General Meeting Agenda 10.10.11

Monday 10 October 2011 at 19.00 in the Arts Two Lecture Theatre, Mile End Agenda

1.0

Chair’s Welcome and Announcements

2.0

Minutes from General Meeting held on 6 December 2010 (pages 2-9) The General Meeting is asked to note the record of the last meeting.

3.0

Articles of Association (pages 10-11 with Appendix pages 12-47) A motion seeking to replace the Union‟s Constitution with an Articles of Association to allow the Union to register as an incorporated charity.

4.0

Creating a Full-time Officer Team that drives the Student Experience (pages 48-49) A motion seeking to reform the Union‟s Full-time (or Sabbatical) Officer positions.

5.0

Student-Focused Student Council (pages 50-51 with appendixes on pages 52 and 53) A motion seeking to reform the membership of Student Council and Part-time Officer positions.

6.0

Approval of Media Regulations (page 54 with appendixes on pages 55 and 56-58) A motion seeking the approval of new media regulations.

7.0

Support November 9th Demonstration (page 59) A motion seeking Union support for the Education Activist Network Demonstration to be held on 9 November.

8.0

Support 30th November (page 60) A motion seeking Union support for Trades Union Strike Action to be held on 30 November.

9.0

Defend the Right to Protest Affiliation (pages 61-62) A motion seeking to affiliate the Union to the Defend the Right to Protest Campaign.

10.0

Justice for Palestine (page 63) A motion seeking Union opposition to the Israeli occupation of Palestine mark the “International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People”.

11.0

Boycott Israeli Goods (pages 64-66) A motion seeking the Union to adopt a boycott of Israeli products.

12.0

Condemnation of Library Staff Redundancies (page 67) A motion seeking Union condemnation of College staff redundancies.

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QUEEN MARY STUDENTS‟ UNION, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON UNION GENERAL MEETING th Monday 6 December 2010 Chair: Vratislav „Vraj‟ Domalip 1.0

Welcome The Chair welcomed the members to the meeting and explained why it had to be rescheduled.

2.0

Chairs Welcoming Remarks

2.1

The Chair reminded the meeting that people should respect each other when talking and not intimidate people because they have a different view point.

4.

Motions The Chair informed the UGM that all motions passed at a Union General Meeting are then required to go to the Student Council for ratification.

4.1

November 10th Statement Proposer: Seconder: 4.1.1

Ross Speer Alex Chandran

2 minute speech for:

Ross Speer

The statement released is wrong and divisive. It is not about being pro-violence; it‟s about supporting students regardless with resources.

4.1.2

2 minute speech against:

Laura Brenner

Medical and Dental students need to condemn violence, and they will not support arrested students.

4.1.3

AMENDMENT 1 1 minute speech for:

Tom Chigbo

We should repeal the statement altogether and not amend at all.

1 minute speech against:

Ross Speer

It needs to be amended so we can make a step in the right direction, and the last paragraph refers to moving on.

1 minute speech for:

Babatunde Williams

We need to be concentrating on the future and not this statement, he agreed with Tom to repeal the statement.

1 minute speech against:

Gavin Jackson

If it is just words then it should not be a problem to change it. The statement currently divides the student body as it makes a clear opposition. It should be amended.

THE VOTE FOR THE AMENDMENT For:

77

2

Against: Abstentions:

43 9

Amendment passed 4.1.4

THE VOTE For: Against: Abstentions:

99 19 39

Motion passed.

4.2

Emergency General Meeting Proposer: Seconder: 4.2.1

Alex Chandran Ross Speer

2 minute speech for:

Alex Chandran

It currently requires 14 daysâ€&#x; notice for an Emergency General Meeting, this is far too long and should be only 3 days.

4.2.2

2 minute speech against:

Babs Williams

It should be taken over 14 days so that students can be made aware.

4.2.3

AMENDMENT 1 1 minute speech for:

Carolina Parra-Sorrano

The time should be changed to one week, 5 working days, opposed to 3.

1 minute speech against:

Ross Speer

It has been 3 days since the last UGM and we have a great turn out. The union has proved 3 days works.

1 minute speech for:

Christos Episkopos

5 working days is a good compromise as 3 working days is a little bit too short.

1 minute speech against:

Joe Davey

Reiterated that it has been three days since the last meeting which proves 3 working days is right.

THE VOTE FOR THE AMENDMENT For: Against: Abstentions:

68 75 5

Amendment falls.

4.2.4

1 minute speech for:

Steve Willey

You need to gather 120 signatures to call a Special General Meeting, so you can gather people to attend then.

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4.2.5

1 minute speech against:

Carolina Parra-Sorrano

It is easy to get signatures, but it is much more difficult to get those people to attend the meeting.

4.2.6

1 minute speech for:

Gavin Jackson

If you can get enough people you can get enough signatures.

4.2.7

1 minute speech against:

John Boulton

This is a time of great feeling, so people are more likely than normal to attend. A General meeting is less than 1% of the student body so is not democracy.

4.2.8

1 minute speech for:

Tahmeena Bax

John contradicts himself and should be glad to change it.

4.2.9

1 minute speech against:

Sophie Richardson

500 people signed up to attend the March, only 200 students attended, proving that we won‟t necessarily get people turn up.

4.2.10 1 minute summary:

Alex Chandran

This is why we want it to be shortened so people don‟t forget. It‟s not about now and this issue, it‟s about all issues.

4.2.11 THE VOTE For: Against: Abstentions:

144 21 14

Motion passed.

4.3

Strengthen the campaign against fees and cuts Proposer: Seconder: 4.3.1

Gavin Jackson Alistair Antonopoulos

2 minute speech for:

Gavin Jackson

The union has a position of free education, as students on our own we are united.

Working with trade unions makes us stronger.

4.3.2

2 minute speech against:

Mihir Sanghvi

There is no point going into bed with trade Unions as people will vote for it anyway.

4.3.3

1 minute speech for:

Gavin Jackson

We should go to unions and discuss and work with them. There are lots of QM from working class backgrounds.

4.3.4

AMENDMENT 1 1 minute speech for:

Babs Williams

We should create a campaigns liaison officer to work on these issues.

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The Chair did not accept this amendment and informed Babs it needs to be a separate motion, Babs agreed.

Motion not accepted 4.3.5

1 minute speech against:

Laura Brenner

Is worried out Union would be overshadowed by their mixed agenda.

4.3.6

1 minute speech for:

Alex Chandran

Students, teachers and workers are all facing cuts. We are stronger as one, we need to work together.

4.3.7

1 minute speech against:

Laura Middleton

I donâ€&#x;t understand why we need to join.

4.3.8

4.3.9

Question:

What do you expect to do with the trade unions?

Answer:

Itâ€&#x;s about campaigning, strikes and protests.

Question:

Is there cuts in national health?

Answer:

Yes

1 minute speech for:

John (NUS)

Supporting this motion is just supporting what is going on.

4.3.10 1 minute speech against:

Dom Bell

This motion is non-committal; we actually have to do something.

4.3.11 AMENDMENT 2 1 minute speech for:

Sophie Richardson

SU cant mandates members to something. We need to remove affiliation and mandate members. Change to mandate Sabbatical officers and encourage members.

1 minute speech against:

Gavin Jackson

He accepts the removal of affiliation, but mandate just means to encourage.

1 minute speech for:

Tom Chigbo

Mandate means you have to do something; this is an inappropriate use of the word.

THE VOTE FOR THE AMENDMENT For: Against: Abstentions:

98 11 14

Amendment passes.

4.3.12 1 minute summary:

Gavin Jackson

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This is a positive stance and will broaden and strengthen the campaign.

4.3.13 THE VOTE For: Against: Abstentions:

58 61 16

Motion falls 4.4

Free Education – ways and means Proposer: Seconder: 4.4.1

Gavin Jackson Alistair Antonopoulos

2 minute speech for:

Gavin Jackson

We already have a free education policy. Students have to take out a loan and in the end pay it back to the bank with interest. We should nationalise the banking system etc. It will raise money for free education.

4.4.2

Clarification:

Debt held in government bonds and not taken from banks.

4.4.3

2 minute speech against:

Tom Chigbo

Most students are against fees; however these are very specific political aims. This is not relevant to students or Students‟ Unions. Tome used the example of the monarchy for dividing students; we need to find a unifying way of bringing students.

4.4.4

1 minute speech for:

Ross Speer

The Union has an anti-cuts stance and this provides the political alternative.

4.4.5

1 minute speech against:

Andrew Smith

You can‟t be against the abolishment of the monarchy when we are called Queen Mary. This is too specific to be a general solution.

4.4.6

1 minute speech for:

Steve Willey

This needs to be voted on to agree direction, the action can come later.

4.4.7

1 minute speech against:

Osamah Amir

It‟s too big and broad as a motion, needs to be broken down into smaller chunks.

Gavin should submit separate motions to a future meeting.

4.4.8

1 minute summary:

Gavin Jackson

I agree but I want people to vote for this motion and he wants to work to solving this problem. Please vote for.

4.4.9

THE VOTE For: Against: Abstentions:

23 84 17

Motion falls

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4.5

NUS National Conference Delegate Elections Motion Proposer: Seconder: 4.5.1

Sophie Richardson Sam Creighton

2 minute speech for:

Sophie Richardson

Sophie wants to change the election date for NUS Delegates from Semester A to Semester B. This is important as no conference documents are available until after Christmas, therefore candidates cannot write an informed manifesto.

4.5.2

THE VOTE For: Against: Abstentions:

130 1 5

Motion passes 4.6

Occupation Support Proposer: Seconder: 4.6.1

Isobel Parrott Ross Speer

2 minute speech for:

Ross Speer

There are 30 unions currently in occupation. This motion confirms that the Union will support the occupations around cuts and fees. This is a practical method of fighting cuts.

4.6.2

4.6.3

Question:

What is an occupation?

Answer:

You go to a room and refuse to leave.

2 minute speech against:

Laura Brenner

Laura is against it as she would be annoyed if she was trying to study and learn and people where in her room.

4.6.4

1 minute speech for:

Ross Speer

Ross strongly values education and we need to do something to help it, one way is occupations.

4.6.5

AMENDMENT 1 1 minute speech for:

Laura Brenner

Laura would like an amendment that takes into consideration that students can become dissatisfied if there class is occupied. The amendment would add: „in spaces deemed appropriate providing that teaching students is not disadvantagedâ€&#x;.

1 minute speech against:

Ross Speer

Ross explained that it was necessary to cause a disruption.

THE VOTE FOR THE AMENDMENT For:

52

7

Against: Abstentions: 4.6.6

61 15

AMENDMENT 2 1 minute speech for:

Tom Chigbo

This should be more democratic and should allow for a special general meeting to provide time, place and a list of demands so it can be voted on. We should support the tactic of occupation on the subject of free education and anti-cuts.

1 minute speech against:

Not recorded

Anyone can join an occupation and it‟s a personal decision.

1 minute summary:

Tom Chigbo

This will include a change to „should support occupations‟ to „should support the tactic of occupations‟.

THE VOTE FOR THE AMENDMENT For: Against: Abstentions: 4.6.7

71 41 7

1 minute speech against:

Andrew Smith

We shouldn‟t support occupations and he would be embarrassed.

4.6.7

1 minute speech for:

Edoardo Palombo

Occupations work and the Union should support them. They take place all over Europe and we are a union that stands for free education and anti-cuts.

4.6.8

Tom Chigbo read out the summary of the passed changes in amendment 2.

4.6.9

1 minute summary:

Ross Speer

The union needs to get its act together and should support students. NUS even support occupations.

4.6.10 THE VOTE For: Against: Abstentions:

94 21 8

Motion passes 5.0

Any other business (A.O.B)

5.1

A.O.B 1 A student asked what legal action is available to a student if they get arrested. John (NUS Officer) clarified that the state provides the legal support.

5.2

A.O.B 2

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Babs is trying to raise ÂŁ5000 for Centre Point and would like help. It is called the dirty dozen, and there will be no sex or drink for 40 days.

5.3

A.O.B 3 Are students guilty until proven innocent and what has the Union done since the November 10th demonstration.

Vraj and Sophie explained the work the Union has been doing on the fees and cuts campaign.

5.4

A.O.B 4 Alex explained that Tahmeena Bax was knocked unconscious at a demo by the police. What is the Union going to do about it? Vraj will invite Tahmeena in for a meeting to discuss.

5.5

A.O.B 5 Student were informed about NUS day of action.

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3.0

Articles of Association

Proposer: Seconder:

Oscar Williamson (Vice-President Education and Welfare) Sam Creighton (Vice-President Communications)

QMSU Notes: 1. That QMSU is currently constituted as an unincorporated association.

2. That QMSU has a power under Clause 5(1)(x) of its Constitution to incorporate and transfer all of its assets and activities to a limited liability entity (subject to the approval of College Council).

3. That there are benefits to QMSU‟s members and trustees if QMSU incorporates, in particular the protection of limited liability in certain circumstances.

4. QMSU has a Board of Trustees comprising of up to 15 Trustees. To which up to 10 of which are elected by the members and up to 5 of which, upon appointment, are ratified by Student Council.

5. As an example the following students‟ unions have incorporated: King College London Students‟ Union, University of Birmingham Guild of Students, University of Bristol Students‟ Union, University of Leeds Students‟ Union, University of Portsmouth Students‟ Union, University of Warwick Students‟ Union, 6. Incorporation would limit the potential liability of QMSU‟s trustees and members. At present, QMSU is an unincorporated association which means that QMSU is not a separate legal entity. Each trustee of QMSU therefore bears personal liability for the actions of QMSU. QMSU Believes: 1. To ensure the duty of care to our elected trustees and to our members QMSU should incorporate as a charitable company limited by guarantee.

2. It would be in the Union‟s best interest to incorporate before the end of the academic year to avoid additional costs, both financial and in staff time, that could be better spent on our core activities.

