NUS Reform

Opening the Doors | Reforming NUS

Introduction

What’s been going on with NUS Reform? What are the current structures? What is proposed? How are the proposals different to last year? Questions and Comments Next Steps?


NUS is changing

Over the past couple of years we have been changing to make NUS better

We are developing a positive, research backed vision for student life and students’ unions in the future

Student organisations will be representative, relevant, democratic and powerful. NUS will ensure that.

They’ll also be well run. NUS will ensure that too.

We have made real progress, but a crucial element is reform of our structures.


A vision for NUS Reform

An NUS that is representative of today’s students An NUS that is relevant to today’s unions An opened up NUS- more accountable and easier

to get involved An NUS that puts power back in the hands of

unions Genuinely Democratic rather than bureaucratic

or hackocratic Simple and easy to understand Where real input doesn’t have to mean standing

for the NEC or making a speech


The journey we’ve been on

What happened? April 2007 Conference “a ‘far-ranging review’ of NUS’

governance” Steering Group appointed and issues summarised in a ‘Green

Paper.’ 425 FE & HE officers, 120 staff and over 15 external

organisations and individuals contributed October 07: NEC ‘White Paper’- calls an extraordinary

Conference December- Extraordinary Conference approves new

Constitution April 08- Annual Conference discussed plans and got a simple

but NOT 2/3 majority Wide ranging consultation on how the plans could be

strengthened NEC have made significant changes that address the real

concerns that you had


Vision and Mission

The Current Structure Constitution last properly updated 1980- 16 aims First real strategic plan last year Restructured management, finance and staffing Created five “Zones” to simplify work into broad categories-

– Higher Education– Further Education– Welfare & Student Rights– Union Development (“Strong & Active Unions”) – Society & Citizenship

3 “nations” (Scotland, Wales and NUS-USI) and International Students, Mature Students, Anti Racism and the Environment.

The Problem Constitution does not reflect or represent this properly Support for the Zones and campaigns is uneven


Opening the doors

Clarity & Relevance

Simplified Mission and Vision statement– Representing Students– Developing and Championing Unions

Projects and Campaigns judged against the benefit delivered to you

Direct involvement from you in “zones” of our work


Getting Involved

The Current Structure Not many ways of getting involved in NUS… “National Executive Committee” Finance Committee, Steering Committee, Elections

committee “National Councillor”, Campaign Committees

The Problem Students’ unions have hundreds of volunteers, but

NUS’ structures actively prevent all but the most political people from getting involved.

A culture built on shutting you out


Giving NUS back

The Proposal A positive culture where NUS’ success

is built on your input and involvement New volunteer strategy and policy New committees for Welfare, FE, HE, Union

Development and Society & Citizenship (“Zone Committees”) – officers and staff

Committees – lead NUS’ work in a particular area– scrutinise the work of full time officers – work with unions to deliver campaigns and

programmes


The Political Leadership

The problem Currently a single National Executive Committee Difficult to hold the NEC to account Role (especially the “Block of 12”) not defined. Not holding the right discussions at the right time and too many

responsibilities

The proposal New National Executive Council Reps from across NUS and block of 15 to act as political

leadership. Resolves competing interests, interim policy, debates and sets

the direction and instructs the Board on spending priorities and campaigns

“Block of 15” not officers but representatives of NUS’ membership with expenses for visits etc


Finance & Legal Issues

The Current Structure Membership body of unions, guilds and associations. “National Executive Committee” holds the legal responsibility /

liability for NUS It scrutinises management, fiduciary and legal

The Problem NUS was poorly managed, deficits, culture of waste and poor

monitoring. “National Executive” focussed on motions and politics rather

than budgets and staffing NEC rubber stamped their own managers’ advice. Management and finances are in better shape but you wanted

to minimise future risks.


A better run NUS

We will make it easier for students and unions to get their voice heard and their priorities worked on

That needs representative and political leadership But it also needs sound finances and good management So a new trustee Board will scrutinise finances and senior staff

to enable the representative parts to do their job It’s legally responsible so in extreme cases able to stop things

from happening

5 Student Officers

(President +4)

6 Ordinary Students

4 Lay Trustees

By and From Executive

Elected by Conference

Appointed by Conference


Supported Political Leaders

The Proposal Representative and relevant leadership roles Clarity over what they do- represent and lead, not

manage Real support and proper accountability

President VP Union Development

VP Welfare VP Further Education

VP Higher EducationVP Society and

Citizenship

Some work to staff (ie bits of Treasurer and Secretary) Some to a new “Democratic” Committee


Making Policy

The Current Structure Unions send in “motions” in December on issues These get published and unions can amend them. Representatives from unions meet to shorten the length of the

“motions document” Debated formally at the Annual Conference.

