Council Restructuring Proposal by HKUSU Council, Session 2013

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目錄 Content 頁 Page 名詞釋義 Definition

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簡介學生會及評議會 Introduction of Union and Union Council

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評議會架構改革背景及目的 Background and Objectives of Council Restructuring

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評議會架構改革議案 Proposal for Council Restructuring

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常見問題 Frequently Asked Questions

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附錄 Appendix A. 學生會憲章修訂建議 Suggested Amendment on Union Constitution * B. 評議會附例修訂建議 Suggested Amendment on Union Council By-laws* C. 全民投票詳情 Details of General Polling * 祗提供英文版本 Only English version provided

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i. ii. v.

名詞釋義 Definition 「學生會」 「評議會」 「工作小組」 「三聯會」 「聯舍代表會」 「屬會」

指香港大學學生會 指香港大學學生會評議會 指香港大學學生會評議會評議會架構改革工作小組 指香港大學學生會體育聯會、香港大學學生會文化聯會及香 港大學學生會學社聯會 指香港大學學生會評議會聯舍代表會（建議中之架構） 指任何附屬香港大學學生會之組織

“Union” “Union Council” “Working Group” “Sub-organizations”

shall mean the Hong Kong University Students’ Union shall mean the Hong Kong University Students’ Union Council Shall mean the Council Restructuring Working Group, HKUSU Council, Session 2013 shall mean the sub-organizations of the Union under the Constitution

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簡介學生會及評議會 Introduction of Union and Union Council

香港大學學生會的使命為為同學提供福利 ，作為同學和校方之間的橋樑以促 進同學和校方的整體利益，讓同學了解時事從而促進香港的利益及在本地以及 國際代表全體同學。 香 港 大 學 學 生 會 評 議 會 是香港大學學生會（簡稱學生會）架構中僅次於全民 大會及全民投票的最高權力機構。評議會擁有多項職能，包括監察學生會幹事 會及各屬會、訂立評議會附例、處理投訴或懷疑違規事宜、制定學生會政策、 控制學生會財政、任命評議會常設委員會成員，以及處理其他有關學生會的事 宜。評議會基本上包括「三權」（行政、立法、司法）中的立法及司法部份。 The Hong Kong University Students’ Union (HKUSU) serves the aims of promoting the welfare of the student body, acting as a bridge between the student body and the University authority in furthering the interests of the students and the University as a whole, identifying the student body with social issues in the interests of the people of Hong Kong and representing the student body both locally and internationally.

The Hong Kong University Students’ Union Council enjoys the highest authority second to General Meeting and General Polling in the Union. The Union Council serves the muiltple functions, for instance, supervising the Union Executive Committee and all Union sub-organizations, making By-laws of the Union Council, considering any protest, grievance, or alleged infringement of the Constitution, formulating policy of the Union, controlling the Union finance, making all appointments to Council Committees and nominating student seats of University committees and dealing with any kind of the Union. The Union Council enjoys the legislative and judicial power in the Union.

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評議會架構改革背景及目的 Background and Objectives of Council Restructuring 香港大學學生會評議會乃香港歷史最悠久的專上院校學生組織最高常設權力機 關。評議會架構已沿用多年，卻未有隨學生活動發展趨勢作調整，以致其功能 逐漸被削弱。有見及此，評議會早於二零零六年前已就其功能及架構進行多方 面檢討： 1. 學生會中央幹事會一人一議席及其投票權導致行政及立法角色混淆； 2. 新舍堂相繼落成，舍堂於評議會上所擁有的議席亦隨增加，造成佔議席 的大多數。議席與其會員數量比例遠較院會為高； 3. 校園傳媒享有新聞自由及出版自由，理應不受評議會干預； 4. 三聯會幹事會的任命只是於其聯會評議會內由評議員投票完成，故其作 為評議會代表的代表性成疑； 5. 由於絕大部分評議員擁有屬會背景，評議員難以獨立身份思考及處理議 會上的討論事宜，未能完全為整體利益設想； 6. 當學生會要求社會政制更趨民主及增加大眾參與議政時，普選評議員的 議席亦應予增加，給予同學更大空間參與學生會事務； 7. 去屆會長應只提供意見或作為顧問角色，不需要投票權。

