Student unionism in the United Kingdom
Encyclopedia
In universities in the United Kingdom
students' union
s are constituted under Section 2 of the Education Act 1994
. The ultimate purpose of students' unions is to democratically represent the interests of their members. Students who resign their membership may still use Union social facilities provided (often the main or only such facilities available) since they are for the benefit of the students of the institution, not just Union members.
Although "students' union" is by far the most common name adopted by these organisations in the UK, seven (including Exeter
, Aston
, Liverpool
and Birmingham
) are named Guilds of students while the term student association is also used at some institutions, particularly in Scotland, where the ancient universities
used to have a pair of segregated student unions for men and women and/or had separate "unions" for social activities and "students' representative councils" for representational matters (an arrangement that still exists at the University of Glasgow
). When these were amalgamated the term student association was introduced.
The vast majority of UK students' unions are affiliated with the National Union of Students (NUS). In addition to lobbying, campaigning, debating and carrying out other representative activities, most students' unions facilitate "student activities" (societies, volunteering opportunities, and sport) peer led support (through advice centres, helplines, job shops and more), and social venues to bring their members together. Most unions receive some funding through an annual allocation, also called the block grant, from their educational institution. Many unions supplement this income from commercial sales from their venues, shops, and marketing revenue.
The oldest students' union in Britain is St Andrews
, founded in 1864. The oldest in England is believed by many to be University College London Union
, founded in 1883. Britain's oldest students' union building, which is also the world's oldest students' union building, is the purpose-built Teviot Row House at the University of Edinburgh
, built in 1889. The oldest in England is believed to be the Imperial College Union
building in Beit Quad built between 1910-11 and designed by Sir Aston Webb. The two largest students' union buildings in the United Kingdom are at the University of Bristol
and the University of Sheffield
.
under John Major
attempted to severely reduce the influence of students' unions in Britain, the NUS and individual students' unions managed to successfully lobby against the moves to restrict their political activities. The then Education Secretary, John Patten aimed to end the 'closed shop
' and ensure students would have to join their union (opt-in) rather than automatically becoming a member. As many unions receive funding based upon membership levels this threatened their ability to achieve their core business.
In 2004, lobbying by the NUS against a bill
to introduce variable student fees in English and Welsh universities contributed towards the Labour
government's majority being slashed to just five in the Commons
vote on the bill. However, this bill passed as the Higher Education Act 2004
.
which requires educational institutions to have a Code of Practice and publicise the ability to opt-out from membership without forfeiting access to the majority of union services. The Act also requires that Unions have a written constitution and that elections to major union offices are held by a secret ballot of the membership. The Act states that if a petition signed by a minimum number of students (the threshold cannot exceed 5%) is lodged then a referendum must be held on whether or not to end one of the union's affiliations. Money donated to a students' union is subject to ultra vires
law and can only be spent to further this charitable purpose. A major source of funding for most unions are 'block grant' donations given by their colleges or universities. Historically, the majority of students' unions were exempt charities however a change to the law means that unions will become registered charities during 2010. Students' unions are required to act in the interests of their members as students.
In general, a students' union is a separate legal person from the university or college which it is associated with however in some cases the union is regarded as an integral part of the university
founded in 1864 and the world's oldest students' union building is the purpose-built Teviot Row House
at the University of Edinburgh
, built in 1889. Under the Universities (Scotland) Act 1889, Students' Representative Councils were set up at the ancient universities of Scotland
. All students are eligible to elect members to the SRC unless they opt out under the Education Act 1994
, and the President of the SRC is often a member of the University Court
, the governing body of a Scottish Ancient. Where separate students' unions still exist (for example at the University of Glasgow
), they operate as private members' clubs. At other universities, the SRC and the former union or unions have been combined into a single students' association.
, students' unions operate in a similar way to those in Great Britain
, except that they cannot exclusively be members of NUS. At the height of the Troubles in 1972, a bilateral agreement between the National Union of Students UK and the Union of Students in Ireland
, decided that all student unions within Northern Ireland would hold membership of both organisations, through a new group called NUS-USI
. The move was an attempt to promote student unity despite the sectarian divide and the arrangement is still in place.
students' union a sabbatical officer is a full-time paid officer elected by the students from their membership. The sabbatical officers are generally trustee
s of the students' union. Many students' unions also have unpaid officers who continue as students during their term of office. Some of these non-sabbatical officers may sit on the Executive Committee of the Union, or on the Union Council.
British Students' Unions commonly include variants on the following offices:
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
students' union
Students' union
A students' union, student government, student senate, students' association, guild of students or government of student body is a student organization present in many colleges and universities, and has started appearing in some high schools...
s are constituted under Section 2 of the Education Act 1994
Education Act 1994
The Education Act 1994 is an Act passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom under John Major's government.Part I relates to Teacher Training....
. The ultimate purpose of students' unions is to democratically represent the interests of their members. Students who resign their membership may still use Union social facilities provided (often the main or only such facilities available) since they are for the benefit of the students of the institution, not just Union members.
Although "students' union" is by far the most common name adopted by these organisations in the UK, seven (including Exeter
University of Exeter
The University of Exeter is a public university in South West England. It belongs to the 1994 Group, an association of 19 of the United Kingdom's smaller research-intensive universities....
, Aston
Aston University
Aston University is a "plate glass" campus university situated at Gosta Green, in the city centre of Birmingham, England.Established in 1895 as the Birmingham Municipal Technical School, Aston was granted its Royal Charter as Aston University on 22 April 1966...
, Liverpool
University of Liverpool
The University of Liverpool is a teaching and research university in the city of Liverpool, England. It is a member of the Russell Group of large research-intensive universities and the N8 Group for research collaboration. Founded in 1881 , it is also one of the six original "red brick" civic...
and Birmingham
University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College . Birmingham was the first Redbrick university to gain a charter and thus...
) are named Guilds of students while the term student association is also used at some institutions, particularly in Scotland, where the ancient universities
Ancient university
Ancient university is a term used to describe seven medieval and renaissance universities of the United Kingdom and Ireland that exist today. Six of those universities are currently located in the United Kingdom and one in the Republic of Ireland...
used to have a pair of segregated student unions for men and women and/or had separate "unions" for social activities and "students' representative councils" for representational matters (an arrangement that still exists at the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
). When these were amalgamated the term student association was introduced.
The vast majority of UK students' unions are affiliated with the National Union of Students (NUS). In addition to lobbying, campaigning, debating and carrying out other representative activities, most students' unions facilitate "student activities" (societies, volunteering opportunities, and sport) peer led support (through advice centres, helplines, job shops and more), and social venues to bring their members together. Most unions receive some funding through an annual allocation, also called the block grant, from their educational institution. Many unions supplement this income from commercial sales from their venues, shops, and marketing revenue.
The oldest students' union in Britain is St Andrews
University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews, informally referred to as "St Andrews", is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the English-speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge. The university is situated in the town of St Andrews, Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. It was founded between...
, founded in 1864. The oldest in England is believed by many to be University College London Union
University College London Union
University College London Union , founded in 1893, has a credible claim to be England's oldest students' union. It was formed with the following objectives: "the promotion of social intercourse and of the means of recreation, physical and mental, of the students of University College, and the...
, founded in 1883. Britain's oldest students' union building, which is also the world's oldest students' union building, is the purpose-built Teviot Row House at 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...
, built in 1889. The oldest in England is believed to be the Imperial College Union
Imperial College Union
Imperial College Union is the Students' Union of Imperial College London. It is host to many and varied societies, and has student bars situated around Albertopolis...
building in Beit Quad built between 1910-11 and designed by Sir Aston Webb. The two largest students' union buildings in the United Kingdom are at the University of Bristol
University of Bristol
The University of Bristol is a public research university located in Bristol, United Kingdom. One of the so-called "red brick" universities, it received its Royal Charter in 1909, although its predecessor institution, University College, Bristol, had been in existence since 1876.The University is...
and the University of Sheffield
University of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield is a research university based in the city of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. It is one of the original 'red brick' universities and is a member of the Russell Group of leading research intensive universities...
