The Students Representativ'e Council is recognized by the University as representing the student body and it co-operates with the Union Board and the University on matters of student welfare ..
It aims to further the social and intellectual interests of students and thus its activities include the organisation of social functions, promotion of academic reform in the areas of curricula change and assessment; the publication of a newspaper and orientation handbook and the encouragement of participation in Australian and world-wide student organisations. The Students Representative Council plays a prominent part in publicising the University through contacts with local schools and the holding of special functions on
"Open Days". It also encourages its members to consider current public issues by holding general meetings of the student body. It provides opportunities for discussion of controversial topics and the subsequent expression of student opinion. Its special committees deal with such matters as Freshers' Camps, Orientation Week, independence Day, Australian Union of Students, and Education and Welfare.
The President of the Students Representative Council, who is elected annually, is ex officio a member of the University Council. The Students Representative Council has six representatives on the Union Board and one on the Sports Association Council.
President: Mr. D.G. McPHERSON A. U.S. Vice-President: Mr. J.W. DRURY Honorary Secretary: Mr. S.W. REGLAR Honorary Treasurer: Mr. P. BAYLEY Publicity Officer: Mr. A.B.R. STORY
Constitution of The Students Representative Council
NAME
1. There shall be a Coul).cil of students of the Flinders University of South Australia to be known as The Flinders University Students Representative Council.
DEFINITIONS
2. In this Constitution and any Regulation made thereunder:
"University" means the Flinders University of South Australia;
"University Council" means the Council of the University;
"Council" means the Flinders University Students Representative Council;
"Student" means a student enrolled in The Flinders University of South Australia;
"Union Board" means the Board of the Flinders University Union;
'School" means a school.as set out in Statute 4.3 of the University;
"Academic Term" means an academic term as set out in Statute 6.3 of the University;
"Regulation" means a regulation made by the Council in accordance with Section 22(g) of this Constitution;
"Member" me.ans· an elected member of the Council;
In all clauses of this Constitution the masculine includes the feminine and the singular includes the plural; and vice-versa, wherever applicable,
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FUNCTIONS AND OBJECTS
3. The fun<.':tions of the Council shall be to represent the students of the University, and generally to promote the welfare and further sodal, political, and academic interests of students; and in particular:
(a) To afford a recognised means of communication between the students and University authorities;
(b) To represent the students in any matters within or outside the University, through representation to or co-operation with university, community, or public bodies, and through such actions as the Council, or the students through general meetings and referenda, shall from time to time determine;
( c) To promote effective student partidpation in all decision-making bodies of the University, and to act on behalf of the interests of any students or group of students where they are not represented;
(d) To organise general gatherings of students;
(e) To publish such magazines, newspapers and periodicals as may be determined from time to time;
(£) Generally t~ coll~borate with the Union Board in securing the objects of the Union and furthering the interests of the University;
(g) On behalf of the students to join, qffiliate with or co-operate with such bodies or organisations having kindred aims as it deems fit, PROVIDED that the Council shall not join or affiliate with directly, or indirectly, any organisation or particular religious creed, or ap.y political party.
(h) The Council shall be a full constituent member of the Australian Union of
Students. , ·
MEMBERSHIP OF COUNCIL
4. The following shall be the members of the Council:
(a) The President and the President Elect: who shall be ex-officio members of
the Council. ·
(b) School Representatives: there shall be two representatives from each shool;
except in the case of schools where students take a common Part One course;
,(c) General Representatives: there shall be fifteen general representatives ..
ELECTIONS
5. (a) All students, except the incumbent President should he be in his second term of office as President, shall be eligible for election to the offic;e of President.
(b) To be eligible for election as a School Representative a candidate must be a
student enrolled in that School. ·
(c) All students shall be eligible for election as General Representatives.
6. A student is eligiole to vote in any election for which he is eligible to stand as a candidate in accordance with section 5.
7. (a) General _elections shall be held annually.
(b) In the case of Schools in which Students take a common Part.One Course, the School Representatives for those Schools shall be elected jointly, provided that there shall be at least one representative from each School..
(c) All elections shall be held between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on the second Thursday and second Friday of the third academic term.
(d) All nominations shall open on the seventh Monday preceding the election and shall close at 5 p.m. on the second Friday preceding this election.
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STUDENTS REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL ( e) Elections shall be conducted by a Returning Officer elected by the Council at least seven days prior to the opening of nominations.
8. Voting at all elections shall be by secret ballot, and there shall be provision for postal voting, by secret ballot.
9. (a) If any vacancy occurs on the Council prior to the last twelve weeks of its term of office it shall be filled within four weeks by holding a by-election; and the elected member shall continue in office during the balance of his predecessor's term.
(b) Notwithstanding section 9(a) any vacancy occurring during a vacation shall be deemed to have occurred on the first day of the following academic term.
(c) Subject to clause 26 the Council mayactnotwithstandinganyvacancyin its numbers.
