First Activities Council 2017/18 -02/11/2017

Policies submitted this meeting

Policy title / Submitter of policy / Page
Activities Disciplinary Process for Misbehaviour / Vice President Student Activities / P2
Be Your Best at NUS / Deputy President Education / P4
Quality doesn’t grow on fees (International Students fees)
(Proposed amendment) / International Students’ Rep / P6

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Activities Disciplinary Process for Misbehaviour
Proposer: VP Student Activities
This Union notes:
1)The DSU activities department have numerous members at any one time. The member’s represents the SU at various events.
2)The behaviour of some of these members has been questionable at some events such as organised tours, varsity fixtures and weekly BUCS fixtures.
This Union believes:
1)That members of sports clubs and societies should encourage safe drinking and responsible behaviour when representing DMU / DSU;
2)Students participating in external events, whether playing or watching, such as but not exclusive of, BUCS fixtures, varsity fixtures and / or tours organised by the Students’ Union, must show respect towards the public, members of DSU and other involved parties;
3)Tours organised by the Students’ Union have become a tradition and for these to continue the participating students must behave in a responsible manner;
4)If a student wishes to participate in BUCS fixtures, participate or spectate at varsity fixtures and / or go on organised tours and other events this should be dependent on their behaviour throughout the year;
5)The above are privileges that should only be granted if a member’s behaviour deems
them trustworthy to represent the University / Students’ Union.
This Union instructs:
6) That all members must show respect and courtesy to everyone they come into contact with whilst representing DMU / DSU;
7)That all members take responsibility for their behaviour, including drinking, whilst actively encouraging others to do the same;
8)Whilst on organised tours DSU’s Student Activities Inclusion and Participation and DSU Behaviour at External Events policies must be adhered to by sports clubs, societies and their members. If they are not, individuals may be sanctioned under the Union’s disciplinary rules;
9)If any member is found to be in breach of DMU / DSU’s disciplinary process while representing the SU, during fixtures, varsity competitions, whilst on organised tours and whilst in the venue or associated / affiliated events, their privilege of future participation can be removed. They will face relevant disciplinary procedures and be banned or sanctioned accordingly.
10)The decision behind which services that the student may be banned from will be decided by relevant staff members involved.
11)If the offence is to a degree that requires the accuser to be banned from all DSU activities, then the decision will be made by relevant staff.
Be Your Best at NUS
Proposer: Deputy President Education
This Union notes:
1)De Montfort Students’ Union is a member of the National Union of Students and sends approximately six delegates to the conference each year;
2)Elected delegates should attend conference, vote on motions and the NUS election.
3)Those students should act as delegates and not representatives;
4)The delegation leader is the President as specified in the By-Laws.
This Union believes:
5)Delegates have a duty to the membership to portray a positive image of DSU.
6)That any student attending an external event on behalf of DSU should be held fully accountable for their actions;
7)There have been issues with delegates at NUS conference in the past with regards to attendance
8)That the types of incidents committed by delegates can be split into two types.
Minor - including (but not exhaustive):-
  • Being late on conference floor;
  • Not keeping in contact with the delegation;
  • Having extended time off conference floor;
  • Being under the influence of intoxicating substances while on conference floor;
  • Leaving the conference floor without informing the delegation leader.
Major - including (but not exhaustive):-
  • Voting against adopted DSU policy unless otherwise stated in election manifesto;
  • Intimidation;
  • Breaking existing Union or NUS policy (for example Equal opportunities);
  • Non-attendance of a session(s);
  • Being under the influence of illegal substances at any time.

This Union instructs:
9)The delegation leader has the power to address the incidents referred to above;
10)The leader will have the ability to speak to representatives about minor incidents of poor behaviour. Where a major incident or repeated minor incidents occur the leader will have the right to ask a delegate to leave the event and return at cost to themselves;
11)The delegation leader who believes there are grounds to ask a representative to leave an event should first seek advice from the DSU Memberships Manager.
12)Once the conference has concluded, the delegation leader will report to the DSU Memberships Manager and disciplinary action shall be taken
13)Students who have been elected as an NUS Delegate should prioritise attending conference floor and act as a DSU delegate over supporting in an elections campaign;
14)Delegates should only miss conference if it is due to ill health or well-being issues, and should let the delegation leader know.
2.8 Quality doesn’t grow on fees (International Students fees)
Proposer: International Students’ Representative (Usaid Nagaria)
This Union notes:
1)International students pay more fees than home student’s
2) Universities can charge International students what they want
3) International Students do not get loans, grants, or any benefits
4)International students pay for the use of NHS
5)International students don’t get work experience after studying
This Union believes:
1)Students should not have to pay more because they are international students
2)International students are at the heart of DMU
3) International Students should not be monetarily discriminated against
4)International students should not pay for the use of NHS
5)International students should be granted a visa to stay in the UK after their course has finished to gain work experience
This Union instructs:
1)The Officers of the Students’ Union should lobby the University, at all relevant meetings, to standardise fees for Home and International students
2) That the Officer team should contact other Students’ Unions and the NUS to campaign against unfair fees
3) That the Students’ Union should engage with the media local media about this issue
4)The full time Officers of the SU should campaign at least once every term for lower International tuition fee.

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