Wednesday 25-06-2025 - 16:21

Dan reflects on his time as Durham SU President
At the end of my first year, I spoke to one of my lecturers who I got on well with, whose seminars I frequently ranted through about the state of the world and of things at Durham, about a proposal I’d created to increase the number of students from the local area coming to the University. He told me that it was impossible to make change through the department and that there’s only one way I’d have a chance of getting anything like this done: by being SU President. My reaction, of course, was not recognition, focus, a sense of clarity or purpose, to heed the call of destiny, but to ask, “What is an SU President?”.

I remember being hesitant to put myself through the process of the very public cross-campus ballot. I wasn’t in any societies, I didn’t participate in my JCR, I was – and remain – an introvert at heart, at my happiest when left alone to my own devices. The idea of hundreds and thousands of people being the slightest bit aware of my existence, the potential for judgement and embarrassment and having to put myself out there was, frankly, harrowing. To this day, I don’t know what moved me to put my name down to run, but it was the best decision I have ever made. Second only, perhaps, to my decision to apply to Durham in the first place.

As I arrive at the end of that journey, which began nearly 4 years ago now, I think I’m just about content with what we’ve achieved. Housing is in a better place than it was. How the SU represents students has been transformed by our incredible part-time Officers and will continue to grow next year. There’s also the individual bits and pieces like centering the issues of affordability and fighting for the rights of students who work by getting part-time work made a legitimate reason to get an extension. Most importantly, though, the thing which started it all: increasing the number of working-class students going to Durham University, is a key part of the Access and Participation Plan. That would have been enough for the random northern kid who decided he wanted to be SU President, but as SU President, the only thing I’ve allowed myself to think is ‘what next?’ and even now at the end, that can’t change.

There are, of course, things I’d do differently. Principally, in how we communicate our reasoning to students. Some, I’m sure, felt we were too passive in resisting the University’s cuts, or that we weren’t doing anything at all about them. Part of that required a better explanation as to how we were approaching it and why. That means being honest with students about the fact that, for example, if the University didn’t reduce the opening hours of the Bill Bryson, it would take the money from somewhere else – likely staff. This isn’t nice, nor is it a rationale or logic I endorse, but it is how the University is viewing the process of saving money. So, we made the decision that something impacting 200 people, but which was mitigated, was better than the alternative. Similarly, the decision not to organise a protest centrally was not driven by indifference on our part, but a calculation that protests require sustained pressure and that if nobody turned up to a protest, and even fewer turned up to the protest after that, then we effectively prove the University’s point. We did speak to some students about one, and the idea was floated, but never pursued. Regardless, for every decision we took not to do something, we always made sure we did something else to advocate for students instead. Whether that’s liaising with the University about being clear on mitigations, ensuring online PhD vivas remained an option, not a mandate, when some departments sought to make it one, as well as saving the breakfast club.

I've also discovered there’s a reluctance to just ask us for or about things. A vocal minority prefer to complain relentlessly on Durfess and Overheard instead of sending an email or asking to chat. This culture, of course, goes beyond the SU, and includes JCRs and societies , and clearly, this is simply the joy of anonymous forums, which is what it is. Durfess does not, and will never, dictate SU policy. But that doesn’t mean we’ll never answer questions, or explain decisions, or change our approach in response to an email or a conversation. I’ve met and supported hundreds of students over the last couple of years who emailed and asked for help or clarification. There are lessons learned here, namely about us improving our communication processes and refining how best students want to find out information from us, but I'm under no illusion that some people just want to snipe anonymously, and that comes with the territory.

The last two years have been turbulent, to say the least. My overriding feeling about it all is pride in the never-ending capacity of our community to fight for what we believe in. We have stood against genocide and racism, and those who would exploit these topics in the name of spectacle. When fascists sought to spread violence and hate in our region, students, staff and local residents stood together and ensured they did not prevail. As Durham University, for so long insulated against the worst excesses of the crisis of higher education, has undertaken a mass cuts program, students once again stood with staff in shared struggle. And, most recently, in the aftermath of the Supreme Court judgement, we have rallied around our trans community and affirmed their right to exist,to belong and to thrive.

The Durham Bubble might seem like the centre of the universe when you’re in it, but it’s not. Realising there's a whole world out there, and that its future looks increasingly dire, can be overwhelming. It can feel like the vast systems of domination generating the pain and injustice we feel so acutely locally are insurmountable, beyond us, and that the contribution of Durham students to any resistance is futile. It's often said that Durham students go on to change the world. To an extent, that’s the Bubble talking, but not entirely. The best part of this job, without a shadow of a doubt, has been working with students who show that even the smallest acts of supporting one another are incredible in their power. They remind us that what we practice here still matters, will continue to matter, and will shape the more equal and just future we all dream of.

One of the most exciting parts about being from Durham and studying here is that, although my time at the University coming to an end, I’ll be able to walk past the buildings knowing that there’s bound to be some sort of drama unfolding inside, but that none of it is my problem anymore. Do feel free to say hi if you see me though.

To all of you who have supported me, the Officers and the Students’ Union this year and last, I’m grateful and I thank you. And, indeed, to those who found me and us insufferable and a foil throughout for whatever reason, I’m not sorry, because you probably deserved it.

A massive thank you also to the Durham SU staff, without whom none of what we do is possible. They are an outstanding and lovely group of people who work hard every day to ensure students are able to succeed.

My final request is that you support my wonderful successor, Abi, as much as you have me. I’ve been lucky to know Abi for a little while, and I know she is going to be excellent. She is passionate, insightful and courageous and has everything the SU President needs to represent students through a challenging and chaotic time. I couldn’t ask for a better successor, and I am so excited to see her thrive next year.

Now, to find a new personality.