經過多年努力，評議會已就著以上各檢討進行一次又一次的評議會架構改革。 目前已達成以下改革： 1. 除須遞交工作計劃及報告等外，校園傳媒退出評議會，但仍保留其參與 評議會討論的權利及對議案的動議及和議權； 2. 普選評議員數目由五席增加至十席； 3. 三聯會的議席增加，加上其三名會長乃幹事會當然成員，三聯會變相擁 有九席。 The Hong Kong University Students’ Union Council is the highest standing authority in the Union, which has the longest history among the tertiary student organisations in Hong Kong. The structure of the Union Council has been used for years, however it has not been revised for long to cater the development of students activities within the University. Thus, the function of the Union Council may not be fully utilised. Starting from year 2006, the Union Council had evaluated the problems of the current structure:

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1. Enjoying one vote per Each Union Executive member would cause the confusion of legislative and executive role; 2. Since more halls would be established in the coming furture, the seat of representative of Hall Students’ Association will increase and become the majority. Comparing with Faculty Society, the ratio of member base to the number seat is far higher; 3. Campus media shall enjoy freedom on publication and reports and the Union Council shall not interfere; 4. Executive Committee from Sports Association, Cultural Association and Independent Clubs Association are only appointed during their Council Meeting and voted by the Representative from the clubs. The representation of the Representatives to the Union Council is confessing; 5. Since most of the Councillors are representatives of different suborganisations, there shall be some councillors which could be independent to involve in discussion for the sake the Union as a whole; 6. While the Union promotes the democracy and people involving in the political affairs, the seat of Popularly Elected Union Councillors shall increase to enhance members involve in Union affairs; 7. The President of the previous Union Session shall act as an advisor or consultant in the Union Council and there shall not be a need of right to vote.

The Union Council has been working hard year by year. The Council Restructuring has achieved the following: 1. Other than submitting the working plan and working reports, Campus Media only remains their speaking rights in the Union Council. Their rights to propose and second a motion have been remained also; 2. The number of seat of Popularly Elected Union Councillor has increased from six to nine; 3. The number of seat of representatives from Sports Association, Cultural Association and Independent Clubs Association has increased and together with the President as the ex-offico of Union Executives. They enjoyed nine seats in the Union Council.

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下圖為現時評議會的架構： The chart below shows the current structure of the Union Council:

組織 Parties

議席（票數比例%） Seat (Vote Ratio%)

幹事會 Union Executives

14 (25%)

體育聯會、文化聯會及學社聯會代表 Representatives from the executive committees of Sports Association, Cultural Association and Independent Clubs Association

9 (16%)

舍堂/學院學生會/宿生會代表（當中兩席無投票權） The Elected Representative of each Hall/College Students’ Association (with 2 non-voting)

15 (23%)

院會代表 The Elected Representative of each Faculty Society/Association as recognized by the Union Council

10 (18%)

普選評議員 Popularly Elected Union Councillors

10 (18%)

校園傳媒（兩席皆無投票權） Campus Media (Both non-voting)

2 (0%)

去屆會長 President of the previous Union Session

1 (2%)

Total Number of Voting Member of the Council: 57

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評議會架構改革議案 Proposal for Council Restructuring 針對上述發展及檢討及經過本年度工作小組及評議會多次討論後，工作小組及 評議會對評議會架構改革提出以下建議： 1. 除議程需要而列席會議外，學生會幹事會將餘下七名幹事擁有議席，當 中包括會長、兩名副會長及四名評議會常設委員會主席（常務秘書、財 務秘書、一名大學事務秘書及時事秘書）； 2. 將舍堂代表的議席調整為九席，並成立由各舍堂代表組成聯舍代表會， 讓舍堂有專屬平台交流意見及消息； 3. 體育聯會、文化聯會及學社聯會會長將退出幹事會，但原有議席不變。 而三聯會的幹事會成員選舉的有效投票人將擴大至所有學會幹事，以提 高其評議員的代表性； 4. 不硬性規定去屆會長留任評議員，將其身份轉作去屆中央幹事，享有發 言權但無投票權； 5. 其他議席維持不變。

