Jon-Connor: NUS Conference 2018
In November, I was elected alongside others to represent Salford Students' at the National Union of Students' (NUS) Conference.
At conference this year, there were over 900 delegates from across the UK from all different types of students unions'. We voted and debated on national policy, which directs and steers the NUS and mandates national officers to do work on e.g. tackling student poverty on campus or campaigning to further mental health provision and support in our University's and institutions. We also voted on NUS officers for different areas e.g. Welfare, Society & Citizenship and of course the President. These officers in the NUS work with Students' Unions to lobby and campaign on issues that matter to us.
Some of the motions I voted on:
Tackling the Black Attainment Gap
I voted to mandate the National Students' Union to carry out work concerning the Black Attainment Gap. How on earth can we continue to turn a blind eye to our institutions not taking this issue seriously?! We cannot. That's why the motion to lobby the Government, our institutions, our Students' Unions and campaign on this issue, passed.
Graduation - The final hidden cost
I voted to mandate our NUS to do research on the costs of graduation and campaign to bring these costs down. It's ridiculous to expect students to cough up hundreds just to receive their degree, that they have already spent thousands on. These costs are also not revealed until the date of graduation is a few months away. This motion passed.
Unions should pay the real living wage, as defined by the Living Wage Foundation
I voted to mandate the NUS to better support Students Union to pay the Living Wage, £8.75. As many know, I campaign for our own Students Union to adopt the Living Wage and this motion meant that more support will be given to those trying to adopt the Living Wage. This motion passed.
Updating the Education Act
I voted against updating the 1994 Education Act, not because I did not agree with the motion but I felt, as did many others, that lobbying the Government to review and update the Education Act would be their justification for putting more barriers in the way of SUs and students I.e. students having to actively sign up instead of being an automatic member at your institution. This motion passed.
Mental Health - From the roots up
I voted to mandate our NUS to do more work around mental health and campaigning to get more provision in place in our institutions I.e. more counsellors. This motion passed.
If you'd like to hear why I voted the way I did or more detail about the motions, email me at USSU-VPAM@Salford.ac.uk
I also voted in the NUS Officer elections. I voted for the following candidates:
President
1. Shakira Martin
2. RON (Re-Open Nominations)
Shakira Martin was re-elected as the NUS President.
I voted for our current NUS President Shakira Martin because she has been doing work around launching the Poverty Commission, looking at student poverty on campus. Free education would be great, but we need to focus on making sure those who go to University and Further Education can stay in their study spaces and not be forced our due to their financial circumstances. She is not afraid to speak her mind, even though many might not agree. She has spoken to me many times and engages with our officers on a regular basis about policy, poverty and the struggles of working class students at Salford. I respect Shakira massively, she is a mother, a campaigner and a fighter.
Vice- President Union Development
1. Ali Milani
2. Jessica Levy
Ali Milani was re-elected as Vice-President Union Development
I voted for Ali Milani because of his work over the past year in regards to creating the Student Activities Fund, something that I'll be promoting to our groups this year to run events and activities. He also created a much needed Ethics Board for the NUS. His campaign to speak to the grassroots membership of the NUS was fantastically received here in Salford, with Ali coming to speak to salford students and officers twice this year, more so than any other officer this year (to my knowledge)!
Vice-President for Higher Education
1. Amatey Doku
Amatey Doku was re-elected as Vice-President Higher Education
I voted for Amatey Doku for many reasons. Lobbying Parliament and addressing a range of select committees about higher education. I feel that being inside Parliament with the ear of Government is a lot more useful than being out on the streets ignored by Parliament. Also his efforts in raising awareness of the Black Attainment Gap has also been noticeable, from everything to delivering workshops to student leaders across the country on this issue and speaking on panels to those who hold the keys to change. Also his announcement on stage to launch a campaign demanding a say on the final deal is something that I know is important to many.
Vice-President for Welfare
1. Izzy Lenga
Results have not been announced for Vice-President Welfare due to conference delay.
I proudly voted for Izzy, our current Vice-President for welfare, because of her work throughout this year. From first aid training for Student unions' at discounted rates, to tackling anti-semitism and hate on campus, to her work on the Alcohol impact campaign and to her work on trans inclusive facilities, I'm amazed at her work and what she's achieved. She spent hours in Salford meeting officers, students and staff hearing about what our issues were on the ground. Even though she is an amazing Vice-President, voting for Izzy wasn't hard in the first place. She is someone who's so supportive and honest. An asset to our NUS. Incredibly welcoming and I look forward to, hopefully, working with Izzy in the future.
Vice-President for Society & Citizenship
1. Zamzam Ibrahim
Results have not been announced for Vice-President Society & Citizenship due to conference delay.
Voting for our Salford President Zamzam wasn't a hard choice. She's been so supportive over the last year whilst I've been working with her and I know bringing that energy and passion to the NUS will transform the movement. Zamzam is critical, that's what the NUS needs. Not someone who just keeps their head down but someone who challenges bureaucracy and the barriers that face students. Hopefully, I'll be able to work with Zamzam next year on a national basis.
My time at NUS conference has taught me a lot about the people within the NUS and the organisation itself. Amazing officers and people from across the UK uniting to make the lives of students better, from a broad range of political beliefs, working together to deliver change for our students.
If you'd like to hear why I voted the way I did or more detail about the candidates, email me at USSU-VPAM@Salford.ac.uk
During the conference, there was also a period where the conference stage was occupied and my statement, as to what I did and why, is below.
I completely understand why people made the decision to occupy the stage at National Conference. Students across the UK spend weeks and sometimes months planning motions to submit to National Conference and not having them being heard can be frustrating and even damaging to students in situations that require policy sooner rather than later. However, I feel the action taken resulted in further delays and therefore meant that a lot of motions for Society and Citizenship could not be heard. Every motion is important to someone. When the stage was occupied, myself and another delegate waited for 10 minutes to see if the issue was going to resolve itself, it did not and therefore we vacated the conference floor and waited for further instructions from NUS. After negotiation attempts from the President and Vice-Presidents and a few hours, we could resume conference but to a revised agenda which meant a lot of conference business was cut out. Hopefully motions not heard will be picked up by Students Union that submitted them and will be sent to the NEC to be debated and heard.’
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