QMSU Resolves: 1. "That QMSU may set up a charitable company limited by guarantee called Queen Mary Students' Union and also to be known as QMSU ("the QMSU Company") for the purpose of acquiring the business (including all the assets and liabilities) of QMSU." 2. That the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the QMSU Company be in the same or similar form as placed before the meeting, subject to any amendments requested by the Charity Commission or Queen Mary and Westfield College (“the College”) or agreed by the trustees of QMSU. 3. Pursuant to Clause 5(1)(x) of QMSU‟s Constitution, provided that the Trustees are satisfied that all legal formalities have been complied with and subject to the approval of the College, QMSU may transfer, by the 1st August 2012, all of its assets and undertaking (subject to its liabilities) on such terms as the Trustees reasonably see fit to the QMSU Company (“the Transfer”).

4. That the Trustees may delegate to two nominated Trustees the execution of any transfer agreements, documents and arrangements as are necessary to give effect to the Transfer.

5. That the trustees of the QMSU Company may take all decisions and action necessary to give effect to the Transfer and to take such action subsequent to the Transfer as may be strictly necessary or consequential.

6. That QMSU can dissolve after the Transfer and cease to exist.

7. That the Bye-Laws of the QMSU Company shall be brought in on a phased basis.

8. The elections for the Officer Trustees and the Student Trustees for the academic year 2012/13 shall take place in February 2012. The Appointments Committee shall be set up to appoint the External Trustees, whose appointments shall be ratified by the Student Council.

9. If the Transfer takes place on 1 August 2012, the trustees shall take office as the trustees of the QMSU Company and their appointment shall take effect on the date of the Transfer (or on such date on which the appointments are actually made if the appointments are made after 10

the date of the Transfer). If the Transfer has not taken place by 1 August 2012, the trustees shall take office on that date as trustees of QMSU and shall not become trustees of the QMSU Company until such time as the Transfer takes place.

10. Subject to Point 11 below, depending on when the Transfer takes place, where new bodies or positions exist which have not been elected or selected identified old bodies or persons should assume relevant responsibilities and powers until such time that an election or selection as appropriate can be held in the normal course of business.

11. All matters not covered by Point 1 to 10 above and/or pending the adoption of the Bye-Laws shall be resolved by the President of QMSU for the time being as advised by Democracy Working Group 12. That by approving the attached Memorandum and Articles of Association i.

The liability of each member would be £1. ii.

The powers of the trustee board would not change but would be clearly and explicitly worded. iii.

The method of minute taking and reporting of Trustee Board decisions to Union Council would be explicitly laid out. iv.

All QMSU students would be given the right to vote at by proxy at all general meetings. v.

All student „members meetings‟ could be called more regularly as outlined in the Memorandum and Articles of Association. vi.

The charitable Objects and Powers would be more comprehensive than are currently provided by our Constitution particularly related to RAG fundraising activity.

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The Companies Act 2006 Company Limited by Guarantee and not Having a Share Capital

_____________________________________________________________

Memorandum and Articles of Association of

Queen Mary Students’ Union Draft: 6th October 2011 _______________________________________________________________

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The Companies Act 2006 Company Limited by Guarantee and not having a Share Capital Memorandum of Association of Queen Mary Students’ Union

Option 1 for new companies: Each subscriber to this Memorandum of Association wishes to form a company under the Companies Act 2006 and agrees to become a Member of the company. ____________________________________________________________________ Name of each subscriber Authentication by each subscriber ____________________________________________________________________ [Insert names of subscribers]

[Signature: WITNESS to above signature: Signature: Name: Address:]

____________________________________________________________________

Dated: [Insert date on which company is established]

Option 2 for existing companies: [Insert current signature clause]

Table of Contents and Comments Key Constitutional Provisions Page 1(15) This section describes the organisation, its purpose, the activities it can engage in and the boundaries of its work. It describes what happens if the organisation was to be dissolved and how the memorandum and articles can be amended.

Membership This section describes who the members of the students’ union are

Page 8(22)

Referenda This section describes how referendum may be called

Page 9 (23)

General Meetings Page 9 (23) This section described how general meetings are called and what business will take place within them.

Trustees Page 14(28) This section describes who the trustees are, how they are appointed, how they can be removed and their powers.

The Executive Committee Page 20(34) This section describes who the Executive Committee are, how they are appointed, how they can be removed and their powers.

Decision Making By Trustees Page 21(35) This section lays out how trustee meetings will be called and run and how trustees can make decisions.

Student Council This section deals with the powers and responsibilities of student council.

Page 25(39)

Administrative Arrangements and Miscellaneous Provisions This section deals with miscellaneous questions and a table of definitions and interpretations.

Page 25(39)

The Companies Act 2006 Company Limited by Guarantee and not having a Share Capital Articles of Association of Queen Mary Students’ Union BACKGROUND A.

Queen Mary Students’ Union (the “Union”) is a students’ union within the meaning of the Education Act 1994. The Union is devoted to the educational interests and welfare of its Members.

B.

The Union will seek at all times to: (i)

ensure that the diversity of its Membership is recognised and that equal access is available to all Members of whatever origin or orientation;

(ii)

pursue its aims and objectives independent of any political party or religious group; and

(iii)

pursue equal opportunities within the law to facilitate participation of groups discriminated against by society.

C.

These Articles have been structured to give the Board of Trustees reasonable authority to manage the affairs of the Union in a professional manner. The Members enjoy the right, which must be exercised in accordance with charity law, to elect a proportion of the Trustees and to dismiss all of the Trustees. The Board of Trustees will give the utmost consideration to the views of Members.

D.

Under the Education Act 1994, Queen Mary, University of London has a statutory duty to ensure that the Union operates in a fair and democratic manner and is held to proper account for its finances. The Union therefore works alongside Queen Mary, University of London in ensuring that the affairs of the Union are properly conducted and that the educational and welfare needs of the Union’s Members are met.

PART 1 KEY CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS

1.

Definitions and Interpretation The meanings of any defined terms used in these Articles are set out in Article 69. If any dispute arises in relation to the interpretation of these Articles or any of the Bye-Laws, it shall be resolved by the Board of Trustees.

2.

Name The name of the company is Queen Mary Students’ Union. In these Articles it is called “the Union”.

013832/0007/000632508/Ver.04

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3.

Registered Office The registered office of the Union is situated in England.

4.

Objects The objects of the Union are the advancement of education of Students at Queen Mary, University of London for the public benefit by:

5.

4.1

promoting the interests and welfare of Students at Queen Mary, University of London during their course of study and representing, supporting and advising Students;

4.2

being the recognised representative channel between Students and Queen Mary, University of London and any other external bodies; and

4.3

providing social, cultural, sporting and recreational activities and forums for discussions and debate for the personal development of its Students.

Powers To further its objects, but not to further any other purpose, the Union may: 5.1

provide services and facilities for Members;

5.2

establish, support, promote and operate a network of student activities for Members;

5.3

support any RAG or similar fundraising activities carried out by its Members for charitable causes, including the provision of administrative support, banking facilities and acting as a holding trustee of any funds raised;

5.4

alone or with other organisations:

(a)

carry out campaigning activities;

(b)

seek to influence public opinion; and

(c)

make representations to and seek to influence governmental and other bodies and institutions

regarding the reform, development and implementation of appropriate policies, legislation and regulations, provided that all such activities shall be confined to the activities which an English charity may properly undertake and provided that the Union complies with the Education Act and any guidance published by the Charity Commission; 5.5

write, make, commission, print, publish or distribute materials or information or assist in these activities;

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5.6

promote, initiate, develop or carry out education and training and arrange, provide or assist with exhibitions, lectures, meetings, seminars, displays or classes;

5.7

promote, encourage, carry out or commission research, surveys, studies or other work and publish the results;

5.8

provide or appoint others to provide advice, guidance, representation and advocacy;

5.9

co-operate with other charities and bodies and exchange information and advice with them;

5.10

become a member, affiliate or associate of other charities and bodies;

5.11

support, set up or amalgamate with other charities with objects identical or similar to the Union’s objects, and act as or appoint trustees, agents, nominees or delegates to control and manage such charities (including without limitation to act as trustee of any charitable trust of permanent endowment property held for any of the charitable purposes included in the Union’s objects);

5.12

purchase or acquire all or any of the property, assets, liabilities and engagements of any charity with objects similar to the Union’s objects;

5.13

pay out of the funds of the Union the costs of forming and registering the Union;

5.14

raise funds and invite and receive contributions from any person provided that the Union shall not carry out any taxable trading activities in raising funds;

5.15

borrow and raise money on such terms and security as the Union may think suitable including for the purposes of investment or of raising funds (but only in accordance with the restrictions imposed by the Charities Act 1993);

5.16

purchase, lease, hire or receive property of any kind including land, buildings and equipment and maintain and equip it for use;

5.17

sell, manage, lease, mortgage, exchange, dispose of or deal with all or any of its property (but only in accordance with the restrictions imposed by the Charities Act 1993);

5.18

make grants or loans of money and give guarantees;

5.19

set aside funds for special purposes or as reserves against future expenditure;

5.20

invest and deal with the Union’s money not immediately required for its objects in or upon any investments, securities, or property;

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5.21

delegate the management of investments to an appropriately experienced and qualified financial expert provided that:

(a)

the investment policy is set down in writing for the financial expert by the Trustees;

(b)

every transaction is reported promptly to the Trustees;

(c)

the performance of the investments is reviewed regularly by the Trustees;

(d)

the Trustees are entitled to cancel the delegation at any time;

(e)

the investment policy and the delegation arrangements are reviewed, by the Board of Trustees, at least once a year;

(f)

all payments due to the financial expert are on a scale or at a level which is agreed in advance and are notified promptly to the Trustees on receipt; and

(g)

the financial expert may not do anything outside the powers of the Trustees;

5.22

arrange for investments or other property of the Union to be held in the name of a nominee (being a company or a limited liability partnership registered or having an established place of business in England and Wales) under the control of the Trustees or a financial expert acting under their instructions and to pay any reasonable fee required;

5.23

lend money and give credit to, take security for such loans or credit and guarantee or give security for the performance of contracts by any person or company;

5.24

open and operate banking accounts and other facilities for banking and draw, accept, endorse, negotiate, discount, issue or execute negotiable instruments such as promissory notes or bills of exchange;

5.25

trade in the course of carrying out any of its objects and carry on any other trade which is not expected to give rise to taxable profits;

5.26

establish or acquire subsidiary companies to carry on any trade;

5.27

subject to Article 6 (Limitation on private benefits), employ and pay employees and professionals or other advisors;

5.28

grant pensions and retirement benefits to employees of the Union and to their dependants and subscribe to funds or schemes for providing pensions and retirement benefits for employees of the Union and their dependants;

5.29

pay out of the funds of the Union the cost of any premium in respect of any indemnity insurance to cover the liability of the Trustees (or any of them) which by virtue of any rule of law would otherwise attach to them in respect of any negligence, default, breach of trust or breach of duty of which they may be guilty in relation to the Union, including without limitation any liability to make a contribution to the Union’s assets as specified in section 18

214 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (wrongful trading), provided that no such insurance shall extend to: (a)

any claim arising from any liability incurred by the Trustees to pay a fine imposed in criminal proceedings or a sum payable to a regulatory authority by way of a penalty in respect of non-compliance with any requirement of a regulatory nature (however arising);

(b)

any liability incurred by the Trustees in defending any criminal proceedings in which the Trustees are convicted of an offence arising out of any fraud or dishonesty, or wilful or reckless misconduct;

(c)

any liability incurred by the Trustees to the Union that arises out of any conduct which the Trustees knew (or must reasonably be assumed to have known) was not in the interests of the Union or in the case of which they did not care whether it was in the best interests of the Union or not; or

(d)

in relation to any liability to make a contribution to the Union’s assets as specified in section 214 of the Insolvency Act 1986, any liability to make such a contribution where the basis of the Trustee’s liability is his or her knowledge prior to the insolvent liquidation of the Union (or reckless failure to acquire that knowledge) that there was no reasonable prospect that the Union would avoid going into insolvent liquidation; and

5.30 6.

do all such other lawful things as shall further the Union’s objects.

Limitation on private benefits 6.1

The income and property of the Union shall be applied solely towards the promotion of its objects.

6.2

Except as provided below no part of the income and property of the Union may be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividend, bonus or otherwise by way of profit to any Member of the Union. This shall not prevent any payment in good faith by the Union of:

6.2.1

any payments made to any Member in their capacity as a beneficiary of the Union;

6.2.2

reasonable and proper remuneration to any Member for any goods or services supplied to the Union provided that if such Member is a Trustee Article 6.3 shall apply;

6.2.3

interest on money lent by any Member to the Union at a reasonable and proper rate; and

6.2.4

any reasonable and proper rent for premises let by any Member to the Union.

6.3

Except as provided below no Trustee may sell goods, services or any interest in land to the Union; be employed by, or receive any remuneration

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from, the Union; or receive any other financial benefit from the Union. This shall not prevent any payment in good faith by the Union of: 6.3.1

any payments made to any Trustee or Connected Person in their capacity as a beneficiary of the Union;

6.3.2

reasonable and proper out of pocket expenses of the Trustees;

6.3.3

reasonable and proper remuneration to any Officer Trustee or Connected Person for any goods or services supplied to the Union on the instructions of the Trustees provided that: (a)

for the avoidance of doubt, the authorisation under this provision shall extend to the remuneration of Officer Trustees and Connected Persons under contracts of employment with the Union;

(b)

subject to Article 6.3.3(a), the authorisation under this provision shall not extend to the service of acting as Trustee;

(c)

if the person being remunerated is a Trustee the procedure described in Article 56 (Conflicts of Interest) must be followed in considering the appointment of the Trustee and in relation to any other decisions regarding the remuneration authorised by this provision;

(d)

if the person being remunerated is a Connected Person the procedure described in Article 56 (Conflicts of Interest) must be followed by the relevant Trustee in relation to any decisions regarding such Connected Person;

(e)

subject to Article 6.6, this provision may not apply to more than half of the Trustees in any financial year (and for these purposes such provision shall be treated as applying to a Trustee if it applies to a person who is a Connected Person in relation to that Trustee); and

(f)

at all times the provisions of the Education Act are complied with;

6.3.4

interest on money lent by any Trustee or Connected Person to the Union at a reasonable and proper rate;

6.3.5

any reasonable and proper rent for premises let by any Trustee or Connected Person to the Union;

6.3.6

reasonable and proper premiums in respect of indemnity insurance effected in accordance with Article 5.29;

6.3.7

any payments made to any Trustee or officer under the indemnity provisions set out at Article 68; and

6.3.8

any payments authorised in writing by the Charity Commission.