Based on the development and evaluation of the current Union Council structure, the working group and the Union Council have come up with the following suggestions:

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Unless it is needed in particular agenda, the number of seat of the Union Executives would be reduced to seven seats. President, Vice-President (Internal), Vice-President (External) and the Chairperson of each Standing Committee (General Secretary, Financial Secretary, one Univerisity Affairs Secretary and Current Affairs Secretary) will be remained in the Union Council;

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The seat of Hall Councillors would be reduced to nine seats and all Hall Representatives would form a Committee of Representatives of Hall Students’ Association as a platform for knowledge and opinion exchange;

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Presidents of Sports Association, Cultrural Association and Independent Clubs Association would no longer be ex-officio of Union Executive. The voter base of electing the Executive Committee of Sports Association, Cultrural Association and Independent Clubs Association shall be expanded to all Executive Committee of Clubs as to increase their representations;

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President of previous Union Session would not be required to be Councillor of next Session anymore. Union Executive member of the previous Union Session would be appointed. But he/she could only enjoy speaking right;

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Other seats would remain unchanged.

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下圖為建議的評議會架構： The chart below shows the proposed structure of the Union Council:

組織 Parties

議席（票數比例%） Seat (Vote Ratio%)

幹事會 Union Executives

7 (16%)

體育聯會、文化聯會及學社聯會代表 Representatives from the executive committees of Sports Association, Cultural Association and Independent Clubs Association

9 (20%)

聯舍代表 The Elected representative of Hall Students’ Associations to the Union Council

9 (20%)

院會代表 The Elected Representative of each Faculty Society/Association as recognized by the Union Council

10 (22%)

普選評議員 Popularly Elected Union Councillors

10 (22%)

校園傳媒（兩席皆無投票權） Campus Media (Both non-voting)

2 (0%)

去屆幹事會成員（無投票權） Union Executive member of the previous Union Session (non-voting)

1 (0%)

Total Number of Voting Member of the Council: 45

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常見問題 Frequently Asked Questions 有關三聯會之議席問題 1. 三聯會之議席曾否於近年修改？ 三聯會議席曾於 2011 年度之評議會修改，由舊有的六席增至九席，以平 衡各方的利益。 2. 三聯會如何任命其幹事會？ 三聯會幹事會的任命制度為於其聯會評議會內由其評議員（即學會代表） 投票完成，其民意基礎和代表性成疑。 3. 本年度(2013年度)評議會有否曾提出修改三聯會之議席數目？ 評議會曾多次提出修改三聯會之議席數目及任命制度。 首先，由於三聯會之民意基礎和代表性成疑，評議會曾提出減少三聯會之 議席數目至六席，認為此亦可解決評議會議席數目與民意基礎不乎之問題。 另外，由於三聯會幹事會並非以全民大選由基本會員選出，將其納入學生 會幹事會一員稍有不妥。因此，評議會亦提出將三聯會會長退出學生會幹 事會。 評議會亦提議修改現時三聯會幹事會的任命制度，曾提出之方案包括以所 以基本會員（即全民大選）、所有三聯會會員或所有學會幹事會成員選出 評議會代表。 4. 評議會現時之方案包括甚麼？ 評議會現時提出保留三聯會全數九席，三聯會議席比例將由15%提升至20 ％，變相提高三聯會於評議會之影響力。 有關舍堂之議席問題 1. 舍堂之議席曾否於近年修改？ 舍堂議席未曾於之前作出任何修改。參考 2009 年度之評議會功能及構成 改革公開諮詢文件二，當時曾提議舍堂減至六席以平衡各方的利益，並建 立舍堂評議會，旨在建立舍堂專屬平台。 2. 評議會現時之方案包括甚麼？ 評議會現時提出將舍堂議席調整至九席，議席比例將由 23%變至 20％， 拉近各議席比例，平衡評議會架構。

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Issues regarding the representatives from the executive committees of Sports Association, Cultural Association and Independent Clubs Association (“the Representatives”) 1. Have the number of seats for the Representatives been amended in recent years?

