Governance Reform
The SU has undergone one of the biggest reforms in the last 15 years challenging assumptions and changing the way it plans to engage with its students and manage the internal processes.
This has been long overdue and it needed an alternative solution to move it into the 21st century to meet the needs of its diverse student body and help to achieve the mission of being the legitimate student voice.
Why we have changed
Need to reduce barriers to involvement
The new model challenges the assumptions that anyone who has anything to say must be elected or attend a mass meeting. This is not fit for purpose for a modern, outcome-driven union with a diverse student body. The new structure allows any student to influence the work of their student union.
Changes to Charity Law
All student unions will be required to register as a charity which means that the structures need to mirror those that are already existing.
Low participation in current structure
The old model could be operated by a small number of elected students but unfortunately led to lower levels of engagement and did not reflect the diversity of our modern university.
- Last year sabb positions were not contested
- Part time officers often leave half way through the year
- Difficulty in getting attendance at general meeting and student council
We are a modern 21st century union driven by outcomes but are stuck with a model suited for less diverse traditional red brick intuitions.
Need to reduce bureaucracy
Be more accountable and transparent
Why it is better for students
- 7 elected more relevant positions in close affinity with union membership
- External trustees who can provide expert advice
- Student engagement strategy with staff to support it
Student engagement has to be at the heart of any new governance model
Timeline of Change
(18 month process)
Sept 2007 governance review group set up
Jan 2008 Consultant brought in Jan 2008
Jan-March Consultation with key student groups/ student council/ MMUnion executive/ other students union/ university senior management about their experience of current systems and their aspirations of a union
April Student council and executive shaped new governance thinking through a discussion paper which went to council
May 2008 Draft articles and then the final version were passed unanimously at council, the sovereign body of the SU
July – October 2008 Summer 2008 after the period of wide involvement the working group put together the supporting bye-laws with university legal team
October 2008 – Approved by Union Executive
November 2008 – approval from board of governors after following the democratic procedures.
December – Present -transitional period
Nicola Lee (Union President)
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