Amendments to the All Student Vote Bye-Law

Passed by: Senedd

Passed on: 28/10/2024

Status: We are Working on it. 


Officer Responsible: Union President


Details

Schedule 1.4

All Student Vote & Motions of No Confidence

Introduction

  1. All Student Vote & Motions of No Confidence

 

1.1 An All Student Vote may be called to determine any issue.

2. Motion of No Confidence

2.1 In a Trustee

In accordance with the Constitution (clause 62), to pass a Motion of no confidence in a Trustee, a quorum of 500 Members will be required to validate the All Student Vote and a

simple majority will be required for the motion to be approved.

2.2 In a Full-time or Volunteer Officer:

To pass a Motion of no confidence in a Full-time or Volunteer Officer, a quorum of 500 Members will be required to validate the All Student Vote and a simple majority will be required for the motion to be approved.

 

2.1 In a Trustee (including Full Time Officers):

In accordance with the Constitution (clause 62),The office of a Trustee shall be vacated if a motion of no confidence in the Trustee is passed by a simple majority of Ordinary Members voting in an All Student Vote, provided that at least 500 Ordinary Members cast a vote in the All Student Vote.  Such a motion shall only be triggered by a Secure Petition of no confidence (including name, student number and university email) signed by at least 250 Ordinary Members.  

 

2.2 Volunteer Officer elected in a cross Campus ballot:

The office of a Volunteer Officer shall be vacated if a motion of no confidence in the

Officer is passed by a simple majority of Ordinary Members voting in an All Student

Vote, provided that at least 500 Ordinary Members cast a vote in the All Student

Vote.  Such a motion shall only be triggered by a Secure Petition of no confidence (including name, student number and university email) signed by at least 250 Ordinary Members.  

 

2.3 Volunteer Officer elected by restricted eligibility :

Where a volunteer Officer is elected by a restricted eligibility of voters (as outlined in the elections Bye-Law), the office of a Volunteer Officer shall be vacated if a motion of no confidence in the Officer is passed by a simple majority of eligible Ordinary Members, provided that at least 620% of eligible Ordinary Members cast a vote.  Such a motion shall only be triggered by a Secure Petition of no confidence (including name, student number and university email) signed by at least 320% or 250 eligible Ordinary Members (whichever is smallest). Eligibility numbers will be calculated using the latest available University data or national statistical data if University data is not available

2.4: Student Group Committee member

The office of a Student Group Committee Member shall be vacated if a motion of no confidence is passed by a simple majority of Student Members of the relevant group voting in a Student Group

Vote, provided that at least 30% of student group members cast a vote.  Such a motion shall only be triggered by a Secure Petition of no confidence (including name, student number and university email) signed by 20% of the membership of that group.

2.5: Academic Representative

The office of Academic Representative shall be vacated if a motion of no confidence is passed by a simple majority of students that they represent voting in an all class vote, provided that at least 30% of relevant students cast a vote.  Such a motion shall only be triggered by a Secure Petition of no confidence (including name, student number and university email) signed by 20% of the students that they represent.

3. Policy

3.1 In accordance with the Constitution (clause 45) to agree policy referred to All Student Vote by the Board of Trustees, Union Executive, Assembly Meeting, Annual General Meeting or secure petition, a quorum of 500 Members will be required to validate the All Student Vote and simple majority of those Members voting.

4. Responsibilities 

4.1 The Returning Officer, or their Deputy, both appointed in accordance with the by-law on elections, shall be responsible for the good conduct and administration of an All Student Vote when instructed as detailed in Constitution (clauses 44-47).

5. Publication

5.1 The Chair will publicise that an All Student Vote has been called for and details of the reason why at the next Senedd meeting.

5.2 The All Student Vote shall be arranged in accordance with the following timetable, the exact dates of which to be determined by the Deputy Returning Officer:

  1. Publish the proposal, date(s) for the All Student Vote and date of a meeting, open to all Members, to explain and debate the issues, which shall be held no later than the commencement of polling.
  2. If the issue is to be contested the meeting shall nominate two agents who will be responsible for running the “Yes” vote campaign and the “No” vote campaign. Each agent shall be given a publicity allowance paid for by AberSU of an amount equivalent to the agreed allowance for officer trustee elections.
  3. Publish the proposal and the question to be asked and further advertise dates of polling.  

6. Voting 

6.1 All Ordinary Members shall be eligible to vote in All Student Votes on Policy or in motions of no confidence relating to students elected by Cross Campus Ballot.

6.2. In votes of no confidence for roles elected with restricted eligibility the following will be eligible to vote:

  1. Volunteer Officer elected by restricted eligibility: In the case of positions which represent students from specific liberation groups and sections of the student body, the Union may

 

limit voting to those who self-identify with said liberation group or who are within a particular section. 

  1. Student Group Committees: All student members of a particular student group

(including Clubs and Societies)

  1. Academic Representation: All students represented by a particular Academic Representative

 

  1. 3 Details of the elections and voting process shall be published through the AberSU Students’ Union website, and elsewhere as determined by the Deputy Returning Officer.
  2. 4 Polling will normally be electronic.
  3. 5 The voting options should allow Members to vote in favour, against or abstain for each proposal.

7. Declaration

7.1 Results of the any All Student Vote or Vote of No Confidence shall be declared by the Returning Officer when the count for each has been successfully completed.

7.2 Results of the any All Student Vote or Vote of No Confidence shall be posted on the Union website within one working day of the count.

 


Updates

Action Taken Name and Role Date
These changes have been made.  Bayanda (Union President 2024-2025) November 2024
     

 


To find out more about this policy, get in touch: 

 

Ash Sturrock 

Campaigns and Democracy Coordinator
  ais13@aber.ac.uk  /  suvoice@aber.ac.uk

Bayanda Vundamina

Union President
 supresident@aber.ac.uk