Wednesday 22-04-2026 - 17:54

The Memorandum & Articles of Association (M&A) is the Governing Document of the Students’ Union. It is a legal document. This document needs to be reviewed every 4 years, previously the Students’ Union has given the M&A a ‘tune up’ however not a full review.  

Administrative changes are proposed, the objects and other regulatory elements will not be changed, therefore no formal approval will be required from the Charity Commission. 

The Union is governed by a Board of Trustees (find out more about Board here). There are 4 proposed themes for changes:  

• Outdated information: for example - Removing references to ‘Student Chapters’ these are not in use and not possible to facilitate re: referenda. This would be a complete removal of article 17 due to the Democracy Review 

• Supporting the SU to have the option of filling a vacant sabbatical officer position without a further election: Creating a new way for the Board of Trustees to appoint a sabbatical officer (24.4) if after election they choose to not take up the position (rather than either the post being vacant or having to wait until the next election) 

• Governance confirmations such as 40.3 is further clarification of the definition of ‘hybrid meeting’ 

• Specifying information: things like references to University Council rather than “UWTSD” 

 

Current Timeline 

• 14 April - Board sent amendments​ 
• 21 April   Board approve final suggested amendments to M&A​ 
• 22 April   ‘The Proposal’ is made available for consultation with students​ 
• 29 April   Deadline for student comment / suggested amendments​ 
• 6 May  Deadline for Board of Trustees to approve any suggested amendments from students and Final Proposal submitted Campus Councils​ 
• 11 May Campus Council Week (For votes at each Campus Council to approve the changes)​ 
• W/c 15 June - submit papers to SLT / Council  
• TBC Company Law Meeting during this week​ 
• 2 July  UWTSD Council​ 
• After 2 July - M&A in their completed form are submitted to the various external publications required and uploaded to the students’ union website    

 

HOW DO YOU CHANGE THE MEMORANDUM & ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION? 

Below is an extract from our governing document that explains the process. 

9. Reviewing and Amending the Articles   

9.1 The University of Wales Trinity Saint David shall be required to review the provisions of the Union’s Articles of Association at intervals of not more than five years.   

9.2 Any amendment to the Union’s Articles of Association shall require the following:   

9.2.1 The circulation by the Board of Trustees of a proposal to amend the Articles to the Student Chapters Leadership Committees (the “Proposal”);   

9.2.2 A period of time (as set out in the Bye-Laws) during which the Student Chapter Leadership Committees shall consult with the Student Chapters and any amendments to the Proposal may be submitted to the Board of Trustees;   

9.2.3 The circulation by the Board of Trustees to all the Student Chapter Leadership Committees of a resolution to approve either the Proposal or a revised Proposal incorporating these amendments submitted in accordance with Article 9.2.2 which the Board of Trustees in their absolute discretion have accepted;   

9.2.4 A resolution passed by each Students’ Union Council by a two thirds majority vote approving the Proposal or the amended Proposal (as the case may be);   

9.2.5 a special resolution of the Company Law Members making the amendments to the Articles that have been approved by resolution of the Student Chapter Leadership Committees in accordance with Article 9.2.4; and  

9.2.6 The approval of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.  

 

View the current draft document here with proposed amendments

 

If you have any queries, sugestion, comments or questions regarding the amendment of the M&A, please reach out to SUGovernance@uwtsd.ac.uk