The Bristol SU Student Council is this Thursday: here’s all you need to know

This Thursday (14th November), Bristol Student Union’s Student Council will be taking place in the Anson Rooms from 5-8pm.

It is the main democratic forum in which students can propose and debate motions to change SU policy. The Student Council meets once per term, and all students are welcome to attend.

All students have had the opportunity to submit motions ahead of the meeting. Students can also speak for or against the motions and pose questions. Only student leaders get to vote. This includes course reps, faculty reps, network chairs, JCR presidents, society presidents, volunteering project coordinators, and club captains.

However, you can let your reps know your opinions and how you’d like them to vote. During the forum, the full-time SU officer team will also give updates and respond to questions.

The Officer Team, credit: Frances Tolson @ Evoke Pictures.

In previous years, students have passed motions to “better support [for] pregnant students, the climate strike campaign, and to adopt a harm reduction approach to drugs and alcohol”. Once a motion is passed it is part of SU policy for three years, and SU officers carry out the proposed actions.

The motions:

There will be eight motions debated this Thursday. These motions are very topical in student debate, including the Lobbying to end the forced swim test on rodents, in order to study stress-related disorders. This has been the focus of PETA campaigning and protests on and off campus, which have taken place during a talk held by vice-chancellor Evelyn Welch and outside Beacon House.

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Another topic being consulted is introducing an “anti-Palestinian racism definition” to formally recognise Palestine and protect Palestinian students from discrimination. This comes after a string of protests and occupations last academic year calling for the university to recognise Palestine while addressing the conflict, and to cut ties with arms companies.

The other motions being discussed are:

• Proposing improved accessibility for students with disabilities
• Two motions on improved support for international students
• Lobbying to end the forced swim test on rodents, in order to study stress-related disorders.
• Endorsing the Divest Borders Campaign which challenges investments in the Border and Surveillance Industry
• Updating SU bylaws in line with changes in the National Union of Students
• Carrying out a representation review

The full list of motions with further explanations of the actions they suggest can be found here.

The SU encourages students to attend to be a part of this important forum for democracy. Only students who attend in person are able to speak for or against a motion. Free pizza, including vegan and gluten-free options, is on offer to encourage attendance. If you are unable to attend in person, it is also available to attend on Microsoft Teams here.

Featured image via Alastair Brookes @ KoLAB.