Edinburgh University Students' Association
Encyclopedia
Edinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) provides services, representation
and welfare support to matriculated
students of the University of Edinburgh
, Scotland.
EUSA is marked by a distinctive separation of representational and union structures. Student representation on teaching and learning
, welfare, academic services, postgraduate affairs and external affairs is undertaken by the Students' Representative Council, as is the running of the University Freshers' Week and Student Festival. Decisions about the running of the union services such as bars and catering and entertainments are made by a Committee of Management. Neither the SRC, nor the Committee of Management (CoM) have any competence
for the affairs of the other.
(NPC), United Kingdom Council for Overseas Student Affairs] (UKCOSA), Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council (EVOC), Association for Managers in Students' Unions
(AMSU), Child Poverty Action Group
(CPAG), The Work Foundation and is a member of the Aldwych Group
of student unions. While a founding member, EUSA's SRC passed unopposed a motion on 10 January 2006 disaffiliating from the Coalition of Higher Education Students in Scotland
(CHESS).
EUSA, in partnership with the University, was instrumental in making Edinburgh Scotland's first Fairtrade University
in 2003.
'. Currently these positions comprise a President responsible for the overall functioning of the association; a Vice President Societies and Activities
(VPSA) responsible for activities in relation to recognised student groups and representation to the University on non-academic service provision; a Vice President Academic Affairs (VPAA), responsible for representing students to the University and beyond on academic matters; and a Vice President Services (VPS) responsible for the running of the Union buildings, and financial affairs of the Association. The latter two replaces the previous positions of Vice President Representation (VPR), responsible for the tasks currently divided between the VPAA and VPSA, and a Vice President Communication (VPC) responsible for the Associations' communication with its members and outside persons.
Lobbying
Lobbying is the act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in the government, most often legislators or members of regulatory agencies. Lobbying is done by various people or groups, from private-sector individuals or corporations, fellow legislators or government officials, or...
and welfare support to matriculated
Matriculation
Matriculation, in the broadest sense, means to be registered or added to a list, from the Latin matricula – little list. In Scottish heraldry, for instance, a matriculation is a registration of armorial bearings...
students of the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
, Scotland.
Composition
EUSA comprises the Students' Representative Council (SRC), founded in 1884 by Robert Fitzroy Bell, the Edinburgh University Union (EUU), which was founded by the SRC in 1889, and the Edinburgh University Chambers Street Union. A later merger, in 1989, brought the Kings' Buildings Union into the Association.EUSA is marked by a distinctive separation of representational and union structures. Student representation on teaching and learning
Learning
Learning is acquiring new or modifying existing knowledge, behaviors, skills, values, or preferences and may involve synthesizing different types of information. The ability to learn is possessed by humans, animals and some machines. Progress over time tends to follow learning curves.Human learning...
, welfare, academic services, postgraduate affairs and external affairs is undertaken by the Students' Representative Council, as is the running of the University Freshers' Week and Student Festival. Decisions about the running of the union services such as bars and catering and entertainments are made by a Committee of Management. Neither the SRC, nor the Committee of Management (CoM) have any competence
Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction is the practical authority granted to a formally constituted legal body or to a political leader to deal with and make pronouncements on legal matters and, by implication, to administer justice within a defined area of responsibility...
for the affairs of the other.
Activities
EUSA is affiliated to the National Union of Students (NUS), the National Postgraduate CommitteeNational Postgraduate Committee
The National Postgraduate Committee of the United Kingdom represents postgraduates at UK universities. Since 2002 it has held charitable status...
(NPC), United Kingdom Council for Overseas Student Affairs] (UKCOSA), Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council (EVOC), Association for Managers in Students' Unions
Association for Managers in Students' Unions
The mission of the Association of Managers in Students' Unions is to enhance the management of UK students' unions.AMSU publish a journal called Agenda which includes articles by and for students' union staff....
(AMSU), Child Poverty Action Group
Child Poverty Action Group
Child Poverty Action Group is a UK charity that works to alleviate poverty and social exclusion.The stated aims of the CPAG are:CPAG programs include:* Research and publish the latest facts and figures of family and child poverty in the UK...
(CPAG), The Work Foundation and is a member of the Aldwych Group
Aldwych Group
The Aldwych Group is the group of students' unions of the members of the Russell Group of Universities in the United Kingdom. It was established in 1994, as a watchdog in response to the creation of the Russell Group....
of student unions. While a founding member, EUSA's SRC passed unopposed a motion on 10 January 2006 disaffiliating from the Coalition of Higher Education Students in Scotland
Coalition of Higher Education Students in Scotland
The Coalition of Higher Education Students in Scotland is a body representative of students in Scotland founded in 2001 by the Students' Associations of Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and St Andrews Universities, and Glasgow University's Students' Representative Council.CHESS was founded in 1999 out...
(CHESS).
EUSA, in partnership with the University, was instrumental in making Edinburgh Scotland's first Fairtrade University
Fairtrade Town
Fairtrade Town is a status awarded by a recognized Fairtrade certification body describing an area which is committed to the promotion of Fairtrade certified goods...
in 2003.
Sabbatical Officers
The association's collective leadership is provided by a team of four full time elected students, known colloquially as 'sabbaticalsSabbatical officer
A sabbatical officer is a full-time officer elected by the members of a students' union , commonly at a higher education establishment such as a university...
'. Currently these positions comprise a President responsible for the overall functioning of the association; a Vice President Societies and Activities
Activity
Activity may mean:* Action , in general* The Aristotelian concept of energeia, Latinized as actus* Physical exercise* Activity , a major task in Unified Modeling Language...
(VPSA) responsible for activities in relation to recognised student groups and representation to the University on non-academic service provision; a Vice President Academic Affairs (VPAA), responsible for representing students to the University and beyond on academic matters; and a Vice President Services (VPS) responsible for the running of the Union buildings, and financial affairs of the Association. The latter two replaces the previous positions of Vice President Representation (VPR), responsible for the tasks currently divided between the VPAA and VPSA, and a Vice President Communication (VPC) responsible for the Associations' communication with its members and outside persons.
EUSA union buildings
- Teviot Row HouseTeviot Row HouseTeviot Row House is one of the Student Union buildings at Edinburgh University, Scotland...
, Bristo Square – the largest of the union buildings and the oldest purpose built student union building in the world. Following a fire at their Grassmarket venue, Teviot is now Gilded Balloon's primary base during the Edinburgh FringeEdinburgh FringeThe Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the world’s largest arts festival. Established in 1947 as an alternative to the Edinburgh International Festival, it takes place annually in Scotland's capital, in the month of August...
. - PotterrowPotterrow Student CentreThe Potterrow Student Centre is owned by the University of Edinburgh and operated by the Edinburgh University Students' Association. It provides a variety of student entertainment and support services....
, Bristo Square – with its distinctive dome, this building includes a shop, fast food outlet and a large venue used for nightclubs and live bandsBand (music)In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
. - King's Buildings House – on the main science / engineering campus in the south of the city, includes bars and food outlets, as well as sports facilities.
- PleasancePleasanceThe Pleasance is a street in the Old Town, Edinburgh, Scotland. It is largely residential, although the University of Edinburgh owns property in the area.-University of Edinburgh union:...
– A popular venue for the annual Edinburgh Fringe during the month of August. Contain two bars during term time, the Societies' Centre and a fully functional theatre that plays host to screenings every Tuesday night. Is also located next to the newly refurbished (2005) Centre for Sport and Exercise gym.