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Students' Representative Council

Student Representative Council (SRC)

Following the Democracy Review and Referendum in 2024, our democratic structures have changed. We have introduced Executives and Forums for specific remit areas, to improve the process of developing policy and campaigns. These groups meet more frequently to ensure that action can be taken in a more timely fashion. We have also introduced the Union Executive, where the Union Executive Officers and the chairs of the Forums, meet to lead on democratic governance, the strategic direction of the Union, and oversee policy implementation.

The SRC has changed to act as an all-student forum, to streamline our democratic processes, whilst retaining a democratic space for all students to get involved. The SRC is the legally recognised body for student representation at St Andrews, under the Universities (Scotland) Act, 1889, though specific remit matters are devolved to the Forums and Forum Executives for action and discussion.

Please see these webpages for more about the Forum Executives and Forums.

Please see the below diagram for a visual explanation of how each democratic group feeds into each other:

The SRC will discuss issues that affect the Association as a whole, such as large-scale policy changes or democratic overhaul that goes beyond one of the Executive remits. This space can also be used to workshop strategic developments that are relevant to the Union as a whole, or to the broad student experience. For example, if there were ever to be another democracy review, it would need to go to SRC as part of the consultation process.

All students are members of the SRC and as such are invited to attend to hear updates, and to make their voices heard. The SRC will meet a minimum of once per semester.

Rather than the motion structure previously utilised by SRC, we will use a consensus model. When an issue is brought up, we will split into small groups to discuss the topic. Groups will then feedback, and a degree of consensus will be decided upon:

  • Total consensus: broadly positive feedback and agreement
  • Part consensus: the idea is roughly acceptable, but it needs to be refined
  • No consensus: the idea is not accepted

Where either part or no consensus is reached, small groups will further discuss to either:

  • Identify next steps
  • Suggest changes that may help with areas of conflict
  • Investigate what common ground can be found

Groups can then feedback with recommendations or actions before moving forward. Actions may include things like:

  • Consultation with relevant student or staff groups
  • Development of policy, procedure, or guidance
Meeting dates

Any matriculated student can attend the SRC, and we encourage all students to attend.

The SRC will meet at least once per semester.

Submit an item for discussion

If there's an issue you think the Students' Association should address, you can submit an item for discussion by writing to the  Union Executive (UnionExec@), or by bringing your discussion item  through the new Forum and Executive structures initially before it is brought to SRC.

Any matriculated student may add an item to the agenda.

Contact

Pre-Democracy Review Documents

Past and present meeting agendas, minutes, and motions.

2024/25
2023/24
2022/23
2021/22
2020/21
2019/20
2018/19
2017/18
2016/17
2015/16
2014/15
2013/14