Thursday 11-04-2019 - 09:20

NUS Media Observer, Anna Tatham, reports back on the second day of NUS Conference, a crucial day for the future of the National Union of Students.

 

“We won’t be the generation who turn the light off on NUS”

Wednesday’s conference was mostly based around NUS Reform. After five hours of debate, the future of the NUS was changed forever. 

The National Union of Students (NUS) has been having a tough time recently. In terms of participation, 80 per cent of NUS’ Further Education members choose not to engage in National Conference and only a third of the total possible delegates attend NUS Conference. Some have blamed this on the burden of participation: understanding and committing to the NUS requires time and knowledge of its inner workings.

Financially, the NUS as an institution risks bankruptcy; last year it revealed it is in severe financial difficulties and told its members to anticipate for cuts and structural reform, as reported in The Guardian. President Shakira Martin admitted yesterday at conference “As I stand on this stage today, we should have run out of cash”.

So the NUS is struggling. This is where Reform comes in.

NUS Proposals for Reform, now approved by the 700 delegates attending conference, permit a series of big changes to the NUS. This includes a simplified governance structure of the NUS and a reduced fee charge to members.

Conference also approved a number of amendments to the original reform motion including:

1. A requirement for the NUS board to ensure it has corporate expertise from outside the student movement on the board moving forward.
2. Introduction of a National Scrutiny Council to ensure transparency and accountability of Student Officers.
3. If NUS is able to afford more Officers in future, there should be full time Liberation Officers elected in caucuses.

The NUS has thus been saved. Back in October, its future was uncertain, as its London office was put up for sale and 54 redundancies were made. Delegates today secured the survival of the nearly 100-year-old organisation.

After the debate, Shakira Martin NUS President said:

“I am grateful to Conference for taking this momentous decision to endorse reform and deliver the vision of members. This vote sends a clear message that we have listened, heard and acted.

“There was a different mood at this year’s conference which was far more conciliatory and willing to hear different points of view, perhaps in recognition of the serious issues being debated. This was appreciated and is an example of the respectful debate spaces we want to see across NUS.

“We will now prepare for a Company Law meeting and subject to their endorsement for transition, the organisation will reform. This will see us create a new NUS structure that addresses the governance issues that have contributed in part to our current financial challenges.”