Despite the meeting covering issues like student housing, sustainability, and mental health, the Union neglected to mention that one of the student trustees had resigned.
This role is typically elected democratically during the Rep Elections. However, societies rep and trustee runner-up, Adam Cleary, was taken aside and informed that one Students’ Union trustee had stepped down and that he would assume the vacant role.
Cleary lost out on the role of trustee by just two votes in the October Rep Elections, which holds the record for student voter turnout at 12.29%.
He is certainly a popular replacement, having amassed the support of over 500 students in the elections. He might be considered as a somewhat trustee heir apparent, and a deserving student to take on this role.
The Students’ Union claims that “Union Executive is a core democratic function of the Students’ Union”, but it appears that these values of democracy were bent to prioritise administrative convenience.
While Cleary appears to be a worthy appointee, the Union effectively opted for a quick fix to fill the vacant role, rather than holding an organised election.
“Who you gonna call?”
In light of this issue of elected Reps not fulfilling their roles, Cleary also unanimously passed a “Ghostbusters” policy that aims to tackle such problems.
The “Ghostbusters” policy tackles the challenge of Reps who “ghost” the Union once appointed by student voters.
This new policy promotes proactiveness from the Student Reps. Forcing them to acknowledge their responsibility in an appointed role.
If a Rep does not respond to communications before the first Zone meeting, they are to be replaced immediately.
Perhaps this new “Ghostbusters” policy is a Proton Pack to reinstate functionality and order back into the Students’ Union.
