• Articles of Association (approved 23rd Feb 2021)

The Memorandum and Articles of Association (often referred to as Articles) is the governing document of Bristol Students' Union (SU) but what exactly does that mean?

The Articles of Association set out the rules according to which a company (so Bristol SU in this case) must be run and administered. It is a legal document and gives the Board of Trustees reasonable authority to manage the affairs of the Union in a professional manner. The Board of Trustees ensure that consideration of the views of the Members (which are the students) is taken into account in any decision-making or discussions.

More information about the Trustee Board and how the SU is run 

• Bristol SU Byelaws updated 01 Feb 2024 (PDF)

Approved by the Annual members Meeting (AMM) - February 2022

One of Bristol SU's values and Strategic themes is around Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Bristol SU will seek at all times to:

• ensure that the equality, diversity and inclusion of its Membership is recognised, and that equal access is available to all Members of whatever origin or orientation;
• pursue its aims and objectives independent of any political party or religious group;pursue equal opportunities by taking positive action within the law to facilitate participation of groups discriminated against by society;
• foster and encourage the freedom of speech, expression, assembly and association amongst its Members; and
• fulfil its objects in a socially and environmentally responsible manner.

We have an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy for the SU, which was revised and approved by Trustees in 2022 

Bristol SU Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Policy

• Annual Accounts Year End July 31 2023
• Annual Accounts Year End July 31 2022
• Annual Accounts Year End July 31 2021
• Annual Accounts Year End July 31 2020

For previous Bristol SU Annual Accounts, please have a look on Companies House or the Charity Commission under University of Bristol Students' Union, or please contact the Clerk - suzanne.doyle@bristol.ac.uk

Bristol SU Strategy 2022 - 2025

The Education Act 1994, section 22 (3), requires universities to issue a code of practice, setting out the manner in which the requirements of section 22,1 and 22, 2 of the Act, relating to the organisation and activities of the Students' Union, are to be put into effect.

The Annual Statement of Legal Compliance section describes and provides assurances to the university, staff, students and external bodies, of our levels of compliance with the Education Act and relevant laws. A review takes place every year.

The Chief Executive has ensured that the organisation has applied its processes and internal systems of control in a manner that gives satisfaction, so that:

• Bristol SU has sufficient understanding of its relevant statutory and contractual obligations
• There are appropriate systems, processes and internal systems of control in place to enable Bristol SU to deliver its services to members and meet its relevant statutory and legal obligations and allows Bristol SU to identify, manage and review its risks.

This statement was reviewed and updated in Jan 2023 by Bristol SU Management Team and Executive and Governance Manager and the University Head of Governance and Executive Support and University Legal Contact. It was approved by Bristol SU Trustees in Feb 2023. It is also published on the University website.

Education Act Code of Practice and Bristol SU Annual Statement of Legal Compliance 2021 - 2022

Bristol SU Safeguarding Policy Feb 2023