It has been increased from 6 to 9 seats in Session 2011 due to the balancing of different interests in the Union Council.

2. What is the existing mechanism of appointing the Representatives currently?

They are appointed in their respective Council meeting and voted by representatives of the clubs. Therefore, the degree of representation has been doubted.

3. Is there any proposal to amend the number of seats for the Representatives again in this Union Council Session (i.e. Session 2013)?

There have been a few proposals to amend the related number of seats and appointment mechanism.

Firstly, it is suggested the number of seats should be reduced from 9 to 6 due to the low degree of representation and the imbalance proportion of seats when considering the mandate of the Representatives.

Secondly, it is also suggested that the 3 Presidents of Sports Association, Cultural Association and Independent Clubs Association should be removed from the ex-offico of Union Executives since the 3 Presidents are not elected by all full members of the Union while all the other members of Union Executives are.

Thirdly, it is suggested that the appointment mechanism of the Representatives should be reformed. Election of the Representatives by all Union full members or all clubs’ members has both been suggested in the Session.

4. What is the current proposal?

The current proposal is to remain the number of seats for the Representatives as 9. Under the proposed amendment regarding the structure of the Union Council, the ratio of seats for the Representatives will increase from 15% to 20% even if the number of seats remains unchanged. Its influence in the Union Council will be further enhanced.

Issues regarding the representatives from Hall Students’ Associations (“the Representatives”) 1. Have the number of seats for the Representatives been amended in recent years?

There was no amendment in recent year. However, referring to the Consultation Paper Two of the Council Restructuring Proposal by the Union Council, Session 2009, there was a proposal suggesting reduction of hall representatives to 6 seats as to balance the interest of different parties. Hall Council will also be

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established as a platform for all the Hall Students’ Association to express their opinions.

2. What is the current proposal?

The Union Council proposed to amend the number of seat of Hall Representatives to 9 seats. The ratio of seats for the Representatives will be adjusted from 23% to 20%. Its influence in the Union Council will not be affected too much.

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附錄 Appendix A. 學生會憲章修訂建議 Suggested Amendment on Union Constitution * SECTION VII HONG KONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION COUNCIL Article 6 – COMPOSITION (Amended in 2011 GP2) The following shall be Members of the Union Council: a) Chairperson of the Union Council b) Honorary Secretary of the Union Council (non-voting) c) Seven Union Executives (President, Vice-President (Internal), Vice-President (External) and the Chairpersons of each Council Standing Committee) d) President of the Sports Association ex-officio e) President of the Cultural Association ex-officio f) President of the Independent Clubs Association ex-officio g) Two elected representatives from the executive committee of the Sports Association h) Two elected representatives from the executive committee of the Cultural Association i) Two elected representatives from the executive committee of the Independent Clubs Association j) Nine elected representative of Hall Students’ Associations k) The elected representative of each Faculty Society l) Ten Popularly Elected Union Councillors m) Editor-in-Chief of the Undergrad (non-voting) n) Chairperson of the Campus TV (non-voting) SECTION XIV Article 3 b) iii) Only members of executive committee of Sports Clubs shall have the right to vote in the election of executive committee of the Hong Kong University Students’ Union Sports Association.

Article 5 b) iii) Only members of executive committee of Cultural Clubs shall have the right to vote in the election of executive committee of the Hong Kong University Students’ Union Cultural Association.

