REFERENDUMN BRIEFING

REFERENDA PROCESS

A Referendum is a direct vote in which the entire electorate is invited to accept or reject a particular proposal.

In this case the "entire electorate" is all members of the Union of Brunel Students.

How to pass a Referendum?

In order for the proposal to be accepted:

at least 5% of Union members will need to cast their vote.

at least half the votes cast will need to be in favour of your proposal, or,

at least two-thirds of the votes cast will need to be in favour of your proposal if you're petitioning for a change to our Constitution, or a Vote of No Confidence against a Student Officer to remove them from their position.

Abstentions count towards quoracy but do not count on either side for the purposes of determining the majority decision.

THE RULES

ERC is responsible for ensuring the free and fair conduct of the referenda by all campaigners, and will interpret actions in breach of our values as a disciplinary offence.

We will not allow:

Unfair campaigning

Using stickers

Creating a litter nuisance with campaign materials

Intimidating, cajoling, badgering or otherwise unfairly imposing themselves on students or other campus users

Breaching fire or health and safety regulations

Placing any form of campaign materials in areas other than expressly agreed (and communicated) between the University and the Students Union in advance

THE RULES CONT.

ERC seeks to ensure that every vote received is the positive will of the individual. Therefore it will take action against any campaigner who;

Uses another students ID in order to cast a vote

Attempts to influence a student who is in the process of voting

Accompanies a student to the “ballot area”* and seeks to advise or otherwise encourage the individual to vote in a certain way. (*in the situation of online voting this can include any indication that a campaigner is alongside and communicating to a student who is viewing an voting page on any internet enabled device)

Otherwise seeks an advantage through the manipulation or influence of students, their ID, or their access to the voting pages.

http://brunelstudents.com/howitworks/referenda/informationforcampaigners/

OFFICERS CAMPAIGNING

The referendum is considered part of the sabbatical officers’ role as political leaders as such they can campaign for either side of the referendum campaign. This means they would receive their pay as usual, without needing to take annual leave or work outside their contracted hours.

Officers are still expected to perform any necessary, expected duties governed by our normal framework of local bylaws and working relationships as they would throughout the rest of the year.

COMPLAINTS

Complaints regarding the conduct of any candidate’s campaign must be submitted, in writing to ERC via Rebecca Davies.

Complaints about campaigning need to be received prior to the count

The Returning Officer is Alison Chappell, NUS’s Deputy CEO. Their decision is final.

EXPENSES

Each campaign has a budget of £200, this will be provided by the Union.

Printing can be ordered through the Union and any additional expenditure will need to be claimed back.

Receipts must be provided at all times, and you will charged the total cost of the items used (nominal costs will not exist in this campaign).

PUBLICITY LOCATIONS

There are a range of publicity locations where campaigners can place their YES and No campaign publicity.

We are seeking permission for more areas – once we have the go ahead you will be informed

ALLOWED PUBLICITY LOCATIONS

Hamilton Centre hallways

Wall behind the pool table and access ramp

Areas clearly marked and designated in academy

ALLOWED PUBLICITY LOCATIONS Lecture centre external

pillars

Internal pillars

External non moving glass on the lift shaft

1st floor vending area

Windows of ground floor computer room

Stairwells

ALLOWED PUBLICITY LOCATIONS John crank – external

non glass panels and windows in glazed walkway facing the quad

Outside the Bannerman centre of pillars

OUT-OF-BOUNDS PUBLICITY LOCATIONS Fire Doors

Lecture centre ground floor foyer glass

Any where in Bannerman centre including the library

OUT-OF-BOUNDS PUBLICITY LOCATIONS Toilets

External glass areas of Hamilton centre

Nowhere in atrium

Yard Bird

Social kitchen

HOW VOTING WORKS

The Question:

Do you support the proposed new democratic structure of the Union of Brunel Students?

Student can vote Yes or No on this proposal

www.brunelstudents.com/vote

DEBATE

Eastern Gateway Auditorium– Wednesday 26th November 2014, 6pm

Question time style with a panel and chair

3 speakers form each side required

Presentation on proposal will be given

No personal attacks, based on the proposal only.

TIMELINE

Campaigning starts – 17th November, 10am

Voting – 24th November, Midday until 5th December, 4pm

Debate - 26th November, 6pm – Eastern Gateway Auditorium

Results – 5th December, 6pm – LOCOS