Union moves to remove DPFS role

Imperial College Union has passed a paper calling for the removal of the Deputy President for Finance and Services (DPFS) role from the 2025 Leadership Election ballot, and as a sabbatical role subject to the results of the Union’s democracy review.

The DPFS was introduced for the 1993–94 academic year following an internal review of the Union’s leadership structure by then-President Chris Davidson. The resulting reforms introduced the role of DPFS as a replacement for the role of Deputy President – with the change seen simply as a “retitling” according to a report in Felix #966. The role “predates the existence of permanent staff teams,” and as such is believed by the Union to be “out of date”. DPFS Stephanie Yeung told the Council that the reform is a “change that has been a long time coming.”

The democracy review, being undertaken by sector-specialist consultancy firm CounterCulture LLP, began in July 2024. Current Union President Camille Boutrolle, who authored the paper, described the purpose of the review as “enabling a more inclusive and representative students’ union in the future,” in a blog post published on the Union’s website. Although the democracy review has not been completed, CounterCulture have produced six “initial permutations” of the sabbatical officer team, with “all options” calling for the removal of the DPFS as an Officer Trustee.

Despite the paper passing, several members of Union Council have tabled an amendment to the paper calling for “the wider student body” to be consulted via referendum, if the final findings of democracy review called for the removal of the role. However, Boutrolle disagreed with the amendment on the basis that referenda have historically had poor turnouts. Additionally, Deputy President (Clubs and Societies) Christian Cooper commented on the requirement for referenda to pass if 10% of Union members voted, in reference to Union Bye-Law E, as well as the fact that the CounterCulture had conducted both a survey and consulted students, and Union Council, in order to complete research and prepare recommendations.

Boutrolle disagreed with the amendment; a subsequent vote on the amendment by Union Council ended with 24 votes rejecting the inclusion of a referendum and 12 votes in agreement, with one abstention.

Further changes are planned once the democracy review is complete. The Union constitution will be rewritten, as well as a reformation of Union bye-laws. However, Union Council, as the representative body for students, will vote on any recommendations provided by the final report, which is due to be published before the end of the current academic year.