Following a request from a KCLSU member, the Board of Trustees have called a Members' Meeting for KCLSU members to discuss the topic of King's College London investment practices, in consideration that this is a topic student members would welcome the opportunity to discuss, in line with KCLSU's remit to facilitate educational discussion and debate for the advancement of education.
The request for a Members' Meeting was put forward to the Board by Haneen Farid (HF), the VP Welfare & Community, who proposed King's College London Divestment from Unethical Investments be discussed and voted on by KCLSU members.
Link to motion: King's College London Divestment from Unethical Investments
Date: Tuesday 11 March 2025
Time: 3.30pm to 5pm
Location: Room G.79, Franklin Wilkins Building, Waterloo Campus
But what does it mean?
What is a Corporate Conclusion?
A Corporate Conclusion is a statement of the views of KCLSU’s members on matters that are outside the scope of KCLSU’s Charitable Objectives, for the Advancement of Education and which KCLSU is therefore not permitted to campaign on as an organisation under Charity Law.
However, KCLSU does have a wider responsibility to hold balanced educational debates and enable students to form collective views on issues, including wider political and ethical issues. This is often called forming a ‘corporate conclusion,’ which is a term borrowed from processes in case law. In the context of our charitable objectives of the Advancement of Education, particularly of providing forums for discussions and debate for the personal development of students, this is a legitimate way for students to come together to discuss issues which are deemed outside the remit of immediate concern to students in their role and interests as students.
Further reading:
Why will there be a Members’ Meeting?
The Members’ Meeting was approved on the basis that the topic of the motion is an issue KCLSU members may feel strongly about and would like the opportunity to discuss as an educational debate facilitated by KCLSU. The Members’ Meeting will include a discussion followed by an online voting period, open to all KCLSU members.
What happens at the Members’ Meeting?
KCLSU will facilitate the Members’ Meeting as an opportunity for students to discuss and reach a view on the issue of King’s College London Divestment from Unethical Investments. Members (that’s you, the students!) who attend will shape the debate and discuss the pros and cons of the motion. The discussion is open to all students, and will be chaired by Julia Kosowska, KCLSU VP Education (Health).
What happens after the Members’ Meeting?
KCLSU will hold a vote, and you can decide if you’re for or against the motion. The voting will be open for 48 hours online, from 11 March. To be approved, at least 254 students need to vote (0.5% of the student body), with a simple majority (more than 50%) voting in favour of the motion.
What happens if the motion is passed?
If approved by the Members’ Meeting vote, the motion statement will become a Corporate Conclusion of KCLSU Student Members and will be communicated to King’s College London as such. If subsequently directly asked for student views on the matter by the College, KCLSU will be able to communicate that this was the view of KCLSU Student members on the date of the conclusion of the voting period for the Members’ Meeting.
What shall I do now?
We recommend that you read the motion so you know what will be discussed and you can make an informed decision on whether you’re for or against it. You will need to register to attend the Members’ Meeting, so if you’re interested get your FREE ticket here.
You might also want to take note of key dates:
- 11 March – Members’ Meeting (to discuss the motion)
- 11-13 March – Voting period (to decide if you’re for or against the motion)
- 14 March – Results (an exciting day of KCLSU Elections results AND Members’ Meeting vote results!)
If you have any questions, you can get in touch with us at governance@kclsu.org or check out the information on our Governance page.