Friday 23-03-2018 - 09:24

NUS Conference 2018 will take place on 27-29 March, and Durham SU is sending five delegates to help influence national policy on your behalf. We spoke to our delegates to find out more about their priorities. Here we have Helen Paton.

Why did you run to be an NUS Delegate?

I ran because I felt the NUS is out of touch with Durham’s students and it could do so much more to work for us on a national level. Because of the college’s, most people don’t engage with SU politics or even know what the NUS is. I ran to make people aware of what it is and make it more representative of all the issues that we have in higher education. Seems like a lot of people loose faith because they don’t see any results. I was tired of being uninformed and I believe it should represent us all rather than just those who are involved in student politics or the SU.

What issues would you like to see NUS tackle?

I think the NUS as a union has a lot more potential. Every year hundreds of motions arrive at conference but I’d love to see a NUS that tackles rising accommodation fees, international students, mental health, freedom of speech and sexual violence on campus. I would like the NUS to tackle the inner democratic process to advocate for a wider representation. I think the main reason nobody really cares or understands is because we don’t have the right to elect officers. Most officers of the NUS are in their late 20’s as well as being constantly re-elected. I’d love to see a wider political spectrum and new faces to student politics as it can be quite toxic and intimidating sometimes. Also, focus on motions that will actually help students rather than motions about Brexit or vote at 16.

 

What are you most looking forward to at the NUS Conference 2018?

I’m looking forward to speaking at conference about our motion of mental health in higher education to develop in collaboration with universities and colleges a national standard of care on mental health issues. I’m also looking forward to being able to represent the voice of Durham students and make sure that our voices are listened on the national platform. I will also be pushing to get one student one vote for President and Officer elections, so students can be more in touch and now that the NUS is more than a discount card. I’m looking forward to be part of those important debates and witnessing the national platform of higher education.