This guide is to help you make an informed opinion about the referendum happening at Lancaster University Students’ Union.

 

What is the situation now?

 

Lancaster SU is affiliated to the National Union of Students (NUS). This referendum is asking Lancaster Students if we should continue our affiliation with NUS.

The National Union of Students (NUS) consists of two constituent companies that work together in order to support each other. These are NUS (UK) and the NUS Charity.

It is possible for a union to be affiliated to one and not the other, or neither.

Lancaster is affiliated to both.

 

What is NUS (UK)?

 

• This company is the student voice organisation of the NUS and by affiliating students’ unions become a legal member of the company.
• It’s a company rather than a charity so it can campaign on political issues (which a charity can’t do).
• Our affiliation means we can have a say on the political aspect of NUS, such as attending NUS Conference and take part in activity organised by NUS.
• NUS-produced guide of the benefits and value of NUS membership for Students’ Unions can be found here.
• It costs £14,819.76 (2020-21) to be a member of NUS UK (£29,291 in 2019-20).

 

What is NUS Charity?

 

NUS Charity is a Charitable Company Ltd by Guarantee. By joining the NUS Charity, you become a legal member of the company.

 

• The NUS Charity exists with the defined focus/purpose of the ‘provision of a strong students’ union for every student, promoting and building the stand-alone value of students’ unions.’
• This covers elements such as training our student officers and providing help and advice to the staff teams at Lancaster SU.
• It also allows staff to attend NUS Staff Conferences.
• NUS Charity also undertakes social enterprise activity through its trading subsidiary, with the aim ‘to leverage collective power to curate a dynamic marketplace of products and services’ for the benefit of students and Students’ Union via the collective purchasing consortium.
• An NUS produced guide of the benefits and value of NUS Charity membership for Students’ Unions can be found here.
• It costs £4,704 (2020-21) to be a member is NUS Charity (£7,323 in 2019-20).

 

What is the collective purchasing consortium?

 

• This part of NUS Charity purchases goods for member Students Unions. Instead of the Union Shop having to find its own suppliers, it is part of hundreds of Union shops (and Bars) who collectively bargain to, in theory, get better deals for students.
• You can become a part of the consortium without being affiliated to NUS for £2000 per year.

 

What does everyone else do?

 

The majority of NUS members are affiliated to both organisations, it is possible however to affiliate to either one or the other organisation, or to simply join the collective purchasing consortium.

 

What are we being asked?

 

There are two referendum questions:

 

• Should Lancaster University Students' Union remain a member of the National Union of Students UK?
• Should Lancaster University Students' Union remain a member of the National Union of Students Charity?

 

You can vote Yes/No or choose to Abstain.

 

Why do some students want us to leave?

 

Some students argue that being a member of NUS isn’t worth the fee and that money would be better spent elsewhere.

These students also believe NUS is not an effective voice for students.

• Read the 'No' campaign manifesto
• Read the 'Abstain' campaign manifesto
• Read the 'Yes' campaign manifesto

 

What happens if we vote to leave one or both NUS organisations?

 

The union would start to begin the official process of leaving which would conclude by December 31 2021.