Standing Orders of Durham Students' Union

Last update: 27 June 2008

A

Rights and Benefits of Membership
A 1

Democratic Rights
A 1.1 All ordinary members of the Union shall be entitled to take full part in its democracy, by candidature for office and by the exercise of rights in relation to meetings and referenda, to the extent set forth elsewhere in the Constitution and Standing Orders. Nothing in these Standing Orders shall be interpreted as allowing a committee or officer of the Union to restrict democratic rights, except by application of criteria set forth in these Standing Orders.
A 1.2 All ordinary members of the Union shall be entitled to collective representation on Council, either through their college or through Non-Collegiate Representation. All ordinary members shall have the right to stand for election to, and vote in elections for, any position that represents them within the Union, subject to restrictions in the regulations of the electing body which it must be possible for all members of the represented group to fulfil.
A 1.3 Ordinary members of the Union who are not members of College Representative Bodies shall be represented on Council, conditional upon their registration in writing to the Societies and Student Development Officer as a non-collegiate member.
A 1.4 Any student shall have the right to opt out of Union membership. Students wishing to do so must complete a form, available from Union reception, and return it to the Union within ten days of their registration as a student in any academic year. A copy of the form will be sent to the University Registrar?s department for their records. The opt out shall be valid for that academic year.
A 2

Equal Opportunities
A 2.1 DSU shall be committed to equal opportunities and oppose all forms of discrimination. All facilities, benefits and democratic rights shall be offered without discrimination. Action shall be taken to combat all direct or indirect discrimination in the Union.
A 3

Facilities and Benefits
A 3.1 Members shall be entitled:
(a) to reasonable use of all welfare, commercial and other services provided by the Union, where doing so does not conflict with the right of another member to do the same.
(b) to join any society affiliated to the Union
(c) to exercise the rights, facilities and benefits of membership free from fear, harassment or intimidation.
A 3.2 Students who have opted out of Union membership shall be entitled:
(a) to reasonable use of all welfare, commercial and other services provided by the Union, where doing so does not conflict with the right of another member to do the same.
A 3.3 If the majority of the Sabbatical Officers believes that any student, guest or group has behaved on any Union-managed premises or at Union-run events, in a manner which may warrant disciplinary action, they shall forward the case to the appropriate University, College or legal authority. Pending the outcome of an investigation and any subsequent disciplinary or legal action, the majority of the Sabbatical Officers under may restrict the use of Union services, if they believe it necessary to prevent the likely intimidation, harassment or abuse of other Union members or staff working for or on behalf of the Union.
A 3.4 Nothing in this Standing Order shall prevent the holder of any license which permits the sale or consumption of alcohol or the provision of entertainment of any sort on Union premises from taking any reasonable action to preserve such license.
A 4

Access to Information
A 4.1 All procedures relating to access of information shall be laid out in the Union document entitled ?Standards and Procedures for the Release of Data?, which shall be an appendix to the standing orders.
A 4.2 Members of the Union shall further have the right of access to all minutes and papers of Union committees, which shall be displayed on the Union website for a period of three years. Older materials will be archived by the Societies and Student Development Officer, usually with the University Library Service.
A 5

Formal Recognition
A 5.1 In addition to Honorary Life Memberships, the Union shall also be entitled to recognise the achievements of its members by awarding Statements of Formal Thanks.
B

Policy
B 1

Definition
B 1.1 Policy shall be a statement of the will or beliefs of the Union, and shall be binding upon all offices and bodies of the Union defined under Standing Order D. No policy may contradict the Constitution or Standing Orders. Democracy Committee shall keep a record of all current policy and may keep a separate record of recent policies that are no longer current.
B 1.2 Policies may include anything not specifically forbidden by the Constitution or Standing Orders, including mandates to officers or committees, or to the Union in general, statements of principle, amendments to the Constitution or Standing Orders, requests to suspend Standing Orders or part of them and motions to submit to external bodies.
B 1.3 Policies that suspend Standing Orders must state the Standing Orders being suspended, the provisions that will replace them, and the duration of the suspension, which shall not end later than the scheduled start of the next Union Meeting. Policies that suspend Standing Orders not listed in Standing Order C 3.3.7.1.4 (e) will require a two-thirds majority at the meeting to take effect. Standing Orders relating to the suspension of Standing Orders may not be suspended.
B 2

Creation
B 2.1 Policy shall only be created by a Policy-Making Body, as defined in Standing Order C. Any motion passed by one or more of these bodies shall constitute policy.
B 2.2 Where the Constitution, Standing Orders or Policy are in conflict with the law, this shall be taken as an implicit policy assigned to the President requiring them to work for a change in the law.
B 3

Assignment
B 3.1 A Policy-Making Body may assign responsibility for implementation of a policy to a committee, an officer, or any combination of officers and committees.
B 3.2 If a Policy-Making Body does not assign responsibility for implementation of a policy, then any Policy Making Body of lesser precedence as defined by Standing Order C 1 may do so.
B 3.3 If no Policy-Making Body assigns responsibility for implementation of a policy, then DSU Executive may assign responsibility for implementation of the policy.
B 3.4 If DSU Executive does not assign responsibility for the implementation of policy, the President shall do so.
B 3.5 Democracy Committee shall keep a record of the officers and committees responsible for implementation of each policy.
B 3.6 Assignment of responsibility for implementation of a policy shall not imply that other officers or committees are not also bound by this policy.
B 3.7 A body able to assign responsibility for policy may reassign any assignation made by another body of lower precedence (as determined by the above Standing Orders).
B 4

Alteration
B 4.1 Democracy Committee shall remove any policy or section of policy that has become redundant or for which the implementation has been fully completed. Democracy Committee shall include the details of recently removed policy in their reports to Union Meetings, and Union Meetings shall have the power to reinstate them.
B 4.2 A Policy-Making Body may alter or remove existing policies by the passing of a motion, provided that it does not:
(a) alter or remove a policy passed by a body of greater precedence within the current or previous term, or
(b) alter or remove a policy passed by itself within the current or previous term except if a request is received from a number of voting members of that Policy-Making Body equal to or greater than the quorum figure for that body.
B 4.3 If a Policy-Making Body passes a policy that conflicts with an existing policy, then the earlier policy shall be removed, provided that to do so would not cause the Policy-Making Body to break Standing Order B 4.2 or Standing Order . If the earlier policy cannot be removed without breaking Standing Order B 4.2 or Standing Order , then all parts of the later policy that cause a conflict shall be immediately removed.
B 5

Renewal
B 5.1 All current policies of the Union shall be presented for renewal at the first Council meeting
of the sixth term after their adoption or last renewal. The motion to renew the policy shall be presented by Democracy Committee.
B 5.2 If such a policy is renewed then it shall continue to be current policy, and shall be considered to have been passed on that date by the renewing body.
B 5.3 If such a policy is not renewed or referred then it shall immediately cease to be current.
B 5.4 If a policy is referred for amendment then it shall cease to be current policy after two terms if it is not passed in its original or amended form before then.
C

Policy-Making Bodies
C 1

Order of Precedence
C 1.1 The order of precedence of the Policy-Making Bodies shall be (greatest first)
(a) Referendum
(b) General Meeting
(c) Council
C 2

Referenda
C 2.1

Calling and notice of referenda
C 2.1.1 Notice of all referenda shall be given using the methods specified in Standing Orders for cross-campus ballots, in the form of the motion to be voted upon.
C 2.1.2 No amendments to the motion shall be allowed following the publication of notice, except to correct typographical errors.
C 2.1.3 The proposer of the motion at a Union Meeting which specifies the subject of a referendum shall ensure to the satisfaction of Democracy Committee that the question is clear and balanced so as not to unfairly influence the electorate in their voting.
C 2.2

Conduct of referenda
C 2.2.1 A referendum shall take the form of a cross-campus ballot. Voting and vote counting shall take place in accordance with the relevant Standing Orders, except that there shall be no 'Re-Open Nominations' option, and voting shall start no sooner than seven days after notice is given.
C 2.2.2 Funds shall be made available to ordinary members of the Union wishing to support one or more options in a referendum, for the production of publicity in support of these options. Finance and Services Committee shall be responsible for the allocation of such funds, and shall ensure that no option in the referendum receives an amount of funding for publicity larger than the amount of funding made available for other options.
C 2.2.3 The production, nature and distribution of such publicity shall be subject to the relevant Standing Orders.
C 2.2.4 If the passing of a motion in a referendum necessitates changes to the Constitution which require the approval of a referendum, then the passing of the motion by the referendum shall constitute approval, provided that notice of such changes is made on the ballot paper or electronic voting form.
C 3

