Cambridge SU is making some updates to its Articles of Association. This is the legal document that sets out how the SU is run, how decisions are made and how students are represented.
These changes don’t alter what Cambridge SU exists to do, but they do help to make sure our rules are clearer, more up to date and better aligned with how the University and the SU actually operate.
What’s changing?
-
A clearer official name
The SU’s legal name is changing from Cambridge Students’ Union to University of Cambridge Students’ Union. This doesn’t change who we are, it just makes our official name clearer and consistent on formal documents.
-
Clearer student membership classification
Previously, the Articles had their own definitions of undergraduate and postgraduate students, which caused confusion for students on certain courses. These have been updated to be consistent with part-time courses offered by Professional and Continuing Education. This makes it clearer who counts as an undergraduate or postgraduate member of the SU.
-
More flexibility with who chairs the Board
The SU Board of Trustees oversees the organisation and makes sure it is run properly. The updated Articles allow the Board to decide whether the Chair and Deputy Chair should be:
-
A Sabbatical Officer (full-time elected student), or
-
An External Trustee (someone with professional expertise)
This flexibility helps ensure the Board has the right leadership at the right time. Our Board of Trustees will always have a student majority, and students will always have the final say on who leads the SU.
-
More clarity on Student Trustee terms of office
Student Trustees represent the students on the Board. The new Articles allow Student Trustees to serve longer terms of up to 3 years. This supports continuity, the ability to gain experience, and balanced undergraduate and postgraduate representation.
-
Clearer legal status for Sabbatical Officers
Previously, only SU Presidents were recognised as ‘major union office holders’. The Articles now clearly state that all Sabbatical Officers hold this status (in line with the Education Act 1994) to ensure legal clarity.
Additional improvements
Alongside these main changes, the Articles have also been reviewed more broadly:
Committees:
Instead of listing specific committees that must exist, the Articles now allow Trustees to create committees as needed. This gives the SU more flexibility to adapt over time.
Clarity and consistency:
The document has been fully proof-read, re-numbered and references reviewed. Formatting has also been improved, making the Articles shorter and easier to navigate. References to outdated provisions have been removed, and incorrect references to University governance structures have been updated.
Why does this matter?
These updates help to ensure that Cambridge SU:
-
Follows the law and best practice
-
Can adapt and improve how it works in the future
-
Represents students in the best possible way
If you want to better understand how the SU is run or have any question please email: enquiries@cambridgesu.co.uk
The Board of Trustees are circulating this proposal to amend the Articles to all Student Members. Student Members have until 5pm on 10th February 2026 to submit amendments to the proposal, under Article 7.2.2, which the Board of Trustees, in their absolute discretion, may accept. Amendments should be sent to the Co-Chair of the Board of Trustees: matthew.copeman@cambridgesu.co.uk.