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Limits on CUSU Policy

The lifetime of CUSU policy

Policies passed at Council or through a student-wide referendum last for 3 years, to expire at the end of the relevant academic year. Lapsing policy is reviewed each year and Council may vote to re-pass policies about to expire.

Council is a sovereign body under the constitution. This means that it cannot bind itself. Therefore any policy made at Council can be overturned by a future vote of Council (or by a student-wide referendum).

Legal restrictions on CUSU policy

The doctrine of ultra vires (in excess of powers) is about an organisation having set powers in certain areas, and not exceeding those powers. CUSU's powers, and what sort of policy CUSU can hold, are bound by UK law and the CUSU Constitution. The general test is that a Students' Union can only campaign on issues which 'affect students as students', though there is no authoritative definition of what this means in law.

If you are in doubt as to whether a motion or policy is legal, either by UK law or the CUSU Constitution, contact the CUSU Chair who will refer the motion to the Trustees and, if necessary, external legal counsel.