Union Meetings
C 3.1

Summoning and publicising of meetings
C 3.1.1 Democracy Committee shall call at least three ordinary meetings of the Council and at least two General Meetings in the Michaelmas and Epiphany terms, and at least two ordinary meetings of the Council and at least one General Meeting in the Easter term. Democracy Committee shall ensure that there is a meeting of the Council no greater than 14 days after each General Meeting to receive the minutes of the General Meeting and consider its decisions.
C 3.1.2 Additional Union Meetings may be called by Union Meeting, any Executive Committee of the Union, Democracy Committee, a College Representative Body, the Non-Collegiate members, a Non-Collegiate Association, or a number of voting members of the meeting (or a meeting of lower precedence) greater than or equal to its quorum. Such meetings shall take place between five and fifteen working days after the call for the meeting, except that they make take place later than this with the agreement of the calling body. Additional Union Meetings shall not discuss business except that specified in the request to call the meeting, and any amendments submitted to that business.
C 3.1.3 Democracy Committee shall publicise the dates and times of ordinary Union Meetings by the following methods and any others that it deems appropriate, at least fourteen days before the meeting, indicating the deadlines for submission of business.
(a) Written notice on any public noticeboards that Democracy Committee feels appropriate, to include at least one in Dunelm House.
(b) Any electronic means that Democracy Committee feels appropriate, to include email to the senior DSU representative in each College Representative Body, and the equivalent representative of the Non-Collegiate members.
C 3.1.4 Notice of additional meetings shall be given as for ordinary meetings, except that notice shall be given at least five days before the meeting.
C 3.1.5 Democracy Committee shall publicise the agenda for the meeting by noon on the fifth day before the meeting by the same means.
C 3.1.6 At least two meetings of Council shall be held at Queen's Campus each academic year.
C 3.1.7 At least one general meeting shall be held at Queen's Campus per academic year.
C 3.1.8 Democracy Committee shall propose a motion of censure against the Democracy Committee if they fail to adhere to C 3.1.6 or C 3.1.7.
C 3.2

Deadlines for submission and validity of business
C 3.2.1 All business to a Union meeting must be submitted to Democracy Committee either electronically or in writing, by noon on the seventh day before the meeting, except where otherwise required by the Constitution or Standing Orders. Democracy Committee may recommend that a motion submitted to General Meeting be submitted to Council or vice versa.
C 3.2.2 Amendments to business submitted to a Union Meeting must be received before the vote on the substantive of the business, except where that business alters Standing Orders or the Constitution or removes an officer from their position, when amendments to business shall be submitted at least 24 hours before the start of the meeting. Democracy Committee shall publish amendments, if received before the start of the meeting, and update the agenda accordingly.
C 3.2.3 Motions and amendments shall be proposed and seconded by two members of the Union, or proposed by a College Representative Body, Non-Collegiate Association, or by a committee of the Union, of a College Representative Body or of a Non-Collegiate Association. If the motion or amendment is not proposed and seconded by individuals, the proposing body shall nominate one of its members to act as proposer for the motion. Where a motion is proposed and seconded by individuals, the seconder may at all times act for the proposer in their absence.
C 3.2.4 Motions received after the relevant deadline will be referred by Demoocracy Committee to the next Union Meeting of the same precedence, unless the proposer of the motion indicates that they wish it to be considered as Emergency Business.
C 3.2.4.1 Motions or amendments to amend the Standing Orders or Constitution or remove an officer from their position, can never be Emergency Business even if the meeting wishes them to be treated as such.
C 3.2.4.2 Motions to spend more than £4000 (£500 unprecdented) ? [see G 1.4.1] cannot be emergency business, unless it is agreed upon by the Chair of DSU Exec, all three Sabbatical Officers, and at least two members of the Finance and Services Committee.
C 3.2.4.3 Emergency Business must be based on something that has genuinely arisen or become apparent since the relevant deadline, and it must, in the opinion of Democracy Committee, be detrimental to the interests of one or more member of the Union for the business not to be discussed at this meeting.
C 3.2.4.4 Motions that Democracy Committee rejects as Emergency Business based on Standing Order C 3.2.4.3 may be treated by the meeting as Emergency Business if it so wishes, and shall be printed at the back of the agenda so that the meeting may make this decision.
C 3.2.4.5 Accepted Emergency Business shall otherwise be treated identically to business submitted before the deadline.
C 3.2.5 Democracy Committee shall rule on the validity of all motions and amendments. The following shall be grounds for declaring a motion or amendment to be invalid:
C 3.2.5.1 It would conflict with an existing policy of the Union and does not meet the criteria in Standing Order B 4.2.
C 3.2.5.2 It would create inconsistencies in the Constitution or Standing Orders.
C 3.2.5.3 It does not adequately convey the details and principles of the matter to be discussed.
C 3.2.5.4 An amendment does not adequately relate to the substansive motion
C 3.2.6 Democracy Committee shall print motions or amendments that it rules out of order on the above grounds at the back of the agenda, and the meeting may be a simple majority agree to discuss them.
C 3.2.7 Democracy Committee shall inform the DSU Chair and the proposer of the motion of any decision to declare a motion invalid. Democracy Committee shall, where practical and time permits, advise the proposer of the motion of any changes needed to make the motion valid.
C 3.2.8 In the event of conflicting or overlapping motions or amendments submitted for the same agenda, Democracy Committee shall notify the proposer of each motion or amendment, and on any modifications necessary to clarify the issues. If mutual agreement is not achieved, then Democracy Committee shall have the authority to modify the motions and order of the debate itself, but the meeting may be by a simple majority reverse this decision
C 3.2.9 If business submitted to a meeting is, in the opinion of Democracy Committee, particularly relevant to one of the two University sites (Queen's Campus or Durham City) then Democracy Committee shall suggest to the proposer and seconder of the business that it should be submitted to a meeting at the appropriate location. Democracy Committee shall not refer the matter to such a future meeting unless the proposer and seconder request such.
C 3.3

