Annual General Meeting

Our Annual General Meeting took place on Thursday 23rd November. 960 students (including proxies) attended to debate and determine the direction of their Students’ Union. Below you will find a summary of the results of that meeting. You will find details of the outcome regarding each motion, where a motion passed the 'AGM Resolves' section as voted for by AGM is included below. Officers are mandated to work on these and will keep students informed on progress.

Read the agenda pack and full motions here.

Agenda Items

ITEM TWO: Minutes from previous meeting approved.

The minutes from the previous meeting were reviewed by attendees to ensure that they were an accurate record of the decisions made.

Action: Minutes to be published on the Students' Union website.

ITEM FIVE: Affiliations approved.

Following debate AGM confirmed the Students’ Union two affiliations to National Union of Students (NUS), and British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS).

Action: To continue to be affiliated with NUS and BUCS.

ITEM SIX: Questions to the Trustees

A number of questions submitted to the trustees were answered by the Sabbatical Officer team, the answers to the questions submitted but not answered on the night will be made available shortly.

ITEM SEVEN: Sabbatical Officer Structure

AGM, within it’s powers as outlined in the Union’s governing documents, approved the following Sabbatical Officer structure for election in the Spring Elections 2024.

• Students' Union President
• Vice President Cymraeg
• Vice President Heath Park Campus (Education and Welfare)
• Vice President International Students (Education and Welfare)
• Vice President Postgraduate Students (Education and Welfare)
• Vice President Societies and Volunteering
• Vice President Sports and Athletic Union President

MOTIONS

Motion I: A Better & More Inclusive University. PASSED

1. Cardiff Students’ Union should adopt the Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND) working definition of Islamophobia1 to better protect and support the Cardiff University community.

2. Cardiff Students’ Union should lobby Cardiff University to ensure that all University buildings have dedicated multifaith prayer rooms with private ablution facilities included. With particular attention needed at the Heath Park Campus.

3. Cardiff Students’ Union should work to introduce Halal and Kosher food options in the Students’ Union. In addition to lobbying Cardiff University to introduce Halal and Kosher options across the food outlets around campus. With particular attention needed at the Heath Park Campus.

4. Cardiff Students’ Union should run awareness campaigns regarding different religious and cultural events/celebrations and observations e.g., Ramadan, and Hannukah, with the intention of educating students on the matters.

5. Cardiff Students’ Union should lobby Cardiff University to make educational resources more readily available during religious periods on the student intranet.

6. Cardiff Students' Union should work to introduce committee training for sports clubs and societies on faith, religious observations, and discrimination.

7. Cardiff Students’ Union will commit to conduct consultations with its members from marginalised religious backgrounds to improve the experience of these students. Particularly important areas for consideration in these consultations may include: the centrality of alcohol in student events and in the communication of student life, access to support for discrimination, etc.

Motion II: Time to Act: Tackling Sexual Misconduct at Cardiff University. PASSED

1. The Students’ Union must support initiatives to prevent sexual violence from happening on campus by working with organisations such as Empowered Campus to change the culture that has perpetuated gender based violence across campus.

2. The Students’ Union must also hold thorough and inclusive consultations with students about what they would like to see from the student union to promote a safe campus for all. These consultations must be accessible and inclusive, ensuring that marginalised students could engage with them and have their say in this matter. They should also commit to organising and promoting educational workshops on topics such as consent, understanding types of abuse, and gender-based violence.

3. The Students’ Union must commit to collecting and monitoring data on the prevalence of sexual misconduct, following on from the findings of the Tab article as noted above.

4. The Students’ Union must commit to lobbying Cardiff University to:

4.1. Adopt a progressive definition of sexual assault through annual student consultation and with reference to the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

4.2. Make updated definitions easily accessible on both the intranet and sims.

4.3. Amend accommodation contracts to remove perpetrators from university halls of residence. This policy should align the interests of the victim with university policy making to ensure a successful adjustment to accommodation contracts. Within this amendment, give victims the option to move residency while going through an investigatory process.

