Revealed: the active life of a 21st century student
NUS aims to challenge lazy student stereotype with new campaign
A new nationwide campaign run by the National Union of Students UK (NUS) aims to fight back against claims of student apathy and inaction by lifting the lid on what students really get up to in their spare time.
‘Participate: Action speaks louder than words’ aims to promote the breadth of student activities taking place on campuses across the UK. Growing graduate debt and a competitive job market has seen students become more conscious about their post-university employability prospects. As a result, students are more likely to be found working in their local community, fundraising or captaining a sports team than partying or lazing in front of the TV.
But whilst NUS’ campaign aims to highlight the wide range of student activities taking place throughout the country, there are a number of barriers to participation. NUS aims to lobby institutions and the government for more money, time and better facilities in order to ensure all students can make the most of the opportunities available to them.
Co-convenor Gemma Tumelty, who is National Secretary of the NUS, said:
“College and University management often talk about the value of non-formal learning and are among the first to take credit for the achievement of their football team or to boast to community leaders about the great work their students are doing in the local school. Now it’s time for Principals and Vice-Chancellors to show their support for student activities and make their actions speak louder than their words by providing the time, facilities and funding for students to be able to achieve in, and outside of, the classroom.”
Another key element of the new campaign is to ensure activities and Students’ Unions are accessible to all, regardless of sex, sexuality, age, race or disability. NUS Students’ with disabilities officer Sian Davies, who is also convening the campaign, said:
“Students with disabilities have a right to engage in all areas of further and higher education including their students’ union, voting in elections, being a course rep, having a social life, playing sport and being part of a club or society. Yet too many disabled people are prevented from doing so for reasons relating to their disability. We hope this campaign will change that, and encourage students to get out there volunteering, to stand for election and to represent their institution at sport.”
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