17 – 18 May 2014 | Warwick

Final Motions

CD 7

Black Representation

Motion 100: Defending and Strengthening Black Representation Submitted by: NUS Black Students’ Campaign Committee Speech For: NUS Black Students’ Campaign Committee Speech Against: Free Summation: NUS Black Students’ Campaign Committee Conference believes:

1. Black people are under-represented in key positions of power, from politics, the media, business and judiciary.

2. The New Statesman’s ‘Race and The Media’ revealed Black people are grossly under-represented in British media; only 5 of the Guardian’s 2013 guide to the 100 most important people in the media were Black; and only 1 national newspaper/political editor is Black.

3. At the 2010 General Election, Black MPs doubled – from 14 to 27. Whilst this was a step forward, Black MPs still are only 4.2 per cent of Parliament – around a third of the 13 per cent of MPs needed to reflect our presence in Britain based on the 2011 Census.

Conference further believes:

1. Increasing the number of elected Black student representatives will tackle racism and ensure our concerns are addressed.

2. Around 18.4% of students are Black yet historically we are under-represented in Students' Union decision-making bodies. NUS research for 2012-13 shows 16.2% of officers are now Black; proving that a decade of Black self-organisation and the prioritising of Black representation has moved us massively forwards towards equality.

3. Our Campaign’s priority of increasing representation led to the: a. Increased election of Black student sabbatical officers; b. A successful, inspiring NUS Black Students' Winter Conference, training up the next generation of Black student activists; c. Our increased involvement in other liberation campaigns; d. On-going support from Black community organisations and trade unions.

4. ‘Black Students’ Officer in Every Union’ is a priority – we need guaranteed representation at all levels. 5. We are correct to assert the principle of Black students electing our own representatives throughout the

student movement. This must be respected across NUS. Conference resolves to:

1. Continue increasing the number of Black representatives in Students' Unions, providing training and support for standing in elections.

2. Make campaigning for a ‘Black Students’ Officer in Every Union’ a priority. 3. Provide training and fact sheets for Students’ Unions on how to support Black Students’ officers. 4. To produce a “Black History Month Guide” and support events across campuses. 5. Continue working with the Network for Black Professionals and Operation Black Vote.

Motion 101: Black unemployment: last to be hired, first to be fired Submitted by: University of Birmingham Guild, University of Bradford Students’ Union, Kings College London Students’ Union Speech For: University of Birmingham Speech Against: Free Summation: property of last successful amendment Conference believes:

1. Government statistics show that since 2008, youth unemployment rate for Africans and Caribbeans has increased at almost twice the rate for white 16-24 year olds.

2. Unemployment rates for other Black communities also remain high and on the increase, and that there are gendered disparities and differences between groups/communities.

3. Reduced unemployment opportunities caused by public spending cuts reflect and perpetuate those gendered disparities, disproportionately affecting Black women.

4. Black unemployment is intrinsically related to all the other aspects of disadvantage and discrimination, including Educational under-attainment, welfare issues and criminalisation of Black communities.

5. Discrimination is still prevalent during the applications process. 6. A high proportion of Black FE learner are disproportionately affected by government cuts to apprenticeship

opportunities, the removal of EMA and other changes introduced to the sector. 7. Issues with Black unemployment affect many sectors including HE teaching, which reduces the diversity of

those sectors to serious detriment. Conference further believes:

1. Securing sustainable and gainful employment for Black students and communities is a key concern for the campaign.

2. Public sector spending cuts disproportionately affect Black communities in terms of employment and utility. 3. Tackling the problem of Black unemployment should involve addressing racism within a wider social context,

whilst also focusing on specific barriers affecting different groups differentially. 4. “Colour-blind” approaches, or those that conflate Black unemployment solely with low-income groups, and

only focus on the latter, do not adequately confront all the root causes of the issue with due nuance. Conference resolves:

1. To continue working with groups like Network of Black Professionals, Society of Black Lawyers, Teach First, Rare recruitment, Elevation Networks and Urban Lawyers to create sustainable employment schemes for Black graduates and FE students.

2. Extend the outreach of partner organisations and schemes to Black students on campuses. 3. To reaffirm the need to tackle discrimination in applications and interviews, and to work with employers to

develop practical measures to addressing this. 4. To continue opposing and challenging all public sector cuts.

Amendment 101a: 3 Cosas Submitted by: University of Bradford Students’ Union, Middlesex University Students’ Union Speech For: University of Bradford Students’ Union Speech Against: Free Summation: Middlesex University Students’ Union Conference believes

1. Black workers, and particularly Black migrant workers, are often overrepresented in low-level manual labour positions within institutions

2. That Universities and Colleges often exploit and overwork their labour force, just as in any other capital-incentivised institution

3. That racism and anti-migrant policies impinge on the right of the workers to defend their labour and suppress the political agency of Black migrant workers.

Conference further believes

1. That the 3 Cosas campaign at the University of London is a positive example of Black migrant worker fighting for their rights, alongside student support

2. That Black self-organisation and autonomy in Black struggles is paramount, and is exemplified by the 3 Cosas campaign

3. That as a group facing structural and economic disadvantage, Black students and Black international students may have to undertake low-level manual labour to support themselves through their studies

Conference resolves

1. To support the 3 Cosas campaign and similar campaigns in solidarity with Black workers

2. To re-affirm our commitment to and support for Black self-organisation at all levels of the struggle, from workers to students to academia.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Motion 102: Black International Students Submitted by: University of Birmingham Guild, Sheffield College Students Union, University of Bradford Students’ Union Speech For: University of Birmingham Guild Speech Against: Free Summation: property of last successful amendment Conference believes:

1. Students who are both Black and international can experience a specific set of issues in addition to those faced by UK-domiciled Black students. This overlap is often overlooked even though they make up a large proportion of International students in the UK.

2. The NUS’ No Place for Hate research found that being Black and of a foreign-nationality significantly increases the likelihood of experiencing hate incidents.

3. The NUS Race for Equality report found that Black international students were more likely to feel isolated from their institution.

4. UKVI’s requirements have exacerbated institutional racist harassment of Black staff and students who are disproportionately targeted. These students may not be familiar with UK legislation around hate crime, making them particularly vulnerable.

5. International students are both more likely to experience Mental Health issues than home students but are less likely to seek help from support services. The introduction of an NHS levy would further restrict their access to healthcare services.

6. Incidents such as those at London Metropolitan University in 2012 reinforce the precarious nature of being an International Black student, particularly from a non-EU background.

Conference further believes:

1. International students’ support and welfare services should take into account the fact that many international students are Black and may experience racism both within the immigration process and on campus.

2. Recent developments within the UKVI disproportionately target Black people, including the formerly-proposed visa bonds and the ‘Go Home’ vans campaign.

3. Anti-immigration rhetoric is inherently racialised and invariably impacts Black students’ experiences Conference resolves:

1. Organise a conference for Black-international students which highlights the on-going issues faced and includes a ‘know your rights’ workshop.

2. To work alongside the International Students’ Campaign to provide a briefing highlighting the issues faced by Black-International students and support measures

3. To continue working with Black Mental Health UK to raise awareness. 4. To continue challenging the racism of anti-immigration rhetoric and actively opposing measures levelled

against students and migrants. 5. Campaign to eliminate discrimination from any attendance monitoring practices.

Amendment 102a Submitted by: University of Bradford Students’ Union, Middlesex University Students’ Union Speech For: waived to NUS Black Students’ Campaign Committee Speech Against: Free Summation: waived to NUS Black Students’ Campaign Committee Conference believes

1. That institutional racism, anti-immigrant xenophobia and this government’s unprecedented level of restrictions against migrants has created a very hostile environment for international students, particularly those who are Black.

