Summary from the All Student Forum on Tuesday 28th April
There were three items on the agenda that sparked some very productive discussion among students at our last All Student Forum:
1. The proposed Union-run Wetherspoon franchise
2.The Draft Students' Association Laws
3.The role of the Rector's Assessor in Student Association structures
The forum resulted in students having a better understanding of what a franchise would be like within the Union, the Draft Laws reaching consensus with a review scheduled for January, and a discussion about the Rector's Assessor role within the Association.
1. The proposed Union-run Wetherspoon franchise
The first agenda item was the proposed Union-run Wetherspoon franchise. Chris Clarke, the associations Chief Operating Officer, provided a presentation. Chris Clarke explained that the Union would maintain control over the space, staffing, and management.
The main changes that franchising would bring about are primarily supply chains and systems. Chris's presentation was followed by a question and answer session. Students asked a range of question from the timeline of the building work to society usage of the space, and how whole building events would look.
Discussions with JD Wetherspoon are ongoing and a final decision will be made imminently.
2.The Draft Students' Association Laws
The second agenda item was to gain consensus on the Draft Student Association Laws.
A proposal was presented for the new draft laws. Following some great discussion and contribution from students, with concerns raised over whether the referenda threshold was set too high.
The laws passed consensus with minor amendments. They will be reviewed in January, allowing them to be tested for one semester before being improved and built upon.
3.The role of the Rector's Assessor in Student Association structures.
Cam Brown, the current Rector’s Assessor gave a presentation about how the role currently operates. This was followed by open discussion amongst students, covering how the representation the Rector provides can best be integrated within Association structures, how to most effectively support the Rector in their work, and how to ensure the independence of the role is maintained.
The Forum was a productive space for students to contribute to important issues affecting the Association, and student community.
Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the discussions.
Minutes from all All Student Forums can be found here.
Attend our next All Student Forum on the 8th of June online or in person.