Replace Vice Chair role with Co Chair
Category: Panel and course representatives
Voting closed
When the Panel was initially created, it was recognised that a Chair was vital for facilitating the meetings, so it was decided to make 'Vice Chair' as a role to back up the Chair. However, the issue is, Vice Chair role is separate to the Chair role, and there has been significant issues with applicants for Vice Chair since it is purposefully choosing to play a substitute role, opposed to trying for the Chair. To work around this, whoever was 2nd place as Chair was asked if they would like to stay on taking the Vice Chair role. However, this isn't adequate way of doing things, and the rules require the Panel for amendments to be submitted. This is to propose a constitutional amendment to the Panel so the role of Vice Chair is removed and replaced with Co-Chair which is selected from who is 2nd in the elections, and for the role to be developed, so they will not play as a substitute but an active partner to assisting the Chair in facilitating the Panel, and allow the Chair to engage in issues they are passionate about without compromising on the roles impartiality.
Outcome
From 17/18, the Panel will have:
- Two full chair positions to be advertised in the next UCSU Panel election.
- Chair One would have responsibility for chairing and running the meetings.
- Chair Two would have responsibility for speaking on behalf of absent representatives with their feedback and for monitoring the fair conduct of the meeting in terms of turn taking and meeting behaviour. In the case of absence of Chair One, Chair 2 would take over the running of the meeting.
Comments
Changing the name makes no difference, the way in which you go for a role is what needs to be changed. There should be an additional role for Vice Chair so that you do not need to run for chair when that is not necessarily what you want.
I agree. And changing the name will only confuse people in my opinion!
The suggestion involves changing the way the role works, how people get appointed to it, and name change describes the role of cooperating. Specifics can be discussed and changed by the Panel but it is clear the status quo is not acceptable.
I much prefer the role of co-operation. I think it can be very difficult for the vice chair to interrupt the chair in the event that they begin to influence the panel with a strong bias or begin to forget the rules of conduct. This does happen, and as vice chair I'd imagine its a very uncomfortable position to be in. It is certainly uncomfortable as a panel member.