6.4

In Articles 6.2 and 6.3, references to the Union shall be read as references to the Union and/or any Subsidiary Company.

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7.

6.5

For any transaction authorised by Article 6.3 the Trustee’s duty (arising under the Companies Act 2006) to avoid a conflict of interest with the Union shall be disapplied provided the relevant provisions of Article 6.3 have been complied with.

6.6

Where a vacancy arises on the Board of Trustees with the result that Article 6.3.3 applies to more than half of the Trustees, the Union may continue to pay remuneration to its Officer Trustees and any Connected Persons receiving remuneration in accordance with Article 6.3.3 provided that the Union uses all reasonable endeavours to fill the vacancy as soon as possible.

Liability of Members The liability of each Member is limited to ÂŁ1, being the amount that each Member undertakes to contribute to the assets of the Union in the event of its being wound up while he or she is a Member or within one year after he or she ceases to be a Member, for:

8.

7.1

payment of the Union’s debts and liabilities contracted before he or she ceases to be a Member;

7.2

payment of the costs, charges and expenses of winding up; and

7.3

adjustment of the rights of the contributories among themselves.

Dissolution If any property remains after the Union has been wound up or dissolved and all debts and liabilities have been satisfied, it shall not be paid to or distributed among the Members of the Union. It shall instead be given or transferred to some other charitable institution or institutions having similar objects to those of the Union and which prohibits the distribution of its or their income and property among its or their members to an extent at least as great as these Articles impose upon the Union. The institution or institutions which are to benefit shall be chosen by the Members of the Union at or before the time of winding up or dissolution.

9.

Reviewing and Amending the Articles 9.1

At intervals of not more than five years the Board of Trustees shall be required to initiate a review of the Articles of Association. The Student Council or the Board of Trustees may propose changes to the Articles of Association at any time.

9.2

Any changes to the Articles of Association must be approved at quorate meetings of both the Student Council and Board of Trustees.

9.3

The approval of Queen Mary, University of London shall be required for any amendments to the Articles of Association.

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PART 2 MEMBERS BECOMING AND CEASING TO BE A MEMBER 10.

Becoming a Member 10.1

Until and including the Effective Date, the subscribers to the Memorandum shall be the Members of the Union. Thereafter, the Members of the Union shall be as follows:

10.1.1 each and every Student who has not opted out by notifying Queen Mary, University of London of his or her wish not to be a Member of the Union; and 10.1.2 the Officer Trustees of the Union.

11.

10.2

The names of the Members of the Union shall be entered in the register of Members.

10.3

Members of the Union shall be entitled to the benefits set out in the Code of Practice.

Termination of Membership Membership shall not be transferable and shall cease on death. A Member shall cease to be a Member of the Union if:

12.

11.1

he or she ceases to be a Student;

11.2

he or she ceases to be an Officer Trustee;

11.3

he or she opts out of membership by giving written notice to the Union in accordance with the Bye-Laws; or

11.4

in the case of Members other than the Officer Trustees, a resolution is passed at a meeting of the Trustees at which at least half of the Trustees are present resolving that the Member be expelled on the ground that his or her continued membership is harmful to or is likely to become harmful to the interests of the Union. Such a resolution shall not be passed unless the Member has been given at least 14 clear days’ notice that the resolution is to be proposed, specifying the circumstances alleged to justify expulsion, and has been afforded a reasonable opportunity of being heard by or of making written representations to the Trustees.

Associate members The Trustees may establish such classes of associate membership with such description and with such rights and obligations as they think fit and may admit and remove such associate members in accordance with the Bye-Laws provided that no

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such associate members shall be Members of the Union for the purposes of the Articles or the Companies Acts.

REFERENDA 13.

Referenda 13.1

A Referendum may be called on any issue by:

13.1.1 a resolution of the Trustees; 13.1.2 a majority vote of the Student Council; 13.1.3 a majority vote in a General Meeting; or 13.1.4 a Secure Petition signed by at least 250 Members.

13.2

Subject to Article 40.3, a resolution may only be passed by Referendum if at least 500 Members cast a vote in the Referendum and a majority of the votes cast are in favour of the resolution.

13.3

Referenda shall be conducted in accordance with these Articles and the Bye-Laws.

13.4

Subject to Article 40.3, the Members may set Policy by Referenda. Policy set by Referenda may overturn Policy set by the Student Council but not Policy set by the Members in general meeting.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

14.

Annual general meeting The Union shall hold an annual general meeting within 18 months of incorporation and afterwards once in each Academic Year. It shall be held at such time and place as the Trustees shall think suitable to allow the maximum number of Members to attend.

ORGANISATION OF GENERAL MEETINGS

15.

General meetings The Trustees may call a general meeting at any time. The Trustees must call a general meeting if: 15.1

requested to do so by the Members provided such request is signed by at least 120 Members having the right to attend and vote at general meetings;

15.2

required to do so by the Members under the Companies Acts; or

15.3

requested to do so by the Student Council provided such request has been approved by a majority vote of the Student Council.

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16.

Location of meetings All general meetings may be carried out at one single venue or simultaneously at a maximum of two separate venues with a video, audio or other real-time link between all of the venues. At the start of such meetings, each venue must indicate by majority vote that they are satisfied with the meeting set-up and technology.

17.

Length of notice All general meetings shall be called by either:

18.

17.1

at least 14 clear days’ notice; or

17.2

In the case of general meetings other than the Annual General Meeting and provided that the meeting is urgently needed 3 clear days’ notice must be given.

Contents of notice 18.1

Every notice calling a general meeting shall specify the place, day and time of the meeting, whether it is a general or an annual general meeting, and the general nature of the business to be transacted. If a special resolution is to be proposed, the notice shall include the proposed resolution and specify that it is proposed as a special resolution. In every notice calling a meeting of the Union there must appear with reasonable prominence a statement informing the Member of his or her rights to appoint another person as his or her proxy at a general meeting.

18.2

If the meeting is an annual general meeting, the notice must say so and the business to be transacted shall include:

18.2.1 ratification of minutes of the previous annual general meeting; 18.2.2 receiving the report of the Trustees on the Union’s activities since the previous annual general meeting; 18.2.3 receiving the accounts of the Union for the previous financial year; 18.2.4 to note the appointment of the auditors; 18.2.5 approving the list of affiliations of the Union; and 18.2.6 open questions to the Trustees by the Members.

19.

Service of notice Notice of general meetings shall be given to every Member, to the Trustees, to any patron(s) and to the auditors of the Union.

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20.

21.

Quorum 20.1

No business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum is present.

20.2

120 persons entitled to vote upon the business to be transacted (each being a Member or a proxy for a Member) or 1% of the total membership (represented in person or by proxy), whichever is lower, shall be a quorum.

20.3

If a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting, the meeting shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week at the same time and place or to such other day, time and place as the Trustees may determine and if at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting those present and entitled to vote shall be a quorum.

Chairing general meetings The chair of Student Council or in his or her absence the Deputy Chair shall preside as chair of the meeting. In the absence of the chair of Student Council and the Deputy Chair, the Members present and entitled to vote shall choose one of their number to be chair of the meeting save that a proxy holder who is not a Member entitled to vote shall not be entitled to be appointed chair of the meeting.

22.

23.

Attendance and speaking by Trustees and non-Members 22.1

A Trustee may, even if not a Member, attend and speak at any general meeting.

22.2

A patron may, even if not a Member, attend and speak at any general meeting.

22.3

The chair of the meeting may permit other persons who are not Members of the Union to attend and speak at any general meeting.

Adjournment 23.1

The chair of the meeting may adjourn a general meeting at which a quorum is present if:

23.1.1 the meeting consents to an adjournment; or 23.1.2 it appears to the chair of the meeting that an adjournment is necessary to protect the safety of any person attending the meeting or to ensure that the business of the meeting is conducted in an orderly manner.

23.2

The chair of the meeting must adjourn a general meeting if directed to do so by the meeting.

23.3

When adjourning a general meeting, the chair of the meeting must:

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23.3.1 either specify the time and place to which it is adjourned or state that it is to continue at a time and place to be fixed by the Trustees; and 23.3.2 have regard to any directions as to the time and place of any adjournment which have been given by the meeting.

23.4

If the continuation of an adjourned meeting is to take place more than 14 days after it was adjourned, the Union must give at least seven clear days’ notice of it:

23.4.1 to the same persons to whom notice of the Union’s general meetings is required to be given; and 23.4.2 containing the same information which such notice is required to contain.

23.5

No business may be transacted at an adjourned general meeting which could not properly have been transacted at the meeting if the adjournment had not taken place.

VOTING AT GENERAL MEETINGS

24.

Voting: general A resolution put to the vote of a general meeting must be decided on a show of hands unless a poll is duly demanded in accordance with the Articles.

25.

Poll 25.1

A poll on a resolution may be demanded:

25.1.1 in advance of the general meeting where it is to be put to the vote; or 25.1.2 at a general meeting, either before a show of hands on that resolution or immediately after the result of a show of hands on that resolution is declared.

25.2

A poll may be demanded by:

25.2.1 the chair of the meeting; 25.2.2 the Trustees; 25.2.3 two or more persons having the right to vote on the resolution; 25.2.4 any person who, by virtue of being appointed proxy for one or more Members having the right to vote at the meeting, holds two or more votes; or 25.2.5 a person or persons representing not less than one tenth of the total voting rights of all the Members having the right to vote on the resolution.

25.3

A demand for a poll may be withdrawn if:

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25.3.1 the poll has not yet been taken; and 25.3.2 the chair of the meeting consents to the withdrawal.

25.4 26.

27.

28.

Polls must be taken immediately and in such manner as the chair of the meeting directs.

Voting 26.1

On a show of hands every person present and entitled to vote shall have a maximum of one vote. On a poll every Member present in person or by proxy shall have one vote.

26.2

In the case of an equality of votes, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, the chair of the meeting shall be entitled to a casting vote in addition to any other vote he or she may have.

Errors and disputes 27.1

No objection may be raised to the qualification of any person voting at a general meeting except at the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the vote objected to is tendered, and every vote not disallowed at the meeting is valid.

27.2

Any such objection must be referred to the chair of the meeting whose decision is final.

Content of proxy notices 28.1

Proxies may only validly be appointed by a notice in writing (a “proxy notice�) which:

28.1.1 states the name and address of the Member appointing the proxy; 28.1.2 identifies the person appointed to be that Member’s proxy and the general meeting in relation to which that person is appointed; 28.1.3 is signed by or on behalf of the Member appointing the proxy, or is authenticated in such manner as the Trustees may determine; and 28.1.4 is delivered to the Union in accordance with the Articles and any instructions contained in the notice of the general meeting to which they relate.

28.2

The Union may require proxy notices to be delivered in a particular form, and may specify different forms for different purposes.

28.3

Proxy notices may specify how the proxy appointed under them is to vote (or that the proxy is to abstain from voting) on one or more resolutions.

28.4

Unless a proxy notice indicates otherwise, it must be treated as:

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28.4.1 allowing the person appointed under it as a proxy discretion as to how to vote on any ancillary or procedural resolutions put to the meeting; and 28.4.2 appointing that person as a proxy in relation to any adjournment of the general meeting to which it relates as well as the meeting itself.

29.

Amendments to resolutions 29.1

An ordinary resolution to be proposed at a general meeting may be amended by ordinary resolution if:

29.1.1 notice of the proposed amendment is given to the Union in writing by a person entitled to vote at the general meeting at which it is to be proposed not less than 48 hours before the meeting is to take place (or such later time as the chair of the meeting may determine); and 29.1.2 the proposed amendment does not, in the reasonable opinion of the chair of the meeting, materially alter the scope of the resolution.

29.2

A special resolution to be proposed at a general meeting may be amended by ordinary resolution, if:

29.2.1 the chair of the meeting proposes the amendment at the general meeting at which the resolution is to be proposed; and 29.2.2 the amendment does not go beyond what is necessary to correct a grammatical or other non-substantive error in the resolution.

29.3

If the chair of the meeting, acting in good faith, wrongly decides that an amendment to a resolution is out of order, the chair’s error does not invalidate the vote on that resolution.

PART 3 TRUSTEES APPOINTMENT AND RETIREMENT OF TRUSTEES

30.

Appointment of Trustees Those persons notified to the Registrar of Companies as the first directors of the Union shall be the first Trustees until and including the Effective Date. Thereafter, the Trustees shall be made up of the following persons: 30.1

not more than five Officer Trustees, elected in accordance with Article 31;

30.2

not more than five Student Trustees, elected in accordance with Article 32;

30.3

not more than five External Trustees, appointed in accordance with Article 33.

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31.

32.

Officer Trustees 31.1

Up to five Officer Trustees shall be elected by secret ballot by the Members of the Union at an election to be held in accordance with the Bye-Laws.

The Officer Trustees shall be elected to posts set out in the Bye-Laws.

