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The Hong Kong University Students' Union

Motto	Unity with Independence
Institution	The University of Hong Kong
Location	None Level UG1, Union Building, HKU, Pokfulam, Hong Kong (until July 2021)
Established	16 October 1912 (1912-10-16)
Abolished	13 July 2021 (2021-07-13)
President	Vacant
Members	16,979 (as of 2021)
Website	hkusu.org

The Hong Kong University Students' Union (HKUSU; 香港大學學生會) was a student union founded in 1912 and registered under the Societies Ordinance in Hong Kong. It was the officially recognised undergraduate student representative body of The University of Hong Kong until 13 July 2021 after the union's council passed a motion in memorial to a deceased assailant who attacked and severely stabbed a police officer on the street.

History

The Union was established on 16 October 1912, when it was first named as the Hong Kong University Union, one month after the commencement of the first academic session and some two years after the foundation of the University of Hong Kong.

After the Second World War in 1945, the Hong Kong University Students' Society was formed on 13 November 1946 to "pave the way for the eventual resuscitation of the Union". The Union was then revived in 1947. Two years later in 1949, the Union submitted a successful application for becoming a student organisation to the Hong Kong Police, independent from the operation of the University.

Motion of police assailant

On 7 July 2021, the Council of the Union passed a motion to " its deep sadness at the death of Mr Leung Kin-fai; its sympathy and condolences to his family and friends; his sacrifice to Hong Kong". The individual mentioned in the motion assaulted a police officer with a knife and then killed himself immediately in Causeway Bay on 1 July 2021, during the 24th anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong. The motion was condemned by the university administrators. The then-chairman of the HKU council, Arthur Li, considered the expulsion of the involved student union council members. On 9 July, members of the student union council publicly retracted the motion and apologised, with all union executive committee members resigned.

Despite the apology and resignation, a chain of aftermath followed. On 13 July, the university issued a statement strongly condemned the act of "blatantly whitewashing violence" and has ceased recognising the role provided by the union on campus and their representation for the member students, subsequently ceased collecting membership fees from the students on behalf of the union. The "Democracy Wall", a public bulletin on campus managed by the union, had all propaganda materials swiftly taken down. On 15 July, the university demanded the union office to be vacated from the Composite Building on campus within 7 days. As Arthur Li had previously expressed his willingness to have the union committee members be investigated for their possible violation of the national security law, the union office was raided by the national security police on 17 July. All Union Council members were on the watch list and told they be intercepted should they attempt to leave Hong Kong. Four members of the Union Council were also arrested and charged of advocating terrorism under the national security law in August, they were later granted bail.

Following this incident, other universities also turned against their respective student unions. Lingnan University, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Polytechnic University, and City University all followed suit and stopped collecting membership fees on behalf of their respective students' unions.

General

The Union served both undergraduate and postgraduate students and was the only official student organisation serving the undergraduates of The University of Hong Kong. Undergraduates became Union members automatically. Other students of the University had the opportunity of becoming a Union member upon the payment of membership fee.

According to its Constitution, the aims of the Union were:

• To promote the welfare of the student body
• To act as a bridge between the student body and the University authority in furthering the interests of the students and the University as a whole
• To identify the student body with social issues in the interests of the people of Hong Kong
• To represent the student body both tensely and internationally

Structure

The highest authority of the Union were the General Meeting (GM) and General Polling (GP). The quorum for both the General Meeting or General Polling was 10% of the full members prior to the union's dissolution. The General Meeting was hardly ever called, mostly due to the difficulty in finding venues to accommodate the large amount of members at the meeting. General Pollings were held almost every year.

There were 122 student societies affiliated to HKUSU prior to the dissolution These students' societies and clubs were categorised into six main groups: Campus media, Faculty and academic societies, Hall students' association, Sports clubs (forming the Sports Association, HKUSU), Cultural clubs (forming the Cultural Association, HKUSU) and Independent clubs (forming the Independent Clubs Association, HKUSU). These societies are now associated with the university's Co-Curricular Support Office instead following the union's dissolution.

Union Council

The second highest authority and highest standing authority of the Union was the Union Council. Its functions were to represent the students of the University in such matters as affect their interests and to afford a recognized means of communication between the general body of the students and the University authorities.

Elected at the first meeting in every session, the Council Chairperson was the presiding member of the Union Council. The Chairperson had to be a Union Councillor of the past session to be elected Chairperson of the current session; if the Chairperson was also a Union Councillor of the current session, the Chairperson had to resign from the original representation and the seat would be substituted if necessary. When any member was in the Chair, the member could not move, second or vote on motions.

Also elected at the first meeting in every session, the Honorary Secretary headed the Union Council Secretariat. There were no specific requirements for seeking to be elected Honorary Secretary, but if the person, same as the Chairperson, was a Union Councillor of the current session, the person would have had to resign from the original representation and the seat would be substituted if seen necessary. The Honorary Secretary had the full right to speak, but could not move, second or vote on motions.