10. Subject to this Constitution, all procedures for election shall be determined by Regulation of the Council; these procedures shall in the first instance be administered and interpreted by the Returning Officer.
TERM OF OFFICE
11. (a) The Council shall hold office from 1st October immediately succeeding each General Election to 30th September in the following year.
(b) Notwithstanding l l(a), the President of Council shall hold office from 1st .January to the 31st December in the year immediately following his election.
12. A member of the Council shall cease to be a member:
(a) upon his ceasing to be a student.
(b) in the case of a School Representative, upon ceasing to be enrolled in the School by which he was elected.
(c) upon acceptance by the Council of a written resignation.
(d) upon his absence from two consecutive meetings of Council without leave being granted by the Council.
(e) upon passage at a referendum of a binding motion, assetoutinsection 37.2 to this effect; provided that for School Representatives the electorate for the referendum shall be the students of the School from which the representative was elected.
13. The incumbent President of the Council shall convene, prior to the 23rd September, a meeting of the Council, to which he shall invite all members of the incoming Coun.cil, to consider matt<_;rs of mutual concern.
OFFICERS
14. (a) The incumbent President of the Council shall convene, prior to 1st October, a meeting of the incoming Council.
(b) At this meeting the Council shall appoint from amongst their number:
(i) An A.U.S. Vice-President, who shall represent the Council at meetings of the Council of the Australian Union of Students.
(ii) An Honorary Secretary, an Honorary Treasurer and an Honorary Publicity Officer.
(c) The Council shall, in October of each year, appoint the editor or editors of the student newspaper, who shall hold office for the following calendar year, and the editor or editors of the Council's Orientation Handbook for the following year.
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STUDENTS REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL
(d) The Council may appoint such other officers as it may from time to time deem necessary.
( e) Any officer may be dismissed from office by a motion to that effect carried at a Council meeting by a majority of the members of the Council, or by the passage at a referendum of a binding motion, as set out in section 37.2 to that effect:
provided only that the officer has been given notice of such motion and adequate opportunity to present reasons why he should not be removed from office.
(f) Should any Office Holder either resign or be dismissed, the vacancy shall be filled by the Council at its next meeting, provided notice of the vacancy is given at least seven days prior to the meeting.
15. Subject to this Constitution, the duties of all officers shall be determined by Regulation of the Council.
COMMITTEES
16. The Council may from time to time establish such committees as it deems necessary.
17. There shall be the following Standing Committees to advise the Council, and act as authorised by it:
(a) Finance Committee
(b) Publications and Press Management Committee (c) Administrative Committee
(d) A.U.S. Committee
18. Subject to this Constitution, the membership, functions and duties of committees shall be determined by Regulations of the Council, provided that the President shall be a member ex officio of all committees of the Council.
FINANCE
19. (a) The Council shall cause to be kept proper accounts of the property and monies received and expended by the Council each year.
(b) The financial year of the Council shall be from the 1st January to 31st December.
(c) The Council shall present financial statements for the preceding year, duly audited, to the Annual General Meeting of students; and these, together with any resolutions thereon, shall be forwarded to the University Council, not later than 30th June.
20. Additional funds for the purpose of furthering the objects of this Constitution may be raised in such manner as is approved by the Council.
Payments from these funds shall be authorised by the Council at an ordinary or emergency meeting.
21. (a) The Council shall receive each year from the University such proporticm of the Students Services Fee as is determined annually by University Council.
(b) All monies so received shall be held in the first instance in Council's ordinary account.
(c) The signatories to the Ordinary account shall be the President and the Honorary Treasurer or either of these and the Honorary Secretary; who shall withdraw monies from the account in accordance with the authority invested in them by the· Council.
POWERS
22. Subject to this Constitution, and to its Regulations, The Council shall have the entire control and management over its affairs and concerns, and the power 320
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to do such things as may be conducive or incidental to the attainment of any of its objects; and in particular:
(a) (i) To make representations to the University authorities on behalf of the students, or any student or group of students.
(ii) To represent the students, or any student or group of students in disciplinary proceedings.
(b) To delegate any matter to a sub-committee for investigation and report.
( c) To enter into and make arrangements, and to employ persons on such terms as the Council deems proper.
(d) To acquire, manage, deal with and dispose of any property.
(e) To borrow money, and to give security over any property of the Council.
(f) To appoint trustees in whom it may vest the ownership of any property of the Council.
(g) Subject to this Constitution, to make Regulations for the conduct of its affairs, provided that such Regulations are approved by an absolute majority of the Council.
MEETINGS
23. The Council shall meet at least once a month, with the exception of January. Meetings shall be convened and conducted according to the manner prescribed in the Council's Regulations.
24. All students shall be entitled to attend all meetings of the Council with full speaking and moving rights, except that the Council may resolve by a two-thirds majority of those present, and for a specific item, to move into committee, excluding all students who are not members, or confining them to observer status.