.
Influence
Although the Conservative governmentConservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
under John Major
John Major
Sir John Major, is a British Conservative politician, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1990–1997...
attempted to severely reduce the influence of students' unions in Britain, the NUS and individual students' unions managed to successfully lobby against the moves to restrict their political activities. The then Education Secretary, John Patten aimed to end the 'closed shop
Closed shop
A closed shop is a form of union security agreement under which the employer agrees to hire union members only, and employees must remain members of the union at all times in order to remain employed....
' and ensure students would have to join their union (opt-in) rather than automatically becoming a member. As many unions receive funding based upon membership levels this threatened their ability to achieve their core business.
In 2004, lobbying by the NUS against a bill
Bill (proposed law)
A bill is a proposed law under consideration by a legislature. A bill does not become law until it is passed by the legislature and, in most cases, approved by the executive. Once a bill has been enacted into law, it is called an act or a statute....
to introduce variable student fees in English and Welsh universities contributed towards the Labour
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
government's majority being slashed to just five in the Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
vote on the bill. However, this bill passed as the Higher Education Act 2004
Higher Education Act 2004
The Higher Education Act 2004 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which introduced several changes to the higher education system in the United Kingdom, the most important and controversial being a major change to the funding of universities, and the operation of tuition fees, which...
.
Law relating to students' unions
The role of students' unions is enshrined in the Education Act 1994Education Act 1994
The Education Act 1994 is an Act passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom under John Major's government.Part I relates to Teacher Training....
which requires educational institutions to have a Code of Practice and publicise the ability to opt-out from membership without forfeiting access to the majority of union services. The Act also requires that Unions have a written constitution and that elections to major union offices are held by a secret ballot of the membership. The Act states that if a petition signed by a minimum number of students (the threshold cannot exceed 5%) is lodged then a referendum must be held on whether or not to end one of the union's affiliations. Money donated to a students' union is subject to ultra vires
Ultra vires
Ultra vires is a Latin phrase meaning literally "beyond the powers", although its standard legal translation and substitute is "beyond power". If an act requires legal authority and it is done with such authority, it is...
law and can only be spent to further this charitable purpose. A major source of funding for most unions are 'block grant' donations given by their colleges or universities. Historically, the majority of students' unions were exempt charities however a change to the law means that unions will become registered charities during 2010. Students' unions are required to act in the interests of their members as students.
In general, a students' union is a separate legal person from the university or college which it is associated with however in some cases the union is regarded as an integral part of the university
Scotland
The oldest students' union in Scotland is in St AndrewsUniversity of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews, informally referred to as "St Andrews", is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the English-speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge. The university is situated in the town of St Andrews, Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. It was founded between...
founded in 1864 and the world's oldest students' union building is the purpose-built Teviot Row House
Teviot Row House
Teviot Row House is one of the Student Union buildings at Edinburgh University, Scotland...
at 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...
, built in 1889. Under the Universities (Scotland) Act 1889, Students' Representative Councils were set up at the ancient universities of Scotland
Ancient universities of Scotland
The ancient universities of Scotland are medieval and renaissance universities which continue to exist until the present day. The majority of the ancient universities of the British Isles are located within Scotland, and have a number of distinctive features in common, being governed by a series of...
. All students are eligible to elect members to the SRC unless they opt out under the Education Act 1994
Education Act 1994
The Education Act 1994 is an Act passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom under John Major's government.Part I relates to Teacher Training....
, and the President of the SRC is often a member of the University Court
University Court
A University Court is an administrative body of a university in the United Kingdom. In England's Oxbridge such a Court carries out limited judicial functions; whereas in Scotland it is a University's supreme governing body, analogous to a Board of Directors or a Board of Trustees.-England:In the...