2. International students face extensive hardship due to their migrant status 3. Intense scrutiny from the UKVI and police and their institutions impinges on their ability to self-organise. 4. That the recent deportation of Yashika Bageerathi in the face of mass public opposition illustrates the need for

a proactive campaign to defend international students. Conference further believes

1. That international students and migrants contribute extensively to the UK 2. That these contributions should not be quantified only in terms of economic benefit 3. In free and open borders 4. That the government has made clear through their actions that they will accept Black peoples’ labour, but not

tolerate their presence. Conference resolves

1. Work with the International Students Campaign to oppose discriminatory and racist legislative measures 2. Work with migrant advocacy groups to develop support networks for international students. 3. Build the argument for immigration to the UK beyond economic benefit 4. Support the Justice 4 Sanaz campaign 5. Support the campaign to bring back Yashika.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Anti-Racism

Motion 200: Stand up to racism and fascism Submitted by: NUS Black Students’ Campaign Committee Speech For: NUS Black Students’ Campaign Committee Speech Against: Free Summation: property of last successful amendment Conference believes:

1. The significant rise in racism and Islamophobia in Britain, and the far-right Europe. 2. The leader of the fascist British National Party (BNP) denies the Holocaust and calls for an ‘all-white’ Britain. 3. Institutional racism in the police continues to blight the lives of Black communities, with racist stop and

search and deaths in custody. 4. ChildLine reported a 69% rise in number of calls from children who were victims of racist bullying in school.

Conference further believes:

1. Black people face the sharpest manifestations of racism and should therefore play a leading role in the fight against it.

2. Many mainstream politicians are ceding to UKIP and their reactionary anti-immigrant agenda. 3. Racism is being whipped up and used to scapegoat immigrants and asylum seekers – to deliberately distract

from the government’s failure to deal with the economic crisis. 4. Unite Against Fascism has successfully worked with local campaigns, faith groups, MPs, politicians and

community leaders to organise peaceful, pro-multicultural mobilisations to counter the English Defence League’s protests of intimidation and ultimately set them back.

5. Multiculturalism has positively enriched British society; our food, music, culture and our shared heritage. 6. The student vote is powerful and can play a crucial role in stopping fascists in future elections.

Conference resolves to:

1. Work with Unite Against Fascism, faith groups, trade unions and Love Music Hate Racism to campaign against the far-right on the streets and at the ballot box, celebrate multiculturalism and stand up to racism.

2. Work with FOSIS, the Muslim Council of Britain and others, to challenge Islamophobia and the racist scapegoating of the Muslim community including the ‘Prevent’ agenda.

3. Reaffirm our commitment to ‘no platform for fascists’ and campaign nationally with Black communities, faith groups, trade unions, UAF and all anti-fascists to mobilise students to stop the far-right in future elections.

4. Continue working with the NUS International Students’ Campaign to challenge attacks on international students.

5. Support the full implementation of the recommendations of the Macpherson Inquiry, family justice campaigns and StopWatch.

Amendment 200a: Islamophobia and ‘anti-terroism’ Submitted by: Birmingham Guild of Students Speech For: Birmingham Guild of Students Speech Against: Free Summation: waived to Mid Kent Students’ Union Conference believes:

1. The progressive scaling-back of civil liberties under the guise of ‘anti-terrorism’ laws from the Government. 2. That Muslim and Black individuals are disproportionately detained and subject to laws/policies like Schedule 7

and PREVENT 3. The recent arrest and charge of Moazzam Begg in Birmingham under very little, if any, real evidence.

Conference believes:

1. That the vagueness of anti-terror laws make them open to abuse by the state.

2. That Black and Muslim communities are disproportionately targeted/affected by anti-terrorism legislature 3. That such measures are used to suppress and police dissent from the public against the government’s

domestic and foreign policy. 4. That the government is helping foster anti-Muslim/Islamophobic sentiment within society to scapegoat those

communities. 5. That tackling Islamophobia is an integral part of the anti-racist struggle.

Conference resolves:

1. To oppose state legislature that encroaches on the right to freedom of speech, travel and assembly, particularly those directed against Muslim and Black communities.

2. To continue to actively oppose programmes like PREVENT within communities and on campuses and encourage SUs/Universities to condemn/disassociate from them.

3. To work with CAGE and provide information to students on knowing their rights. 4. To support Islamophobia Awareness Month.

Amendment 200b: Condemn ‘Student Rights’ Submitted by: Middlesex University Students’ Union Speech For: Middlesex University Students’ Union Speech Against: Free Summation: waived to University of Bradford Students’ Union Conference believes:

1. That Student Rights is an organisation claiming to support ‘freedom from extremism’ on UK university campuses and mostly criticises speakers it sees as ‘extremists’ who have been invited by Islamic and Palestinian societies.

2. That Student Rights is a project of The Henry Jackson Society – a neoconservative think tank whose associate director, Douglas Murray, has argued that “conditions for Muslims in Europe must be made harder across the board” and “all immigration into Europe from Muslim countries must stop”.

3. That LSE, Goldsmith’s, Birkbeck, Kingston and UCL Student Unions have voted in favour of condemning Student Rights.

4. That Student Rights’ activities fuel Islamophobia, by disproportionately and unfairly targeting Muslim students.

Conference Resolves:

1. To release a public statement/open letter addressed to Student Rights condemning them for their sensationalist stories demonising Muslims students in media, damaging campus cohesion and fuelling Islamophobia in British society.

2. To circulate the ‘Real Student Rights’ petition to all Officers & students. 3. To form a Working Group, led by the Black Students Campaign, that will resist the efforts of Student Rights

and encourage institutions/SU's to both reject unfair targeting of Muslim students, their events and political campaigns.

Motion 201: Justice for Mark Duggan Submitted by: University of Birmingham Guild, University of Bradford Students’ Union, Kings College London Students’ Union Speech For: waived to University of Sheffield Speech Against: Free Summation: waived to University of Oxford Students’ Union Conference believes:

1. Black people are over-represented in deaths in police custody, or following contact with police. 2. According to the McPherson Report into the death of Stephen Lawrence, the police are institutionally racist. 3. According to research by the London School of Economics and Release, the British judicial system displays

evidence of institutional racism.

4. According to Inquest, since 1991, on average one person a week dies in police custody, or following police contact.

5. No police officer has ever been convicted of murder. Conference further believes:

1. No unarmed individual should be lawfully killed by the police. 2. Black communities should be supported in challenging false information spread by the police, IPCC and the

media. 3. Stereotypes of black people are damaging for us and individuals and communities. 4. Black communities should be united in challenging institutional racism. 5. A fully accountable police force is the cornerstone of a properly functioning democracy

Conference resolves:

1. Support the Duggan family in their legal challenge to the jury verdict. 2. Challenge media stereotyping of black people. 3. Challenge institutional racism at every part of the criminal justice system. 4. Support every family who has had a loved one killed by the police. 5. Push for community-led accountability of the police.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Equality in Education

Motion 300: For equality in education – fighting discrimination on campuses Submitted by: NUS Black Students’ Campaign Committee Speech For: NUS Black Students’ Campaign Committee Speech Against: Free Summation: property of last successful amendment Conference believes:

1. The NUS Black Students’ Campaign ‘Race for Equality’ report highlighted some of the serious inequalities that exist in education. Experiences of racism, isolation, discrimination in the classroom, a degree attainment gap, a Eurocentric curriculum and lack of Black academic staff exposed the barriers that Black students face in education.

2. That these issues are being taken up and campaigned on across numerous campuses. 3. Racism faced by Black students is often further compounded by sexism, homophobia, transphobia and

disability discrimination. Conference further believes:

1. Black students have an essential role to play in making education accessible for all and taking on discrimination.

2. Black academic staff are usually last to be employed, and first to be sacked by institutions. Conference resolves to:

1. Continue our campaigning to break down the barriers that hold back Black students from fulfilling our potential.

2. Re-affirm our commitment to cross-liberation; working with all NUS Liberation Campaigns and the International Students’ Campaign to challenge inequality in education.

3. Continue our work with the All Party Parliamentary Group on Race and Community, the Runnymede Trust, the Higher Education Funding Council for England FCE and the Office For Fair Access, to make progress on the recommendations in the Race For Equality Report.

4. Affiliate to Black British Academics and unite with education trade unions and their Black sections to end discrimination.

