Passed by: Senedd
Passed on: 27/04/2026
Status: We are Working on it.
Details:
For approval:
The proposal is to amend Schedule 2.2 - Officer Trustee Roles and Responsibilities to include the following addition:
6. University Council Membership
- Two Officer Trustees shall serve as the student members of Aberystwyth University Council (in accordance with Aberystwyth University Ordinance 8 - The Council: Membership).
- The Llywydd UMCA shall be an ex‑officio member of University Council for the duration of their term of office.
- The second student member of University Council shall be elected from among the Officer Trustees by Undeb Aberystwyth Senedd following the conclusion of the Officer Elections.
- Any Officer Trustee (other than the Llywydd UMCA) may put themselves forward for this position. Interested Officers shall present to Senedd, outlining their reasons for wishing to serve on University Council.
- Student Senedd shall elect the second student member of University Council by anonymous paper ballot (first past the post). The candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall be appointed.
- The term of office for the elected student member of University Council shall run concurrently with their term as a Full‑Time Officer.
- This process shall be overseen by the Deputy Returning Officer or their nominee to ensure fairness, transparency and compliance with Undeb Aberystwyth democratic procedures.
Background information:
Following a resolution passed at the Annual General Meeting of Undeb Aberystwyth in March 2025, the number of Full-Time Officer positions was reduced from five to four. As part of this restructuring, the position of President was removed, and its duties and responsibilities were redistributed among the remaining Full-Time Officers.
The President and the Welsh culture & UMCA president are automatically a member of university council as student governors. As the Union no longer has a President role, there is one vacancy now that isn't automatically tied to an officer role (Llywydd UMCA will remain on council) the Senedd will be responsible for determining which other Officer will fill the student governor vacancy.
What is University Council?
Aberystwyth University Council is “the supreme governing body of Aberystwyth University”. It is responsible for “determining the university's strategic direction and for the conduct of the university financial, administrative and other affairs, in accordance with its objects”. The Council ensures that the University operates effectively, remains financially sustainable, and complies with all legal and regulatory requirements, while supporting the institution’s long-term mission and values. The council’s constitution, powers and functions are provided by ordinance.
https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/media/departmental/governance/newordinances/05---The-Council---Statement-of-Primary-Responsibilities.pdf
Membership of the Council includes independent external members appointed for their expertise and experience, representatives of university staff, and student representatives. Collectively, the Council holds the University’s senior leadership to account and makes high-level decisions affecting the University as a whole.
For comparison, University Council performs a role broadly equivalent to that of the Students’ Union Trustee Board, but with responsibility for the entire University.
Attendance at Council carries significant responsibility, as the Council considers matters of substantial institutional importance, including strategic priorities, financial pressures, and decisions with long-term impact on students. There is also a significant time commitment that comes with the position as attendance to several in person council meetings a year alongside the numerous subcommittees that underpin council.
Appointment of the Additional Student Governor
At the final meeting of the Senedd following the conclusion of the Spring Elections, the Senedd shall determine which Full-Time Officer (in addition to Llywydd UMCA) will serve as the additional student Governor on University Council.
All incoming Full-Time Officers (who are not automatically on council) shall be eligible to nominate themselves for this role. Each nominee shall be given the opportunity to present their rationale for appointment to the Senedd, following which the Senedd shall vote to appoint the Governor.
Updates
| Action Taken |
Name and Role |
Date |
| Vote for Full-Time Officer to Serve on University Council alongside Llywydd UMCA: Llywydd Wellbeing & Liberation |
Senedd |
April 2026 |
To find out more about this policy, get in touch: