Ditch the Delegates
The debate over the position of OUSU Delegates could reach its climax this week at OUSU Council on Friday, where two motions regarding the position are set to be discussed.
A motion to abolish the position has been proposed by Ed Watkins (Keble), whilst Will Straw, OUSU President, has proposed a motion aimed at increasing delegate accountability.
The original role of delegates was to attend NUS conferences, but now that Oxford University is no longer centrally affiliated to the NUS, this function of the position is now redundant.
Straw's motion proposes a 'three strikes and you're out' policy to ensure attendance in Council and greater accountability. If delegates fail to attend OUSU Council three times they will be removed from office. Straw believes "it is time the issue of delegate legitimacy and accountability is finally resolved. One way or another, this will be achieved following Friday's Council."
Delegates have defended their position. One told The OxStu: "It feels like delegates are being singled out as easy pickings by JCRs who are unhappy with the fact that non-JCR elected positions exist and that they can't completely run the show."
13th Feb 2003