Union activities or support from elected officers, can propose policy and have their ideas discussed in an open student forum.

1) It would re-introduce Student Meetings: an open forum where all members of the Students’ Union can vote and make collective decisions that would sit at the top of the Union power structure. These would take place at least twice a term and would be required to be promoted for 3 weeks in advance.

How it is now? Only Elected Officers have the right to vote on Union matters in Assembly meetings. This means that a meeting with 12 people can decide the direction of a Union that represents over 8,000 people

Why are we changing it? The idea that a handful of Elected Officers can decide on behalf of over 8000 students what their Union looks like is Top-Down, unrepresentative, disempowering to ordinary students, leads to a centralisation of power and elitism.


2) Remove the Veto Power of the Trustee Board: So for example, if the Student Meeting (which has a 1% quoracy, so over 83 students needed) voted democratically to do something, the Trustee Board can overturn it.

How is it now? Currently the Trustee Board (consisting of 8 students) has veto power can overturn the democratic decisions made by other Officers on the Assembly.

Why are we changing it? The democratic and collective decisions or mandates of students should not be allowed to be over-ruled by a smaller body. Students should be the sovereign voice of the Union.


3) Referendums WILL STILL EXIST: A Referendum may be called by a two-thirds majority of a quorate Student Meeting or a majority vote in the Executive Committee combined with a petition of 1% of the full membership. The process of calling a referendum under this proposed constitution is easier than under the current one

How is it now? You can call a referendum with the signatures of over 300 students or a two thirds majority of the Student Assembly. Meaning there's a disparity between how easy to is for students (300 signatures are very difficult to collect) whilst it's incredibly simply for the elected Assembly.

Why are we changing it? Because currently it is too difficult to call a referendum, so we are making it easier.


4) SMITHS and WIRED have explicit information: in this constitution, maintaining their autonomy and purpose.

How is it now?

There is no information in the current constitution about our Union media.

Why is it changing?
Because we value our Union media and need to reaffirm its importance.