Article 6.1 (a) of the USI Constitution states that:

" The highest governing body of the Union is its Congress. It has the power to review and amend the Constitution, to decide policy and elect the officers, with the exception of the officers elected by Conference explicitly outlined in this Constitution, in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution. A session of Congress can be convened at any time."

As such, Annual Congress is the highest decision making forum of the Union. No other body within the Union has the ability or power (save in an 'Emergency Situation' as laid out in Article 6.2 (d) of the USI Constitution) to alter, draft or suspend Union policy. Only Annual Congress may do this.

Policy within USI is determined via passing motions containing specific tasks and responsibilities (called 'mandates') at Annual Congress. Motions at Annual Congress are divided into the following categories:

· Constitutional Affairs

· Union Organisation

· Administration & Finance

· Education

· Welfare

· Equality

· National Affairs

· International Affairs

· Emergency Motions

Once a motion is passed, it remains official USI policy until either (a) it is subsequently amended or repealed or (b) five years pass at which point the motion lapses.

As there is a significant amount of policy passed at each Annual Congress, coupled with those that remain in force as a result of the five-year rule, USI has a considerable level of established policy.

In order to make it easier for USI Officer Board, National Council and our membership to reference the USI policy on a particular issue, it is compiled within a Policy Manual. The USI Policy Manual contains all valid motions that have been approved by Annual Congress.

Motions adopted at Congress become USI policy one month later so the USI Policy Manual is updated on an annual basis, generally in July when the newly elected USI Officer Board takes office.

Below you can find a copy of the current USI Policy manual and the USI Constitution.

• USI Policy Manual
• USI Constitution