Constitution & Mission Statement
The Constitution is the supreme document that outlines the names, rules and procedures for dissolution and formation of the AMS. Everything else flows from the framework of the Constitution. The AMS’s objectives and guiding principles, which were left out of the constitution because it makes more sense that way, were laid out in the Mission Statement that was approved by Council back in 1994. From these two documents you get the institutional framework and objectives of the AMS.
BYLAWS & CODE
The Bylaws provide a structure for governing the day-to-day operations of the AMS in a manner consistent with the Constitution. They’re separate from the constitution because they deal with facts of life that are more likely to change and they like the ability to review and refine their stance on that stuff. The Code offers even more detailed interpretation of bylaws and how they work in practice.
Policies
Policies are the enforceable rules and regulations of daily life at the AMS. Every AMS employee is issued a handbook that outlines these rules and what they mean on their first day. Again, because times change, they make a point of reviewing and overhauling these rules periodically.
- Operations Committee Policy Manual
- Internal Policies Summary (PDF document of summary table below)
- Complete Internal Policies
- External Policy Manual
- Student Driven Sustainability Strategy
AMS Internal Policies
Policy: Title and Summary |
Last Reviewed |
| I-1 POLICY ON POLICIES Provides a uniform presentation of AMS policies, allows for better record keeping and ease of reference to AMS policies, and allows for a structured and systematic review and updating of AMS policies. |
2019-10-24 |
| I-2 CHEQUE SIGNING POLICY Frees AMS Executives from having to sign cheques for small amounts (less than $350), allowing a stamp to be used instead. |
2014-11-05 |
| I-3 RESPONSIBLE USE OF STUDENTS’ EMAIL ADDRESSES Commits the AMS to the secure and responsible use of students’ email addresses for campus-wide emails. No more than one such email to be sent each month. To be used for such things as announcing elections, conducting surveys, and welcoming students. |
2014-11-05 |
| I-4 ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION POLICY Repealed August 21, 2019. |
2019-08-21 |
| I-5 COMMUNICATION WITH THE MUSQUEAM INDIAN BAND Ensures proper protocol and communication is maintained between the AMS and the Musqueam. |
2018-08-01 |
| I-6 RESPONSIBLE COMPUTER USE POLICY Outlines best practices around the use of AMS computers and computing systems. Protect the Society’s computers and computing systems from damage. |
2015-04-09 |
| I-7 SUSPENSIONS AND EXPULSIONS FROM AMS PROPERTY Specifies the grounds and procedures for suspensions and expulsions from AMS property. |
2018-04-25 |
| I-8 AMS INVESTMENT POLICY Sets out the general investment goals and strategies of the AMS. |
2018-08-01 |
| 1-9 EXECUTIVE GOAL SETTING AND REPORTING POLICY Provides consistency in executive evaluations on a year-to-year basis, develops a process that improves individual executive performance in a constructive way, and ensures executive evaluation is done in an open and transparent fashion with respect to the membership at large. |
2019-02-27 |
| I-10 PETITION PRIVACY POLICY Sets out procedures for protecting the privacy of those signing petitions and other similar documents |
2017-06-28 |
| I-11 TUITION CONSULTATION POLICY Outlines procedures for responding when the University invites the AMS to participate in consultation |
2017-08-30 |
| I-12 POLICY ON THE ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE SURVEY Outlines the process for the formulation of questions on the annual Academic Experience Survey, and prescribes a standardized timeline for the survey’s development and distribution. |
2017-11-08 |
| I-13 MEDIA POLICY Sets out procedures for communicating with the media. |
2018-01-10 |
| I-14 CREDIT CARD POLICY Sets out procedures for the use of credit cards. |
2019-04-24 |
| I-15 VIDEO SURVEILLANCE POLICY Sets out guidelines for the use of video surveillance in AMS buildings. |
2019-06-19 |
| I-16 privacy Policy Provides policies and procedures to comply with the Personal Information Protection Act of British Columbia (PIPA) |
2019-09-21 |
| I-17 SEXUAL VIOLENCE POLICY Provides procedures for investigations related to sexual violence |
2019-09-21 |
| I-18 AMS RESPECTFUL Community & WORKPLACE POLICY Provides procedures to keep the workplace and student environment free from bullying and harassment, discrimination, and violence |
2019-09-21 |
| I-19 RECORDS POLICY Sets out rules for the collection and disclosure of AMS records, including the limits on disclosure and the way to appeal a refusal to disclose (by going to the Executive Committee). |
2019-11-06 |
| AMS ETHICAL AND SUSTAINABLE PURCHASING POLICY Directs the AMS to ensure that it conducts business only with suppliers, sponsors, licensees, and contractors who respect, promote, and abide by fair labour and sustainable operating practices. |
2005-07-20 |
| AMS ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY Commits the AMS to being a leader in reducing UBC’s ecological footprint by creating a sustainability strategy. The Lighter Footprint Strategy was created under the umbrella of this policy. |
2007-01-24 |
| AMS CAMPUS SAFETY VISION STATEMENT Commits the AMS to fostering an environment of respect for the dignity, privacy, and diversity of all persons on campus, an environment in which there is zero tolerance for hate, prejudice, and discrimination. |
2009-01 |
| AMS COMMUNICATIONS POLICY Commits the AMS to a centralized approach to communications in order to ensure consistency and professionalism in messaging. |
2009-12-02 |
| EXECUTIVE SMART PHONES Requires members of the AMS Executive to have smart phones for which they can receive a subsidy set by the Budget Committee. Also requires the Executives to be reachable by phone, email, or text during regular business hours. |
2010-04-07 |
| ALCOHOL REIMBURSEMENT POLICY Sets guidelines and limits for reimbursement for Executives and staff for alcohol-related expenses. |
2010-08-11 |
| AMS TRAVEL POLICY Limits the amount of money Executives and others can spend on travel, requires them to seek permission to travel, and also requires them to report back on the results of their travel. |
2011-07-20 |
| AMS HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY Commits AMS staff and management to be safety conscious in compliance with the British Columbia Workers’ Compensation Act. |
2011-09-14 |
| RELATIONS WITH EXTERNAL ORGANIZATIONS Requires AMS Council to pass a resolution by a two-thirds majority in order to join an external organization if joining will cost the AMS money. |
2012-02-15 |
| AMS SPONSORSHIP GUIDELINES Sets out guidelines for sponsorship agreements entered into by the AMS or its subsidiaries. |
2012-10-24 |
Referendums & other rules
Once in a while it becomes necessary for the general body of students to voice their approval or disapproval of controversial policy changes. The AMS isn’t going to raise fees, amend the bylaws, or conduct other potentially divisive business without the consent of the student body, and for that reason they have big votes, called referendums. Here’s the big list of all previous referendums and results.
Other rules
Additional rules on the Sub-Committees can be found here:
- Services Review Working Group Terms of Reference
- Sexual Violence and Respectful Policy Implementation Working Group Terms of Reference
- Sustainability Sub-Committee Terms of Reference
- Blue and Gold Society Terms of Reference
- Fund Committee Terms of Reference
- Impact Grant Terms of Reference
- Grad Class Subcommittee Terms of Reference
- Student Issues and Equity Caucuses Terms of Reference
- Sustainability Projects Fund Terms of Reference
- IT Committee Terms of Reference
- Clubs and Societies Terms of Reference
These two British Columbia laws apply to student government: