MOTION
Motion to update the Union of Brunel Students policy on Social Events,
Initiations and Alcohol
To: Student Assembly
Meeting:
From: Olive Jayne Barton
Date: 15/10/14
This Union Notes
1. That the National Union of Students (NUS) is increasingly taking measures to
combat lad culture, discrimination and sexual harassment on campus. Toni Pearce
has called for a conference on lad culture and the 2010 ‘hidden marks’ report
revealed a disturbing increase in sexual harassment.
2. That students may not want to join clubs or societies deemed stereotypically
“laddish”, restricting their ability to fully enjoy their time at university.
3. That some students actively engage in activities of a lad culture nature, unaware of
the damaging affects this can have on themselves and other students.
This Union Believes
1. That students who engage in practices deemed as ‘lad culture’ behaviour, are small
in numbers and not an overwhelming problem at Brunel.
2. But nonetheless this small number of students damage the credibility of their
students union and stop other students from being able to both engage in new things
(as they feel perhaps certain societies/clubs conform to these behaviours) and
ensure they have enjoyed every possible opportunity whilst at university.
This Union Resolves
1. That clubs and societies must embrace new practices and training schemes to
ensure that all students are treated fairly and with respect.
2. That inclusivity officers are a chance for clubs and societies to encourage other
students from all walks of life to try something new.
3. That the union must prepare for possible ‘worst case scenarios’ whereby clubs or
societies fall foul of the high standards of equality and diversity set by the Union.
4. And that this therefore means a disciplinary system must be readily in place for clubs
and societies that are found guilty of inappropriate or unacceptable behaviours, set
out by the union.
This Union Mandates
1. The Vice President Community Welfare to set up an online complaints form to allow
students with concerns to be able to quickly and easily raise these complaints with
the Union of Brunel Students.
2. That the Vice President of Student Activities looks over the policy and agrees to
formulate a clear disciplinary procedure for clubs and societies who fall short of
expected standards of behaviour.
3. That the Union of Brunel Students must introduce training and information regarding
the updated policy so clubs and societies are aware of the updates and of the
penalties they face should they violate agreed policies and standards. Clubs,
societies and individuals must be aware of the definitions of lad culture, of different
types of discrimination, and of the damaging affects these forms of discrimination can
have on other students.
Proposed by: Olive Barton
Signature:
Seconded by: Alierza Milani
Signature:
Union of Brunel Students policy on Social Events, Initiations and Alcohol
(Updates are underlined).
1. Introduction
1.1 It is the Union of Brunel Students’ aspiration that “Every student is free to develop and enjoy
every aspect of University life”.
1.2 The Union of Brunel Students has a duty to ensure that members can participate in all
students activities in a safe, non-threatening and enjoyable environment (as laid out in the
UBS strategic Plan). This environment having a clear zero tolerance attitude towards
discrimination in all its areas of operation. And to ensure students who stop other students
from being able to do so (enjoyment) are reprimanded.
2. Alcohol Statement
2.1 The Union of Brunel Students is aware that student life often involves alcohol consumption,
but it condemns any behaviour that damages students’ health and wellbeing or has any
adverse effect on the local community.
2.2 The Union of Brunel Students recommends that all members take a responsible attitude to
the provision and consumption of alcohol at activities on and off campus.
2.3 Excess alcohol can lead to ill-health and anti-social behaviour. The Union of Brunel Students
expects all of its membership to ensure that the consumption of alcohol in and around
events is managed appropriately, promoting moderation and responsible behaviour at all
times.
2.4 Participating in Student activities at University is a great way to develop skills and make new
and lasting friendships, adding value to the overall student experience. However, activity
and sport involvement and participation should put students in situations where they feel
pressurised in to participating in activities they do not wish to.
2.5 The Union of Brunel students requires that all activity groups develop their own policies and
procedures for managing student behaviour and alcohol misuse within their activities. The
Union of Brunel Students will provide a generic code of practice to activity groups for this
purpose.
3. Social Events
3.1 Social events act as a team building exercise, whereby new activity group members can
meet and socialise with other members. The following aspects need to be considered:
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All activity groups’ members must recognise and adhere to the Union of Brunel Students’
Equal Opportunities Policy. This will provide every single student an equal chance to get
involved in the social, campaigning, democratic, activities-based and commercial aspects of
an activity group.
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It is an individual’s choice whether or not they attend or partake in any social event. Nonattendance must not be a barrier within the activity.
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It should be each club or society’s objective that every member has an enjoyable time. It
follows that each member will have a different response to activities, and no peer pressure
(intended or not) should be placed on any member to do anything that they may not enjoy.
(Peer pressure is defined as follows: when a peer group or individual encourages another
person to change their values or behaviours to suit other people’s convenience.)
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The committee of each sports club or society is responsible for the welfare of all members
and must take the necessary measures to ensure that an adequate level of safety is
maintained at all times.
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All members of sports clubs or societies must show respects towards members of the public
and other members of the University, at all times.
-
The union of Brunel Students recognises that social activities are an important part of
activity groups; however they must not involve degrading acts and/or the abuse of alcohol
4. Initiation Ceremonies*
4.1 The Union of Brunel Students believes the practice of initiations may be a dangerous and
degrading exercise that jeopardises the safety of its members and can be a source of negative
publicity for the Union. It is also considered that unforeseen circumstances that may result from
such ceremonies can cause anguish that may affect students both personally and academically.
