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Democratic Events

We have two main democratic events within the university - Annual Members Meetings and Student Council.

You can find out more about each on the page below, as well as viewing the minutes from previous meetings.

 

Student Council

Student Council is a cohort of students who have taken a representative and leading role in our democracy: Faculty and Course Representatives, Network Chairs, Society Presidents, Volunteering Project Co-ordinators, and Club Captains. The formal meeting from this cohort is also called Student Council and it's the main representative forum of the Students' Union. It creates policy which directs the focus for our team of 7 SU officers. Members discuss and vote on items (called motions) submitted by students. Any motions that pass become active SU policy for three years.

All students can submit motions and attend the meeting, but only the student council cohort can vote on motions.

Our last Student Council was on 14/11/2024. You can find the minutes from that meeting here: Student Council Minutes Nov 24.

Annual Members Meeting (AMM)

AMM is the Students' Union's largest democratic event. Any student can attend and vote! It 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. AMM is also an opportunity to renew policy that is about to expire.

This year's Annual Members Meeting is taking place on Tuesday 04 February 2025 17:00 - 20:00 in G42 Powell Lecture Theathre, H.H. Wills Physics Building, BS8 1TL. Check out more details here: Annual Members Meeting Event

Motions

Motions are the mechanism through which we set policy here at the Students' Union. They influence what our Full-Time Officers work on in their term and can even change our democratic structures! As an example, a motion passed in 2017 is how we have an International Students Officer as part of the FTO team (see the motion here).

The motion deadline for AMM is 14 January 2025 at 12:30pm. Make sure to submit your idea before time runs out! You can find more information on how to do this below.

Policy Lapse

Motions that passed three years ago are now lapsing, meaning that they're coming at the end of their policy cycle and will no longer be things the SU do. You can propose these be renewed at AMM by emailing us at bristolsu-democracy@bristol.ac.uk with the policy you would like to renew and updated wording on the motion. Here you can find the motions up for renewal. 

How to raise something at Student Council or AMM

There are two ways of submitting an item or issue for discussion at Student Council or AMM:

Either...
1. Complete an Idea and Motions Form - if you don't have your motion ready, please submit this with ample advance before the motion deadline so we can help you write and submit your motion in time.
2. Complete the Motion Template and submit it through our Idea and Motions Form

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-democracy@bristol.ac.uk.

 

Previous Meetings

Previous Student Council Meetings

14 November 2024

Motions

  1. NUS Representative Update - Passed
  2. Representation Review - Passed
  3. Financial Support for Current International Undergraduates - Passed
  4. Free Circuit Laundry - Passed
  5. Introduction of an anti-Palestinian racism definition to Bristol - Passed
  6. Adjusting Graduation Ceremony Dates for International Students - Passed
  7. Proposition for the SU to support the Divest Borders Campaign - Passed
  8. Accessibility for students with disabilities at University of Bristol - Passed
  9. End All Forced Swimming Experiments at the University of Bristol - Passed
  10. Easier Access to Support Services for International Students - Passed

The minutes from the meeting can be viewed here.

25 April 2023

Motions

  1. Natural (Committee) Selection - Passed
  2. Remove the Colston Dolphin from the University Crest and Stop Selling Merchandise Featuring It - Passed
  3. Standing Committee Changes for the better  - Passed

The minutes from the meeting can be viewed here.

14 November 2023

Motions

  1. Improve the Music Practice Rooms at the University - Passed
  2. Transition to a 100% just and sustainable plant-based student union - Failed
  3. An Update to SU Byelaws to Align with Current Practice - Passed
  4. Clarifying the role of Democratic Standards Committee during Elections - Passed
  5. Reinstate the 4-year Graduate-entry Medicine course at the University of Bristol. - Passed
  6. Supporting trans and non-binary students & campaigning for Gender Justice. - Passed
  7. Allow the mandatory committee role of Equalities Officer to be held by up to two people - Passed
  8. Ensure academic support is in place for all Full-Time Officer candidates during elections. - Passed

The minutes from the meeting can be viewed here. 