Procedure at Union Meetings
C 3.3.1
Chair
C 3.3.1.1 Union Meetings shall be chaired by the DSU Chair, or if they are unable to do so, a member of Democracy Committee. If this is not possible, then the meeting shall elect a chair for the duration of that meeting or until one of the above is available, whichever is sooner.
C 3.3.1.2 The Chair shall be provided with a gavel. There shall be immediate silence when the gavel is struck. If not, the Chair shall continue striking the gavel until the preceding is achieved.
C 3.3.2
Quorum
C 3.3.2.1 Any member of the Union may request a quoracy count. Each voting member of the meeting must show their voting card when a quoracy count is taken. The Chair may refuse a request for a quoracy count, except immediately preceding a vote on an item of business.
C 3.3.3
Timings
C 3.3.3.1 Democracy Committee shall recommend timings for each item on the agenda. After acceptance of the timings, which shall be considered part of the Democracy Committee report, no time given to a particular item may be altered without a majority decision of the meeting. No item of business may be allocated less than two minutes.
C 3.3.3.2 After the time allocated to an item of business has elapsed, the Chair shall move to summations (if appropriate) and a vote.
C 3.3.4
Order of Debate
C 3.3.4.1 The Democracy Committee report shall always be the first item of business. Other items shall be ordered at the discretion of Democracy Committee, and this ordering may be altered by majority decision of the meeting.
C 3.3.4.2 The Democracy Committee report shall contain details of any notable matters in connection with the summoning, business or procedure of the meeting, and details of the committee's activities and plans as for an officer's report under Standing Order .
C 3.3.4.3 The Chair may adjourn a meeting for a period less than 30 minutes at their own discretion. Longer adjournments shall require a majority decision of the meeting.
C 3.3.5
Debating of Motions
C 3.3.5.1 When a motion is put before the meeting, the proposer, or another member of the Union nominated by them, shall speak in favour of the motion.
C 3.3.5.2 The chair shall then ask for a speech opposing the motion, and if there are volunteers, shall nominate one to provide formal opposition.
C 3.3.5.3 If there are any amendments to the motion, then these will be discussed at this stage, with the order of debate being as for a motion. Amendments to amendments shall not be allowed. Only one amendment may be discussed at a time.
C 3.3.5.4 Discussion by the meeting shall then take place. The Chair shall select speakers, giving preference to those who have not yet spoken upon this motion.
C 3.3.5.5 The proposer of the motion may at any stage make a drafting amendment, which can change the wording but not the intent of the motion. A drafting amendment will not be allowed about any of the subjects listed in Standing Order C 3.2.4.1
C 3.3.5.6 After discussion, the provider of formal opposition (if any), and the proposer of the motion shall then summate. The meeting shall then vote on the motion.
C 3.3.6
Questions of Officers
C 3.3.6.1 Written questions to officers or committees may be submitted to Democracy Committee by the deadline for business for that meeting. Democracy Committee shall inform the officer or committee of the question at the earliest possible opportunity.
C 3.3.6.2 The officer should submit a written response to Democracy Committee before the scheduled start of the meeting if possible, to be included in the agenda. Otherwise they shall respond verbally at the meeting.
C 3.3.6.3 The submitter of the question shall always have the right to ask one supplementary question. The Chair of the meeting may allow supplementary questions from the meeting as are necessary for a thorough discussion of the subject.
C 3.3.6.4 If the submitter of the question feels that the question is too urgent to wait until the next Union Meeting for discussion, then the submission shall specify this. Officers shall reply in writing to both the submitter and Democracy Committee within 15 days (10 days for a sabbatical officer). Committees shall reply within 10 working days.
C 3.3.6.5 Officers or Committees failing to answer a question by the relevant deadline shall state the reason for their late reply in their eventual answer and shall have a motion of censure proposed against them as if they had failed to report under Standing Order .
C 3.3.7
Points of Procedure
C 3.3.7.1
Adjustments to Meeting Procedure
C 3.3.7.1.1 Any member of the Union may ask that the procedure of the meeting be changed. The following procedure changes, and any others listed elsewhere in Standing Orders, and any changes possible as a combination of these changes, shall be allowed.
C 3.3.7.1.2 All adjustments shall be explained by the proposer in less than one minute. The Chair shall allow one speech opposing the adjustment in less than one minute. At the discretion of the Chair, debate for a maximum of five minutes may be allowed.
C 3.3.7.1.3 The adjustment shall take place only with majority agreement of the meeting, except where otherwise stated.
C 3.3.7.1.4 If multiple adjustments are requested, then they shall be discussed in the following order:
(a) A call that the Chair be vacated by its current occupant. (If this proposal relates only to specific a item of business, the Chair may accede to it without a vote. If he/she is unwilling to vacate, or it relates to the remainder of the meeting, voting shall take place as normal).
(b) A call to suspend the DSU Chair pending proposal of a possible motion of no confidence to the following meeting. (This may only be proposed if the DSU Chair has stepped down following a call to vacate. If it is carried, and a motion of no confidence is then proposed by the deadline for motions for the following Union Meeting, the DSU Chair shall not chair any meeting until the motion of no confidence has been disposed of. If no motion is submitted by the next motions deadline, the suspension shall cease.)
(c) A challenge to the Chair's exercise of a discretion given to him/her by Standing Orders.
(d) A challenge to a ruling by the Democracy Committee as to whether a motion or amendment, submitted within the time limits of Standing Order 2, is in order.
(e) A call to suspend a Standing Order. The Standing Orders suspendable by this call shall be: D 1.1 (or any part of this), (or any part of this), any provision for the time at which an election should be held, and any requirement placed upon a Non-Collegiate Association (but not the purpose or existence of these associations) A duration for the suspension may be specified; this shall not be later than the end of the meeting, for Standing Orders related to meeting procedure, or the start of the next Union Meeting otherwise. If no duration is specified, these maximum durations shall be assumed.
(f) A call to invite a named non-member of the Union to address the meeting.
(g) A call for a Chair's report under Standing Order (b)
(h) A call to close the meeting. (This must be carried by a two thirds majority of those present and voting. If carried, all discussion shall cease and items on the agenda which have not been discussed shall lapse. If the movers of a motion or report which is not discussed wish to have their motion or report discussed then they must resubmit it to a subsequent meeting).
(i) A call to adjourn the meeting for a specified time. (If carried, all discussion shall cease; the meeting shall reconvene at the time and date specified in the call and shall continue with the agenda; no new business shall be introduced except for emergency business as defined in Standing Order C 3.2.4. A motion to adjourn for more than 30 minutes must be carried by two thirds of those present and voting.)
(j) A call to change a timing.
(k) A call to postpone or adjourn business to a later specified meeting.
(l) A call to remove and discard a specified section of a motion;
(m) A call to separate the operative part of a motion into its numbered sections, or groups thereof (as specified by the mover) to be discussed and voted upon separately. Each separated section shall include all of the associated descriptive parts of the original, unseparated motion.
(n) A call to separate the reporting of a passed resolution of Censure from the rest of a committees report. The separated parts of the report shall be discussed and voted upon separately;
(o) A call that a vote normally taken on a secret ballot be taken by card vote, or vice versa, except where the vote must always be taken on a secret ballot. A vote shall always be taken on a secret ballot if ten or more voting members of the meeting request this;
(p) A call that the question not be put;
(q) A call to move to a vote. (If carried there shall be an opportunity for one speech against (if there has not already been one) and one by the mover of the motion/amendment before a vote is taken. If moved during an amendment and carried it only disposes of the amendment and does not affect the motion as a whole.) A call to move to a vote shall not be in order when it relates to a call made under this Standing Order.
(r) A call to refer the matter to another Union Meeting;
(s) A call to refer the matter back to a Committee for re-examination;
(t) A call to refer the matter to a Committee for investigation and report;
(u) A call to revoke any alteration of conflicting or overlapping motions carried out by Democracy Committee.
(v) A call to refer a policy presented for ratification to a Union Meeting
(w) A call to rearrange the agenda.
(x) A call to discuss a report 'for information only'
C 3.3.7.1.5 Subject to challenge, the Chair may use procedural changes caused by (f), (n) or (i) for up to 30 minutes, without the need for a vote.
C 3.3.7.2
Points of Order
C 3.3.7.2.1 Any member of the Union may raise a point of order. These shall take precedence over all other business.
C 3.3.7.2.2 Points of order shall be concise questions to the Chair or Democracy Committee upon procedural matters, and should begin "Point of order:".
C 3.3.7.3
Points of Information
C 3.3.7.3.1 Any person may raise a point of information, to offer or seek strictly factual information relevant to the current business. The Chair shall disallow any point of information related to a matter of opinion.
C 3.3.7.3.2 Points of information shall be concise statements or questions to the current speaker, and should begin Point of Information".
C 3.3.8
Voting
C 3.3.8.1 Voting shall be by a show of voting cards and by majority of votes cast unless otherwise required by the Constitution and Standing Orders. The meeting may decide by a simple majority that any vote may take place by secret ballot, and the Chair shall have discretion to hold any vote by secret ballot.
C 3.3.8.2 The Chair may propose that any vote to which there has been no opposition be taken on a 'general aye'. Voters in favour shall signify this by shouting 'aye'. If any voting member shouts 'no' or otherwise indicates disagreement, then a vote shall be taken as in C 3.3.8.1
C 3.3.8.3 In the event of a tie upon any vote (other than on an election), the Chair shall conduct one recount. If the vote remains tied, then it shall be considered to have been defeated.
C 3.3.8.4 Any member of the Union may request a recount on any vote. The Chair may refuse this request.
C 3.3.8.5
Voting on elections
C 3.3.8.5.1 Where there are fewer candidates than positions, the vote may be taken on a 'general aye', unless any member of the meeting objects to this as above, in which case the vote shall be taken as below. A 'general aye' shall also not be allowed where the candidates have been questioned under Standing Order
C 3.3.8.5.2 Where there are more than two candidates or more than two positions, the vote shall be taken by secret ballot, to be counted by the vote counting system specified in Standing Order . Otherwise the vote shall be taken on a show of voting cards, using the 'First Past the Post' vote counting system.
C 3.3.8.5.3 The meeting may by a simple majority decide that a vote normally to be taken by secret ballot shall be taken by show of voting cards, and vice versa, except that any candidate may require that a vote be taken by secret ballot.
C 3.3.8.5.4 If there is a tie in a vote, then there shall be one recount. If the tie remains, then it shall be broken by a random method chosen by Democracy Committee.
C 3.3.9
No Smoking
C 3.3.9.1 There shall be no smoking in any Union meetings.
C 3.4

General Meetings
C 3.4.1
Membership and Voting
C 3.4.1.1 All members of the Union shall be entitled to attend and speak at a General Meeting. All ordinary members of the Union shall be entitled to vote on all items of business, except as specified under Article XII.1 of the Constitution.
C 3.4.1.2 All members of Council shall attend all General Meetings, or submit an apology to the DSU Chair stating their reasons for non-attendance. Apologies for absence shall be recorded in the minutes.
C 3.4.1.3 Non-members of the Union may only attend and speak if the meeting decides by a simple majority to allow this.
C 3.4.1.4 Voting cards at General Meeting shall be provided by Democracy Committee to any ordinary member in exchange for their membership card. The membership card shall not be returned until the voting card is returned.
C 3.4.2
Business
C 3.4.2.1 A General Meeting may discuss any business that the Standing Orders or Constitution allow the discussion of, except that no business shall be discussed that was not included in the agenda.
C 3.4.2.2 The DSU Chair shall inform General Meeting of the proceedings of any Council meetings since the previous General Meeting.
C 3.4.2.3 The usual business of a General Meeting shall be Policy and Elections, however this shall not prevent a General Meeting from considering any other business that the Constitution or Standing Orders allow.
C 3.4.2.4 The Sabbatical officers shall provide a brief, oral report of their activities since the last General Meeting.
C 3.4.2.5 At the last General Meeting of a year Democracy Committee shall present the affiliations to external bodies of the Union for renewal or cessation.
C 3.5

Council
C 3.5.1
Membership and Voting
C 3.5.1.1 The following shall be members of the Council but shall not be entitled to vote, and shall be forbidden from simultaneously holding any office that would entitle them to vote.
C 3.5.1.1.1 The DSU Chair.
C 3.5.1.1.2 The Democracy Committee.
C 3.5.1.1.3 The Sabbatical Officers.
C 3.5.1.2 The following shall be members of the Council but shall not be entitled to vote. However, they may vote if they hold another office that entitles them to do so.
C 3.5.1.2.1 The Sabbatical Officers-elect.
C 3.5.1.2.2 The heads of the Publications Boards and Recognised Bodies of the Union.
C 3.5.1.2.3 The Chairs of all Union Committees (except the Democracy Committee).
C 3.5.1.2.4 The Non-Sabbatical Officers.
C 3.5.1.2.5 The President of the Athletic Union.
C 3.5.1.2.6 The President (or equivalent) of each College Representative Body.
C 3.5.1.3 The following shall be voting members of the Council.
C 3.5.1.3.1 Representatives of the College Representative Bodies and the Non-Collegiate Members elected in accordance with Standing Order A 1.2. The number of representatives shall depend upon the number of members of the Union that they represent:











