WHAT IS STUDENT COUNCIL?
Student or ‘Union’ Council is the highest decision-making body within the Students’ Union. The role of the council includes:
- Represents the voice of students at the University of Wolverhampton
- Set the policy of the Union
- Where appropriate, update Union policies
- Shape the strategic direction of the Students’ Union through reports and motions
Student council is currently comprised of the following positions:
Chair of Union Council - Opeyemi Bamiro
SU President - Bisola Olatunji
Vice President Academic - Yetunde Adedipe
Vice President Community and Welfare - Oluwafunbi Babatunde
Vice President Diversity - Opeyemi Adeyemi
2x Faculty Council Representative (FABSS) - Keith Brown, Madiha Tamanna
2x Faculty Council Representative (FEHW) - Imadeyunuagbon Ekunwe, Bhoke Kiranga
2x Faculty Council Representative (FSE) - Genevieve Awaogho, Owhonda Nwokekoro
6x Society Council Rep - Olufunke Akinbode, Temitope Adeyelu, Leigh New, Abayomi Olayiwola Oni, Olalekan Babaola, Blessing Aideghonghon Okarah
Campus Council Rep (Telford) - Jodie Storey
Campus Council Rep (Walsall) - (vacant)
Campus Council Rep (City) - Meena Chand
10x 'Open' Seats - Akash Adhikari, Benjamin Philip, Dahlia McHardy, Eloise Fowler, Ezekiel Emmanuel, Frank Olalekan Johnson, Sheila Passey, Izuchukwu Agim, Grace Otche Abuo, Muhammed Babatunde Folorunsho
Please note names and remits of these positions may change over time as Byelaws are reviewed and approved.
The council meets at least three times per academic year to scrutinise ideas submitted to council to create policy for the Union, so that students have a direct input on what the union and the officers work on throughout the year. The council is also a place where members can hold officers to account – questioning their progress with campaigns, activity, and policy work, ensuring they are working to keep the promises made in their manifestos and addressing key student issues.
HOW DOES AN IDEA BECOME POLICY?
Each motion (idea) submitted to council will be discussed at a council meeting. After discussion, and any amendments are made, council members will vote on whether they think the SU should support the motion. Vote outcomes are calculated by Simple Majority Vote (50% + 1), so if more than half of members present vote to pass the motion, it becomes mandated policy, and the union and officers must work on it.
Any registered current student can attend a council meeting as an observer. These students are allowed to speak for or against a motion.
Motions are reviewed after 2 years, where council will vote on whether to continue this policy.
If you would like to discuss your motion in more detail with a member of the SU team, please contact Nat at natalia.falacinska@wlv.ac.uk.
HOW DO I JOIN STUDENT COUNCIL?
You can run for a position on council through the website and don’t worry, you can nominate yourself! The positions available will be listed and you can put yourself forward for your preferred position.
Make sure to upload a photo and 200 words explaining why you would make a good representative for your fellow students.
COUNCIL TRAINING
Are you still a little nervous about how council works? Do not fear! We will hold a short training session for all elected council members to ensure you understand how the meetings work and you’re able to be the best representative possible. Please try to attend this training session, otherwise you will miss out on key information.
THE ROLE
Being an elected member of council is a voluntary position. Elected members are expected to attend all meetings throughout the year they are elected, so note the dates and times before nominating yourself.
COUNCIL MEETING DATES 2023-24
The dates for council meetings this year are as follows. Provisional dates are in italics.
- Tuesday 30th April, 11am - 2pm, Teams.
- Thursday 30th May, 11am-2pm. (TBC)
- Friday 28th June, 11am-2pm. (TBC)
Please note, the dates and times for council meetings must be confirmed by the Council Chair, as such, they are subject to change. Any changes will be communicated to council members via email.
MEETING LOCATIONS
We plan to run council meetings in person initially and hope to host council meetings at City, Walsall, and Telford campus on a rotating basis. This can be revisited throughout the year according to members’ schedules and preferred meeting option (online or in-person). Some council meetings may have to happen virtually due to the time of year and to ensure maximum attendance.
If you need more information or have any questions, feel free to email natalia.falacinska@wlv.ac.uk.
GLOSSARY
Mandate – an official order or commission to do something
Manifesto – a declaration of policies or aims
Policy - a course or principle of action adopted or proposed by an organization or individual.
Scrutinise – examine or inspect closely and thoroughly.
Action Motions - These are motions that require the SU to take a one-off or short-term action, like supporting an event or signing an open letter. They only need a simple majority at one Council.
Policy Motions - These are motions that require the SU to take a longer term stance or campaign for a change. These are presented at Council for information and then voting members have until the next meeting to consult their constituents on the policy, before a vote is taken.
Amendments - To make a minor changes to (a text, piece of legislation, etc.) in order to make it fairer or more accurate, or to reflect changing circumstances.
Agenda - a list of items to be discussed at a formal meeting
Accountability - the requirement and expectation to justify actions or decisions. To be held responsible or accountable.
Transparency - decision-makers and decision-making processes being open, honest and visible
Scrutiny – close examination and critical observation of an authority
Democracy - ‘is system of Government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives’
Representation - the act of speaking or acting on behalf of others. Representatives making decisions on behalf of people.