EUSA sabbaticals elect back emergency meeting

Following three successive failed attempts to pass the constitutional amendment involving online referenda, an emergency Student Representative Council (SRC) meeting decided to set up an Extraordinary General Meeting on 23 March.

The EGM, which is the first in recent years, will be held in Holland Hall at Pollock Halls student accommodation. In order for the motion to pass, 300 students must vote in favour of the motion and it must pass with a 75 percent majority.

Edinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) Vice President James Wallace said: “Pollock Halls is a fantastic venue for this. It is an area where there is a large density of students and it is easy for people to get to rather than having to go to George Square in the evening.”

The EGM was called both by SRC, Committee of Management and by a petition of 400 students. If passed the online referenda would replace the format of general meetings.

James Wallace emphasizes the importance of the meeting: “Just this once we ask you for a favour, an hour of your life. An hour to help the 27,000 have a say in their Association, to help the students disenfranchised take back their right to vote.”

The news comes as EUSA saw another record turnout in the March elections, with 28 percent of students voting. With the online voting system proving successful, all the newly elected sabbaticals have pledged their full support behind the EGM.

President-elect Liz Rawlings who ran for a second time and won with 3,864 votes, said: "I believe EUSA needs to change. This isn't about constitutional geekery. This is about an organisation built to win better teaching; an association designed to secure a better deal for students; a union providing a diversity of services to reflect the diversity of Edinburgh students.

“As it stands, EUSA structures are outdated - we're failing our members and failing to win change for students. That's why it's imperative that students come along and support this motion, because it will make sure that every student has a say in their union."

VPAA-elect Stevie Wise ran on a ticket with Ms Rawlings and secured the most convincing victory of the night. She explained more about the motion: “The motion to allow online referenda is so important if we are to effect change and allow all students to have a say in what their Association is doing.

“General Meetings are very important for allowing students a public forum for debate, but they are totally inaccessible. Student parents, student workers, disabled students, students who live outside the city and students who just can't make it for whatever reason, do not have a choice as to whether or not they come to GMs. They simply can't have their say.

“This is wrong, and that is why allowing online referenda is so important. If we achieve quoracy and students are properly informed, there is no reason why the motion should not pass. My only concern is that if too many people turn up to the meeting we will have to turn them away because they simply can't fit in the building, but in my opinion, that concern in itself shows why online referenda is a necessity.”

VPS-elect Sam Hansford had the most organised campaign ran by second year student Gabi Jones which earned her the biggest applause of the night.

Mr Hansford echoed Ms Wise’s sentiments. He said: “This meeting is so important as it will allow EUSA to make the changes that students really want to see. After a record election turnout, it is clear that students want to have their say in what EUSA does, and how better than through huge referenda online?”

VPAA-elect Amy Woodgate ran as an ‘outsider’ yet her support for the online referendum is long standing. She brought her ballroom society members along to the last GM in order to make the meeting quorate despite them having a major competition two days later.

However, the motion fell despite over an 80 percent majority as the required number of 300 people did not vote in favour.