This Tuesday, CUSU held a debate on the ongoing Disabled Students’ Officer (DSO) Referendum, which proposes to add a seventh sabbatical officer role to the student union’s constitution.

The event began with both sides being given five minutes to make the case for their position.

The CUSU Elections Committee was constitutionally required to present the case against the addition of a sabbatical officer for disabled students, since no one came forward to speak for the opposition.

The intention was to allow further speeches to be made for both sides. However this was forestalled as “in the interest of a balanced debate” further speeches in favour would only be permitted if there were also speeches given against. There were no forthcoming opposition speakers.

In order for the constitution to be changed, a majority of those who vote in the referendum must be in favour and this majority must comprise at least ten per cent of those eligible to vote.

In this case, that number is 21,915, meaning 2,191 people will have to vote in favour in order to add the role to the CUSU constitution.

Voting in the referendum will remain open until 9am on Wednesday 3rd February. If enough people vote in favour of a DSO, one will be elected in May along with a new team of CUSU sabbatical officers at an estimated yearly expense of £26,500.