NUS Votes For Change
Monday 10 Dec 2007
Last Tuesday delegates at the NUS Extraordinary Conference voted to reform and update the organistaion. With many delegates, including many from Imperial, in favour of proposed changes. Read the Presidents view of the conference.
With any luck this will be my last rant about the National Union of Students until the spring. After a long day and a cramped journey home in the Imperial College Union funbus on behalf of our nine delegates I am delighted to report that we got our own way at NUS Extraordinary Conference in Leicester on Tuesday. Conference overwhelmingly voted in favour of the proposed changes to the NUS constitution and Imperial’s proposed amendment which means that student trustees will be democratically elected instead of just going through an appointment process.
Our delegates left this event fully aware of why it is vital that the current structures are scrapped. On Tuesday we spent a ridiculous amount of time debating procedure rather than the substance of the governance review and if the new constitution passes the NUS will move away from the arcane, overly formalised process of submitting and discussing motions to something a bit more accessible to ordinary students. As I have previously stated, the new arrangements whereby all financial responsibility rests with a small, highly skilled Board of Governors should prevent the waste and general silliness that came about from having a bunch of 27 highly politicised students on the National Executive Committee taking some very important decisions. I mentioned in my speech against the wrecking amendment submitted by Manchester Students’ Union titled “Save NUS Democracy” that it was fairly absurd that the organisation currently spends more money on the decision making process than it does on campaigning. Having lots of meetings is no doubt terribly fun for the sad old hacks like me who would end up attending them but probably isn’t that great for the average student who just wants to see that NUS get on with doing stuff that is relevant to them.
To draw this matter to a close for now, speaking from the point of view of someone who thought it was a waste of our time, effort and money affiliating to what is currently a fairly ridiculous organisation it was humbling to hear one of their Vice Presidents describe the NUS as a “bankrupt, shambolic farce” that “lacks influence.” The NUS leadership have kindly written a disaffiliation campaign for Union’s like Imperial who would be very unhappy should the reforms fail and I am happy to take that as evidence of their commitment to sort themselves out. If you have got this far (NUS governance is a bit drab… yawn..) have a very happy Christmas break and I look forward to seeing you in 2008.
Alex Kendall
(020) 7594 8060
IC Extension 58061