Beginners Guide To Union Democracy
Front Page
Contents
Beginners’ Guide To Union Democracy 2003-4
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The Students’ Union. By definition, a Union is more than one
person. It is a group of people getting together for a common
purpose.
The Students’ Union is owned by every single student at the
University. You, your housemates, your course buddies and the
guy you saw walking out of Costcutters, are all part owners of the
Union.
Different people are part of the Union in different ways. If you are
part of a sports club or society, if you used Advice and Welfare or
are part of RAG, if you have seen the SSLC Reps on your course
or have been to the Student Cinema, if you liked One World Week
or went to the Freshers' Ball, if you are tempted by Top Banana
or are a Soul Nation regular, if you have ever drunk in Cholo or
eaten in Xananas: all these things are part of the Union.
Only a few people use everything the Union does. However,
pretty much everyone uses something we provide.
Your Union is an organisation with a turnover of £5.4m,
employing about 300 people. It is renowned through the UK as
one of the best and most active Students’ Unions.
You control all of this. Not only you though – we represent about
20,000 students. This means that democracy is very important in
how the Union operates.
Democracy means that we don’t do something just because one
person wants us to – we do it because a majority of students are
in favour of doing it.
This booklet is designed to explain how this democracy works,
why it is important and how you get involved.
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Why We Are Here
So, what is this Union here to do?
Well, like most big organisations, we have a Mission Statement:
“This Union is directed by its members and aims to enhance the
experience of students whilst at the University of Warwick.”
This is sometimes put another way:
“This Union is run by students, for students”.
We have a few more specific aims:
(a) promote the interests of our members as effectively as
possible at institutional, local and national levels
(b) ensure effective communication between our members,
the University of Warwick and other bodies
(c) provide for the educational, cultural, recreational,
sporting, social and welfare needs of our members to the
best of our ability
(d) operate an effective equal opportunities policy while
guaranteeing freedom of expression and minimising any
adverse environmental impact, therefore providing a safe
and enjoyable environment for all
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How Long We’ve Been Here – Sweat and Tears!
You look at our Union, and you see two main buildings: Union
South is all our bars, food, shops and Ents; Union North contains
all the offices, sports, societies, advice and welfare, support and
Xanana’s Café.
That’s the way it’s always been, right?
No – our Union was created, along with our Constitution, in 1965.
Believe it or not, it was then based in the current Rootes Social
Building – i.e. where The Bar is now.
That area was used for Union General Meetings, concerts, eating,
drinking and administration. Given the amount of stuff the Union
does, it is not surprising that the Rootes building was deemed
unsuitable for use after only a short period of occupancy by the
Union.
In 1968 the Student Representative Council commenced a
campaign to gain a central building for the provision of student
services, a Union run by students for students.
Despite overwhelming support from the students for their own
building, the University didn’t give in. Five years of campaigning
were required, which included protests and sit-ins – campus
became known nationwide as “Red Warwick” due to the militancy
of the students!
In 1973, we had had enough, and submitted our final demand,
stamped “Not Negotiable!” to the University. They agreed, and
Union South was built.
To celebrate this victory, your Union will be holding a 30 Year
Anniversary celebration in term 1, 2003.
Twenty three years after the opening of the first Union Building,
the Union opened its £1,000,000 extension, Union North.
Warwick now lays claim to be one of the biggest Union Buildings
in the country.
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Having our own building is hugely important to your Students’
Union. It means that we, as students, can control and direct our
own social environment through our elected representatives.
It means that we can do what we think is right, because we are
adults who control their own space. It means that we cannot be
dictated to by the University, and it means that we are free to
grow.
These things are just as important in 2003 as they were in the
Sixties and Seventies!
For more info on the 30 Year Anniversary Celebration, check out
www.sunion.warwick.ac.uk/30years.
Photo of old Union South?
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The Importance Of Policy
What is “Policy”?
