Democratic events

The next democratic event is TB2 Student Council on Tuesday 8th June 2021.

AMM - 02.03.21 (Online)

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.

The AMM was held online on Zoom, on Tuesday 2nd March 2021, 4pm.

Motions (in alphabetical order)

Antisemitism Awareness Week - passed
Championing Issues Facing Students with Caring Responsibilities - passed
Establishing a Student Tenants Union - passed
Governance Review Stage 3 - passed
Official Recognition of the Peer-Support Scheme at the University of Bristol - passed
Officialisation of the Financial Wellbeing Project - passed
Paid Postgraduate Parental and Long-term Sick Leave - passed
Private School Admissions Cap - failed

Also for ratification at this meeting:

Volunteering and Fundraising Network Terms of Reference - passed

Sustainability Network Terms of Reference - passed

Care Leavers and Estranged Students Network Terms of Reference - passed

Black Students Network Terms of Reference - passed

Student Council: TB1 - 26/11/20 (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 Student Council was held online on Blackboard, on Thursday 26th November 2020.

Motions (in confirmed order)

A Better Culture of Consent at Bristol SU - Passed
Officer Team Motion on Tuition Fees and On-Campus Teaching - with amendments (action 1) - Passed
Make Content Notes Compulsory on Sensitive Learning Materials across the University - with amendments (actions 1 and 2) - Passed
Byelaw and Articles of Association Changes Stage 2 - Passed

Student Council: TB2 - 18/06/20 (Online)

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

Motions (in confirmed order)

Tuition Fee Transparency - with amendments (actions 5 and 6 were added) - Passed
Harm Reduction Approach to Alcohol and Other Drugs - Passed
Introducing a Full Time BAME Officer - Passed
Proposal for the formation of a Black Student’s Network - Passed
Changing our language to embrace body positivity - Passed
PG network: New year, new Chairs - Passed
Supporting Student Sex Workers - Passed
Making the Winston Theatre more accessible - Failed
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 business
Motions 5-9
Officer Update Videos and Open Questions

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

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

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):

Support Student Rent Strikes (PASSED)

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

Establishment of an academic writing centre (PASSED)

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

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

Support Student Societies with Security Costs (FAILED)

Network Terms of Reference Alignment (PASSED)

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. Let's 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?

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 different area so if you are looking for a certain policy it will fall under the remit of a particular officer. 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.