University of Brighton Students' Union
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| Motto | Empowering students through representation, participation and encouraging personal development with the provision of quality services and resources. |
|---|---|
| Institution | The University of Brighton |
| Location | = Plus Offices on all campuses with Shops and Cafes on various sites |
| Sabbatical officers |
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| Members | c. 22,000 |
| Website | http://www.brightonsu.com |
University of Brighton Students' Union is the representative body for the students at the University of Brighton. It has over 21,500 members spread across several campuses in the towns of Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings. Every student at the University is automatically a member of the SU unless they wish to opt out.
In 2010, the SU gained charitable status, allowing its operations to become more transparent and democratic.
Structure
The SU is a charity and is headed up by 5 full-time elected student officers who are primarily tasked with acting as the public face of the SU as well as overseeing its democratic structures and developing strategic 'Legacy' plans. The full-time officers are the primary political voice of the students within the union. They also form part of the 'Board of Trustees'. Other members of the Board of Trustees include 3 External and 3 Student Trustees. All Elected full-time officers are responsible for coordinating and communicating with the elected part-time student representatives relevant to their zones. All officers and representatives are elected via democratic vote.
The zones are:
- Academic
- Activities and Events
- Campus & Communications
- Wellbeing
- Democracy
A Chief Executive Officer (CEO) leads the operational side of the union and line manages the Senior Management Team. There are 7 senior managers; Finance, HR, Trading and Commercial, Marketing & Communications, Campus & Partnership, Academic Support and Student Experience. Each Manager is responsible for an area of operation and supported with staff in co-ordination and administrative roles. Each manager supports the Elected full-time and part-time Student Officers and Student Representatives in a matrix management structure which allows for greater focus on speciality areas.
Academic
The Academic zone promotes campaigns on academic issues, involves course reps and school reps and the Students' Union Support Service (SUSS). SUSS is an independent service that offers advice, support and representation to any student on:
- Academic Misconduct
- Appeals
- Complaints
- Mitigating Circumstances
The Academic Zone of Brighton SU exists to make sure the views of students, specifically as learners, are actively listened to and acted upon to inform developments in the University and ensure the SU is working for students. There are regular academic forums throughout the year, to ensure that everyone has a voice and everyone’s needs are addressed. The Academic zone work with the Schools to provide training, support and resources for Course Reps.
Student representation on the Academic Zone Committee is via the Academic Reps. One student elected in the Spring elections from each school.
Activities and Events
The activities and events zone covers four main areas; sports, societies, events and volunteering.
Its sub-committee Sports Federation (SportsFed) works with SportsBrighton to fund and organise Brighton Universities sports teams; Brighton Panthers
Its sub-committee Societies Federation (SocFed) provides funding, advice and guidance to the 40+ Societies at Brighton Uni, which includes Dance, Drama, Waves cheerleading, LGBT, Conservation, Food Co-op, Pharmacy, Asian and African Caribbean, as well as Bahai', Buddhist, Christian, Jewish and Muslim groups.
Some of the larger events that have run successfully include the Holly Ball, Freshers’ Week, RAG events, summer garden parties and the graduation ball.
Student representation on the Activities & Events Zone Committee is via the 3 Site entertainment Chairs (Brighton, Eastbourne & Hastings) elected in the Spring elections from each school, as well as the Chair of Sports Federation, and the Chair of Societies Federation; elected at their respective AGM in the Autumn term of each year.
Campus
This zone looks after campuses, shops, cafes, student media and community liaison.
There is a shop on almost every university site, as well as the Union cafe (Cockcroft) and the Coffee and Juice Bar (Falmer). All proceeds from these facilities go back into student facing activities. Student representation on the Campus Zone Committee is via the Campus Reps (elected in Spring Elections) & Halls Reps (elected in the Autumn elections) from each Halls of residence, the 5 main university sites and the partner colleges.
