Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Students' Union

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Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Students' Union
Institution Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Location Clear Water Bay, Sai Kung, New Territories
Established1992
PresidentTong Po Him Bentley (2024–2025)
Members1,257
Affiliations Hong Kong Federation of Students
Website hkustsu.com
  Council Officials (3)
  The Executive Committee (4)
  The Editorial Board (2)
  Independent Clubs Association (3)
  Art and Cultural Clubs (3)
  Sports Association (3)
  House Association (4)
  Schools (11)
  Popularly Elected Councillor(s) (1)
  Previous Union Session (3)
Vacant Seats
  Popularly Elected Councillor(s) (9)
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Students' Union
Traditional Chinese 香港科技大學學生會
Transcriptions
Yue: Cantonese
Yale Romanization Hēung góng fō geih daaih hohk hohk sāang wuih
Jyutping Hoeng1 gong2 fo1 gei6 daai6 hok6 hok6 saang1 wui6
Elections
Last election
Annual Election 2020
Next election
Annual Election 2021
Constitution
Constitution of the Hong Kong University Students' Union

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. [6]

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. [7]

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. [8]

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. [9]

Editorial Board

Being the sole press agency within the university, The Editorial Board (編輯委員會) is responsible for maintaining WINGS (振翅) and WINGS High Fly Post (振翅之高飛報), the official publications of Union, providing chances for the free expressions of opinion among the student body.

It is responsible for the enrichment of students' awareness on university affairs, social issues and lifestyle, as well as the promotion of literary development within the university. The board also monitors the other organs of the union thru the pressure of public opinion. [10]

The board consists of an Editor-in-Chief, two Assistant Editors-in-Chief, a Financial Controller, an Administrative Officer, a Marketing Officer as well as a number of Feature Editors and Designers. [11]

Activities

Affiliated societies

There are over 100 affiliated societies of different interests and academic disciplines affiliated to the union, under control and supervision by the Union Council's Affiliated Societies Committee (ASC). Apart from the "sponsored student groups" sponsored by the university's Student Affairs Office (SAO), all student societies recognised by the university authority are affiliated under the Students' Union.

There are six types of affiliated societies in HKUST:

According to the Internal Regulations of the Union, all affiliated societies must bear ", HKUSTSU" as the suffix of their full name in English (while in Chinese, "香港科技大學學生會" must be added as the prefix). The suffix is omitted in the following list for the sake of clarity.

Services and outlets

The union operates a Print Shop at the university's LG5 Student Amenities, providing photocopying and printing service to the public. A Students' Union Co-op Shop is also operated by the union, selling stationery, snacks and electronic devices at a discounted price to union members.

Publications

Campaigning

After the 2014 Hong Kong protests, the union has been campaigning heavily for institutional autonomy. In March 2015, Andrew Liao was appointed as chairman of the Council, the supreme governing body of the HKUST, by Chief Executive CY Leung. As Liao was regarded as a keen supporter of Leung, the union issued a statement in opposition of the appointment on the grounds that it constituted alleged nepotism. In response to the union's statement, the government defended its decision as abiding by the rule of meritocracy. [12]

In March 2016, three motions were put to referendum, calling for the abolition of the practice of HKSAR Chief Executive being the ex-officio university chancellor, the removal of Chief Executive's power of directly appointing University Council members, and the enhancement in the proportion of elected representatives from the student, faculty and alumni bodies, respectively. Submitted by the union executive committee, these motions were passed and became the official stance of the union. [13]

In June 5, 2021, the union posted a lengthy post on Instagram denouncing vaccine mandates, creating minor controversy. [14]

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References

  1. ↑ "Meet us | HKUST UG Admissions". HKUST UG Admissions. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  2. ↑ "HKUST International Students Association". isa.ust.hk. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  3. ↑ "科大學生會經公投加入學聯". Apple Daily . 17 March 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  4. ↑ "City University is latest to leave Hong Kong Federation of Students". South China Morning Post . 7 May 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  5. ↑ "Union Structure". The Executive Committee, HKUSTSU. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  6. ↑ "Councilors". The Council, HKUSTSU. 3 January 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  7. ↑ "Constitution of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Students' Union". The Council, HKUSTSU. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  8. ↑ "Standing Committees". The Council, HKUSTSU. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  9. ↑ "The Court, HKUSTSU". The Court Board, HKUSTSU. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  10. ↑ "About EB". The Editorial Board, HKUSTSU. 31 March 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  11. ↑ "Current Year". The Editorial Board, HKUSTSU. 10 April 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  12. ↑ "Government response to HKUSTSU statement". Hong Kong Government Press Releases. 7 March 2015. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  13. ↑ "科大公投贊成廢特首校監制". Apple Daily . 20 March 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  14. ↑ "Instagram". HKUSTSU Instagram account. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
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