5. Support student campaigns to liberate curriculums and the development of an institutional ‘race equality charter mark’.

6. Support campaigns against excessive international students’ fees and visa charges.

Amendment 300a: Black Students’ Success Submitted by: University of Birmingham Guild, Sheffield College Students Union, University of Bradford Students’ Union, Kings College London Students’ Union Speech For: Sheffield College Students Union Speech Against: Free Summation: University of Bradford Students’ Union Conference believes:

1. The Equality Act 2010 places a positive duty on Higher Education institutions to advance equality of opportunity for people of different racial groups

2. The existence of attainment gaps may ‘suggests that systemic barriers to equality of outcomes still exist’ 3. The NUS Black Students’ Campaign produced the Race for Equality Report, which highlighted the issues of the

Attainment Gap 4. The report highlighted how the attainment rate for Black students in high education is significantly lower than

white students 5. The impact on further study and on their employability, 54.7% of white graduates move into full time paid

employment compare to 42.8% of Black graduates.

Conference Further Believes:

1. There is also a view point which states the rationale for the gap on Black students which can be referred to as the ‘deficit model’

2. The attainment gap exists as a result of multiple factors, such as institutional racism. 3. The NUS Black Students Campaign was part of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Race and Community

inquiry into Race and Higher Education Conference Resolves:

1. The campaign should work with relevant stakeholders to ensure we continue our work on attainment. 2. The campaign should produce a briefing on how to tackle the attainment gap 3. The campaign should continue its call for institutions to work with Blacks to tackle the issue of the Attainment

Gap

Amendment 300b: Black academia Submitted by: Birmingham Guild of Students, Middlesex University Students' Union Speech For: Birmingham Guild of Students Speech Against: Free Summation: NUS Black Students’ Campaign Committee Conference believes

1. That out of 18,510 lecturers in HE, 85 are of African/Caribbean heritage. 2. The number of African/Caribbean women lecturers is even more disproportionate. 3. This disparity is a clear example of structuralism racism within the academy. 4. Black lecturers face discrimination/marginalisation in the workplace, and are not afforded the same

opportunities for professional progression. Conference further believes

1. That tackling issues of racism within academia involves addressing both those affecting students and academics.

2. That the Eurocentric curriculum is unrepresentative of Black peoples’ historical contributions, perspectives, experiences and epistemologies.

3. That the lack of diversity within HE teaching maintains this lack of diversity within HE content. 4. That dealing with the lack of diversity within the curriculum and academic/senior positions are the minimal

necessary measures in tackling the attainment gap. Conference resolves

1. To work with/support groups including the British Black Studies Association in developing Black studies modules/departments.

2. To work alongside Black lecturers/sections in lobbying institutions to commit to more positive action in favour of race equality.

3. To lobby institutions to ensure Black students and lecturers are active participants in the development and implementation of race equality measures including the ‘race equality charter mark’.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Motion 301: Defend education and fight austerity Submitted by: NUS Black Students’ Campaign Committee Speech For: NUS Black Students’ Campaign Committee Speech Against: Free Summation: NUS Black Students’ Campaign Committee Conference believes:

1. The government’s continued austerity agenda is hitting Black students and other oppressed groups hard. 2. The government is in the process of privatising the student loans book.

3. One in two young Black people are currently unemployed due to a combination of racism and savage attacks on the public sector.

Conference further believes:

1. With annual fees increased to £9,000 Britain’s education system has become one of the most expensive in the world. Abolishing the Education Maintenance Allowance – a vital grant that has helped thousands of young Black students through further education – has damaged life chances and opportunities.

2. If the student loans book is privatised we will see students burdened with even more debt. 3. The fight to defend education, the welfare state and vital public services has only just begun and we must

resist. 4. There is an alternative to cuts, higher fees and paying more through a graduate tax. We need state

investment to provide free education, not cuts. A NUS Black Students’ Campaign briefing pointed out that the Government’s own figures show that for every £1 invested in education the economy expands by £2.60. Cuts and higher fees are socially unjust and economically illiterate.

5. Investing in education is the only way to ensure Britain has a highly skilled, high growth future economy and that young people have the chance to fulfil their potential.

Conference resolves to:

1. Oppose all methods of charging students more for education, including fees or graduate tax and reaffirm our support for free education.

2. Organise a demonstration against privatising the student loans book and student debt. 3. Prioritise the campaign to Bring Back EMA in England and defend it in the Nations as we approach the general

election. 4. Re-affiliate to the Student Assembly Against Austerity and Black Activists Rising Against Cuts. 5. Support education staff acting to defend jobs, courses, #fairpayinHE and the quality of our education system. 6. Continue our work with trade unions and the TUC Race Equality Officer to defend Black student workers from

exploitation and unemployment and organise with the TUC to fight Black youth unemployment. _________________________________________________________________________________________

Motion 302: Black Women and education Submitted by: Birmingham Guild of Students Speech For: Birmingham Guild of Students Speech Against: Free Summation: waived to Warwick University Conference believes

1. Systemic racism within the education system interacts with other societal oppressions to the further detriment of different groups of Black students.

2. This presents further barriers to Black Women, LGBT and Disabled students within education. Conference further believes

1. These oppressions manifest in a number of ways within the education environment, including even sharper under-representation of Black women within union leadership positions, and further barriers to progression within academia.

2. That a holistic and intersectional approach is necessary to properly address under-attainment and under-representation of Black students.

Conference resolves

1. To continue working alongside the other Liberation campaigns to support Black students in education. 2. To work with the Women’s campaign in developing Black women in leadership workshops. 3. To hold an event on Black women in academia. 4. To support the Black Women’s Forum UK with an annual conference. 5. For future research by the campaign into attainment and the Black student experience to factor in and

consider the specificities of Black Women, LGBT and Disabled students’ experience within education.

Internationalism

Motion 400: International Peace and Justice Submitted by: NUS Black Students’ Campaign Committee Speech For: NUS Black Students’ Campaign Committee Speech Against: Free Summation: property of last successful amendment Conference believes:

1. Black people are the overwhelming majority of humanity. Most live in countries affected by poverty due to ‘Western’ economic and military policies. Racism is used to maintain this inequality.

2. The USA alone spends $500bn annually on its military. A fraction of this would provide universal access to basic education, clean water, healthcare, nutrition, HIV/AIDS medication, and tackle devastating international debt.

3. Israel's illegal siege on Gaza continues making life for Palestinians intolerable. Our Campaign lead to a huge breakthrough in NUS with an historic unanimous vote to condemn the siege on Gaza and the illegal occupation.

4. Climate change targets have been ignored and deprioritised causing environmental havoc and food shortages. 5. Countries in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean have struggled to recover from the damaging impact of

colonisation and economic control that followed. Conference further believes:

1. The West has consistently supported dictatorships in the Middle East and North Africa: the people of these regions have the right to determine their own futures free from the interference of Western governments.

2. Movements for democracy and social progress should be supported in Latin America and Middle East. 3. The US-led invasions of Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya have led to deaths of hundreds of thousands of civilians.

Former European colonial powers, France and Britain, are now attempting to re-colonise Africa. 4. Students have for decades campaigned for a better world and for peace and justice globally.

Conference resolves to:

1. Support progressive campaigns that demand an end to global debt and poverty. 2. Oppose imperialist interventions in Africa, Asia and Caribbean which attempt to exploit natural resources. 3. Encourage colleges to commemorate National Slavery Memorial Day and International Day of Solidarity with

the Palestinian People. 4. Re-affiliate to Stop the War, support CND, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, and initiatives against wars and

occupation of Iraq, Afghanistan, western intervention in the Middle-East and any attack on Iran. 5. Continue to support the progressive social movements in Latin America most notably in Venezuela and

Ecuador. 6. Support boycotts of Israeli products produced on Palestinian settlements. 7. Join Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth in campaigns against climate change.

