Commentary on Sections Part 1: Governance Arrangements Chapter 3: Key definitions Section 22: References to students
45.Section 22 provides for how the term ‘students of a higher education institution’ is to be understood for the purposes of the Act. This section states that a reference to the students of a higher education institution includes all persons holding sabbatical office in a students’ association of the institution, whether or not they remain students of the institution during their period of office.
46.The term ‘sabbatical officer’ is generally understood in the higher education sector and is used in certain governance orders made under section 45 of the 1992 Act as well as other education legislation. Section 22 of the Education Act 1994 sets out the requirements to be observed in relation to students unions (i.e. students’ associations). Section 22(2)(f) of that Act states that “a person should not hold sabbatical union office, or paid elected union office, for more than two years in total at the establishment”.