4.4. Adopt and enforce a clear policy which bans University staff initiating or developing close personal or intimate relationships with students where the member of staff holds a position of authority or responsibility over that student. Where both an academic and personal relationship exists, the member of staff must inform the University, so that alternative arrangements can be made to prevent any potential abuse of authority. The Students’ Union must also lobby for a safe and effective method for students in/students aware of inappropriate staff/student relationships to disclose/report without fear of repercussion.

4.4.1. The Students’ Union and student groups will work with the University to produce clear guidelines which may frequently be reviewed and made publicly accessible. However, situations where a staff member will have responsibility for a student will include, but not be limited to where:

4.4.1.1. there is any direct supervisory or teaching relationship (for example between postgraduate students and their supervisor, or tutors and their tutees);

4.4.1.2. a member of staff has direct or indirect responsibility for that student’s academic studies (for example, assessor of a student’s work);

4.4.1.3. a member of staff has direct or indirect responsibility for that student’s personal welfare (for example providing welfare services or acting as a mentor or college advisor);

4.4.1.4. a member of staff has a mentoring role or ongoing administrative responsibility for a student; or

4.4.1.5. a member of staff is involved in the admission or selection of applicants or offer- holders.” [Based on Oxford University’s 2023 Student/Staff Relationship Policy].

4.5. Conduct a student-led review into the disclosure response team following on from the ideas set up by Emily Carr, SU’s Women’s Officer (2022/23).

4.6. Ensure that cases of harassment and discrimination are thoroughly investigated and ensure just outcomes for the victim, including criminal convictions, and permanent expulsions.

Motion III: Ceasefire Now. PASSED

1. Cardiff SU to publicly call for an immediate ceasefire, while also lobbying Cardiff University to make this call.

2. Cardiff SU to call for material support to Palestinian, Israeli, Jewish, and Muslim students, as well as any others affected during this time from Cardiff University as well as other stakeholders in Wales.

3. Cardiff SU to organise, support, and curate educational events and resources to bring more awareness to the conflict among the students. Important topics to consider are:

• That Israel does not represent Judaism, and that it is anti-Semitic to presume that any Jewish individual owes allegiance to Israel, rather than it being anti-Semitic to not support Israel.
• The difference between Israel, Judaism and Zionism, and the difference between Hamas, Palestine and Islam.
• Not every Muslim and Arab individual supports Hamas; they stand in solidarity with the Palestinians. Supporting Palestine does not necessarily imply supporting Hamas; it means advocating for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine.
• Rise in racist, Islamophobic, and anti-Semitic hate crimes due to people conflating pro-Palestine with pro-Hamas.
• How to spot lies and propaganda from the state of Israel and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), e.g., biblical justification of the occupation of Palestine, extent of the damage to Israel, location of Hamas bases, etc.

Motion III: The Climate Crisis: an Evidence-Based, Sustainable Food System for Cardiff University. FELL

Motion V: Advocation for the Abolition of Tuition Fees. NO TIME – MOVED TO STUDENT SENATE FOR DEBATE

Cyfarfod Cyffredinol Blynyddol

Digwyddodd ein Cyfarfod Cyffredinol Blynyddol ar ddydd Iau y 23ain o Dachwedd. Mynychodd 960 o fyfyrwyr (gan gynnwys dirprwyon) i drafod a phenderfynu ar gyfeiriad eu Hundeb Myfyrwyr. Isod mae crynodeb o ganlyniadau’r cyfarfod. Mae manylion canlyniad pob cynnig, lle basiodd cynnig adran ‘Diwygiadau’r CCB’ fel pleidleisiwyd gan y CCB, isod. Rhaid i swyddogion weithio ar rain a byddant yn diweddaru myfyrwyr ar gynnydd.

Darllenwch y pecyn agenda a chynigion llawn yma .

Eitemau Agenda

EITEM DAU: Cymeradwywyd munudau’r cyfarfod blaenorol

Cafodd munudau’r cyfarfod blaenorol eu hadolygu gan fynychwyr i sicrhau eu bod yn gofnod cywir o’r penderfyniadau cafodd eu gwneud.

