Union Council (20th October 2014)

• Student Leader Review (Megan Downing, Vice-President Democracy and Creative Industries). See also Appendix.
• Union Plan to 2020 (Emily Shepherd)  NOTE: This original idea has now been withdrawn. David Mendoza-Wolfson, Union President, will lead a discussion on this paper instead.
• Pro Choice Policy for SUSU (Orla Sheehan Pundyke)
• Leadership and Representation Policy (Beckie Thomas, Vice-President Welfare). This discussion was mandated by Democracy Zone Committee to come as an Ideas Discussion to the first Union Council of this academic year. For background information on the effect of gender quotas, see the Spring Elections Report presented to Council on 1 May 2014, under the section entitled "Diversity".

The minutes for the last meeting, held on Monday 9th June 2014, can be found here: http://www.susu.org/representation/minutes/949.

a. Permission to undertake outside employment (Sabbatical Officers)

Katie Lightowler (VP Sports Development) requests the permission of Council to take up employment as a swimming instructor for Sport and Wellbeing, to be worked at weekends.

Ellie Cawthera (VP Engagement) requests the permission of Council to take up office as a member of the Independent Remuneration Panel for the City of Southampton. Although not itself remunerated, an allowance of £250 is provided to members of the Panel.

b. Disqualification of a candidate (Social Secretary, Nightline)

• Vote: That the decision of Democracy Zone Committee be ratified (members of Union Council can vote).

c. Close of nominations for Open Place Union Councillors, speeches and opening of voting

• Election: Nominate yourself via the SUSU website (any student can stand, members of Union Council can vote).

d. Election of student representatives on University Committees

• Election: Nominate yourself at this point. The election is conducted immediately (any student can stand, members of Union Council can vote). The positions available are 3 places on University Senate and 1 place on Military Education Committee.

e. Appointment of Sabbatical Officers to Zone committees

• Vote: That the appointments be approved (members of Union Council can vote). 

Creative Industries Zone: VP Student Communities; Democracy Zone: VP Sports Development; Sustainability: VP Engagement; Student Communities Zone: VP Welfare; Student Life Zone: VP Student Communities; Sports Development Zone: VP Creative Industries; External Enagement: VP Education; Education Zone: VP External Engagement.

f. Student representatives pool for Disciplinary Committee

• Nomination: Members of Union Council will be selected at random as and when required from a list of Union Council members to sit on this committee. Members wishing to opt out should email democracy@susu.org.

g. Close of voting for Open Place Union Councillors and announcement of results

h. Election of Union Council representatives to Zone Committees

• Election: Nominate yourself at this point. The election is conducted immediately (Union Councillors and Student Leaders can stand, members of Union Council can vote). there are two positions on each Zone Committee: Democracy, Sustainability, Student Communities, Creative Industries, Education, External Engagement, Sports Development and Student Life.

a. Approval of Financial Schedule

• Vote: That the Financial Schedule be approved (members of Union Council). 

a. QAA Student Written Submission (1415P1)

See also the Appendix.

Proposed: Sophia D’Angelico, Vice-President Education. Seconded: Shruti Verma (Engineering and the Environment Faculty Officer); Giles Howard (Physical and Applied Sciences Faculty Officer)

a. Zone Reports for June and July 

These Zone Reports are the latest months available.

• Vote: To receive and approve the Sabbatical Officer plans for the 2014-15 academic year.

a. Attendance of Union Council Members and Student Trustees

There is no attendance to report at this stage in the year.

b. Officer Reports

c. Questions to Officers

Questions submitted by 12pm on Wednesday 15th October are available in this paper. Questions submitted prior to 4pm on the day of the meeting are accorded a higher priority, and will recieve a prepared answer. 

Union Council Stars recognise the achievements of our officers and students who have gone above and beyond their roles. 

Please notify all matters of AOB to the Chair before the start of the meeting.

The date and time of the next Union Council is 8 December 2014 at 6pm in the Senate Room.