So there's something you want to change at UWS, and you have an idea for a Students' Union policy - that's great! The guidance on this page will help you to develop a great policy, submit your policy, and make sure it is passed at the next student council meeting.
Developing your policy
To develop your policy, you'll need to be able to answer these three key questions:
What is your idea for new policy?
This section should highlight the facts of the key issue and the action you would like from your Union if the policy is passed by Student Council members. First, you should state the facts of the current issue you would like to see changed.
For example: UWS' Health & Safety Policy makes no mention of mental health and wellbeing. A recent study by Humen shows that nearly half of students' university experiences are negatively impacted by mental health difficulties.
It's important that these points are objective and verifiable. If you're making a claim about UWS, make sure you've thoroughly checked that it's true. You can find UWS policies here. Second, make clear the actions you want your Union to take on the issue. Be specific about how the Union and its officers can help you achieve your aim:
The Union should lobby UWS to include students' mental health and wellbeing in its policies. The Union Should make recommendations for the content of mental health and wellbeing policies.
Why you think it is important?
This section should highlight how your idea affects students and how they may benefit from the issue being fixed or changed. You might want to think about what the impact for students are, if there are specific groups of students more affected than others, and what the benefits for student will be if policy is acted upon. For example:
UWS students deserve to have their mental wellbeing formally protected by UWS policy. Other universities already have mental health policies in place, such as Birmingham City University. BCU's policy contains an explicit commitment to promoting a supportive culture for students experiencing mental health difficulties and an acknowledgement of the University's duty of care and responsibilities. UWS students deserve no less. Be sure that you're asking the Union to take a particular position because you believe it's the view of UWS students as a whole, and not just because you feel strongly about it. If the positions have been relayed to you by course, school, or divisional reps, this is an indication that they're representative of student opinion. You may also have done your own surveys or had your own direct conversations with other students. Maximise your policy's chance of being passed by making sure it's representative!
Is there anything else you think we should know?
This section should highlight where students can find out more about the impact of the issue on students. This is a great place to provide links and sources for any research, studies, or other information you provided. It's also a good place to link to other unions and universities that already have similar policies in place
Submitting your policy
Please note: due to ongoing recovery from the cyberattack, online policy systems are not available. If you have a policy idea please email it to representation@uwsunion.org.uk with the subject line 'Student Council Policy Idea'.
Policy ideas need to be submitted at least 2 weeks prior the Student Council meeting, any policies submitted after this deadline will go to the following Student Council meeting. Policy ideas are also discussed in order of popularity and when our online systems are up and running again, students will be able to 'upvote' or 'downvote' to make sure the issues of most interest to students are always heard first. So if you submit a Policy idea, encourage your fellow students to come online and 'upvote' it!
Getting your policy passed
At Student Council, you'll be invited to speak about your idea and encourage Council Members (who are Student Reps) to vote in favour of it. Members are also given the opportunity speak or vote against a policy idea if they feel it is not in the best interests of students or if it is not a priority at the time. Student Council will take into account how popular a policy has been on the website so do talk to your fellow students and get those upvotes in once our online systems are up and running again!
To ensure everyone gets a fair and equal chance to put forward their views on the policy idea, we have a Union Chair who facilitate the discussions and ensure a balanced debate. The Union Chair is a neutral position so they will make sure that discussion is free and fair.