SOAS Students’ Union

Union General

Meeting

UGM

Wednesday 19 November 2008

Room: JCR

4:30pm

AGENDA

1.    Welcome

2.    Matters arising from previous UGM and update(s)

3.    Students’ Union Officers’ Reports

4.    Q & A for Union Executives

5.  Motions-

a.   Another Education Is Possible- Passed

b.   Armenian Genocide- Passed

c.    Preserving Autonomy Of Students’ Unions And Societies- Passed

d.   Supporting The Ban Of Scientology- Passed

e.   Improving Higher Education In Iraq- Passed

f.     Racism Education- Passed

g.   Happy Hours At SOAS Bar- Passed

h.   Joining London Citizens- Passed

i.      Afghanistan And The Spread Of War- Passed With Amendments

j.     Resignation Of Anti- Racism Officer- Motion Replaced By Emergency Motion

k.   Brunei Gallery Campaign- Passed

l.      Sod Sodexho- Passed

m. Against Depicting Taiwan As A Part Of China In Class Maps- Passed

6.    Emergency Motions

·        Vote Of No Confidence In Anti- Racism Officer- Failed

7.   Any Other Business (AOB) and announcements

Another Education Is Possible- Passed

Proposed by: Clare Solomon

Seconded by: Ben Sellers 

This Union Believes:

1. Since 1997 the government have focused on a restructuring of education mirroring a global attack on the right to a free education.
2. Student fees are part of a vision of higher education designed for the market rather than human need.
3. The slogan “Free Education” still resonates with students and opens a discussion about what education is for.
4. Internationally students have rallied around these slogans to build mass campaigns defeating government education reform.
5. The review of higher education is no longer likely to happen before a general election.

This Union Further Believes:

1. All the main parties have made clear their agendas on HE; they are all totally incompatible with a vision of education accessible to all.
2. The NUS must position itself in clear opposition to the “Westminster consensus” that free education is ‘untenable’. It should challenge the government’s faith in market solutions for the HE sector.
3. Senior government officials have suggested that Britain can only fund “half a dozen” world class institutions to meet the research needs of British business. Changes in the funding model are funnelling resources to an ever smaller group of universities, fuelling greater competition.
4. Government interference in the curriculum is creating a drive towards skills learning. Combined with decreased funding per student the scope of learning offered to students in most universities is under severe attack.
5. Course and facility closures are a reality for thousands of students as universities are forced to rationalise spending.
6. Students need to campaign for greater democratic control of their universities as well as for free education.
7. We must attempt to build a mass democratic movement to defeat the government, following examples set around the world.

This Union Resolves:

1. To raise the slogan of “free education and universal grants for all”.
2. To lobby NUS to call a national first term demonstration (in 2009) and encourage local actions on every campus.
3. To coordinate our campaign with the local UCU branch.
4. To support the national demonstration for “Free Education and Universal Grants” on the 25^th of February.
5. To send this motion to NUS conference in the education zone and its proposer to NUS compositing after deleting resolves 4 and 5.

Armenian Genocide- Passed

Proposed by: Arun Singh

Seconded by: Sunil Bhattacharya

This Union Notes: 

1. That the University of Michigan professor Dr Ariel Barkan has denied the Armenian Genocide by way of an article published in the Jewish Exponent at http://www.jewishexponent.com/article/13003
2. That the Armenian Genocide is a matter of historical fact, and was a systematic and deliberate policy of the Ottoman Empire in 1915
3. That information about the Armenian Genocide is available at http://www.armeniangenocide.com
4. That a rebuttal of Dr Barkan's comments has been published at http://www.petitiononline.com/ag022108/petition.html

This Union Believes:

1. That Dr Barkan's position on the Armenian Genocide is not credible
2. That Dr Barkan should either publish a retraction and an apology to the Armenian people immediately or else defend his comments in a discussion forum open to academics with expertise in this area

This Union Resolves:

1. To raise awareness regarding the Armenian Genocide
2. To encourage the repudiation of Dr Barkan's denialist agenda by reference to the copious historical evidence that is available concerning this historical event

Preserving Autonomy Of Students’ Union And Societies- Passed

Proposer: Humza Qureshi

Seconder: Nishat Lal

This Union Believes:

1. Various student societies are formed and run under the banner of their Students’ Union, including Islamic Societies, whilst remaining student run and autonomous
2. Last year, conference passed motion 601 affirming their support for student autonomy by opposing measures that unfairly stigmatises or restricts the legitimate activities of any groups of students
3. HM Department of Communities and Local Government have set up schemes that aim to train and then recruit Muslim Chaplains into public services and institutions including universities[1]
4. We live in a democratic society where legitimate freedom of expression, speech and debate is a core part of our identity
5. In an MI5 report on extremism, reported by the Guardian, MI5 highlighted that those involved in extremist activities tend to lack a firm understanding of their faith[2]
6. There have been a growing number of concerns by Islamic societies around the UK on their autonomy being violated by university staff and, in particular, their university’s chaplain(s).

