HSU Democracy Review Referendum
Should Hallam Students' Union change its democratic processes in line with the recommendations made in the Democracy Review?
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In 2023, Hallam Students' Union worked with a sector expert to identify ways in which Hallam Students' Union could better represent the interests of Hallam students. During our consultation, the Union surveyed 1,734 Hallam students and asked them how they felt the Union should represent them. Additionally, 12 hours of focus groups were conducted with a number of different student groups, as well as with Union staff, where the themes raised in the survey were discussed in more depth.
As a result of this extensive consultation, the Union has received a set of recommendations to modernise its democratic model and make it easier for Hallam students to help to decide the direction of the Union.
The main recommendation is to remove the SU's Union Council, and instead regularly (and actively) engage with students to determine SU priorities, including through our Societies and Course Reps. We're also inviting students to hold the SU and our representatives accountable more often.
We want to know if you are happy for us to implement those recommendations.
This Union notes
1. That a review of the ways in which students tell the Union what to work on (a democracy review) was carried out in November and December 2023. This included extensive research of student views via a survey and focus groups.
2. That you can read this report.
3. That the recommendation of the Trustee Board, including the Officer team, is to change the structures in line with the recommendations of the report.
This Union believes
1. That Hallam students are time-poor, and Hallam Students' Union's current democratic model does not reflect the pressures of those who commute, work part time, have caring responsibilities or are undertaking vocational training.
2. That Hallam students want research-led policy-making to inform the work of the Students' Union.
3. That Elected Officers should work alongside career staff and other experts to develop policy positions through extensive student consultation.
4. That the student body should have responsibility for prioritising Union policies and for holding elected officials to account.
This Union resolves
1. To change the structures of the Union from the academic year 2024/5 in line with the recommendations.
2. To delegate the drafting of byelaws to the Officer team for approval by the Union Council before the end of the year. Should the Union Council not approve a set of byelaws, this shall be delegated instead to the Union's Trustee Board.