YUSU Referendum

YUSU have released the motions for their upcoming autumn referendum, including a potentially controversial call for the union to support an ‘evidence based drugs policy’. The four motions were released on Friday week 6 for amendment by the general student body.

Each term students are given the opportunity to submit policy ideas to YUSU. Often, as seen this year, policies are submitted by Sabbatical Officers to gauge what the student population thinks about an idea before putting it into action.

Campaigns will then be conducted across campus and social media before being debated at the official Referendum on 27th November.

The student body will be given the opportunity to vote on the motions throughout weeks 8 and 9. If passed, YUSU are then committed to pursue the policy in whichever way they see fit.

Union representatives are hoping to increase student engagement with the event this academic year by creating specific Facebook pages as forums for debate on the issues raised.

YUSU’s last referendum enjoyed an unusually high turnout, most likely because of the inclusion of the divisive question of whether YUSU should lobby the University to discontinue BAE funded research, and Union Chair Nick Hall is hoping this term’s vote will be equally well attended.“This term’s referendum is one that every member can relate to, with issues from portering to representation for students of faith being discussed amongst others and it is always good to see a wide range of issues being discussed. Referendum is one of the easiest ways members can engage with there union, it literally takes no time at all to vote. If people want to get involved in the referendum or anything else being decided on at the moment, head to the YUSU website for more information.”

Past referenda have resulted in the renaming of the ‘The New Building Study Space” near The Charles VII pub to “The Brian Blessed Centre for Quiet Study” and a YUSU commitment to “bring Dr Dre to Central Hall”.