This Union Further Believes:

1. Universities recruiting chaplains from a variety of backgrounds is a positive step towards ensuring the various student communities receive much needed individual support
2. However student activity on campus should remain student-led and student run
3. Any involvement from university staff should not jeopardise the autonomy of the Islamic societies and should be on a purely supportive and consultancy role
4. Islamic societies are vital in facilitating much needed debate and in teaching their members the proper understanding of Islam ensuring any extremist ideology is challenged and driven off campus
5. The role of a chaplain, like other student services, is to provide one-to-one pastoral support and care when requested
6. The autonomy and independence of Islamic Societies, like other student societies, is fundamental in enabling them to carry out their much needed role on campus, ensuring their students are properly represented and have an enjoyable student experience

This Union Resolves:

1. To continue supporting the autonomy of Students’ Unions and their student societies throughout the UK & EIRE
2. To campaign, wherever any student societies have their autonomy violated, for their liberation consulting with the relevant bodies and organisations
3. To write to the DCLG, DIUS, ECU, UCU, vice-chancellors and university chaplaincy services affirming NUS’ support for the autonomy of Islamic societies and for university chaplaincy services to remain one of individual pastoral support and care
4. To submit this motion to the Strong & Active Unions zone at NUS annual conference by 5^th December 2008.
5. To send the proposer of this motion to NUS compositing.
6. To delete points 16 and 17 and 18 before submitting the motion to NUS.

Supporting The Ban Of Scientology- Passed

Proposed by: Aksel Lydersen

Seconded by: Yamuna Soto

The Union Notes:

1. The Church of Scientology has a strong documented history of silencing it's critics, including sending 'cease and desist' letters, other forms of intimidation, aggressive legal action, blackmail and has even been implicated in a number of deaths, most recently that of Uwe Stuckenbrock in Germany. This policy is known as fair game, and although the Church claims it has been discontinued, a female student received a 'cease and desist' letter recently.
2. The Church of Scientology is not recognised as a religion or charity in the UK, yet has VAT tax exempt status.
3. The Church of Scientology has put undue pressure on internet sites such as Youtube and Google to silence critics and has also regularly misused the law in order to restrict peaceful protests outside its premises. At a time when the internet is already being censored by governments and civil liberties are under threat, letting a private company further interfere in internet freedom and the right to protest sets a dangerous precedent. Ironically it was the CoS handling of a leaked Youtube video in January 2008, which sparked the current wave of protests.
4. The Church of Scientology encourages members to 'disconnect' from family and friends who are critical of the Church. The Union believes that the main targets for recruitment are emotionally vulnerable people.
5. Most Scientologists do not actually know the truth about the beliefs of the Church as they have not reached the level where the 'creation' story is told. To reach this level will cost over £5000, which does not take into account additional expenses incurred. Religion and knowledge are free, Scientology is not. People have the right to believe anything they want, however it is wrong to make them pay before being told what to believe.
6. Scientology clergy, known as Sea Org, are regularly subjected to harsh punishments such as not being allowed food, sleep deprivation or even being sent to the Rehabilitation Project Force, for failing to recruit enough members or failing to sell enough copies of the book Dianetics. Female members of the Sea Org who become pregnant are forced to abort in order to remain in the Sea Org.

The Union Believes:

1. The Church of Scientology is a dangerous cult.
2. The Church of Scientology practices fraudulent medicine.

This Union Resolves:

1. To support individuals and groups, both named and anonymous, involved in protesting The Church of Scientology and campaigning for it to be banned from the United Kingdom.

Improving Higher Education In Iraq- Passed

Proposed by: Mousa Baraka

Seconded by: Mysa Hussain

This Union Believes:

1. Before the war on Iraq, the Iraqi education system was the best in the region with:
2. Gross Enrolment Rates rising over 100%, having almost complete gender parity in enrolment.
3. With illiteracy rates among 15-45 years of age dropping below 10%.
4. Dropout/Repetition rates were the lowest in the Middle East and North Africa [MENA] region.

