The Constitution 

THE CONSTITUTION is ultimately the most important of all the Union Society's publications. It is a set of rules, regulations and rights which have evolved as a result of decisions taken by students over the years at Union Council and the General Meeting, the Union's managing bodies. In its current form it dates from 1990 with substantial revisions in 1995, although some sections date from 1983 when the Union Society was created from the merger of the Newcastle University Student Representative Council and the former Union Society.
The Constitution is a legal and binding document, but it is also the framework within which you as a student may take decisions and take action in defence of your interests. It consists of four parts; the Laws, which set out the objectives and administrative structures of the Union Society including its officers; the Election Regulations, which govern the conduct of elections; the Standing Orders which govern the conduct of meetings; and the Schedules which enact miscellaneous provisions and which include the Constitutions of each of the Union Society's Sub Councils.

The Constitution makes reference to two other important legal documents - the Education Act 1994, which confers certain responsibilities upon the University and Union Society in respect of the Union's democratic operations, and the Scheme of Arrangements approved by the
Secretary of State for Education under the name of the University of Newcastle upon Tyne Union Endowment, which was written in 1971 in response to the Charities Act 1960 and which details the role of the Trustees.

Published alongside the text of the Constitution are references to the "Union Society Code of Practice, Education Act 1994" established in April 1995 to ensure compliance with the Act; this document is available separately.

THE BYE LAWS facilitate the day to day running of the Union Society and are subject to alteration by Union Council.

The Constitution is constantly modified and updated throughout the year. We try to update the web version as much as possible. If you would like any further details on the Constitution please contact the Chair of Union Council (see link below), or the General Office on the 2nd floor of the Union Society.

The POLICY DOCUMENT contains all policies passed by Union Council (e.g. fairtrade, boycotts, NUS).