Summer Term

Should LSESU Implement the Rebuild Consultation Changes?

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Proposed by Loic Delorme

Seconded by Zulum Elumogo

 

What’s the issue?

1. LSESU has bye-laws last updated in 2010

2. Higher Education, Students’ Unions and Student Engagement levels have changed dramatically in recent years

3. In the recent Rebuild Consultation Survey, 45% of the 491 respondents said they didn’t feel represented by their Students’ Union

4. LSESU’s structures don’t encourage participation with the vast majority of the SU’s members due to outdated mechanisms for involving students

5. As a membership organisation, LSESU should make its democratic processes up to date and as accessible as possible to ensure members can be as involved as they want to be

 

What’s the solution?

1. To adopt and implement changes to the bye-laws in order to provide more transparent and up to date structure including changes to:

   1. Union General Meetings to make policy creation more accessible including online methods of change-making.

   2. Executive Committee to enable them to contribute more to policy creation and ensure more transparency around their decision-making processes

   3. Reformed activities committee to include representatives from all of our activities streams

   4. Allow more flexibility in elections timelines to ensure they can be run at times that best suit LSESU’s members

   5. Adjusted the language to make the Bye-laws easier to read and understand

NB: For more detail of the changes being made please see below, and for a summary of the changes made please click this link https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dv_XCfuI1NOm1ZwhGSCVXGg64HM7LlSbssQSbvOOEk4/edit#gid=0

Activities

The activities our Union offers have their own rules and regulations to make sure every student feels able to get involved. This bye-law covers specific rules regarding student media, societies and sports teams, as well as information about our activities committee.

 

1. The Bye-Law is made pursuant to the Articles
2. Words and phrases used in this Bye-Law have the same meaning as ascribed to them in the Articles
3. This Bye-Law was last updated and approved on 11 February 2010

 

General

4. Student groups included in this Bye-Law include the following:
   1. Societies
   2. Sports Clubs that are part of the Athletic Union
   3. Media Group Societies
5. To be considered for recognition, a new Society, Club or Media Group Society shall present a proposal as specified below
6. No Society, Club or Media Group Society may receive funds from the Union or make use of the Union’s facilities without the prior recognition by the Union
7. No Society, Club, or Media Group Society shall be recognised if its purpose conflicts with the Core Objectives of the Union, except that this restriction shall not be unjustly interpreted so as to preclude the establishment of political, religious or ethnically based Societies, Clubs and Media Group Societies
8. All recognised Societies, Clubs and Media Group Societies are subject to these Bye-Laws and members of Societies’ and Clubs’ elected leadership, usually the Committee, are accountable to the Executive Committee in adhering to them
9. All members of recognised Societies and Clubs are subject to the Disciplinary and Appeal Bye-Law.
10. Societies, Clubs and Media Group Societies shall state on all publications and advertisements that they are a Society, Club or Media Group Society of the LSE Students’ Union. No Society, Club or Media Group Society may use the term ‘London School of Economics or any official LSE Branding during any activities, except in special circumstances approved by the Activities and Development Officer

 

Recognition: Setting up a new Society, Club or Media Group Society

11. A proposal for the formation of a new Society, Club, or Media Group Society must be submitted to the Activities and Development Officer, who shall present the proposal to the Activities Committee
12. Proposals for the formation of new Societies and Clubs will usually require the following supporting information:
    1. The names, contact details and signatures of a Chair, Treasurer and Secretary, who must be members of the Union
    2. Signatures of at least twenty members of the Union
    3. A statement of the aims and objectives of the Society, Club or Media Group Society, which shall not be contrary to the core objectives of the Union or replicate the aims and objectives of other societies and clubs.
    4. A unique constitution, which determines the activities that the Society, Club or Media Group Society can partake in. These constitutions must be based on and include all points in the Model Student Activities Constitution.
    5. A proposed membership fee in accordance with the following:
       1. Each Society: at least £1.50
       2. Each Club: at least £10.00
    6. The number of members of societies and clubs will be reviewed annually and groups can be dissolved if memberships fall below twenty.
13. Provision for the election of a Committee to usually include as a minimum a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer

 

General and Associate Membership

14. All Societies, Clubs and Media Group Societies must be open to all members of the Union
15. Memberships are compulsory for those taking part in society and club activities
    1. The responsibility for checking memberships rests with the President, Chair or Club Captain of each group
16. Associate Membership of a Club or Society describes the membership of a person who is not a member of the Union
17. Societies, Clubs and Media Group Societies may only accept associate memberships after a proposed Associate Membership Fee has been submitted to and accepted by the Activities Committee
18. Societies, Clubs and Media Group Societies applying for associate membership will need to justify the cost of the Associate Membership Fee and why associate members would benefit the Society, Club, Media Group or the student body in general
19. Associate Membership Fees must be calculated to reflect the true cost of participating in that Society, Club or Media Group, based on the full cost recovery approach. Associate Members must not be subsidised in any way by Union funds or resources
20. No Associate member may participate in voting or elections of a Society, Club or Media Group Society, and no Associate member may represent the Union at an external event or in an external organisation, especially in sport
21. Associate Memberships will be reviewed annually by the activities committee

 

Activities Committee

22. Pursuant to the Bye-Laws of the Union, in particular the Assemblies Bye-Law, the Student Activities Assembly shall annually form the Activities Committee
23. The membership of the Activities Committee shall include the following:
    1. The Activities and Development Officer
    2. The AU President
    3. 1 Society Network Chair
    4. 1 Media Group member
    5. The Raising & Giving President
24. The Activities Committee shall be chaired by the Activities and Development Officer
25. The Societies Network Chairs shall decide who sits on the Activities Committee at their first meeting of each academic year.
26. The purpose of the Activities Committee is to:
    • Consider proposals for new Societies, Clubs or Media Group Societies
    • Consider applications for Associate Memberships
    • Act as a focus group reporting to the Activities and Development Officer to discuss and comment on specific Society, Media Group, Athletic Union and Club budgets before they are sent to the Activities Assembly.
    • Discuss and approve funding applications for activities funding
27. The following subcommittees of Activities Committee shall support the Activities Committee in their work
    • The Athletics Union Executive
    • The Society Network
    • The Media Group
    • The Raising & Giving Committee

 