This Union Further Believes:

1. During the crisis years, 1990-2003:
   • As Gross income declined, resources for education suffered a great deal
   • Average Government Spending, on education, per student dropped from $620 to $47
   • Teachers’ salaries dropped in real terms, from $500-$1000/month to $5/month in 2003
   • Gender gap increased, 95% Male and 80% Female
   • The dropout rate reached 20% [31% Female, 18% Male]
   • The repetition rate reached a figure that is double that of the MENA region, 15%.

2. After the 2003 invasion:
   • About 70% of schools/Universities lack clean water and latrines
   • Poor quality of inputs include: science labs, libraries, equipment, an outdated curriculum, lack of teacher training and staff absenteeism.
   • Education personnel were targeted, kidnapped, attacked, and or killed
   • Teacher absenteeism and that of girls in education reached a high level, due to the security threat
   • 2751 institutions were damaged severely and require rehabilitation, 2400 experienced looting.
   • Around 20,000 teachers have been displaced
   • Around 320,000 students have been displaced
   • The Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education reported that over 3,250 academics had fled the country between February and August 2006
   • According to the Iraqi Association of University Lecturers, around 300 academics, including Ph.D.'s working in Iraqi government ministries and university administrators, had been killed before January 2007, around 70 have been threatened/kidnapped.

This Union Resolves:

1. To send a copy of this motion to the student unions of Baghdad University, Mosul University and Hillah University, inviting them to twin with UK Student Unions
2. To lobby Universities to provide bursaries for Iraqi students who wish to study at UK universities
3. To set up a national ‘Books for Iraq’ Campaign
4. To send old books from University Libraries to the University of Baghdad, Mosul and Hillah, with the aid of organisations such as Human Relief Foundation.
5. To submit this motion to the Society and Citizenship Zone at NUS annual conference by 5^th December 2008.
6. To send the proposer of this motion or their proxy to NUS compositing.
7. To delete points 5 and 6 and 7 before submitting the motion to NUS.

Racism Education- Passed

Proposed by: Matt Taylor

Seconded by: Mpegwa Mwakangata

This Union Believes:

1. Racism isn’t just about the attitudes of individuals it is a feature of the world we live in reinforced by the structure and institutions of society.
2. Education is no exception. Black students are systematically failed by our schools colleges and universities.  Exclusion rates amongst Black students three times higher then among white students in schools.
3. Economic crisis and war is laying a base on which racism in new and old forms can breed. Talk of controlling immigration, previously limited to the Tory party is now repeated by government ministers.
4. The British National Party is attempting to exploit this space and create a street presence for its Nazi cadre with street stalls and demonstrations.

This Union Further Believes:

1. The class divide in which universities students attend is demonstrated by the fact that the top 20 Universities had less Black students then London Metropolitan University in 2006. This trend has not been reversed.
2. The class division in which universities students attend can foster racism in our universities.
3. The comments about gun and knife crime, immigration and segregation in the press recently have helped legitimize racist attitudes.
4. NUS’ apolitical culture has accommodated attitudes within it that reflect racism within society.  Officers can tick boxes in speeches but fail to recognize or challenge racism.
5. That we need an anti-racism movement that builds the maximum unity against the BNP while challenging racism politically.
6. That we need to be prepared to take action on the streets to keep our universities fascist free.

This Union Resolves:

1. To condemn and organize to remove from office individuals who make racist comments.
2. To hold the NUS leadership to account for failing to deal politically with the reality of racism within NUS.  
3. To affiliate/continue to support Unite Against Fascism and Love Music Hate Racism.
4. To submit this motion to NUS conference (deleting resolves 4) to the Welfare Zone. To send the proposer of this motion or their proxy to NUS compositing.

Happy Hours At SOAS- Passed

Proposed by: David Anderton

Seconded by: Jonathan Marsh

This Union Notes:

1. That SOAS bar sales and profits this year are rising.
2. That SOAS bar prices have increased significantly from last year
3. Students often enjoy a beverage at the bar after a hard day of studying and sports activities.

This Union Believes:

1. As the price of something falls demand increases. In the case of beer this will be more than proportionate (ie. Price falls but profits increase)
2. Students are unhappy with the increases in price of beer especially knowing bar takings are up.