31.2

The Officer Trustees shall remain in office for a term of one year commencing in accordance with the Bye-Laws. The term of office may be shorter or longer on a transitional basis to coincide with an alteration of the year start or end. Subject to a transitional change in the year of office, an Officer Trustee may be re-elected for a maximum further term of one year by the Members of the Union at an election to be held in accordance with the Bye-Laws. For the avoidance of doubt, an Officer Trustee’s terms of office may be either consecutive or non-consecutive.

31.3

Each Officer Trustee must be a Student or an Officer Trustee at the time of his or her election. An Officer Trustee shall become a Member of the Union on commencement of his or her appointment or re-appointment as an Officer Trustee. Such membership shall cease when the Officer Trustee ceases to be an Officer Trustee.

31.4

The Officer Trustees shall be deemed to be “major union office holders” for the purposes of Section 22 of the Education Act.

31.5

At the same time as commencing the term of office as a Trustee, the Officer Trustee will enter into a contract of employment with the Union for a term to be determined by the Bye-Laws.

The duties and method of remuneration of each Officer Trustee shall be as set out in the Bye-Laws.

Student Trustees 32.1

Subject to Article 32.2 below, up to five Student Trustees shall be elected by secret ballot by the Members at an election to be held in accordance with the Bye-Laws. There should be at least one Barts and the London School Medicine and Dentistry Student and at least one student from either the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences or the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

32.2

Each Student Trustee must be a Student at the time of his or her election (and shall continue to be a Student for at least the duration of the first year of his or her term as a Student Trustee).

32.3

Student Trustees shall remain in office for a term of either one or two years commencing in accordance with the Bye-Laws. The term of office may be shorter or longer on a transitional basis to coincide with the alteration of the year start or end.

32.4

A Student Trustee may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.

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33.

34.

External Trustees 33.1

Up to five External Trustees shall be appointed by a simple majority vote of the Appointments Committee provided that the appointment of each External Trustee is ratified by a simple majority vote of the Student Council.

For the avoidance of doubt, such appointment shall not take effect until it has been ratified by the Student Council.

33.2

Unless their appointment is terminated in accordance with Articles 34 to 37, External Trustees shall remain in office for a term of up to four years commencing in accordance with the Bye-Laws.

33.3

External Trustees may serve for a maximum of three terms which may either be consecutive or non-consecutive.

Disqualification, Resignation and Removal of Trustees The office of a Trustee shall be vacated if:

35.

34.1

that person ceases to be a Trustee by virtue of any provision of the Companies Act 2006 or is prohibited from being a company director by law;

34.2

he or she becomes prohibited by law from being a charity trustee;

34.3

in the case of an Officer Trustee, he or she ceases to be an employee of the Union;

34.4

in the case of a Student Trustee, he or she ceases to be a Student in the first year of their office.

34.5

he or she resigns by notice to the Union (but only if at least two Trustees will remain in office when the notice of resignation is to take effect);

34.6

the Trustees reasonably believe he or she is suffering from mental or physical disorder and is incapable of acting as a trustee and they resolve that he or she be removed from office;

34.7

he or she fails to attend two consecutive meetings of the Trustees and in the opinion of the Trustees there are no mitigating circumstances for that failure and the Trustees therefore resolve that he or she be removed for this reason; or

34.8

he or she is removed from office under Article 35 or 36.

Removal of Trustees by the Members or the Student Council The office of a Trustee shall be vacated if: 35.1

a motion of no confidence in the Trustee is passed by a simple majority of the Members voting in a Referendum, provided that at least 5% of Members

30

cast a vote in the Referendum. Such a motion shall only be triggered by a Secure Petition of no confidence signed by at least 120 Members; or 35.2

36.

a motion of no confidence in the Trustee is passed by a two thirds majority in a vote of the Student Council. Such a motion shall only be triggered by a Secure Petition of no confidence signed by at least 4 members of Student Council.

Removal of Trustees by the Board The office of External Trustee shall be vacated if a majority resolution of no confidence is passed by the Trustees. For the avoidance of doubt, the Trustee concerned and any Trustee who has a Conflict of Interest in relation to the matter shall not vote on this resolution and the quorum shall be adjusted accordingly in accordance with Article 52.

37.

38.

Rights of Removed Trustee 37.1

A resolution to remove a Trustee in accordance with Article 36 shall not be passed unless the Trustee concerned has been given at least 14 clear days’ notice in writing that the resolution is to be proposed, specifying the circumstances alleged to justify removal from office, and has been afforded a reasonable opportunity of being heard by or, at the option of the Trustee being removed, of making written representations to the Trustees.

37.2

A Trustee removed from office in accordance with Article 36 shall be entitled to appeal the decision to remove him or her to an Appeals Panel within 14 days of the resolution. The Appeals Panel shall be made up of a nominee of Queen Mary, University of London, one independent person and a chief executive/general manager and officer of another students’ union. The independent person shall be a Member who is not a Trustee or a Member of the Student Council. The selection of the members of the Appeals Panel and its procedures shall be set out in the Bye-Laws. The Union may consult with NUS in relation to the appeals process and in particular the appointment of independent persons to the Appeals Panel.

Replacement of Trustees 38.1

If an Officer Trustee resigns, is disqualified or is removed from office at any time prior to the commencement of the Academic Year, the vacancy that results on the board of Trustees shall be filled in accordance with the ByeLaws.

38.2

If an Officer Trustee resigns, is disqualified or is removed from office after the commencement of the Academic Year the vacancy shall be filled in accordance with the Bye-Laws. Any person elected under this Article may be required to assume the responsibilities of the Officer Trustee.

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38.3

39.

If a Student Trustee resigns, is disqualified or is removed from office, a Student Trustee may be elected to the vacancy in accordance with Article 32.1.

If an External Trustee resigns, is disqualified or is removed from office, an External Trustee shall be appointed to the vacancy in accordance with Article 33.1 TRUSTEES’ POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

40.

Trustees’ general authority 40.1

The Board of Trustees shall be responsible for the management and administration of the Union and (subject to the Education Act, these Articles and the Bye-Laws) may exercise all the powers of the Union.

40.2

The Board’s powers under Article 40.1 shall include but not be limited to responsibility for:

40.2.1 the governance of the Union; 40.2.2 the budget of the Union; and 40.2.3 the strategy of the Union.

40.3

The Board of Trustees may override any decision or Policy made by the Members by ordinary resolution in general meeting or by Referendum or by the Student Council which the Trustees consider (in their absolute discretion):

40.3.1 has or may have any financial implications for the Union; 40.3.2 is or may be in breach of, contrary to or otherwise inconsistent with charity or education law or any other legal requirements (including ultra vires); 40.3.3 is not or may not be in the best interests of the Union or all or any of its charitable objects; or 40.3.4 will or may otherwise affect the discharge of any or all of the responsibilities referred to in Article 40.2.

40.4

No alteration of these Articles or the Bye-Laws shall invalidate any prior act of the Trustees which would have been valid if that alteration had not been made.

40.5

All acts done by a meeting of Trustees, or of a committee of the Trustees, shall be valid, even if it is later discovered that any Trustee who participated in the vote:

40.5.1 was not properly appointed; 40.5.2 was disqualified from holding office;

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40.5.3 had vacated office; or 40.5.4 was not entitled to vote.

41.

Trustees may delegate 41.1

Subject to the Articles, the Trustees may delegate any of the powers which are conferred on them under the Articles:

41.1.1 to such person or committee; 41.1.2 by such means (including by power of attorney); 41.1.3 to such an extent; 41.1.4 in relation to such matters or territories; and 41.1.5 on such terms and conditions as they think fit.

42.

41.2

If the Trustees so specify, any such delegation may authorise further delegation of the Trustees’ powers by any person to whom they are delegated.

41.3

The Trustees may revoke any delegation in whole or part, or alter its terms and conditions.

Committees 42.1

In the case of delegation to committees:

42.1.1 the resolution making the delegation shall specify those who shall serve or be asked to serve on such committee (although the resolution may allow the committee to make co-options up to a specified number); 42.1.2 subject to Article 42.3, the composition of any such committee shall be entirely in the discretion of the Trustees and may comprise such of their number (if any) as the resolution may specify; 42.1.3 the deliberations of any such committee shall be reported regularly to the Trustees and any resolution passed or decision taken by any such committee shall be reported promptly to the Trustees and for that purpose the Trustees shall appoint a secretary to each committee.

42.1.4 no committee shall knowingly incur expenditure or liability on behalf of the Union except where authorised by the Trustees or in accordance with a budget which has been approved by the Trustees.

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42.2

The Trustees shall establish the following committees (which is a nonexhaustive list) in accordance with their powers under Articles 41 and 42.1:

42.2.1 Executive Committee (as further described in Article 44); 42.2.2 Appointments Committee; 42.2.3 Finance and Planning Committee; and 42.2.4 Audit and Risk Committee.

43.

42.3

For the avoidance of doubt, the Trustees may (in accordance with Articles 41 and 42.1) delegate all financial matters to any committee provided that such committee shall include at least one Trustee. The Trustees may empower such committee to resolve upon the operation of any bank account according to such mandate as it shall think fit provided that the signature of at least one Trustee shall be required for cheques above a certain amount as set out in the Bye-Laws and provided always that no committee shall incur expenditure on behalf of the Union except in accordance with a budget which has been approved by the Trustees.

42.4

The meetings and proceedings of any committee shall be governed by the Articles regulating the meetings and proceedings of the Trustees so far as applicable and not superseded by any Bye-Laws.

Delegation of day-to-day management powers to the Chief Executive In the case of delegation of the day-to-day management of the Union to the Chief Executive:

44.

43.1

the delegated power shall be to manage the Union by implementing the policy and strategy adopted by and within a budget approved by the Trustees and if applicable to advise the Trustees in relation to such policy, strategy and budget;

43.2

the Trustees shall provide the Chief Executive with a description of his or her role and the extent of his or her authority;

43.3

the Chief Executive shall report regularly to the Trustees on the activities undertaken in managing the Union and provide them regularly with management accounts sufficient to explain the financial position of the Union; and

43.4

the Trustees shall provide the Chief Executive with a performance management structure to aid his or her work plan and development.

The Executive Committee 44.1

Unless the Trustees determine otherwise, the Executive Committee shall include:

44.1.1 the Officer Trustees.

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44.2

The Executive Committee’s responsibility shall not include the duties of the Trustees as set out in Article 40 but shall include representation and campaigning work and the implementation of Policy save in so far as these responsibilities have not been delegated to another committee.

44.3

The Chief Executive and the Union’s senior management team may attend meetings of the Executive Committee at the request of the Executive Committee.

44.4

The Executive Committee shall meet in accordance with the Bye-Laws.

DECISION-MAKING BY TRUSTEES

45.

Directors to take decisions collectively Any decision of the Trustees must be either a majority decision at a meeting or a decision taken in accordance with Article 55.

46.

47.

Trustees’ meetings 46.1

The Trustees shall hold a minimum of four meetings in any Academic Year.

46.2

Guests or observers can attend meetings of the Trustees at the discretion of the chair of the meeting.

Calling a Trustees’ meeting Two Trustees may, and the Chief Executive at the request of two Trustees shall, call a Trustees’ meeting.

48.

Length of Notice A Trustees’ meeting shall be called by at least seven clear days’ notice unless either:

49.

48.1

all the Trustees agree; or

48.2

urgent circumstances require shorter notice.

Contents of Notice Every notice calling a Trustees’ meeting shall specify: 49.1

the place, day and time of the meeting;

49.2

the general particulars of all business to be considered at such meeting; and

49.3

if it is anticipated that Trustees participating in the meeting will not be in the same place, how it is proposed that they should communicate with each other during the meeting.

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50.

Service of Notice Notice of Trustees’ meetings shall be given to each Trustee, but need not be in writing. Notice of Trustees’ meeting may be sent by electronic means to an address provided by the Trustee for the purpose.

51.

Participation in Trustees’ meetings 51.1

52.

53.

Subject to the Articles, Trustees participate in a Trustees’ meeting, or part of a Trustees’ meeting, when:

(a)

the meeting has been called and takes place in accordance with the Articles; and

(b)

they can each communicate to the others any information or opinions they have on any particular item of the business of the meeting.

51.2

In determining whether Trustees are participating in a Trustees’ meeting, it is irrelevant where any Trustee is or how they communicate with each other.

51.3

If all the Trustees participating in a meeting are not in the same place, they may decide that the meeting is to be treated as taking place wherever any of them is.

Quorum for Trustees’ meetings 52.1

At a Trustees’ meeting, unless a quorum is participating, no proposal is to be voted on, except a proposal to call another meeting.

52.2

The quorum for Trustees’ meetings until and including the Effective Date shall be six. Thereafter, the quorum for Trustees’ meetings may be fixed from time to time by a decision of the Trustees, but it must never be less than six. Unless otherwise fixed, the quorum shall be six and such quorum must include at least two Officer Trustees. Where the resolution or issue under discussion concerns a matter in respect of which some or all of the Trustees have a Conflict of Interest, the quorum shall be four.

52.3

If the total number of Trustees for the time being is less than the quorum required, the Trustees must not take any decision other than a decision to increase the number of Trustees including by calling a general meeting or election so as to enable the Members to elect further Trustees.

Chair and Deputy Chair 53.1

The President shall be the Chair of the Trustees.

53.2

The Trustees shall appoint an External Trustee to be Deputy Chair of the Trustees and may at any time remove him or her from office. The role of the Deputy Chair will be to support the Chair.

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53.3

54.

In the absence of the Chair and the Deputy Chair, another Trustee appointed by the Trustees present shall preside as chair of the meeting.

Casting vote Questions arising at a Trustees’ meeting shall be decided by a majority of votes. In the case of an equality of votes, the chair of the meeting shall be entitled to a casting vote in addition to any other vote he or she may have.

55.

