Democracy Review

Briefing: A summary on changes to democratic structures

Introduction

The Students’ Union’s core function is representation, led by five full-time officers. We aim to actively engage students in the democratic and representative functions of the Union and ensure students are able to shape their experience by supporting them to transform their ideas into positive change.

In September 2015, the Union approached NUS to support a review of our representative structures and consider possible alternatives and innovations to strengthen decision-making and democratic participation. A survey was developed in order to understand preferences of the membership in relation to democracy and representation. There were a total of 824 responses in all, approximately 5.1% of the membership. NUS produced a report recommending the type of innovations that would suit the membership of the Union.

Leigh Rooney, President

‘Students creating success together’

In October and November 2015, the Union also commissioned Redbrick Research to conduct a wide ranging piece of market research with our membership. Over 3,200 students were involved, making it the largest piece of research conducted by the Union, and the project has led to the development of; a new vision and mission, five key priorities for us to address in a new strategy, and the foundation to develop a new brand positioning.

What did it tell us?

  • Only 41% surveyed agreed that the Union effectively represents them and their views
  • Only 53% surveyed agree that the Union ensures that every student voice is heard

What were the problems?

  • A lack of effectiveness with a third (33.1%) of students surveyed felt the current full-time officer roles were neither effective or extremely effective in representing them
  • A lack of relevance with only a little over a quarter (25.7%) of students surveyed felt they understood what all of the full-time officers do
  • A lack of accountability with only a little over half (51%) of students surveyed agreed or strongly agreed they can hold the full-time officers to account

What did students want?

  • 93.3% surveyed felt it either important or slightly important that the full-time officers’ roles include responsibility for academic representation
  • The other top priorities identified for full-time officers in order were communications, equality, wellbeing/welfare, disability liberation, campaigning, black liberation, employment, LGBT liberation, democratic procedures, societies and women’s liberation
  • 56.4% surveyed felt either very or slightly likely to share the same views as someone who shares their interests, 53.4% the same course
  • 58.2% felt democracy in the Union should be control of the organisation by all of its members, compared to 34.8% who felt it should be control by a majority

What are the key changes?

  • We are going to split the Executive Committee into two bodies; the Faculty Voice Committee and Liberation, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, each with a clearer role remit and responsibilities
  • We are going to alter the timing of the election and term of office of Faculty Reps
  • We are going to reform our representation and introduce a 'multi portfolio' model with full-time officers having a number of shared responsibilities and students represented by faculty or faculties
  • We are going to streamline our part-time officer roles to only those focusing on representing opressed and minority groups; instead creating volunteering opportunities and supporting student-led projects and societies to meet needs identified through other roles

Why did we want to change?

We wanted to change to:

  • Better represent students’ academic interests
  • Enable greater collaboration
  • Be increasingly relevant, adaptable and flexible
  • Improve accountability

Who else has similar full-time officer roles?

We visited:

  • Middlesex Students’ Union
  • Salford Students’ Union
  • Staffordshire University Students’ Union

Testimonials are available here

When will it happen?

It was approved by the Student Council on 17 November 2016. The changes came into effect from 1 July 2017.