Amendment 400a: Fossil Free Submitted by: University of Bradford Students’ Union Speech For: University of Bradford Students’ Union Speech Against: Free Summation: waived to NUS Black Students’ Campaign Committee Conference believes

1. Climate change is the single biggest crisis threatening humanity today. 2. That countries of the Global South are first to be, and are most severely, impacted by the effects of climate

change. 3. That the evacuation of the Carteret Islanders of Papua New Guinea, as the first whole community officially

made refugee by climate change, represents a turning point in this crisis.

Conference further believes

1. That the current government is failing to reach its environmental targets, being beholden to the interests of the market and fossil fuel companies

2. That claims blaming ‘overpopulation’ of countries in the Global South for the issue reproduce racist stereotypes, and ignore that Western overconsumption is the primary cause of climate change

3. That current levels of consumption and fossil fuel usage are entirely unsustainable. 4. The effectiveness of the ‘Fossil Free campaign’ to divest from the fossil fuel industry. 5. That indigenous peoples’ rights are often abused by multinational energy corporations and Western

governments. 6. For the Global South, environmental struggles are inherently struggles for their survival, societies and

livelihoods. Conference resolves

1. To support the Fossil Free campaign. 2. Support indigenous peoples’ struggles, including the Tar Sands campaign.

Amendment 400b: Reparations Submitted by: University of Birmingham Guild Speech For: waived to University of Oxford Students’ Union Speech Against: Free Summation: University of Birmingham Guild Conference believes:

1. The history of colonialism and enslavement make Britain one of the wealthiest, most powerful nations on the planet today.

2. The legacies of colonialism and enslavement systematically underdeveloped societies in Africa, Asia and Latin America, as well as indigenous peoples in North America and Australasia

3. The effects of colonialism continue to underdevelop some communities in Africa, Asia and the Americas through unfair trade deals, structural adjustment policies and military domination.

Conference further believes:

1. Some gains have been made in the case of Mutua & Ors V Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the ongoing fight by the community of Mau Mau reparations interest.

2. The struggle for reparations by Caribbean islands is a step forward in the fight for global justice. Conference resolves:

1. To offer support to all campaigns for reparations for enslavement and colonisation, including the CARICOM in the Caribbean and the Mau Mau in Kenya, in addition to the new cases being built by Malaysia and Cyprus.

2. To support the Social Movement for African Reparations from the principled standpoint of Pan-African Reparations for Global Justice;

3. To support efforts towards building the NGO Popular Civil Society Forum on Reparations in the UK as well as the Europe wide NGO Consultative Council for African Reparations;

4. To lobby for the establishment of an All-Party Parliamentary Commission for Truth on Reparations in the Houses of Parliament;

5. To support the establishment of the Peoples International Tribunal for Global Justice and its benches at local, national and international levels;

6. To canvass support for these demands in the NUS as a whole and to support, promote and contribute to actualising these demands locally, nationally and internationally.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Motion 401: The Congo Submitted by: University of Birmingham Guild, University of Bradford Students’ Union, Kings College London Students’ Union Speech for: University of Bradford Students’ Union

Speech Against: Free Summation: waived to NUS Black Students’ Campaign Committee Conference believes:

1. The conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has claimed the lives of over 5 million people. 2. That mass killings, crimes against humanity, rape and displacement have all been a feature of the conflict,

with government troops, rebels and UN peacekeepers implicated. 3. The concerning lack of coverage of the crisis in Western media. 4. The Congo’s rich natural resource reserve. 5. The role of international corporations such as Nokia in perpetuating the crisis through the use of conflict

minerals in their products. 6. The IMF and World Bank’s involvement, with ‘poverty-reduction’ loan programs for the Congo. 7. The Campaign’s history of campaigning for International peace and justice.

Conference further believes:

1. This Internationalism is a key part of the Campaign, as a matter of principle and social responsibility. 2. Directly relating Black students in the UK with the issues affecting their homelands and diasporic communities

helps nurture an awareness of the wider context and historical framework of imperialist issues. 3. The need to raise consciousness and awareness of the crisis with students in the UK. 4. The need to provide pro-active steps towards a resolution of the conflict to students in the UK. 5. Transnational financial corporations do not have altruistic intentions for their involvement. 6. Western military intervention is never justified as a solution.

Conference resolves:

1. To work with the Pan-African Students’ Union to help raise awareness about the issues across campuses and Black student groups.

2. Lobby companies known for using conflict minerals in their products to publicly and actively commit to cessation of the practice.

3. To oppose all forms of Western intervention. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Motion 402: Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Submitted by Bradford Students’ Union Speech for: waived to Kings College London Speech Against: Free Summation: waived to Sheffield University Students’ Union Conference believes:

1. The ongoing 66-year long occupation of Palestine, Israel’s multitude of human rights and international law violations, its flagrancy and unaccountability to the international community.

2. The Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions (BDS) campaign called for by Palestinian civil society in 2005 to pressure Israel into complying with international law.

3. The repression used against BDS campaigners both in the UK and abroad, including the recent suspension of students at Witwatersrand University, South Africa for protesting a concert recital on campus.

4. The numerous BDS successes on campuses this past year, including those against G4S at Southampton, King’s College, Birmingham and Kent University.

5. The racism directed against Africans and African migrants and refugees within Israel, including internment-without-trial of asylum seekers and anti-African riots.

Conference further believes:

1. Israeli expansion on Palestinian land to be a settler-colonial project, predicated on the ethnic cleansing and expulsion of its indigenous people.

2. That racism is systemic within Israeli state policy, with anti-Arab, anti-African and anti-migrant discrimination.

3. The success in dismantling South African apartheid was due in part to international pressure and sanctions against that regime.

4. That international solidarity from students is a crucial part of the Palestine liberation struggle. 5. That international solidarity should be conducted on the terms set by the Palestinian people, as per the BDS

campaign. 6. That the three aims of the BDS campaign are the necessary preconditions for any true peace in the Middle

East. 7. That the Israeli government is feeling the pressure from international BDS. 8. That all other methods of pressuring Israel and the ending the occupation have failed.

Conference resolves:

1. To continue the Campaign’s long-standing commitment to the Palestinian cause and anti-colonialism. 2. To support Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaigns initiated by students. 3. To lobby Institutions and Unions to divest from key BDS target companies, including G4S, Veolia and Eden

Springs. 4. To work with BRICUP and lobby institutions to adopt academic boycott of Israeli universities. 5. To disseminate resources and materials on how to run successful BDS campaigns. 6. To support the annual Israeli Apartheid Week initiative.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Motion 403: Syria Submitted by Middlesex University Students' Union Speech for: Middlesex University Students' Union Speech Against: Free Summation: Middlesex University Students' Union Conference Believes:

1. The Syrian Revolution has turned into a bloody civil war, since 18th March 2011, when Assad's Security Forces first fired on protesters calling for reform; 150,000 people have been killed, a third of them civilians.

2. They are hundreds of Syrian Students in the United Kingdom, who are under deep financial/ psychological difficulties because of the unrest.

3. The British government must make an uncompromising commitment to supporting the rights and freedoms of the Syrian people.

4. NUS should ensure that the plight of Syrian students in the UK is not overlooked by the government. Conference Resolves:

1. To call on the Government to exert all efforts in finding a political solution to end the conflict. 2. To research the views of Syrian Students in the UK and take the lead from them to ensure we best represent

the views of students that are effected by the conflict. 3. To request UK institutions to make hardship grants, scholarships and bursaries available to all affected Syrian

students, whether sponsored or privately funded, to cover their living expenses. 4. To support the Syria Students UK Fees Campaign and other Syrian Charities to raise the plight of the Syrian

People.

Rules Revision

Motion 500: Black Students Campaign Standing Orders Submitted by: Black Students Campaign Steering Committee, Birmingham South & City College Students’ Union, Brighton Students’ Union, MidKent College Students’ Union Speech For: NUS Black Students’ Campaign Committee Speech Against: Free Summation: property of last successful amendment Conference resolves:

1. To delete the current Black Students Campaign Standing Orders and replace with the new standing orders, as written below.

