NUS National Conference is about students from across the UK coming together to make change. At National Conference students discuss, deliberate and vote on issues that matter to them. What’s voted for at conference then becomes the policy of NUS UK which is then used by elected officers to build campaigns and make change happen.
Delegates attending National Conference also elect the leadership of NUS UK. The officers elected at National Conference, along with those elected at the Liberation Conference and nation conferences, lead the work of NUS UK.
A Statement from our Sabbatical Officer
“This year has been a tough year for everyone, no-one has escaped the pandemic, especially students. Due to these trying times, student representation is more crucial than ever, and I would like to take the time to praise NUS for continuing their work.
Not only have they been tackling problems that have occurred due to the Brexit deal signed, but they have tackled the pandemic, and the problems that it has caused, head on. This is evident in all the policies that have been not only written, but approved at the NUS National Conference, and can be read below.
As this is my last year as Sabbatical Officer, I would like to thank all of NUS for their support, especially Lauren Cooper, our NUS member support adviser. She has been incredibly supportive, and has helped me achieve my work, with the aim of supporting you all, on numerous occasions. Despite me leaving, I am glad to have had this opportunity to work with everyone, and believe the Students’ Union will continue going strength to strength under it’s new leadership.” - Briony Monaghan (Students’ Union Sabbatical Officer 2020/21)
Policy Voting Results
At this year's National Conference six policy proposals were discussed and voted on. Delegates voted For or Against the policy proposal to become Position Statements of NUS.
The results of the 2021 Policy voting are as follows;
Fees and Finance - Result: For
This policy addresses the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic and its impact on student finances. Due to the pandemic, students did not receive the typical university experience. This policy is proposing a reduction in study fees and/or a refund for students.
Read the full policy document here
Erasmus+ - Result: For
The Erasmus+ allows students to study abroad in EU countries, for training and education. However, since the UK has left the EU this scheme is no longer available. The UK has proposed a new scheme named ‘The Turing Scheme’, however, this is not identical to Erasmus+ as it overlooks vocational training and studies. This policy is proposed in order to promote equal opportunities for all, and promote the benefits that this scheme can give to society.
Read the full policy document here
Sexual Violence and NDAs - Result: For
This proposal highlights a sexual violence crisis that is currently underway in UK universities. Within the policy startling statistics are discussed and two leading and gender inclusive campaigns are highlighted; The Last Taboo and The Red Flag Campaign. The policy aims to be informative and believes that by spreading this information, the campaigns and beliefs behind them become more effective.
Read the full policy document here
Mental Health - Result: For
A mental health crisis has emerged within UK students over the last few years. Alongside this, the COVID-19 pandemic has escalated matters, making both study and life difficult for many students across the UK. This policy discusses the lack of mental health resources offered by many educational institutions, and how this lack of resources can negatively impact students. The aim of this policy is to focus on building a movement which campaigns for educational institutions to take preventative approaches, by tackling key issues such as discrimination, excessive workloads and limited access to funding and supportive resources.
Read the full policy document here
Student Housing - Result: For
The global pandemic and national lockdowns have highlighted key issues with the student private and university accommodation sector, where there is varying levels of regulation and conditions across the UK. Additionally, due to the lockdowns and travel restrictions may students have been left living at home, yet still paying for their university accommodation. This policy aims to highlight these issues, promote better regulations for student accommodation and to have student hardships recognised.
Read the full policy document here
Cost of Living - Result: For
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted that there are many gaps which sit between student groups, one of which being the access to technology. It has also become apparent that this gap is mainly due to socio-economic differences, and the result of students not being able to afford technology. This policy highlights NUS’s fight for a ‘free, liberated, and truly accessible education for all’, and emphasises the fact that students who are disadvantaged within education need support.
Read the full policy document here
NUS election results 2021
Full-Time officer (FTO) election results:
The Full-Time Officers are responsible for the political leadership of the organisation. They work together to decide the political priorities and take direction from conferences on what NUS should campaign on. They also lobby decision-makers on behalf of the movement. The FTOs are elected by their peers to lead the NUS movement for a two-year term, and so the following officers will serve until 30 June 2022 due to their appointment in 2020.
Larissa Kennedy - NUS National President
Salsabeel Elmegri - Vice President Further Education
Hillary Gyebi-Ababio - Vice President Higher Education
Sarah Khan - Vice President Liberation and Equality
Matt Crilly - NUS Scotland President
Becky Ricketts - NUS Wales President
Ellen Fearon – NUS-USI President
National Scrutiny Council (NSC) election results:
NSC members are elected to scrutinise and examine the work of NUS officers and hold them to account.
The results of the 2021 NSC elections are as follows;
Akansha Agrawal - Durham Students' Union
Sarah Bafo - Goldsmiths Students' Union
Megan Ball - Winchester Student Union
Ayman Benmati - UCL Students' Union
Emily Casey - Bath Spa University Students' Union
Ellie Gomersall - SAUWS
Peter Hopwood - University of York Students' Union
Niel Lewis - Greenwich Students' Union
Lotte Marley - University of Manchester Students' Union
Aysha Saeed - University of Sunderland Students' Union
Saranya Thambirajah - University of Bristol Students' Union
Seun Twins - Durham Students' Union
Democratic Procedures Committee (DPC) election results:
DPC is all about running NUS’ democracy in a fair impartial manner. The job of DPC is to set and implement rules to make sure our democratic spaces run well.
The results of the 2021 DPC elections are as follows;
Ruth Day - University of Bristol Students' Union
Maisan Maseeh - King's College London Students' Union
Connor Moylett - University of Sussex Students' Union
Meg Price - Worcester Students' Union
Maryam Shah - London School of Economics and Political Science Students' Union