The Problem Relevant issues to you do not necessarily become

policy Assumes all unions already have policy development in their

unions. Some do not- shutting out many from NUS Most of the policies submitted come from NUS political groups Many things submitted by unions fall off the end of the agenda “Compositing” a nightmare


Making Policy

1. Informal Stage

Research Discussion

Surveys Hear from Experts

Thinking and discussing Creative sessions

then…

2. Formal Stage

Zone Committee submits a policy report…

…and unions submit ordinary motions

To be amended debated and voted on by unions at conference



Policy

Plus: For big issues we want to put power back

in your hands So there’s a new power to call a national

ballot to settle an issue between meetings of Conference

We’d like your views on how this could work in practice (will be built into the schedules)


Conference

The Current Structure 1400 delegates from unions come to NUS Conference Debates policy, elects officers and committees, sets

budget Delegates from HE elected by “Cross Campus ballot”

The Problem Tiring, inaccessible and confusing Agenda dominated by bureaucracy or procedure Only confident speakers contribute. Low participation in Cross Campus ballot


A transformed Conference

The Proposal Improve and extend policy debates,

elections, and accountability More time for fringes and discussions Simplified procedures and enhanced

training Shorter days, more accessible Criteria for Cross Campus Ballot exemption Retains highest power to debate and set

the policy and campaigns


Mature, PG and Intl Students

The Current Structure NUS has a Committee and conference for Mature

students and International students. At conference we count part time students as a

tenth of full time students Nothing for Postgrads

The Problem Mature Students have a tiny budget and little staff

support. Part time students don’t have a defined voice Unfair that PT students are counted as a tenth of a

full time student


Giving a voice

The Proposal Postgraduate “student section” and engage

in talks with NPC over addressing postgrads Better funding, staff support and a plan

of delivery for each “section” A full time International Students’ Officer Widen scope of Mature Students to include

Part Time Students (huge crossover) Increased representation of Part Time

students at Conference.


Around the UK

The Proposal Investment in local training and networking. A range of less formal networks- like Mission

Groups of Universities, or an environmental network.

National student groups have associate member status.

Full reviews of Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish devolution to eradicate gaps and overlap.


Elections

The Problem Few rules or restrictions on campaigning. Regular complaint that people don’t know how to stand,

information is scarce, and there is no support for candidates

The Proposal Regulation of campaigns and financing, Package of enabling measures to make it easier to run a

campaign. Ideas included:

– An elections micro-site– Opportunity to send an election address via email– Hard copies of the manifesto document to delegates at the

conference– Regional hustings before conference, which should be filmed and

made available to all delegates via e-mail


national conference

NUS Reform | Opening the Doors

board national executive council



national conference

National Conference

Composition

Delegates from unions from across the UK

Role

The vibrant heart of NUS, setting the agenda for the year ahead, electing new leaders and acting as the NUS AGM


national conference



Zones

HE, FE, Unions, Welfare and Soc Cit

Better leadership, more direct involvement from you, evidence led campaigns and programmes, focussed on the benefits to and involvement from unions


national conference




national conference



National Executive Council

Does what it says on the tin

Reps from nations, liberation, student sections, the Pres and VPs (Zones) and 15 political diversity

Non voting reps from partner student organisations

Sets interim policy and directs the Board


national conference



The Board

Appointed by and accountable to Conference, the board handles the administration of NUS, enabling the political and representative parts to do their job better. It scrutinises senior staff and handles detailed finance and legal stuff

Composition:

•Elected officers (including the President)

•Ordinary elected students

•Lay Trustee Professionals


national conference




national conference




What’s changed from last year?

You said The Result“You are not doing enough to address Postgraduate Representation within NUS”

Proposals on Postgraduate Representation Talks with the National Postgraduate Committee

(NPC) on closer collaboration

You said The Result“Some of the terms you used for new bodies or committees are confusing or misleading”

The “Senate” is renamed the “National Executive Council”

The “Congress” is renamed the “National Conference”

The “Board” is renamed the “Trustee Board” “National Office Bearers” are renamed “Full Time

Officers”

Postgraduate Students

Language



You said The Result“Conference should still be the highest political body. And it should not become a 1 day celebration but be the place to hold real debates”

Any references to Conference being a “celebration” have been removed

It will still be at least a three day event

“Cross campus ballots should remain as the way that unions elect their delegations”

Default and standard requirement for HE elected by Cross Campus Ballot

Exemptions will be stricter than previously;

(for example ability to reserve places for a particular campus)

“Conference just is not accessible”

Democratic Procedures Committee responsible for accessibility

Annual Conference/Congress



“We want to make sure that there is representation from both EU and non EU students- not all their issues are the same”

Two International Students on the National Executive Council- 1 EU, 1 non EU.

