February 2012 Referenda

The following proposals will be voted on by students from Monday 27th February 2012 10am (week 4) until Thursday 1st March 2012 5pm (week 4):

University Relations with Arms Companies

This Students' Union notes:

• The definition of an arms company is open to interpretation;
• Many companies have links to the arms trade, even if it is not their primary business;
• The development can also lead to other beneficial technological developments.

This Students' Union believes:

• The University should not be involved in the development of weapons and in principle, should not have any involvement with arms companies.

This Students' Union resolves to:

• Declare its opposition to our University's dealings with all arms companies.
• Lobby our University to divest itself of shares in arms companies;
• Lobby our University to actively seek to replace the funding that arms companies provide;
• Raise awareness of the issues surrounding the arms trade, including highlighting the interrelationships between the arms trade and major employers;
• Encourage students to fully research their career options and potential employers;
• Work with the relevant Students' Union societies to campaign on this issue.

Fund Education not war (alternative to University Relations with Arms Companies policy)

This referendum has been postponed until further notice.

Anti-Racism/discrimination/hate crime

This Students' Union notes:

• Racism and hate crimes must be taken seriously as they pose a threat to Sheffield students
• An inclusive nature and respect for and the celebration of diversity is at the heart of the Students' Union
• A large number of our students come from ethnic minority backgrounds
• A hate crime or incident is any behaviour perceived by the victim to be motivated by hostility, prejudice or hatred of their race, ethnicity or nationality; religion, faith or belief; disability; sexual orientation or gender identity

This Students' Union believes:

• Every student has the right to live in an atmosphere that is free of discrimination, harassment and intimidation
• Social and cultural diversity should be celebrated
• Hate crimes and racism should not be tolerated by the Students' Union, and those who commit acts of hate crime or racism should be stopped and disciplined

This Students' Union resolves to:

• To adopt a ‘zero tolerance' approach to racism, discrimination and hate crime
• To campaign locally and nationally to mobilise students against racism
• To use the NUS Hate Crime Report to prevent racism and hate crime on campus
• To ensure equal access to all aspects of University life for all students.

Nestle

The Union resolves to have no dealings with, or facilitate the promotion of, Nestle, on the grounds of unfair exploitation of third world countries (based on an independent report by EIRIS which found the company to be 'in substantial violation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes').

Constitutional Review 2012

Do you agree to the general amendments to the Students' Union Constitution and Bye-Laws proposed by Students' Union Council and published in the document 'Constitutional Review 2012: General Proposals'?

National Union of Students

Do you agree that the Students' Union should remain affiliated to the National Union of Students?

Any student can submit a statement of up to 200 words for or against any of these proposals, which may be published on our website. You can also request funding from the Students' Union (£40) to run a campaign for or against any of these proposals.

Please contact us at elections@sheffield.ac.uk as soon as possible, and no later than 10 am on Thursday 16th February 2012, if you would like to submit a statement or run a campaign.

You can also submit an alternative or related proposal for any of the referenda, accompanied by a statement of support of not more than 100 words, but this must be supported by a petition signed by at least 500 students. These must also be submitted to the Students' Union (elections@sheffield.ac.uk) as soon as possible, and no later than 10am on Thursday 16th February 2012.

Arguments for and against each referendum will be published in Week 4 on the Students' Union website.