Our values underpin everything we do and everything we believe in as a students’ union. They guide not only what we do, but how we do it.

 

Thousands of volunteers, hundreds of officers & representatives, and our staff teams power what we do and this is knitted together by a common sense of purpose and a culture which supports both understanding and success.

 

Here's what they are and what they mean to us...

 

Students at the heart of what we do

 

 

- Our sole charitable purpose is the advancement of the education of students at Lancaster University and decisions at every level are made with this as the aim

 

- Students lead the organisation and everything we do is in reaction to student voice: feedback, campaigns and democratic choices

 

- We advocate for students where necessary but always aim to empower as opposed to speaking for

 

- We are held accountable to our students through scrutiny panels and by publicising our aims, targets and progress towards these

 

- 100% of our commercial profits go back into services and opportunities for students

 

 

Independence

 

 

- It should be clearly recognisable to students what is delivered by their Union

 

- Our partnerships and relationships are judged by results for students and we are not afraid to stand up to our partners when we disagree

 

- We provide independent and impartial advice to students

 

- Sourcing of funding separate to our University block grant gives us financial independence

 

 

 

 

Respect

 

 

- Treating all members equally and respecting the differences amongst our student body

 

- Understanding that students have many different things going on in their life

 

- Respecting expertise in our students and staff

 

- We respect our members right to freedom of speech while expecting members to treat each other with respect; politeness, patience and empathy

 

- We show respect through prioritising face-to-face interaction and responding to students in a timely manner

 

- We expect members to show respect to staff and officers who are supporting and serving them

 

- Staff and officers show each other respect by fulfilling commitments, supporting each other and communicating professionally

 

 

Fun

 

 

- Wherever possible, we want people to enjoy themselves when involved with the union

 

- Recognising and supporting the many different ways that students have fun and enabling them to do this in a safe way

 

- We are good at fun: Sugarhouse, societies, sport, Extravs, Welcome Week, big events, and more

 

 

 

 

 

 

Openness

 

 

- Policies and decision-making processes which are easy to find, read and understand

 

- We are open to new ideas, questions and challenges

 

- We embrace partnership working and try to achieve change by working with not against

 

- The union’s spaces are welcoming and accessible

 

 

 

 

Courage

 

 

- Standing up for students, even when the odds are against us

 

- Making tough decisions that may not be popular but are the interests of students, especially those who are marginalised

 

- Trying new ideas and not being afraid to make mistakes – provided mistakes are learnt from

 

- Challenging each other and being open to challenge

 

- Giving power and control to students wherever possible

 

- Decisions are made in the best interests of Lancaster students, present and future

 

 

Celebration

 

 

- Celebrating the diversity of our community

 

- Showing our pride in student achievements thorough telling success stories and giving credit where due, including to ourselves

 

- Taking the time to reflect on what went well and to congratulate those who made it happen