The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Students' Union (HKUSTSU) is the students' union at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
The union is an organisation registered with the Hong Kong Police Force under the Societies Ordinance (Cap. 151 of the Laws of Hong Kong), independent from the University but officially recognised by the university administration, other organisations include the Student Ambassador and HKUST International Students Association
History
The idea of a students' union representing all HKUST students was conceived as soon as the first ever cohort of HKUST students started school in 1991. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Students' Union was officially established a year later after lengthy preparation process.
Through a referendum staged in 2013, the union decided to affiliate itself to the Hong Kong Federation of Students, being the last university students' union to do so. The union remains one of the four member organisations of the federation, with no disaffiliation referendum being requisitioned during the 2015 disaffiliation movement in other universities.
Objectives
As delineated in the Constitution of the HKUSTSU, the union aims to: To promote social, culture, sporting and academic activities amongst members. To promote civic consciousness amongst members. To promote the welfare of members. To represent members in matters affecting their interest. To facilitate the development of the University.
Structure
The ultimate authority within the union is vested in resolutions passed by Referendums, whilst the second highest authority is the General Meeting.
The union consists of four independent statutory bodies, namely the Executive Committee, the Council, the Court, and the Editorial Board, which act as the executive, legislative, judicial branches and the press agency respectively.
Office-bearers for the Executive Committee and the Editorial Board, as well as Popularly Elected Councillors for the Council, are elected in the Annual Elections held every year in February. Councillors other than the ten popularly elected seats are returned by nomination of their respective representations, while judges of the Court would be appointed by the Council or a general meeting under the recommendation of the Judge Recommendation Committee.
Executive committee
The Executive Committee (幹事會) is the executive branch of the union, responsible for the day-to-day administration of the union. It also possesses the authority of representing all union members to participate in external affairs.
Headed by the President, the Vice-President (Internal) and Vice-President (External) of the union, eight standing committees are formed under the Executive Committee to take care of issues regarding the Union and its members, including: Academic Affairs Committee External Affairs Committee Public Relations Committee Publication Committee Social Committee Orientation Affairs Committee University Affairs Committee Welfare Committee
Council
The Council (評議會) acts as the legislature branch formed by representatives from different fields within the Union. There are a total of 34 seats to be filled by representatives of the Executive Committee, the Editorial Board, House Student Associations, Independent Clubs Association and Sports Association, Art and Cultural Clubs, school and departmental societies, as well as another 10 seats popularly elected by all union members.
It is responsible for legislation and regulation of finance and operations of Union, including the holding of all elections regarding the union; consideration and approval of applications for affiliation to the Union; supervision, advice, proposing and passing rules and regulations on all sub-organisations; interpretation of and proposing amendment to the Constitution of Union; as well as the consideration and approval of Master Budget of the Union and applications for Union subsidies.
To practice the above duties, the Council has five standing committees, namely the Affiliated Societies Committee, the Constitution Committee, the Council Administration Committee, the Election Committee and the Finance Committee.
Court
Chaired by the Chief Justice, The Court (仲裁會) is the judiciary body of HKUSTSU, responsible for settling disputes within the Union in a court setting arbitrated by judges. It also provides interpretation to the Constitution when need arises.