Finance

28. The Trustees shall allocate a sum in the Union budget which shall be for block grants to fund recognised Societies, Clubs, the Media Group and the Athletic Union.
29. These grants shall be administered with the support of the Activities & Development Officer, the Activities Committee and relevant sub-committees.
30. All Societies shall be required to submit a budget request form to the Activities and Development Officer in order to be eligible for grant funds. All Clubs shall be required to submit a budget request form to the AU President in order to be eligible for grant funds.
    1. The deadline for the submission of budget requests shall be set by the Union and will be communicated to all Societies, Clubs and the Media Group at least one calendar month before the deadline
    2. The Activities and Development Officer, having considered all applications and liaised with relevant Societies shall prepare the Societies Budget.
    3. The Activities and Development Officer and the AU President, having considered all applications and liaised with relevant Clubs, shall prepare the Athletic Union Budget
    4. The Societies Budget shall include the following:
       1. All grant allocations to recognised Societies
       2. All fund allocations to Society development
    5. The AU Budget shall include the following:
       • All grant allocations to recognised Clubs
       • All fund allocations to Athletic Union development
    6. The Society Budget, Media Group Budget and AU Budget shall be presented to the Activities Committee for discussion before ratification.
31. All Society, Club and Media Group Society expenditure must be conducted in accordance with the Bye-Laws and Articles and Society, Club and Media Group Society elected leadership, usually the Committee, will be accountable to the Trustees in adhering to them
32. Societies, Clubs and Media Group Societies must not use resources, including financial resources, in a way that would be deemed ultra vires. Ultra vires describes any use of Union resources that is deemed to be outside of the implied of specified objectives and powers of that group
33. No Society, Club or Media Group Society shall hold its own bank account and all its finance will be administered through the Union in accordance with the Bye-Laws and Articles
    • Any Society, Club or Media Group Society found to be in breach of this shall be subject to disciplinary procedures as outlined in this bye-law and bye-law 11
34. All Society, Club and Media Group Society assets must be registered with the Union each year through the budget request process. All assets are the property of that Society, Club or Media Group and therefore the Union
35. The Treasurer or equivalent of any Society, Club or Media Group Society is responsible for ensuring that all its expenditure is legitimate and that it does not exceed allocated budgets
36. The Treasurer of any Society, Club or Media Group Society shall ensure that all income received by that group is paid directly into the Union accounts

 

Health and Safety

37. Societies, Clubs and Media Group Societies must ensure that they take responsibility for the safety of members participating in their activities
38. The committee of that Society, Club or Media Group Society is responsible for ensuring that all reasonable steps are taken to reduce risk to members
39. All Societies, Clubs and Media Group Societies must be able to submit an annual risk assessment covering all core activities of that group at the request of LSESU in accordance with the Health & Safety policies of LSESU
    1. Societies, Clubs and Media Group Societies organising any event or overnight trip must complete a trip registration form and an additional risk assessment for each trip and submit it to the Union
40. Societies, Clubs and Media Group Societies must familiarise themselves with, abide by, and act in accordance with the health and safety policies of the Union
41. Contracts for coaching must include the following requirements:
    • The coach must have qualifications relevant to their appointment
    • The coach must have an appropriate first aid qualification
    • The coach must have public liability insurance

 

Democracy

42. All Society and Club Committees must be elected by the members of that group on an annual basis.
    1. The election of Society and Club and Committees shall take place at a General Meeting of that Society or Club
    2. All members of that Society or Club who are full members of the Union shall be eligible to stand for election to the Committee
43. The Society or Club Chair or Head shall be responsible for convening at least one General Meeting per year where the Committee present the finances of the Society or Club to the membership
    • This meeting must not be at a time or place that excludes members from participating including but not limited to:
      1. Events where alcohol is consumed
      2. Events with costs attached to the purchasing of tickets
44. Only the roles stated in the approved constitution of the club/society will be recognised by LSESU.
45. LSESU reserves the right to query and remove any positions deemed unnecessary for the club or society
46. Clubs and Societies must adhere to all rules and regulations as set out in their approved constitutions

 

Breach of Rules

47. All Societies, Clubs and Media Group Societies are subject to the LSESU Articles of Association, Bye- Laws and any policies referred to in those documents.
48. Society, Club and Media Group Society Committees are responsible for ensuring that their groups do not act in breach of the Articles, Bye-Laws and any policies referred to in those documents
49. All Society, Club and Media Group Society Committees are responsible for upholding the Unions’ equal opportunities policy. Breaches of the equal opportunities policy are taken extremely seriously
50. Any Society, Club or Media Group Society found to be in breach of the Articles, Bye-Laws or any policies referred to in those documents, may be subject to disciplinary action and procedures in accordance with the Bye-Laws
51. Disciplinary action may be taken against the Society, Club or Media Group as a whole which may include but is not limited to:
    1. Freezing Society, Club or Media Group Society funds
    2. Fining the Society, Club or Media Group Society
    3. Banning the Society, Club or Media Group Society from hosting events in Union venues
    4. Suspension of the Society, Club or Media Group Society from the Student’ Union
    5. De-recognising the Society, Club or Media Group Society from the Students’ Union
    6. Any other action in line with the Bye-Laws
52. Disciplinary action may be taken against individuals on a Society, Club or Media Group Society Committee and may include but is not limited to:
    • Ceasing the individual’s position on the Committee
    • Revoking the individual’s membership of the Society, Club or Media Group
    • Suspending the individual from membership of the Society, Club or Media Group or from Union events or venues
    • Banning the individual from Union events or venues
    • Any other action in line with the Bye-Laws
53. Decisions made can be appealed using the appeals process found in Bye-law 11

 

Athletic Union

54. The Union recognises the Athletic Union as a society of the Union whose purpose is to host and develop Sports Clubs for Union members
55. The Athletic Union Constitution is pursuant to the Bye-Laws

 

RAG (Raising and Giving Society) and Charity Fundraising

56. The Union recognises a society known as RAG which shall comply with the Articles and Bye-Laws, particularly this section of the Bye-Laws
57. Societies, Clubs and Media Group Societies may undertake activities in pursuit of raising funds to be donated to registered charities external to the Union in line with the following:
    1. No Union funds or resources may directly subsidise activities in pursuit of raising funds to be donated to registered charities external to the Union
    2. Union accounts may be used to hold sums of money which may then be donated to registered charities external to the Union
    3. No Society, Club or Media Group Society will be able to enter into deficit in the pursuit of raising funds to be donated to registered charities external to the Union

 