NUS Black Students Campaign Standing Orders This documents sets out the Standing Orders for the NUS Black Students Campaign which includes an outline of the mission, membership and procedures of the Campaign. The extracts below are from the NUS UK Articles of Association and Rules which outline the powers and rules for the Liberations Campaigns. Extract from the Articles of Association NUS UK – Clause 50-53 Liberation Campaigns 50. The Liberation Campaigns shall be Politically Autonomous bodies that are responsible for the

formation of policy and the carrying out of the policy work of the National Union that has been entrusted to them by the National Conference and that is of concern to the Students represented by each Liberation Campaign, except that the Liberation Campaigns shall be subject to the powers of the National Conference and the Trustee Board under Article 69.

50.1. They shall stay subject to the powers of the Democratic Procedures Committee unless National Conference resolves to devolve any or all of the powers of the Democratic Procedures Committee to a Liberation Campaign Democratic Procedures Committee.

51. Only those Individual Members that define as being a part of a particular Liberation Campaign shall be entitled to take part directly in the governance of that Liberation Campaign.

52. There shall be four Liberation Campaigns, as follows: 52.1 Women; 52.2 Black Students; 52.3 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Students; and 52.4 Disabled Students.

53. The powers, composition and procedures of the Liberation Campaigns shall be further defined in the Liberation Campaigns Rules.

Extract from the NUS Rules NUS RULES | Liberation Campaigns Rules 1900 Conference Each Liberation Campaign will hold an Annual Conference, which will elect the

Campaign’s Officer(s) and Committee. 1901 Other ordinary meetings of the Campaign Conferences may be convened in accordance with each

Campaign’s Standing Orders, provided that a sufficient budget has been agreed by National Conference.

1902 Each Liberation Conference will discuss matters of concern to the Liberation Campaign. 1903 The Report and Plan of the Liberation Committee will be discussed at the Liberation Campaign

Conference. 1904 The Liberation Campaign Conference will be restricted to the classes of person as defined for each

campaign. 1905 Only persons allowed to attend the conference will be eligible for election as delegates to the

Conference. 1906 The Liberation Campaign Conferences will be governed by such Standing Orders as they

themselves decide.

1907 The Delegation Entitlement to each conference will be agreed by the relevant conference in setting the standing orders, save that must be affordable and within the budget approved by National Conference.

1908 Committee The election of Campaign Officer and the Campaign Committee will be conducted in a manner approved by the chief returning officer.

1909 The membership structure of the committee shall be approved by the relevant conference in the campaign standing orders.

1910 Any person allowed to attend the conference will be eligible for election to the post of Liberation Campaign Officer and for the Committee, if at close of nominations that person is an individual student member of the National Union.

1912 The Committee will convene an Extraordinary Liberation Campaign Conference, to discuss a motion of ‘no confidence’ in the Liberation Campaign Officer(s) on receipt of a request in writing from 25 names Constituent Members.

1913 The Campaign Committee will convene the Extraordinary Campaign Conference within seven weeks after receipt of the request, and not less than two weeks after the day on which the notice of the Extraordinary Campaign Conference would in the normal course of post be received by Constituent Members.

1914 Delegates’ entitlement and eligibility will be as for the Annual Campaign Conference, except that delegates will not be required to have been elected by cross-campus ballot.

1915 No business other than the motion of ‘no confidence’ in the Campaigns Officer will be discussed at an Extraordinary Campaign Conference, and if such a motion is passed by a simple majority, the Campaign Officer(s) post will become vacant and will be filled by the casual vacancy procedures.

Glossary NUS National Union of Students (UK) NEC National Executive Council The Campaign NUS Black Students Campaign The Committee NUS Black Students Campaign National Committee The Officer NUS Black Students Officer Steering Committee NUS Black Students Campaign Steering Committee Conference Annual Conference of the Campaign Caucus A meeting of the Conference for a specified section of Members and, when not

meeting, a distinct political or social group recognised by the Standing Orders/Policy or the Steering Committee (in the absence of Policy)

CM A Constituent Member of NUS (UK) e.g. a student’s union, association or guild Individual Members As defined in clause 16 of the NUS Articles Associate Members As defined in clause 17 – 18 of the NUS Articles Nations Defined as NUS Scotland, NUS Wales and NUS USI Delegates Members of Conference with speaking and voting rights Observers Members of Conference with speaking rights only Enablers Enablers are often needed to support students with disabilities when taking part in

NUS events and conferences; however, they are not to influence voting decisions made by the delegate, nor personally take part in any political activity at conference.

Guillotine A cut off point on time allocated to a section of business in Conference Credentials Issued at registration or during conference these include your status at conference

and voting card Composite A term used to describe when motions or amendments may be moved, combined or

re-constructed Two thirds majority Twice as many votes in favour as against, ignoring abstentions Open Place All members of the Campaign regardless of gender, gender expression, identity or

sexual orientation Women’s Place The members of the Campaigns who self-define as Women LGBT members Place The members of the Campaign who self-define as LGBT Policy Once the Conference has resolved a question put to it (in the form of an ordinary,

emergency, procedural or report motion or other instrument as identified by the Steering Committee or the Chair), the decision of the Conference shall be the Policy of the Campaign.

Rules | Black Students Campaign Standing Orders

NUS Black Students Campaign Mission 001 The Campaign is the national student movement for the liberation of Black Students. It fights for

the rights of Black students, supports Black students in universities and colleges, and provides a national voice on Black students issues, both within NUS and wider society. The Campaign is an autonomous liberation campaign of NUS UK, and as consequence is bound by the Articles and Rules as determined by NUS UK National Conference.

002 Membership of the Black Students Campaign 003 Individual Members who self-identify as ‘Black’ shall be eligible to take part in the Campaign’s

democratic process. The term ‘Black’ is used to refer to African, Asian, Arab and Caribbean people and those who self-define as Black. They will have voting rights and will able to stand in election according to regulations outlined in these Standing Orders.

Equality of opportunity 004 In pursuance of its mission the Campaign, in accordance with clause 6 of the NUS UK Articles will

not tolerate, and shall seek to eradicate, discrimination on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, disability, ethnic origin, religion, age, nationality, caring responsibility status, creed or gender identity, and will be independent of any party political organisation or religious body; but positive action in favour of any disadvantaged section of society shall be allowed.

No Platform Policy 005 In pursuance of its mission the Campaign, in accordance with clauses 7 and 8 of the NUS UK

Articles, any individuals or members of organisations or groups known to hold racist or facist views will not be allowed to stand for election to any Black Students Campaign position, or attend, speak or otherwise participate in Black Students Conferences, meetings or any other Black Students Campaign events, and the Black Students Campaign members will not share a public platform with an individual or member of an organisation or group known to hold racist or facist views.

006 The Steering Committee shall manage any resolutions of Conference on ‘No Platform’ in accordance with clauses 7 and 8 of the NUS UK Articles and with the Democratic Procedures Committee of NUS UK.

100 NUS Black Students Campaign Officer and Committee NUS Black Students Officer 101 The Conference shall elect an Individual Member of the Campaign to the National Executive Council

to convene the campaign. This post shall be known as the Black Students Officer.

Membership of the Committee 102 The members of the Committee shall be:

a. The Officer of the Campaign with voting rights, elected at Conference. b. The National Executive Council representative elected at Conference open to all voting delegates c. Up to 14 Individual Members with voting right, elected at Conference and from caucuses:

i. Three (3) Open Place Representatives open to all voting delegates ii. Two (2) Women’s Representatives elected in the Women’s caucus iii. Two (2) Further Education Representatives elected at the FE caucus

iv. One (1) Disabled Students Representative elected at the Disabled Students caucus v. Two (2) LGBT Representatives one of whom must be a women, elected in the LGBT caucus and Lesbian, bisexual and Trans Women’s Caucus respectively vi. One (1) Postgraduate Representative elected in the Postgraduate caucus

vii. One (1) Mature Student’s Representative elected in the Mature Students’ caucus viii. One (1) International Students’ Representative elected in the International Students’ Caucus.

d. The Black Students’ Officers of NUS Wales, NUS Scotland and NUS-USI shall be entitled to sit on the NUS Black Students’ Committee as full members.

103 Black members of the NUS National Executive Council shall be entitled to attend NUS Black Students’ Committee as observers.

104 The Committee may co-opt non-voting members to fill any vacant positions. 105 All positions except the NUS Black Students’ Officer and National Executive Council Representative

shall be available as job-shares with a maximum of two people permitted to share each position.

Terms of office and eligibility of the Committee

106 All Committee members, including both voters and observers, shall take office on July 1st following the date of their election, and shall remain in office until June 30th in the following year.

107 A person shall be eligible for election to any of the positions named in clause 102b and 102c if, at the close of nominations, they are an Individual Member of the National Union.

108 Individual Members may be removed from membership of the Committee by a simple majority vote on a motion of no-confidence, passed by Conference.

109 If a member of the Committee misses two committee meetings without apologies accepted by the committee, they shall be deemed to have resigned from the Committee.

Role and powers of the Committee 110 The Committee shall be the interim policy body and the Officer shall provide the Political

Leadership of the Campaign. 111 The Committee shall be the most senior policy body outside of Conference. The Committee shall:

a. decide emergency policy of the Campaign in between meetings of Conference; b. appoint members to various committees as required; c. interpret and develop policy and plans arising from it; d. hold the Officer and their work to account; e. hold to account, with the power to censure, any person elected by Conference or from itself. f. represent the Campaign on behalf of the Officers at their request

Meetings of the Committee

112 Notification of Committee meetings shall be made 10 working days before the date they are to be

held. 113 Committee meetings may be convened by either the NUS Black Students’ Officer or a minimum of

three other voting members. 114 Agenda items and minutes of meetings shall be submitted not less than seven working days prior

to Committee meetings and this will be made available to Committee members at least five working days prior to meetings.

115 Quoracy for Committee meetings shall be 50 per cent plus one elected members of the Committee. 116 Committee members who fail to attend three consecutive Committee meetings without providing

apologies shall be deemed to have resigned from the Committee. 117 The NUS Black Students’ Officer shall chair all Committee meetings. In the absence of the NUS

Black Students’ Officer, the Committee shall nominate a chair for that meeting only. 118 All voting members shall have the right to speak and vote at all NUS Black Students’ Committee

meetings. Co-opted members shall only have speaking rights. Observers may only speak with the permission of the Chair.

119 The Chair shall only have a casting vote, but will count towards quoracy. 120 The Chair shall set the guillotine for the meeting and length of speeches during motion debates.

The guillotine may only be overturned with the express permission of the Committee. 121 All agenda items for decision by the Committee shall have a proposer and a seconder. 122 If matters arise in-between scheduled meetings that require approval by the Committee a vote via

email may take place and requires not less than seven clear days to allow for replies and not less than one third of voting members participating for it to be valid.

Reports and accountability 123 The Committee shall present to Conference a Report outlining the work done over their year in

office. The report shall: a. list the priority campaigning areas as determined by Conference and give an overview of

the work done to meet Conference mandates b. include a description of work carried out by the Committee c. The Committee may also produce additional reports and plans on specialist subjects or as

instructed by a past meeting of the Conference. 124 The adopting of the Committee reports will be formally proposed to the Conference by a member

of the Committee for approval by Conference. A Constituent Member may put forward the following Motions:

a. To refer back a specified part of the Report, provided that notice of the motion of reference back has been handed to the Steering Committee 30 minutes before the start of the session in which the Report is to be debated. b. A motion of censure on a member of the Committee, the Black Students Officer or the Committee as a whole provided that notice has been given to the Steering Committee in accordance with (a) above. Such notice must state the reasons for the motion.

125 Questions on the Reports may be asked from the floor of the Conference. Priority in the asking of

such questions shall be given to Constituent Members, which have tabled motions to refer back a specific part of the report.

126 If one third of delegates on conference floor delegates wish to discuss the motion it will be. A member of the Black Students Campaign Committee shall reply and the Conference shall immediately vote on the motion.

127 Following discussion of all Report motions or at the end of the time allocated for Report motions a member of the Black Students Campaign Committee shall reply and the Conference shall immediately vote on the reports.

200 NUS Black Students Campaign Steering Committee Membership of the Steering Committee 201 There shall be a Steering Committee, which shall be responsible for the smooth running of the

democratic procedures of the Campaign except elections. 202 The Steering Committee shall consist of five (5) members with two 2 reserved places for Women.

Only Individual Members of the Campaign are eligible to stand for election to the Steering Committee.

203 The Chair of the Steering Committee shall be elected by simple majority from the members of committee, immediately following the close of conference.

Terms of office and eligibility of Steering Committee 204 Elections to the Steering Committee shall take place annually and members will be eligible to stand

for re-election or shall retire at the end of the Conference after the one at which they were elected. You are eligible to stand if you are an Individual Member of the National Union.

205 Members of the Steering Committee must not hold any other political position within the Campaign.

206 The quorum for Steering Committee shall be half of the voting membership, rounded up to the nearest whole number.

207 Individual Members may be removed from membership of the Steering Committee by a simple majority vote on a motion of no-confidence, passed by Conference.

208 If a member of the Committee misses two committee meetings without apologies accepted by the committee, they shall be deemed to have resigned from the Committee.

Role and powers of the Steering Committee 211 The Steering Committee shall be responsible for the democratic procedures of the Campaign and

shall have the power to govern and interpret all matters relating to democratic procedures except elections.

212 The Steering Committee shall also be needed to structure and run Conference in such a way as to guarantee the accessibility, smoothness and fairness of proceedings for delegates in line with the Standing Orders. They shall work with the NUS Black Students’ Committee ensure that the order paper at Conference has the correct business as outlined in the Standing Orders.

213 The Steering Committee shall be responsible for delegate entitlement and the issuing of credentials to delegates.

214 The Steering Committee shall have oversight of the motions and amendments process in order to produce a final motions document in an orderly manner for Conference. Committee will also ensure that all motions and amendments are submitted in the manner outlined in these Standing Orders. The Steering Committee may submit motions or amendments which shall relate to these Standing Orders, such motions shall be included in the motions document.

215 The Steering Committee shall submit a report on their actions and their role as defined above to Conference and be held to account. They may also make recommendations on the procedure of Conference.

216 The Chair will also be responsible for liaison with NUS and the Black Students Campaign Committee.

217 If matters arise in-between scheduled meetings that require approval by the Committee a vote via email may take place and requires not less than seven clear days to allow for replies and not less than one third of voting members participating for it to be valid.

300 Annual Conference of the Campaign 301 Delegate Entitlement and Policy-making 302 There shall be two annual NUS Black Students’ Conferences held during term time. 303 The first Conference should be held in the winter and should be a non-policy making Conference

that provides plenary and workshop training to develop Black students. 304 The first Conference shall not be shorter than two days. The NUS Black Students’ Committee shall

determine the venue and programme. 305 The second Conference should be held in the summer term and should be a policy-making

Conference for Black students. 306 The second Conference shall not be shorter than two days. The NUS Black Students’ Committee

shall determine the venue and programme to ensure that it is held in as many different parts of the country as is practical.

307 The second Conference shall be the sovereign body of the NUS Black Students’ Campaign 308 The summer term NUS Black Students’ Conference shall elect the NUS Black Students’ Officer and

Committee; elect the NUS Black Students’ Campaign Steering Committee; determine policy; ratify minutes of the previous summer term NUS Black Students’ Conference; ratify amendments to the NUS Black Students’ Standing Orders; and approve the Committee Members’ report.

309 The Conference shall be open to Black students from further and higher education institutions and NUS constituent members (CMs).

310 Each CM shall be entitled to send one voting delegate and up to four observers to the NUS Black Students’ Conference.

