SU constitution process running behind schedule

At the moment the new SU constitution is top secret. Photo: Spekulator

The new Students’ Union constitution will not be presented for debate at the first Union Council meeting of semester two as originally planned, the College View has learned.

The first Council meeting is scheduled to take place on February 17.

SU education and welfare officer, John Murphy, confirmed the delay telling the College View: “the original hope was to have it ready for the first union council meeting of semester two. However, if this [were] to happen, it would have been very rushed… it could potentially be a disaster if it is rushed and not thought through.”

A nine-member committee was formed at the first Union Council meeting and is charged with reviewing the constitution and making recommendations on changes.

Alan Keegan, Students’ Union president confirmed to this paper at the start of last semester that “the constitution in its current format [did not] suffice,” and since then the Constitutional Review Committee has been working on a replacement document.

In fact, the current constitution was accidently presented to students and voted upon, despite not being the final draft.

Students’ Union sources have confirmed to the College View that the work “to overhaul the constitution has been hampered by the sheer task of defining the role of the union and anticipating the needs of its members.”

However the committee has engaged in no consultation process with students on what these needs are, and what should be contained in any new constitution. The draft document has yet to be circulated to the SU Executive.

Keegan did confirm to the College View that there has been “significant work done to the constitution”. The Executive will discuss the draft before it presented to Union Council for discussion and ratification.

Time constraints may eventually lead to a “watered-down version” of a final constitution being presented to the student body, a union source claimed.

Standard practice is to hold a referendum before executive elections so that candidates know what their job description is. Elections are due to take place after Reading Week and nominations will close two weeks prior to polling.

“If the union was to engage in national best practice the draft constitution should be presented for ratification no later than week six, but this is very unlikely,” a union source explained.

“In effect we may end up in a period of limbo with parts of two constitutions governing the union, one for the sabbaticals, the rest for the day-to-day operation of the union.”

What is expected in the new constitution?

1. Removal of the Omega Directive

Considered to be a clear sign of “disrespect for the work of the union” by one class representative, the Omega Directive, which makes up article 14.1.5 of the constitution, is to be removed. Union sources have confirmed “the review committee will ensure that any new constitution would be free of superfluous articles or articles which would be derogatory of the important work of the union.”

2. Sabbatical changes

In a survey carried out by the College view in April 2009 72% of students were in favour of the abolition of the vice president, campaigns and information officer. A significant majority of those surveyed expressed a desire for the introduction of a separate welfare officer and education officer. The committee is expected to give this option serious consideration.

3. Changes to Class Representative numbers

In order to accommodate increases in class sizes, and to future-proof the constitution, it may be necessary to change the representational weight for class representatives. Currently a class of 1-60 students is entitled to two class representatives, 61-100 is entitled to three, and 101+ is entitled to 4 class representatives.

4. Review of the roles of Convenors

It is expected that the job description provided for by the constitution for each of the school convenors will be reviewed and updated.

5. Additional power to Union Council

It is expected that the Union Executive will be made more accountable to Union Council.

6. Review of the powers of Electoral Committee

The Electoral committee is responsible for the running of elections. Clearer constitutional guidelines are expected to be included to avoid any “grey areas” in how office holders are elected.

7. Mergers with other Unions

Any potential shake-up of higher education which could see the integration of external students’ unions or where cooperation agreements may be required may be considered for inclusion.

8. USI

No question is expected to be put on the possible re-affiliation of DCUSU to the national students’ union, USI.