REFERENDUM FAQ – GENERAL ELECTION 2024

This is a governance document that establishes the objectives, membership, and select governance bodies of the SU, as well as the process for setting SU fees.

This is a governance document that provides comprehensive information on all facets of the SU’s governance processes and operations.

• The SU Constitution was enacted in 1948 by the Senate of the University of Alberta.
• At the time, this was done to formally recognize the SU and give it purpose of promoting extracurricular student activities in University of Calgary (formerly University of Alberta’s Calgary Branch).
• The SU Union Bylaw was enacted in 1966, after the Government of Alberta separated the University of Calgary from the University of Alberta as its own autonomous university.

• The two governance documents are largely identical on key provisions about SU governance.
• However, the Union Bylaw is a more comprehensive governance document because it incorporates information from the Post Secondary Learning Act and past iterations of the SU Constitution.
• Also, the SU Constitution has a provision (i.e., article IX(D) (4)) which is missing from the SU Union Bylaw.

Please click here to view a comparison of the SU Constitution, current SU Union Bylaw and the proposed Union Bylaw, should this referendum pass.

• It is contemporary best practice for corporate organizations, including statutory corporations such as student associations, to consolidate its governing documents into one place.
• Other student associations in post-secondary learning institutions within Alberta such as the University of Alberta, Mount Royal University, MacEwan University and Athabasca University have either repealed their constitutions or recognise their union bylaw as their highest governing document in their governance processes.

• Voting “yes” in this referendum means that you support the SU incorporating the provisions of article IX(D) (4) of the SU Constitution into the SU Union Bylaw.
• You also support the rescindment/cancellation of the SU Constitution once that provision has been incorporated into the SU Union Bylaw.
• This means the SU Constitution will cease to exist and the SU Union Bylaw will be the SU’s primary governance document.

• Voting “no” in this referendum means that you either:
  • oppose the SU’s plan to incorporate the provisions of article IX(D) (4) of the SU Constitution into the SU Union Bylaw; or
  • You are against the subsequent the rescindment/cancellation of the SU Constitution.

• If you ever choose to run in the SU Election, or join one of our committees, reading governance documents is an important part of that role. Having one document would make things more efficient and clearer for engaged students who choose to be involved in our governance practices.
• For most students, it won’t have much impact, but by voting “yes”, you’ll be supporting your SU to bring its documentation practice in line with other organizations.

View the Referendum Question Here.