Articles of Association

As a membership-led organisation, it’s important that students know exactly how the Union runs, and through this, how to get involved. We are governed by a Articles of Association, which sets out the rules and processes behind everything that we do.

We’re autonomous from the University

Although we’re funded in large by part the University of Huddersfield, and are located on the campus, we’re also a completely autonomous organisation. This ensures that we remain entirely focussed on our members with one purpose in mind: to make student life better.

We’re led by students

First and foremost, students are at the heart of everything that we do. They sit out on our Student Council, which determines our campaigning and political priorities. They make up 50% of our Trustee Board, which is legally responsible for hiring the staff team and making sure the Union remains financially viable. They deliver most of our services through our large student staff team. And they have the power to shape everything the Union does through our Executive Committee, AGMs and referenda. More information about this is given below.

We’re an unincorporated organisation

This might sound slightly complicated, but it simply means that the group of individuals legally responsible for making sure the Students’ Union operates effectively is our Board of Trustees.

We’re a charity

Like a number of other Students’ Unions in the UK, we’re also a registered charity. This means that:

1. We’re not-for-profit: any income we gain from our commercial services goes straight back into providing services for students. 
2. We’re governed by charity law: which has some implications on how we can spend our money – making sure it’s spent on students, for example.
3. We’re accountable to our members: which means we’re constantly looking to help students better understand what we get up to, and how we spend our money.

The way the Students' Union is established and operates in law, is set out in its Articles and Bye Laws. These are approved by the Unions' Trustee Board, the Student body (through an All Student Meeting), the University, and the Charity Commission.

Bye Laws

Bye Law 1: Memberships and Opting Out

This Bye Law sets out the different types of membership at Huddersfield Students’ Union, what each type of member can and can’t do and the rights of students who opt out of being part of the Students’ Union.

Bye Law 2: Creating Policy

Policy is a course of action that is adopted by the Students’ Union and this Bye Law sets out the different ways that Campaigning and Representative Policy can be created by members.

Bye Law 3: Elections

This Bye Law sets out information about the running of Students’ Union Elections, including for Sabbatical Officers and NUS Delegates

Bye Law 4: Referendums

This Bye Law sets out the rules for calling a Referendum, which is a general vote on a single question.

Bye Law 5: Student Panel, Student Members’ Meetings and the role of the Union Chair

The Student Panel is the main way that policy is passed in the Students’ Union. It is referenced in different ways in marketing material and is also known as the Big Ideas Jury and the Student Jury.

Bye Law 6: Voting

This Bye-Law outlines the provisions for voting on the following: 1.1 Elections, as outlined in Bye-Law 3, and 1.2 Referendums, as outlined in Bye-Law 4.

Bye Law 7: Sabbatical/Elected Officers

Sabbatical Officers is the term used in the Articles but this is shortened to Officers throughout the bye laws. This Bye Law describes their roles and responsibilities and how they are held to account as an elected Officer, trustee and employee.

Bye Law 8: Student and Lay/External Trustees

Student Trustees are volunteers who are appointed from within the University’s student body. External, or Lay Trustees, are volunteers from outside the University who usually have significant professional experience in one or more areas that support the strategic decision making of the Board.

Bye Law 9: Student Activity Groups, Clubs and Societies

The Student Activities of the Students’ Union comprise of any student activity groups formed and coordinated under the direction of the Union including, but not limited to, Academic Societies, Societies and Sports Clubs.

Bye Law 9a: Student Activity Groups Clubs, and Societies Policy

The Student Activities of the Students’ Union comprise of any student activity groups formed and coordinated under the direction of the Union including, but not limited to, Academic Societies, Societies and Sports Clubs.

Bye Law 9b: Student Activity Groups, Clubs and Societies Terms and Conditions

The Student Activities of the Students’ Union comprise of any student activity groups formed and coordinated under the direction of the Union including, but not limited to, Academic Societies, Societies and Sports Clubs.

Bye Law 10: Complaints Procedure

The Union’s complaints procedure for if you are not satisfied with a Students’ Union Service, Group or Activity, or the experience you’ve received as a member of the Union

Bye Law 11: Disciplinary Procedure

The Union’s Disciplinary Procedure has authority over: ·

• Any premises managed by the Students’ Union; ·
• Any Students’ Union activities, including the activities of any Student Activity Group;
• Any misconduct, which takes place outside Students’ Union premises but is connected with the Union and is likely to affect the reputation of the Union, including behaviour in an online space.

