The second General Meeting of the year contained controversial regulation reform to the Students’ Union Constitution on 2nd February.
General Meeting Attendees
The primary focus was Regulation C, which outlines the roles on the Executive Committee. One amendment in particular caused particular controversy: it was suggested that the role of Inclusion and Representation be renamed to Liberation Officer in line with the National Union of Students’ model . The Students’ Union is required to register as a charity by October this year, and the renaming of the role was suggested in an attempt to make this easier.
The role itself has not been changed, but has undergone a number of unsuccessful name changes in the past few years.
Existing Inclusion and Representation Officer (I&R), Maddy Rees, presented an opposing speech, requesting that the name be changed to “Equality Officer” rather than “Liberation Officer”. Following an hour and a half of heated discussion – including a motion from Democracy Officer Ben Sibthorpe to scrap the role completely – the role was renamed “Equality & Liberation Officer.”
Regulation D was also discussed, and minor role changes were made. All changes made to the Constitution can be viewed at surhul.co.uk.
The General Meeting was also used to elect the RAG Chair and The Orbital Deputy Editor after both positions were vacated during the first General Meeting of 2010. Ben Parfitt was elected RAG Chair and Alex Murphy was elected Orbital Deputy Editor.
The meeting – which elected officers are required to attend – was more full than usual, as sabbatical candidates were keen to appear at the meeting, as it was held just one day before canvassing started.
