WHAT IS STUDENT COUNCIL?
Student or ‘Union’ Council is the highest decision-making body within the Students’ Union. The role of the council includes:
- Represents the voice of students at the University of Wolverhampton
- Set the policy of the Union
- Where appropriate, update Union policies
- Shape the strategic direction of the Students’ Union through reports and motions
Student council is currently comprised of the following positions:
Chair of Union Council - Chieloka
SU President - Tayabah Mahmood
Vice President Academic - Gagandeep Kaur
Vice President Community and Welfare - Bisola Olatunji
Vice President Diversity - Angel Morphew (currently out of office)
2x Faculty Council Representative (FABSS) - Opeyemi Bamiro, Yvonne Collier
2x Faculty Council Representative (FEHW) - (vacant)
2x Faculty Council Representative (FSE) - (vacant)
2x PhD Representatives - Kyriakos Iliou
Disabled Students’ Council Rep - Leigh New
Global Majority Council Rep - (vacant)
LGBTQ+ Council Rep - Deborah Hanson
Gender Equality Council Rep - (vacant)
3x Society Council Rep - Francis Blincoe-Deval
Campus Council Rep (Telford) - (vacant)
Campus Council Rep (Walsall) - Fathima Minsa Mohamed Aqill
Campus Council Rep (City) - (vacant)
5x Student Council Reps - Oluwatobiloba Adegboyega, Olukorede Oyewoga, Cheryl Caswell
Please note names and remits of these positions may change over time as Byelaws are reviewed and approved.
The council meets at least four times per academic year to scrutinise ideas submitted to council to create policy for the Union, so that students have a direct input on what the union and the officers work on throughout the year. The council is also a place where members can hold officers to account – questioning their progress with campaigns, activity, and policy work, ensuring they are working to keep the promises made in their manifestos and addressing key student issues.
If you're thinking of running and need some help writing your manifesto, check out this guidance document.
HOW DOES AN IDEA BECOME POLICY?
Each motion (idea) submitted to council will be discussed at a council meeting. After discussion, and any amendments are made, council members will vote on whether they think the SU should support the motion. Vote outcomes are calculated by Simple Majority Vote (50% + 1), so if more than half of members present vote to pass the motion, it becomes mandated policy, and the union and officers must work on it.
Any registered current student can attend a council meeting as an observer. These students are allowed to speak for or against a motion.
Motions are reviewed after 2 years, where council will vote on whether to continue this policy.
If you would like to discuss your motion in more detail with a member of the SU team, please contact us at democracy.wolvesunion@wlv.ac.uk.
HOW DO I JOIN STUDENT COUNCIL?
You can run for a position on council through the website and don’t worry, you can nominate yourself! The positions available will be listed and you can put yourself forward for your preferred position.
Make sure to upload a photo and 200 words explaining why you would make a good representative for your fellow students.
COUNCIL TRAINING
Are you still a little nervous about how council works? Do not fear! We will hold a short training session for all elected council members to ensure you understand how the meetings work and you’re able to be the best representative possible. Please try to attend this training session, otherwise you will miss out on key information.
THE ROLE
Being an elected member of council is a voluntary position. Elected members are expected to attend all meetings throughout the year they are elected, so note the dates and times before nominating yourself.
COUNCIL MEETING DATES 2023
The provisional dates for council meetings this year are as follows. Times will be decided closer to the dates.
15th February - Meeting Minutes (approved 11th May by Student Council)
28th March - No minutes (meeting inquorate, no formal minutes)
1st May - Meeting Minutes (provisional, pending approval by Council)
8th June
These meetings may not always take 2 hours, but please allow for this length of time.
MEETING LOCATIONS
We plan to run council meetings in person initially and hope to host council meetings at City, Walsall, and Telford campus on a rotating basis. This can be revisited throughout the year according to members’ schedules and preferred meeting option (online or in-person). Some council meetings may have to happen virtually due to the time of year and to ensure maximum attendance.
If you need more information or have any questions, feel free to email democracy.wolvesunion@wlv.ac.uk
GLOSSARY
Mandate – an official order or commission to do something
Context: If a policy is mandated it means that the SU and the officers MUST work toward that policy.
Manifesto – a declaration of policies or aims
Context: A manifesto outlines what you would like to achieve by being a member of council.
Policy - a course or principle of action adopted or proposed by an organization or individual.
Context:
Scrutinise – examine or inspect closely and thoroughly.
Context: The council meets at least four times per academic year to scrutinise ideas submitted to council.