As it happened: YUSU referenda debate and by-election hustings

[liveblog]Hello and welcome to York Vision’s live blog of the YUSU Referendum and by-election hustings. We will be bringing you all the latest as the four referendum motions are debated. Voting will open tomorrow and will close on Tuesday 4th December. After that, the YUSU by-election hustings are set to begin at 6:30pm as we get to hear from the people running for NUS Delegate, YUSU Women’s Officer, Democracy Committee Ordinary Member and Disability Network Press and Publicity Officer.

The motions up for debate are as follows:

(1) “Should YUSU improve its faith representation?”

YUSU will create a Faith Network similar to existing networks such as LGBT, Racial Equality, Womens and Disabeld Students, which will represent the full breadth of student beliefs at the University and all faiths held by students. There will be a new YUSU Officer position created called ‘YUSU Students of Faith Officer’, who will represent students of faith and those who may have no faith, but describe themselves as spiritual or religious. They will report to Liberation & Welfare Assembly and will sit on their committee.

(2) “Should YUSU lobby for a national evidence-based drug policy?”

YUSU will call for the government to introduce a panel to review the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, and reinvest any resources released into effective education, treatment and rehabilitation programmes. YUSU will also lobby for high-quality, evidence-based medical, psychological and social services for those affected by drugs problems, including widespread availablility of heroin maintenance clinics.

(3) “Should YUSU replace the position of Entertainments Officer with a College Events Coordinator?

YUSU will remove the current role of YUSU Entertainments Officer. The name of ‘Entertainments Committee’ will be changed to ‘College Events Committee’ and will be chaired by a ‘College Events Coordinator’ (a non-Officer position), elected by the coordination committee.

(4) “Should YUSU lobby for 24 hour staffing in each college?”

YUSU will lobby the University to provide 24 hour staffing in each college, whose duties should at least include handling post, providing welfare support and spare keys and keycards for students who have been locked out, and who should be a reliable presence in college receptions.