Leeds University Union Referendum Mini Site: Motions

That the University wastes paper by printing out information when you are overdrawn.
That the University does not offer any incentive to print double sided prints.

This Union Resolves.

Mandate the Education Officer to lobby the University to reduce the costs of double sided printing in the interest of saving paper.
Mandate the Education Officer to lobby the University to look into an alternative way of informing users when they are overdrawn.

Proposed by: Anthony Zupnik
Seconded by: Robert Heath

Motion 2: Should the Union have political views which may not be representative of all its member?

Motion Category: Wider Society and Citizenship

This Union Notes.

That Leeds University Union represents over 30,000 members, each of whom has their own political views.
That each member has the right to have and express his or her opinion without being labelled with a contrasting view because he or she belongs to Leeds University Union.
That Leeds University Union aims to encourage diversity, but is limiting itself by having political views which are not representative of all its members.

This Union Believes.

It should only have political views which affect all of its members.
That every member has the right to freedom of speech and freedom of thought and should not be defined by the views of Leeds University Union.
It is not Leeds University Union's role to take sides in ongoing conflicts while it represents members from both sides of such conflicts.

This Union Resolves...

To discard any existing political views which Leeds University Union subscribes to that do not represent all of its members.
To bar all further referenda motions which aim to adopt a political stance which does not represent all of its members, on the grounds that they prohibit diversity and freedom of thought and expression.
To promote each member's freedom of thought and freedom of expression.

Proposed by: Richard Mellor
Seconded by: Mark Sellick

Motion 3: Should the University, in recognition of the much higher fees required of International/Non-EEA students, embed within those fees additional amenities at no extra charge to the international student, such as Sport Centre membership, Metro passes, and/or printing credits, coming to see international fees as "all-inclusive"?

Motion Category: Welfare

This Union Notes...

That international students are burdened with fees at triple or quadruple the rate of UK/EU/EEA students.

This Union Believes...

That international students provide a financial service to the university by subsidising UK/EU/EEA fees at an advantageous below-market rate, and may be fairly compensated for this service by the provision of additional amenities.

This Union Resolves...

That the University, in consultation with all relevant University offices and related enterprises, whether public or private, will design the University fee structure so as to provide international students with free local transport, free sport centre membership, and any other amenity deemed, in the view of the University, helpful to the international student.

Proposed by: Zachary Herrington-Shaner
Seconded by: Sarah Herrington-Shaner

Motion 4: Should Freshers Fair move to the Sports Hall?

Motion Category: Activities, Strong and Active Union

This Union Notes.

Freshers’ Fair in the Riley Smith Hall is crowded every year.
Sports Halls are left unused during Intro Week.
Sports Fair in the Sports Centre is not too crowded.
Sports and societies are currently still quite separate, despite being grouped together as Activities.
Many first year students only find out about the Freshers’ fair agenda mid-week
Zoning groups into days disadvantages those groups allocated space at the start of the week.
Businesses at the fair contribute money to the union, which is in turn spent on society funding and student support services.

This Union Believes.

Freshers’ Fair could be more efficient and accessible
Sports and societies would benefit from being advertised together in one place.
More space means bigger and better displays and a chance for each society to get more than one day, increasing participation.
Membership levels would improve under a new system.
A bigger space would mean no need to reduce the number of businesses advertising at the fair.
In a bigger space businesses will not detract from sports clubs and societies, while still providing much needed funding.

This Union Resolves...

To move Freshers Fair to the sports hall
To combine the sports fair and societies fair.
To allow groups to have more than one day at the fair if they wish.
To keep the current amount of businesses at the fair.

Proposed by: Rowena Skinner
Seconded by: Barry McGuire

Motion 5: Let’s change the gender agenda

Motion Category: Welfare

This Union Notes:

Currently Leeds University Union and University of Leeds forms request the gender of the respondent as either male or female.
LUU is a membership organisation and is required to represent its membership.
LUU has a diverse student body with individuals from all social backgrounds.
‘Trans’ is a broad category which includes those who do not wish to identify as their prescribed or biological sex.
Trans students may not identify as any one gender.

