Southampton Leave the NUS :: Wessex Scene Online

Southampton Leave the NUS

15th May 2002

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In the AGM held on Wednesday 15th May, over 300 students turned up and a majority voted that SUSU leave the National Union of Students. The Proposer of the motion, Alex Bazin, said "that the NUS did not offer good value.". He clarified "that for the affiliation fee little was received except 15 spaces at conference, training & the discount cards"

Who are the National Union of Students?
The NUS (National Union of Students) is the national body to represent students. Their mission as they describe it is to "constantly improve the lives and experiences of students in the UK: by ensuring their voice is heard and effectively represented; by developing democratic and strong students’ unions; and by providing collective benefits and access to information for all students. "

Why have we opted out?
The motion to leave the NUS cited many reasons to leave the NUS. The key factor was value for money. Southampton University Students Union are paying an astronomical Ł68,850 (2002 fee) per year in NUS affiliation fees. On top of this are the charges for training, and other expenses, that amounts to many thousands more.

What do we lose by opting out?
Very little. The Union will no longer be able to issue the NUS Card, instead you will be able to apply individually to be an Associate NUS member with a similar card giving you all the same benefits to High Street discounts. The difference in the cost of this card and the current card will be refunded to you by SUSU.

What about the other benefits?
There are other benefits to SUSU being a member of NUS but with the affiliation fee savings we can replace these services without the extra cost of being part of the NUS.

What can be gained?
Well we will be left with well over Ł50,000, which can't be bad. Also if you like Castlemaine XXXX, Carlsberg, Stella Artois or even RedBull you may now get the chance at one of the 3 Student Union bars to buy your favourite drinks. This is because Southampton is part of a buying group called NUSSL (NUS Services Limited) which buys all the beer for NUS members. This company refuses to deal with the makers of some beer.

Find out more
if you are interested these are the pro NUS webpages
NUS Online
or these Anti-NUS websites
No2NUS and the Imperial College anti NUS website and the Southampton No2NUS website