This proposal calls for UEA Students to consider, evaluate and vote on whether UEA Students’ Union (UEASU) should continue to renew their membership to the National Union of Students (NUS).
At its core, this proposal is about the financial position of the Students’ Union, what value the NUS provides to UEA SU and UEA Students, whether that value is worth the price, and whether the money could be better spent elsewhere, providing students with more value.
The National Union of Students UK (NUS UK) is a registered company that aims to represent the views and interests of students based at UK Universities and colleges through national campaigns and political lobbying. They lobby the government, the Department for Education and education regulators such as the Office for Students. Students’ Unions pay to be members of NUS UK and in return receive some advice for local campaigns, the opportunity to get involved in national campaigns and access some events.
The SU is not a for-profit private company. It is an independent charity, separate to the University, run for students, by students. All SU income is used to support and fund social opportunities, student jobs, inclusive events, and fund the SU’s charitable goals. This includes advice services, nightlife like the LCR, Waterfront and Bars, societies, representation, democracy, campaigns, activities and community support.
UEASU spends £19,050.80 per year on NUS UK membership and budgets a further £5,000 to attend important NUS UK Conferences and Events. That’s over £25,000 per year that isn’t directly supporting our students.
In the last year alone, over 25 students’ unions across the country, including LSE, Cambridge, Bath, Manchester, UCL and York, have voted to disaffiliate and put an end to their membership with NUS UK. These Students’ Unions disaffiliated for a number of reasons, but the main one reported on was that these SU’s did not feel like NUS UK represented students and student officers on their views- especially on issues such as Palestine Solidarity and the Cost-of-Living crisis.
This proposal argues that:
UEASU gains limited value for money through NUS UK membership
£25,000 per year could be put to better use and benefit our students directly
UEASU still benefits from and can take part in National Campaigning and Lobbying without NUS UK.
Maintaining both independence and £25,000 per year protects student voice and supports the affordability and accessibility of student-facing activities.
This proposal recognizes both the benefits and risks involved with both the disaffiliation and continuation of NUS UK membership. That’s why it aims to provide students with a clear and balanced overview of the pros and cons of each potential situation.
Ultimately this proposal asks students to decide whether based on the evidence they believe that:
UEASU should disaffiliate from NUS UK and save the £25,000 per year.
UEASU should continue to be affiliated with NUS UK and pay the £25,000 per year membership.
Based on the weight of the evidence, this proposal recommends disaffiliation.