MembersRepresentatives
150 or fewer1
151-3002
301-4503
451-6004
601-7505
751-9006
901-10507
1051-12008
1201-13509
1351 or more10
C 3.5.1.3.2 One Representative from each of the Non-Collegiate Associations in Standing Order F 2.
C 3.5.1.4 Other members of the Union may attend and speak, but shall not be entitled to vote.
C 3.5.1.5 Democracy Committee shall maintain a list of the members of Council that shall be open to all members of the Union to inspect.
C 3.5.1.6 Democracy Committee shall ensure that attendees of Council are aware that holding a vote at Council implies acceptance of membership of Council.
C 3.5.1.7
Distribution of voting cards
C 3.5.1.7.1 Voting cards shall ordinarily be distributed by Democracy Committee to the representatives of that college. Democracy Committee may delegate this task to the Senior DSU Representative (or equivalent) of each college.
C 3.5.1.7.2 Voting cards for absent members of Council may be given to a proxy specified by that member, or if and only if no such proxy is specified, to another member of that college, not disqualified from voting under Standing Order C 3.5.1.1 at the discretion of the Senior representative of that college, or if they are absent, of the other representatives of that college, else at the discretion of the Democracy Committee.
C 3.5.1.7.3 Voting rights may not be removed except under the rules of the body that the member of Council is representing.
C 3.5.1.7.4 No-one may vote holding a card issued for a body of which they are not a member.
C 3.5.1.7.5 For the purposes of this Standing Order, the Non-Collegiate Members shall be treated as a college.
C 3.5.1.8 No member of the Union may have more than one vote, even if they hold multiple positions that entitle them to votes.
C 3.5.1.9 All members of Council shall attend all Councils, or submit an apology to the DSU Chair stating their reasons for non-attendance. Apologies for absence shall be recorded in the minutes.
C 3.5.1.10 Voting members of Council shall be responsible for representing the views of the body which elected them, and reporting to that body the proceedings of Council and the activities of the Union.
C 3.5.1.11 Non-members of the Union may only attend and speak if the meeting decides by a simple majority to allow this.
C 3.5.2
Business
C 3.5.2.1 A Council may discuss any business that the Standing Orders or Constitution allow the discussion of.
C 3.5.2.2 The quorum of Council shall be 50% of the voting membership. A meeting of Council that is inquorate shall be adjourned for fifteen minutes, or a greater period at the Chair's discretion. If the meeting remains inquorate after this time, then it shall be closed, and all remaining business shall be referred to the next ordinary meeting of Council.
C 3.5.3 There shall be an Annual Dinner after exams in the Easter term of every academic year. At the Annual Dinner the sabbatical officers shall present Honorary Life Memberships and Statements of Formal Thanks. The Annual Dinner shall also include new sabbatical officers signing their employment contracts. The responsibility for the Annaul Dinner lies with the sabbatical officers.
D

Officers and Committees
D 1

Sabbatical Officers
D 1.1 All Sabbatical Officers will be elected by cross-campus ballot and hold office from 17 July in the year of their election until 31 July the following year. From 16 July to 31 July retiring Sabbatical Officers are expected to assist their successors so as to facilitate a smooth transition, and will continue to receive a maintenance payment on a pro rata basis provided that they comply with this expectation.
D 1.2 There will be a President who shall
- co-ordinate the activities of the Union
- act as line manager to the General Manager
- be the Press Officer for the Union; and
- represent the Durham Student Body to the University, local community, regional and national institutions including local and national government
D 1.3 There will be a Societies and Student Development Officer who shall
- co-ordinate the activities of, and support for, societies, including freshers? fair
- be responsible for training, including student officers and representatives
- be responsible for the democratic processes of the union and encouraging participation in Union democracy
- support the media organisations of the Union: Palatinate and Purple Radio; and
- co-ordinate cross campus and intercollegiate activities such as University Challenge
D 1.4 There will be an Education and Welfare Officer who shall
- co-ordinate the Union?s activities in academic affairs ensure proper representation of student interests in academic matters;
- ensure the Union?s education and welfare policies are up to date
- liaise with the staff of the Accommodation Office;
- provide support on request to officers on College Representative Body Executives having a welfare function; and
- ensure aid is provided to members of the Union in academic and disciplinary appeals on request.
D 2

Executive Officers
D 2.1 All Executive Officer positions will become available for election at a single meeting in Epiphany term, although by-elections may then occur, until the position is filled, at subsequent DSU Councils. Executive Officers will hold office from 1 July in the year of their election until 30 June the following year.
D 2.2 There will be a Campaigns Officer who shall
- co-ordinate the campaigns of the union and work with the publicity officer on communicating campaigns
- support other DSU officers in their campaigning activity
- work with NUS on their national campaigns
-organise campaign sub groups to aid with campaigns, who shall report to the Executive Committee
D 2.3 There will be a Publicity Officer who shall
- produce factual and impartial publicity for Union meetings and elections
- advise and assist Officers in the production of publicity upon request
- use various methods available to publicise the activities of the Union
- work with the Campaigns Officer to communicate the campaigns of the Union
D 2.4 There will be an Equal Opportunities Officer who shall
- provide a voice for underrepresented student groups
- chair the Equal Opportunity Committee
- coordinate and support the activities of the equal opportunity Officers
D 2.5 There will be an Education Officer who shall
- Chair Education Committee
- represent members educational needs, including IT and Library provision in the University
- Support the EWO in developing DSU?s policy on Durham students? education.
- Represent Durham Students? educational needs on University committees
- Liaise with the Faculty Reps to ensure issues are passed up from course reps. the content.
D 2.6 There will be a Postgraduate Officer who shall
- Represent postgraduate members of the Union and initiate campaigns on behalf of postgraduates
- Be responsible for the Postgraduate Association
- Encourage postgraduates to further participate within the Union
- Disseminate information relating to issues specific to postgraduates
- Work with the MCR Presidents (or equivalent)of the Colleges
D 2.7 There will be an Environment and Ethics Officer who shall
- be responsible for raising awareness of environmental and ethical issues within the Union through initiating campaigns
- ensure the Union carries out an environmental and ethical audit of all its activities regularly
- meet regularly with the representatives of the College Representative Bodies, as well as relevant University bodies to discuss environmental and ethical issues.
D 3

Officers
D 3.1 All Officer positions will become available for election at a single meeting in Epiphany term, although by-elections may then occur, until the position is filled, at subsequent DSU Councils. Officers will hold office from 1 July in the year of their election until 30 June the following year.
D 3.2 There will be an International Students? Officer who shall
- Represent the interests of International Students with DSU, including issues surrounding education
- Liaise with the International Students? Association
- Maintain communication with national bodies who represent International Students
D 3.3 There will be a Mature Students? Officer who shall
- Represent the interests of Mature Students within DSU, including issues of access to education
- Be responsible for the Mature Students' Association
- Work with the Postgraduate Officer on issues of shared concern
- Work with other bodies who represent Mature Students within Durham, for example MCRs and JCR Mature Students Officers
- Maintain communication with national bodies who represent Mature Students
D 3.4 There will be a Women?s Officer who shall self-define as female and
- represent women
- work to tackle sexism and inequality, primarily in the University but also in a wider setting
- work towards more equal representation of men and women in the Union, in colleges, and in welfare roles
- Raise awareness of gender and gender related issues
D 3.5 There will be a Men?s Officer who shall self-define as male and
- represent men
- work to tackle sexism and inequality, primarily in the University but also in a wider setting
- work towards more equal representation of men and women in the Union, in colleges, and in welfare roles
- Raise awareness of gender and gender related issues
D 3.6 There will be an LGBT Officer who shall self-define as LGB or T and
- Liaise with other student LGBT officers, representatives and groups and with local support groups where he or she believes that such contact is desirable or necessary;
- Liaison with the Education and Welfare Officer on transgender, bisexual, lesbian and gay issues;
- Promotion of awareness of transgender, bisexual, lesbian and gay issues in Durham where appropriate;
- Support of and liaison with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Association;
- Offering support to individual bisexual, lesbian, gay and transgender members when requested, including provision of a drop in service.
- Advising the Union on issues relating to LGBT members
- Liaising with LGBT representatives where nominated by their College Representative Body
D 3.7 There will be a Students with Disabilities Officer who shall
- Raise issues within the Union which specifically affect students with disabilities
- Liaise with the Durham University Service for Students with Disabilities (DUSSD) as well as with organisations relevant to supporting students with disabilities.
- Disseminate of information relating to disability issues; and
- Raise awareness of disability issues within the University and campaign on issues of specific interest to students with disabilities
D 3.8 There will be a Race Awareness Officer who shall
- Co-ordinate the Union's work against racism
- Monitor racism within the University and city
- Build and maintain links with anti-racism organisations.
D 3.9 There will be Website Editor who shall
-Be responsible for keeping the principal site of the union up to date with (but not necessarily limited to) news, events and information related to the jobs of the union's officers and members.
- Oversee the running of all official union websites ensuring good practice, delegating to other officers or union members where practical.
D 3.10 There will be a Faculty of Arts Rep who shall
- Coordinate reps within the Arts Faculty
- Represent the Arts Faculty to DSU and the University
D 3.11 There will be a Faculty of Social Sciences and Health Rep who shall
- Coordinate reps within the social sciences and health faculty
- Represent the social sciences and health faculty to DSU and the University
D 3.12 There will be a Faculty of Sciences Rep who shall
- Coordinate reps within the science faculty
- Represent the Science Faculty to DSU and the University
D 3.13 There will be a Union Chair who shall
- Be responsible for interpreting the DSU Constitution and Standing Orders
- Chair Union meetings, including DSU Council, the Executive Committee and Democracy Committee
- Chair hustings for elections
- Work with Democracy Committee to ensure that Union meetings are organised and that agendas and minutes are prepared.
- The Union Chair may be overruled by DSU Council on any matter
D 4

Committees
D 4.1 Committee Rules
The rules of Union Committees are flexible and self-governing. Complaints about the conduct of Committees should be made to the Committee Chair, to Democracy Committee, or to Union Council.
(a) All Committees should meet at least once every two weeks during term time, other than the Executive Committee who should meet weekly.
(b) All Committees should elect a Committee Chair, termly.
(c) Committee members should attend all meetings, or send apologies to the Committee Chair.
(d) Any committee may co-opt non-voting members.
(e) Quorum of all Committees is ½ voting members.
(f) Agendas to meetings should be distributed by the Chair at least 24 hours prior to the beginning of a scheduled meeting.
(g) Minutes should be taken of all Committee meetings, and these should be made available to other members of the Union.
(h) Committees should hold at least 1/5 of their meetings in Queens Campus.
(i) There should be no smoking or drinking alcohol during Committee meetings.
(j) Any Committee may meet in closed session, if deemed necessary by the Chair.
(k) All Union members may attend Committee meetings, unless they are in closed session.
D 4.2