The Media Group

58. The Union recognises an editorially independent, student-led and accountable media group.
59. The Media Group exists to further the Media Group principles, which must be consistent with the Union’s own principles as outlined in the Union’s governing Articles.
60. The Media Group shall comprise of the Media Group Societies.
61. The Media Group Societies, who shall share one membership fee, as the ‘Media Group’ shall include any group whose sole purpose is to provide:
    1. An online and/or print publication
    2. Video based content
    3. A radio station
    4. Any other media that the union rules may fall under this category
62. The ‘Head’ shall refer to the following:
    • Executive Editor
    • Station Manager
    • Network President
    • Any other media group ‘Heads’ deemed to hold the same or similar level of responsibilities as those above
63. The Media Group shall be represented by the Media Group Committee, which shall comprise:
    • The Activities and Development Officer, who shall chair the committee
    • The head of each Media Group Society.
    • One other member from each other Media Group Society.
64. The meetings of the Media Group Committee shall be open to all Union members and shall be advertised. Non-committee members shall be unable to vote.
65. The Media Group Committee shall meet at least once each term, or at the discretion of the chair, with a minimum of one week’s notice, or by notice from two members to all other members at a minimum of one week’s notice.
66. The business of the Media Group Committee shall be:
    • Creating and reviewing strategic plans relating to the development of the Media Group
    • Periodically discussing issues of shared concern including finance, membership, inclusivity, standards, and value for money
    • Periodically reviewing how the content of each publication meets the principles of the Media Group for which the Head of each publication is accountable
67. The Media Group societies shall be governed by their own constitutions insofar as those constitutions do not conflict with these bye-laws.
68. Media Group Society constitutions must be ratified by each Media Group society’s members. Amendments to those constitutions shall require approval by the Media Group committee and must at least two-thirds of Media Group Society members present at a Media Group Society general meeting.

Media Group Finance

69. The distribution of the Media Group Budget shall be drawn up and agreed by the Media Group committee, based on budget request forms submitted by each Media Group Society.
70. The Media Group Societies shall spend their allocations according to the budget request forms submitted as per clause 65. Deviations from these budgets must be approved by the Media Group Committee.
71. The Media Group shall receive funding towards their core activities as described by their individual constitutions which will be reviewed and approved each year
72. In addition, the Media Group shall receive funding from the Union in order to further its development and security.

 

Media Group Principles Purpose

The Media Group exists for the benefit of, and to provide a service to, Union members. It does so from a position of editorial independence from the Union’s elected executive officers and policy creation structures, but with such independence come both rights and responsibilities that members of media group societies have a duty to adhere to and enforce:

 

Responsibilities

1. To ensure all facts throughout publications and programmes are accurate, and to report and comment, fairly, accurately but critically on matters affecting students and of interest to them, at all times doing so in compliance with the standards outlined in the PCC ‘Editors Code’.
   1. Stimulate interest in, and knowledge of, a full range of subjects and issues affecting Union members that is accessible and can encourage either formal or informal learning.
   2. Give information about, and increase the understanding of, what is happening at LSE and the Union through balanced, factual and fair news, other information and analysis of current events and ideas.
   3. Promote understanding of the LSE and the Union’s political systems.

 

2. Stimulate creativity and inclusion
   1. Enrich the cultural life of the LSE through creative excellence in distinctive and original content
   2. Foster creativity and nurture talent
   3. Promote interest, engagement and participation in cultural activity

 

3. Reporting the views of Union members
   1. Reflect and strengthen the cultural identities found at LSE through original content
   2. Promote awareness of the different cultures and alternative viewpoints of Union members through content that reflects the lives of different people and communities

 

4. Reporting on the Union in its activities and campaigns
   1. Accurately reflect through reporting the activities, events and campaigns of the Union
   2. Ensure that reporting on activities, events and campaigns of the Union is balanced, factual and fair

 

5. To ensure compliance with the Union’s Articles at all times, and its bye-laws, insofar as they do not conflict with the principles outlined here.

 

Rights

6. Editorial independence is viewed as essential to furthering the Media Group’s responsibilities.
7. Independence shall mean the ability of the Media Group societies to print and broadcast content as their Heads’ see fit, subject to the above responsibilities and the law of the land.
8. The ability to criticise the Union’s policies or the actions of its officers is recognized as being an essential part of editorial independence and a healthy part of the Union’s culture, subject to the above responsibilities and the law of the land.

 

General Restrictions

9. Media Group publications and broadcasts must make clear that the views expressed in all content are those of the contributors and not necessarily the views of the Head or the Union
10. The Trustees of the Union, especially the Officer Trustees, are the Media Group’s publishers and reserve the right to remove or stop publication or broadcast of any content that may be illegal, or in contempt of the Union’s governing articles
11. Each Media Society Head should pay due attention to issues submitted by the Union for consideration for reporting
12. Publications must not express and preference either positive or negative for any candidate for election within the Union
13. All coverage of Elections and Referenda should be balanced accurate and fair
14. All coverage of General Meetings and proposed motions for General Meetings should be accurate, fair and representative
15. Publications must not mention by name or title a member of the Union’s staff

 

Description of Media Group Societies

16. The media group society descriptions can be found in each group’s individual constitution which will outline their core activities for the year, and any further activities they wish to engage in.
17. These are to be reviewed and approved each academic year to ensure they are pursuant to the aims and objectives of each individual Media Group.

 

Complaints & Discipline

18. In the first instance, complaints should be made in writing to the Activities & Development Officer who shall contact the complainant to discuss options including but not limited to the following:
    1. Retraction
    2. Apology
    3. Opportunity to offer an alternative view
    4. Rejection of the complaint
19. If the complainant is not satisfied after complaining to the Head, they may thereafter follow the procedure stated in the Disciplinary and Appeals Bye-Law

 

Advertising

20. The Union shall be responsible for providing advertising for Media Group Societies and all monies earned shall be kept by the Union for distribution which does not preclude a member of a Media Group Society being involved in seeking advertising insofar as their involvement has either been sought by the Union or is known to the Activities and Development Officer.
21. Any member who wishes to seek out advertising opportunities has authority to do so, but must first seek authorization from LSESU prior to publication to prevent conflicts of interest.
    1. All funds raised from Media Group advertisements that have been sought separately from the Union will be distributed to the relevant media group, to use to further their core objectives and activities.

 

Copyright

22. All publications are exclusive copyright of the Union

 

Compliance

23. Each Head shall read and sign a copy of these principles upon their election to the position. These principles must also be circulated to all members of the Media Group Societies.
24. The Heads shall be held accountable to the members usually through questions from members at an all-student forum and at least a written termly report which should be available for reference online, which should refer explicitly to the Purposes of the Media Group

Media Group Code of Conduct

25. All committee members responsible for the publications and publishing of materials, either online or on paper, shall be required to sign LSESU’s Media Group Code of Conduct.
    1.             Upon signing the Media Group Code of Conduct, the committee will take responsibility for all conditions covered in the document unless stated otherwise.
    1. The Code of Conduct will be reviewed once per year by LSESU, with changes being communicated to the Media Group Heads before signatures are required.

Assemblies

Assemblies allow all students to influence, and help with, the work our officers are doing throughout the year. This bye-law sets out the purpose of these assemblies, how they’re formed and how they end.

