Our Memorandum and Articles of Association (M&As) is the governing document that defines the Students' Unions aims and objectives and the way the organisation undertakes its core functions. They manage how the SU is run, governed and owned by the members.
The UPSU Trustee Board is formally proposing changes to the M&As to provide greater flexibility to the decision making within the SU, ensuring that our decision making structures are more accessible and led by students.
The All Student Meeting is asked to approve the attached amendments to the Memorandum and Articles of Association (the Governing Document) of UPSU.
To reduce the number of students required to sign a petition to call a referendum from 400 to 1% of the student membership. This is line with a resolution passed at Union Council on the 9th Feb 2021. Based on current HESA data the student popluation at University of Plymouth is 18,410 (1% would be 184 students)
To remove the specific numbers of each trustee type listed in the Articles of Association, to allow such decisions to be taken jointly by the Trustees and Union Council. To further note a formal proposal to increase the number of student trustees on the Board from two to four.
To reduce the maximum term which external trustees may serve on the Board by one year and to require ratification by Union Council of external trustees at the end of each term of three years, should they wish to continue to serve on the Board (to the maximum of three terms in total).
To recognise that External Trustees and Student Trustees, ratified by Union Council must be able to be removed by that body, and not by a referendum of all students.
To recognise that Student Trustees (as well as External Trustees) appointed by the Board must be able to be removed by that body.
To reduce the number of students required to sign a petition to trigger a motion of no confidence in an elected officer either through a referendum or a vote at Union Council from 800 to 1% of the student membership.
To remove the list of committees that are required from the Memorandum and Articles and move it to the Bye-Laws. This is to allow the Board of Trustees (with the agreement of Union Council) to establish such committees as are required to properly govern the Students’ Union