What are the changes?

“Coming from a small and specialist college and a union which relies heavily on volunteers I’m really pleased to see that the new reforms, such as the new zone conferences, will give the chance for some of the talented and enthusiastic part time officers and activists at my union (and many other unions like it) to get involved.”

Lizzie Swarbrick, President, Courtauld Institute of Art Students’ Union

To make NUS policy-making and implementation more effective, we have proposed a clearer division of roles and responsibilities. The new system proposes that the current Zones are strengthened to facilitate participation, create more room for informed debate and ensure that key issues are turned into coherent policy.

The new structure enshrines the importance of Nations (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) and Liberation campaigns (LGBT students, disabled students, black students, international students and women); providing them with the tools they need to make a greater impact.

The proposals decentralise power to far more elected students than is the case now, through a larger and more diverse Senate, responsible for political leadership, and a host of new national committees. Representation will be further enhanced by relieving elected representatives of the duties of day-to-day management problems, allowing them to work on the campaigns they were elected for.

Management issues will be aided by expert advice, to be delivered through a new Board. While being student-led, the Board will bring in external expertise for the first time.

These proposals will bring about a sea-change in the way NUS works. Responsibilities are separated across a number of decision-making bodies, like the Annual Congress, Senate, Democratic Procedures Committee and the Board; each accountable in different ways.