Agenda item

Report of the Principal, Guildhall School of Music and Drama

The Board considered a report of the Principal which sought  to delegate authority in respect of amendments to the Students’ Union Constitution.  Governors noted that, since the publication of this report, the Student Parliament had voted 100% in favour of the proposal, with a turnout of over two-thirds. Governors felt that this had given credibility to the proposal and noted that the Student Union were looking to incorporate welfare into the President’s job description.

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In response to initial concerns about a perceived demotion of welfare, Governors noted that the original role had been one of advocacy and as a point of referral to the School’s Welfare Services, which are very comprehensive.  It was also suggested that welfare should be a ‘golden thread’ throughout the School and that mental health first aid training might be considered at a future meeting.  There was also a risk of some of the processes being duplicated, which this report sought to clarify.

The Past Chairman had met the School’s counsellors and found their services exemplary, together with the School’s approach to supporting students in both their mental and physical health. 

RESOLVED, that – authority be delegated to the Town Clerk, in consultation with the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Board, and the Principal of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, to  approve amendments to the Students’ Union Constitution for adoption for the Student Elections for 2022/23; i.e. - removal of the  Vice-President (Welfare) and encompassing welfare advocacy across all roles, which will be part of the training offered to role holders at the start of their appointment. NB. The Union would then replace the role with a VP Marketing and Communications, to reflect the increase in demand for more social content and online presence.