What is a Union General Meeting (UGM)?
Upcoming UGMs
Agenda for the Next UGM
Guidance on Writing a UGM Motion
Submit a UGM Motion
Previously Passed UGM Motions
A Union General Meeting (UGM) is a meeting of SOAS Students' Union whereby SOAS SU policy decisions are made by the student body. UGMs happen once per term, and are a means of democratic participation where students can directly suggest, ammend, and pass new Union policy. UGMs are run in accordance with the SOAS SU Constitution.
Any member of the SU can submit a policy motion to be discussed and voted on at a UGM. A motion should be brought to a UGM if, by its nature, it affects a majority if not all of the SOAS student body, or if it needs the weight of the Union behind it in order for it to be enacted. UGMs are a structured form of democracy - if you're not sure whether your idea needs to go to a UGM speak to our Democracy & Education Co-President or our Governance, Communication & Sustainability Coordinator who can advise on the best route to achieve your idea.
Motions which are brought to UGMs are subject to questions and amednments, and need a simple majority in order to pass. Once passed, it is the responsibility of the motion proposer and the SU Co-Presidents to ensure the motion is carried out. Passed UGM motions are then active SU policy for the next 3 years.
If you're attending a UGM for the first time - either as a motion proposer or just as a student attendee - read over our SOAS SU Union General Meeting Guide which explains how a UGM works on the day, so you know what to expect!
- Term 1: TBC
- Term 2: TBC
- Term 3: TBC
The agenda for the next upcoming UGM can be found 3 days before the UGM, in the SU Governance Library.
UGMs are a structured form of student democracy, and policy motions should be submitted in a specific format.
See our How to Write a UGM Motion page, or speak to our Democracy & Education Co-President or our Governance, Communication & Sustainability Coordinator for details on how to shape your policy motion.
You can use our UGM Motion Submission Form to submit your UGM policy motion. Motions submitted will be discussed during the next UGM. All motions must be submitted at least 3 working days before the next UGM. Deadlines to submit you motion can be found below:
- Term 1 UGM: TBC
- Term 2 UGM: TBC
- Term 3 UGM: TBC
Active SU policy which was a result of a UGM motion can be seen in our UGM Policy Library.
For updates on each motion, see the Progress pages in the UGM Policy Library, or speak to our Democracy & Education Co-President.