It has been a hectic few months. I suppose in some ways that’s an excuse for my first blog coming so late but hopefully in another way it’s a sign that this will be the first of many. The governance review has captured a large part of my attention recently as it approaches its more definite stages. New ideas for changes in structure are now reaching fruition and it is becoming clear what differences some people would like to see. However, on the whole, I am disappointed to say that many of these suggestions have caused me as much concern as satisfaction.

The governance review as it stands, and some of the suggestions for change which are floating around, are simply not good enough from the point of view of a minority student. For all the faults and criticisms of NUS, one thing I am proud to say we do very well is represent minorities. Be they religious, mature, international or anything else, the current structure has many entry points and this is something that must be at the forefront of our minds when considering the review.

There are two suggestions which I deem particularly threatening. The first is a reduced conference. It has been suggested by some in NUS that the size of conference should be cut. Conference, as it stands, is an incredibly expensive thing to run and reducing the delegate count could save the organisation money. But despite the obvious benefits of this argument, when you trim conference around the edges it is inevitably the minority students who get trimmed first. This considered, the financial argument is clearly insufficient to shut down one of the key mechanisms for minority students to have their say in NUS.

The second and more concerning potential change is scrapping the Block of Twelve. Now, you might well say that asking a block member to scrap his own position would be like asking turkeys to vote for Christmas. But the arguments for keeping the block, I believe, easily outweigh whatever perceived efficiency the organisation might gain. Political diversity through a large conference is very important and this diversity must be reflected in the executive of the movement. I know that most sabbatical officers work very hard for minority students, but in general these positions rarely show an ethnic, political or religious diversity that reflects the membership. On a personal note, I trust the majority of sabbaticals will stand up for Jewish student rights. On the other hand I also know that I don’t want to see a structure whereby trusting others is my only safeguard. The minority has to work with the majority to make changes. But minority students know what is best for them and a situation where they have to trust others to protect their rights is a very sorry state of affairs to be in.

The Block is the best, and thus far the only feasible way that minority students can be represented in the executive. Taking away this mechanism for interaction, decision-making and representation would be severely damaging to the welfare of all minorities in NUS. Any changes must be to strengthen both the diversity and influence of the Block of 12, not reduce it.

A financially bankrupt NUS helps no one. This is an unavoidable fact and it is why the governance review is of such immediate importance. But there are ways to streamline NUS that will allow us to improve in terms of finances without hindering our abilities as a campaigning organisation that effectively represents its membership. Cutting some of the bureaucracy that seems to only hinder our activity and looking at ways the SMT can be restructured and so made more efficient are all important. Furthermore, simply the fact that NUS has decided to undertake an open-minded review of its entire structure has value in itself. Switching off mechanisms of representation should not be deemed as viable options.

It is all too easy for the majority groups in NUS, however well intentioned, to overlook what is required and what is necessary for the minority. Self-serving resolutions are tempting – I urge all those involved with the governance review to remember that they are a part of something bigger, and that they are not alone in this organisation.

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