~ [[130 - Governance]] # Salford SU Articles of Association The Articles of Association are the constitutional document of the University of Salford Students' Union. The SU is constituted as a **company limited by guarantee** (not shares) under the Companies Act 2006 and is a registered charity (charity no. 1189354, company no. 12532982). Drafted by Wrigleys Solicitors LLP. ## 2024-25 Review and Approval Timeline The Articles must be reviewed by University Council at intervals of no more than five years. The 2024-25 review was the first full review under Ed Moloney's tenure: | Date | Event | |---|---| | **Sep 2024** | [[2024-09-18 - Board of Trustees]] — updates approved; circulated to members | | **Oct 2024** | All Students Meeting — Articles approved by members | | **Nov 2024** | [[2024-11-20 - Board of Trustees]] — University Council ratification scheduled | | **Jan 2025** | University Council ratified the new Articles | | **Feb 2025** | [[2025-02-12 - Board of Trustees]] — resolution passed to formally send to Charity Commission and Companies House | ## Key Constitutional Provisions **Membership:** All registered students of the University automatically become members. Students may opt out in writing. The Union must maintain a register of opted-out students available to the University Secretary. **Referendums:** The Articles describe how a referendum may be called by the membership. **Meetings:** Covers how Student Members' meetings and Company Law Meetings are convened; what business is transacted. **Board of Trustees:** The Articles define the composition and quorum of the Board, including student trustees and external/lay trustees. They set out trustee responsibilities in line with charity law. **Amendment:** No amendment is valid without University Council approval (per Education Act 1994 s.22). Must be reviewed at least every five years. **Dissolution:** The Articles prescribe what happens to assets in the event of dissolution — assets must be applied for charitable purposes. ## Discussion Points from 2024 Review At the September 2024 board meeting, a discussion arose about Board subcommittees: EM noted subcommittees had been placed in abeyance as all items were ending up at full Board anyway. LB noted working groups allow more flexibility than formal subcommittees. The revised Articles reflect a leaner governance structure. ## Relationship to Other Documents The Articles sit at the top of the constitutional hierarchy: 1. Articles of Association (this document) — approved by University Council 2. Byelaws — approved by the Board 3. [[Salford SU Scheme of Delegation of Authority]] — operational delegation 4. [[Salford SU Partnership Agreement]] — relationship with the University ## Source Document `USSU Articles of Association 2024 review.docx` — Board of Trustees Meetings / 2024-25 Year / 2024.09.06