The University of Cumbria Students’ Union’s (UCSU) main aim is to support the advancement of education of all Cumbria students.

This is done by:

1. Promoting student interests and welfare through represention, support and advice

2. Acting as the key recognised channel between students, the University and other external organisations

3. Providing social, cultural, sporting and recreational activities or forums for discussion and debate that enhance the personal development of students

Without the fuzzy words, in essence, this boils down to:

• Providing an independent Student Advice service

• Encouraging the formation of Student-Led Groups and supporting students in running them

• Promoting volunteering

• Training and supporting students to represent their views on course quality (Academic Reps)

• Encouraging students to raise wishes and issues and engaging them in decision-making processes.

And this is how:

The Executive Committee

This is made up of 3 full-time, paid Officers who are the drive of the Union and members of its Trustee Board. They can be students who have intercalated or students who have just finished their study.

Academic Officer

Supports the Academic reps, attends the University Academic quality meetings and generally liaises with the University in relation to any academic matter, raised by students

Welfare Officer

Attends University meetings linked with Wellbeing or Accommodation. Champions students’ needs and issues in this area directly with relevant University staff. This Officer sits on the University’s Trustee Board.

Activities Officer

Champions and promotes the work of Student-Led Groups and encourages students to run their own events and activities. This Officer is also the Chair of the Union’s Trustee Board.

2 Campus student representatives (one each for the key University of Cumbria campuses)

Campus reps are always current students and the roles are voluntary. They engage with students on their campus to bring about changes relating to the campus experience. This may be done just by chatting to students or by creating local student councils that meet to discuss local issues.

Together, the Exec Committee as a whole, decides on how the Union should be run and actions the Ideas that are generated by students through the online Ideas platform. You can view this at www.ucsu.me/thestudentvoice.

A new Executive Committee is elected every year, usually in March/April and this is the Union’s biggest democratic event, in which all students are encouraged to take part by voting. Any student is entitled to put themselves forward and run for the positions and all candidates receive a budget and training on how to campaign for their votes. Once elected, before the start of the new Academic year, they go through a programme of Induction so that they are ready to spring into action and to welcome new students.