► FXU Bye-laws

FXU General Meetings

General meetings are the second highest decision-making bodies in FXU. This means that only a referendum can override a decision made at an FXU general meeting. Briefly, there are two types of general meetings:
AGMs FXU holds an annual general meeting (AGM), usually in the Spring term, to allow members (students) the chance to find out about the year's financial accounts, major issues of the year and keep up to date with what is happening.
UGMs In accordance with FXU's new constitution from 1 August 2011, FXU will be holding at least one union general meeting (UGM) each term, one of which will be the usual AGM. All members are welcome. It is a chance for current student issues to be raised; for more students to be aware and involved in what is happening throughout the student body; and for these issues to be addressed in a proactive and collective way. Let the student voice be heard!
Full details of general meetings are included in FXU's governing documents, links to these are above on this webpage.

FXU Student Council

FXU Student Council represents all students in decision-making, political policy-making and discussions as it is the broadest representative body made up entirely of students at University College Falmouth and University of Exeter Cornwall Campus. They are also the scrutiny or ‘watchdog’ of the Presidents and Execs to make sure that everyone working or elected as part of FXU is doing what we should be doing! See Student Council page for more details on how you can be a representative on student council for your halls, academic school/subject, international students or take up an open position.
FXU Executive Committee
The Executive Committee is made up of the Presidents and Executive Officers and they meeting regularly throughout the year to organise and co-ordinate events, activities and information relating to each Exec Officers' own specalised area. It is also an opportunity to keep up to date with the work of the Presidents, help organise freshers' and large events and campaigns such as the FXU elections, referenda and education cuts protests for example.

FXU Trustees

FXU's new constitution coming into effect on 1 August 2011 states that the FXU Trustee Board is to be made up of the 3 FXU Presidents, up to 4 FXU Executive Officers, up to 2 Student Trustees and up to 2 Exeternal Trustees. Where the FXU Trustee Board has only ever included Presidents and Executive Officers, this new makeup allows for any student (i.e. member of FXU) to be elected as a Student Trustee as well as the electing of External Trustees who are working professionals/retired/past FXU presidents who can bring particular skills and experience that are identified by FXU as needed and can support the FXU Trustee Board in its duties.

FXU Academic Representation

Your FXU Presidents can represent and support you on academic matters on an individual basis as well as represent students at management level meetings in the university, other relevant institutions and in the wider community.
FXU continues to work hard in building good links with the universities' course rep system (University College Falmouth) and Student-Staff-Liaison-Committees or SSLCs (University of Exeter Cornwall Campus) to ensure that FXU know what’s happening with regards to current course and academic issues for students and to support students in creating action if needed. See the Academic Representation page if you are interested in being a course rep/SSLC member and to catch up on the latest minutes from your course or school.

FXU Elections
The elections for the FXU Presidents for the academic year 2011-12 took place in the Spring term. FXU had its biggest ever turnout last year with over 1500 students voting in the elections, which was 36.1% of the student body and the second highest voter turnout in the country. This year, FXU still had a big turnout of 1166 students, which was 23.2% of the student body.
Elections for FXU Presidents and Executive Officers are now divided between the Spring term and Autumn term respectively.
For more details and the latest information on FXU Elections, please click here.

FXU Campaigns

There may be particular issues that students want to take action on that affects the student experience and so, as your Students' Union, FXU can help to make that action happen. Please get in touch with any of the FXU Presidents or Exec Officers to see what can be done, for example, through collectively petitioning, rallying, lobbying and the Presidents representing students at the highest levels at the universities makes sure the student voice is heard loud and clear!

Relationships
FXU and the Universities
FXU is an independent, democratic, member-led organisation that can challenge the university, the government or other institutions on behalf of students that is in line with its purpose - educational enhancement of students and student welfare. Students can come to the Students' Union for confidential and impartial advice. The FXU Presidents represent students on various boards and committees across the universities.
FXU receives block grants from both UCF and UECC as higher education institutions have a legal responsibility to ensure there is opportunity for student representation. To this end, the universities need to ensure FXU is run democratically and is accountable, which requires FXU to report to the universities on a regular basis.

FXU and TCS

As there are two higher education institutions on the same site, Tremough Campus Services (TCS) was formed to undertake the operations and management of the campus and shared student services by UCF and UECC students.
FXU has student representation on the decision-making board of TCS. Through working with TCS, FXU Presidents makes sure that any developments on campus have student input.
A few facts...
 In 2009, FXU and TCS won the tender to jointly manage the Woodlane Bar and so 50% profits from Woodlane Bar go to FXU.
 In 2010, FXU negotiated for FXU to receive 15% of the profits from Koofi, the campus cafe in the Porter's Lodge building, and also 15% of the profits from Stannary events and the Upper Stannary bar.
Click here for more information on TCS and students.

FXU and Exeter Guild

Currently, University of Exeter Cornwall Campus (UECC) students are members of Exeter Guild as well as FXU unless students chose to opt-out as set out in current governing documents. As this means UECC students have dual membership of two students' unions, this was being looked into during 2010-11 to find the structure that best suited students. FXU, Exeter Guild and University of Exeter Cornwall Campus have consulted UECC students and been in discussions to find the best way forward. Further details will be posted here as soon as possible, but if you are interested in this issue, please contact presidentuecc@fxu.org.uk
For more information on the Exeter Guild, you can visit their website www.exeterguild.org