Union Executives

An Executive Committee, elected in the way of General Polling, acted as the executive body for HKUSU.

The Union Executives were the forefront members representing HKUSU. The Committee comprised 17 members formulating Union policies and carrying out resolutions of the General Meeting and General Polling. The Committee also carried out the daily administrative work of the Union.

The composition was as follow prior to the union's dissolution:

• President
• Vice-President (Internal)
• Vice-President (External)
• General secretary
• Financial Secretary
• University Affairs Secretary (two seats)
• External Affairs Secretary (two seats)
• Student Welfare Secretary
• Publications and Publicity Secretary
• Social Secretary
• Current Affairs Secretary
• Administrative Secretary
• President of the Sports Association (ex officio)
• President of the Cultural Association (ex officio)
• President of the Independent Clubs Association (ex officio)

Welfare and internal affairs

HKUSU student activities and service outlets prior to its dissolution included:

University affairs

The Union acted as a channel between students and the University. Some of its projects prior to its dissolution included:

External affairs

HKUSU, as one of the students' unions of the universities in Hong Kong, had been very active in current affairs and student movements.

In 1998, the General Polling of the Union adopted that the Pillar of Shame (國殤之柱) should stay in the University campus permanently. This marked the beginning of a permanent stance that the Chinese Communist Party should be held responsible for the June Fourth massacre in Tiananmen Square in Beijing in 1989. Later in 2009, another General Polling passed stated that the Central People's Government of China should rehabilitate the June Fourth Massacre, and be held responsible for the deaths and casualties during the incident.

In November 2016, students' unions across all major Hong Kong universities, including HKUSU, invited Christopher Patten, former Hong Kong governor, to be the guest of honour in a lecture that held at Loke Yew Hall in the University of Hong Kong.

New union building

As part of the construction of the Centennial Campus, the Hsü Long Sing Amenities Centre, where the HKUSU had resided for a number of years, was demolished in 2011. Development of a new Students' Union Building was completed in September 2011. With the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Law, and Faculty of Social Sciences being relocated to the west of the University campus, the new Students' Union Building became the heart of the University, where a majority of student activities took place.

Union choir

The Hong Kong University Students' Union Choir was founded in 1967 and has won a number of student awards since its foundation.

Union song

The Hong Kong University Students' Union had a union song titled The Hong Kong University Students' Union Song. It was sung in both English and Chinese. The two lyrics are however not translations of each other.

List of union presidents

• Billy Fung, 2015 President
• Steven Kwok, 2008 President, later Labour Party chairman
• Raymond Mak, 2003 President
• Gloria Chang, 2000 President
• Andrew Fung, 1984 President, later Information Coordinator of Chief Executive Office
• Mak Hoi-wah, 1975 President, later Hong Kong Alliance vice-chairman
• Yeoh Eng-kiong, 1969 President, later Health Secretary
• Lo Hin-shing, 1915 Chairman, later served as magistrate

In the early days of the Union, the student leaders were elected to the chairmanship of the Union Council, while the Chancellor of the university, also the Governor of Hong Kong, was the ex-officio President of the Union. Vice Presidents were "well-known gentlemen" in the city, such as donors of the Union. In 1926, the Union adopted amendments to the constitution which made the Chancellor as ex-officio Patron of the Union, while the union leader became known as President instead of Chairman, in line with English universities' practices.