 

1. The Bye-laws are made pursuant to the Articles.
2. Words and phrases used in these Bye-laws have the same meaning as ascribed to them in the Articles.
3. These Bye-laws was last updated and approved on 11 February 2010

 

Definition

4. Assemblies shall be defined as groups, networks or meetings where members come together at least two times per academic year for the following purpose and duties:
   1. To direct the Union’s policy and campaign activity
   2. To discuss issues for action, and officer projects, generally prompted by relevant Union policy, and involve students in making change
   3. To organise members to take action around collective issues
   4. To create opportunities for immediate change and/or action where possible

 

Union Assemblies

5. The Union Assemblies are open to all full members of the Union and shall be:
   1. Education Assembly
      1. Chaired by the Education Officer
   2. Activities Assembly
      • Chaired by the Activities and Development Officer
   3. Community and Welfare Assembly
      • Chaired by the Community and Welfare Officer
   4. Post Graduate Assembly
      • Chaired by the Post Graduate Officer
   5. Environment and Ethics Assembly
      • Chaired by the Environment and Ethics Assembly
   6. International Assembly
      • Chaired by the International Students Officer
   7. Anti-Racism Assembly
      • Chaired by the Anti-Racism Officer

 

Liberation Assemblies

6. The Liberation Assemblies shall be:
   1. Women’s Assembly
      1. The Women’s Assembly shall be chaired by the Women’s Officer
      2. The Women’s Assembly is only open to full Union members who define as women.
   2. LGBT+ Assembly
      • The LGBT+ Assembly shall be chaired by the LGBT+ Students’ Officer
      • The LGBT+ Assembly is only open to full Union members who define as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and other minority gender identities and sexual orientations, such a gender queer and asexual.
   3. Disabled Students Assembly
      • The Disabled Students Assembly shall be chaired by the Disabled Students’ Officer
      • The Disabled Students Assembly is only open to full Union members who define as disabled.
   4. Black & Minority Ethnic Students Assembly
      • The Black & Minority Ethnic Students Assembly shall be chaired by the Disabled Students’ Officer
      • The Black & Minority Ethnic Students Assembly is only open to full Union members who define as disabled.

e. Social Mobility & Class Students Assembly

3. The Social Mobility & Class Students Assembly shall be chaired by the Disabled Students’ Officer
4. The Social Mobility & Class Students Assembly is only open to full Union members who define as disabled.

 

 

 

Democracy Committee

Democracy Committee is responsible for these bye-laws and all of our democratic processes. This bye-law sets out who sits on Democracy Committee and what their role includes.

 

1. The Bye-Law is made pursuant to the Articles of the Union.
2. Words and phrases used in this Bye-Law have the same meaning as ascribed to them in the Articles of the Union.
3. This Bye-Law was last updated and approved on 11 February 2010

 

Role & Responsibilities

4. Democracy Committee shall have the authority to:
   1. Nominate one of their number to oversee and direct elections in line with the Bye-Laws
   2. Nominate one of their number to oversee and direct referenda in line with the Bye-Laws
   3. Oversee and direct the democratic policy process in line with the Bye-Laws
   4. Prioritise topics for discussion and debate in a representative body in line with the Bye-Laws
   5. Act as the formal committee dealing with discipline and resignation of officers in line with the Bye-Laws
   6. Produce a democratic calendar by week one of the Academic Year referencing research on democratic engagement done throughout the previous year
5. The Committee shall be held accountable to the UGM usually through reporting decisions in the order paper and questions from members
6. The committee will have oversight of ensuring that these bye-laws are kept up to date and are reviewed no less than once every three years

 

Composition

7. Five elected students.
   1. The 5 student members will be elected in one single election where there are 5 places through Single Transferable Vote.
   2. The members of Democracy Committee shall hold the following roles with the following responsibilities:
      1. Union General Meeting Chair
         1. Chairs the Union General Meeting
         2. Chairs the Democracy Committee Meetings
      2. Returning Officer
         1. Responsible for elections and referenda
      3. Outreach Officer
         1. Leads on encouraging participation in Democratic processes at LSESU including submission of Ideas and Union General Meeting motions
      4. Accountability Officer
         1. Liaises with the Executive Committee officers on enacting policy once passed through Executive Committee or Union General Meeting
         2. Takes on the role of Vice-Chair of Union General Meeting
      5. Projects Officer
         1. Leads on annual democratic review work
         2. Acts as the Deputy Returning Officer in the event that the Returning Officer is unable to fulfil their duties

 

3. The candidate who is elected first has first refusal on taking the position of UGM Chair. If this is refused, the UGM Chair shall be selected by the Democracy Committee and come from their number
4.  
5. The Returning Officer shall be selected by members of Democracy Committee and come from their number, excluding the UGM chair
6. The Returning Officer shall not stand as a candidate in any elections during their term as Returning Officer. If they want to stand, they have to recuse their position at the start of the term in which the election is taking place

 

Quorum & Frequency of Meetings

 

8. The Committee will meet no less than three times in an academic year.
9. If there are two or more vacant positions, The Students’ Union will nominate members already in leadership positions who will take on the responsibilities of members of the Democracy Committee until such time that there is one or no vacancies. Qualifying roles include, but are not limited to:
   1. Part Time Officers
   2. Members of the Athletics Union Exec
   3. Society Network Chairs
10. The quorum of a meeting shall be over 50% of the current membership.

 

Removal from Office

11. Any student who is dissatisfied with the work of a member of the Democracy Committee may submit a formal motion of no confidence to a General Meeting.
12. Democracy Committee representatives may be excluded from Office by a cross-campus vote of no confidence triggered by:
    1. A General Meeting Vote in which 60% of those attending the general meeting vote to exclude.
       1. In the event that there be less than 15 attendees at this General Meeting; the vote will be run online for no less than two school days.
    2. Ceasing to be a student of the University, including through choice or as the result of a breach of the University student disciplinary regulations resulting in exclusion from the University
    3. In the event of a student member of the Democracy Committee failing to attend three consecutive meetings without presenting proper apologies, he/she shall be deemed to have resigned. An appeal against such a decision may be heard by the Executive Committee
    4. Any member of the Democracy Committee wishing to resign from their position must do so in writing to the General Secretary. Resignations shall take effect immediately, and be reported to the next meeting of the Executive Committee and or UGM

1. A vacancy arising by any of the above means shall be re-elected subject to the conditions of the Elections Bye-Law

 

 

Elections

Our elections are the foundation for LSESU’s democracy. This bye-law contains instructions on how we should run the elections, which roles we elect and how often elections should happen.

