At the DSU, our priorities and processes are determined by our members. Students have democratically developed and ratified these governing documents, and they guide the DSU in all our work, from operations and procedures, to roles and responsibilities, to our stances on key issues. The DSU Constitution provides the framework for what we do and how we do it, while policies go into more detail on a particular process or issue. The bylaws can only be permanently amended at a General Meeting, while policies can be adopted, repealed, and amended at meetings of Council.
DSU Constitution and Bylaws
The DSU Constitution is composed of the Act of Incorporation and the Bylaws.
Act of Incorporation
This Act, ratified by the Province of Nova Scotia in 1966, establishes the DSU as the official organization of students at Dalhousie and grants us our basic authority to operate.
Bylaws
The Bylaws govern the DSU as a whole. This document can only be amended at a General Meeting, by Special Resolution (2/3 majority vote) and with 21 days notice. The current bylaws were adopted in 2023.
DSU Policies
Issues Policy
Issues Policies set out the DSU's official position or stance on any area of concern. These policies can be adopted, amended, or repealed through a majority vote by Council. Reach out to dsupres@dal.ca if you have ideas for the creation of an Issues Policy.
Operations Policy
Operations Policies set out rules and procedures of the DSU. These policies can be adopted, amended, or repealed through a special resolution (2/3 majority vote) by Council. Reach out to dsupres@dal.ca if you have questions or ideas about these documents.
▼ Accommodation Policy
Sets out clear procedures within the DSU to be followed in all instances where an employee or volunteer seeks accommodation to eliminate or ameliorate discrimination.
▼ Bursary Policy
This policy outlines the authority and process for the distribution of bursaries offered by the Union.
▼ Code of Conduct Policy
Outlines the principles, authorities, procedures and practice surrounding the standard of conduct expected of Council members.
▼ Commercial Space Policy
Defines which areas of the Student Union Building are for commercial use, how tenants are decided upon and the process for changing a commercial space designation.
▼ Communications Policy
Establishes the authorities and parameters with which the Union will carry out its communications, ensuring a consistent, clear and professional presentation of information. Contains the Online Code of Conduct.
▼ Constitution Policy
Establishes that the Act and Bylaws constitute the Constitution, and outlines basic requirements for its amendment.
▼ Consultation Policy
Outlines the Union’s responsibility to appropriately consult relevant stakeholder groups when looking to propose or revisit a stance of the Union, policy, bylaw, service, or structural development from within it.
▼ Elections & Referenda Policy
Lays out the authorities, regulations, and processes governing DSU Elections and Referenda.
▼ Equity Policy
Outlines actions that will be undertaken by the Dalhousie Student Union to actively challenge discrimination, harassment, and oppression. Formerly considered an issues policy, this policy now applies in all operations of the union.
▼ Executive Policy
Outlines authorities, expectations and obligations of Executive Officers as a whole and individually.
▼ Facility Operations Policy
Sets standards for the uses of space in the Student Union Building.
▼ Financial Policy
This policy ensures the proper stewardship of Union funds by providing guidelines for the transparent, legal, and effective management of said funds.
▼ Grants Policy
This policy lays out the general procedure and regulations for the allocation of funds from the Union’s Grants Fund.
▼ Grawood and TRoom Policy
This policy lays out the general procedure for societies to hold events at the Grawood or TRoom.
▼ Hiring Policy
Ensures equitable and accountable decision making in regards to hiring part-time and full-time staff in the DSU.
▼ Judicial Board Policy
Clarifies the role, procedures and limitations surrounding Judicial Board operations.
▼ Performance Support Policy
Provides a base framework and expectations in respect to performance support of the General Manager, Part-Time Staff and Full-Time Staff in order to promote respect, openness and trust between supervisors and staff.
▼ Procurement Policy
Outlines the DSU’s policies related to the procurement of external service contracts with food and beverage providers.
▼ Records & Archive Policy
Ensures proper record keeping for legal, historical and contextual documentation which helps to support informed decision making and accountability within the DSU.
▼ Reserve Fund Policy
This policy lays out the principles that guide the Union’s reserve fund usage in order to align the organization’s financial management with its overarching objectives.
▼ Responsible Investment Policy
This policy lays out the principles that guide the Union’s investing practices in order to align the organization’s financial management with its overarching objectives.
▼ Society Policy
Any student organization wishing to have official recognition by the DSU and, therefore, Dalhousie University must be approved as per this policy and abide by the regulations laid out here.
▼ Sponsorship Policy
Lays out application, allocation, and distribution processes for DSU sponsorships.
▼ Strategic Planning Policy
Provides a framework under which the Union may pursue its long and short-term objectives in a practical and efficacious manner.
▼ Union Rules & Procedures Policy
Provides clarity and consistent practice in carrying out meetings of DSU Council.
Terms of Reference
Terms of Reference outline the role, responsibilities, and authorities of particular DSU Committees. They can be adopted, amended, or repealed by Council.
▼ Bylaw and Policy Review Committee
These terms of reference address the procedures surrounding a policy proposal or amendment for adoption. In addition, it is also meant to ensure policies are presented in a clear and uniform manner.
▼ Oversight Committee
Ensures accountability and efficient outcomes for those positions receiving honoraria as well as Executive Officers of the Union.