This Union Resolves:

1. To look into the viability of a ‘Happy Hour’ that would not alienate any member of the union.

Joining London Citizens- Passed

Proposed by: Nizam Uddin

Seconded by: Mousa Baraka

This Union Notes:

1. That London Citizens is a broad-based alliance of over 110 institutions in London, that work together for the common good
2. London Citizens’ campaigns on Worker’s wages (Living Wage), Migrant Rights (Strangers into Citizens), Affordable Housing (Our Homes, Our London), and Safer Street (City Safe)
3. That London Citizens’ Living Wage campaign has put an extra £20 million into the pockets of the lowest paid workers since its launch in 2001
4. SOAS’s successful campaign for a Living Wage for the cleaners at SOAS
5. That students play a vital role in the community, both as individuals and as part of the union

This Union Believes:

1. That it would benefit from collaboration with London Citizens as other university students have, including LSE, Queen Mary, London Met and UEL.
2. Joining London Citizens would be a brilliant way for students to engage in the wider community
3. That it would benefit from training provided by London Citizen’s on effective organising and campaigning
4. That joining a broad-based alliance would:
   • strengthen the unions relationship with the wider community
   • give students the opportunity to engage in the wider community
   • enable students to continue the success of the Living Wage campaign to Birkbeck and IoE

This Union Resolves:

1. To affiliate to London Citizens, and work with London Citizens on making London a better place for all

Afghanistan And The Spread Of War- Passed With Amendments

Proposed by: Haroun Lazim

Seconded by: James Kirkham 

This Union Believes:

1. The further the US economy moves into crisis the more pressure there is for any US government to use its overwhelming military power to settle disputes.
2. NATO expansion, the war in Georgia and the commitment to fight “the good war” in Afghanistan are the bloody result of the attempt to maintain US global dominance.
3. Over 1 million Afghans have lost their lives as a result of war over the last 30 years yet both the UK and US governments are committed to sending more troops into the country.
4. The US had spent over £110 billion on the war in Afghanistan by the end of 2008 but only 10 billion of the 16 billion in aid payments had been received. 4 billion of the aid went to western companies for failed “reconstruction projects.”
5. Over the winter of 2008 8.4 million Afghans faced starvation and 30 million live in severe poverty.
6. That there was no resistance in Afghanistan immediately after the invasion. The reality of NATO’s occupation has created a resistance out of the same localised forces which had fought the Russian occupation.
7. That the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are spreading instability across the region.

This Union Further Believes:

1. That the links between Afghanistan and West Pakistan are creating tensions in Pakistan.
2. The US army has already launched cross border operations into Pakistan to try and hold its position in Afghanistan. This has created a crisis for Pakistan’s rulers, torn between support for the US and anti-imperialist sentiment at home.
3. The Pakistani government has forced almost 300’000 Afghan refugees back into Afghanistan.
4. If the US continues to engage in operations in Pakistan it could well provoke a civil war.
5. That unless we can force our governments in the west to withdraw from Afghanistan and Iraq we will continue to pay the bloody price for their “new world order.”

This Union Resolves:

1. To affiliate to the Stop the War Coalition
2. To support the “No to NATO” protest in France on April 3^rd alongside the Stop the War Coalition, Noam Chomsky and others.
3. To support the call for the withdrawal of all troops from Afghanistan.
4. To organise and promote with stop the war a series of events on campuses to highlight the reality of the occupation.
5. To send this motion to NUS conference 2009 in the “Society and Citizenship Zone” deleting resolves 1,2 and 5. To send its proposer or their proxy to NUS compositing.- Deleted

Resignation Of Anti- Racism Officer-Motion Replaced By Emergency Motion

Proposed by: Charlene Omoko

Seconded by: Symeon Brown

This Union Notes:

1. That on the 15th October 2008, the anti-racism officer completely disregarded the concerns of students at the school by ripping up a flyer detailing those concerns.

This Union Believes:

2. That the anti-racism officer should uphold and promote the values, welfare and beliefs of the students (regardless of any factor such as race, gender, religious beliefs and sexual orientation), whilst taking our concerns seriously and acting upon them promptly and effectively.
3. Furthermore, we believe the school should harbour an environment of equality and a respect for diversity, with the concerns of all students being placed at the fore, not secondary or tertiary.