Article 6 b) iii) Only members of executive committee of Independent Clubs shall have the right to vote in the election of executive committee of the Hong Kong University Students’ Union Independent Clubs Association.

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B. 評議會附例修訂建議 Suggested Amendment on Union Council By-laws* SECTION EIGHT COMMITTEE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF HALL STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATIONS I. DEFINITION “Hall Students’ Association” shall mean Hall Students’ Association recognised by the Union Council “Committee” shall mean Committee of Representative of Hall Students’ Associations; “Hall Representative” shall mean a member of the executive committee of a Hall Students’ Association elected in any General Meeting, General Polling or Election of that Hall Students’ Association; “Hall Councillor” shall mean an elected representative of Hall Students’ Associations to the Union Council.

II. FUNCTION 1. The functions of the Committee shall be: a) to elect Hall Councillors; b) to afford an official means of communication between Hall Representatives.

2. The obligations of Hall Councillors shall be: a) to represent members of the Hall Students’ Associations in such matters as affect their interests; b) to maintain constant channels of communication between the Hall Students’ Associations and the Union; c) to reflect opinions of all Hall Students’ Associations in the Union Council.

III. SESSION 1. The session of the Committee shall commence at the beginning of the First Committee Meeting and terminate at the moment preceding the commencement of the First Committee Meeting of the next session 2. The session of Hall Councillors shall commence immediately after the election at the First Committee Meeting of current session and terminate after the election at the First Committee Meeting of next session.

IV. MEETING 1. The Council Chairperson shall convene the First Committee Meeting within the first two weeks of April every year ; 2. The First Committee Meeting shall serve the purpose of electing Hall Councillors; 3. Hall Representatives shall form their own organization in the First Committee Meeting; 4. At any Committee Meeting, no less than two-thirds of the voting members shall form a quorum.

5. Committee Meetings shall be convened by the Council Chairperson at his/her initiative or at the request of any Hall Representatives seconded by three Hall Representatives.

6. Notice and agenda shall be served at least 3 clear days before any regular Committee Meetings and at least 24 hours before any emergency Committee Meetings.

V. COMPOSITION OF COMMITTEE OF REPRESENTATIVE OF HALL

STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATIONS 1. The Committee shall consist of one Hall Representative from each Hall Students’ Association.

2. The Representative of a fully affiliated Hall Students’ Association shall have the right

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to speak, to move and second motions and to vote.

3. The Representative of a partially affiliated Hall Students’ Association shall have all rights except the right to be elected as a Hall Councillor.

VI. ELECTION OF HALL COUNCILLORS

1. Only the Representative of a fully affiliated Hall Students’ Association is eligible for being elected as a Hall Councillor. A Representative shall be qualified as a candidate once he/she signifies his/her intent to run for office to the Council Chairperson with a written notice 2. Voting shall be taken by a show of hands, roll call or secret ballots as decided by the meeting.

3. At the First Committee Meeting, there shall be two rounds for Election of Hall Councillors. Two seats shall be available in the first round of the Election, while the remaining seats shall be elected in the second round of the Election. For the first round of the Election, those Hall Representatives whose Hall Representatives of the previous session were not elected as Hall Councillors shall be eligible. For the second round of the Election, all Hall Representatives except those being elected in the first round of the Election shall be eligible.

4. The number of votes that should be casted by each Hall Representative shall be equal to the number of seats. Electors shall not cast more than one vote on any single candidate. The candidates shall be arranged in descending order according to the number of votes they have secured in the election. From the top of the list, a number of candidates equal to or less than the number of vacancies shall be declared elected.

5. The election result shall be reported to the Union Council for record. The reporting for record shall not affect the election result.

6. If a vacancy arises in the office of Hall Councillors, a subsequent election shall be conducted in a Committee Meeting convened by the Council Chairperson to fill the remaining seat(s).