This Union Believes:

LUU is an inclusive space for all.
Discrimination against minority groups should not be tolerated and works against the core values of LUU.
The requirement to decide into one of two given genders further marginalises Trans students.

This Union Resolves:

To alter the sex/gender category on forms to read ‘Gender?’ with an open response box.
To lobby the University to do the same.
To continue to work with the LUU and national LGBT campaign to protect the rights of LGBT students.

Proposed by: Sophia James
Seconded by: Jonathon Bridge

Motion 6: Should LUU adopt ABBA as its official band?

Motion Category: Activities, Strong and Active Union

This Union Notes

That at Waterloo, Napoleon did surrender;
That you’re so hot, teasing me, so you’re blue but I can’t take a chance on a chick like you;
That my destination makes it worth the while;
That like a super trooper beams are gonna find me;
That somewhere in the crowd there’s you;
That we can go walking, we can do dancing, as long as we’re together;

This Union Believes

That YOU are the dancing queen;
That I wanna know, what’s the name of the game;
That the winner takes it all;
That voulez-vous;
That you know what to do;ine,
That we should gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight;
That a little small talk, a smile, and baby I was stuck;
That breaking up is never easy, I know, but knowing me knowing you is the best I can do;
That I say thank you for the music, the song I’m singing, thanks for all the joy they’re bringing;

This Union Resolves

To make Abba the official band of Leeds University Union
To mandate Union Council to establish an official LUU ABBA day.

Proposed by: Jonathon Bridge
Seconded by: Matthew Edwards

Motion 7: Should LUU fix tuition fees amount for International Students?

Motion Category: Education

This Union Notes:

Various universities around the UK have fixed tuition fees for international students.
There is a visible annual increase in International students’ fees at the University of Leeds.
In 2007 International Medicine students started with £ 12,000 and in 2010 they will be paying around £ 22,000
That when students first start university they are not aware of the amount of increase in tuition fees each year.

This Union Believes:

That International Students at this University already pay unreasonable amounts of money for tuition fees.
That it is unfair to expect a student to commit to a course not knowing the percentage of increase they will have to pay year after year.
That if tuition fees for International students were calculated so that they could be fixed at an annual amount, it would not only be beneficial for them but also for their sponsors.
That fixing tuition fees will cause the University to be more attractive to potential International applicants.

This Union Resolves:

To mandate the education officer and the student exec to lobby for International Students fees to remain at their initial level when paying for subsequent years of education.
The exec will provide monthly updates on the campaign which will start immediately with the passing of this motion.

Proposed by: Mai Ali
Seconded by: Wajd Najjar

Motion 8: Should LUU adopt a Limited Platform Policy for Fascists?

Motion Category: Activities, Strong and Active Union

Union Notes:

Standards Board for England and Wales has reported that the BNP could be described as a Nazi organisation.
The Labour Party historically provided political representation for the working class.
After the 2008 London Assembly elections the BBC published a news story with the headline "BNP gains from Labour disaffection". (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7382831.stm)
Twelve major national trade unions have signed the Campaign for a New Workers' Party declaration.
Section 43 of the Education (No 2) Act 1986 requires 'freedom of speech within law is secured for members, students and employees of the establishment and for visiting speakers' within both, Universities and Student Unions.
In December 2008 a motion to adopt a No Platform policy was rejected at referendum.

Union Believes:

The Labour Party's New Labour Initiative aligns their policies quite closely with the Thatcher/Major Conservative Party position.
The BNP is gaining votes due to no reasonable alternative being available for the working class as the 3 main political parties are too middle class.
The best method of combating Fascist groups is by education.
Having Fascist groups on campus regularly is not necessary but it can aid this education.
Avoiding all contact with these groups increases the mystery and intrigue surrounding them and allows them to claim they are the victims of an injustice.
We can legitimately reduce the opportunities for Fascist Organisations to speak on campus, but a blanket ban is inordinate.

Union Resolves:

To implement the Limited Platform Policy attached as Appendix 1.
To mandate the Executive to create a list of Suspected Fascist Organisations for adoption at the next Union Council meeting.
To petition the University and the NUS to adopt similar policies.
Report any views which are deemed to be potentially illegal to the appropriate authorities.
To affiliate to the Campaign for a New Workers' Party (CNWP) at a cost of £25 per year.