This Union Resolves:

1. That the anti-racism officer be called to resign, and re-elections take place.

Brunei Gallery Campaign- Passed

Proposed by: Nizam Uddin

Seconded by: Ben Sellers

This Union Notes:

• The Brunei building is a part of SOAS, but as a result of tendering out conference facilities, the students are not able to fully utilise the building and its facilities
• The Brunei building consists of various classrooms, the Brunei suite and the Brunei Gallery lecture theatre
• The Students' Union gets only three free bookings a year for the Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre, and is expected to pay otherwise

This Union Believes:

• The Students’ Union should have more access to facilities in the Brunei Building, including the Gallery, Lecture Theatre  and the Brunei Building should be reclaimed for priority student use
• SOAS should not be making money at the expense of the Student Experience

This Union Resolves:

Sod Sodexho- Passed

Proposed by: Hanadi Katerji

Seconded by: Johnny Blake

This Union notes:

1. That there are currently ethical boycotts in place in the SOAS union including Nestlé  and the ‘big tobacco’ companies (BAT, Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds)
2. Sodexo are a French multinational company involved in, among other things, the catering industry. They run the SOAS refectory, restaurant and the downstairs shop, as well as the cafe at Vernon Square. They also control over room bookings and security.

This Union Further Notes:

1. They became a giant of the catering industry largely through public/private partnerships in the US and UK, and have been instrumental in both Conservative and Labour privatisation pushes within schools, universities and healthcare.
2. They have been heavily criticised for their involvement in the prison industry, involved in 91 prisons worldwide have links to illegal 'terrorist' detention centers such as Guantanamo Bay. They also help to run asylum seeker detention centers in the UK.
3. They have strong links to the US military, boasting on their website "Sodexo partners with armed forces to boost recruitment and retention". This includes an $850 million contract with the US marines, and 60 contracts with the UK military.
4. They have contracts with numerous natural-resource exploiting companies, such as BP and Shell, and have had involvement with projects such as the draining of mangrove swamps in the Niger Delta, putting indigenous communities at threat.
5. Only 12% of staff are unionised, and Sodexo use tactics to prevent further unionisation
6. Sodexo are renowned for the poor nutritional content of their meals, and have a poor sanitary record. Reports abound of food sold beyond its sell-by date, forging of signatures ensuring the nutritional quality of food, and a human thumb found in a Sodexo salad.

This Union Believes:

1. That, considering Sodexo’s ethical record, it would fit with current Union policy to support a campaign against Sodexo, with the eventual aim of replacing the contract with one more beneficial to SOAS students and staff

This Union Resolves:

1. To support the Sod Sodexo campaign and a possible boycott
2. To make efforts to encourage societies to begin selling hot meals and snacks in the Union in order to provide a cheap and student-friendly alternative to the Sodexo canteen
3. To produce literature on the subject to distribute amongst students and staff to inform them of the issues surrounding the Sodexo contract
4. To work with the SOAS Sod Sodexo society to organise a series of lectures with a number of guest speakers with the aim of working out the problems with the existing contract and how it can be broken
5. To work with the SOAS Sod Sodexo society to make efforts to unionise current Sodexo staff and also to ensure that they have protection in any new contract signed
6. To work with the SOAS Sod Sodexo society to liaise with other institutions which have successfully overhauled catering contracts to plan and cost a viable, sustainable alternative to present to the School

Proposed by: Wendy, Tswa

Seconded by: Melvin James Sanborn 

This Union Notes:

1. Some lecturers have utilised maps in which Taiwan is included within the political boundaries of China as a provincial district.
2. Members of SOAS Taiwan Society complained that such references to Taiwan during a class lecture made them extremely uncomfortable due to the apparent insensitivity to China and Taiwan cross-strait relations. 
3. Taiwan currently enjoys official diplomatic relations with 23 states recognised by the United Nations and most states have unofficial representative offices in the capital Taipei.
4. Taiwan also maintains its own system of national defence, considered one of critical elements of statehood.

This Union Believes:

1. It is our duty to protect the rights of all Taiwanese students at SOAS to live and study in an environment of respect and equality.
2. Denying Taiwanese students of their statehood has the potential to rip away their cultural identity, destroy their self-esteem, and make them vulnerable to social isolation.
3. Additionally, SOAS students deserve an open educational environment in which they are not sheltered from information, whether it be politically contentious or even unpopular among certain demographics. 
4. In the current age of globalization, territorial disputes have the power to ignite strong nationalist sentiment and deserve to be handled with a balanced consideration of all competing points of view.
5. Therefore, Taiwan’s tense and intentionally ambiguous political status requires greater discussion and engagement within academic circles, not omission by our instructors.