VII. REPLACEMENT In case of inability to attend Union Council Meetings, any Hall Councillor can be temporarily replaced by a current member of the Committee. A formal letter from the absent Hall Councillor intimating such replacement should be directed to the Council before the commencement of the corresponding meetings. No replacement can be effected when a meeting is in progress.

VIII. VOTE OF CONFIDENCE Any Hall Councillor who ceases to be a Full Member of the Union or a Hall Representative during his/her term of office may continue to hold office till the end of that session upon a vote of confidence being passed to him/her by the Committee.

IX. VOTE OF NO-CONFIDENCE AGAINST HALL COUNCILLORS 1. A vote of no-confidence for infringement of the Constitution, negligence of duties or unbecoming conduct may be moved against any Hall Councillor elected under this Section in the Union Council or on the Committee Meeting.

2. Representatives of Hall Students’ Associations shall inform the Council Chairperson to call the meeting for such vote of no-confidence. Such request shall be seconded by three Hall Representatives.

3. The vote of no-confidence against the Hall Councillor is only declared carried by a two-thirds majority votes at the meeting.

4. A vote of no-confidence so passed under this Article shall call for the immediate

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resignation of the person(s) against whom the vote is moved.

5. The Council Chairperson shall immediately call for a subsequent meeting

specifically serving the purpose of electing a new Hall Councillor.

X. RESIGNATION 1. A Hall Councillor may, at any time, resign from office as a Hall Councillor by giving written notice of resignation to the Council Chairperson. The notice of resignation shall be signed by the Hall Representative concerned. The Hall Students’

Association which the Hall Representative represented shall then elect a new Hall Representative to the Committee. The Council Chairperson shall immediately call for a subsequent meeting specifically serving the purpose of electing a new Hall Councillor.

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C. 全民投票詳情 Details of General Polling 由於評議會改革涉及修改學生會憲章，故須通過全民投票方可生效。 有關評議會改革之議案暫定與二零一四年週年大選及政改公投一併舉行，詳情如下： 日期：二零一四年二月十日至二月十三日 投票地點： 本部校園票站 時間：上午 10 時 30 分至下午 5 時 30 分 1. 學生會餐廳外位置 2. 圖書館對出有蓋空地 3. 鈕魯詩樓校園服務中心對出位置 4. 莊月明文娛中心地下 5. 邵逸夫平台 6. 百周年校園東亞銀行外位置

牙醫學院票站 時間：中午 12 時至下午 2 時 1. 菲臘牙科醫院七樓餐廳對出位置

醫學院票站 時間：上午 8 時 30 分至下午 1 時 30 分及下午 3 時 30 分至 5 時 30 分 1. 醫學院蒙民偉樓大堂

有關全民投票的其他詳情將於諮詢完成後另行公佈。

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Since the Council Restructuring requires the amendment of the Constitution, it must be adopted through the General Polling.

The General Polling on the Council Restructuring will be held together with the Annual Election 2014. The details are as follows: Date: 10th-13th January 2014 Polling Station: Polling Stations of Main Campus Time: 10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

1. Area outside the Union Restaurant 2. Covered Area outside Main Library 3. Area near to Campus Service Centre 4. G/F, Chong Yuet Ming Amenities Centre 5. Run Run Shaw Podium 6. Area opposite to the Bank of East Asia (Centennial Campus) Polling Station of Dental Campus Time: 12:00 n.n. – 2:00 p.m.

1. Area outside Canteen on 7/F, Prince Philip Dental Hospital Polling Station of Medical Campus Time: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

1. Lobby of William Mong Man Wai Building Further information will be announced after the open consultation.

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聯絡我們 Contact us 香港大學學生會評議會評議會架構改革工作小組 Council Restructuuring Working Group, HKUSU Council, Session 2013 電郵 email：council@hku.hk hkusucouncil@gmail.com 電話 phone：2546 8455 （請註明查詢評議會改革 Enquires for Council Restructuring ） 9220 3595 （評議會主席李韋欣 Li Wai Yan, Vivian, Council Chairperson）

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