The Communications element enables Student Media groups to operate and access the wider student audience.
- BURST Radio http://www.burstradio.co.uk
- The Verse http://www.theversebrighton.co.uk
Wellbeing
The Wellbeing Zone promotes students’ physical, emotional, spiritual and environmental Wellbeing through campaigns, events, and voluntary opportunities. Through working closely with the local Contraception and Sexual Health team, the wellbeing zone runs a variety of events that aim to promote sexual health among students.
Student representation on the Wellbeing Zone Committee is via the Wellbeing Campaigners. One student elected to represent each of the following 9 groups; Women, Disabilities, Ethnic Minorities, LGBTQ, Interfaith, Ethical/Environmental, Students with Dependents, Welfare (Health & Housing) and 1st Year students.
Bright N Green, a new innovative, student-led initiative, also falls under the wellbeing umbrella and places students at the heart of sustainability. The primary strands of the project consist of making student accommodation more sustainable, encouraging green transport, and increasing students' employability through green internships and team challenge events. Through Bright N Green, Brighton students are empowered to get involved as green champions for change, both at the University, and in their own communities. The programme also offers fun opportunities to meet other people, help the community, and learn new transferrable skills benefiting students after University.
Democracy
The Students’ Union is a democratic organisation. Democracy in the Union means that the decisions made by the SU are based upon the wishes of its students. Students have the ultimate power to make decisions and choose other students to be their elected representatives. These officers are elected by cross campus secret ballot twice a year.
To ensure the smooth running of representation and providing services to over 22,000 students, we have various controls and checks in place to ensure things are done properly and legally. These systems are:
- Annual general meeting
- Trustee Board
- Union Review
- Constitution and by-laws
- Union Council
- Elections
- Referenda
Union Council
The Union Council of Representatives is the main representative and policy making body of BSU. It is also where the Zones report back and provide recommendations for full Council consideration. It is chaired by the Chair of Union Council, a part-time officer elected in the Spring elections.
Union Council consists of the following 24 members;
- Chair of Union Council
- 5 Sabbaticals; President, VP Academic Affairs, VP Activities & Events, VP Campus & Communication, VP Wellbeing
- 6 Part-time Executive officers; International students rep, Mature Students rep, Part Time Students rep, Post Graduate Students rep and 2x Non-portfolio Officers
- 3 Representatives from the Academic Zone
- 3 Representatives from the Activities & Events Zone (SocFed Chair, SportsFed Chair + 1 Site Entertainment Chair)
- 3 Representatives from the Campus Zone
- 3 Representatives from the Wellbeing Zone
Societies Federation
The Societies Federation is the formal structure for all student formed societies and is responsible for an annual budget that is included in the block grant paid by the University of Brighton. The budget is allocated, to each society on a bid request basis, by the Societies Federation Committee. The SocFed Committee is elected at the SocFed AGM and is made up of a Chair and 5 committee members who are all members of society committees.
Sports Federation
The Sports Federation is the formal structure for all student-led sports teams that play at University level and is responsible for an annual budget that is included in the block grant paid by the University of Brighton. The budget is allocated, to each team on a bid request basis, by the Sports Federation Committee. The SportFed Committee is elected at the SportsFed AGM and is made up of a Chair and 5 committee members who are all members of Sports Team committees.
The University of Brighton South African Scholarship Fund
The fund was set up in 1987/88 by the SU to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the death of Steve Biko, political activist and former leader of the South Africa Students’ Association, who died under the apartheid regime.
Purpose of the trust:
- To assist in the development of the countries in Southern Africa that were affected by the apartheid regime.
- To provide educational opportunities to black Southern African students that would not normally have access to the UK education system.
- To provide international links between the UK, Southern African countries and their students.
- To provide an opportunity for shared learning.
The trust receives almost all its income from donations. The university waives fees and accommodation costs. BrightonSU staff, officers and trustees give their own time freely to support the work of the scholarship.