311 Delegates to the NUS Black Students’ Conference may be elected or nominated in a manner approved by the CM.

Notifications and Motion Procedures 312 Notification and deadlines shall be as follows:

i. CMs will be notified of each Conference at least eight weeks prior to the start of the Conference. ii. Motions must be submitted at least four weeks prior to the start of summer term Conference. iii. Amendments to motions must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the start of summer term Conference.

iv. Nominations for the election of NUS Black Students Officer must be submitted at least three weeks prior to the start of the summer term Conference. v. Deadline for registration of delegates shall be at least one week prior to the start of the summer and winter Conference. vi. The Steering Committee shall have oversight in the registration of delegates and observers to attend and participate at the winter and summer conferences. vii. The Steering Committee will be entitled to view the entire delegates and participants list at any point during the registration process and build up through to the end of the winter Conference. ix. The Steering Committee will be entitled to view the entire delegates and participants list at any point during the registration process and build up through to the end of the summer Conference.

313 Each CM may submit up to six motions and one amendment per motion. These motions may be passed by an SU executive in conjunction with their African, Arab, Asian or Caribbean clubs and societies or equivalent.

314 The NUS Black Students’ Campaign committee may submit up to six motions and one amendment per motion.

315 All motions shall have a word limit of 350. All amendments shall have a word limit of 200. 316 All motions and amendments shall be available prior to the start of the summer Conference. 317 There shall be a priority ballot at the summer Conference to determine the order in which motions

should be discussed. 318 Emergency motions may be submitted following the close of motions deadline and must pertain to

matters that have arisen since the close of motions deadline that require the immediate resolution of the summer Conference.

319 Emergency motions may be submitted by CMs or individuals up to the deadline at the conference outlined by Steering Committee.

320 All emergency motions shall have a word limit of 150 words. 321 Steering Committee shall be responsible for determining the order of emergency motions to be

discussed. Membership of Conference 320 The following will be members of Conference: 321 Members with voting and speaking rights known as Delegates and must self-define into the

Campaign: a. Voting members of the NUS Black Students Campaign Committee

c. One Delegate appointed by each Constituent Member 322 Members with speaking rights known as Observers and must self-define into the Campaign: a. Up to 4 observers appointed by and from each CM b. Members of other Liberation Campaigns and the NEC at the discretion of the Officers 323 Members with limited speaking rights:

a. Members of Steering Committee, who may speak on matters relating to democratic procedures b. Candidates in elections, or where appropriate their proposers, who may speak during the course of the election in which they are involved c. Representatives of Constituent Members who have been refused delegate credentials by virtue of the Constituent Member having failed to elect its delegates by Cross Campus ballot, when required to do so, who may speak on matters relating to their failure to fulfil those provisions d. The Chief Returning Officer, e. Enablers speaking on behalf of their delegate

324 The following categories of person may also be present at Conference: a. Special observers invited by the Committee.

b. Representatives appointed by student media of any CM at the discretion the Officers. c. Visitors invited by the Officers. d. Representatives of the media who may report on any open session of the National Conference at the discretion of the Officers.

The Chair

325 The Chair of all meetings of the Conference shall be taken by the Black Students’ Officer, a

member of the National Committee, or another person appointed by them. 326 A member of the Steering Committee shall take the chair during the consideration of reports. The

Chair shall not exercise their vote except in the instance of a casting vote. 327 The Chair shall ensure that the meeting is in order, that remarks are relevant to the question

under debate, that speakers are not intimidated by members of the Conference and that no defamatory remarks are made by one member of Conference concerning another.

Speeches and Voting Procedures 328 The order of speeches shall be as follows:

1. Speech in favour of motion 2. Speech in favour of the amendment to a motion 3. Speech against the amendment to a motion 4. Vote on amendment 5. Speech against (amended) motion 6. Summation speech for (amended) motion 7. Vote on the motion

329 Only after all amendments to the motion have been discussed and voted on, will speeches against it be taken.

330 Speeches shall be allocated to the CM(s) that submitted the motion(s) and/or amendment(s) 331 There shall be free speeches allocated, and open to all those entitled to speak. 332 Extra rounds of speeches may be taken with the express permission of the Conference. 333 In the absence of the proposer of the motion, the speech shall be free and thereafter the motion

becomes the property of the CM taking the free speech. 334 The Chair shall ensure that an equal number of speeches in favour and against are offered before

the vote takes place. 335 All voting shall require a simple majority unless otherwise stated. 336 All voting shall be by a show of delegate cards unless otherwise stated. 337 Only those entitled to be present and vote may vote

General Procedure and Quorum 338 Only one ordinary motion or amendment to it, or report motion, may be debated at any one time. 339 Quorum for all full sessions of the Conference shall be 20% of registered delegates. There shall be

no quorum in caucuses or when the Conference is not in full session. Policy Lapse 340 At the beginning of each meeting of the Conference, the National Committee shall table those

Policies that have been in existence for three (3) years and were last ratified under this Standing Order three years earlier. These shall be notified in advance and shall be prominently displayed within the meeting room.

341 Unless an objection is raised, these policies shall lapse at the end of the last session of the Conference. Objections to the lapse of any such policy shall be delivered to the Steering Committee by the start of the penultimate session of the morning.

342 During the last session of the Conference, the Chair shall invite a speech moving each objection and a speech against. The debate shall be confined to whether or not the Policy should lapse. The Chair shall then move to a vote where a simple majority shall retain the Policy.

Procedures and points of order during Conference 343 Points of order may be raised to ask for a quorum count, to ask for a Chair’s ruling or

interpretation or to address any other question relating to the procedure of the meeting to the Chair. Points of order have precedence over all other business, but they may not be raised during a speech or a vote unless relating to the conduct of that vote.

344 Points of order shall have priority in the following order: a. A request for a quorum count. b. A request for a ruling or interpretation. c. A request for a revote. d. Other points of order.

345 Procedural motions have precedence over all other business except points of order and may not be

raised during a speech or the course of a vote unless relating to the conduct of that vote. 346 There shall be the following procedural motions which are listed in order of priority. a. That the meeting has no confidence in the Chair. b. That the Chair’s ruling be overturned.

c. That a Standing Order or Election Regulation be suspended for a specified length of time for a specified reason.

d. That a vote be by secret ballot. e. That a meeting be adjourned or closed. f. That a specified category of person be excluded from Conference. g. That the question, as specified will now be voted on.

h. That the question, as specified by will not be voted on and Conference will move to the next motion. i. That the question, as specified, be adjourned to later in the same meeting or to a later meeting. j. That the question, as specified, be remitted to another body or person (including caucuses)

k. That the question, as specified, be voted in parts. l. To challenge the guillotine m. To challenge the order paper 347 All procedural motions shall require the support of one third of delegates on conference floor

before being discussed. All procedural motions shall be voted on after at least one speech in favour and one against.

348 The Chair shall be entitled to make the final speech against any motion of a no confidence in the Chair or any challenge to the Chair’s ruling.

349 A procedural motion to either ‘Suspend a Standing Order or Election Regulation’ (346c) or ‘Move that the question be now put where the purpose of such a motion is to prevent the taking of parts on an amendment to the rules’ (346g) shall require a two thirds majority. All other procedural motions shall require a simple majority.

350 Any call to create a set of parts, which has the support of one third of delegates on conference floor, shall be voted upon after a speech against the parts and a speech in favour of the parts. The vote will decide whether these parts are passed. If the parts which are passed are part of an amendment, they shall become part of the main motion. If the parts which are passed are part of the main motion on the final vote then they shall be passed into policy. After consideration of all such sets of parts, the remaining text of the amendment or motion shall be voted upon.

351 Any person wishing to make a statement from the floor must give written notice of the subject of that statement to Steering Committee not less than 30 minutes before the end of the session in which the statement is to be made.

