Referenda

A referendum is a ballot in which all the SU members are entitled to cast a vote. When we hold a referendum, all Falmouth University and University of Exeter Cornwall students have the opportunity to vote on an important next step for the Students’ Union.

What on earth is a referendum?

It’s essentially a fancy word, in line with our governance, meaning an all-member vote...?that means YOU! When we hold a referendum, all Falmouth University and University of Exeter Cornwall students?have the opportunity to vote on an important next step for the Students’ Union. A referendum can be called for a number of reasons and in different ways, but the key element is that it’s an online vote for all our members to decide the outcome of a pressing topic. With our most recent referendum, for example, it was all about how, in order to continue on our transformational journey, we need to become ‘Incorporated’ and update our constitution.

A referendum is a ballot in which all the SU members are entitled to cast a vote and can be called on any issue in the following ways:

A resolution of the Trustees
A majority vote of the Student Council
A secure petition signed by at least 100 student members

Any proposal for a referendum should be submitted by completing a Referendum Proposal from [link to it] and include the specific text of the proposal to be put to the membership for voting. It must also include the names and contact details of two Members who will act as proposer and seconder of the proposal.

Please review Bye-law 3 for more information about referenda.

Recent referenda

Should the Trustees proceed with the proposal to Incorporate Falmouth and Exeter Students' Union?

12th – 15th October 2020

We would like to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to all our members who have voted in our recent SU Referendum.

This plays a big part in how we continue on our transformational journey as a membership-led organisation with democracy at the centre of our functions. Thank you for voting and talking to us!

This work is just another reminder of how important your voice is in directing the shape of your Students’ Union. Your engagement with voting directly impacts what we do and what we stand for – so we really value your contribution to helping us best represent you!

We had over 290 voters take part in our referendum question asking, “Should our trustees proceed with the resolution to incorporate Falmouth and Exeter Students’ Union?” The majority vote, overwhelmingly, was a vote for “yes”! This will help us progress our next steps in our transformational journey to making your Students’ Union work better for you.

Now we have concluded the referendum results, the resolution will progress, and we will work alongside our Trustees and Charity Commission to take the active next steps to change our charitable status.