Union Committees
D 4.2.1 There will be an Executive Committee who shall run the Union day-to-day. The Committee shall be comprised of the sabbatical officers, the executive officers, and three council members, to be elected to serve the following term at the final DSU Council of each term, at least one of whom must be from Queens? Campus. The DSU Chair shall also attend and chair the meeting, as a non-voting member.
D 4.2.2 There will be a Joint Committee of DSU and the JCRs who shall act as a body of scrutiny and of communication between DSU and the JCRs. The Committee shall be comprised of the sabbatical officers (non-voting) and an elected representative of each college representative body.
D 4.2.3 There will be a Finance and Services Committee who have delegated responsibility for the finances of the Union. The Committee shall be comprised of the sabbatical officers and ten council members, elected at the first DSU Council of Michaelmas term. The Committee, specifically, shall:
(a) Receive the monthly management ccounts of DSU.
(b) Receive the yearly accounts of DSU and ensure that the Union engages auditors for these.
(c) Receive the budget and all revisions to the budget, prior to it being sent to DSU Council.
(d) Consider the DSU Strategic Plan.
(e) Discuss the development of DSU's Commercial Services.
(f) Report to DSU Council on the validity of all financial motions.
(g) Consider DSU Society claims, ratification, and regulation.
(h) Receive and consider information relating to the financial affairs of the Committees of the Union and the non-collegiate Associations.
(i) Ensure that the arrangements made by the Union for the management of Dunelm House are acceptable.
(j) Oversee the financial state of recognised media organisations and to authorise grants and loans to these organisations if this is beneficial to the Union.
(k) Finance and Services Committee will approve all substantial investments, borrowing or financial commitments over £5,000, and these recommendations will be sent to DSU Council for their approval. This shall be suspended during vacations, when the President, in consultation with the General Manager, will be responsible for these financial commitments.
(l) Budgets for the following financial year and Accounts at the end of the financial year shall be presented to Finance and Services Committee by the president, who may be aided by the General Manager, before being sent to DSU Council for approval.
(m) Finance and Services Committee will have responsibility for the Financial Regulations document of the Union.
D 4.2.4 There will be a Welfare Committee who shall have delegated responsibility for welfare issues concerning members of the Union. The Committee shall be comprised of the Education and Welfare Officer, the Equal Opportunities Officer and an elected representative from each college representative body.
D 4.2.5 There will be an Equal Opportunities Committee who shall have delegated responsibility for issues concerning equal opportunities, and equality and diversity. The Committee shall be comprised of the Education and Welfare Officer, the Equal Opportunities Officer (chair), the international students officer, the mature students officer, the women?s officer, the men?s officer, the LGBT officer, the students with disabilities? officer and the race awareness officer/
D 4.2.6 There will be a Livers Out Committee who shall have delegated responsibility for issues concerning livers-out in Durham. It shall be chaired by the Education and Welfare Officer and comprise additionally of an elected representative from each college representative body.
D 4.2.7 There will be an Education Committee who shall have delegated responsibility for the education matters of the Union. The committee shall be comprised of:
(a) DSU EWO
(b) DSU President
(c) DSU Education Officer (Chair)
(d) DSU Postgraduate Officer
(e) DSU Faculty Reps
(f) DSU Mature Students Officer.
(g) DSU International Students Officer
(h) Any course rep who wishes to attend (non-voting)
(i) Any other person invited by the chair when necessary (non-voting)
(j) DSU Undergraduate IT Representative, elected at the first DSU Council of Michaelmas term
(k) DSU Undergraduate Library Representative, elected at the first DSU Council of Michaelmas term
D 4.2.8 There will be an Environment and Ethics Committee who shall assist the Environment and Ethics Officer in raising environmental and ethical awareness within the Union and University. It shall be comprised of the Environment and Ethics Officer, and an elected representative from each college representative body.
D 4.2.9 There will be a Democracy Committee who shall have delegated responsibility for democracy matters within the Union. It shall be comprised of the DSU Chair, the Societies and Student Development Officer, and two Vice-Chairs, who shall be elected by DSU Council at the second DSU Council of Michaelmas term.
D 4.3 The Executive Committee, Joint Committee of the DSU and the JCRs, and the Finance and Services Committee will each have the power to call additional DSU Council meetings, as they see fit.
D 5

Conditions of Office
D 5.1 All Officer positions within the Union may be held jointly.
D 5.2 Any Officer or Committee Member may resign their position of office by writing to the DSU Chair, and DSU Council shall be informed as appropriate.
D 5.3 DSU Council may pass a motion of censure for any Officer or Committee Member elected by the structures of the Union. This must pass by a ½ majority
D 5.4 DSU Council may pass a motion of no confidence in any Officer or Committee Member elected by the structures of the Union, to remove them from office or prevent them taking up office. This must pass by a 2/3 majority, or a ½ majority if a motion of censure has previously been passed against them.
D 5.5 The following posts shall be incompatible:
? The DSU Chair and Vice-Chairs may not hold any other DSU Officer or Committee Post.
? No member of Finance Committee may simultaneously be an employee of the Union.
? No sabbatical Officer may simultaneously be head of a media organisation.
D 5.6 All Sabbatical Officers must report at every DSU Council.
D 5.7 All non-sabbatical officers must report at least twice every term
D 5.8 Committees will report at alternate Councils, with the exception of DSU Executive, Joint Committee of the DSU and JCRs, Finance and Services Committee and Democracy Committee who must report at every Council
D 5.9 The DSU Chair will be responsible for requesting reports from Officers and Committees.
E

Election Regulations
E 1

Conduct
E 1.1 Sabbatical officers, NUS delegates and Student Trustees shall be elected on an annual basis by a secret cross campus ballot, conducted online. All other officers and delegates shall be elected at Union Council meetings.
E 1.2 Democracy committee will recommend a timetable of elections and nomination deadlines to Council for their approval at the last meeting of the academic year. This timetable shall be displayed on the DSU website following the Council meeting at which they have been approved
E 1.3 There shall be no pre requisites for any position in the Union and all ordinary members of the Union who are not involved in the administration of an election shall be eligible to stand in it.
E 1.4 The SRO shall be responsible for all cross campus ballots and shall be appointed by Council on the recommendation of democracy committee. The SRO shall not be a current student and will normally be a member of NUS staff. He or she may appoint a deputy at their discretion.
E 1.5 Democracy committee shall take responsibility for all other elections taking place in meetings throughout the year.
E 1.6 Candidates being standing in cross campus elections must be proposed and seconded by ordinary members of the Union and the SRO shall receive nominations in accordance with the timetable agreed by Council.
E 1.7 For elections taking place in meetings candidates must inform the chair of their decision to stand before the election proceedings begin.
E 1.8 RON (Re Open Nominations) shall be a candidate in all elections.
E 1.9 Cross campus ballots shall be conducted online for at least 24hours and be counted by the Single Transferable Vote method as detailed in the Appendix to the Standing Orders.
E 1.10 The nomination period for standing in Cross Campus Ballots shall be no longer than
21 days and no fewer than 7, at the discretion of the Democracy Committee.
1.9 A nomination for election by Cross Campus Ballot shall be valid if and only if:
(a) It is submitted on a nomination form published by the Democracy Committee
(b) The form is signed by the candidate, and by the proposer and seconder;
(c) The form is submitted to Democracy Committee or a person designated by it (whose name shall be published on the DSU website and any designated notice board when nominations are invited) before the relevant deadline;
E 1.11 After close of nominations, there shall be a period of campaigning, lasting until no fewer than 7 days, but no longer than 14 days after the close of nominations, at the discretion of the Returning Officer, during which period two husts must be held (see
section 2.1).
E 1.12 Electronic voting stations for cross campus elections may be set up around Durham and Queen?s campuses
E 1.13 Voting at elections in meetings shall be conducted by a general aye, card vote or a secret ballot, at the discretion of the Union Chair.
E 2

Husting Sessions
E 2.1 All candidates being elected at cross campus ballot shall be called to formally hust at open meetings on Durham Campus and Queen?s Campus before voting opens. These husting sessions organised by Democracy Committee shall not take place in a college.
E 2.2 Sabbatical candidates shall be given 5 minutes to speak; Trustee candidates 3 minutes; NUS delegates 2 minutes.
E 2.3 Officers, representatives and delegates being elected in a Union meeting shall be called upon to hust for 2 minutes at the meeting they are being elected at.
E 2.4 Questions shall be directed at all candidates and shall last for the equivalent of 5 minutes per candidate. (ie 10 minutes of questions would be taken for 2 candidates, 20 for 4 candidates)
E 2.5 Additional informal sabbatical candidate hustings may be organised in colleges and all candidates should be given equal opportunity to attend.
E 3

