Referenda

Referenda of the Graduate Union are conducted from time to time, usually to change the constitution, or to settle important policy or procedural matters. Regulations for referenda are set out in Section 14 of the GU Constitution.

Notice is hereby given of a referendum on a proposal to amend the Constitution to take place from 25th – 31st May 2012

Changes to the constitution are proposed in order to attain charity status, which is a legal requirement for Students’ Unions according to the Charities Act of 2006 (http://www.nusconnect.org.uk/asset/news/6054/charityactv.pdf):

If it passes, the referendum will:

  1. Adopt the NUS Model Constitution, allowing the GU to attain charity status (in accordance with the Charity Commission’s regulations) and establish a Trustee Board
  2. Move minor details from the current Constitution to additional documents that do not require a full referendum to be altered (instead being alterered by the GU Council)
  3. Alter the membership of the Graduate Union so that only those on graduate courses are voting for their graduate representative (i.e. not mature undergraduates). This will mean that mature undergraduates will have associate member rather than full member status

The proposed amendments can be found here: Constitution 2012

The existing version of the constitution can be found here.

A General Meeting open to all full members of the Graduate Union will take place on Wednesday 23rd May at 6pm at the Graduate Union to discuss issues and questions arising from the referendum.

Voting will take place online at www.vote.cusu.cam.ac.uk from 25th to 31st May inclusive.

Recent referenda

4th–10th February 2010
Amendments to the GU Constitution
(second sabbatical officer, “Sabbatical Student Support Officer”, a joint position with CUSU).

Results of previous referenda

9th–13th November 2009
Amendments to the GU Constitution
(second sabbatical officer, “Graduate Union Vice President”).
28th April–1st May 2008
Amendments to the GU Constitution.
18th May 2005
Concerning the adoption of a new constitution.
3rd March 2004
Concerning the appointment of a senior treasurer, the introduction of a sabatical position of ‘Council Chair’, and the splitting of the roles of ‘Vice-President’ and ‘Treasurer’.
7th March 2001
Concerning CUSU-GU integration.