1771 members voted in our referendums
We recognised that our structures did not best represent the changes within the University and we proposed some radical changes to our members, to which they agreed. We now have elected officers aligned with the university college structure and to the peer groups that students most recognise themselves as representing (academic groups). We have also increased significantly the number of officers, enabling them to be able to better represent the view of students across the ever increasing portfolio at the university. Since the introduction of £9,000 fees, students are much more aware of their significance in their own university experience and our new structure is now better placed to enable that voice to be heard. We are particularly proud that this coming year will also see the introduction of a part time post graduate sabbatical officer enabling the ever increasing number of post graduate students to have someone at the top table primarily with their interests at heart.
Our members overwhelmingly voted to remain affiliated to the National Union of Students (NUS). This is our biggest affiliation cost and we regually check with our members that they still see this as a valuable spend by the Union. Our members have decided that they want a national voice, they want to ensure that their views are represented strongly, they want to ensure that our officers are best equipped to serve them, and they clearly believe that collectivism is better than isolation.