 

1. The Regulations are made pursuant to the Articles of the Union
2. Words and phrases used in Regulations have the same meaning as ascribed to them in the Articles of the Union
3. These Regulations were last updated and approved in October 2014

 

General Regulations for Elections (including voting in Referendum ballots)

4. The Democracy Committee will publish all election details for the forthcoming year in the first week of the new Academic year. These should include the dates and times nominations close and polling is open.
5. Detailed Notice of Elections will be published in week one of the term in which the election is taking place
6. No member shall have more than one vote
7. Voting shall be by secret ballot using the single transferable vote (STV) system as described by the Electoral Reform Society of Great Britain & Northern Ireland and shall include re-open nominations as a candidate
8. Voting will normally be online but on exceptional occasions may be paper based. Paper based voting will be authorised by the Returning Officer where appropriate
9. Should re-open nominations be the elected candidate, then the post in question shall remain vacant until a by-election is held
10. The Returning Officer shall be responsible for the conduct of all matters regarding the elections subject to their decisions being reviewed by the Democracy Committee
11. In the absence of the Returning Officer as nominated by the Democracy Committee, the noted deputy will take their place or another member will be appointed from the Democracy Committee
12. The Guidance Document on Elections and Guidance Document on Referenda are documents containing elections rules and information for candidates.
13. The Democracy Committee shall have the duty to determine and amend the Guidance Document on Elections and Guidance Document on Referenda

 

Elected Positions

14. The following posts shall be elected by cross-campus ballot:
    1. Officer Trustees, as defined in the Articles
    2. The following members of the Executive Committee:
       1. Anti-Racism Officer
       2. AU President
       3. Environment & Ethics Officer
       4. International Students’ Officer
       5. Mature & Part-Time Students’ Officer
       6. RAG President
    3. Student Trustees
    4. Members of the Democracy Committee
    5. Representatives on School Committees
    6. A General Course President
    7. A Mature & Part-Time
    8. Postgraduate Research Students’ Officer
    9. Graduate Teaching Assistant Representative
    10. Society Network Chairs
    11. AU Executive Committee
    12. Delegates to National Union of Students (NUS) National Conferences
15. Delegates to National Union of Students (NUS) Conferences shall be elected in line with guidelines from NUS
16. The following Liberation Officer posts shall be elected by students who self-define as being part of this Liberation group:
    • Disabled Students’ Officer
    • LGBT+ Students’ Officer
    • Social Mobility & Class Officer
    • Women’s Officer
    • Black & Minority Ethnic (BME) Students’ Officer

These Liberation Officers are part of the Executive Committee and are accountable to all students.

 

Timing of Elections

17. Elections shall be held at times which are intended to enable the largest possible number of members to vote, as decided by the Democracy Committee
18. Nominations shall be open for no less than two weeks
19. A candidates’ meeting must be held following the closure of nominations at a time specified by the Returning Officer
20. There shall be no more than 5 working days between the close of nominations and the start of campaigning
21. There shall be seven working days of campaigning of which no more than five shall be polling

 

Nominations

22. Nomination forms must be available as soon as nominations open and available for submission online unless the Returning Officer has authorised a paper-based method
23. The Returning Officer or their deputy will then check and compile these at the close of nominations
24. Each completed nomination form must include the full name and student number of those nominated
25. A written or digital receipt must be issued by the Union to confirm the submission of each completed nomination paper

 

Hustings

26. The Returning Officer or their deputy shall organise events at which candidates for all positions shall have the opportunity to speak and to answer questions
27. Hustings shall take place in the week before polling
28. A failure to attend a hustings event shall not be compensated by the presence of a representative however a statement may be submitted and will be read where this occurs
29. All campaigning publicity must meet the requirements of the Guidance Document on Elections, as approved by the Returning Officer and the Democracy Committee

 

Money

30. All candidates in an Election shall receive a publicity allowance at a level set by Democracy Committee for use on paper publicity
31. Each candidate is also entitled to spend their own money in their election campaign. The limit for this shall be set out in the Guidance Document on Elections, as approved by the Returning Officer and the Democracy Committee.

 

Conduct

32. Candidates/Nominees must conduct themselves in line with the Guidance Document on Elections. Candidates /nominees breaching these regulations will be subject to the disciplinary procedures outlined in the appropriate Guidance Document and Bye-Laws
33. Campaigning may begin at the time and date specified by the Returning Officer and the Guidance Document on Elections
34. Complaints regarding candidates conduct must be submitted to the Returning Officer or their deputy no later than the close of polling
35. Complaints will be dealt with as outlined in the Elections Guidance Document covering campaigning regulations or elsewhere in these rules
36. The Returning Officer or their deputy may take any disciplinary action short of permanent withdrawal of a candidate/motion that they believe to be reasonable. In the event that the Returning Officer or their deputy deems it appropriate to withdraw a candidate/motion they should make this recommendation to the Democracy Committee in writing
37. The Democracy Committee shall hear any appeals relating to decisions of the Returning Officer or their deputy short of withdrawal of a candidate/motion
38. The Returning Officer or their deputy shall be responsible for convening Democracy Committee in the event of any such appeals
39. If a candidate/nominee wishes to complain against any decision of the Democracy Committee they can do so through the General Secretary or a member of the Trustee Board, if the General Secretary is recused from their position
40. Any member of Democracy Committee who is either a nominee in a Referendum, candidate or campaign supporter in an election shall be suspended from the Committee until such a time as the election result is certified

 

Counting

41. The timing of the count shall be approved by The Democracy Committee or the Returning Officer or their deputy prior to the start of polling
42. Complaints about the count must be made in writing to the Returning Officer no later than 1 working day after the announcement of the result. The Democracy Committee will be convened to hear any complaints
    1. The results of all Union elections shall be certified by the Returning Officer

 

 

 

Executive Committee

Executive Committee are the main representative body for LSESU Members. This bye-law sets out which roles are on executive committee, what they can and should do and other information about their role.

 

1. The Bye-laws are made pursuant to the Articles.
2. Words and phrases used in these Bye-laws have the same meaning as ascribed to them in the Articles.
3. These Bye-laws was last updated and approved on 11 February 2010

 

Definition

4. The Executive Committee shall be the Officer Trustees as defined in the

Articles of Governance and additional volunteer officers as decided by Union policy

 

Purpose

5. Representative: to promote and defend the rights of Members
6. Campaigning: to campaign on issues affecting Members
7. Ratify Ideas that have reached 250 votes as per Policy Bye Law
8. Democratic: to uphold LSESU democratic structures and champion them to Members

 

Role & Responsibility

9. To represent the voice of students through engaging with union democratic structures and other means
10. To execute policy through Assemblies and other methods
11. To review policy annually
12. To lead the Union in delivering on students’ representative and political priorities.
13. To receive a quarterly report from the Trustees
14. To appoint Honorary Members
15. To be the point of appeal for decisions made by the Democracy Committee
16. To discuss and vote on ideas submitted by members in line with the bye-laws
17. The Committee shall be held accountable to members through attending the Union General Meeting and answering questions from members
18. A written report from each committee member must be available for reference online twice a term, alternating with General Meetings.