Campaigning
E 3.1 On the production of receipts the Union shall give Sabbatical candidates £50, Student Trustee candidates £20 and NUS candidates £10 to be spent on election publicity directly relating to the elections.
E 3.2 Candidates shall act in a responsible manner and may not defame other candidates, campaign in a way contrary to the spirit of democratic elections or purchase votes
E 3.3 Any practice deemed to invade the privacy of or cause undue inconvenience of our members shall not be allowed.
E 3.3.1 Candidates also have to abide by college-specific, University and City restrictions on campaigning
E 3.3.2 That door-knocking is banned
E 3.4 DSU publicity including Purple Radio and Palatinate shall remain neutral to all candidates during the election period.
E 3.5 Advertising on University-run desktop advertisements and screen-savers shall not be
allowed
E 3.6 Candidates election publicity should not be removed or defaced.
E 3.7 Candidates may use any legal medium available, including the internet and social networking sites, to campaign for votes. Any such use of the internet or of social networking sites, shall can under the adminstration of the Senior Returning Officer, who may request the alteration of said publicity so that it complies with regulations.
E 3.8 Personal endorsements shall be allowed.
E 3.9 Manifestos for candidates being elected by cross campus ballot shall be on two sides of A4 and must be displayed on the DSU website and at the discretion of the SRO may also be displayed on designated notice boards.
Manifestoes for candidates being elected at Union meetings may produce a manifesto of one side of A4 and shall be printed in the agenda. The deadline for manifestoes to be printed in the agenda shall be 48hours in advance of the meeting
E 3.10 Any candidate may form a campaign team to campaign on their behalf, but shall take responsibility for the campaign team?s actions. Any complaint against the conduct of a campaign team shall be treated as though it were a complaint directly against the conduct of the candidate(s) in question.
E 3.11 The e-mailing of mailing lists will be allowed.
E 4

Complaints
E 4.1 All complaints over the conduct of candidates shall be directed at the Senior Returning Officer who shall judge them, and if necessary, take appropriate action(s) which could include (but is not limited to) the removal of any publicity from specific areas, the alteration of details on any website and/or social network site used as publicity, a deduction in the subsidy the Union is paying said candidate(s), or with due cause, a ruling out of order a candidate, a group of candidates or the election as a whole. The Senior Returning Officer has discretion on any other action that he deems appropriate to the offence.
E 4.2 The SROs decision shall be final and appeals shall follow the normal complaints procedure set out in the appendix to the standing orders.
F

Recognised Bodies
F 1

Recognised Charitable Organisations
F 1.1

Durham University Charities Kommittee
F 1.1.1 Durham University Charities Kommittee (DUCK) shall co-ordinate the charitable fund-raising activities of students of the University, including organising an annual fundraising week. It shall raise money for local, national and international charities.
F 1.1.2
Running of the Kommittee
F 1.1.2.1 The Kommittee shall hold at least one general meeting every year, which shall elect the officers of the Kommittee. All ordinary members of the Union shall be entitled to attend and vote at this meeting.
F 1.1.2.2 The Kommittee may use up to 15% of its takings in any year to cover its costs for that year, and may place any money below 15% not needed for that year in a reserve fund to cover its costs for future years.
F 1.1.2.3 The remainder of the money raised shall be distributed by the committee among local, national and international charitable organisations. The final list of allocations shall be subject to approval by Council.
F 1.1.2.4 DUCK shall not support political organisations, or organisations whose sole aim is the promotion of their own religious beliefs, or whose sole aim is to benefit one individual.
F 1.1.3
DUCK Officer
F 1.1.3.1 The DUCK Officer shall co-ordinate the activities of the Kommittee, in conjuction with the DUCK Director, and shall be responsible to Council for its running.
F 1.1.3.2 The position of DUCK Officer shall be held either on a sabbatical or a non-sabbatical basis. If it is held on a sabbatical basis, then it shall be covered by Standing Order D 5.1.1 on election of sabbatical officers.
F 1.1.3.3 In each year in which DUCK Officer is held as a sabbatical position, the Kommittee shall give an amount equalling the Officer's salary to the Union, subject to their running costs including this not exceeding 15% of total takings.
F 1.1.3.4 If the Kommittee is not able to pay the DUCK Officer's full salary without its costs exceeding 15% of takings, it shall pay any difference from a reserve fund under Standing Order F 1.1.2.2, if there is such a fund. In this case, Finance and Services Committee shall review the cause and report to Council on the situation.
F 1.1.3.5 If the Kommittee is unable to pay the full amount by either of these means, it shall give the maximum amount possible under these Standing Orders. If it becomes clear in any year that this has happened, or will happen, then a DUCK Officer shall not be elected at the next sabbatical election unless a Union meeting specifically resolves that one should be elected. Instead, an election shall be held as for a Union non-sabbatical officer and the position shall be filled on a non-sabbatical basis. The position shall continue to be held on a non-sabbatical basis until it is resolved by Union meeting to restore its sabbatical status.
F 1.1.4
DUCK Exec
F 1.1.4.1 In between DUCK General Meetings, the Kommittee shall be run by an Exec This shall consist of:
(a) The DUCK Director, who shall be chair, and who shall be elected at a DUCK General Meeting and confirmed by Union General Meeting in Epiphany Term.
(b) The DUCK Officer.
(c) The DUCK Treasurer.
(d) Other Officers which DUCK consider to be appropriate, who shall be ordinary members of the Union.
F 1.1.4.2 Minutes of Exec meetings shall be made available to any member of the Union upon request.
F 1.1.5
DUCK Rep Meeting
F 1.1.5.1 There shall be a DUCK Rep meeting, responsible for liaison and co-ordination with DUCK representatives in the colleges, and facilitating the organisation of large fundraising activities.
F 1.1.5.2 The membership of the DUCK Rep meeting shall be:
(a) The DUCK College Rep Co-ordinator
(b) The DUCK Officer
(c) The DUCK Director
(d) A DUCK representative from each College Representative Body
F 1.2

Durham University Student Community Action
F 1.2.1 The Union shall recognise Durham University Student Community Action (Durham University SCA) as the official student volunteering organisation in the University of Durham, provided it continues to operate in accordance with this Standing Order and its own Constitution. The Durham University SCA must make Council aware of any changes to their Constitution. The Durham University SCA may revoke this Standing Order at any time by delivering notice in writing to Democracy Committee.
F 1.2.2 Durham University SCA is shall exist to provide the students of the University of Durham with opportunities to volunteer within the local community. It shall aim to equip the students with skills outside their academic studies whilst also being of tangible benefit to the local community.
F 1.2.3 There will be a Chair, who will be appointed by a General Meeting of Durham University SCA, and will then be introduced at the next meeting of Council. The Chair will report to Council once per term. The Chair will also provide an annual report to the final meeting of the academic year.
F 1.2.4 There shall be an Executive Committee to direct the general management of the affairs of Durham University SCA. The appointment of this committee will be governed by the Constitution of Durham University SCA; the Chair shall report any changes in its membership to Council.
F 1.2.5 There will be an Annual General Meeting whose role and responsibilities will be governed by the Constitution of Durham University SCA.
F 1.2.6 Durham University SCA will endeavour to adhere to Union Policy at all times. Durham University SCA's status as a charity in its own right must also be taken into account. In the event of a conflict, obligations imposed by charity law will prevail.
F 1.2.7 The Union will provide the Durham University SCA with reasonable use of office space, and any other support which is within its capacity.
F 1.2.8 Durham University SCA shall incorporate the words 'in association with DSU' into all publicity.
F 1.2.9 Durham University SCA shall be financially independent of the Union.
F 1.2.10 Any changes to this Standing Order must be published in writing on the Democracy Committee Notice board no less than 2 weeks before any Union Meeting at which the changes are to be considered. A copy of the proposed changes must be delivered to the Chair of Durham University SCA at the same time.
F 1.2.11 This Standing Order will be reviewed in 2004/2005 by the DSU President in consultation with the Executive Committee of Durham University SCA.
F 2

Non-Collegiate Associations
F 2.1

General
F 2.1.1 The Non-Collegiate Associations shall be bodies for the representation of particular groups within the membership of Union. They shall have as members all ordinary members of the Union who are, or who self-define as being, members of the represented group, unless they choose to opt out of membership. Standing Orders for a particular Association may provide that non-members of the Union who are within that group may also be offered associate membership.
F 2.1.2 Each Association shall be governed by a General Meeting, which shall meet at least once a year, and which all members (other than associate members) may attend, vote and speak at.
F 2.1.3 Associations may have their own constitution, which shall not conflict with Standing Orders. If the Association's constitution does not require at least one General Meeting to be held each term at which it may always be amended, it shall be open to amendment at any quorate General Meeting of the Association. Amendments to an Association's constitution shall require a simple majority unless a higher figure is specified, not to exceed two-thirds. Standing Orders may require that the Constitution of an Association contain specified rules.
F 2.1.4 An Association's constitution may provide for online voting for elections and/or referenda, using an Electronic Voting system which meets the requirements in Standing Order , in which each voting member of the Association shall have one vote, and which may take precedence over General Meetings of the Association. The same minimum notice and voting periods shall apply as for Cross Campus Ballots administered by the Union.
F 2.1.5 Each Association shall make appropriate arrangements to have an elected representative to Council.
F 2.1.6 Each Non-Collegiate Association shall provide Democracy Committee with a copy of their Constitution.
F 2.2

