The Governance Review Briefing
'Governance' refers to the manner in which something is governed or regulated; method of management, system of regulations
We are changing the overall structure, how we are going to change things for you, and also changing the trustee board and officers you elect.
A Full Copy of the Structure is available from President@ucreative.ac.uk
Students are the foundation to everything that the Union does. This structure reinforces the separation of financial management and representational activity (which includes social, recreational and campaigns).
1. Campus Parliaments– The body of elected campus representatives (p3) and students that considers and votes on policy and constitutional changes. The Parliament includes all members of the Campus Representation Committee and replaces the current Union General Meetings and Campus General Meetings. The first Campus Parliament of the year will be an Annual General Meeting. The Campus Parliaments can vote on both cross campus and local policy issues. When a motion affects all campuses, each Campus parliament will be allocated a vote that is weighted according to the FTE student numbers at the Campus at the time of the vote. A detailed policy will be published ready for next academic year. The Quorum will be 20 ordinary members including the campus representatives.
2. Representation Committee– comprising the full-time sabbatical officers (p2) will focus on the political and campaigning activity of the Union (replaces The Central Executive) Campus representation committees are sub-committees and the minutes will be approved and noted at the Representation Committee.
3. Student Forums –are open to all members and discuss policy issues relating to activities and development/Education and Welfare and give student feedback.
4. The Trustee Board will include the 4 full-time sabbatical officers, 5 voluntary Campus Officers and 3 external trustees. The Chair will be elected annually by the Board from amongst the full-time sabbatical trustee. The SU Chief Executive will be responsible to the Trustee board through the full-time sabbatical officers. The Board will meet 4 Times a year
5. Senior Management Team (SMT) – The Sub-Committee and scrutiny body for the Trustee Board made up of the Representation Officer, the Activities and Development Officer, the Chief Executive and the Finance Manager.
6. Remuneration Committee This Committee will be made up of non paid trustees to discuss periodically the allocation of remuneration of full time officers. Staff salaries will still be recommended by the Chief Executive to the Trustees.
7. Advisory and Working group - from time to time formal groups will be set up to advise Campus parliaments and the Trustee Board on strategic and developmental issues facing the Union. For example Investor in People
Full-time Sabbatical Trustees
All officers have similarly weighted Job descriptions and are of equal status. These officers work across the organisation to protect the overall function of the full time officers to help student officers and staff at their campus base. Expenses for travel to other sites will be met by the Students’ Union, however travel to office bases will not be covered.
Representation Officer – Chair of the Representation Committee
Lead officer for stakeholder liaison
This officer will be elected by cross campus ballot and based at the Campus of their choice (minimum of 3 days a week, 2 days will involve travel to other sites.) Their responsibilities will include the student governor role and leading representation on Institutional committees, supporting campus site trustees, and campus parliaments across the organisation. This officer is a member of the Senior Management Team.
Activities and Development Officer – Chairs Activities and Development forums
This Officer will be elected by cross campus ballot. Their responsibilities will include Leading the new Student Development team and focusing on Activities across the organisation. This officer is a member of the Senior Management Team.
Kent Education and Welfare Officer – Chairs Kent based Ed and Welfare forums
This officer will be elected by Kent campuses only and leads the work in Kent campuses Their responsibilities include campaigns, advancing the education of the membership through awareness activities and projects.
Surrey Education and Welfare Officer – Chairs Surrey Based Ed and Welfare forums
This officer will be elected by Surrey campuses only and leads the work in Surrey campuses Their responsibilities include campaigns, advancing the education of the membership through awareness activities and projects.
Unpaid Volunteer Trustees
Five Campus Officers (non portfolio) – Chair of the Campus Parliament. These officers are elected by the students on the campus where they are based. Work load is limited as the full time paid officers and staff will coordinate and administer these meetings. Their role is simply to chair campus parliaments and attend. The role is not similar to that of the current Vice Presidents. It is similar to roles at other cross campus Unions e.g. University of Cumbria, where currently enrolled students form part of Union decision making bodies and the Trustee Board.
Students elected to this voluntary role may wish to stand for election to a full-time sabbatical post in the following year. Should they be elected to a full-time post, they would be ineligible to stand for a further term in that capacity. To be confirmed.
Campus representatives (non-trustee)
LGBT Rep
Women’s Welfare Rep
Men’s Welfare Rep
Black Students Rep
Students with Disabilities Rep
Activities Rep
Ents and Social Rep
International Students Rep
Post grad and Mature Students Rep
Environmental and Ethics Rep