 

Composition

19. There shall be the following Executive Committee Officers:
    1. General Secretary (Officer Trustee)
    2. Community & Welfare Officer (Officer Trustee)
    3. Activities & Development Officer (Officer Trustee)
    4. Education Officer (Officer Trustee)
    5. Postgraduate Officer (Officer Trustee)
    6. Athletics Union President (Executive Committee Officer)
    7. Anti-Racism Officer (Executive Committee Officer)
    8. Black & Minority Ethnic (BME) Students’ Officer (Executive Committee Officer)
    9. Disabled Students Officer (Executive Committee Officer)
    10. Environment & Ethics Officer (Executive Committee Officer)
    11. International Students Officer (Executive Committee Officer)
    12. LGBT+ Officer (Executive Committee Officer)
    13. Mature & Part Time Students’ Officer (Executive Committee)
    14. RAG President (Executive Committee Officer)
    15. Social Mobility & Class Officer (Executive Committee)
    16. Women’s Officer (Executive Committee Officer)

 

Conditions

1. Officer Trustees shall remain in office in accordance with the Articles of Governance which will also apply to all members of the Executive Committee
2. Executive Committee Officers shall be granted all the privileges of Union membership
3. Executive Officers must be a Member at the time of their election and for the duration of their time in office
4. Only a member of the Athletic Union may be a candidate for the position of Athletic Union President
5. Only a member who defines as a woman may be a candidate for the position of Women’s Officer
6. Only a member who defines as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, or other minority gender identities and sexual orientations, such as gender queer and asexual, may be a candidate for the position of LGBT+ Students’ Officer
7. Only a member who defines as disabled may be a candidate for the position of Disabled Students’ Officer
8. Only a member who defines as Black or Minority Ethnic may be a candidate for the position of BME Students’ Officer
9. Only a member of RAG may be a candidate for RAG Chair.  Like all other Executive Committee elections, any student is able to vote for them.
10. Only a member who defines as from a low socio-economic background may be a candidate for the position of Social Mobility & Class Officer

 

Collective Duties of Officer Trustees

20. These duties are outlined in detail in the Trustee Board Bye-Law

 

Remuneration of Officer Trustees

21. Officer Trustees shall be paid an amount per annum as agreed annually by trustee board.

 

Collective Duties of Executive Committee Officers

22. To support, where appropriate, student assemblies and committees in the fulfilment of their roles
23. To liaise with external organizations appropriate to individual roles

 

Individual Duties of Officer Trustees

24. Duties of the General Secretary shall be as follows:
    1. Direct the Union’s representative work
    2. Union Spokesperson
    3. Chair the Executive Committee
    4.  Chair of the Trustee Board
    5. Chair the sub committees of the Trustee Board
    6. Primary liaison between the School and the Union, and responsible for coordinating Student representation on School Committees
    7. Ex-officio delegate to conferences, councils and other decision-making bodies of affiliated organizations
25. Duties of the Activities & Development Officer shall be as follows:
    • Direct the volunteering programmes
    • Direct the Union’s Student activities work
    • Instigator of new and developing extra-curricular activities
    • Lead projects that enhance the personal development of members
    • Chair of the Activities Assembly
26. Duties of the Education Officer shall be as follows:
    • Direct the Union’s work on educational and academic issues
    • Direct the Union’s work on academic representation
    • Primary Officer involved with monitoring the activities of the Academic Board and other related Academic Committees
27. Duties of the Community & Welfare Officer shall be as follows:
    • Direct the Union’s work on the welfare of members
    • Direct the Union’s work on issues relating to members’ local, regional, national and international communities
    • Direct the Union’s work on citizenship and wider societal issues
    • Direct the Union’s work on developing good campus relations
    • Chair the Community and Welfare Assembly
28. Duties of the Post Graduate Officer shall be as follows:

Direct the Union’s work on educational and academic issues relating specifically to PGT and PGR members

1. Direct the Union’s work on the student experience relating specifically to PGT and
2. PGR members
3. Take a leadership role in the Education Assembly
4. Chair the Post Graduate Assembly

 

Individual Duties of Executive Committee Officers

29. Athletics Union President
    1. Direct the Union’s work on sport, Sports Clubs, and the Athletic Union
    2. Undertake duties as specified in the Athletic Union Constitution
    3. Take a leadership role in the Activities Assembly
30. Anti-Racism Officer
    • Direct the Union’s work on Anti-Racism
    • Take a leadership role in the Community and Welfare Assembly
    • Chair the Anti-Racism Assembly
31. Black & Minority Ethnic (BME) Students’ Officer
    • To represent the views of students who self-define as BME
    • To deal with issues of under-representation, inclusivity, wider engagement and other issues concerning BME liberation
    • To chair the BME Students’ Assembly
32. Disabled Students’ Officer
    • To represent the views and interests of disabled students
    • Direct the Union’s work on liberation from disablism
    • To Chair the Disabled Students Assembly
33. Environment & Ethics Officer
    • Direct the Union’s work on environmental and ethical issues
    • Chair the Environment and Ethics Assembly
34. International Students’ Officer
    • To represent the views and interests of international students
    • Direct the Union’s work on issues specifically relating to international students
    • Chair the International Students Assembly
35. LGBT+ Students’ Officer
    • To represent the views and interests of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans students
    • Direct the Union’s work on liberation from homophobia and transphobia
    • Chair the LGBT+ Assembly
36. Women’s Officer
    • To represent the views and interests of women students
    • Direct the Union’s work on liberation from sexism
    • Chair the Women’s Assembly

 

Removal from Office

37. Any student who is dissatisfied with the work of a Executive Committee Officer may submit a formal motion of no confidence to a General Meeting
38. Executive Committee representatives may be excluded from Office by:
    1. by a cross-campus vote of no confidence triggered by A General Meeting Vote in which 60% of those attending the general meeting vote to exclude.
       1. In the event that there be less than 15 attendees at this General Meeting; the vote will be run online for no less than two school days.
    2. Ceasing to be a student of the University, including through choice or as the result of a breach of the University student disciplinary regulations resulting in exclusion from the University
    3. In the event of a student member of the Executive Committee failing to attend three consecutive meetings without presenting proper apologies,  a recommendation for a vote of no confidence shall be heard at the next Union General Meeting and will follow the procedures set out in 47.a. of this bye-law.
    4. An appeal against such a decision may be heard by the Democracy Committee
    5. Any Executive Committee Officer wishing to resign from their position must do so in writing to the General Secretary. Resignations shall take effect immediately, and be reported to the next meeting of the Executive Committee and or UGM
    6. A vacancy arising by any of the above means shall be re-elected subject to the conditions of the Elections Regulations. (Bye-Law 3.)