Decisions without a meeting 55.1

The Trustees may take a unanimous decision without a Trustees’ meeting by indicating to each other by any means, including without limitation by electronic means, that they share a common view on a matter. Such a decision may, but need not, take the form of a resolution in writing, copies of which have been signed by each Trustee or to which each Trustee has otherwise indicated agreement in writing.

55.2

A decision which is made in accordance with Article 55.1 shall be as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a meeting duly convened and held, provided the following conditions are complied with:

55.2.1 approval from each Trustee must be received by one person being either such person as all the Trustees have nominated in advance for that purpose or such other person as volunteers if necessary (“the Recipient”), which person may, for the avoidance of doubt, be one of the Trustees; 55.2.2 following receipt of responses from all of the Trustees, the Recipient shall communicate to all of the Trustees by any means whether the resolution has been formally approved by the Trustees in accordance with this Article; 55.2.3 the date of the decision shall be the date of the communication from the Recipient confirming formal approval; and 55.2.4 the Recipient must prepare a minute of the decision in accordance with Article 63.

56.

Conflicts of interest 56.1

Whenever a Trustee finds himself or herself in a situation that is reasonably likely to give rise to a Conflict of Interest, he or she must declare his or her interest to the Trustees unless, or except to the extent that, the other Trustees are or ought reasonably to be aware of it already.

56.2

Whenever a matter is to be discussed at a meeting or decided in accordance with Article 55 and a Trustee has a Conflict of Interest in respect of that matter then, subject to Article 57, he or she must:

56.2.1 remain only for such part of the meeting as in the view of the other Trustees is necessary to inform the debate; 37

56.2.2 not be counted in the quorum for that part of the meeting [or decisionmaking process]; and 56.2.3 withdraw during the vote and have no vote on the matter.

57.

56.3

If any question arises as to whether a Trustee has a Conflict of Interest, the question shall be decided by a majority decision of the other Trustees.

56.4

When a Trustee has a Conflict of Interest which he or she has declared to the Trustees, he or she shall not be in breach of his or her duties to the Union by withholding confidential information from the Union if to disclose it would result in a breach of any other duty or obligation of confidence owed by him or her.

Trustees’ power to authorise a conflict of interest 57.1

The Trustees may (subject to such terms as they may impose from time to time, and subject always to their right to vary or terminate such authorisation) authorise, to the fullest extent permitted by law:

57.1.1 any matter which would otherwise result in a Trustee infringing his or her duty to avoid a situation in which he or she has a Conflict of Interest; and 57.1.2 the manner in which a Conflict of Interest arising out of any Trustee’s office, employment or position may be dealt with and, for the avoidance of doubt, they can decide that the Trustee with a Conflict of Interest can participate in a vote on the matter and can be counted in the quorum provided that when deciding to give such authorisation the provisions of Article 57 shall be complied with and provided that nothing in this Article shall have the effect of allowing the Trustees to authorise a benefit that is not permitted in accordance with the Articles.

58.

57.2

If a matter, or office, employment or position, has been authorised by the Trustees in accordance with this Article then, even if he or she has been authorised to to remain at the meeting by the other Trustees, the Trustee may absent himself or herself from meetings of the Trustees at which anything relating to that matter, or that office, employment or position, will or may be discussed.

57.3

A Trustee shall not be accountable to the Union for any benefit which he or she derives from any matter, or from any office, employment or position, which has been authorised by the Trustees in accordance with this Article (subject to any limits or conditions to which such approval was subject).

Register of Trustees’ interests The Trustees shall cause a register of Trustees’ interests to be kept. A Trustee must declare the nature and extent of any interest, direct or indirect, which he or she has in a proposed transaction or arrangement with the Union or in any

38

transaction or arrangement entered into by the Union which has not previously been declared.

PART 4 STUDENT COUNCIL 59.

Student Council 59.1

The Student Council shall have the authority to:

59.1.1 represent the voice of the Students; 59.1.2 subject to Article 40.3, set the Policy of the Union and refer Policy to Referenda of the Members (in accordance with the Bye-Laws); 59.1.3 make, repeal and amend the Bye-Laws jointly with the Trustees in accordance with Article 60; 59.1.4 receive a quarterly report from the Trustees; and 59.1.5 appoint associate members in accordance with Article 12 and the Bye-Laws.

59.2

The composition and proceedings of the Student Council shall be set out in the Bye-Laws. No Member may hold more than one seat on the Student Council at any one time.

PART 5

ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 60.

Bye-Laws

60.1 The Trustees and the Student Council shall have the power from time to time to jointly make, repeal or amend Bye-Laws as to the management of the Union and its working practices provided that such Bye-Laws shall not be inconsistent with these Articles. Any amendments to the Bye-Laws are required to be passed at one quorate meeting of the Student Council and one quorate meeting of the Board of Trustees.

60.2 Student Council shall have the powers to make regulations that set out protocols for the union, codes of conduct and guidance for representative systems, activities and all relevant areas of the work of the Union. These Regulations must be consistent with the Bye-Laws. In the event of any discrepancy or uncertainty the Bye Laws take precedence over the Regulations

39

61.

Communications by and to the Union 61.1

Subject to the provisions of the Companies Acts and these Articles a document or information (including any notice) to be given, sent or supplied to any person may be given, sent or supplied in hard copy form, in electronic form or (in the case of communications by the Union) by making it available on a website, provided that:

61.1.1 a document or information (including any notice) may only be given, sent or supplied in electronic form where the recipient has agreed (generally or specifically) that the document or information may be sent in that form and has not revoked that agreement; and 61.1.2 a document or information (including any notice) may only be given, sent or supplied by being made available on a website if:

61.2

(a)

the recipient has agreed (generally or specifically) that the document or information may be sent or supplied in that manner; or

(b)

the recipient is deemed to have so agreed in accordance with the Companies Acts.

Any document or information (including any notice) sent to a Member under the Articles may be sent to the Member’s postal address as shown in the Union’s register of Members or (in the case of documents or information sent by electronic means) to an address specified for the purpose by the Member, provided that:

61.2.1 a Member whose registered address is not within the United Kingdom and who gives to the Union an address within the United Kingdom at which notices may be given to him or her, or an address to which notices may be sent by electronic means, shall be entitled to have notices given to him or her at that address, but otherwise no such Member shall be entitled to receive any notice from the Union; and 61.2.2 the Union is not required to send notice of a general meeting or a copy of its annual report and accounts to a Member for whom it no longer has a valid address.

61.3

Any document to be served on the Union by a Member under the Articles may be served:

61.3.1 in the case of documents in hard copy form, by sending or delivering them to the Union’s registered office or delivering them personally to an officer or Trustee of the Union; or 61.3.2 in the case of documents in electronic form, by sending them by electronic means to an address notified to the Members for that purpose provided that the Trustees are satisfied as to the identity of the Member (and the Trustees have discretion to specify how such identity should be confirmed).

40

61.4

A Member present in person or by proxy at any meeting of the Union shall be deemed to have received notice of the meeting and, where requisite, of the purpose for which it was called.

61.5

Where any document or information is sent or supplied:

61.5.1 by post, service or delivery shall be deemed to be effected at the expiration of 48 hours after the envelope containing it was posted. In proving such service or delivery it shall be sufficient to prove that such envelope was properly addressed and posted; 61.5.2 by electronic means to an address specified for the purpose by the intended recipient, service or delivery shall be deemed to be effected on the same day on which it is sent or supplied. In proving such service it shall be sufficient to prove that it was properly addressed; and 61.5.3 by means of a website, service or delivery shall be deemed to be effected when:

61.6

(a)

the material is first made available on the website; or

(b)

(if later) when the recipient received or is deemed to have received notification of the fact that the material was available on the website.

Where any document or information has been sent or supplied by the Union by electronic means and the Union receives notice that the message is undeliverable:

61.6.1 if the document or information has been sent to a Member and is notice of a general meeting of the Union or a copy of the annual report and accounts of the Union, the Union is under no obligation to send a hard copy of the document or information to the Member’s postal address as shown in the Union’s register of Members, but may in its discretion choose to do so; and 61.6.2 in all other cases, the Union will send a hard copy of the document or information to the Member’s postal address as shown in the Union’s register of Members, or in the case of a recipient who is not a Member, to the last known postal address for that person.

61.6.3 The date of service or delivery of the documents or information shall be the date on which the original electronic communication was sent, notwithstanding the subsequent sending of hard copies.

62.

Secretary 62.1

A Secretary may be appointed by the Trustees for such term at such remuneration and upon such conditions as they may think fit, and may be removed by them. If there is no Secretary:

62.1.1 anything authorised or required to be given or sent to, or served on, the Union by being sent to its Secretary may be given or sent to, or served on,

41

the Union itself, and if addressed to the Secretary shall be treated as addressed to the Union; and 62.1.2 anything else required or authorised to be done by or to the Secretary of the Union may be done by or to a Trustee, or a person authorised generally or specifically in that behalf by the Trustees.

63.

Minutes 63.1

The Trustees shall cause minutes to be made in books kept for the purpose:

63.1.1 of all appointments of officers made by the Trustees; 63.1.2 of all resolutions of the Union and of the Trustees; and 63.1.3 of all proceedings at meetings of the Union and of the Trustees, and of committees of Trustees, including the names of the Trustees present at each such meeting and any such minute, if purported to be signed (or in the case of minutes of Trustees’ meetings signed or authenticated) by the chair of the meeting at which the proceedings were had, or by the chair of the next succeeding meeting, shall, as against any Member or Trustee of the Union, be sufficient evidence of the proceedings.

64.

63.2

The minutes referred to in Article 63.1 above must be kept for at least ten years from the date of the meeting, resolution or decision.

63.3

The minutes of the meetings referred to in Article 63.1 above shall normally be considered open and shall be available to the Members on the Union’s website, except where those minutes relate to any reserved or confidential matters, including without limitation staff-related or disciplinary matters.

Copies of the minutes shall also be kept in the Union’s offices.

Records and accounts 64.1

The Trustees shall comply with the requirements of the Companies Acts and of the Charities Act 1993 as to maintaining a Members’ register, keeping financial records, the audit or examination of accounts and the preparation and transmission to the Registrar of Companies and the Charity Commission of:

64.1.1 annual reports; 64.1.2 annual returns; and 64.1.3 annual statements of account.

64.2 65.

The Members of the Union have the right to ask the Trustees questions in writing about the content of any documents referred to in Article 64.1.

Irregularities 42

The proceedings at any meeting or on the taking of any poll or the passing of a written resolution or the making of any decision shall not be invalidated by reason of any accidental informality or irregularity (including any accidental omission to give or any non-receipt of notice) or any want of qualification in any of the persons present or voting or by reason of any business being considered which is not specified in the notice unless a provision of the Companies Acts specifies that such informality, irregularity or want of qualification shall invalidate it.

66.

Patrons The Trustees may appoint and remove any individual(s) as patron(s) of the Union and on such terms as they shall think fit. A patron shall have the right to be given notice of, to attend and speak (but not vote) at any general meeting of the Union as if a Member and shall also have the right to receive accounts of the Union when available to Members.

67.

Exclusion of model articles The relevant model articles for a company limited by guarantee are hereby expressly excluded.

TRUSTEES’ INDEMNITY

68.

Indemnity Without prejudice to any indemnity to which a Trustee may otherwise be entitled, every Trustee shall and every other officer or auditor of the Union may be indemnified out of the assets of the Union against any liability incurred by him or her in defending any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, in which judgment is given in his or her favour or in which he or she is acquitted or in connection with any application in which relief is granted to him or her by the court from liability for negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the affairs of the Union, and against all costs, charges, losses, expenses or liabilities incurred by him or her in the execution and discharge of his or her duties or in relation thereto.

DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

69.

Defined terms 69.1

In these Articles, unless the context requires otherwise, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Term

Meaning

69.1.1 “Academic Year”

the period between September in one year to June in the next year determined by the Union as the period during which Students are required to be registered with Queen Mary, University of 43

London. Each Academic Year is for the time being divided into three semesters; 69.1.2 “address”

includes a number or address used for the purpose of sending or receiving documents by electronic means;

69.1.3 “Appointments Committee”

the committee set up in accordance with the Bye-Laws

69.1.4 “Articles”

these articles of association of the Union;

69.1.5 “Board of Trustees” or “Board”

the board of Trustees of the Union;

69.1.6 “Bye-Laws”

the bye-laws setting out the working practices of the Union made from time to time in accordance with Article 60;

69.1.7 “Chair”

the chair of the Board of Trustees, who shall be the President of the Union in accordance with Article 53.1;

69.1.8 “chair of the meeting”

in the case of general meetings means the person chairing the meeting in accordance with Article 21 and in the case of Trustees’ meetings means the person chairing the meeting in accordance with Article 53;

69.1.9 “Chief Executive”

the chief executive of the Union who is appointed by the Board of Trustees;

69.1.10 “circulation date”

in relation to a written resolution, has the meaning given to it in the Companies Acts;

69.1.11 “clear days”

in relation to the period of a notice, that period excluding the day when the notice is given or deemed to be given and the day for which it is given or on which it is to take effect;

69.1.12 “Code of Practice”

the code of practice relating to Queen Mary, University of London’s obligations under Section 22 of the Education Act;

69.1.13 “Companies Acts”

means the Companies Acts (as defined in Section 2 of the Companies Act 2006), in so far as they apply to the Union;

69.1.14 “Conflict of Interest”

any direct or indirect interest of a Trustee (whether personal, by virtue of a duty of loyalty to another organisation or otherwise) that

44

conflicts, or might conflict with the interests of the Union; 69.1.15 “Connected Person”

any person falling within one of the following categories and where payment to that person might result in the Trustee obtaining benefit: (a) any spouse, civil partner, parent, child, brother, sister, grandparent or grandchild of a Trustee; or (b) the spouse or civil partner of any person in (a); or (c) any person living with a Trustee or his or her partner; or (d) any company or LLP or firm of which a Trustee is a paid director, member, partner or employee, or shareholder holding more than 1% of the capital;