Postgraduate Association
F 2.2.1 There shall be a Postgraduate Association whose functions shall be:
(a) To advise the Union on matters regarding postgraduate members;
(b) To canvass the opinions of postgraduates through the Postgraduate Academic Senate, Graduate Society House Committee, the Committee of MCR Representatives and General Meetings;
(c) To raise awareness to postgraduates of student matters which affect them;
(d) To represent the views of postgraduate members to all relevant bodies;
(e) To offer representation, assistance and support to individual postgraduate members;
(f) To publicise the Association and DSU to new postgraduates during Freshers' Week; and
(g) To elect postgraduate representative to University Committees, and oversee their actions in conjunction with the Postgraduate Academic Senate.
F 2.2.2 The members of the Association shall be all postgraduate students of the University.
F 2.2.3 General Meetings:
(a) A General Meeting may be called at any time by the President, a majority of the Association's General Committee, the Education and Welfare Officer or eight members of the Association.
(b) The meeting shall be chaired by a member of the General Committee nominated by the committee.
(c) The quorum for General Meetings shall be fifteen members of the Association. If a General Meeting is inquorate, the meeting may proceed in an advisory capacity, but all decisions of the meeting shall be subject to ratification at the following meeting of the General Committee.
(d) Any member of PGA may submit a motion to the President of PGA (or to Democracy Committee, who shall forward the motion to the President of PGA) before noon, 3 days before the meeting. Such motions must be debated and voted on, and shall be binding on all officer holders elected by PGA. Motions submitted after this deadline may, at the discretion of the chair, be discussed in an advisory capacity.
(e) At least 10 days' notice shall be given of General Meetings, that shall be prominently publicised throughout the University and include the deadline for the submission of motions.
F 2.2.4 General Committee:
(a) The Association shall be governed in between General Meetings by the General Committee. Any member of the Association may attend, but only members of the committee may vote.
(b) The membership of General Committee shall be:
(i) The Executive Officers of the Association;
(ii) The postgraduate representatives to University and DSU Committees elected at PGA General Meetings or Union meetings;
(iii) The DSU Education and Welfare Officer and Postgraduate Officer; and
(iv) The Chairs of the Graduate Society House Committee and the Committee of MCR Representatives (the Chair may appoint any other member of his/her committee to attend and vote in his/her place).
(v) The elected representative(s) of the Postgraduate Academic Senate.
(c) The committee shall elect one of its members as chair at the start of each meeting.
(d) There shall be at least one meeting every three months called by the President. Additional meetings may be called by the President, the Education and Welfare Officer, or any other three members of the General Committee. At least 4 days' notice of a meeting must be given to all members.
(e) The quorum for General Committee meetings shall be five members of the committee.
(f) Notwithstanding (a), General Committee may declare any meeting or part of a meeting to be closed session, where only members of the committee may attend (unless the committee agrees to invite other people to the meeting). Members must not discuss any information disclosed during a closed session to anyone not on General Committee. Any member who breaches confidentiality shall be liable to be censured or no-confidenced at a General Meeting (or, in the case of ex-officio members, reported to the body they are accountable to). If any member of the committee breaches confidentiality again, following a written warning issued by the Chair or a majority of the General Committee, General Committee may resolve, with a two-thirds majority, to suspend that person's membership of the committee for as long it considers appropriate and necessary.
(g) Minutes of General Committee (other than the minutes of closed sessions) shall be publicised on the Web and by any other means General Committee considers necessary after they have been approved by the committee.
F 2.2.5 There shall be the following executive officers at the Association, who shall be members of the Association:
(a) A President who shall co-ordinate the activities of the Association in conjunction with the General Committee, and speak on behalf of the Association to the University and DSU;
(b) A Secretary who shall minute General Meetings and meetings of General Committee, and assist the President, Academic Officer and Chair of General Committee in matters of correspondence and publicity, in conjunction with the Graduate School;
(c) A Treasurer who shall be responsible for the finance of the Association in conjunction with the Treasurer of the Union; and
(d) An Academic Officer who shall be the Association's representative on Academic Senate, liase with individual postgraduate members about their academic needs or problems, and represent the opinions of the Postgraduate Academic Senate to General Committee.
F 2.2.6 Elections for members of General Committee shall be held as follows:
(a) The Executive Officers shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Association, to be held in the first three weeks of term. They shall take office immediately and hold office until the following Annual General
(b) Any postgraduate representatives to University Committees that the Association is entitled to elect shall be elected at a General Meeting held in the Easter term, where any student who will be a postgraduate the following academic year may attend and stand for election (but not vote). They shall take office from the 1st October to the 30th September. Elections shall be held for any unfilled positions at the following Annual General Meeting.
F 2.2.7 Elections shall be held in the same manner as elections at DSU Council, except that only members of the Association may vote. The elections to the Executive positions shall be administered by DSU Democracy Committee but chaired by a nominated member of the General Committee and the elections to University committees shall be administered by the PGA General Committee.
F 2.2.8 Interpretation of Postgraduate Association Standing Orders
(a) Outside of General Meetings and meetings of the General Committee, all questions on the interpretation of the Standing Orders governing the Association shall be referred to the Democracy Committee of the Union.
(b) During General Meetings and meetings of General Committee, the chair of the meeting shall have the power to make rulings on the Standing Orders governing the Association as (s)he sees fit. These rulings shall be valid for the duration of the meeting and Democracy Committee to be informed of these rulings.
(c) Any member of Association may appeal against ruling on Standing orders made by the Chair to the Democracy Committee, who may overturn any such ruling.
(d) In the event that any such appeal is upheld by Democracy Committee, it may take consequential steps such as declaring an election or a decision of a meeting void, or any other action that an Internals Appeal Tribunal could take against a decision of Democracy Committee.
F 2.2.9 In the event that any executive officer resigns before his/her term of office expires, a by-election shall be held at the following General Meeting, which shall take place within 6 weeks.
F 2.3

Mature Students Association
F 2.3.1 There shall be a Mature Students' Association whose functions shall be:
(a) To advise the Union on matters regarding mature student members;
(b) To act as a means of communication between mature student members;
(c) To organise social events for its members;
(d) To offer advice and assistance to new mature student members of the Union; and
(e) To represent the views of mature students members to all relevant bodies.
F 2.3.2 The members of the Association shall be all undergraduate members of the University, who are aged 21 or over at matriculation.
F 2.3.3 A General Meeting may be called at any time by the Chair, a majority of the Association's Executive Committee or by eight members of the Association. In the event of the Association becoming inactive, the Education and Welfare Officer shall also have the power to call a General Meeting. The quorum for General Meetings shall be fifteen members of the Association. At least one week's notice shall be given of General Meetings by publication of a prominent notice in Dunelm House.
F 2.3.4 The Association shall elect a Chair at the first General Meeting of Michaelmas term to publicise and chair meetings. The Education and Welfare Officer shall publicise the first meeting of the Michaelmas Term. The Chair shall refer all questions on the interpretation of the Standing Orders governing the Association to the Democracy Committee of the Union, except in the case where a question arises at and in relation to a General Meeting of the Association, in which case the Chair shall have the power to make such ruling as he/she thinks fit. Any member of Union may appeal against any such ruling made by the Chair to the Democracy Committee. If the Democracy Committee overturns any such decision of the Chair, then it may take any such action as an Internal Appeals Tribunal might take if the ruling complained of were a ruling of Democracy Committee overturned by such a tribunal in accordance with Article XXXIII.6 of the Constitution. In the case of equality in voting at a General Meeting, the Chair shall have a second or casting vote.
F 2.3.5 The Association shall be administered between General Meetings by an Executive Committee. This Committee shall be composed of the Mature Students' Representative of St Cuthbert's Society and the following to be elected by a General Meeting held in the first three weeks of Michaelmas term:
(a) A President who shall co-ordinate the activities of the Association in conjunction with the Executive Committee, and chair the Executive Committee;
(b) A Secretary who shall assist the President and the Chair in matters of correspondence, organisation and publicity;
(c) A Treasurer who shall be responsible for the finance of the Association in conjunction with the Treasurer of the Union; and
(d) A Social Secretary who shall organise social events and other entertainment)
F 2.3.6 In the event that any member of the Executive Committee, or the Chair, resigns before his/her term of office expires a General Meeting shall be held within three weeks of such resignation to elect a replacement.
F 2.4

International Students Association
F 2.4.1 There shall be an International Students' Association ("The Association") whose aims shall be:
(a) to offer support and guidance to international students within the University of Durham;
(b) to promote the integration of international students and home students; and
(c) to enhance the experience of international students within the University.
F 2.4.2 It shall pursue these aims by:
(a) advising the Students' Union on matters regarding international students;
(b) acting as a means of communication between international students;
(c) organising social events for its members;
(d) organising an international students event for the Welcome Weekend at the University;
(e) representing the views of international student members to all relevant bodies; and
(f) raising mutual awareness and understanding between international student members and other members of the University.
F 2.4.3 All registered international student members of the Union shall be ordinary members of the Association. Any other member of the University may join the Association as an associate member, by application to a person specified in the Association's Constitution.
F 2.4.4 General Meetings shall be publicised by means of a prominent notice in Dunelm House not less than seven days in advance.
F 2.4.5 The President shall call an Extraordinary General Meeting upon receipt of a written request to do so by at least 20 ordinary members of the Association. Such a request shall include details of the matter to be discussed.
F 2.4.6 The Association's Constitution shall provide for the following:
(a) The election of an Executive Committee to direct the day-to-day running of the Association between General Meetings. All ordinary and associate members shall be entitled to stand as candidates, but only ordinary members shall be entitled to vote at such elections. One member of this Executive Committee shall be called the President.
(b) The quorum figure for a General Meeting, which shall at least 25 ordinary members.
(c) The removal of members of the Executive Committee by a vote of no confidence of a quorate General Meeting.
(d) Circumstances in which a General Meeting may be called, other than those specified in Standing Order 14.3.5.
F 2.5

