Monday 10-12-2018 - 11:32

Michaelmas term saw the first two Assemblies of the year, which meant a new Chair, a new(ish) Vice-Chair, and a new Assembly membership.

Ted has been doing a brilliant job as Chair so far, keeping everything to time and in control, and making us laugh a lot in the process. They’ve also helped us out with a Ted’s Top Tips segment for Assembly members, and a video explaining all about Assembly and why you should attend (because Ted will be there, obviously). We’re also looking forward to welcoming our newly elected Vice-Chair Antonia Barber after Christmas, who did a great job in the role last year and we’re sure will do so again!

The two Assemblies have seen a variety of motions pass, as well as plenty of updates on what your Officers have been up to. You can watch the updates back via the live videos on our Facebook page, and come along to the next Assembly if you have any questions about their work so far.

Two motions were passed at the first Assembly: to adopt Procedural Motions and to affiliate with Tyne and Wear Citizens. The first of these needs to go through Durham SU’s Trustee Board to be implemented, as it makes a change to the Standing Orders. Charlie Walker is currently working on the second, sorting out the affiliation agreement with Tyne and Wear Citizens. At this Assembly, the motion regarding Student Group Constitutions and Heads of Terms was rigorously debated and defeated. Work is ongoing in this area, and it will be brought back before Assembly in the January.

The second Assembly opened with your Committee Chairs giving updates on everything they have planned for the year. Three motions were then passed smoothly: the UCU Anti-Casualisation Policy, the Elections Expenses Policy, and the Support for the Associations Policy.

The next Assembly will take place on 31 January 2019, and if you want to make it your new year’s resolution to make change happen in Durham, submit your ideas for motions or simply come along to be part of the discussion. A more detailed overview of Assembly is available here.

And finally, from all the staff and Officers who have helped work on Assembly this term, we wish you a very democratic Christmas!