At a Policy and Review Group meeting today, ideas in the YUSU policy process were discussed and have passed PRG scrutiny or been rejected for rewriting.
Among the suggestions were policies addressing YUSU membership for leave of absence students, and policy on supporting student sex workers.
The following policy submissions were accepted and are now active YUSU policy, subject to ratification by the trustees:
A Hashtag is Not a #Victory – a policy encouraging YUSU to use hashtags in campaigns, but to also recognise and emphasise the work of volunteers.
Opening Up Open Door – a policy encouraging YUSU to lobby for further funding of open door, including campaigning for a greater range of services.
#LiberateMyDegree – a policy encouraging YUSU to work with the national #LiberateMyDegree campaign.
Creating a Faith Network – a policy requiring YUSU’s Wellbeing and Community Officer to meet with students of faith in an open meeting.
Supporting Student Sex Workers – a policy mandating YUSU to support student sex workers and to support decriminalisation of sex work.
Amendment to the Election Rules on Campaigning in Clubs – a policy which would allow candidates in YUSU elections to request other candidates for the same role do not campaign in clubs.
Union Membership for Students on Leaves of Absence – a policy to allow students on a leave of absence to retain a form of YUSU membership which allows them to participate in sports clubs and societies.
Meeting With Hull Road Councillors – a policy requiring sabbatical officers to meet with councillors for Hull Road Ward.
Making Menus Accessible in YUSU’s Commercial Outlets – a motion which would require YUSU Commercial Services (such as Courtyard and Glasshouse) to provide an accessible format of their menu for students with disabilities.
Investigating Unofficial Freshers’ Week Events – a motion which would see YUSU continue a previous Vision investigation into the business of unofficial freshers’ week events.
Lobbying the City of York Council to Build More Houses for Students – a policy encouraging YUSU to lobby the council to build more affordable housing, including housing available for students.
Preventing PREVENT – a policy which would mandate YUSU to oppose the Prevent agenda, and to engage with the #StudentsNotSuspects campaign.
One motion was referred back to the proposer:
Readdressing the NSS Boycott – a policy requiring YUSU to put together a report on which ways YUSU might be able to promote a boycott of the NSS.
The policy coordinator said “The term has been eventful and we’ve had a lot of ideas from students to digest.”
Ideas for next term’s policy cycle can be sent to [email protected].