Bye Law 12: Governing Committees

A summary of the Union’s governance committees, their roles, and responsibilities.

Policies

Health and Safety Policy
 

Data Protection Policy
 

Zero Tolerance Policy
 

External Speakers Policy
 

HSU Environmental Impact Policy
 

No Platform Policy 
 

No Platform Policy - List
 

Digital Accessibility Policy
 

Our Trustees

Our external Trustees are:

Chris Warrington

Chris Warrington works as Head of Student Support at the University of Leeds leading the institution wide approach to supporting students and working in close partnership with Leeds University Union. As well as this broader responsibility Chris’ role includes oversight of the key specialist Disability Service along with the Student Counselling & Wellbeing teams and international student support. Alongside the specialist services the Head of Student Support role includes managing the University’s relationship with Leeds Student Medical Practice (local NHS general practice), and the Chaplaincy. Chris is also an Executive member of AMOSSHE, the Student Services organisation and serves on the Board of UNIPOL Student Homes.

Chris has a BA (Hons) History & Politics (1993) and MA Cultural Studies (1995) from the University of Huddersfield. Chris also worked in Huddersfield University Business School in the late 1990s.

Ann Allen (Chair of the Board)

Ann has worked for many years in property and construction and is currently the CEO of the professional membership organisation The Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors.

She worked in the university sector for eight years leading the redevelopment of the campus at The University of Glasgow. In this role she was privileged to work with a lot of amazing students and is committed to supporting students and the student experience.

Ann has undertaken non-executive roles for over 10 years and is particularly focused on the role of real estate and the built environment to support communities and create better neighbourhoods. She sits on various boards and chairs Architecture Design Scotland. She is also committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and currently chairs the Scottish Board of Women in Property.

Martin Calvert (Co-opted)

Martin Calvert is marketing director at ICS-digital, an international digital marketing, content and translations agency based in Leeds, but active worldwide in dozens of markets and languages.

Working across a variety of industry sectors, Martin has specialist experience in multiple areas of marketing from search engine optimisation, advertising and PR through to social media, user experience and content marketing.

Martin speaks and write widely on these topics as well as others related to digital strategy, customer engagement and competitiveness. Originally from Scotland but having lived in Huddersfield for over four years, Martin also lends his experience as a board member at The Media Centre - another Huddersfield institution.

Alison Jones (University Trustee)

Alison joined the University in January 2020 and has worked in professional higher education administration, leadership and management for 25 years. Alison was previously at Oxford Brookes University providing interim

leadership and guidance on strategic and operational planning, and prior to that she was University Secretary and Director of Planning, Legal and Governance at the University of Bradford.

Gareth Pye (Co-Opted Trustee)

After graduating from Liverpool Polytechnic in 1991 I spent over 15 years working in Students' Unions developing services for students and student volunteering. I currently manage Citizens Advice's debt advice services. In my spare time I enjoy watching Rugby League and travelling.

Student Trustees

Olufemi Olutuyibi

'Femi is a finance professional with 12 years of working experience in a commercial bank in Nigeria prior to pursuing his MSc in Business Intelligence & Analytics at the Unversity of Huddersfield. As an MSc student at the university, he was an academic student representative, President of the Accountancy & Finance Society and Treasurer of the Huddersfield University Business Society. He is a Chartered Accountant (ACCA), Project Management Professional (PMP) and Chartered Manager (CMgr MCMI).

Craig Dominique-Smith

Craig is currently a student of MSc Management with Leadership at the business school, a Registered Nurse, and a member of the Royal College of Nursing. Craig has 15 years experience in the healthcare sector and currently supports studies by working in the private sector as an Operating Theatre Manager for foot and skin surgery. He also as roles in the NHS, and a local Community Interest Company delivering NHS services. An adopted "Yorkshireman", Craig came to Huddersfield from Somerset for study in 2001, and never left. He has lived well the student experience by completing a CertHE, Foundation Degree apprenticeship and BSc(H) levels at the university. Craig served as an SU Academic Rep on two of his courses concentrating on his passion for student welfare, leading to recognition from the SU with awards for Excellence in Communication, and Academic Rep of the Year, as well as a finalist for the Student Nursing Times Awards. Prior to nursing, Craig worked in both the retail and service industries up to operations management level. He was able to gain skills for leadership and development in diverse and dynamic environments, whilst supporting a group of stores at a young age.