This Union Resolves:

1. Lecturers at SOAS are encouraged to mention the special nature of Taiwan‘s political status when using maps of East Asia, as many ungrounded versions contravening the status-quo include Taiwan as a part of the PRC.
2. Such a balanced and neutral approach to territorial disputes should be utilised with similar candor in other cases such as the Kashmir region, Dokdo/Takeshima islands between Japan and S. Korea, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip.

6.  Emergency Motion

Vote Of No Confidence In Anti- Racism Officer- Failed

This Union Notes that on the 15th October 2008 , the anti-racism officer was in breach of the Union's code of the conduct on two counts:

(g) Gross Misconduct

(j) Conduct which could bring the Union into disrepute.

and in violation against the three core constitutional objectives of the Union in ripping up the document of welfare concerns and incidents of racism from a group of SOAS students

This Union Believes that all members of the Student Union executive should uphold and promote the values, welfare and beliefs of its members (regardless of any factor such as race, gender, religious beliefs and sexual orientation), and should promptly deal with every students concerns effectively with respect and sensitivity. The Union believes that the Union should harbour an environment of equality and a respect for diversity, with the concerns of all students being placed at the fore, not secondary or tertiary according to its constitutional objectives:

(a) act as an official organisation promoting the interests of its members, and in particular to

(i) develop, foster and promote the cultural, intellectual, social and athletic recreation

of its members;

(ii) develop, foster and promote the education, welfare and general interests of its

members;

(iii) act as a channel of communication between, and represent the interests of, its

members to the School and to any other bodies which may affect its members;

This Union Resolves that a vote of no confidence be made against the officer.

Appendix B

Schedule 1: Union General Meeting (Constitution pp. 15- 17)

1. A Union General Meeting (UGM) shall be held at least once a term. The proposed dates shall

be determined by the Sabbatical Officers and advertised at the start of the year, and no less than ten days before a meeting. Any change to the published proposed dates shall be advertised as widely as possible using electronic and printed media.

2. An Extraordinary UGM may be called at no less than three days’ notice in term time by

(a) the Union's Sabbatical Officers; or

(b) the Union Executive Committee; or

(c) 75 ordinary members of the Union by a petition submitted to the Co–President Finance &

Communications.

The agenda of an Extraordinary UGM shall include only those items which by their very nature

cannot wait for the next scheduled UGM.

The Co–President Finance & Communications (or in his/her absence, one of the other two

Sabbatical Officers) shall rule on whether or not the item requires consideration by an

Extraordinary UGM.

3. The organisation of the UGM shall be the responsibility of the Finance & Communications

Sabbatical Officer, or shall be arranged by the Union Executive Committee if the Finance &

Communications Sabbatical Officer is the cause of the meeting. The UGM date and motion

submission deadline shall be publicised as widely as possible using electronic and printed media.

4. The deadline for submission of motions shall be three working days before the meeting, at which point the agenda including motions in full shall be publicised as widely as possible by the meeting organiser using electronic and printed media. All motions must be proposed and

seconded by ordinary members of the Union (which includes Sabbatical and part-time Union

Officers).

The quorum for the UGM shall be 50 ordinary members except in the cases listed below

where a quorum shall be 80 ordinary members:

(a) motions of no confidence in a Union Officer;

(b) motions to amend the Constitution and Schedules.

A quorum shall be assumed unless specifically asked to be taken by any one ordinary member,

except in the two cases listed above where a quorum count shall be taken as a matter of

course.

5. There shall be a Chair for the UGM who shall normally not be a member of the Union. It shall be the responsibility of the organiser to select and brief the Chair. The Finance & Communications Sabbatical Officer shall act as Deputy Chair or, if inappropriate, a member voted for by the UGM. The Chair shall not preside over an issue in which s/he has a vested interest, and should immediately state this if it is the case and pass the Chair to the Deputy.

6. The Chair shall be responsible for the smooth running of the meeting and shall enable all

opinions to be aired. In the event of any situation arising not being covered by meeting

regulations, the Chair shall rule on the procedure to be adopted in that meeting. If necessary,

steps shall accordingly shall be taken to amend this Schedule to cover such a situation in the

future.

7. Any member of the Union has the right to attend and speak at a UGM. Any non-member who

wishes to attend and/or speak must inform the organiser beforehand who will obtain receive the permission of the Chair. Any member wishing to speak must raise her/his hand. The Chair of the meeting shall decide the order of speaking.

