Union Council, the second

Earlier today, I attended my second Union Council meeting. We actually finished on time, surprisingly and the whole thing was a lot more streamlined and people seem to be more familiar with the format.

There were a number of procedural things regarding guillotining the length of meetings, which I was opposed to but passed (fortunately with the caveat with the possibility to vote to extend meetings in the meeting, but I am concerned about the process getting dogged with bureaucracy and procedural motions) as well as for a speech from the PVC for External Affairs to be given next meeting about International Strategy.

We also discussed a constitutional change to change the membership criteria for Women’s Committee from women to self-defining women (in line with the active “This Union is Gay and Trans Friendly” policy). I also mandated Constitutional Committee (i.e., myself) to review the constitution to make sure any other references to women (e.g., Women’s Officer, etc) are updated. Trans issues are one in particular I care about as it is often an under-represented area as a friend from my undergraduate degree made me aware of.

Another issue discussed was that of Officer Blogs, so you should shortly see this blog being replicated on the Union website :)

The main issue that I felt very strongly about in the meeting was that of the Union Policy. Every 3 years, Union Policy has to be renewed, and come March 2010, 4 policies had to be renewed. At Sheffield, Union Council can renew policy without consultation, however I deem this to be almost undemocratic, and that after 3 years, especially for controversial issues, an almost entirely new Union should have their say on it. However, SEC (Student Executive Committee – aka, the sabbatical officers) make recommendations on which action it believes Council should take and it recommended that the following 3 policies should just be renewed for 3 years by council, without referring it to the student body and without modification:

• End Israeli Occupation


• Companies Involved in Animal Testing


• University Relations with Arms Companies

And for a further policy: Safe Affordable Housing to be modified (and therefore require ratification by referendum in March). The full text of the policies are on the Union website.

Obviously these are controversial policies (my own personal views on them aside – that I don’t believe the Union should get involved in international politics) and I strongly believed that it was only appropriate for Council to send them for referenda to let a new student body have its say on them. The fact that Council voted with over a 2/3rds majority to renew them for 3 years without wider consultation shocked me and I believe for the whole decision to be undemocratic, imo we’re on council to represent the students, and not make controversial decisions for them, especially when there’s a mechanism in place . Sheffield doesn’t have much in the way of policy (compare YUSU’s list of active policy for a Union that has policy, and a direct student voice for pretty much everything).

Other than this, the remaining of Council was fairly routine, although a number of issues were brought up with regards to the Union’s alcohol retail policy and also the relationship with external promotional companies (including Carnage) and Alex Swatton is putting together a motion to be tabled at the next meeting for this.

After the meeting I talked about the Women’s Minibus with Amy Sutherland (the Women’s Officer) with a view to tabling a motion to open up the minibus for all students (with priority being given to female students) as there is apparently often spare capacity – and it seems a waste not to use it.

As always, get in touch if you want to talk to me about my role as councillor.