10 November 2022

Motions

  1. Motion: Earlier Timetable Release for Students - Passed
  2. Motion: Continue to Support Bristol Student Housing Cooperative - Passed
  3. Motion: Entrepreneurial Initiatives Support - Passed
  4. Motion: Proportionate Spending in Affilliated Student Groups' Sub-Groups - Failed

(Council also voted to ratify motions passed at June 2022 Council)

The minutes from the meeting can be viewed here. 

7 June 2022

Motions

  1. Accessibility Audit - Passed
  2. An Agenda That Works - Passed
  3. Disaffiliate the Bristol Officer Training Corps - Failed
  4. Guarantor Scheme - Passed
  5. Standing Up for Students -  Passed
  6. Changes to Byelaws 11(b) 11(h) 11(i) - Failed 

The minutes from the meeting can be viewed here.

23 November 2021

Motions

  1. (Amended) Bristol SU's Response to University Industrial Action - passed (Council voted in favour of an amendment to this motion, then voted in favour of the motion as amended)
  2. Did you know that the university funds its own slaughterhouse and dairy farm? We want more transparency with what goes on there - passed
  3. Forced Swim Test - passed
  4. Fossil Free Careers - passed
  5. Free sustainable period products for students - passed
  6. Student representation in selecting new Vice Chancellor - passed

The minutes from the meeting can be viewed here.

8 June 2021

Motions

  1. Students’ Union to Lobby the University for Increased in-person Teaching - passed
  2. Improving Governance, Democracy and Membership Engagement - passed
  3. Inclusive Student Spaces and Experiences – Now and in the Future - passed
  4. Byelaw Stage 2 Changes - passed
  5. Increasing Input into the University’s Anti-Racist Initiatives - passed
  6. Supporting Students who Have Experienced Sexual Misconduct - passed

The minutes from the meeting can be found here.

26 November 2020

Motions

  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)

The minutes from the meeting can be viewed here.

Previous AMMs

1 February 2024

Motion Renewals 

Motions 

This meeting also ratified the 2023 Annual Members Meeting.

The minutes from the meeting can be viewed here.

13 February 2023

Motion Renewals (in alphabetical order)

Motions (in alphabetical order)

The following motions were deferred to Student Council in May:

The minutes from the meeting can be viewed here.

15 February 2022

Motions (in alphabetical order)

  1. Bristol SU to oppose the University’s unsustainable expansion - passed
  2. Changes for Network Committees in relation to Byelaw 7 - passed
  3. Install R;pple on all university IT infrastructure to help prevent suicides - passed
  4. Protecting Students in Nightclubs and Bars - passed
  5. Update Bye-Law Section 9 (student groups) to increase clarity, reduce bureaucracy, and ensure all groups remain truly student led - passed

Also for ratification at this meeting: 
Boycott Barclays - passed

Boycott the border industry on campus - passed

Support for the movement against immigration detention and the hostile environment - passed

The minutes from the meeting can be viewed here.

2 March 2021

Motions (in alphabetical order)

  1. Antisemitism Awareness Week - passed
  2. Championing Issues Facing Students with Caring Responsibilities - passed
  3. Establishing a Student Tenants Union - passed
  4. Governance Review Stage 3 - passed
  5. Official Recognition of the Peer-Support Scheme at the University of Bristol - passed
  6. Officialisation of the Financial Wellbeing Project - passed
  7. Paid Postgraduate Parental and Long-term Sick Leave - passed
  8. 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

The minutes from the meeting can be viewed here.

25 February 2020

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 - Failed 

  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

The minutes for this meeting can be found here.

Our Committees

We have two committees whose roles are to make sure our democratic processes are transparent and accessible, and to hold our officers to account.

The Democratic Standards Committee

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, Union Affairs Officer and five students elected by Student Council.

Student Representatives Assembly (SRA)

Student Representatives Assembly (formerly 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.

SRA includes the full time officers, chairs of networks, faculty reps and student trustees.

Access the minutes from the Student Rep Assembly meetings here:

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.

Get in touch with the Impact & Influence Team

Send an email to the Academic Representation Team

Send an email to the Elections Team

Send an email to the Democracy and Campaigns Team