69.1.16 “Deputy Chair”

the deputy chair of the Board of Trustees, who shall be appointed in accordance with Article 53.2;

69.1.17 “document”

includes, unless otherwise specified, any document sent or supplied in electronic form;

69.1.18 “Education Act”

the Education Act 1994;

69.1.19 “Effective Date”

the date on which the undertaking previously carried on by the unincorporated charity known as Queen Mary Students’ Union is transferred to the Union;

69.1.20 “electronic form”

has the meaning given in Section 1168 of the Companies Act 2006;

69.1.21 “the Executive Committee”

means the committee comprising of the Officer Trustees as further described in Article 44;

69.1.22 “External Trustee”

a Trustee appointed in accordance with Article 33.1 who for the avoidance of doubt shall not be deemed to be either a major union office holder or a sabbatical union office holder for the purposes of Section 22 of the Education Act;

69.1.23 “financial expert”

an individual, company or firm who is authorised to give investment advice under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000;

69.1.24 “hard copy” and “hard have the meanings respectively given to them in copy form” the Companies Act 2006; 69.1.25 “Hour”

any full period of an hour but not including any part of a day that is a Saturday Sunday or Bank

45

Holiday in England; 69.1.26 “Members”

members of the Union being Students at Queen Mary, University of London as further defined in Article 10.1.1 and the Officer Trustees;

69.1.27 “NUS”

National Union of Students;

69.1.28 “Officer Trustee”

a Trustee elected in accordance with Article 31.1;

69.1.29 “Part-Time Officers”

the Members elected in accordance with the Bye-Laws to be officers of the Union while continuing their studies at Queen Mary, University of London;

69.1.30 “Policy”

representative and campaigning policy set by Referenda or the Student Council in accordance with Article 13 and Article 59 respectively;

69.1.31 “President”

the president of the Union, as elected by the Members in accordance with the Bye-Laws;

69.1.32 “RAG”

the raise and give society which develops students by providing them with an opportunity to raise funds for charitable causes;

69.1.33 “Referendum”

a ballot in which all Members of the Union are entitled to cast a vote, the protocol for which shall be set out in the Bye-Laws;

69.1.34 “Secure Petition”

a written request to the Union which shall be fixed in a pre-arranged place or places or held securely on-line;

69.1.35 “Student”

any individual who is formally registered for an approved programme of study provided by Queen Mary, University of London. For the avoidance of doubt, Queen Mary, University of London shall determine whether or not an individual has student status;

69.1.36 “Student Council”

the Student body elected by and from Students constituted in accordance with these Articles and the Bye-Laws of the Union;

69.1.37 “Student Trustee”

a Trustee elected in accordance with Article 32.1 who is a Student and who, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not be a major union office holder for the purposes of Section 22 of the Education

46

Act; 69.1.38 “Subsidiary Company”

any company in which the Union holds more than 50% of the shares, controls more than 50% of the voting rights attached to the shares or has the right to appoint a majority of the board of the company;

69.1.39 “Trustee” and “Trustees”

the Officer Trustees, the Student Trustees and the External Trustees;

69.1.40 “Union”

Queen Mary Students’ Union

69.1.41 “writing”

the representation or reproduction of words, symbols or other information in a visible form by any method or combination of methods, whether sent or supplied in electronic form or otherwise; and

69.1.42 “Queen Mary, University of London”

Queen Mary, University of London, incorporated by [Insert details of how institution was established, for example by an Act of Parliament or Royal Charter] on [Insert date of establishment].

69.2

Words importing the singular shall include the plural and vice versa and words importing the masculine shall include the feminine and vice versa.

69.3

Subject to Article 69.4, any reference in these Articles to an enactment includes a reference to that enactment as re-enacted or amended from time to time and to any subordinate legislation made under it.

69.4

Unless the context otherwise requires, other words or expressions contained in these Articles bear the same meaning as in the Companies Act 2006 as in force on the date when these Articles become binding on the Union.

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4.0

Creating a Full-time Officer Team that drives the Student Experience

Proposer: Seconder:

Dominic Bell (Vice-President Student Activities) Sam Creighton (Vice-President Communications)

QMSU notes: 1. Queen Mary Students‟ Union has undergone dramatic changes over the past two years, including an increased staff portfolio and a gradual shift to a stronger more representative Union.

2. QMSU Student Media is growing in size and positive steps have been made to ensure the media is increasingly student led, including Student Editors for media outlets.

3. The number of staff members involved in student activities has increased from two permanent staff members, to over six permanent staff members, removing the administrative functions from the position of VP Student Activities.

4. The core representative functions of a Students‟ Union are to improve the academic and welfare experience of students, which is currently the responsibility of one of the five Sabbatical Trustees.

5. The current Executive Officer Team comprises of five Sabbatical Trustees, which are :  President  Vice President Association/BLSA President  Vice President Education and Welfare  Vice President Communications  Vice President Student Activities QMSU believes: 1. As a result of these changes in structure, culture and linked to QMSU reviewing our governing documents the Sabbatical Trustee positions should reflect our new direction.

2. All Sabbatical Trustees should be focused on representing students and not on administrative duties.

3. That the portfolio of Vice-President Education and Welfare is too large for one Sabbatical Trustee.

4. That student media should be student led to promote increased independence, and not the responsibility of a Sabbatical Trustee.

5. That Barts and the London Student Association (BLSA) needs a full time leader to ensure its success as an association and a representative body of Medical and Dental students.

6. The roles of Vice President Student Activities and Vice President Communications are not representative roles in their day to day functions, and the majority of their workload can be done by either staff or students.

7. That the representative duties of the Vice President Student Activities can be shared between the new proposed part time officer roles and students.

8. That the new staff structure provides adequate support to represent the part time officers who would be taking on the representative duties of the Vice President Student Activities.

QMSU resolves: 1. The number of Sabbatical Trustees shall be reduced to four focused representative positions, which are:  President  Vice President Barts and The London  Vice President Education  Vice President Welfare 2. That there will no longer be a Vice President Student Activities and the representative duties should be appropriately shared amongst the relevant Part Time Officers overseen by the President, with the administrative duties being the responsibility of the appropriate Union staff members.

3. That there will no longer be a Vice President Communications and the QMessenger Media Group shall be responsible for overseeing the media of the Students‟ Union with appropriate 48

support from the Studentsâ€&#x; Union. The President will have Sabbatical Trustee responsibility for the media but will not be responsible for libel checking.

4. To mandate the Executive Committee to prepare job descriptions for the four Sabbatical Trustee positions to be presented to the next Student Council. Taking into consideration the following. i.

The President is responsible for overseeing the work of the Union (including student activities and media), Chair of the Board of Trustees, member of College Council, and to be the Unions key spokesperson to external organisation, including NUS. ii.

The Vice President Barts and the London is responsible for representing the educational and other non-educational needs of the students studying in the School of the Medicine and Dentistry. iii.

The Vice President Education is responsible for representing all students on academic issues to the College and external organisations. iv.

The Vice President Welfare is responsible for representing studentâ€&#x;s community, equal opportunities and non-educational issues.

5. To lobby the Board of Trustees to ensure there is adequate support for students involved in the media.

6. To elect students to the four new Sabbatical Trustee positions in the 2011/12 election, for st them to take effect from the 1 August 2012.

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5.0

Student-Focused Student Council

Proposer: Seconder:

Wilson Wong (Mile End Societies Officer) Sophie Richardson (President)

QMSU notes: 1. Student Council is the lead representative body of the Union that sets policy of the Union, determines the strategy and direction of the Union, and promotes and co-ordinates the Union‟s activities.

2. All elected Part-time Officers are members of Student Council, including officers that have an administrative and not a representative role.

3. Part-time Officers manage their responsibilities on a voluntary basis alongside doing their course.

4. Sabbatical Officers are elected from the same constituency of students as Part-time Officers.

5. The first object of the Union is “promoting the interests and welfare of students at the College during their course of study and representing, supporting and advising members (all students)” QMSU believes: 1. That all members of Student Council should have a representative role.

2. Campaigns should be the responsibility of all Sabbatical Officers and Representatives.

3. Ethical and Environmental Issues should be the campaigning responsibility of all Sabbatical Officers and Representatives.

4. The role of Mile End Secretary is outdated and the Union now has a full-time member of staff responsible for the administration and promotion of Student Council.

5. All faculties should be guaranteed Representative positions on Student Council.

6. First Year Students face a distinct set of issues and should have a Representative.

7. That where possible the names and roles of equivalent positions at Barts and The London and Mile End should be the same.

8. Issues faced by International Students are diverse and widely-felt and should be responsibility of two Representatives.

9. There are two distinct groups of Postgraduate Students: Postgraduate Research and Postgraduate Taught.

10. Many groups of students represented by the Black Students Officer do not self-identify as Black.

11. Issues faced by Postgraduate Taught Students, Postgraduate Research Students, International Students, First Year Students, LGBT Students, Students with Disabilities, Women Students and Black (Multi-Cultural) Students at each campus share common ground and all Representative positions, unless representative of a faculty, should represent students at all campuses.

12. That additional bodies are needed to guide and support Sabbatical Officers and the Union‟s education and welfare representation work (the first object of the Union). Members of these bodies should include relevant Representatives.

13. Position names should help to clarify the Union‟s structure.

14. Students from Barts & The London should determine their own structure for the Barts & The London Board (or the Student Presidents‟ Committee).

15. So they can effectively represent students at all campuses, Representatives representing students from all campuses should be informed and supported by a working group consisting of students from each campus.

16. Because Sabbatical Officers are elected from the same constituency of students as Part-time Officers there is reason for them to have a vote on Student Council.

17. Part-time Officers should be effectively supported and mentored by an appropriate Sabbatical Officer and members of the Union staff to manage their responsibilities.

QMSU Resolves: 1. To remove the Union positions of: 50

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

i.

Mile End Campaigns Officer ii.

Mile End Ethical and Environmental Officer iii.

Mile End Secretary Mile End Student Representatives To create the new positions of: i.

Two Barts and The London Faculty Representatives ii.

Two Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty Representatives iii.

Two Science and Engineering Faculty Representatives iv.

First Year Representative to represent students at all campuses v.

Barts & The London Volunteering Officer To replace the: i.

Mile End International Officer with an International Representative (Education) and International Representative (Welfare) to represent students at all campuses ii.

Mile End Postgraduate Officer with a Postgraduate Taught Representative and Postgraduate Research Representative to represent students at all campuses iii.

Mile End Black Students Officer with the Multi-Cultural Representative to represent students at all campuses iv.

Mile End Students with Disabilities Officer with the Students with Disabilities Representative to represent students at all campuses v.

Mile End LGBT Officer with the LGBT Representative to represent students at all campuses vi.

Mile End Womens Officer the Womens Representative to represent students at all campuses vii.

Barts & The London Clubs & Societies‟ Officer with a Barts & The London Sports Officer and Barts & The London Societies Officer To create two new bodies, the Education Zone Committee for all education representatives and the Welfare Zone Committee for all welfare representatives to guide and support the work of the relevant Sabbatical Officer.

To rename the: i.

Mile End Welfare Officer the Mile End Welfare Representative ii.

Barts & The London Officer the Barts & The London Welfare Representative To remove from Student Council, but to remain on the Barts & The London Board (or the Student President‟s Committee): i.

Barts & The London Campaigns Officer ii.

Barts & The London Communications Officer iii.

Barts & The London Dental Society President iv.

Two Barts & The London Dental Representatives. v.

Two Barts & The London Entertainments Officers vi.

Barts & The London External Affairs Officer vii.

Barts & The London Secretary viii.

Barts & The London SSLC Representative ix.

Barts & The London Student Representative x.

Barts & The London Technical Officer xi.

Barts & The London Treasurer xii.

Barts & The London Vice-President Barts xiii.

Barts & The London Vice-President London To mandate the Vice-President Association (BLSA President) to conduct a separate review and consultation of members of the Barts & The London Board (or the Student President‟s Committee).

Working Groups should be established to inform and support the work of Representatives representing students from all campuses.

To give Sabbatical Officers a vote on Student Council. st Any changes will take effect from 1 August 2012.

51

Current Council Structure

Welfare Officer

International Officer

Welfare Officer

External Affairs Officer

Womens Officer

Postgraduate Officer

Vice-President Barts

Dental Society President

Students with Disabilities Officer

Student Representative

Vice-President The London

Dental Representative

LGBT Officer

Student Representative

Entertainments Officer

Dental Representative

Black Students Officer

Student Representative

Entertainments Officer

Student Representative

Societies Officer

Student Representative

Tech Officer

SSLC Representative

Sports Officer

Secretary

Treasurer

Secretary

RAG Officer

Ethical & Environmental Officer

RAG Captain

Communications Officer

Volunteering Officer

Campaigns Officer

Clubs & Societies Officer

Campaigns Officer

Non-voting members President

Vice-President Communications

Vice-President

Education and Welfare 52

Vice-President Student Activities

Vice-President

Association (BLSA President)

Barts and The London Part-time Officers

Mile End Part-time Officers

Council Chair

Proposed Council Structure

Mile End Positions

Council Chair

Barts & The London Positons No outline - All Campuses Positions

Education Representatives (and members of the Education Zone Committee) Barts & The London Faculty Representative

Barts & The London Faculty Representative

Science and Engineering Faculty Representative

Science and Engineering Faculty Representative

Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty representative Postgraduate Taught Representative

Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty representative Postgraduate Research Representative

International Representative (Education)

First Year Representative

Womens Representative

Welfare Representatives (and members of the Welfare Zone Committee) LGBT Representative

Students with Disabilities Representative

Multi-Cultural Representative

Mile End Welfare Representative

Barts & The London Welfare Representative

International Representative (Welfare) Tech Officer

Mile End Societies Officer

Barts & The London Societies Officer Representative

Mile End Sports Officer

Barts & The London Sports Officer

Mile End RAG Officer

Barts & The London RAG Officer/Captain

Mile End Volunteering Officer

Barts & The London Volunteering Officer

Vice-President

Vice-President

(Education)

(Welfare)

Part-time Officers

Full-time Officers President

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Vice-President (Barts & The London/BLSA President)

6.0

Approval of Media Regulations

Proposer: Seconders:

Sam Creighton (Vice-President Communications) Oscar Williamson (Vice-President Education & Welfare) Caz Parra (Mile End Secretary) Ozzy Amir (Mile End Campaigns Officer)

QMSU notes: 1. Queen Mary Students‟ Union does not currently have regulations defining the role of student media funded by Queen Mary Students‟ Union and its place within the organisation.

