Monday 27-04-2020 - 11:41

On the second day of the NUS National Conference, policy voting takes place. Due to Conference taking place online this year, summaries, and arguments for and against policies, were shared as videos. Eight policy proposals were discussed and voted on out of the 45 policies submitted by student unions. This included a proposal submitted by Durham’s own delegates. In addition, due to the increasingly obvious impact of Covid-19 on further and higher education, an emergency policy proposal was submitted by the NUS National President. 

Challenges for students during Covid-19

The emergency motion addressed the Covid-19 pandemic, setting out the key issues students may face, including ensuring the delivery of education is as effective as it can be given the situation. This is especially relevant to Durham students given the decision to move exams online and develop a no-detriment policy, which, elements of which require further clarification. The motion also pushed that the government should work with the NUS to address the various challenges students are going to face as a result of the pandemic, such as finance, admissions to Higher Education (given the cancellation of A level exams), and the potential for rent and bill holidays. The motion was passed with a 94% majority, although it is interesting to note there was only a 60% turnout overall. 

Parity in healthcare for students

Our own delegates submitted a policy on parity in healthcare. They highlighted in their policy proposal the difficultly in gaining access to healthcare when you are only able to register permanently at one GP surgery. The policy was passed with a 91% majority. Subsequently, a sub-proposal was added by the University of Leicester Students’ Union, which stressed the expense of prescriptions, and therefore that students should have access to a cheaper offer on government prepayment plans. The sub-proposal was still passed, albeit with a smaller majority of 81%.

Transforming education in the face of funding decreases and expansion

Another policy proposed included a long-term plan to transform education. The proposal examined the significant fall in funding across the education sector, with funding falling 45% in adult education from 2010/11-2018 and funding for 16-18 colleges falling 12% in that same period as just two examples. The policy saw multiple sub-proposals, including one from Lancaster Students’ Union stating that the lifting of the admissions cap in 2015 has allowed universities to continue to expand. This sub-proposal is linked to a key source of contention at Durham. The University has continued to fund expansion plans, despite the impact on the student experience, including most prominently student housing.

Support post-Brexit and the climate change emergency

Other policies included increasing international student support post-Brexit, which came as a composite policy from Exeter Guild, Nottingham Trent Students’ Union and Hertfordshire SU. Most significantly, this motion encourages a push for a significant reduction in university fees for international students and to set fees, such as those apply for UK and current EU students. A policy also pushed for the declaration of a climate change emergency, a push for safe – after the fire in Bolton student halls – and affordable student accommodation, and better support for student workers. 

Overall, the second day of Conference saw a range of interesting and highly topical policies passed. I also heard the start of the day was made far more interesting for delegates with the choice of a Zoom Party or Yoga.

 

Photo courtesy of Augustine Ihm.