Democratic meetings

At Goldsmiths’ SU, we have several democratic meetings in place in order for students to have an active role in decision making within the SU, and to suggest and influence key policies that shape the Union and our work. While some of these meetings are attended by your elected officers or student representatives, others are open to all students. 

You can submit your ideas to any of these meetings, where they will be debated by members and voted on. These meetings are also a way to hold our student leaders accountable and hear updates about their current projects.

Committees

We have three committees at GSU that meet regularly throughout the year. These committees are responsible for discussing ideas and campaigns and setting out union policy that relates to their specific fields. They are also the place to hold the relevant sabbatical officer to account for work related to the committee. They all report back to the student forum. They can also call an open meeting (where all members can attend) if an idea submitted to them needs further exploration.

1. Liberation committee

The liberation committee will meet quarterly and is attended by your Welfare and Liberation officer, as well as all your part-time officers. Broadly speaking, they are responsible for coordinating Liberation activity within the Union, such as solidarity statements and campaigns. Any idea submitted by students that is related to Welfare and Liberation will be taken to this committee where it will be discussed and voted on. 

2. Education committee

The Education committee will meet quarterly and is attended by your Education officer, as well as all your School Student Coordinators and Postgraduate Research Reps. Broadly speaking, their responsibilities are to coordinate and action feedback in relation to the academic experience. Any idea submitted by students that is related to Education will be taken to this committee where it will be discussed and voted on. 

3. Activities Committee

The Activities committee will meet quarterly and is attended by your Campaigns and Activities officer, as well as all representatives from Clubs and Societies. Broadly speaking, their responsibilities are to coordinate and action feedback in relation to Clubs and Societies, for example discussing extra budget allocation for a society. Any idea submitted by students that is related to Clubs and Societies will be taken to this committee where it will be discussed and voted on.

Student Forum

Student Forum takes place regularly throughout the year and is made up of all Sabbatical Officers, Student Trustees and your Union Chair. However, students can also attend Student Forum and speak about any issues or bring forward a motion if they wish. Ideas that relate to central campaigns or Union development will be taken to the Student Forum, where they will be debated and voted on by Student Forum members. The Officers will also use this opportunity to provide reports on policies passed and work undertaken by the committees. If needed, the members of Student Forum can call an open meeting to discuss an issue further with the wider student body.

AGM

The Union holds an Annual General Meeting (AGM) of its members once a calendar year. However, additional general meetings can be called if necessary by the Student Forum or any of the Committees. AGM is where students receive the Trustees annual report and accounts of the Union, as well as a report of policies passed and work undertaken in the Student Forum. Any idea submitted by students that is related to amending the governing documents goes to AGM, as do ideas that would benefit from greater input from the wider student body. All members of the SU (meaning all students) are invited to these meetings where they can debate and vote on critical issues facing the Goldsmiths’ student community.

2023 AGM Meeting Minutes

Calendar for 2023-2024 democratic meetings