Gweithred: Cofnodion i gael eu cyhoeddi ar wefan Undeb y Myfyrwyr.

EITEM PUMP: Cymeradwywyd ymlyniadau

Yn dilyn trafodaeth gwnaeth y CCB cymeradwyo dau ymlyniad Undeb y Myfyrwyr i Undeb Cenedlaethol y Myfyrwyr (UCM) a Chwaraeon Prifysgolion a Cholegau Prydain (BUCS).

Gweithred: Parhau i ymlynu at UCM a BUCS.

EITEM CHWECH: Cwestiynau i’r Ymddiriedolwyr

Cafodd nifer o gwestiynau a gyflwynwyd ar gyfer yr ymddiriedolwyr eu hateb gan y tîm o Swyddogion Sabothol. Bydd yr atebion i’r cwestiynau a gyflwynwyd ond na chafodd eu hateb ar gael yn fuan.

EITEM SAITH: Strwythur Swyddogion Sabothol

Gwnaeth y CCB, o fewn ei bwerau fel y amlinellir yn nogfennau llywodraethu’r Undeb, cymeradwyo’r strwythur Swyddogion Sabothol canlynol ar gyfer Etholiadau’r Gwanwyn 2024.

• Llywydd Undeb y Myfyrwyr
• Is-lywydd y Gymraeg
• Is-lywydd Campws Parc y Mynydd Bychan (Addysg a Lles)
• Is-lywydd Myfyrwyr Rhyngwladol (Addysg a Lles)
• Is-lywydd Myfyrwyr Ôl-raddedig (Addysg a Lles)
• Is-lywydd Cymdeithasau a Gwirfoddoli
• Is-lywydd Chwaraeon a Llywydd yr Undeb Athletau

CYNIGION

Cynnig I: Prifysgol Well & Mwy Cynhwysol. PASIODD

1. Dylai Undeb Myfyrwyr Caerdydd mabwysiadu diffiniad ‘Muslim Engagement and Development’ (MEND) o Islamoffobia1 er mwyn diogelu a chefnogi cymuned Prifysgol Caerdydd yn well.

2. Dylai Undeb y Myfyrwyr lobïo Prifysgol Caerdydd i sicrhau fod gan bob un o adeiladau’r Brifysgol ystafelloedd aml-ffydd bwrpasol gyda chyfleusterau ymolchi preifat wedi’u cynnwys. Gydag angen pwyslais penodol ar Gampws Parc y Mynydd Bychan.

3. Dylai Undeb Myfyrwyr Caerdydd weithio i gyflwyno opsiynau bwyd Halal a Kosher yn Undeb y Myfyrwyr. Dylid hefyd lobïo Prifysgol Caerdydd i gyflwyno opsiynau Halal a Kosher ar draws y mannau bwyd ar gampws. Gydag angen pwyslais penodol ar Gampws Parc y Mynydd Bychan.

4. Dylai Undeb Myfyrwyr Caerdydd cynnal ymgyrchoedd ymwybyddiaeth ynglŷn â gwahanol ddigwyddiadau/ddathliadau crefyddol e.e. Ramadan a Hannukah, gyda’r bwriad o addysgu myfyrwyr am y materion yma.

5. Dylai Undeb Myfyrwyr Caerdydd lobïo Prifysgol Caerdydd i’w wneud yn haws cael adnoddau addysgol yn ystod adegau crefyddol ar y fewnrwyd i fyfyrwyr.

6. Dylai Undeb Myfyrwyr Caerdydd gweithio i gyflwyno hyfforddiant pwyllgor i glybiau chwaraeon a chymdeithasau ar ffydd, digwyddiadau crefyddol a gwahaniaethu.

