Bye Law 1: Membership

Bye-Law 1 of Bucks Students’ Union:

MEMBERSHIP

January 2019

MEMBERSHIP Full Members 1. Full members of the Students’ Union are defined in Clause 12 of Bucks Students’ Union Constitution as: 1.1. each and every student who has not opted out by notifying Buckinghamshire New University of his or her wish not to be a Member of the Union; and 1.2. the Sabbatical Officers of the Union.

2. All members will be subject to the Union’s Code of Conduct.

3.

Membership shall not be transferable and shall cease on death. A member shall automatically cease to be a member of the Union if: 3.1 he or she ceases to be a Student; 3.2 he or she ceases to be a Sabbatical Officer

3.3 he or she opts out of membership by giving written notice to the University in accordance with the Bye-Laws; or

3.4 a decision is made to remove him or her from membership of the Union in accordance with the Union’s code of conduct.

4.

Members of the Union shall be entitled to the benefits set out in the Code of Practice.

Associate Members with Specified Benefits 5. Associate Membership with specified benefits may be granted to selected individuals by a panel consisting of the CEO, Membership Services Manager and the President on a case by case basis.

6. Individuals wishing to become Associate Members must apply in writing to the President, detailing the reason for their application.

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7.

Associate Membership with Specified Benefits could include but not limited to the opportunity to join societies and participating in recreational sport.

8.

The panel is responsible for determining the the nature of any specified benefits. Where Associate Membership is refused the Union is not under any obligation to provide a reason.

9.

Associate Members will be provided with an Associate Membership Card detailing the nature of the specified benefits and the duration of Associate Membership.

10. Once an individuals Associate Membership has expired they are no longer permitted to participate in Union activity. They may however make another application using the same process.

11. Associate Members shall not be Members for the purpose of the Constitution and shall not be entitled to vote on any matter.

12. Associate Membership may be revoked by the panel at any time.

13. Unless otherwise stated, Associate Membership shall last for the academic year in which it is granted.

Honorary Life Members 14. Honorary Life Membership shall be conferred on individuals who have dedicated a minimum of five years exceptional contribution or service to the furtherance of our Students’ Union. Recipients need not be members of Bucks Students’ Union.

15. The decision is made annually by a committee which will normally be made up of Trustees, Officers and senior Students’ Union staff.

16. The award may be made whenever candidates fill the necessary requirements.

17. The decision of the award is to be announced at the annual Union Awards ceremony, normally held in the second term of the academic year.

18. Names of Honorary Life Members will be displayed on the Students’ Union honour boards and can be provided by either Students’ Union office on request.

19. Honorary Life Members shall not be members for the purpose of the Constitution and shall not be entitled to vote on any matter.

Opt-out 20. Any student of Buckinghamshire New University wishing to opt out of membership of Bucks Students’ Union may do so under the terms of Section of the Education Act 1994 by notifying Buckinghamshire New University of their wish to not be a member of the Union.

21. This notification should be made in writing to the University Registrar.

22. Upon opting out of membership of the Students’ Union, the student surrenders the right to: 18.1. Hold office 18.2. Vote in Union elections

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Bucks Students’ Union Queen Alexandra Road, High Wycombe, Bucks HP11 2JZ Tel: 01494 601 600 Email: union@bucks.ac.uk Website: bucksstudentsunion.org Bucks Students’ Union is a registered charity – no. 1144820 VAT Reg. No. 669 0980 87