Proposed by: Barry McGuire
Seconded by: Daniel Melia

Appendix 1

The Union shall:

Maintain a list of Suspected Fascist Organisations, Individuals and Front Groups. This list may be amended by simple majority at Union Council or Referendum.
Ensure that these groups are not given a platform more than once each per year. For the purposes of this policy a Group includes the Organisation, all Members, all known Front Groups and any Individuals strongly connected with the Organisation or Front Groups.
Ban all Groups on the list from the Union building. If a member of a Group is also a member of Leeds University Union they shall be allowed the same access to the Union Building and any Union Services as any other member.
Not authorise the formation and if already formed, shut down, any Activity Group which has links to any Group on the list. A member of any Group on the list who is also a member of LUU may join and run Activity Groups but they may be removed from their Activity Group Committee Position if there is sufficient evidence of discrimination. They may have their Union Membership revoked if the discrimination is severe or repetitive. This means they would loose right of access to the Union Building and any Union Services.
If the ARC is not notified at least two weeks in advance of a suspected Fascist, whether on the list or not, being invited to talk at an LUU event, or that Group in question is suspected of attending an LUU event in the past year, a simple majority of Executive Officers or a Union Council meeting may revoke the invitation. The Activities Executive should be included in any discussion about revoking the invitation if the Group have been invited by an LUU Activity Group.
Discipline any LUU Activity Group which fails to provide notification, or provides very short notice, to LUU of an event to which a suspected Fascist speaker has been invited.
Ensure that whenever a suspected Fascist is invited to attend any Union events that there is sufficient opposition to their ideas (a minimum of three decent opposition speakers) and that at least one anti-Fascist organisation is invited to protest.
Pay up to half of the necessary security arrangements for the event, up to a maximum of £200 per event or £600 in any 12 month period. A minimum of 50% of the security costs must be provided by the Activity Group, the University or the Police. If the police are invited to attend as security it must be made clear to them that harassment of students will not be tolerated.
Ensure that any event is cancelled if it is highly likely that there will be problems with security or safety.

LUU Activity Groups shall:

Notify the ARC at least 2 weeks in advance of any potentially contentious speakers or individuals which have been invited or may be invited to any of their events, whether on-campus or off-campus.
Co-operate fully with LUU in relation to organising any event which may potentially be covered by the "Limited Platform" policy.

Motion 9: Should Leeds University Union have a ‘green’ info point? An area where the union’s environmental impact can be monitored and students can learn about ‘green’ issues.

Motion Category: Education

This Union Notes:

In 2007/8 LUU was one of only three unions to receive Gold in the Sound Impact Awards, which recognises efforts to reduce their impact on the environment
The university was rated 14th in the People and Planet 2008 Green League
The Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy, led by Lord Nicholas Stern was recently launched at Leeds
There are many societies and volunteering projects that are environmentally-orientated
The UK government has set an 80% reduction target for greenhouse gases by 2050

This Union Believes:

As a university and union recognised for its leading role in sustainability and its commitment to tackling climate change, the union should make an effort to enhance this image
Many students are interested in environmental issues and should have a place to discuss and learn about such issues.
Environmental issues are becoming increasingly relevant and the union has a responsibility to empower students through knowledge

This Union Resolves:

To allocate an easily accessible and visible space in the union (such as part of the Info Point) to environmental information, to be ready by Green Week 2010
To ensure that all students have a say in what goes in the area. A forum will take place in Green Week 2009 so that all students can input into the initial stages.
To ensure the space is used as a means of monitoring the union’s environmental impact and carbon emissions, so that all students can see the union’s progress
To include in the space a recycling point, bike maintenance, educational material on the science behind climate change and a charity shop in which proceeds go towards student-led environmental projects.
To use the space as an information point on environmental societies and projects; environmental volunteer and work placements and how to live sustainably
To look into the possibility of powering the room with renewable energy
To mandate the Ethical and Environmental Assembly Chair and the CIA officer to ensure this project is fulfilled and to maintain its existence

Proposed by: Emma Hargrave
Seconded by: Sarah McIvor

Motion 10: Should LUU Campaign For Cheaper Buses?