The Union of Brunel Students does not condone initiation ceremonies whether on or off campus.
* Definition: An initiation ceremony is an event in which members (often new members) of the
activity group are expected to perform a task or tasks as a means of gaining credibility, status or
entry within that club. This may involve peer pressure (though not explicitly) exerted on students
and may compromise a person’s inherent dignity as a person by forcing or requiring an individual to
drink alcohol, eat mixtures of various food stuffs, nudity and behaviour that may be deemed
humiliating.
4.5 Breaches of this policy will result in action being taken in accordance with the Union of Brunel
Students disciplinary procedure. Individuals who organise events in breach of this policy will also be
subject to disciplinary action in line with the Union of Brunel Students Disciplinary Procedure.
It is the belief of the Students’ Union that every student has the right to participate as a full member
in all activities and have the freedom of choice over what they take part in. Selection for competitive
sporting activities should be based purely on ability, skill, fitness criteria and attendance at training.
5. Behaviour
5.1 Every society or sports club shall be responsible for ensuring that its members, players,
officials and all persons purporting to be its supporters or followers conduct themselves in
an orderly fashion whilst attending or taking part in an event, match or competition in which
it is involved, whether on University premises or elsewhere. Any of the following actions by
the above shall render the activity group liable to a charge of misconduct for failing to
discharge its said responsibility:
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Violent, threatening, abusive, obscene or provocative behaviour, conduct or language;
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Throwing missiles, bottles or other potentially harmful or dangerous objects at, onto or
adjacent to the playing/activity area.
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Every activity group shall be responsible for ensuring that its members, officials and all
persons purporting to be its representatives do not conduct themselves that may bring the
Union of Brunel Students into disrepute.
5.2 Open alcohol containers and drinking of alcohol is illegal on private and hired transport as
laid out in the driver’s handbook. It is also against National Governing Body regulations and
code of conduct at the majority of sports fixtures, centres and facilities.
6. Zero Tolerance Policy
6.1 The Union of Brunel Students has a clear and strict zero tolerance policy towards
discrimination, lad culture and sexual harassment.
a) Lad Culture being defined as a group or ‘pack’ mentality residing in activities such as sport
and heavy alcohol consumption, and ‘banter’ which is often sexist. Misogynistic and
Homophobic1.
b) It is against the law to discriminate against anyone because of; age, being or becoming a
transsexual person, being married or in a civil partnership, being pregnant or having a child,
1
As defined by the National Union of Students.
disability, race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion (belief or lack
of religion/belief), sex or sexual orientation.
6.2 All members of the Union of Brunel Students must adhere to the zero tolerance policy.
6.3 Should a student, fall short of required behavioural standards they will be referred to the
zero tolerance committee who will implement appropriate action.
a) Appropriate action for individuals will be considered as follows:
1. The individual will be referred to the zero tolerance policy and will be required to attend
both a meeting with the director of operations to discuss the individual’s actions general and
will be required to attend a mandatory zero tolerance training session.
2. Should the individual be found to have violated the zero tolerance policy from here on the
individual will be banned from engaging with the Union of Brunel Students for a period of 2
months. This will include; using the bars and nightclubs on campus and being an active
member in a club or society, whether just as a member or with a committee position.
3. Should the individual be found to have violate the zero tolerance policy for a third time,
questions will have to be raised about the individuals place within the Union of Brunel
students.
b) The Zero tolerance committee will be comprised of the Vice-President Community Welfare
and the Equality and Diversity Chair, who will be overseen by the Chief Executive to ensure
unbiased but fair action, is taken.
6.4 Should a union club or society fall short of required behavioural standards or engage in
activities considered to have violated the high standards of equality at Brunel, all committee
members will be referred to the zero tolerance policy and to the zero tolerance committee
who will implement appropriate action.
a) Appropriate action for clubs and societies will be considered as follows:
1. The club/societies committee will be referred to the zero tolerance policy and will be
required to attend both a meeting with the director of operations to discuss the club or
society’s general aims and its image and will be required to attend a mandatory zero
tolerance training session to be able to book rooms and hold meetings hence forth. The club
or society will also be required to issue a public statement of apology, illustrating their desire
to uphold the 5 values the Union of Brunel Students is based upon.
2. Should the club or society be found to have violated the zero tolerance policy from here on
the club or society will be banned from all activity for 2 months. This will include; room
bookings, sports fixtures, national events and meetings. The club or society will not be able
to promote events until the agreed 2 month period has finished. Should the club or society
have international meetings or fixtures, they will be required to write a letter of apology to
each event/fixture explaining the reasons why they are unable to attend in full.
3. Should the club or society be found to have violate the zero tolerance policy for a third time,
questions will have to be raised about the club or societies place within the Union of Brunel
students.
7. Breach of this policy
a) If a member or member of the public feels that these guidelines have been breached, The
Union of Brunel Students welcomes any grievance or compliant. The Union of Brunel
Students will enact its disciplinary proceedings against the individual(s) or group as laid out
in the UBS Constitution and Bye-Laws.