“We want to make sure there is representation from both Part Time and Mature students- not all their issues are the same”

The “Mature and Part Time Students” student get two places on the NEC

Mature, Part Time & International Students

“It looks like a powerless talking shop”

NEC’s role clarified as the representative council of NUS Holds critical executive policy powers Clarified role in interim policy making and policy interpretation Clarified power to direct the Trustee Board to carry out its duties in

accordance with its interpretations of policy

“It needs to better hold officers and senior staff to account on behalf of us”

We will establish a power to form scrutiny committees that can question and scrutinise both Full Time Officers and Senior Staff Members

The National Executive Council



“I don’t want to see student factions regulating elections”

The Democratic Procedures Committee (DPC) no longer have a direct role in running, regulating or supervising elections

Conference will appoint a Chief Returning Officer and three deputies to form an elections committee, who will not be ordinary (student) members, must have relevant professional experience, and will be responsible for the conduct and good administration of elections.

“I want NUS’ elections to be better regulated”

A timeline for bringing forward proposals on elections regulation should be established for the new elections committee to follow.

“Budgets are political and so Conference should set the Budget- the most important political policy there is”

National Conference will set the budget that will be developed and proposed jointly by the NEC and Trustee Board

“I want to ensure there is an officer I can hold to account for Finance”

As the chair of both the NEC and Trustee Board the National President will be clarified as being chiefly politically responsible for Finances

Elections and Democratic Procedures

NUS Finances



“The policy process looks very confusing”

We have simplified and published revised proposals to achieve the following:o More opportunity to discuss relevant issues to studentso Opportunities for evidence based policy makingo Speed up approval of non controversial issues on

National Conference floor because the current process wastes time

o Unions have greater ownership of policy generation and policy making

o Retain the opportunity for a students' union to get their issue on National Conference's Agenda

o Improve Accountability of Officers“National Conference should be the only body that makes policy- it’s the most representative body”

Zone Conference will not have any policy setting powers. Any policy discussions will be purely consultative/informal.

“Why can we only send one delegate?”

There will be no formal limit on the number of delegates that can attend a Zone Conference. The voting power for electing Zone Committees will however remain at one union one vote

“How does this improve accountability?”

The VP/Zone Committee will be required to submit a report & plan to the Zone Conference for discussion/accountability, and the Presidents Priorities Report and Plan will go to each Zone Conference

Zones and Policy Making



“The board will meddle in politics”

We have restricted the role of the board in the document to focus on administrative and regulatory matters

It can be directed on policy and budget matters, and we have strengthened the reporting and accountability measures for it at National Executive Council and Congress

If it does overstep the mark the NEC will have the power to remove Trustees

“The board will be able to cut spending on campaigns”

We have clarified the respective roles of the NEC and Trustee Board to ensure that the power to set campaigning and other budgets lies in the hands of the elected bodies.

In addition the budget will have to be approved by both the Board and the National Executive Council before being presented to Conference by the President

“The elected senate should be able to overturn decisions of the board”

The new proposals grant power to the National Executive Council to refer back, in part or full, the report of the board at its meetings; we have also simplified and clarified the accountability procedures for the board at Annual Congress

“The way lay trustees will be selected is a total stitch up”

The new proposals ensure that the nominations committee is broader and that there are proper arrangements for voting on their appointment at Conference

“The board will not be diverse enough”

There is now an explicit responsibility to manage the diversity profile of the board given to the nominations committee

The board will be full of “student movement cronies”

There is now a detailed clause ruling out anyone with a direct financial or legal relationship with NUS from becoming an external member of the board

“The board could veto changes to the constitution on “financial” or “legal” grounds”

The new proposals reflect that the board will not have the right to veto constitutional or schedules changes

Nor will it have any right to comment on or “veto” beliefs of the national union or any matter resolved which does not have direct practical financial or legal implications

The Trustee Board


Resources

There’s – A model motion and calling notice– The leaflet in your pack– A powerpoint presentation online– Model text for student media– A leaflet explaining the changes to students– The full core constitution

All on http://www.officeronline.co.uk/reform


So what next?

The NEC is encouraging you to call an Extraordinary Conference

It would encourage your union to hold a cross campus ballot for delegates

You can submit amendments to the proposals if you want to change something

The proposals need 2/3 majority twice- the NEC is not taking a view on when the second vote (“ratification”) should be and wants your views