All-Student Vote

All-Student Vote - Overview

All-Student Votes (sometimes called referendums) give you the ultimate say in the big decisions in your Students’ Union. Any student can propose (and vote in) an All-Student Vote – the highest decision-making body in the Union.

If you have a campaign that you want the student body to support, you can demand that an All-Student Vote is held, by either:

Getting the signatures of 2.5% of the student population at Queen’s
Asking Student Council to call an All-Student Vote

If you want to call an All-Student Vote, contact the SU Voice team. They can advise you in confidence before you get started.

All-Student Vote - Results

An All-Student Vote took place from Tuesday 10 March (8.00 a.m.) to Thursday 19 March 2026 (8.00 p.m.), with polling taking place on the Students’ Union website, to determine the opinion of the membership on the following questions:

Proposal 1 - Language Rights in Queen's University Belfast

Do you support the full proposal titled Language Rights in Queen’s University Belfast, from which the Students’ Union will advocate:

That QUB adopts an Irish Language Policy that gives the Irish Language equal status to the English Language as an official language of the University.
That QUB adopts an Irish Language Policy that implements a bilingual corporate identity for the University and Students’ Union, to include: official bilingual name and official bilingual logo for the University.
That QUB adopts an Irish Language Policy that implements physical bilingual signage in English and Irish throughout campus.
For improved services for Irish-speaking students, which may include: official university forms available in Irish, administration services available through Irish, graduation certificates available in Irish.

YES 4607 votes (91.88%)

NO 407 votes (8.12%)

5088 students voted in this Referendum, representing 20.3% of eligible voters.

11 students recorded an abstention and therefore did not agree or disagree with the proposal.

The proposal is carried and is deemed to be a valid expression of the views of the members of the Union.

Language Rights Referendum - Students' Union Statement
QSU Statement on Recent All-Student Vote

An All-Student Vote on “Language Rights in Queen’s University Belfast” held by Queens’ Students’ Union (QSU) has concluded with 91% supporting the proposal, from over 5,000 student voters.

Background
Under its Constitution and Rules, Queen’s Students’ Union is required to hold an All-Student Vote (also called a Referendum) on a proposal if it receives a petition with the necessary level of support.

QSU received a petition to hold an All-Student Vote on “Language Rights in Queen's University Belfast” from members of the Irish language speaking community on campus. The proposal was put to an All-Student Vote in accordance with the Union’s rules.

Independent groups of students organised both YES and NO campaigns advocating for and against the proposal.

Proposal Details
The proposal asked students if Queen’s Students’ Union should advocate for Queen’s University to:
- Develop and implement a comprehensive Irish Language Policy to include a bilingual corporate identity for the University and Students’ Union, as well as campus-wide physical bilingual signage
- Formally recognise Irish and English equally as official languages of the University
- Immediately reinstate bilingual signage in the Students’ Union
- Improve access to University services through the medium of Irish
Next Steps
The majority outcome of the Referendum means that QSU is required to progress the proposal.

The Union’s elected Executive Management Committee will now consider how best to bring forward these detailed and multifaceted proposals to the University.

The Students’ Union remains committed to parity of esteem and cooperation and will continue to engage with all groups to foster mutual respect, understanding and meaningful dialogue amongst all communities on campus.

Queen’s Students’ Union President, Amy Smith, said:

“With over 5,000 students participating in the referendum, a strong mandate has been received by the Students’ Union to advocate for Irish language rights across the University. The measured tone of the debate amongst students demonstrates how our society can discuss difficult issues.

Queen’s Students’ Union will now engage with the University and other groups to agree a way forward, acknowledging the outcome of the referendum, whilst also remaining committed to promoting mutual respect, understanding and cooperation amongst all communities on campus.”

Queen’s Students’ Union

Proposal 2 - Clubs and Societies Rules

Do you support the proposal to amend the Rules of the Union and the operation of SU Clubs and Societies so that conflicts of interest must be considered when students apply to establish a new Club or Society?

YES 2805 votes (87.49%)

NO 401 votes (12.51%)

4505 students voted in this Referendum, representing 17.8% of eligible voters.

1299 students recorded an abstention and therefore did not agree or disagree with the proposal.

The proposal is carried and is deemed to be a valid expression of the views of the members of the Union.

All-Student Vote Notification All-Student Vote Rules

Active All-Student Vote Petitions

All active proposals will appear here.

There are no active all-student vote petitons.

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