“A plan or course of action, as of a government, political party, or
business, intended to influence and determine decisions, actions,
and other matters”
Put simply, Policy is our collective view on a particular issue. It is
what we, as students, standing together, believe in.
Policy is important. When we stand together, we are very strong.
If one person says they are against racism, it could go unheard.
If twenty thousand of us stand up together and make a policy to
say we will not tolerate racism, we are listened to.
Policy can only be made through a democratic decision making
body. These are: Referendum, General Meeting, Union Council
(see below). These bodies are meant to be representative of your
views.
The other reason that Policy is important is that it is a statement
of what we all believe. If a Policy is passed saying “This Union
believes that…”, then the Union cannot do anything that
contradicts that. If you disagree, then you need to get involved
and try to change it.
Most policies that the Union makes are sensible. They are
designed to help our members get the most out of their time at
University (see our Mission Statement).
Something decided at Council can directly affect what you do. If
you don’t get involved, then you have no excuse if you don’t like
what is decided on your behalf.
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Democratic Structure Of The Union
There are 4 levels of decision-making in the Union:
Referenda are the most important, the Granddaddy of decisionmaking. Referenda are decided by a campus-wide ballot, which
everyone votes in. Referenda are a big deal!
The good news is that they are accessible: anyone can call a
Referendum on something they feel strongly about – you just
need 150 signatures.
There are two Referenda periods in each year – in terms 1 and 2.
Normally about 6 important, often controversial, issues are put
forward. The pros and cons of each motion are displayed, and you
vote on each one.
For more info, check out www.sunion.warwick.ac.uk/referenda.
General Meetings are big “town-hall” type meetings, where
everyone gets together to discuss/argue about things of
importance. There is at least one GM a year, and often more.
GMs are where Union Policy is made. This is also where Officers
are held to account; that is, where we ask the Union elected
officers any question we like.
For more info, check out
www.sunion.warwick.ac.uk/generalmeetings.
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Union Council is like the Parliament or Congress of our Union –
just without the dedicated TV channel.
Council has about 100 members, all of whom are elected by
cross-campus ballot. It meets 3 times a term.
This is where the majority of the Unions’ democratic business
takes place. It checks what Officers are doing, debates important
issues and passes Policy.
Since Council meets quite frequently, it can have quite a lot of
power. Decisions made by Council can be overridden by a General
Meeting or a Referendum – but these only happen a few times a
year.
This means that it is very important that Council is representative
of our diverse student population, and that people take an active
interest in what Council does.
For more info, check out www.sunion.warwick.ac.uk/council.
Executive Committee (“Exec”) is a smaller body of 13 people. It
is where a lot of the day-to-day operational decisions are made.
Exec is made up of the seven Sabbatical Officers, plus the Chairs
of the six Standing Committees. It does NOT make policy (that is
the responsibility of the students – you), but it does have
operational control. It has financial responsibility for the Union,
and its members are Trustees of the Charity.
For more info, check out www.sunion.warwick.ac.uk/exec.
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These are not the only ways that you can get involved in
the Union, though. Democracy is built into every aspect of the
Union – it’s in our blood. Pretty much everything the Union does
involves students voicing their opinion on how things should be
done.
There are six Standing Committees. They represent all students
on particular issues. Anyone can get elected to be Chair or a
member of a Standing Committee.
They are:
Academic Representation Committee
Campaigns Committee
Communications Committee
Sports Federation Committee
Societies Federation Committee
Democratic Oversight Committee.
For more information on each Committee, visit
www.sunion.warwick.ac.uk/standingcommittees.
There are also three Representation Committees. These are
designed to represent a particular group of students. Anyone can
get elected as Chair or a member.
They are:
International Committee
Lifelong Learning Committee (Part-time, 2+2 and Mature
Students).
Postgraduate Committee.
For more information on each Committee, visit
www.sunion.warwick.ac.uk/representationcommittees.
Each Standing and Representation Committee has a budget and
is responsible for implementing and administering policy
applicable to their members.
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Working Groups are groups whose members have a particular
passion for an area. They often advise places like Union Council
on how they should go about making policy.
Since they are more informal, working groups are not elected.
This means that they are great places for First Years to get
involved, since elections for other positions are often not held
until term 2.
The Working Groups are:
Environment
Equal Opportunities
Student Development
Steering (offers specific advice to Council on what policies to
consider etc.).
The other major way that a lot of people get involved in
democratic decision-making is in Sports Clubs and Societies.
We are very proud that our Union has the highest number of
Sports Clubs and Societies of any Union. The Union provides a lot
of support for these activities – we provide a lot of the money for
a start!
However, the majority of Clubs and Societies are run by
their Exec – a group of dedicated students who volunteer to run
the Clubs and Societies. They do this because they love their
activity, and also because it is a great way to learn new skills.
All Clubs and Societies have a President and a Treasurer. Most
also have a number of other positions e.g. Social Secretary, Club
Captain etc.
So, if you are a keen member of a Club or Society, and want to
make it even better, keep your eye out for their Exec elections in
term 2.
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For further information on how democracy at your Union works,
check out www.sunion.warwick.ac.uk/elections
People you might want to talk to…
Chair of Union Council
ucchair@sunion.warwick.ac.uk
Simon Lucas
International Committee Chair
internatchair@sunion.warwick.ac.uk
Rikke Eckhoff
Lifelong Learning Committee Chair
TBC – check www.sunion.warwick.ac.uk/elections
Postgraduate Committee Chair
To be elected on 9-Oct, 7pm, The Graduate bar, Union South.
Undergraduate Faculty Reps
Arts Faculty Rep
J.O.Stevens@warwick.ac.uk
Education Institute Rep
edvek@mimosa.warwick.ac.uk
Science Faculty Rep
S.Watling@warwick.ac.uk
Social Studies Faculty Rep
D.M.Perry@warwick.ac.uk
Medical Faculty Rep
Jon Stevens
Danielle Mead
Sam Watling
Daryl Perry
TBC
Postgraduate Faculty Reps will be elected on 9-Oct, 7pm, The
Graduate bar, Union South. Any Postgrad student can stand, so
come along and vote!
Who are your Councillors?
Union Councillors are elected from each faculty. These people are
here to represent you…
Make them do something!
www.sunion.warwick.ac.uk/councillors
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President
president@sunion.warwick.ac.uk
Bob Jones
02476 572784
Education Officer & Deputy President
education@sunion.warwick.ac.uk
Richard Watson
02476 572779
Finance and Internal Affairs Officer
fia@sunion.warwick.ac.uk
Ross Davidson
02476 572780
Communications and Venue Officer
cvo@sunion.warwick.ac.uk
Alek Maxwell
02476 572785
Welfare and Equal Opportunities Officer
welfare@sunion.warwick.ac.uk
Fran Miles
02476 572778
Societies and Student Development Officer
ssdo@sunion.warwick.ac.uk
Steve Pretty
02476 572781
Sports Officer
sports@sunion.warwick.ac.uk
Lucy Whithorn
02476 572776
Academic Representation Committee Chair
Kam Mohaddes
arcchair@sunion.warwick.ac.uk
Campaigns Committee Chair
Mike Britland
campaignchair@sunion.warwick.ac.uk
Communications Committee Chair
Brendan Donagen
commschair@sunion.warwick.ac.uk
Societies Federation Committee Chair
Ben Tichband
socsfedchair@sunion.warwick.ac.uk
Sports Federation Committee Chair
Dan Hills
sportsfedchair@sunion.warwick.ac.uk
Democratic Oversight Committee Chair
Andy McEwan
docchair@sunion.warwick.ac.uk
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If you have any queries at all, please do not hesitate to come to
the Democratic Services Office, Room 2.11, upstairs in the Union
North Building.
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