Democracy
The Basics
The Union is controlled by a variety of democratically elected representatives who sit on Union committees, control Union resources and represent the views of students to the College and external bodies. From top-up fees policy to the Beit Building refurbishment project; from clubs’ funding to welfare campaigns, anything that happens in the Union will have been agreed and decided by these people. Most decisions are handled in meetings, the most important of which are the Council, the Executive and the Court. A list of all Union meetings can be found on our meetings page.
The Officers
The Union is led by Officers who act as our members’ representatives are chosen by Union members through elections. The most senior officers are the Sabbatical Officers who work full time for the Union on a variety of areas ranging from commercial services to campaigns and representation. The Union usually runs a set of elections in each of the three terms and the most senior positions are decided in the Spring term. To find out more about elections that are currently taking place, please go to our elections page.
The Rules and Structures of the Union
Union Officers must abide by a variety of rules and regulations to ensure that the Union is governed in a fair and proper manner. The most important regulatory document is the Union Constitution, which governs what can and cannot be done throughout the whole organisation. This document, and its subsidiary regulations, define the Union’s membership, its officers, its election procedures, its committee structure, its committee procedures, its disciplinary procedures, it financial procedures and the terms of agreement between Imperial College and the Union. Specific matters are dealt with by Union Policy, which can be passed the Council, the Executive and several other Union Committees. Further information about the rules, structures and policies of the Union can be found on our Union Governance Guide.
Getting Involved
There are many ways you members can get involved in the governance of the Union. For further information about submitting motions (proposals) meetings, standing for election and contacting senior officers please visit out getting involved page.
