General Information on Applications and Motions

Title of the application/motion

• should contain the most important keywords, or
• should be phrased in such a way that the application can still be found many years from now

Full first and last name of the student submitting and defending the motion.

• Only one applicant should be named. The meeting board reserves the right to grant applicant rights solely to the first-named applicant.
• Groups, institutions, corporate bodies, and committees may not (from a strictly formal perspective) act as applicants.
• The applicant may be represented by another person.

The demand is the text of the application/motion, which specifies what the Student Council is to implent and under which conditions it should be done. This does not include reasonings and explenations, but only what is demanded.

• Phrase as concisely, clearly, and understandably as possible:
  • simple sentences
  • present tense
  • employ a normative, declarative style
  • defined technical terms may be used if relevant to the subject matter; such terms should be briefly explained in the accompanying justification
  • pay attention to the varying degrees of obligation conveyed by the verbs "can", "should", and "must"
  • to avoid unnecessary ambiguities in the interpretatioin of an application or motion
  • no abbreviations
  • no symbols (exceptions: €, %, §)
• the text of the motion may include: time limits, conditions (“If ..., then ...”), and the assignment of responsibilities
• the text of the motion should not include: reasons for the action, details regarding the conduct of an event, contact information, matters that cannot or should not be determined with certainty, or examples.

The justification helps readers understand the intent, benefits, and added value of the application or motion. In terms of content, this may include:

• Why should this motion be approved? / Why is this motion necessary?
• Explanations regarding the demand
• Interpretations of the application's or motion's text; use cases for the motion
• What would happen if the motion were adopted?
• Details regarding implementation (unless essential)
• Contact details for inquiries (if desired)

Please use attachments only when necessary.

Supporting documents (e.g., multi-page application text, text of newly drafted regulations, multi-page statement of reasons, completed forms, calculations, obtained price quotes) should be included as email attachments.

Please note:

• PDF format
• File naming:
  • Name all files concisely and, above all, descriptively
  • It is recommended to organize the files via numbering and/or a list when submitting them by email
  • No special characters or spaces
• zip archives are acceptable
• Particularly large files can also be shared via the TU Dresden Cloudstore

When submitting multiple, different applications or motions, please submit them in seperate emails.

If a motion is to be considered during the closed-door meeting of the student parliament, this must be specifically indicated in the email.

• The applicant has the right to speak first regarding their application/motion (to present it) and, deviating from the list of speakes, to answer questions. (Proposer's right to speak)
• The applicant may decide to immediately incorporate an amendment request to their motion. This eliminates the need for a formal decision or vote on the amendment request by the memebers of the Student Parliament. Incorporating an amendment has the same effect as having the amendment adopted through voting process.
  • Implementation note: The proposer may incorporate amendment requests submitted by others as well as their own. By incorporating their own amendments, the proposer can modify the text of the motion itself right up until the final decision is made.
• The applicant may withdraw their application/motion at any time. This applies even if amendments have already been incorporated or adopted.
• If the application/motion is submitted for a closed-door meeting, the applicant is automatically admitted to the closed session for the duration of the applications's or motion's consideration. (No separate procedural motion is required to admit the proposer to the closed session.)

The meeting board reserves the right to grant these applicant rights to only one specific person, usually the first-named applicant.

If the original applicant wishes to be represented by another person, they must personally notify the meeting board informally of the full name of the person who will be representing them (recommended procedure). Otherwise, the representative must present a signed letter of authorization from the original applicant to the meeting chair prior to the meeting.

All rights held by the original applicant are then transferred to the representative.

An application/motion may also be fully taken over by another person for several or all subsequent meetings in the same manner.