352 At the commencement of the time allocated on the Order Paper for statements from the floor, the Steering Committee will announce each statement request individually. If one third of delegates on conference floor are in support of hearing that statement it shall be heard immediately. Each statement shall last for 60 seconds. This procedure shall then be repeated until the expiry of the time allocated for statements in that session

Business of Conference

353 The Steering Committee in conjunction with the NUS Black Students’ Committee shall draw up an

order paper for each meeting of Conference and shall include, but not limited to, the following business:

Delegate Training 354 Introductory session a. The Officer’s opening remarks b. Minutes of the last Conference c. Adoption of the order paper as presented 355 Reports and adoption

a. The Committee report which shall include any interim policy passed for adoption, an account of work and any financial matters

b. The Steering Committee report which shall include delegate entitlement, credentials and rules revision

c. Election report by Chief Returning Officer 356 Proposals a. Motions including any changes to the Standing Orders b. Policy lapse c. Emergency motions 357 Elections a. NUS Black Students Officer position b. NUS Black Students Campaign Committee (including caucus elections) d. Steering Committee 400 Elections Schedule 401 The Chief returning Officer shall be responsible for the elections and these elections shall be

subject to the elections rules as set out by the CRO and the elections committee. 402 The position for election shall be as follows:

1. One place for NUS National Black Students’ Officer 2. All others at their caucuses 3. National Executive Council Representative 4. Five members of Steering Committee, of which two will be women

403 The order of election shall be as follows: 1. National Black Students’ Officer 2. National Executive Council Representative 3. Block of three (3) Open Place Representatives 4. Steering Committee 5. Block of two (2) Women’s Caucus Representatives 6. Block of two (2) FE Caucus Representatives 7. Block of two (2) LGBT Caucus Representatives, of which one will be an open LGBT Representative and one lesbian, bisexual or Trans women’s Representative 8. One Disabled Students’ Representative 9. One International Students’ Representative 10. One Mature Students’ Representative 11. One Postgraduate Students’ Representative

404 No votes shall be recorded by proxy or by delegates not present. 405 The Chief Returning Officer and the Election Committee shall be responsible for determining the

eligibility to participate in all elections and will be responsible for issuing the ballot papers. 406 Elections Committee shall inform conference of the deadlines for nominations and the times for the

formal hustings and voting. 407 Formal hustings shall consist of a speech from each candidate to support their candidature

followed by an immediate move to the vote. Nomination and Candidacy Regulations 408 Nominations to all elections except the NUS National Black Students’ Officer shall open and close at

the Conference where they are to be held. 409 Nomination for the NUS National Black Students’ Officer shall close three weeks prior to the start

of the conference where it is to be held. 410 All candidates and nominators must be Individual Members of NUS at the time of close of

nomination and subject to the eligibility for each position as outlined in these standing orders. 411 All candidates and nominators must self-define as ‘Black’. 412 Candidates for the NUS National Black Students’ Officer election shall require 10 nominators from

at least three different CMs. 413 Candidates for the block of two Women’s place elections must be women and must be nominated

by women entitled to be present at the conference where the election is to be held. 414 The two Women’s Representatives’ election shall be conducted at a women-only caucus meeting

during the conference.

415 Candidates for the block of two Further Education (FE) delegates must be from FE CMs and must

be nominated by FE delegates entitled to be present at the Conference where the election is to be held.

416 The block of two FE place elections shall be conducted at an FE-only caucus meeting during the conference.

417 Candidates for the LGBT open place and the lesbian, bisexual or Trans women’s place election must be LGBT and lesbian, bisexual or Trans women respectively and must be nominated by LGBT and lesbian, bisexual or Trans women respectively, entitled to be present at the conference where the election is to be held.

418 The LGBT and lesbian, bisexual or Trans women’s elections shall be conducted at LGBT and lesbian, bisexual or Trans women’s caucus meeting during the conference.

419 Candidates for the Disabled student’s election must be a Disabled student and be nominated by Disabled students entitled to be present at the Conference where the election is to be held.

420 Candidates for the Postgraduate student’s election must be a Postgraduate student and be nominated by Postgraduate students, entitled to be present at the conference where the election is to be held.

421 Candidates for the Mature student’s election must be a Mature student aged 21+ when commencing their course, and must be nominated by Mature students who are aged 21+ when commencing their course, entitled to be at the Conference where the election is to be held.

422 Candidates for the International student’s election must be a non-EU Black student and must be nominated by non-EU Black students entitled to be present at the Conference where the election is to be held.

423 All candidates with the exception of the NUS National Black Students’ Officer must be nominated by three students, from at least two different CMs, entitled to be present at the conference where the election is to be held.

424 Elections Committee shall have the right to withdraw any candidate(s) that fail to meet the requirements set in these Standing Orders and/or in the NUS Constitution.

Formal Hustings and Voting in Elections 425 There shall be formal hustings for all elections chaired by Elections Committee. 426 Formal hustings shall be held after the close of nomination and before the start of the vote. 427 All candidates shall be given an equal amount of time to speak after which delegates will

immediately proceed to the vote. 428 Elections Committee may read statements on behalf of candidate(s) unable to attend formal

hustings for all elections except where stated otherwise. 429 NUS constitution and election regulations shall apply to all elections and candidates. 430 Only those individuals and Committee members that have been confirmed as delegates by the

Steering Committee shall be entitled to vote in the elections. Informal Hustings 431 From time to time informal hustings or question time events may be organised by the Elections

Committee 432 The Returning Officer or their nominee shall chair informal hustings, which will allow for candidates

to give a speech and then answer questions from delegates. 500 Amendments to these Standing Orders 501 These Standing Orders may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the Conference; provided

that the basic form of the amendments was circulated with the Ordinary Motions Document. 502 Emergency Motions may not seek to amend these Standing Orders, except if submitted by the

Steering Committee. 503 The Steering Committee shall be empowered to update these Standing Orders, applying Plain

English after each meeting of the Conference, and may make additional changes to ensure compliance with the NUS Articles of Governance and the NUS Liberation Campaign Rules.

504 Amendments approved by the Conference shall not come into effect until the Close of the Conference meeting at which they were agreed, unless:

1. the Conference approves a motion proposed by either the Steering Committee, the Chief Returning Officer or the National Committee (or Black Students Officer); and

2. this enabling motion is approved by a two-thirds majority.

505 The enabling motion shall be notified to the Steering Committee immediately following the

agreement to amend the Standing Orders. 600 Breaches and Conduct 601 NUS staff protocol, Code of Conduct and equal opportunities policies shall apply and shall be read

out at the start of Conference and other Black Students’ Campaign events. 602 Delegates or observers in breach of the rules may face removal from the Conference and may be

subject to disciplinary action. 603 If disputes arise the NUS disputes guidelines shall be followed. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Motion 501: Activist Training Days Submitted by: Black Students Campaign Steering Committee Speech for: Black Students Campaign Steering Committee Speech Against: NUS Black Students’ Campaign Committee Summation: Black Students Campaign Steering Committee DELETE reference to Winter Conference in the proposed standing orders and replace with Activist Training days below. Renumber Accordingly. Conference resolves:

1. To add to the Black Students Campaign Standing Orders and renumber accordingly Activist Training Days 1 The Campaign shall host and run Activist Training Days, in line with Policy determined by the

Conference. Any Individual Member of NUS may attend an Activist Training Day, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

2 Activist Training Days shall occur in the first term of each academic year. 3 The National Committee shall determine a manner of appointment for Regional Assistants at

Activist Training Days, who shall assist the National Committee members that have been assigned to that region.

4 Where the Activist Training Days are run by the Campaign, but held in the Nations, the Black Students’ Campaign committees of the Nations shall be involved in the planning and running of the training days in the Nations.

___________________________________________________________________________________ Motion 502: Job Shares Submitted by: Black Students Campaign Steering Committee Speech for: Black Students Campaign Steering Committee Speech Against: NUS Black Students’ Campaign Committee Summation: Black Students Campaign Steering Committee ADD Conference resolves:

1. To add to the Black Students Campaign Standing Orders and renumber accordingly Job-shares 1 Positions on the National Committee shall not be open to a job-share unless there are exceptional

circumstances. In the case of exceptional circumstances: 2 The Elections Committee has the authority to decide whether a request for a job share has genuine

reasons behind it. 3 All such decisions are to be made on an individual basis taking into account guidelines that are to

be reviewed annually by the Elections Committee 4 The guidelines are to be used for guidance only and are not prescriptive. ___________________________________________________________________________________