University of Brighton Students' Union
| Motto | Empowering students through representation, participation and encouraging personal development with the provision of quality services and resources. |
|---|---|
| Institution | The University of Brighton |
| Location | Steam House, Lewes Road, Brighton, England |
| Sabbatical officers |
|
| Members | c. 22,000 |
| Website | UBSU.net |
University of Brighton Students' Union is the representative body for the students at the University of Brighton. It has over 22,000 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 divided into five zones, which are head by a vice-president. The vice-presidents are headed by the SU President, and all officers are elected via democratic vote.
The zones are:
- Academic
- Activities and Events
- Campus
- Democracy
- Wellbeing
Academic
The Academic zone promotes campaigns on academic issues, involves course reps and school reps and the Student Advocacy and Research Service (SARS). SARS 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.
Activities and Events
The activities and events zone covers four main areas; sports, societies, events and volunteering. It oversees both societies and sport at the University. Societies include dance, drama, Waves cheerleading, LGBT, conservation, Food Co-op, Pharmacy, Asian and African Caribbean, as well as Bahai', Buddhist, Christian and Muslim groups.
Some of the larger events that have run succesfullyinclude the Holly Ball, Freshers’ Week, RAG events, summer garden parties and the graduation ball.
Campus
This zone looks after campuses, shops, cafes, student media and community liaison.
There is a shop on every university site, as well as the Cockcroft cafe and the Union Coffee and Juice Bar at Falmer. All proceeds from these facilities go back into student facing activities. The Campus zone also oversees the running of student newspaper The Verse and radio station Burst radio. Both are run entirely by students and have fully operational websites.
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 meetings and minutes
- Elections
- Referenda
Wellbeing
The Wellbeing Zone promotes students’ Wellbeing through campaigns, events, the buddying scheme 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.
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. UBSU staff, officers and trustees give their own time freely to support the work of the scholarship.