 

Proceedings, Quorum and Frequency of Executive Committee Meetings

1. The Executive Committee shall meet not less than four times a term during Michaelmas and Lent and at least once in the Summer Term
2. Quorum shall be 50% plus one members, including one Sabbatical
3. During the summer vacation period the Officer Trustees shall have the authority to approve items of emergency business on behalf of the Executive Committee. Any emergency business so conducted shall be reported to the first meeting of the Executive Committee at the start of the first term for ratification
4. The Executive Committee shall be chaired by the General Secretary or their nominee

 

 

 

Policy of the Union & General Meetings

The Bye-laws are made pursuant to the Articles

1. Words and phrases used in these Bye-laws have the same meaning as ascribed to them in the Articles
2. These Bye-laws were last updated and approved on

 

Definitions

3. The term ‘policy’ refers to a motion that has been passed by a valid student vote
4. The term ‘motion’ refers to a collection of related fact, belief and action statements that do not repeat the content of the Articles, Bye-Laws or current policy of the Union.
5. The term ‘idea’ refers to the specific request for change or political statement voted up and down by members to indicate opinion.
6. The term ‘motion petition’ refers to the submission of a motion with two hundred and fifty members’ signatures. The submission of this triggers an extraordinary general meeting or extraordinary referendum.
7. The term ‘Union General Meeting’ (or UGM) refers to the regular all-member meetings and is the final authority over union matters, subject only to the law, the Articles, the Bye-laws and to the review of the Trustees as provided for in the Articles. UGMs are the primary space in which to hold elected representatives accountable.
8. The term ‘Quorum’ refers to the number of voters required to make the motion or idea valid and is set in accordance with the articles of association

 

Policy Creation

9. All current policy of the Union shall be available online
10. Motions and Ideas should never name or reference staff of the Union
11. Any full member of the Union may submit policy through one of two ways:
    1. A motion following the procedure as set out in this bye-law
    2. An Idea following the procedure as set out in this bye-law

 

Ideas

12. Submission
    1. An idea may not seek to do the following:
       1. Anything that contradicts the law, the articles or the bye-laws subject to the review of the Trustees as provided for in the Articles
       2. Duplicate ideas submitted in the same academic year unless democracy committee agree there has been substantive material change
       3. Idea submissions are bound by our equal opportunities policies and the Articles of Association.
       4. Idea submissions and comments should comply with the Equal Opportunities policies of LSESU at all times, as referenced in the Articles of Association
    2. An Idea shall be submitted using the procedure as follows:
       • Any member may submit ideas through the website for polling by all members subject to approval
       • Submission shall be via the LSESU website or alternatives as agreed by the Democracy Committee
       • Democracy Committee shall lead on the approval of Ideas submissions in line with the Articles
       • If an idea is not approved by the Democracy Committee, reasons must be given to the idea proposer
       • In deciding on the destination of a submitted idea, the Democracy Committee must pay due attention to the wishes of the proposer and should provide a reason for decisions where it is not in line with those wishes.
       • Once the Democracy Committee has made a decision on the destination of a submitted idea, the idea will follow the processes stated in the Articles and Bye-Laws of the Union
       • Comments on Ideas are bound by our equal opportunities policies and the Articles of Association.
13.  Voting
    • Any full member is able to vote on an idea
    • Ideas approved by Democracy Committee shall be open to voting on the platform for no more than one month
      • Should the idea reach 250 votes within this month, it will be tabled for discussion and decision at the next Executive Committee Meeting
      • Executive Committee Meetings will take place as detailed in the Executive Committee Bye-Law
14. Ratification
    • Once reaching quoracy, the vote will be tabled for discussion and decision at the next executive committee meeting to agree the implementation of the idea
      • Should the Union implement this idea
      • How the idea can be executed by the Students’ Union
    • Should the Executive Committee not reach consensus, they can ratify the decision by reaching a majority vote in favour
    • If the decision is made in favour of enacting the idea:
      • The executive committee must report through online or UGM accountability sessions on why it was agreed and what actions were agreed
    • If the decision is made against enacting the policy:
      • The executive committee must report, through online and UGM accountability sessions, the reasons for their decision
    • Through this report, the Executive Committee must provide an accurate record of the discussion and the number of votes for and against if consensus cannot be reached
    • Democracy Committee must present this report to the Union General Meeting
      • The report is to be accepted by a General Meeting Vote with simple majority
15. Appeal
    • The Ratification of an idea by Executive Committee may be appealed by writing to the Democracy Committee no more than 5 working days after the decision is announced.
      • This case will be debated at the next Union General Meeting in accordance with this Bye Law
      • The case is decided by a Union General Meeting Vote in which 60% of those attending the Union General Meeting vote to appeal the decision
      • In the event that there be less than 15 attendees at this Union General Meeting; the vote will be run online for no less than two school days
    • If a Union General Meeting does not accept the Ideas Report from Democracy Committee by simple majority, it will trigger the appeals process for the next general meeting

 

Union General Meetings

16. General
    1. A Union General Meeting shall be convened by the Democracy Committee and held no less than once per month in Michaelmas and Lent Terms, and at least once in Summer Term
    2. No person who is not a member of the Union shall be allowed to speak unless the meeting agrees otherwise
    3. Union General Meetings and all their attendees should comply with the Equal Opportunities policies of LSESU at all times, as referenced in the Articles of Association
    4. No person, having being recognised by the Chair to speak, should be prevented from speaking by any action or intimidation of any person present.
    5. The Chair shall have the power to remove any person who is behaving in an intimidating way to another person or group of people
    6. All people present at a Union General Meeting are subject to the Disciplinary and Appeals Bye-laws of the Union

17.Voting

• Union General Meeting voting shall take place in an online vote that should usually open immediately after the meeting but should not open more than two hours after a meeting closing
• The vote shall close at 5pm no less than 2 working days and no more than 5 working days following the Union General Meeting as deemed by the Democracy Committee
• All full members of the Union shall be able to vote on Union General Meeting business.
• Other than in the case of Procedural Motions, the minutes of a previous meeting, a policy lapse challenge, Ideas approval and appeal, a Union General Meeting and an Extraordinary Union General Meeting will not be able to hold a valid physical vote at any time

 

18. Union General Meeting Chair and Union General Meeting Vice-Chair
    1. The Chair shall be responsible for the good conduct of all Union General Meetings
    2. The Accountability Officer shall take on the role of Vice Chair of all Union General Meetings
    3. The Accountability Officer shall assist in ensuring good conduct, and shall be responsible for ensuring that there is an accurate record of all Union General Meetings made available to students
    4. The Vice-Chair shall take on the duties of the Chair wherever the Chair is absent
    5. Where the Vice-Chair or the Chair and Vice-Chair are absent the Chair may appoint a member of the Democracy Committee, or the Executive Committee to temporarily take on the duties of the Chair and/or Vice-Chair
    6. The election of the Chair shall be conducted in line with the Bye-laws of the Union

