UCL Union

Motions are simply proposals which are submitted to a General Meeting or Union Council.

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  • They can propose making sweeping changes to Union rules (‘Standing Orders') or structures.
  

• They can alter the official Union line (‘Policy') on matters.

• And they can instruct specific elected officers to carry out tasks (like running a campaign on a specific issue).

Since every student is a member of UCL Union, every UCL student may propose or second motions to a General Meeting or Union Council. So if there is something that matters to you, submit a motion, have it debated, and wait for the outcome.

Types of motion:

• Ordinary Motions This is the standard type of motion that is submitted with the intention of changing Union Policy on a given issue.

• Emergency Motions If the matter deals with events that occurred after the deadline for submission or whose matter can not be postponed until the next General Meeting/Council.

• Special Resolutions are motions that propose changes to the Standing Orders.

• Amendments to ordinary motions or lapsing policies that are no longer relevant or that's aims have been achieved.

Although there is no compulsory style of writing motions, it is convention that motions follow an established format. Following this format will save time and reduce confusion. Most importantly it will make everything clearer for others to interpret what you mean.

It is recommended that each motion have a title. This title should be a concise summation of what the motion is about.

“This Union…”

Motions usually have at least three different sections, with numbered points beneath. This clearly breaks down what you are trying to say, and what you are asking UCL Union to do:

This Union notes… (FACTS)
This must be factual information that can be independently seen to be true.

This Union believes… (OPINIONS)
This contains things that you consider to be true, but which other people may disagree with. You should be open-minded and accept that others may not agree with what you believe, even if you consider it to be ‘fact'.

This Union resolves… (ACTIONS)
This section tells the Union what action to take as a collective body.

Some motions may also have an additional section:

This Union mandates…
This section can contain specific instructions for specific elected Union officers. It can instruct Executive Officers, Councillors, Committees, and groups within UCL Union. It cannot instruct a member of Union staff.

It is important to note that motions are our collective view as a Union on issues. It is what we, as students, standing together, believe in.

Limits to what motions can concern

There are few limits on what a motion can concern, provided that the proposed actions that would result if the motion passes is legal (according to both English law, especially noting charity and education law, and the laws of UCL Union, i.e. our Constitution and Standing Orders) and do-able. In effect this means that we have to show clearly how the motion relates to and affects students at UCL. Your motion will be checked by Governance Committee to ensure that it doesn't break the law/Union Constitution.

Once you have written your motion you need to find supporters for your motion. Motions must be submitted in both hard and soft copy. At the bottom of the paper on which the motion is written you will need:

Name, department/year and PRN/signature of one proposer
Name, department/year and PRNs/signatures of at least ten seconders

Please note that the soft copy must list the PRN numbers, while the hard copy must have the signatures, of the proposer and seconders.

The proposer will be expected to give a speech in support of the motion at the meeting. Seconders may also give speeches in support of the motion or make points from the floor.

Motions have deadlines (listed below). Make sure you submit your motion within the deadline. Motions should be submitted to the Sabbatical Suite, 4th Floor, UCL Union, 25 Gordon Street. It is a good idea to leave a contact number/email address in case Governance Committee needs to get in touch with you.

Motions require a simple majority to pass, except for Special Resolutions (which alter the Union Constitution and Standing Orders) or motions of censure, which require a two-thirds majority.

Deadlines for motions

Special Resolutions - 14 days in advance
Ordinary Motions - 7 days in advance
Emergency Motions - 3 hours in advance

Amendments to Special Resolutions - 4 days in advance
Amendments to Ordinary Motions & lapsing policy - 3 hours in advance
Amendments to Emergency Motions - at the Meeting

Motions will be then be displayed on the Official Union Notice Board http://www.uclunion.org/student-union/noticeboard/

Special Resolutions - at least 13 days in advance
Ordinary motions & lapsing policy - at least 3 days in advance
Amendments to special resolutions - at least 3 days in advance
Amendments to ordinary motions or lapsing policy - at least 1 hour in advance
Emergency motions - at least 1 hour in advance

Motion to the UCL Union General Meeting: A Love Affair with Cheese

This Union notes:
1. There are over 400 varieties of British cheese.
2. It takes approximately 10 litres of milk to produce 1kg of cheddar cheese.

This Union believes:
1. Cheese tastes delicious.
2. Cheese is versatile.
3. Cheese is one of nature's most complete foods.

This Union resolves:
1. To sell more cheese sandwiches, cheese burgers, cheese omelettes in Union outlets.
2. To play more cheesy music in all of our bars.

Proposer:
John Cheese	Engineering II
Seconders:
Wayne Wensleydale	History I
Charlie Cheddar	Art II
Larry Lancashire	Engineering III
Gordon Gloucester	English I
Sally Stilton	Dutch I
Craig Cheshire	Biology III
David Derby	Chemistry II
Bob Brie	Psychology I
Gary Gruyere	Medicine V
Celine Camembert	French I