, the governing body of a Scottish Ancient. Where separate students' unions still exist (for example at the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
), they operate as private members' clubs. At other universities, the SRC and the former union or unions have been combined into a single students' association.
Northern Ireland
In Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, students' unions operate in a similar way to those in Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
, except that they cannot exclusively be members of NUS. At the height of the Troubles in 1972, a bilateral agreement between the National Union of Students UK and the Union of Students in Ireland
Union of Students in Ireland
The Union of Students in Ireland is the national representative body for third-level students' unions in Ireland. The Union of Students in Ireland is the sole national representative body for students in Ireland but does not represent students from two of the seven Irish Universities, namely...
, decided that all student unions within Northern Ireland would hold membership of both organisations, through a new group called NUS-USI
NUS-USI
NUS-USI, the student movement in Northern Ireland was formed in 1972 by bilateral agreement between the National Union of Students of the United Kingdom and the Union of Students in Ireland , to address the particular problems of macro-representation of students in the Northern Ireland.Students at...
. The move was an attempt to promote student unity despite the sectarian divide and the arrangement is still in place.
Officers
In a BritishUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
students' union a sabbatical officer is a full-time paid officer elected by the students from their membership. The sabbatical officers are generally trustee
Trustee
Trustee is a legal term which, in its broadest sense, can refer to any person who holds property, authority, or a position of trust or responsibility for the benefit of another...
s of the students' union. Many students' unions also have unpaid officers who continue as students during their term of office. Some of these non-sabbatical officers may sit on the Executive Committee of the Union, or on the Union Council.
British Students' Unions commonly include variants on the following offices:
- PresidentPresidentA president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
or General SecretaryGeneral SecretaryThe office of general secretary is staffed by the chief officer of:*The General Secretariat for Macedonia and Thrace, a government agency for the Greek regions of Macedonia and Thrace... - Vice-President (Services) or Services Officer
- Vice-President (Welfare) or Welfare Officer
- Vice-President (Education), Education Officer or Academic Affairs Officer
- Vice-President (Community)
- Union Speaker (Chair)
- Finance Officer (Sometimes Commercial / Internal Affairs)
- Press and Publicity or Communications Officer (Sometimes called a media officer)
- Entertainments, commonly known as Ents Officer
- Athletic UnionAthletic UnionAn Athletic Union or Athletics Union usually refers to the group of student sports clubs within a university or other institute of higher education, in the United Kingdom.-General information:...
President (or Sports Officer)
- LGBTLGBTLGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
or sometimes LGBLGBLGB may refer to:* Long Beach Airport in California* Laser-guided bomb* Lateral geniculate body in human brain, a.k.a. lateral geniculate nucleus* LGB , brand in model railroading...
, LGBTQ or LGBTQA Officer - Environment and Ethics Officer
- Equal Opportunities or LiberationSocial equalitySocial equality is a social state of affairs in which all people within a specific society or isolated group have the same status in a certain respect. At the very least, social equality includes equal rights under the law, such as security, voting rights, freedom of speech and assembly, and the...
Officer - Women's Officer
- Men's Officer
- Racial Equality or Black Students' Officer
- Convenor of Debates
- Societies, Clubs & Societies or Clubs, Societies and Associations (CSA) Officer
- Campaigns or Policy and Campaigns Officer
- Student Community Action Co-ordinator (SCA Co-ordinator)
- RAG ChairRAG (student society)University Rag societies are student-run charitable fundraising organisations that are widespread in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Most universities in the UK and Ireland, as well as some in South Africa and the Netherlands have a Rag...
(or RAG OfficerRAG (student society)University Rag societies are student-run charitable fundraising organisations that are widespread in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Most universities in the UK and Ireland, as well as some in South Africa and the Netherlands have a Rag...
) - Accommodation Officer
- Satellite Sites Officer