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Democratic Events

Democratic events:

Student Council: TB1 -  26/11/20 16:00 - 19:00 (Online)

Student Council is the primary representative forum of the Students' Union. It creates policy which directs the focus of the elected officers. Members discuss and vote on items (motions) submitted by students. Any items (motions) that pass become active SU policy for three years. 

This year, Student Council will be taking place on Blackboard. All eligible members have been contacted and will be able to access the meeting via the Student Council Space on Blackboard. Simply login to Blackboard using your Uni credentials, then head to the Council Space (which you all will have been added to.) You then simply need to head to the “collaborate room” and join the session named Student Council – note: don’t try and join the “course room” – no one will be in there! Non-Council members are able to attend by emailing ubu-council@bristol.ac.uk in advance.

Motions (in confirmed order)

  1. A Better Culture of Consent at Bristol SU

  2. Officer Team Motion on Tuition Fees and On-Campus Teaching

  3. Make Content Notes Compulsory on Sensitive Learning Materials across the University

  4. Byelaw and Articles of Association Changes Stage 2

 

Student Council: Online Edition! -  18/06/20

This Student Council was held online on Blackboard, on Thursday 18th June 2020.


Motions (in confirmed order)

  1. Tuition Fee Transparency - with amendments (actions 5 and 6 were added) - Passed

  2. Harm Reduction Approach to Alcohol and Other Drugs - Passed

  3. Introducing a Full Time BAME Officer - Passed

  4. Proposal for the formation of a Black Student’s Network - Passed

  5. Changing our language to embrace body positivity - Passed

  6. PG network: New year, new Chairs - Passed

  7. Supporting Student Sex Workers - Passed

  8. Making the Winston Theatre more accessible - Failed

  9. Bristol SU to run an official Global Health Shortcourse - Passed

(Council also voted to ratify all motions passed at AMM 2020)

Agenda 

  • Welcome and Introductions   
  • Motions 1-4
  • Ratification of AMM buisness 
  • Motions 5-9 
  • Officer Update Videos and Open Questions


AMM (Annual Members' Meeting) - 25/02/20

The Annual Members’ Meeting (AMM) is the Students’ Union’s largest democratic event. Any student can attend and vote! AMM takes place once a year in second term and like Student Council, this meeting is an opportunity to pass policy and hold the Full-time Officers to account. Any items (motions) that pass become active SU policy for three years.

This year's AMM took place on 25 February 2020 5.30pm onwards.

Click attending on the Facebook event here!

Agenda 

  • Welcome and Introductions   
  • Q&A with a University and College Union (UCU) rep about strikes 
  • Officer Updates and Questions 
  • Motions 1-4 
  • NUS Referendum campaign leader election 
  • Motions 5-7 
  • Bristol SU Strategy Consultation

Motions (in the confirmed order): 

  1. Support Student Rent Strikes  (PASSED) 

  1. Trial Dairy-Free Campus Cafés in 2020/21  (FAILED) 

  1. Establishment of an academic writing centre (PASSED) 

  1. One-Split wonder: Rag, Volunteer and Sustainability Network (PASSED) 

  1. Temporary and Short-term recruitment Services for students by Students Union (PASSED)

  1. Support Student Societies with Security Costs (FAILED)

  1. Network Terms of Reference Alignment (PASSED) 

Please contact us with any access needs for the meeting.
See you on the 25th for pizza and policy making!
 

Student Council - 21/11/2019

The minutes of the meeting can be found here. 

Motions in the order of how they were discussed:

1. Give Volunteers a Voice (PASSED)

2. Care Leavers and Estranged Students Terms Of Reference (PASSED)

3. Byelaw and Articles of Association changes (PASSED)
- Byelaw tracked changes
- Articles tracked changes

4. Move the Welcome Fair to a time accessible to all (PASSED)

5. Support Student Housing Cooperatives (PASSED)

6. Support the Student Climate Strikes (PASSED)

7. Climate Crisis and Food - Ban Beef and Lamb, and Introduce a Dairy Tax (FAILED)

8. Sanctuary Scholarship Legal Fund (PASSED)

9. Ensuring Inclusive and Safe Student Groups (PASSED)

10. Lets Disarm Bristol! Lobby the University to End Ties with Arms Trade Companies (PASSED)

11. Bristol SU to run an official Global Health short course (NOT DISCUSSED) 

Got something to raise at Student Council or AMM?