2. This absence has previously caused confusion and conflict over both what the media should be doing and how it should be doing it.

QMSU believes: 1. An independent student media greatly enriches the student experience and improves campus life.

2. Regulations will remove the confusion that has hampered the student media at Queen Mary in previous years.

QMSU resolves: 1. The attached documents (Document 1: The aims and purpose of QMessenger Media Group and Document 2: Definitions and structure of QMessenger Media Group) clearly define the role and structure of student media funded by Queen Mary Students‟ Union.

2. These documents should be adopted with immediate effect in how the student media is run at QMSU.

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Document 1: The aims and purpose of QMessenger Media Group (QMG) 1 Preamble 1.1 QMSU recognises that it has a media group of high quality, which plays an important role in introducing students to the communications and journalism sector and in endowing them with transferable skills. QMSU can benefit from a positive association with successful enterprises which can enhance the level of debate and representation of the concerns and opinions of students.

1.2 QMSU recognises QMG as a constituent body of QMSU. QMSU recognises and shall uphold the intrinsic value of independent media on campus.

1.3 QMSU also recognises QMGâ€&#x;s right to editorial independence from the Student Council, AGM, UGM and/or Sabbatical Officers, within the parameters of this constitution and under the executive editorship of the Vice-President Communications.

1.4 The bodies of QMG shall be democratically accountable to The Collective and shall be governed according to these regulations and all other QMSU regulations.

2

Aims

2.1 The aim of QMG is to: i. Cover news and activities of QMSU, QMUL and the area local to these institutions. ii. Provide a forum for Queen Mary students to comment on issues. iii. Cover student issues in London and in the student community at large. iv. Cover other items of interest to the QMSU membership. v. To provide common ground and a forum for discussion for all the interest group at this diverse, and often fragmented, campus. vi. To be a training ground for members of QMSU with an interest in the journalism or communications sectors. vii. To advocate the views and opinions of the members of QMSU. 2.2 These aims and objectives are to be pursued in accordance with the rules laid out in this Constitution.

3 Dissemination 3.1 The VP Communications shall ensure that this document is circulated to all editors on appointment, and is made freely available for reference in the QMSU Reception and on the QMSU website. The editor shall be responsible for bringing the protocol to the attention of all contributors.

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Document 2: Definitions and structure of QMessenger Media Group (QMG) 1

Definitions and Structure

1.1 QMG shall be comprised of at least the following: QMessenger (newspaper), CUB (magazine supplement), QMTV (television network), Quest (radio) and QMessenger.co.uk (website).

1.2 In this document, „editor‟ is taken to mean one of the following:  Executive Editor, QMG  Managing Editor, QMessenger  Managing Editor, CUB  Managing Editor, QMessenger.co.uk  Station Manager, QMTV  Station Manager, Quest 1.3 QMG shall be governed by The Collective. To become a member of the Collective, an individual must either hold an editorial position within QMG or have contributed a minimum of four times to QMG over the previous twelve months and be enrolled as a student at QMUL. The Collective shall be chaired by the Executive Editor 1.4 The editors shall be responsible for ensuring that contributors are added as Collective members once they are eligible. The Collective chair is responsible for checking this is done correctly. You may only sit on the Collective, or contribute to QMG in any way, if you are a full member of QMSU. 1.5 The Collective is an independent balance to the Managing Editors and Editorial Boards of QMG and shall be responsible for representing the interests of QMG as a whole. The chair shall be unbiased in addressing complaints against editors or contributors, and ensure, in tandem with the QMSU Executive that the editors and contributors act in accordance with QMSU‟s regulations.

Meetings should be held at least monthly. Quoracy for a Collective meeting shall be 25%. If a member of the Collective misses three consecutive meetings without explanation they shall lose their place on the Collective and any editorial position they hold within QMedia.

1.6 Each station manager/managing editor must present a report, written or verbal, to be presented at each Collective meeting on the status and progress of their media outlet.

1.7 Each publication shall have a managing editor/station manager and editorial board.

1.8 All managing editor/station manager positions shall be elected by the Collective. Elections shall be carried out in the latter half of the second semester. Elections shall be conducted by a secret ballot, the count shall be presided over by both the VP Communications and the Student Voice and Development Manager. Only members of The Collective may vote and each member shall have one vote only. People may vote by proxy, but only if they provide their vote in writing to the VP Communications a minimum of 24 hours before the election. Before a vote is taken all candidates have the opportunity to give a speech at a hustings and answer questions. The hustings are open to all QMSU members. All section editor positions shall be appointed by the relevant managing editor after the applicant has completed an application form, a relevant test and been interviewed by the relevant managing editor, the VP Communications and one other managing editor. Re-open nominations (RON) should always be a candidate in all elections. If RON wins the election then nominations for the position will be re-opened and the process restarted.

1.9 All editors must sign a copy of the QMG Editorial Contract (found at the end of this document) to be able to take up their position.

1.10 A vote of censure against an editor at the Collective may be taken without notice. A vote of no confidence in an editor shall be given one week's notice, and if successful shall constitute the editor's removal from office. Motions of Censure shall require a simple majority to pass and Motions of No Confidence shall require a two-thirds majority to pass.

1.11 If a motion of censure is passed against any editor, a motion of No Confidence in that editor will then be proposed. Any student may propose a motion of censure or No Confidence, but they will only be voted upon by the Collective.

2

Editorial Independence

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QMG shall remain editorially independent. However this is limited by the parameters set out below: 2.1 All media outlets must make it clear that they are a part of QMSU. 2.2 Each publication must make clear that the views expressed are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of QMSU. 2.3 No reporting shall mention a member of the QMSU staff without the prior written agreement of that member of staff.

2.4 As QMSU are the publishers of all QMG products, the VP Communications shall retain the right to remove or stop publication or broadcast of any content that may be illegal, unlawful or libellous.

2.5 Each editor shall recognise their responsibility to ensure transparency in decision-making and the importance of broad student opinion. As such, each editor shall make a report and answer questions at The Collective. In making decisions, editors should also give some recognition to the policies of the Union.

2.6 Each publication must observe proper journalistic standards of ethics, as defined by the National Union of Journalists Code of Conduct.

2.7 At no time during the year shall any publication or broadcast express a preference (either positive or negative) for any candidate for election within the Union. Coverage of elections or candidates must also comply with the articles found in the below section „Election Coverageâ€&#x;.

2.8 While editorially independent, all QMG outlets have an obligation to report on and advertise major QMSU events, including, but not limited to: Student Council Meetings, UGMs, AGMs, Sabb Question Times, major QMSU campaigns and QMSU Elections.

3

Review of content 3.1 All content should be subject to review by the VP Communications before it is disseminated to the student body.

3.2 The only exception is live broadcasting. QMSU understands that all QMG outlets have the ability to produce live coverage and that it is integral for them to be able to do so in order to reach their full potential. If live-broadcasting is being carried out, the VP Communications shall review content and will be obliged to broadcast an apology and correction at the early possible opportunity and, if still broadcasting, end broadcasting, if they feel that content is contravening either this Constitution, other QMSU regulations or the law of the land. Any such content may not be retransmitted or podcasted.

4. Complaints 4.1 All members of the Union shall be entitled make a complaint about QMG. They shall additionally be entitled to a reply from The Collective.

4.2 If a student wishes to make a complaint against any part of QMG, they can either contact the Editor of that publication, a Sabbatical Officers or submit a motion to The Collective 4.3 The initial decision making body on how to respond to a complaint shall be the Collective.

Responses could include, but not limited to; a retraction, apology, opportunity to offer an alternative view, or disciplinary action against an editor or individual member of the editorial board or committee of the publication.

4.4 If the student is unsatisfied with the response they are able to take the complaint further through the QMSU Complaints Procedure.

5 QMG coverage of QMSU elections 5.1 Media coverage of all candidates must be fair, balanced and impartial 5.2 When interviewed, candidates running for each position must be asked the same questions and the same questions must be published for all candidates within that position.

5.3 All opportunities for coverage must be fair and accessible for all candidates, no candidate should be penalised for not taking up the opportunity.

5.4 Questions must be agreed in consultation with election officials before the start of the interview.

5.5 Content to be made by or about any candidate must be discusses with election officials before it is published.

5.6 No person directly involved with election coverage may run in the election or openly support any candidate after the close of nominations.

6. Breaches of the protocol

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6.1 Responsibility for initial investigation of breaches of this Constitution and their amelioration will lie with the VP Communications. If the allegation of breach of the protocol is against the VP Communications, then this responsibility will instead lie with a nominee of the Sabbatical Officers. If the matter is still unresolved, it will be passed on as appropriate.

7 Dissemination 7.1 The VP Communications shall ensure that this document is circulated to all editors on appointment, and is made freely available for reference in the QMSU Reception and on the QMSU website. The editor shall be responsible for bringing the protocol to the attention of all contributors.

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7.0

Support November 9th Demonstration

Proposer: Seconder:

Ozzy Amir (Mile End Campaigns Officer) Donald MacKinnon (Mile End LGBT Officer) Edoardo Palombo (Mile End Welfare Officer) Michael Gilbert (Mile End Postgraduate Officer) Andrew Kanyemba (Mile End Black Students Officer) Wanda Canton (Mile End Womens Officer) Ciara Squires (Mile End Student Representative) Ross Speer (Mile End Socialist Worker Students Society)

QMSU Notes: 1. The cap on University tuition fees has been tripled and the Education Maintenance Allowance is closed to new applicants alongside funding cuts of 40% in universities and 25% in colleges.

2. In 2010, a series of student demonstrations and occupations took place that began with the NUS supported November 10th demonstration to fight back against education attacks.

3. The legislation to raise fees was passed on December 9th with a much reduced majority for the government.

4. The HE White Paper now seeks to fully privatise Higher Education at the cost to students and educationalists.

5. A demonstration has been called by the Education Activist Network and is supported by the NUS. QMSU Believes: 1. Education is a right, not a privilege.

2. That the fight against fees and cuts to higher education is not over and the HE White Paper is another attack on higher education which students should mobilise to defeat.

3. That action is needed to oppose the marketisation of higher education alongside fees and cuts and that this action should be co-ordinated at a national level between students and educationalists.

QMSU Resolves: 1. To support the demonstration on November 9th.

2. To build support for the demonstration at Queen Mary and to encourage as many students and staff as possible to attend.

3. To mandate all Sabbatical Officers and the Student Council to contribute to the build up to the demonstration on campus and, excepting any extenuating circumstances, attend the demonstration on November 9th.

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8.0

Support 30th November

Proposer: Seconders:

Eduardo Palombo (Mile End Welfare Officer) Donald MacKinnon (Mile End LGBT Officer) Wanda Canton (Mile End Womens Officer) Ozzy Amir (Mile End Campaigns Officer) Ciara Squires (Mile End Student Representative) Andrew Kanyemba (Mile End Black Students Officer) Michael Gilbert (Mile End Postgraduate Officer)

QMSU notes: 1. Co-ordinated strike action has been called on November 30th by the TUC 2. This may involve over 3 million working people from the unions Unison, GMB, Unite, NIPSA, FBU, PCS, Prospect, NUT, ATL, UCU, NASUWT, NAHT, UCAC, EIS 3. That this union has previously taken a stance of support for UCU strikes QMSU believes: 1. That strike action on June 30th was a success in that it has led to a wider fight-back against the governmentâ€&#x;s austerity plans and directly led to November 30th, but the fight is not yet won 2. That we should stand with working people in their struggles to save their pensions just as they have stood with us in the fight against fees 3. The increase in pension contributions that the government is proposing amounts to a pay cut and is unfair and unnecessary 4. The fight for pensions being taken up through strike action is one and the same with the fight against fees and HE cuts and strike action is a proven effective method at leveraging such demands as the ones this union already supports (anti-fees, anti-cuts) 5. Strike action is taken on a democratic basis by trade unions and is being taken as a last resort. The government has refused to enter serious negotiations over pensions or, for that matter, higher education reforms QMSU resolves: 1. To support the Unite the Resistance conference on 19th November that has been organised

by NEC members from the PCS, NUT, UCU and Unite and to send a delegation from Queen Mary 2. That if strike action takes place, or any other action as a result of ballots: i.

To publicly declare support for the noted trade unions and the November 30th strike action in general ii.

To work within the student body to explain the situation and make clear that strike action by staff and other workers is key to winning the battle against cuts and that student support will aid immeasurably in ensuring a strike is short and effective iii.

To meet with QM UCU and Unison representatives and decide upon join action as necessary (statements, picket lines etc.)

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9.0

Defend the Right to Protest affiliation

Proposer: Seconders:

Wanda Canton (Mile End Womens Officer) Donald MacKinnon (Mile End LGBT Officer) Ozzy Amir (Mile End Campaigns Officer) Eduardo Palombo (Mile End Welfare Officer) Ciara Squires (Mile End Student Representative) Andrew Kanyemba (Mile End Black Students Officer) Michael Gilbert (Mile End Postgraduate Officer)

QMSU notes: 1. In the days leading up to the royal wedding, police made a number of pre-emptive arrests.

