Governance of the National Union of Students (United Kingdom)

The governance of the National Union of Students, the organisation which is the main confederation of students' unions within the United Kingdom, has recently undergone radical reform. The article explains the background to the reform process and the current system of governance.

Debates over governance reform dominated the National Conference of 2008. Reform proposals were rejected in 2008 in a vote where 692 voted for the proposals and 358 voted against, but a two-thirds majority was required.The Guardian characterised the reform proposals as 'Blairite'. Critics of the reforms characterised them as an attack on the democratic structure of the organisation. that would lead to a reduction in minority representation. Supporters argued that the reform proposals would replace an outdated system of governance and lead to a more innovative corporate structure. Two extraordinary conferences were held to ratify the reform proposals a measure criticised as undemocratic given that there is no requirement for students unions to hold cross-campus elections for extraordinary conferences. The first extraordinary conference was held in Leicester where the reforms passed. The second conference was held in Wolverhampton where 614 delegates at the conference voting in favour of the proposals and 142 voted against them.

The President of the National Union of Students is Megan Dunn. The other positions are Vice-President Higher Education, Vice-President Further Education, Vice-President Union Development, Vice-President Welfare and Vice-President Society and Citizenship. Each Vice-President leads a distinct zone within the organizational structure of the NUS.

The National Executive Council (NEC) is NUS’ interim decision making body between meetings of the union’s National Conference. It comprises elected representatives and officers from each of NUS’ Zones, Student Sections, Liberation Campaigns and Nations as well as 15 individually elected members and the National President.

The 15 individually elected members are known as the "Block of 15"/ The Block of 15 is made up of 15 members five of which are reserved for members of further education institutions.

†Further education

There current exists five policy zones.

Each zone is made up of a committee of elected students.

The current committee composition for 15/16 is:

Society and Citizenship Zone Committee Vice President - Piers Telemacque

Further Education Zone Committee Vice President - Shakira Martin

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