19.Order Paper

• An Order Paper shall be produced by the Democracy Committee. It shall be made available at the earliest opportunity, but with no less than 24 hours before the Union General Meeting
• The Order Paper shall be provided at the Union General Meeting
• The business of any Union General Meeting shall be conducted as specified in these Bye-laws, apart from the Annual Union General Meeting which shall be conducted as specified in the Articles
• Motions submitted should comply with this Bye-Law

 

20.Union General Meeting Procedure

1. The order of business for any Union General Meeting, shall be as follows and conducted in the following order:
   1. Announcements from the Chair
   2. Note any reports tabled
   3. Questions to either elected students or Media Group editors
   4. Notice of policies due to lapse
   5. Motions for debate
2. The Order Paper for any Union General Meeting shall table the following information:
   • The text, proposer and seconder of any motions tabled for debate and vote at the Union General Meeting
3. Reports should be submitted as specified in the Bye-laws of the Union, and be noted on the Order Paper, and available for reference online
4. Questions to any of the following are permitted in written format to the Chair prior to the commencement of the Union General Meeting, or may be raised orally by a member of the Union at the appropriate time at the Chairs’ discretion:
   • Any member of the Executive Committee
   • Any member of the Democracy Committee
   • Any appropriate elected representatives present

 

21. Motions
    1. A motion may be submitted using the procedure as follows:
       1. Submission of motions shall be via email or alternative methods agreed by the Democracy Committee. Motions shall be for the attention of the Democracy Committee
       2. Motions being submitted shall usually take the following format:
          1. The text ‘This motion is intended to be passed at’ and state for which Union General Meeting or Referendum the motion is intended
          2. The name and contact details of a proposer who shall be a full member of the Union
          3. The name of a seconder who shall be a full member of the Union
          4. The full text of the motion which should clearly state any relevant changes proposed to the Articles or Bye-Laws of the Union
          5. The date on which the motion is submitted

 

2. A motion submitted for debate and vote at a Union General Meeting must be published on the LSESU website for at least one calendar week before being discussed.

 

3. Subject to approval of Democracy Committee, all motions submitted at least 7 working days before a Union General Meeting will be tabled for discussion and decision at the next meeting
4. The Democracy Committee may decide the following on any motion submitted:
   1. To prioritise the motion for debate and vote at a Union General Meeting
   2. To send the motion for vote at a Referendum
   3. To strike out the motion if it contradicts the Articles without explicitly changing the Articles, or would be subject to the authority of the Trustees as set out in the Articles.
   4. To strike the motion out if the motion, business or question has already been taken within the same academic year unless democracy committee agree there has been substantive material change
   5. To composite the motion with one or more other motions where they are related in content and intent and therefore to rename the composited motion
   6. To move text from any section of the motion into another section of the motion
   7. To deprioritise a motion for debate and vote. Where this occurs the motion will be deferred to the Order Paper of a later Union General Meeting and may be deprioritised on future Order Papers and will automatically fall off the order paper after three weeks
5. In deciding on the destination of a submitted motion, the Democracy Committee must pay due attention to the wishes of the proposer and should provide a reason for decisions where it is not in line with those wishes.
6. Once the Democracy Committee has made a decision on the destination of a submitted motion, the motion will follow the processes stated in the Articles and Bye-Laws of the Union

 

21. Amendments to Motions
    1. Any full member of the Union may submit an amendment following the procedure:
       1. Amendments can be submitted in writing at least two hours ahead of the motion debate or verbally at the meeting
       2. Any full member of the Union may submit an amendment following the procedure:
       3. Written amendments should be submitted for the attention of the Democracy Committee.
    2. The Democracy Committee may decide the following on any amendment submitted:
       • To strike the amendment out if it changes the broad meaning of the motion, contradicts the Articles without explicitly changing the Articles, or would be subject to the authority of the Trustees as set out in the Articles.
       • To put the amendment forward to the proposer for decision
    3. Written amendments shall usually take the following format
       • The text ‘For the attention of the Democracy Committee’
       • The text ‘This amendment relates to’ and state for which motions the amendment is intended
       • The name and contact details of a proposer who shall be a full member of the Union
       • The name of a seconder who shall be a full member of the Union
       • The full text of the amendment which should clearly state any relevant changes proposed to the Articles or Bye-laws of the Union
       • The date on which the amendment is submitted
    4. The Proposer of the motion to which the amendment is submitted will be invited to accept the amendment and the proposer may accept none, some or all of a relevant amendment
    5. An amendment, or any meaningful part of an amendment that is not accepted by the related motion’s proposer shall go separately to the vote in the room by simple majority

Motion Petition

22. Any full member may call an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) or an Extraordinary Referendum (ER) on a motion at the request of two hundred and fifty full members of the Union through a Motion Petition
23. Such a petition shall be in writing and shall include the names, signatures and LSE Student Numbers of the members requesting the EGM or ER and the date on which they signed the petition, and shall specify on each page where signatures are present:
    1. The full text of the motion to be voted upon
    2. Which body the motion is intended (Union General Meeting or Referendum)
24. A Motion Petition is only valid within the academic year in which it started and the dates next to signatures must evidence this
25. A Motion Petition must be submitted to the General Secretary and Democracy Committee who will formally confirm that they have received it only after all student numbers have been verified
26. Where the number of valid Student Numbers is lower than the required amount the General Secretary will inform the proposer of this and the motion will not go any further until the correct number of valid signatures are submitted
27. Once a valid Motion Petition has been verified and formally received the motion will be passed to the Democracy Committee and will follow the process outlined in either the Union General Meetings Bye-Law or the Referenda Bye-Law
28. Where agreed by the proposer the Democracy Committee may submit the motion to the next Union General Meeting or the next Ordinary Referendum
29. Any other petition, including a No Confidence Petition, should follow these rules

 

Policy Lapse

23. All policies of the Union shall automatically lapse after three years of being passed
24. All Ideas shall automatically lapse after three years of being passed
25. All lapsing policies are open to challenge via the following process:
    1. Lapsing policies will be automatically tabled for notice on the Order Paper at the first Union General Meeting in each Term
    2. Any member of the Union, or their nominee, may submit a challenge to a lapsing policy either in writing to the Democracy Committee, or orally at the appropriate point at the Union General Meeting where that motion is tabled
    3. Where a challenge has been submitted, the Chair will invite a member of the Students’ Union to speak in favour of the challenge as well as a member wishing to speak against. The motion then goes to be voted on following the usual processes to vote on motions.
    4. If at least 50 members challenge the lapse through this process, the motion is deemed renewed and will lapse after a further 3 years.