Notes

1. Or Chung Hok-nang
2. Or C. L. M. Ma

References

1. "List of Societies" (PDF). Hong Kong Police Force. December 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
2. "Campus Life". www.cedars.hku.hk. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
3. "Statement by the University of Hong Kong concerning the HKUSU Council incident - All News - Media - HKU". www.hku.hk. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
4. ^ "New Chancellor: Reception to Governor At University Union Anniversary". South China Morning Post. 17 October 1941. p. 12.
5. ^ "關於我們 | HKUSU". www.hkusu.org. Archived from the original on 14 March 2017. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
6. ^ Ho, Man-wui (1971). Over the Decade: Hong Kong University Students' Union 1961-70. Hong Kong University Students' Union.
7. "就梁健輝先生逝世 評議會通過「表示深切哀悼」之動議", Undergrad (in Traditional Chinese), 7 July 2021, archived from the original on 8 July 2021
8. "'Lone wolf terrorist' attack on busy Hong Kong street leaves assailant dead, police officer in serious condition", South China Morning Post, 1 July 2021, retrieved 18 July 2021
9. "Hong Kong university student leaders quit following motion "appreciating the sacrifice" of the July 1 attacker", South China Morning Post, 9 July 2021, retrieved 18 July 2021
10. "University of Hong Kong cuts ties with student union, hours after Carrie Lam expresses anger at motion backing man who stabbed police officer", South China Morning Post, 13 July 2021, retrieved 18 July 2021
11. "港大學生會須7日內遷出綜合大樓 學生透露：幹事早前已收拾物品", HK01 (in Traditional Chinese), 15 July 2021, retrieved 18 July 2021
12. "National security law: University of Hong Kong student leaders probed over police attack motion to be 'placed on watch list, intercepted if they try to leave city'", South China Morning Post, 17 July 2021, retrieved 18 July 2021
13. "被控宣揚恐怖主義 3 港大生還押逾 1 個月 高院申保釋獲批". Stand News. 24 September 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
14. "Fifth Hong Kong university student union facing uncertain future, as school says it will no longer collect membership fees", South China Morning Post, 15 July 2021, retrieved 18 July 2021
15. "Links to Student Associations". CEDRAS.
16. "About". HKUSU Council | 香港大學學生會評議會. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
17. "與彭定康對話──從1997到2047：香港前途與大學管治 | HKUSU". www.hkusu.org. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
18. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 1 February 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
19. "hktreblechoir.com". www.hktreblechoir.com.
20. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
21. List of winners hksmsa.org.hk
22. "The Hong Kong University Students' Union Song" (PDF). Hong Kong University Students' Union. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 March 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
23. ^ "Hong Kong University Union Annual General Meeting". South China Morning Post. 17 May 1915. p. 6.
24. ^ Hudibres (23 February 1926). "The Varsity: The Union's Annual Meeting". South China Morning Post. p. 1.
25. "Hong Kong university student leaders quit following motion "appreciating the sacrifice" of the July 1 attacker". Young Post. 9 July 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
26. Wong, Rachel (23 November 2020). "Interview: University of Hong Kong student union chief says academic freedom can't survive without institutional autonomy". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
27. "港大學生會署理會長黃程鋒辭職 辭職信稱上月底遇襲 考慮家人自身安全已離港". Stand News. 12 September 2019. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
28. ^ "歷屆港大學生會會長的聯合聲明：支持港大學生 捍衛院校自主 爭取校政民主". Inmedia. 31 July 2015.
29. "公投罷免成功　百年來首次　港大生轟走會長陳一諤". Apple Daily. 25 April 2009.
30. ^ "Chapter 10: Surfing the Political Arena". Growing with Hong Kong: The University and Its Graduates—The First 90 Years (PDF). University of Hong Kong. 2002. ISBN 978-962-209-613-4.
31. "港大校友發起聯署 促港人一起捍衛學術自由". Stand News (Collection News). 27 March 2015.
32. Tsim, Tak Lung; Lau, Lai Ieng (2015). "「火紅年代」學運前夕・香港大學・自由主義思想". Thinking Hong Kong. 8.
33. "University Union". South China Morning Post. 29 October 1941. p. 4.
34. "University Union: Farewell Presentation To Prof. Middleton-Smith, Long Association". South China Morning Post. 3 March 1939. p. 10.
35. "University Union: Office Bearers Elected For Next Session". South China Morning Post. 16 April 1937. p. 6.
36. "Vice-Chancellor of University: Students Want Him To Stay Longer, Meeting of Union". South China Morning Post. 17 April 1937. p. 10.
37. "University Union: Cordial Welcome Extended to H. E. Sir A. Caldecott, "The Hub of Student Life"". South China Morning Post. 16 January 1936. p. 8.
38. "The University: Union Officers For Coming Year". South China Morning Post. 19 April 1935. p. 11.
39. ^ "University Union: Bright Year Passed In Athletics, Sound Finances". South China Morning Post. 27 March 1934. p. 8.
40. "University Union: Lady Elected As An Office Bearer". South China Morning Post. 6 April 1933. p. 9.
41. ^ "University Union Activities: Satisfactory Year Reported at Annual Meeting, New Officers Elected". South China Morning Post. 11 March 1931. p. 13.
42. "H. E. The Governs at the University: Welcome Given to Union's New Patron Yesterday, Students' Tea Party". South China Morning Post. 22 October 1930. p. 13.
43. ^ "The University Union: Record Attendance at Annual Meeting, in Need of Funds". South China Morning Post. 24 February 1927. p. 9.
44. ^ "Hongkong University Union: The Annual Meeting A Satisfactory Year". South China Morning Post. 22 February 1926. p. 8.
45. ^ "Hongkong University Union: The Annual Meeting, Imperial Conference of Students". South China Morning Post. 19 February 1925. p. 9.
46. "Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Visit: Address to University Students How He Became a Revolutionary, Admiration of British Institutions". South China Morning Post. 21 February 1923.
47. "Hongkong University Union: Graduate Dinner". South China Morning Post. 12 January 1922. p. 6.
48. ^ "UNIVERSITY NOTES: THE UNION ". South China Morning Post. 25 October 1920. p. 6.
49. ^ "Hongkong University: New Union Buildings Opened". South China Morning Post. 4 November 1919. p. 3.
50. ^ "University of Hongkong: Annual Meeting of University Union". South China Morning Post. 17 May 1913. p. 3.

See also

• HKU pro-vice-chancellor selection controversy
• The University of Hong Kong
• Pillar of Shame

External links

• HKUSU Official Homepage

• University of Hong Kong
• Students' unions in Hong Kong
• Student organizations established in 1912