NUS Affiliation Referendum
Background
The University of Surrey Students’ Union (USSU) is currently affiliated to the National Union of
Students (NUS). Membership of the NUS provides numerous financial and representative benefits;
however, in order to be a member, USSU must pay an annual affiliation fee (in 2011, this was
£40,000; for 2012, NUS has requested an affiliation fee of £48,500).
As the largest single transaction paid by USSU in a normal fiscal year, Surrey students should have
the right to scrutinise whether the support received in exchange for this affiliation fee is of sufficient
value to justify continued membership of NUS.
The decision to either continue or cease NUS affiliation can only be made via the Board of Trustees,
or through a campus-wide referendum. By giving the choice to students rather than trustees, we
are more democratic, transparent and representative. Under articles 23.1 and 23.2 of the USSU byelaws, a referendum can be instigated either by a unanimous vote by the USSU Executive
Committee, or through a petition signed by 150 full USSU members.
The last time USSU held an NUS affiliation referendum was in 2008; it has therefore bypassed an
entire generation of Surrey student to have the choice of whether or not NUS membership is
justified. Many Students’ Unions constitutionally hold NUS referendums annually; and whilst this is
exceptionally frequent, one referendum per ‘generation’ (3 years) of Surrey student ought to be
sufficient. A referendum is therefore long overdue.
Proposal
The University of Surrey Students’ Union Executive committee is asked to unanimously approve the
following question to be asked via a campus-wide referendum, within which all full members of The
University of Surrey Students’ Union will have the opportunity to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’:
“Should The University of Surrey Student’s Union be affiliated to the National Union of Students?”
Additional Information
Once instigated, Democracy Committee will be responsible for setting any applicable referendum
rules (campaigning, timescales, budgets).
Initial discussions suggest that an information-based referendum is preferable to a campaign-based
one. In practice, this means fair, balanced, factual information representing both sides of the
debate will be distributed by USSU; as opposed to campaigning based on ‘champions’ of either
argument (which can lead to voting based on personality, rather than facts).
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