Your Union – Governance

Goldsmiths Students’ Union is a democratic organisation, and to ensure that we remain democratic we have certain procedures to follow to ensure that everything we do is in the interests of our students.

Here is a quick glossary of words you may hear floating around.

Governance - The way in which the Union works, it’s proceedures, rules and regulations.

Constitution - A document that guides the different activities of the union. (Download below)

Motion - A formal proposal made to bring about some change.

Referenda - A cross campus vote, where every student can vote on an issue/motion. It would usually last for a few days, online and a physical ballot box.

Open meeting - Where students can meet up to talk about a specific topic.

Student assembly - Where elected officers vote on motions that have been submitted by students and officers.

Trustee board - Make decisions on the financial and legal matters of the Union. (Made up of 4 part-time student trustees, 4 sabbatical trustees and 4 external trustee)

Mandate - To command an action/task via a democratic process. Usually given by students to a representative: We mandate the president to campaign against higher education cuts.