- Northumbria Students' Union
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Northumbria Students' Union Institution Northumbria University President Jo Rhodes Affiliations National Union of Students of the United Kingdom, Northumbria Students' Union serves to represent the students of Northumbria University and have 'a positive impact on the lives of all our students'. Northumbria Students' Union is an independent charity run by students for students that exists to campaign for and represent the needs of Northumbria students. They are also an affiliated member of The National Union of Students (NUS). The Union not for profit - meaning every penny spent in the Union is directed back into the services and activities on offer to Northumbria Students. It is based in the heart of City Campus West, where its prime location makes it perfect for hosting events and all important graduation pictures. It represents students in academic and non-academic matters through a nationally recognised School Reps and Post Graduate Research Reps Systems, as well as Community Reps and Equality Groups.
Contents
Governance
Student Council
Northumbria's Student Council was established in 2007 by a cross campus ballot calling for the way in which the Union was governed to be changed. Student Council is the core policy making and implementing body of the Union - its members can:
- Vote on motions to pass policy, which the Union and its sabbatical officers are then obliged to respect and uphold
- Vote for the Union to pursue a particular course of action, or vote indicatively to suggest to the sabbatical officers to pursue a course of action
- Form Scrutiny Committees to make sure that elections, financial procedures and everything else are done by the book
- Establish Student Community Forums to consider a particular issue in more depth and to involve a wider variety of students - for example, on issues where Student Councillors feel that they can't take a decision without consulting beyond the membership of Student Council
There are 30 members of the Student Council, who represent the whole student community.
Sabbatical Officers
The Union is led by 5 Sabbatical Officers, the President and four Vice Presidents:
- Vice President Communications and Involvement
- Vice President Activities and Development
- Vice President Academic Affairs
- Vice President Welfare and Equality.
The Vice President Academic Affairs deputises the President.The Sabbatical officers are elected by cross campus ballot. Any Northumbria student is able to stand in the elections. In 2009, a grand total of 3295 votes were cast in the elections.
Venues
The Students' Union occupies the main quad, off Sandyford Road, which is located in the heart of the university's West campus and a smaller space at Coach Lane Campus, which has a multi-purpose venue with indoor seating, computer hub and social space.
In 2009, the Students' Union was awarded £5 million to be spent on remodelling the union facilities at City Campus West to make them fit for purpose for an even increasing student body and portfolio of activities. Building worked progressed through the summer term of 2010. Northumbria SU scored a hat trick at the 2009 Best Bar None awards [1]. They scooped:
- Reds - Gold, Best Club
- Habita - Silver, Best Bar
- Stage 2 - Bronze, Best Live Music Venue
Escape
Opened in 2010, Escape is a social space for relaxing away from commercial services. It boasts IT points, beanbags and a book exchange.
Habita
Habita, the crown in the jewel of Northumbria Students' Union, is a family-friendly venue cafe-bar serving Starbucks, premium cocktails and a full menu of food options. In 2008, students saw the close of the treasured 'Bar One' and £2 million investment flooded into the union. Habita also showcases the work of students from the School of Arts and Social Sciences. During the Students' Union Sabbatical elections, hustings are held here.
Domain
Domain, previously named 'The Venue', bridges the Students' Union with Northumbria's new sports centre, Sports Central. It is a multifunctional space that is masterfully transformed[citation needed] on weekends for a showcase of club nights and gigs. Such acts as Maximo Park and Amy Winehouse have graced the stage here.
Student activities
The Students' Union have over 70 ratified societies - from Snowsports through to The Psychology Soc., there's something for everyone to experience.
Media
In 2004, Northumbria Students' Union launched its broadsheet, the Northumbria Student, with an editor elected by cross campus ballot. The paper was published monthly and was semi independent on the Union. It proved popular, with features on current affairs, student politics, live music reviews and interviews.
In response to student requests, Northumbria Student was redesigned to a slick, hand-bag magazine format 'NU:Life' in 2008. It continues to be popular with students, offering a mix of current affairs.
Awards
- 2010 NUS Community Relations Award Winners
- 2010 NUS HE Students' Union of the Year - runner up
- 2010 North East Business Awards (Environmental Category) - runner up
- 2011 North East Best Bar None Gold and Silver Awards
References
External links
Categories:- Student Affairs task force articles
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