FOUR YUSU officer positions will be scrapped if a controversial motion proposed at last Thursday’s UGM is successful.
The current equality and diversity roles would be replaced by a single Anti-Discrimination Officer.
The proposal could cancel the current elections for the roles of LGBT, Women’s, Disibility and Racial Equality Officers, meaning that successful candidates would have no positions to occupy.
The constitutional amendment was put forward by LGBT Social Rep Michael Rutherford, who labelled the current system “inefficient and out-of-date.” Although five sets of LGBT candidates stood last year, Rutherford also pointed to the majority of positions being uncontested this time round.
However, LGBT Officer candidate Sarah Fennell opposed the contentious proposal, saying: “people’s voices can’t be represented with only one officer. Reducing numbers reduces diversity.”
YUSU President, and acting Academic and Welfare Officer, Anne-Marie Canning added: “I need these officers, I need their support. They balance Exec and Senate.”
Canning also commented on the timing of the motion. “It’s unfair to run elections, give people positions, and then pull them out from under their feet.”
Online voting for the proposal closes on Thursday, a day before YUSU elections close.