What is a referendum?

A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is invited to decide upon a particular issue. In this case, the "entire electorate" is all members of the University of Bath Students' Union, i.e. all registered students at the University of Bath who have not "opted out" of Students' Union membership may vote in this referendum.

In accordance with our Articles of Governance, to determine the outcome of a referendum:

  • a quorum of 5% of Members is required to validate the referendum; and
  • a simple majority of those voting is required.

Last Referendum

NUS (UK) Affiliation Nov 2023

Question

Should The SU Bath be affiliated to the National Union of Students UK (NUS UK)?

Find out more

UCU Industrial Action Nov 2023

Question

Should The SU support industrial action called by the UCU during the 2023/24 academic year?

Find out more


Previous referendum results

NUS (UK) AffiliationNov 2022

Question
Should The SU Bath be affiliated to the National Union of Students UK (NUS UK)?

Result
Total Vote: 993
Votes YES: 478
Votes No: 438
Abstentions: 77

The vote count did not reach quorum and no decision regarding the motion has passed.

Find out more

UCU Strike Action StandpointMar 2022

Question
Should The SU adopt the following Standpoint: ‘Insufficient working conditions negatively affect the quality of teaching at the University, and the SU supports the UCU in industrial action against USS cuts, low pay, and insecure contracts’?

Result
Total Vote: 876
Votes YES: 624
Votes No: 239
Abstentions: 13

The vote count did not reach quorum and no decision regarding the motion has passed.

Find out more

NUS (UK) AffiliationMar 2021

Question
Should The SU Bath be affiliated to the National Union of Students UK (NUS UK)?

Result
Total Vote: 1,173
Votes YES: 753
Votes No: 342
Abstentions: 78

This motion was carried

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UCU Strike Action (Sem 2)Feb 2020

Question
Should The SU support the strike action called by the UCU between the dates of Thursday 20 February to Friday 13 March?

Result
Total Vote: 3,013
Votes FOR: 920
Votes AGAINST: 1,952
Abstentions: 141

This motion was NOT carried - The student community voted to not support the UCU strike action at this time.

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UCU Strike Action (Sem 1)Nov 2019

Question
Should The SU support the strike action called by the UCU between the dates of Monday 25 November to Wednesday 4 December?

Result
Total Vote: 2,505
Votes 'YES': 1,436
Votes 'NO': 938
Abstentions: 131

This motion was carried - our student community voted to support the UCU strike action at this time.

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SU's GovernanceMar 2019

Question
Do you accept the proposed changes to the Articles of Governance?

Result
Total Vote: 2,658
Votes FOR: 2,527
Votes AGAINST: 129
Abstentions: 2

This motion was CARRIED

University governanceNov 2017

Question
I have no confidence in the University and Governance in relation to Council and Remuneration Committee

Result
Total Vote: 2748
Votes FOR: 2371 (86.3%)
Votes AGAINST: 151 (5.5%)
Abstentions: 226

This motion was CARRIED

University leadershipNov 2017

Question
I have no confidence in the Vice-Chancellor

Result
This result was not published as the referendum question was stopped half way through voting due to the Vice-Chancellor resigning. 

Bath decides - In or Out? EU ReferendumApril 2016

Question
Do you think that the University of Bath Students' Union should:

  • Campaign to leave the European Union
  • Campaign to remain in the European Union

Result
Total Votes: 1668
Remain: 1474 (88.4%)
Leave: 194 (11.6%)

The motion was passed with the SU campaigning to remain in the European Union. 

NUS ReferendumApril 2013

Question
Should the University of Bath Students' Union continue to be affiliated to the National Union of Students (NUS)?

Result
Total votes: 1217
Votes FOR: 824
Votes AGAINST: 363
Abstentions: 30

This motion was CARRIED, and The SU remained affiliated to NUS.