7. Bydd Undeb Myfyrwyr Caerdydd yn ymroi i gynnal ymgynghoriadau gyda’i aelodau o gefndiroedd crefyddol wedi’u hymyleiddio er mwyn gwella profiad y myfyrwyr yma. Gallai materion penodol ar gyfer eu hystyried yn yr ymgynghoriadau yma gynnwys: pwysigrwydd alcohol mewn digwyddiadau myfyrwyr a gohebiaeth bywyd myfyrwyr, mynediad i gymorth am wahaniaethu, ayyb.

Cynnig II: Amser Gweithredu: Mynd i’r Afael â Chamymddwyn Rhywiol ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd. PASIODD

1. Rhaid i Undeb y Myfyrwyr cefnogi cynlluniau i atal trais rhywiol rhag digwydd ar gampws trwy weithio gyda sefydliadau megis ‘Empowered Campus’ i newid y diwylliant sydd wedi galluogi trais ar sail rhywedd i barhau ar draws campws.

2. Rhaid i Undeb y Myfyrwyr cynnal ymgynghoriadau trylwyr a chynhwysol gyda myfyrwyr am beth hoffant weld gan Undeb y Myfyrwyr o ran hyrwyddo campws diogel i bawb. Rhaid i’r ymgynghoriadau yma fod yn hygyrch ac yn gynhwysol, gan sicrhau bod bob myfyriwr yn gallu cymryd rhan a dweud eu dweud am y mater yma. Dylent hefyd ymrwymo i drefnu a hyrwyddo gweithdai addysgol ar bynciau megis cydsynio, deall mathau o gam-drin, a thrais wedi’i seilio ar rhywedd.

3. Rhaid i Undeb y Myfyrwyr ymroi i gasglu a monitro data am gyffredinolrwydd camymddwyn rhywiol, gan ddilyn ymlaen o ganfyddiadau erthygl y Tab a nodwyd uchod.

4. Rhaid i Undeb y Myfyrwyr ymroi i lobïo Prifysgol Caerdydd i:

4.1. Mabwysiadu diffiniad blaengar o ymosodiad rhywiol trwy ymgynghoriad blynyddol gyda myfyrwyr a chan gyfeirio at Ddeddf Troseddau Rhywiol 2003.

4.2. Gwneud diffiniadau wedi'u diweddaru yn hawdd i’w canfod ar y fewnrwyd a sims.

4.3. Diwygio contractau llety er mwyn cael gwared ar dramgwyddwyr o neuaddau preswyl y brifysgol. Dylai'r polisi yma alinio diddordebau’r dioddefwr â phenderfyniadau polisïau'r brifysgol er mwyn sicrhau addasiad llwyddiannus i gontractau llety. O fewn y diwygiad yma dylid rhoi’r opsiwn i ddioddefwyr symud llety tra bod ymchwiliad yn cael ei gynnal.

4.4. Mabwysiadu a gorfodi polisi clir sy’n gwahardd staff Prifysgol rhag dechrau neu ddatblygu perthnasau agos neu glos gyda myfyrwyr lle bod gan yr aelod o staff safle o awdurdod neu gyfrifoldeb dros y myfyriwr yna. Lle bod perthynas personol ac academaidd yn bodoli, rhaid i’r aelod o staff rhoi gwybod i’r Brifysgol, fel gall trefniadau amgen cael eu gwneud i atal unrhyw cam-drin posib o awdurdod. Rhaid i Undeb y Myfyrwyr hefyd lobio am ffordd ddiogel ac effeithiol i fyfyrwyr mewn / myfyrwyr sy’n ymwybodol o berthynas staff-myfyriwr amhriodol ei ddatgelu / adrodd heb ofni’r canlyniadau.