Motion Category: Welfare

This Union notes:

In 2008, the cost of a ‘FirstDay’ ticket in Leeds was £3.00, in 2005 it was £2.30 – a percentage rise of 30.5%.
The cost of a term ticket in Leeds is around £90, in 2005 it was £77 – a percentage rise of 16.9%.
Nationally, statistics show the cost of transport by road rose by 10.3% between January 2005 and January 2008 .
In 2008, 17% of University of Leeds students travelled to and from campus by bus; this is down from 24% in 2004.
In 2008, 20% of University of Leeds students owned a car in Leeds .
In 2008, FirstGroup, the parent company of First Leeds, posted annual operating profits of over £360 million .
The ‘Green Zone’ is First Leeds’ inner-Leeds discounted zone, but it stretches only to the Arndale Centre in Headingley, cutting out students in halls like Bodington or Oxley.

This Union believes:

Our continued commitment to tackling climate change means we should be doing everything we can to develop more sustainable means of transport for students.
Public transport is a vital part of a sustainable transport policy and as such needs to be accessible to all.
Many students are put off using the bus in Leeds due to the high prices.
That price rises for 2009 have not yet been announced, but prices are likely to rise further.

This Union resolves:

To run a campaign calling for First Buses to guarantee a maximum student price of £1 per journey within the Green Zone.
To ensure all Halls of Residence are within the Green Zone.
To work with the University in developing this system.
To network the campaign nationally with other students’ unions who experience similar problems with bus prices.
To mandate the Community Officer to run the campaign until it is successful in achieving these resolves.

Proposed by: Rob Damiao
Seconded by: Emma Hargrave

Motion 11: Crisis in Gaza

Motion Category: Society and Wider Citizenship

This Union Notes:

Over the three weeks following December 27th the Israeli army and air-force killed over 1,300 Palestinians, including over 400 children, and injured more than 4,000 in a series of brutal attacks on the besieged population of Gaza. In the same period 14 Israelis were killed, 3 of which were civilians who died as a result of rocket attacks.
Israel attacked Gaza from the air, sea and land. Three hospitals were attacked, the main university in Gaza was almost completely destroyed as were hundreds of civilian homes, schools, health clinics, police stations and government buildings. Much of Gaza's infrastructure, electricity plants, water systems, roads and telecommunications were also severely damaged.
During the onslaught into Gaza, Israel used white phosphorus illegally.
This attack comes after 18 months of the Israeli siege and blockade of Gaza, which has crippled the Gazan economy, causing starvation and malnourishment. Amnesty International has condemned the blockade, noting that it is a violation of the Geneva Convention and a war crime.

This Union Believes:

This Union believes in a policy of non discrimination, as stated previously in union policy.
The Union believes that the mobilisation inside Israel against the policies of the State of Israel has been progressive. And that the Israeli government's aggressive response to the protests should be condemned.

This Union Resolves:

To support a day of fundraising for humanitarian relief for Gaza, with all proceeds to be given to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).
To pressure the university to send surplus academic supplies to the students of Gaza and to organise through the Union to provide logistical support for the collection of this aid.
To join the global Boycott Divestment and Sanctions movement by divesting from Israel and boycotting all companies that support or benefit from the Israeli occupation and lobbying the University to adopt a similar policy towards Israel.
To send a letter to the BBC condemning their refusal to air the DEC appeal for Gaza, and to place the appeal advert in Student Direct, and on the home page of the UMSU website, until the appeal is closed.
To send a public message of solidarity to the Islamic University in Gaza, whose campus has been virtually destroyed, and publish it in Leeds Student.
To pressure the university to give full scholarships specifically to Palestinian students

Proposed by: Richard Berry
Seconded by: Joel Harrison

Motion 13: Should the advertising structure surrounding the Leeds Student Newspaper be changed?