There are three ways of submitting an item or issue for discussion at Student Council or AMM:
Either...
1. Complete an Idea Form
2. Complete the Motion Template and email it to bristolsu-council@bristol.ac.uk 
3. Email the Chair at bristolsu-council@bristol.ac.uk asking for support

The Motion Template has loads of guidance to help you get started, but you can also use our additional guidance or contact us if you would like more support. You might also want to consider the following questions:

1. Does it advance the education of students at the University of Bristol?
2. Does it further the interests of students as students?
3. Does it reflect the fair allocation of resources between societies?
4. Is it for the public benefit (i.e. would the action benefit enough students)?
5. What would the legal, financial or reputational risks be to Bristol SU if the idea (motion) is approved?

What happens to an idea...

Please get in touch with any questions: email bristolsu-council@bristol.ac.uk.

Committees

The Democratic Standards Committee (DSC)

The DSC ensures that Bristol SU's structures and democracy are accessible, fair and productive for all students. The committee also sets the agenda for each Student Council and AMM.
The DSC may decide that a motion is unnecessary, or an item is better discussed by a different group. For example, at a Network forum, or via an all-student referendum.
The DSC includes the Chair of Student Council; Abbie Jessop, Union Affairs Officer; Julio and five students elected by Student Council - voting is currently live.

Standing Committee

The Standing Committee scrutinises the actions of the Full-time officers. It also develops proposals and motions as directed by Student Council. This committee reports to Student Council about other democratic events and conferences.
The Standing Committee includes the full time officers, chairs of networks, faculty reps and student trustees.

Previous Policy:

To see the active policy that was passed in the last three years and the stages that policy is at please visit the Officers pages. Each Officer covers a remit so if you are looking for a certain policy it will fall under one of the six officers. Please contact us if you can not find it. You can also view minutes from the last three years at the bottom of this page.

Details of last years meetings

Student Council - 11 June 2019

Motions results: Minutes

Annual Members Meeting - 26 February 2019

Motion results:
  1. Declare a Climate Emergency - PASSED & ratified at student council on 11/06/19
  2. Change the University default search engine to Ecosia  - PASSED & ratified at student council on 11/06/19
  3. Inclusion of Gender Identity in SU Byelaws - PASSED & ratified at student council on 11/06/19
  4. Can you at least pretend to care about us? - PASSED & ratified at student council on 11/06/19
  5. Divesting from Israel's Illegal Occupation of the West Bank - PASSED with an amendment & ratified at student council on 11/06/19
  6. Protecting Free Speech - FAILED
  7. Ban groups or 'slates' running in the elections - not discussed
  8. I AMM in Favour of Change - not discussed
  9. Motion of No Confidence in NUS President Shakira Martin - not discussed
  10. Two Dedicated Roles in the International Students' Network Committee (EU and Overseas) - not discussed
  11. Make Network Committee Elections Closer to March Elections - not discussed
  12. Create a Parents, Carers and Mature Students' Network - not discussed
  13. Support for Student Workers Through the Couriers Network - not discussed
Minutes

Student Council - 21 November 2018

Policy created:
  1. Changes to Byelaws for the International Students' Officer (including job description and draft of changes to Byelaws)
  2. Support for the Movement Against Immigration Detention and the Hostile Environment 
  3. Man Feelings yearly campaign around male mental health
  4. Give power back to Student Council: Reduce Quoracy by 2%
  5. Regularise the review of the roles of the SU full-time officers
  6. Improving accessibility of societies for students with disabilities
  7. Replacement of Officers following a post being left vacant
Minutes

+ Minutes from previous five years of Student Councils and AMMs