NUS Scotland Impact Report

Added on 04/03/2010

NUS Scotland Conference saw the launch of our Immpact Report for 2009/10.

The report outlines the campaigning wins of Scottish students' associations showing just how powerful a collective voice can be.

Highlights include delivering £30 million into the pockets of Scotland's poorest students, an additional £2 million for student parents and the creation of a third party tenancy deposit scheme, saving students on average over £200 in withheld desposits.

NUS Scotland Impact Report 2009

Liam Burns, NUS Scotland President said:

"I challenge anyone to look at this report and argue that collectivism doesn’t make a difference. This impact report is a testament to the hard work and determination of our 60 student association members across the country; of the hundreds of student officers, and thousands of student activists, that campaign every day to make students’ lives better."

For more information contact Natalie Maver, Head of Membership Development or Liam Burns, President.

NUS Scotland pushes council tax injustice

Added on 04/03/2010

NUS Scotland has been campaigning for an end to the unfair Council Tax. At the moment college students who decide to articulate to university end up paying up to six months of Council Tax as they wait to matriculate.

Jennifer Cadiz, NUS Scotland Executive Officer, has been pushing opposition parties to act:

"University students aren't asked to suddenly pay Council Tax in-between their second and third year so we don't see why college students should be expected to"

Scottish Labour have now come out calling for the loophole to be fixed, estimating that the move could help over 2700 students.

NUS Scotland will continue to push for a change of rules in the run up to the Scottish Parliament elections. For more information contact Jennifer Cadiz, SEC Officer or Russell Gunson, Head of Policy and Public Affairs.

Scotland United - Students against racism

Added on 04/03/2010

Hundreds of student descended on Edinburgh's streets to show the racist and fascist English Defence League that they were not welcome in Scotland.

They joined thousands of others to march through Edinburgh under the banner of Scotland United, celebrating a multicultural Scotland.

Liam Burns, NUS Scotland President spoke at the event and said:

"The Scottish Defence League, English Defence League, British National Party, National Front... they don't even know what to call themselves. But we know what we call international students, refugees and asylum seekers that come to our campuses every year; we call them friends, we call them neighbours and most importantly, we call them welcomed.

"We are on the doorstep of a general election, a stones throw away and the Scottish Parliamentary elections and we know that when students vote, racists and fascists lose. I don't care where you put your vote, but make sure it is a vote for getting rid of racists and fascists from our country."

The peaceful event, organised by Unite Against Fascism and the Scottish Trade Union Congress, was a complete success with the forty or so people from the English Defence League who did turn up denied the opportunity to march, corralled into a pub and bussed out of the city.

College Student Footprints project - do you want to be involved?

Added on 24/02/2010

After the success of the Student Footprints pilot project, NUS Scotland is very pleased to announce the extension of the project for a further 6 months, funded by the Scottish Funding Council.

The project will be working with 6 college students' associations across Scotland; training student volunteers to become Carbon Ambassadors.

Volunteers that take part in the project will gain sought after carbon management skills and energy auditing experience. This is an innovative and interactive way to provide opportunities for your students to learn about sustainability, no matter what subject they study.

NUS Scotland is looking for six colleges to take part in the project. The institutions should be committed to implementing energy saving recommendations made by the carbon ambassadors, with a commitment from both the students’ association and staff to support the project.

If you are interested or want to find out more please contact Ruth Bush with an expression of interest no later than 1st March.

For more information about the pilot check out the Student Footprints website.

Heriot-Watt creating student leaders...

Added on 16/02/2010

As part of its Leadership Programme, Heriot-Watt University Students' Association, in partnership with the University, will be holding the very first Leadership Lecture on Thursday 4th March 2010 in the recently completed Postgraduate Centre on the Edinburgh Campus.

Students will hear from Ansar Ali, Managing Director, Caterham Cars, and his take on leadership.

The Leadership Programme aims to identify and support tomorrow’s leaders in academic, business and civic life, and embed the promotion of leadership skills at every level of University activity. At the heart of the Programme is the principle that all students must know their worth, and recognise their own ability to lead others.

HWUSA has kindly invited other students' associations to the event.

'Driving the Good Stuff: How Ansar Ali led Caterham Cars to design the Top Gear car of the year 2008'.

Date: 4th March
Time: 1715
Location: Heriot-Watt University, Postgraduate Centre
Please RSVP to Leadership@hw.ac.uk by Friday 26th February 2010 or contact Simon Eltringham, HWUSA President