4.4.1. Bydd Undeb y Myfyrwyr a grwpiau myfyrwyr yn gweithio gyda’r Brifysgol i greu canllawiau clir gall cael eu hadolygu’n gyson a bydd ar gael yn gyhoeddus. Mae sefyllfaoedd lle bod gan aelod o staff cyfrifoldeb am fyfyriwr yn cynnwys, ond heb ei gyfyngu i, lle bod:

4.4.1.1. unrhyw berthynas oruchwylio neu addysgu uniongyrchol (er enghraifft rhwng myfyriwr ôl-raddedig a’u goruchwyliwr, neu diwtor a’u disgybl);

4.4.1.2. gan aelod o staff cyfrifoldeb uniongyrchol neu anuniongyrchol am astudiaethau academaidd myfyriwr (er enghraifft, drwy asesu gwaith myfyriwr);

4.4.1.3. gan aelod o staff cyfrifoldeb uniongyrchol neu anuniongyrchol am les personol myfyriwr (er enghraifft darparu gwasanaethau lles neu weithredu fel mentor neu gynghorydd coleg);

4.4.1.4. gan aelod o staff rôl mentora neu gyfrifoldeb gweinyddol am fyfyriwr; neu

4.4.1.5. aelod o staff sy’n rhan o dderbyn neu ddewis ymgeiswyr neu ddeiliaid cynnig [Yn seiliedig ar Bolisi Perthnasau Myfyrwyr/Staff Prifysgol Rhydychen 2023].

4.5. Cynnal adolygiad wedi’i arwain gan fyfyrwyr i mewn i’r Tîm Ymateb i Ddatgeliadau gan ddilyn ymlaen o’r syniadau a gyflwynwyd gan Emily Carr, Swyddog Menywod yr UM (2022/23)

4.6. Sicrhau fod achosion o aflonyddu a gwahaniaethu wedi’u hymchwilio’n drylwyr a sicrhau fod canlyniadau yn cynnwys euogfarnau troseddol a diarddel parhaol.

Cynnig III: Cadoediad Nawr. PASIODD

1. UM Caerdydd i alw’n gyhoeddus am gadoediad ar unwaith, tra hefyd yn lobïo Prifysgol Caerdydd i wneud y galwad yma.

2. UM Caerdydd i alw am gymorth materol i fyfyrwyr o Balesteina ac Israel, a myfyrwyr Iddewig a Mwslimaidd, ac unrhyw un arall a effeithir yn ystod yr adeg yma ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd, ynghyd â hapddalwyr eraill yng Nghymru.

3. UM Caerdydd i drefnu, cefnogi a churadu digwyddiadau addysgol ac adnoddau i godi ymwybyddiaeth am y gwrthdaro ymysg myfyrwyr. Mae pynciau pwysig yn cynnwys:

• Nid yw Israel yn cynrychioli Iddewiaeth, a’i fod yn wrthsemitig i dybio bod unrhyw unigolyn Iddewig yn deyrngar i Israel, yn hytrach na’i fod yn wrthsemitig i beidio cefnogi Israel.
• Y gwahaniaeth rhwng Israel, Iddewiaeth a Seioniaeth, a’r gwahaniaeth rhwng Hamas, Palesteina ac Islam.
• Nid yw pob unigolyn Mwslimaidd neu Arabaidd yn cefnogi Hamas; maent yn sefyll mewn undod gyda phobl Palesteina. Mae cefnogi Palesteina ddim o reidrwydd yn awgrymu eu bod yn cefnogi Hamas; mae’n golygu ymgyrchu dros ddiwedd i feddiannaeth Israel o Balesteina.
• Cynnydd mewn troseddau casineb hiliol, islamoffobig a gwrthsemitig o ganlyniad i gredoau anghywir bod ymagwedd o blaid Palesteina gyfwerth â bod o blaid Hamas.
• Sut i adnabod celwyddau a phropaganda gan wladwriaeth Israel a Lluoedd Amddiffyn Israel e.e. cyfiawnhad Beiblaidd am feddiant Palesteina, maint y difrod a lleoliad canolfannau Hamas ayyb.

Cynnig IV: Yr Argyfwng Hinsawdd: System Fwyd Cynaliadwy sy’n Seiliedig ar Dystiolaeth ar gyfer Prifysgol Caerdydd. CWYMPODD

Cynnig V: Eirioli am Ddiddymu Ffioedd Dysgu. DIM AMSER – SYMUDWYD I SENEDD Y MYFYRWYR AR GYFER TRAFODAETH