Motion Category: Education

This Union Notes

Leeds Student is regulated by the B grade band on Union advertising, banning some companies from advertising based on commercial, ethical or welfare reasons.
Leeds Student cannot advertise businesses that compete with services available in the Union.
Advertising for Union events and services are placed for free, while University adverts are placed at half price.
Current advertising revenue is not meeting targets, meaning issues will be cut if there is not a significant improvement.
It costs £1,500 to print each weekly issue. All of this cost must be financed by advertising revenue.
In the last referendum a motion was passed to make sports clubs exempt from the current advertising policy and draft a policy specifically tailored for them.

This Union Believes

Advertising constraints placed on Leeds Student are to the significant detriment of the newspaper and in turn the members of the Union.
The Leeds Student should aim to become a profitable arm of the Union, able to fund itself (including the editor’s salary), and reduce the current financial burden on the Union.

This Union Resolves:

To make advertising in the Leeds Student exempt from the Union’s current advertising policy.
To draw up a separate policy specific to Leeds Student to allow the newspaper to generate sustainable advertising revenue.

Proposed by: Laurie Whitwell
Seconded by: John Puddephatt

Motion 14: Should LUU adopt a compassionate drugs policy?

Motion Category: Welfare

This Union Notes:

Students who are caught using illegal drugs can be kicked out of university.
A study at Manchester University demonstrated that when drug users enter drug treatment programs instead of jail are far more likely to be rehabilitated. http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/nov/17/manchester-university-crime-study
Students who commit other crimes are not necessarily kicked out of university.
Alcohol (a legal drug) use is responsible for much violent crime and anti-social behaviour.

This Union Believes:

Drug use should be treated as a public health issue and not a criminal justice issue.
Education is the best way to treat drug use in society.
Drug policy should be compassionate, non-judgemental and seek to improve the well being of drug users, mentally, socially and physically.

This Union Resolves:

To adopt a compassionate drugs policy as described in appendix 1.
To mandate the exec to implement this policy.

Appendix 1.

For the university to clarify its position on finding students who use drugs in halls.
For students found using drugs to not be kicked out of university.
For students found using illegal drugs to be referred to a drugs counsellor.
For the anonymity of students to be preserved where possible.
For the police not to be called where legally possible.

Proposed by: Levent Akbulut
Seconded by: Graham Aitken

Motion 15: Should LUU Support The Right of Return for Palestinian Refugees?

Motion Category: Wider Society and Citizenship

This Union Notes:

That, according to the United Nations, (UN) 720 000 Palestinians were made refugees when the State of Israel was created in 1948.
That these people and their descendents have been living in refugee camps in Occupied Palestinian Territories and neighboring Arab states ever since.
That according to UN Resolution 194 the Palestinian refugees are guaranteed the right of return under International Law.
That UN Resolution 194 applies to displaced Palestinians who had residency in Palestine for two years or more before 1948 as well as their descendents.
That the Palestinian refugee crisis is the single largest refugee problem in the world

This Union Believes:

That the plight of Palestinian refugees is at the heart of the Israel/Palestine conflict.
That peace in the region can only come with justice and that the return and compensation of Palestinian refugees would go a long way to achieving a lasting peace for Palestinians and Israelis.
That UN resolution 194 should be abided by so that Palestinian refugees have the right to return to their homes or if chosen can accept compensation as UN Resolution 194 ‘Resolves that the refugees wishing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbours should be permitted to do so at the earliest practicable date, and that compensation should be paid for the property of those choosing not to return and for loss of or damage to property’.
That despite the fact much of the land now occupied by Israel was stolen from Palestinians, the right of return for Palestinians should not lead to the displacement of Israelis.
That Israel’s policy of denying the right of Palestinians to return while encouraging people from every continent to move to Israel is racist and a breach of UN resolution 194.

This Union Resolves:

To support the right of return for Palestinian Refugees.
To introduce an annual Solidarity with Palestinian Refugees Day.
For the union to fully support and publicise a day of events on this day led by interested parties on campus
To give a flyer for this event to every customer purchasing at union outlets.
For members of the student executive to facilitate this day

Proposed by: Adam Ahle
Seconded by: Alia Mahdi