Activists were arrested on the charge of “conspiracy to cause public nuisance and breach of the peace” for trying to organise anti-monarchy street theatre. Large teams of officers raided squats. Students arrested in the aftermath of the tuition fees protests had their hearings moved forward and were charged and banned from the City of Westminster.

2. On March 26 over 140 UK Uncut protestors were arrested for occupying the Fortnum and Mason store on Regent St. Video evidence and eyewitness testimonies show an entirely peaceful occupation, yet all those arrested were detained and now face serious charges.

3. This follows routine use of violent tactics by police against the student protests, including routine use of kettling, batons and charges by mounted officers. On November 24 and December 9 thousands were kettled without food or water for hours into the winter night. Alfie Meadows needed emergency brain surgery after being hit with a baton. Tahmeena Bax was knocked unconscious and Jody McIntyre was twice dragged from his wheelchair by police.

4. Over 200 arrests have been made from the student protests in London alone. Some protestors face charges of violent disorder, an offence carrying an immediate custodial sentence of up to 5 years.

5. A Defend the Right to Protest campaign has been initiated by London Region UCU and supported by MPs, leading trade unionists and academics including Tony Benn, John McDonnell MP, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Mark Serwotka, Jeremy Dear, Billy Bragg, Slavoj Zizek, Naomi Klein, David Harvey amongst others.

6. Defend the Right to Protest is already supported by the NUS, our national union QMSU believes: 1. There is no place for crowd control and intimidation tactics by the police such as kettling, batoning, use of dogs, charges by mounted police, use of tasers, use of film interviews of unaccompanied minors and other techniques that threaten the right to protest and deter people from protesting.

2. This kind of policing effectively criminalises the act of protesting at the very time when the government‟s cuts to public services are opposed by millions. Now more than ever our democratic right to protest must be defended.

3. It is vital for all those who value our right to protest to stand in solidarity with students and others who have been arrested or injured by police on these demonstrations – to come to their assistance and to join them when they march again.

QMSU resolves: 1. To defend all those protesters who have been arrested, bailed or charged and are fighting to clear their names – including Alfie Meadows, Bryan Simpson and the occupiers of Fortnum and Mason. To publicise and support meetings, protests and other forms of solidarity organised to show support for those arrested.

2. To condemn police brutality and the use of violence on demonstrations and to call for an end to „kettling‟ and all other crowd control tactics that intimidate and threaten the right to protest.

To condemn the use of pre-emptive arrests against activists as seen in the days leading up to the royal wedding.

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3. To join the UCU and NUS in calling for a public enquiry and an investigation into the arrests and other brutalities on demonstrators, including an investigation into the police officers involved.

4. To affiliate to the Defend the Right to Protest campaign 5. To contribute ÂŁ200 to the Defend the Right to Protest campaign 6. To sign up to and circulate as widely as possible the Defend the Right to Protest statement.

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10.0

Justice for Palestine

Proposer: Seconder:

William Seddin (Mile End Palestine Solidarity Society) Wanda Canton (Mile End Womens Officer)

QMSU notes: 1. The British Prime Minister David Cameron stated that the “people in Gaza are living under constant attacks and pressure in an open-air prison” in July 2010.

2. Leader of the Labour Party Ed Miliband said in September 2010: “The Gaza blockade must be lifted and we must strain every sinew to work to make that happen”.

3. The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office states that Israel‟s ongoing settlement expansions are “not only illegal under international law” but also “a major barrier to our pursuit of a lasting peace agreement in the Middle East”.

4. The Trade Union Congress and many individual Trade Unions have taken the decision to actively campaign for a end to Israel‟s illegal occupation and for an end to the siege of Gaza.

QMSU believes: 1. International law, including UN resolutions should be fully applied and the human rights of all should be equally respected.

2. All forms of racism, including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, are completely unacceptable and should be opposed.

QMSU resolves: 1. To oppose the illegal occupation of Palestine in line with UN resolutions and to call for an end to the siege on Gaza.

2. To mark the „International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People‟ which is called by the United Nations by publishing a statement on the QMSU website calling for the full implementation of UN resolutions.

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11.0

Boycott Israeli Goods

Proposer: Seconders:

Wanda Canton (Mile End Womens Officer) Ross Speer (Socialist Workers Student Society) Sam Playle (Palestinian Solidarity Society) Ozzy Amir (Campaigns Officer) Donald MacKinnon (LGBT Officer) Edoardo Palombo (Welfare Officer) Ciara Squires (Mile End Student Representative) Andrew Kanyemba (Mile End Black Students Officer)

QMSU notes: 1. In 1948, 750,000 of the Palestinian people were driven from their homes and the state of Israel was created on the land of 78% of British Mandate Palestine. Today there are 5.0 million Palestinian refugees registered with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) [1] who are still blocked from returning to their homeland.

2. On December 11th 1948 the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed Resolution 194 stipulating, in particular, “that the refugees wishing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbors should be permitted to do so at the earliest practicable date.” [2] 3. Since 1967, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip (the occupied Palestinian territories - OPT) have been under an Israeli military occupation, whose brutality has been attested by numerous reputable international (International Committee of the Red Cross, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch)[3-5], Palestinian (Palestinian Centre for Human Rights) [6] and Israeli (B'Tselem, Machsom Watch, Gisha) [7,9,24] groups.

4. On November 22nd 1967 the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) unanimously passed Resolution 242 calling for the withdrawal of the Israeli Defense Forces from territories occupied in the six day war. [8] 5. Since 2007, the Gaza Strip has been blockaded by Israel [9] (with the complicity of Egypt) with [10] dire effect on the quality of the life of the 1.6 million Palestinians who live there, including [11] access to education .

6. That the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and Israel have been holding negotiations since 1993. This has not led to a solution, and furthermore, in the time since talks began the number of Israeli settlers living illegally in the OPT has increased from 125,000 [12] to 478,000 [13] and Israel has built a wall in the West Bank which the International Court of Justice judged was a violation of international law in 2004 [14].

7. That in 2005, 171 non-governmental Palestinian civil society organizations including trade unions, associations, campaigns and refugee rights organizations, issued a call for a campaign of boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israel until it complies with international law and Palestinian rights. [15] 8. That Israeli peace groups such as BOYCOTT! “have come to the conclusion that these practices [the occupation] will end only when their cost for Israel- its elites in particularoutweighs the benefits” and therefore “endorse the Palestinian call as is”.[22] whereas other [23] Israeli groups such as Peace Now call for a boycott of the settlements.

9. That the BDS call is not against individuals of any nationality, ethnicity or religion, rather against products and companies (Israeli and international) that profit from the violation of Palestinian rights.

10. That “Israel‟s largest and most important water reservoir.” is in the occupied West Bank and Israel gets one third of its water supply from there,[16] therefore much Israeli produce is made with stolen Palestinian water; meanwhile Palestinians live on less than a quarter as much water as Israelis.[17] 11. That the University of London Union (ULU) voted in May 2011 to support Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions of Israel [18] following University of Sussex Student Union which voted to boycott Israeli goods in November 2009.[19]

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12. That the National Union of Students (NUS) voted to support Freedom for Palestine in May 2011, resolving in particular to “demand freedom for Palestine, calling for an end to the siege [20] of Gaza and occupation of the West Bank and the right to return for all refugees.”

13. That an international boycott campaign was instrumental in bringing about an end to [21] Apartheid in South Africa.

QMSU believes: 1.

2.

3.

4.

That the situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable.

That no-one should have to live under a military occupation.

That no-one should be denied the right to live in their homeland based on their ethnicity.

That peace in the Middle East is vital, and no resolution of the situation equitable to all parties will be forthcoming without international pressure to redress the huge power imbalance between Israel and the Palestinians.

5. That BDS is an effective non-violent tactic that educates people about the issues and can apply economic and political pressure to help effect change.

6. That unions have a moral responsibility to heed the call of oppressed peoples, as was done so proudly during the boycott campaign to end Apartheid in South Africa.

7. That all racism including Islamophobia, antisemitism and prejudice against persons with Israeli or Palestinian nationality is wrong.

QMSU resolves: 1. To boycott Israeli goods until the human rights of Palestinians are restored, in particular not to sell Israeli products in any of its outlets and not to hire contractors who profit from the violation of Palestinians' human rights.

2. To convey this decision to the Principal of Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL) and to strongly urge the Principal to ensure that QMUL divests from companies which profit from the violation of Palestinians' human rights.

3. To publicize this decision by displaying it on its website and including it in an email to all members.

4. To continue to work to foster an environment free of racism and other forms of discrimination on QMUL campuses.

References: st

[1] UNRWA. In Figures As Of 1 January 2011 http://www.unrwa.org/userfiles/2011092751539.pdf [2] United Nations. Resolutions Adopted By The General Assembly During Its Third Session. http://www.un.org/documents/ga/res/3/ares3.htm [3] International Committee of the Red Cross. Annual Report: Israel, the occupied territories and the autonomous Palestinian territories. http://www.icrc.org/eng/assets/files/annual-report/current/icrc-annual-report-2010-israel.pdf [4] Amnesty International. 2011 Annual Report on Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories. http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/israel-occupied-palestinian-territories/report-2011 [5] Human Rights Watch. Separate and Unequal - Israel’s Discriminatory Treatment of Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/iopt1210webwcover_0.pdf [6] Palestinian Centre For Human Rights. Annual Report 2010. http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/2011/Annual%202010%20E.pdf [7] B'Tselem. Human Rights Review 1 January 2009 to 30 April 2010. http://www.btselem.org/download/2009_annual_report_eng.pdf [8] United Nations. Security Council Resolutions – 1967. http://www.un.org/documents/sc/res/1967/scres67.htm [9] Gisha – Legal Center for Freedom of Movement. A Guide to the Gaza Closure: In Israel’s Own Words. http://www.gisha.org/UserFiles/File/publications/gisha_brief_docs_eng_sep_2011.pdf [10] Palestinian Center for Human Rights. Illegal Closure of the Gaza Strip: Collective Punishment of the Civilian Population. http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/2010/Illegal%20Closur.pdf [11] Gisha – Legal Center for Freedom of Movement. Held Back: Students Trapped in Gaza. http://www.gisha.org/UserFiles/File/Students_report_Eng-Online_Version.pdf [12] BBC News Website. Settlers: Claiming the 'Promised Land'. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/middle_east/2001/israel_and_the_palestinians/issues/981554.stm [13] B'Tselem. Settlements & land - Land Expropriation and Statistics. http://www.btselem.org/settlements/statistics [14] International Court of Justice. Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/131/1677.pdf [15] BDS Movement. Palestinian Civil Society Call for BDS. http://www.bdsmovement.net/call [16] Haim Gvirtzman, Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies, Bar-Ilan University. Maps of Israeli Interests in Judea and Samaria. Determining the Extent of the Additional Withdrawals: The Map of Water Resources. http://www.biu.ac.il/Besa/publications/maps/mapwater.htm [17] BBC News Website. Report: Palestinians denied water. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8327188.stm

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[18] BDS Movement. Largest student union in Europe joins boycott of Israel. http://www.bdsmovement.net/2011/largest-ulu7064 [19] The Jewish Chronicle Online. Sussex Students' Union agrees Israel boycott. http://www.thejc.com/campus/campusnews/21643/sussex-students-union-agrees-israel-boycott [20] Palestine Solidarity Campaign. NUS votes to support freedom for Palestine. http://palestinecampaign.org/index7b.asp?m_id=1&l1_id=4&l2_id=24&Content_ID=1953 [21] Action for South Africa: The Anti Apartheid Movement http://www.actsa.org/page-1438-AAM.html [22] BOYCOTT! Points of unity. http://boycottisrael.info/node/2/ [23] Peace Now. Peace Now Launches Boycott Settlement Campaign. http://peacenow.org.il/eng/content/peace-now-launchesboycott-settlement-campaign [24] Machsom Watch. Obstacle Course - Conduct of the Israel Police in the Occupied West Bank - December 2010. http://www.machsomwatch.org/sites/default/files/Obstacle%20Course1.pdf

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12.0

Condemnation of Library Staff Redundancies

Proposer: Michael Gilbert (Mile End Postgraduate Officer) Seconder: Ozzy Amir (Mile End Campaigns Officer) QMSU notes: 1. As part of a major reorganisation of the Public Services department of QM library, management are proposing a reduction in staff numbers from 82 to 56. This would result in 26 job losses.

2. On 6th July, management opened a 30 day consultation process with staff in accordance with their legal duty. However, as approximately two-thirds of affected staff are on term-time only contracts they were not in work for all or part of the consultation period.

3. On July 7th a Unison backed petition was presented to library management, signed by 29 members of staff (virtually every member of staff at work over the summer). Management rejected this petition out of hand.

4. On 22nd July the Library Workers Group entered a formal grievance procedure against library management under HR guidelines, this time with 35 staff signatures. Guidelines specify a 20 day time limit between a grievance being filed and an initial consultation with an investigating officer. The Library Workers Group, however, had to push hard for a meeting that eventually transpired on the 12th September, 36 days after submission. The grievance procedure is still ongoing.

QMSU believes: 1. It is outrageous that skilled and valued members of staff are being axed from the library. The library workers in question earn less than £10,000 a year while 95 staff at QMUL are paid over £100,000. It is not right that some of the lowest paid members of staff must face redundancy before those on high wages consider taking a pay cut.

2. The formal grievance has been dealt with negligently by college management.

3. Students should stand alongside staff to fight all redundancies and cuts and Queen Mary.

4. The consultation period with staff was poorly timed and insufficiently democratic.

QMSU resolves: 1. To campaign actively against redundancies at the library and to oppose all staff cuts at Queen Mary, working directly with library staff and the Library Workers Group to organise demonstrations and raise awareness about the proposed job losses.

2. To condemn management‟s treatment of the Library Workers Group and support a swift a thorough resolution of the group‟s formal grievance procedure.

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