HWUSU votes to pass amended constitution

Following calls for more clarity within the union’s structure following the departure of Michael Bottom as president last June, the Heriot-Watt University Students' Union (HWUSU) Annual General Meeting (AGM) has voted to pass an amended version of its constitution.

The AGM also agreed on the need for for greater accountability and transparency in the work that HWUSU is doing in order to improve the student experience. Mike Ross, President of the Union, stated that this “puts the students at the heart of what is being done”. He also described it as a new chapter in the union’s history which will see the lives of students being improved.

The amendments include a review of the constitution every five years and a safeguard to ensure that any further amendments must not conflict with the union’s charitable status. Amendments must be ratified by the University’s Court and in order for changes to be made it must have two-thirds of the majority vote.

However, although these changes have been approved, they still need to be implemented. Mr Ross also stressed that he will be ensuring there is as little bureaucracy as possible under the new constitution.

He told The Journal: “In making changes to the constitution we will ensure clarity in our governance processes and cement in place our newly formed trustee board.”

“This will lead to us being more effective as an organisation and in turn lead us to being more effective at improving the lives of our students.”

The AGM also saw the launch of a strategic plan - the first in the history of the Union - that sets out seven key themes for the future of representation at Heriot-Watt.

In order to achieve this vision, an operational plan is being developed to translate the bold statements in the strategic plan to tangible, real-life projects for the benefit of Heriot-Watt students.