25. At ordinary meetings of the Council twelve members including at least three office bearers shall form a quorum.
26. An emergency meeting of the Council shall be convened by the Honorary Secretary:
(a) at the request of the President of the Council;
(b) upon receipt by the Honorary Secretary of a written request from four members of the Council setting forth the object for which the meeting is to be convened. The meetings shall be held within four days of the receipt by the Honorary Secretary of the request.
27. For emergency meetings of the Council there shall be a quorum of four, including at least two office bearers, provided that should financial matters be considered then at least one of the President and the Hon. Treasurer shall be in attendance.
28. All business transacted at emergency meetings shall be reported to the next ordinary meeting.
29. (a) The Annual General Meeting of students shall be held in the first academic term of the year.
(b) Notice of the Annual General Meeting shall be posted on the Council Notice-boards at least five week-days, during academic term, prior to the meeting and shall be advertised in the student newspaper in the edition preceding the meeting.
(c) The Council shall cause to be presented at the Annual General Meeting:
(i) audited financial statements for the preceding year.
(ii) a Report on the Council's activities in the preceding year.
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30. (a) A special general meeting of the students shall be convened by the Honorary Secretary:
(i) at the request of the President of the Council.
(ii) by decision of the Council.
(iii) at the written request of thirty students, provided that at any meeting called under this sub-section of this section the quorum as hereinafter provided shall include at least twenty of the petitioning students. The request shall state the exact form in which the motion or motions are to be put.
(b) The matter or matters to be considered at a special general meeting, shall be posted on the Council Notice-boards for at least three week-days during an academic term.
( c) All special general meetings shall be held within fourteen days of the receipt of the request or order for such a meeting.
31. Any amendment to a motion, which is ruled by the Chairman to be relevant, may be submitted to the meeting. If carried by a majority of students voting at the meeting, the motion shall be amended accordingly and the amended motion shall be treated as if it were the original motion.
32. No motion submitted to a general meeting shall be passed unless a majority of those students present vote in favour of the motion.
33. At all general meetings of students, one hundred students shall form a quorum.
34. (a) The President shall chair all meetings referred to in this Constitution, provided that in his absence or unwillingness to preside the meeting shall elect a Chairman.
(b) The Chairman shall have a casting vote but not deliberative vote at all meetings of the Council.
REFERENDA
35. A motion shall be submitted to a referendum when such is requested by:
(a) a majority of the members of the Council, or (b) a petition signed by sixty students.
The request shall be made in writing to the Honorary Secretary and shall state the exact form in which the motion or motions shall be submitted to the referendum.
36. (a) The motion or motions to be resolved shall be posted on the Council Notice-boards for at least three week-days during academic term, prior to the commencement of the referendum.
(b) The referendum shall commence within fourteen days during an academic term or terms, of receipt by the HonoraJy Secretary of the request for a referendum, which satisfies the conditions laid down in Clause 35.
(c) The poll shall remain open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily for two consecutive week-days during an academic term.
(d) No further petitions for referenda shall be received until the first requested referendum is decided.
POLICY
37. (a) A motion carried at a general meeting or at a referendum shall be considered by the Council at its next meeting.
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(b) A motion passed at a general meeting or referendum shall be binding on the Council if:
(i) at least 15 percent of enrolled students, ata general meeting, or 25 percent of enrolled students at a referendum, vote in favour of the motion, and
(ii) the margin between those voting in favour and those voting against the motion is at least five percent of the total vote, including abstentions in the case of a general meeting, or in the case of a referendum, all informal votes.
(c) Such a motion shall become the policy of the Council forthe duration of its term of office, or until it is superseded by a subsequent binding motion.
(d) Such a motion shall continue to be the policy of future Councils unless rejected by a motion to that effect carried by a two-thirds majority of a future Council.
(e) Any binding motion from a general meeting, subsequently submitted to a referendum, shall not be considered or acted upon by the Council until the result of the referendum is declared.
NOTICE BOARDS
38. (a) There shall be a Notice Board placed in a conspicuous place in the Union at the Refectory level, and another at the Council office in the Mall, each of which shall be used solely for the purposes of the Council.
(b) All notices required by this Constitution and by Regulations made under this Constitution, shall be exhibited on the Council Notice Boards.
INTERPRETATION
39. The power of interpretation of this Constitution shall lie in the first instance with the Council. Should a dispute arise between the Council and any student or group of students on interpretation of this Constitution the right of appeal shall lie to
a
General Student Meeting called in accordance with the procedures set out above.ALTERATION OF CONSTITUTION
40. This Constitution may be amended subject to the following conditions:
(a) Written notice of the proposed amendment shall be given to the Secretary who shall set out such amendment in full with a notice convening the Council at least fourteen days prior to the meeting.
(b) The am((ndment shall be passed by a two-thirds majority of the Council.
(c) The amendment shall subsequently be passed' by an absolute majority of those students present at a special general meeting called for the purpose.
(d) The amendment shall be passed by the University Council.
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