Stirling University Students’ Union is set to host its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and General Meeting this Thursday, April 10, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm online.
The back-to-back meetings will offer a look back at what’s been happening in 24/25 and a chance to discuss the Union’s direction heading into 25/26.
The AGM will begin with updates from current Union President Leen Ali, who will present the 2024/25 Annual Report.
The incoming President and current VP Communities, Justine Pedussel, will then outline plans for 25/26.
The AGM agenda also confirms that next year’s meeting will take place in Semester 1 of the 2025/26 academic year.
The Annual General Meeting will move into more detailed Union policies, including the discussion of three key motions which could have significant impacts if passed.
First is the Democracy Review Final Proposals motion, which aims to restructure how the Union makes decisions. It follows a year-long consultation seeking to create “transparency, clearer communication, and accessible ways to participate”.
Next in discussion is the Off-Campus Accommodation Fund motion, which proposes financial support for students living in private rentals. Many of these students face high costs and limited access to current university hardship schemes.
Lower rent burdens on low-income students are advocated for through this proposal, highlighting the gap in support between on-campus and off-campus housing.
Finally, the Harm Reduction motion, calls for a renewed commitment to student safety regarding drug and alcohol use. This is part of the Help Not Harm campaign.
If passed, the motion would see the Union provide anonymous access to harm reduction materials such as drug testing kits and drink-spike tests. They would work alongside the Help Not Harm campaigners.
This meeting comes after a busy year for the Union, which saw increased voter turnout in student elections. Brig covered these elections in full.
Record-breaking fundraising efforts from sports clubs were another feature of 24/25. As the current Sports Union President Sabbatical Report, Laura Shaw, says in the report, “ [the] Sports Union has raised over £40,000 for charity”.
Students are highly encouraged to attend the online meeting. Attending students can directly hear from their student union, ask questions to their representatives, and vote on important motions.
The link to join will be available via the Union’s website and social media channels.
Featured Image Credit: Brig Newspaper
I am a third-year Politics and Journalism Studies student at the University of Stirling (2022-) and a writer and sub-editor for the Brig for over a year (Nov. 2023-), focusing mainly on political topics.
