On Friday 28 April 2023, 247 students signed a petition for a referendum. The petition called on Durham SU to work with JCR and MCR President’s Committees to improve the financial sustainability of Common Rooms, including by putting the following position to a student vote. 

"Durham University should support Common Rooms' financial sustainability, including the ability for each JCR to have at least one sabbatical officer without the financial burden falling on the shoulders of the students" 

The petition reached the threshold to call for a referendum under Durham SU’s rules (1% of student members), so a student vote will now be held to offer students the chance to support this position.

KEY INFORMATION

Voting will open at 9:00 Tuesday 9 May and close at 17:00 Monday 15 May, running consecutively with Durham SU’s trustee elections. The link to the voting platform will be: www.durhamsu.com/vote.

For the referendum to pass, 5% of the student body must vote, and of those a simple majority must agree the position.

Durham SU understands there will be a campaign supporting the affirmative position. We have not been notified of any other campaigns on the position, but interested students should do so by contacting su.elections@durham.ac.uk.

Basic training on the rules of campaigning with be provided at 17:00, 4 April for campaigners in support of the position. Anyone wishing to campaign against the position should contact su.elections@durham.ac.uk to organise their own rule briefing. Information about the rules of the referendum campaigning can be found below.

 ABOUT THE PROPOSED POSITION

A brief explanation from the proposer of the petition/ campaigners in support of the position will be added here shortly for insight and background information.    

RULES AND GUIDANCE

Campaigning guidance is being updated for this specific referendum to be more helpful for other student organisations with their own rules, and will be available here on Wednesday 3 May. You can also find more information on what a referendum is here, including links to our Articles of Association.

If you wish to submit a complaint during the voting period, you can find information on how to do this here.

If you have any questions, please contact su.elections@durham.ac.uk