Video 8 - NUS and SU

FOSIS Wales and West : 

FOSIS Wales and West Online Video Tutorials

Video 8 – Students Unions and the NUS : 

Video 8 – Students Unions and the NUS This session will cover: - Students Union National Union Students (NUS) University Management Why to engage. How to engage.

1. Students Union (SU) : 

1. Students Union (SU) A Students Union (sometimes goes by other names) is a democratically run organisation established to serve the interests of the student body. The students union is separate from the university. The union supports itself financially through funding from the University, and from commercial activities. All societies are affiliated to the SU (yes, that includes the Islamic Society).

1. Students Union : 

1. Students Union A union is primarily run by; Sabbatical Officers (full-time, paid) – students are elected to serve in a specific position within the Union for a year There are usually several ‘Sabbs’ running the Union, each responsible for a specific area of a Unions activities (i.e. President, Treasurer, Academic Affairs, Welfare, Communications etc…) Union Officers (part-time, unpaid) – students elected to work for the Union alongside their degree studies Although they have less responsibility than ‘Sabbs’, Union Officers can be equally important and helpful to the ISoc Officer positions can include ‘Womens’, ‘Diversity’, ‘International Students’, ‘Environment’, ‘Societies’ etc....

Why are SU Officers important? : 

Why are SU Officers important? Represent student interests on various university boards Regular meetings with highest-level managers e.g. principal, vice chancellors, etc First line of contact for media Future leaders Some presidents go on to run for top positions in NUS Many pursue a career in politics, journalism, business, etc Make decisions on your behalf, about things which affect you!

2. National Union of Students (NUS) : 

2. National Union of Students (NUS) The NUS is a national umbrella body that serves, unites and represents 7 million students across the UK through their student unions. NUS can influence government policy on all issues relating to students They also have full-time elected Sabb officers responsible for key aspects of its work. NUS Wales is the regional branch of the NUS.

3. University management : 

3. University management The University Management are separate from the SU University management is responsible for teaching and academic resources; the overall funding of the university; ‘estates’ This means that your university management is ultimately responsible for things like; Prayer rooms (unless PR’s are in the SU building) and Jumuah provisions Halal food on campus Chaplains Isoc events on campus Muslim student safety (including issues surrounding niqab on campus, hate crime etc)

4. Why to engage. : 

4. Why to engage. Student Unions: Resources: SUs can offer you support, resources and finances to improve your Isocs services and events (e.g. Publicity training, fundraising ideas for CW, extra funding for Isoc events etc) Rights: SUs can also help represent and support Muslim students at a university level. A successful relationship with your SU will allow you to influence decisions at your university towards that which will benefit the ISoc and your member base of Muslim students (e.g. better prayer facilities, halal food on campus, etc). Dawah: Engaging with your SU will open the doors of the fantastic work that Muslim students do – from Charity Week, to IAW, to interfaith initiatives. It is a wonderful oppurtunity to show influential people the beauty of Islam through actions, rather than words.

4. Why to engage. : 

4. Why to engage. NUS: The NUS is responsible for deciding national policy. Engaging with the NUS means you can influence these policies. The NUS has full-time sabbs who work to serve students. The better they understand Muslim needs, the better they can serve them.

5. How to engage. : 

5. How to engage. Student Unions Meet your Sabb officers and Chaplain regularly for coffee/chats. Attend Student Council/Societies Council – ask questions, or even submit motions on issues that affect you! Invite SU officers and University Staff to your big Isoc events – IAW, or Charity Week. Encourage Muslim students to vote, or even run, in elections. Help the SU in their campaigns. Do joint events with other societies (e.g. Islam and the Environment, Women in Islam, interfaith dialogue etc)

5. How to engage. : 

5. How to engage. NUS: Unlike the SU, the NUS works on a national level, but you can still engage with the NUS by: - Being elected as an NUS conference delegate. Attending NUS ‘Zone’ Conferences (for more information on this, contact the Wales SAC rep). 3. Communicating your needs to your Student Unions to pass on to NUS.

5. How to engage. : 

5. How to engage. University Management Invite your Vice Chancellor/Dean to IAW events Set up regular meetings with ‘Pro-Vice Chancellors’ to talk about the progress of the ISoc Get to know your Estates division Get to know your Chaplain Have a strong relationship with your SU! Ultimately it is the SU’s job to lobby University Management for you.

Closing… : 

Closing… The Students Union and NUS is a very important part of the student world. Understanding it, and engaging with it, is key to changing not only your campus, but society too. Don’t put student politics at the bottom of the agenda.

End : 

End For more information, visit… www.wales.fosis.org.uk Or contact the FOSIS Wales Training and Resources committee at: - wales.isoctraining@fosis.org.uk