8. There shall be minutes of the UGM. The minutes shall be taken by the Union Secretary or nominee. The Union Secretary shall produce the agenda and papers for the UGM and shall distribute them in advance. The papers shall include the minutes of the previous meeting, management or executive officers’ reports and the text of submitted motions. The agenda of

meetings shall normally be taken in the following order:

· Welcome from the Chair

· Checking the minutes of the previous meeting for accuracy

· Matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting

· Management reports

· Questions about management reports

· Reports from the Union Executive Committee

· Questions to the Union Executive Committee

· Debates on submitted motions

· Debates on emergency motions

· Any other business

Amendments to the running order may be requested by the UGM at any point and passed by a two thirds majority vote.

9. All debates on motions shall proceed as follows:

· the proposer of the motion shall make a speech

· any changes to the motion shall be raised (according to paragraph 10 below)

· the Chair shall invite a speech against the debate

· the Chair shall balance the number of speeches for and against the debate

· the Chair shall invite any questions and statements relating to the debate and

consider any new proposed changes to the motion (according to paragraph 10

below)

· the proposer of the motion shall have the right to sum up.

The vote shall be taken by a show of hands, with proof of ordinary membership. Proxy votes are not permitted. The Chair shall not normally be allowed to vote, unless s/he is a member of the Union and there is a tie, in which case s/he shall have a casting vote. In the case of a tie that cannot be resolved, the motion shall be carried forward to the next UGM.

10. Changes to the motion shall proceed as follows:

· any changes to the motion shall be raised after the proposer has spoken

· the Chair shall invite and take a speech against the changes

· the Chair shall balance the number of speeches for and against the changes

· the Chair shall leave time for questions and statements before the vote

· when all changes have been voted upon, the main motion shall be discussed and

voted upon.

11. A majority of one is required to pass a motion with the following exceptions:

· motions of no confidence require a two-thirds majority vote

· motions to amend the Constitution require a two-thirds majority vote

· motions to suspend any section of the Constitution require a seven-eighths majority vote.

12. Emergency motions may only be discussed at the discretion of the Chair, if they deal with

issues which by their nature could not be passed on to the next UGM. The motion shall be

submitted in writing to the Chair before the start of the meeting.

13. The following procedural motions may be moved during debate and shall only apply to the

motion under debate at the time of the motion being moved:

(a) that the meeting has no confidence in the Chair;

(b) that the ruling of the Chair be overturned;

(c) that the Chair make a ruling on the procedure, quoracy or conduct of the meeting;

(d) that the motion be taken to a vote without further discussion;

(e) that the motion be dismissed;

(f) that the motion be referred to the next UGM;

(g) that the motion be taken in parts;

(h) a request for a Point of Order;

(i) a request for a Point of Information.

14. In the event of a procedural motion 13(a) or 13(b) being proposed, the occupant of the Chair shall leave the Chair which shall be taken by the Deputy Chair.

15. In the case of 13(a), there shall be one speech for the procedural motion and the challenged occupant shall have the right to reply immediately prior to the vote.

In the case of 13(b), the challenged occupant may return to the Chair but must abide by the decision of the meeting upon the challenged ruling.

16. The quorum may be challenged under procedural motion 13(c), at which point the Chair shall make a ruling on whether or not the meeting has a quorum. If the meeting is found not to have a quorum, no motions may be passed and the meeting shall only continue at the discretion of the Chair.

17. If members are unable to see, hear or require clarification this may be raised under procedural motion 13(c), at which point the Chair shall make all appropriate possible steps to rectify this.

18. In the case of 13(d), being passed, no further discussion on this motion shall be permitted. If carried, the proposer of the motion shall immediately sum up and the motion shall then be put to the vote.

19. In the case of 13(g), being passed, a vote shall be taken on each individual resolution of the motion.

20. In the case of 13(h), a Point of Order shall be raised by a speaker requesting "a point of order".

It must be framed as a question to the Chair, must relate specifically to the conduct of the

debate at that time, must never refer to the subject matter under debate and must contain no

argument.

21. In the case of 13(i), a Point of Information may be requested through the Chair by a call of

“information”. Points of Information must be phrased as a short question to the meeting, and

must be used solely to seek or offer strictly information. They must not refer to matters of

opinion.

22. At all times procedural motions shall take precedence over all other business.