04 June 2012

Club Approval at May Board Meeting

The USU Board acknowledges the current debate about the recent approval of the LifeChoice Society and would like to provide you with further information behind the decision, which was governed by the USU’s Constitution, Regulations and the Clubs & Societies (C&S) application process. We would also like to take you through the next steps planned by the USU Board Directors to facilitate an objective USU policy process.

The C&S Application Process
Each month the C&S Committee considers applications for new clubs and advises the Board in the form of recommendations. These recommendations are considered by the Board and are seldom rejected.

On Friday, the recommendation of the C&S Committee “That the New Club Application of LifeChoice Society be rejected on the grounds of item 3.a(i) of the USU C&S Regulations” was discussed at the request of a Board Director under agenda item 5.1 “Resolutions of Committee”. (N.B. 3.a(i) refers to the Objects of the C&S Programs under the C&S Regulations, specifically, that the Objects of the Program shall be to (i) Enrich the student experience at the University).

The Board Directors read the minutes of the C&S Committee Discussion and considered the Committee’s reasons for rejecting the society. The Board Meeting moved into formal debate on the motion “That the Board reject the recommendation of the C&S Committee and approve the LifeChoice Society and Ukelele Society.” Members of the LifeChoice Society attended the meeting as all USU members are welcome to and allowed to speak under agenda item 2.2 “Open Question Time.”

It’s important to note that USU Board Directors are elected to make decisions based on the Constitution and Regulations of the University of Sydney Union. Therefore, under the objects in the Constitution, the Board must “work at all times towards creating an environment free from all forms of discrimination and harassment” and “promote the personal, intellectual, cultural and social development of its Members by activities and debates whereby Members and the University community may meet and share talents, interests and ideas.”

As per the Constitution, discrimination based on ideology is not tolerated by the USU and we facilitate a wide variety of clubs under the C&S Program.

LifeChoice Society Aims
The aims and activities of the LifeChoice Society were discussed on Friday and are outlined below:

The aims of the Society shall be to:
i. Promote the dignity of human life from conception till natural death
ii. To foster discussion on the issues of abortion and euthanasia
iii. To provide information about alternatives to abortion and euthanasia

The Society will undertake the following activities to achieve its aims:
i. Regular small group discussion on life issues aimed at group members
ii. The holding of public forums on issues related to our aims aimed at the university community at large

C&S Regulations
Each of the USU’s clubs are governed by strict regulations including 4.d(ii) which states that “Clubs & Societies shall not use freedom of speech to defame, vilify or incite violence against individual or groups.” Clubs are also governed by the University’s Harrassment and Discrimination Prevention Policy. As such, the publishing of offensive material or harassment will most likely result in immediate removal from the C&S Program.

All clubs on campus are given the right to freedom of expression, association, and speech however, they are also given a very high threshold of responsibility and are constantly monitored by the C&S Office, C&S Committee and the Board.

The USU Board is not a moral arbiter and is obliged to comply with the USU’s governing documents. Therefore, based on the USU’s regulations and constitution, the society was approved after a vote of 5-5 and the casting vote made by the Chair. This was in no way a vote to endorse a particular ideology or stance and the USU remains a non-partisan organisation.

Two further motions were passed unanimously at the meeting, including “That a policy on special interest ideological clubs be developed to guide the C&S Committee” and “That an appeals procedure for clubs and societies be developed.”

Next Steps
The USU Board recognises the fact that we are a membership organisation and invite all members to share their opinions and thoughts in advising the Board.

We will be holding a Policy Forum this Wednesday to provide a safe space for debate on the topic.

Details are:
Policy Forum: The USU and Ideological Clubs
1-2pm, Common Room, Holme Building
Wednesday, 6th June 2012

The Board has also decided to call a General Meeting of the USU to consider motions that may arise from the Policy Forum. As the USU’s Constitution requires 14 days notice for a General Meeting, (note: the General Meeting date is TBA. Watch out for an announcement on www.usuonline.com).

We invite you to come along to both events in the spirit of respect and open debate. The USU began as Debating Society after all.

Yours sincerely,

Board of Directors
University of Sydney Union
UA-5126621-7