1. Socials, Complaints & Visiting Speakers
2019 – 2020
Committee Training:
Socials, Complaints & Visiting Speakers
Register your attendance here:

2. Relevant SU Policies Equal Opportunities
No Excuses to Bullying & Harassment
Zero Tolerance to Sexual Assault
Complaints Policy
Initiations Policy
Data Protection (GDPR)

3. Union Complaints Procedure
Any complaint against another student, student group or staff member must be submitted formally using the following online form found here
Anonymous complaints will not be dealt with
Process document for information can be found here

4. Socials
You are responsible for the actions of ALL your members whilst out on a social
Remember you are ALWAYS representing Aberystwyth University and Aberystwyth Students’ Union
Have an end time – and make this clear to your members. This is the end of the social and means your responsibilities have ended. Anyone that chooses to stay out afterwards is with a group of friends, not on a AUSU organised event
Always maintain an ‘only if you want to’ approach
Try to organise non-drinking socials and activities as well
All aforementioned Aber SU policies apply on a social

5. Initiations
All Initiations and/or Induction Ceremonies are BANNED at Aberystwyth University
An Initiation is defined as:
“An event in which members (often new members) of a group are expected to perform a task or tasks, as a means to gaining credibility, status or entry within that group. This may be achieved by peer pressure (although not explicitly) and may compromise a person’s dignity by forcing or requiring an individual to drink alcohol, eat mixtures of various foodstuffs, nudity and any other behaviour that may be deemed humiliating. Individuals may be pressured into divulging personal information, be subject to comments, photos or images that could demean or compromise the dignity of the individual or group.”
Any student group caught partaking in any of the above will face immediate suspension
BUCS Initiations Policy

6. Socialwear
The SU logo should be on every garment, but the Team Aber branded banner is optional
You are not limited to the Team Aber colours, so you may choose any colour scheme you wish
You may have individual sponsors printed on your group leisurewear
Any other personalisation (i.e. nicknames) must first be sent to your Opportunities Officer for approval
Any garment with inappropriate prints (e.g. racial/homophobic/sexist/swear words, etc.) will not be approved.
If any member of your group is found to be wearing garments with unapproved and/or inappropriate prints, SU disciplinary procedures will be initiated.

7. Socialwear cont.
These are examples of the kind of wording that will NOT be tolerated
Nicknames on all clothing must be submitted to
the Opportunities Officer before going to print
The student group(s) involved with these
particular incidents each faced a minimum one year group suspension = NO facilities,
NO BUCS, NO grants, NO membership, etc.

8. Risk – Why all the boring rules?
Bringing the University, SU and/or Student Group into disrepute
Financial e.g. Damages, Legal Fees
Legal e.g. Theft, Public Indecency, Drugs & Alcohol Abuse
Future Opportunities e.g. Career, DBS Checks

9. Risk cont.: Scenarios
Bringing the University, SU and/or Student Group into disrepute
‘A sports team travelling back from a BUCS fixture in an Aberystwyth University Students’ Union minibus were seen (and photographed) pulled over in a lay-by performing initiation activities, including; forced drinking and eating challenges’
What was the disciplinary action?
BUCS team pulled for 2 years, 1 year club suspension, 1 year ban from hiring minibuses
What could have happened?
Negative news stories, media involvement, etc.
University action: Expulsion

10. Risk cont.: Scenarios Financial What was the disciplinary action?
‘A society organised a Photo Social; split groups into teams and captains posted their photos onto their official University FB page (not private group). An SU staff member saw the photos and they were reported. One of the photos (among many others) in particular showed a group of students performing a naked run down the train tracks in Borth’
What was the disciplinary action?
1 month society suspension, grant withdrawn, full committee revoked, University (VC) involvement & official warnings given to ALL individuals who attended the social
What could have happened?
Police: Fined for Public Indecency, and £1000 PER PERSON fine for illegally going on the tracks

11. Risk cont.: Scenarios Legal What was the disciplinary action?
‘A society initiated a ‘Team Steal’ game on one of their challenge socials. Whilst most members stole unimportant items such as beer glasses or coasters, one member took the challenge to another level and stole a fire extinguisher from a pub. Another student witnessed the theft and reported it to the SU the following morning.’
What was the disciplinary action?
1 month society suspension, social secretary was removed from committee, 1 year ban from pub in question and society paid for replacement extinguisher
What could have happened?
Police: Up to £2000 fine and charged for tampering with fire safety equipment
What if there was a fire that night?

12. Risk cont.: Scenarios Future Opportunities
‘A group of young people were dropped off in vehicles at the top of town, where they ran naked to the seafront. It was later identified that they are all students from the same sports club, whilst on a club social; it was only first years who took part whilst the remaining members laughed and took photos’
What was the disciplinary action?
Month club suspension, not allowed to enter SU events, no grant, BUCS team pulled
What could have happened?
SU: If proof was found of it being an initiation – full year club ban
University: Warnings on student record / expulsion
Police: Fined for Public Indecency, and put on sexual offenders register

13. Notification of Events & Speakers
The SU ‘Event Information Request Form’ should be completed by the Event Organiser – you!
For any event you will need to complete a risk assessment
If the SU deems that the University may consider your event to be notifiable, as defined by the University, you will be contacted to provide some further information so that the SU and the University can make sure that your event/meeting can go ahead safely
This form must be completed AT LEAST 30 days in advance of the date of your event or else your event may have to be cancelled
The online form can be found here - If in doubt; come see us first!

14. Notification of Events & Visiting Speakers
The University may deem an event ‘notifiable’ if for example…
There a likelihood that the speaker(s) may not be able to enter or leave the meeting or event safely and/or require specific security arrangements.
There are other meetings or events being proposed of a conflicting nature, any practical matters relating to health and safety and/or any impact on the availability of resources.
The Organiser/others are aware of any threats of disruption to the proposed meeting or event, which may occur either inside or outside the event.
The Organiser/others are aware of any threats to the University’s ability to ensure that freedom of speech within the law is secured for the speaker/s.
None of these factors mean your event will be cancelled but mean that the University will be involved in helping the event to go ahead in the safest way possible… If they cannot guarantee safety, resources or legality this is when events may be cancelled.

15. Questions? Register your attendance here: