University Calendar 2010/11
Section IV : General Regulations
The Students Union



PREFACE
CONTENTS
SEMESTERS
SECTION I
SECTION II
SECTION III
SECTION IV
SECTION V
SECTION VI
SECTION VII
SECTION VIII
SECTION IX
SECTION X
SECTION XI
SECTION XII
SECTION XIII
SECTION XIV
 
ARCHIVE 2004/5
ARCHIVE 2005/6
ARCHIVE 2006/7
ARCHIVE 2007/8
ARCHIVE 2008/9
ARCHIVE 2009/10
Officers of the Students' Union

President Billy Fitzjohn
Vice-President Media & Communications Charlotte Woods
AU President Ted Wilkes
Vice-President Academic Affairs Rob Stanning
Vice-President Welfare & Societies Emily Rees
Winchester President Charlene Batchelor
Societies Officer Akhil Gowinrath
Athletic Union Officer Dean Jones
Equal Opportunities Officer Frankie Fry
RAG Officer Grace Allingham
JCR Officer Joshua Thompson
Postgraduate Officer Jim Parr
Academic Representation Officer Jonathan Davies
Ethical & Environmental Officer Aaron Bali
General Manager Jaki Booth BCom (Hons)
Finance Manager John Mills FCCA
Membership Services Manager Erica Hussey BSc (Hons)
Honorary Vice-Chair Michael Snell CBE BSc(Econ) MA PGCert(Ed) ACIS




Membership

The members of the Union shall be the following, except those who have notified the University that they wish to opt out of membership:
  1. all registered full-time students of the University;

  2. such registered part-time students of the University as the Union in accordance with its Laws may admit to full membership;
  3. all other registered part-time students of the University wishing to become associate members on payment of the appropriate membership fee;

  4. all members of staff of the University wishing to become associate members on payment of the appropriate membership fee;

  5. such persons as the Union in accordance with its Laws may admit to either life or temporary membership on payment of the appropriate life or temporary membership fee;

  6. such persons as the Union in accordance with its Laws may elect as honorary members;

  7. such persons who already members of Students Unions in other institutions of higher or further education as the Union in accordance with its Laws may elect as external members.
External Membership

Shall not imply reciprocation, although this may be included by mutual agreement with any of the organisations concerned, as decided by the Union.

Life Member

Any person who has at some time held full membership of the Union, but no longer holds this membership, shall be eligible subject to any provisions of Standing Orders, for Life Membership of the Union on payment of the appropriate fee.

Honorary Life Member

This category of membership may be awarded to such persons as the Union decides.

Honorary Vice-Presidents

This category of membership may be awarded to such persons as the Union decides as a recognition of outstanding service to the Union or its members.

Opting out of Membership

Under the terms of the Education Act l994, any student may exercise their right to opt out of membership of the Students' Union. At its meeting on 28 March 1995 the University's Council agreed a code of practice which sets out how all the requirements of the Act will be met, including making provision for opting out. At the beginning of each session students will automatically be registered as members of the Students' Union unless they inform the Director of Student Services in writing within four weeks of their initial enrolment or the start of their programme of study of their wish to opt out of membership.

A student who exercises his/her right to opt out should not be unfairly disadvantaged with regard to the provision of services (or otherwise) by reason of having done so. If a student believes that he/she has been unfairly disadvantaged, he/she may invoke the complaints procedures, as set out in the Standing Orders of the Students' Union. Copies of the Code of Practice regarding the requirements of the Education Act l994 are available for consultation in the Students' Union.

A student who opts out shall have no Union membership status whatsoever. However he/she shall be able to use the facilities provided by the Union as if he/she were an associate member, but will not be required to pay any fee.

These facilities shall include:
  • licensed bars, shops, catering services, travel agency and other Union-run trading areas;
  • sports facilities, common rooms and recreation areas, provided on Union premises;
  • clubs, societies and sports (Athletic Union) clubs;
  • the Student Advice and Information Centre, and other welfare related services.
A student who decides to opt out of the Students' Union shall not be able to:
  • be involved in the government or administration of the Union;

  • stand for election to any Union office;

  • vote on any issue decided by the Union or participate in any Union elections;

  • be represented by the Union in any matter;

  • have his/her interests represented by the Union to the University, other student bodies, other organisations and persons, or members of the general public;

  • be a member of the National Union of Students (NUS) or any other body to which the Union may from time to time be affiliated and/or represent the Students' Union on any other national body or organisation to which the Students' Union affiliates.
Note: The Students' Union is currently not affiliated to the NUS and, therefore, none of its members is eligible for NUS cards or other NUS services.

Students requiring further information about opting out of membership of the Students' Union may telephone the Student Services Centre on 023 8059 9599. Requests to opt out should be made on the attached form and handed in to Student Services Centre within four weeks of the student's initial enrolment, or the start of the student's programme of study. The completed form must be accompanied by the student's current ID card; receipt of the form and card will be acknowledged and the student will be informed how to obtain a replacement card. No requests to opt out will be entertained until the existing ID card has been surrendered.


Submitted by Corporate Services
Last reviewed: 29-Jun-2010
© University of Southampton