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Association
F 2.5.1 There shall be an Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Association ("LGBT Association") whose functions shall be:
(a) To advise the Union on matters relating to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender ("LGBT") members;
(b) To represent the views of LGBT members to all relevant bodies;
(c) To liase with other LGBT organisations;
(d) To offer on request assistance to LGBT members of the Union;
(e) To organise social events for its members;
(f) To raise mutual awareness and understanding between LGBT members and other members of the University; and
(g) To organise an annual awareness week.
F 2.5.2 The members of the Association shall be ordinary members of the Union who self-define as LGBT. The Association's constitution may provide for specified other groups to be granted membership, and/or voting rights on matters unrelated to Union meetings or NUS Conferences.
F 2.5.3 The Association shall be administered by an Executive Committee. This will be comprised of at least five members including the LGBT Officer of the Union and at least one student from the Queen's Campus.
F 2.5.4 General Meetings of the Association may be called at any time by a majority of the Association's Executive Committee or by eight members of the Association. The Association's constitution may designate specific General Meetings, to be held not less than once every term, as those to which business shall normally be submitted, provided that it would not be detrimental to any of the Association's members for it not to be dealt with at an earlier General Meeting. In the event of the Association becoming inactive, the LGBT Officer or the Education and Welfare Officer will call a General Meeting. The quorum for General Meetings shall be ten members of the Association, unless a higher figure is specified in the Association's constitution. At least one week's notice shall be given of General Meetings by publication of a prominent notice in Dunelm House.
F 2.6

Students With Disabilities Association

F 2.6.1 There shall be a Students With Disabilities Association, SWDA, whose function shall be:
a) To advise the Union on matters relating to SWD members;
b) To represent the views of SWD members to all relevant bodies;
c) To liase with other SWD;
d) To offer on request assistance to SWD members of the union;
e) To organise social events for its members;
f) To raise mutual awareness and understanding between SWD members and other members of the University;
g) To organise an annual awareness week;
h) To have reps within each college who meet on a regular basis of each term.
F 2.6.2 The members of the SWDA shall be registered students of the union who self define as SWD. The SWDA constitution may provide for specified groups to be granted membership, and/or voting rights on matters unrelated to the Union meetings or NUS Conferences.
F 2.6.3 The SWDA shall be administrated by an Executive Committee. This will comprise a Treasurer; Social Secretary; Stockton Campus Rep; Secretary; SWDO.
F 2.6.4 A General Meeting of the SWDA maybe called at any time by a majority of the SWDA Executive Committee or by eight members of the SWDA. In the event of the association becoming inactive, the SWDO or EWO will call a General Meeting. The quorum for the General Meeting shall be 10 members of the SWDA, unless a higher figure is specified in the SWDA constitution. At least one week's notice shall be given of General Meeting to all members and by publication of a prominent notice in Dunelm House.
F 3

Recognised Media Organisations
F 3.1

Mentoring

F 3.1.1 The Treasurer shall act as mentor for heads of Recognised Media Organisations.
F 3.2

Purple Radio
F 3.2.1 The Union shall recognize Purple Radio as the official student radio station provided it continues to operate in accordance with this Standing Order.
F 3.2.2 Purple Radio shall be run by a Station Manager. The Station Manager shall be elected by General Meeting in the Epiphany term, to take office at the end of that term.
F 3.2.3 The Station Manager shall appoint a Station Executive to assist in the running of Purple Radio. The members of this Executive shall be reported to Council for approval, and no member of the Executive shall continue of Council does not approve.
F 3.2.4 The Station Manager shall make detailed regulations for the running of Purple Radio, subject to the approval of Finance and Services Executive Committee. Finance and Services Executive Committee shall ensure that these regulations do not conflict with Standing Orders.
F 3.2.5 Purple Radio shall follow all Policy in its activities.
F 3.3

Palatinate
F 3.3.1 The union shall recognise Palatinate as the official student newspaper, provided it continues to operate in accordance with this Standing Order.
F 3.3.2 Palatinate shall be run by an Editor. Candidates for Editor must have contributed in writing or editing for at least two editions of the paper and be aware of the responsibilities and roles assigned to the Editor. At the point of standing for election they should have a good knowledge of the IT system and programs used by Palatinate. The Editor shall be elected by the last ordinary General Meeting of each term, to take office at the end of that term, until the end of the following term and shall report twice termly once in office to Council.
F 3.3.3 The Editor shall appoint an Editorial Board to assist in the running of Palatinate in conjunction with an open and transparent system for recruiting writers and journalists, by holding two publicly advertised and recorded meetings a term for recruitment and internal scrutiny.
F 3.3.4 The Editor shall make detailed regulations for the running of Palatinate in conjunction with the Treasurer. The Finance and Services Executive Committee shall ensure that these regulations do not conflict with this standing order.
F 3.3.5 Palatinate shall have complete Editorial Independence, save that the publisher of Palatinate shall have the authority to request (or as a last resort, make) changes to Palatinate if these are necessary to avoid a breach of the law and Union policy and regulations specifically relating to the production of a student newspaper. The editor will ensure that the paper is completed at least two working days before the print submission deadline to ensure appropriate oversight. Guidelines for these shall be included in the Code of Standards under Standing Order F 3.3.6
F 3.3.6 There shall be a Code of Standards for Palatinate. Changes must be agreed by Union Meetings. The Code of Standards for Palatinate shall be an appendix to these Standing Orders.
F 3.4

Durham21
F 3.4.1 The Union shall recognise Durham21 as a Recognised Media Organisation provided that it continues to operate in accordance with this Standing Order.
F 3.4.2 The stated aims of Durham21 are understood by the Union to be:
(a) to publish work of interest to people with links to Durham University e.g. News, Opinion, Creative writing etc.
(b) to publish this online
(c) to provide volunteer opportunities in journalism, photography, marketing, design and information technology.
(d) to cover Durham events.
to donate a percentage of its surplus to a charity.
F 3.4.3 Council should be informed of any change to these aims, at which point it may vote to cease to recognise Durham21.
F 3.4.4 One or more representatives of the publication shall submit a briefing to Council on the activities of Durham21 once a term.
F 3.4.5 The Union will offer appropriate assistance in kind, as negotiated with the Treasurer, to Durham21.
F 3.4.6 The Union will provide financial support, subject to the usual budgetary conditions, at the discretion of Finance and Services Executive Committee.
F 3.4.7 The Union shall in no way act as publisher for Durham21, and takes no responsibility for the content of its website, or any actions of Durham21.
F 3.4.8 Durham21 shall operate independently from the Union in all matters financial.
F 3.4.9 Durham21 shall be editorially independent from the Union.
F 4

Societies
F 4.1 Any club or society, the majority of whose members are members of the Union, and which is formed for any purpose not inconsistent with the objects of the Union or discriminatory in the sense of Article IV of the Constitution, may apply to affiliate to the Union and to use the words 'Durham University' in its name. Connection with a religious body or party political organisation shall not in itself be a bar to affiliation.
F 4.2 Clubs and societies may not affiliate simultaneously to the Union and to the Athletics Union and affiliation to the Athletic Union shall automatically terminate any affiliation to the Union.
F 4.3 Affiliation may be approved or declined by Societies Team ('the Committee'), which shall receive and consider a report from the Societies Officer in each case.
F 4.4 The Committee shall publish, and revise from time to time as necessary, regulations setting out conditions for new or continuing affiliation. These shall be such as are in the Committee's opinion necessary to ensure that:
(a) membership of affiliated societies is open equally to all members of the Union;
(b) societies and their assets are accountably and responsibly managed under a competently-drawn constitution;
(c) those Union Policies which specify that they are applicable to affiliated societies are not violated in a society's management or activities;
(d) any funds received by way of grant from the Union are properly used and accounted for;
(e) the Committee or the Societies Officer is enabled to monitor compliance with the conditions and to take necessary emergency action (including the halting of transactions on any bank account) in the event of suspected mismanagement;
(f) members of the Union can without difficulty become aware of the society's existence and purpose.
F 4.5 Before they come into force, new regulations shall be tabled by being published in draft on the Democracy Committee noticeboard until after the next meeting of Council and laid upon the table of Council at that meeting. Before the meeting the Societies Officer shall take reasonable steps to draw any proposed changes to the attention of society executives. New regulations shall be subject to amendment or cancellation by vote of the meeting. They shall also require the approval of Democracy Committee as being consistent with the Union's Constitution and Standing Orders. These regulations shall be kept as an appendix to the Standing Orders.
F 4.6 Notwithstanding any control exercisable by the Union to prevent mismanagement, the assets and liabilities of an affiliated society shall remain those of the society and shall not become or be merged with those of the Union. A society shall be free at all times to end its affiliation to the Union, subject to:
(a) a decision to do so being duly taken in accordance with its own constitution;
(b) compliance with any conditions, as to repayment or otherwise, attaching to funds received by way of grant from the Union;
(c) the change of the society's name to remove the words 'Durham University' (unless the society is simultaneously affiliating to the Athletic Union);
(d) written notice to the Societies Officer.
F 4.7 The Committee may resolve to end the affiliation of a society which fails to comply with the conditions of affiliation. An officer of the society shall have the right, if he/she so desires, to be heard by the Committee before a final decision to this effect is taken. Following termination of a society's affiliation the Union shall release any control which it enjoys over the society's assets as soon as any grant repayable to the Union has been paid.
F 4.8 Grants may be made, and other assistance given, by the Union to affiliated societies within the limits set by the current financial budget for that purpose, and in accordance with rules or guidelines published in advance by the Committee after consultation with the Societies Officer and the Treasurer. The rules or guidelines shall be such as, in the Committee's opinion, ensure that the allocation of resources to affiliated societies is fair and equitable, although they may have regard to societies' membership and income from other sources. They shall be subject to a tabling procedure similar to that prescribed by Standing Order F 4.4 above.
G

Appendices
G 1 Documents associated with, but not part of, these Standing Orders may be included as Apendices to them. These may be altered by majority vote at a Union Meeting.