David Lammy at the Guild

A highlight for my term of office…..David Lammy in the Guild

David is the Minister for Higher Education and Intellectual Property in the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills and is responsible for ensuring that we sustain and develop world-class Higher Education in the UK.
I invited him to sit on the Panel for the Great Debate on May 8th. Unfortunately because of his extremely busy diary he had to decline the date. Yet I was persistent and continued to badger his office to get him to visit the Guild and he did, important because I want to ensure that the views of students are listened to at the highest level.

So what did we talk about…
· The Higher Education Funding Review and why the NUS should be on it
· The National Minimum Wage and his review on introducing a standard minimum wage for all regardless of age
· The role of Minority Ethnic politicians in Government
· The differences between the University system in the UK and the USA, where David has studied at Harvard University

NUS Conference 2009

At the end of March I attend NUS Annual Conference 2009 in Blackpool as delegation leader, with 16 student delegates from across campus elected back in November. The official report of conference can be found on:http://resource.nusonline.co.uk/media/resource/conferenceenewsletterfinal2009.pdf This will also outline all the election results for the National Executive Committee.

What’s the NUS?
The NUS (National Union of Students) is what is says on the tin. It is there to defend and extend the rights of students. It exists to be the national voice of students. Most student unions across the country have chosen to affiliate with the NUS and pay a membership. The Guild’s fee is £47,000 which is why it is important we engage with the NUS because there is a lot we have to get out of it.
http://www.nus.org.uk/
http://www.officeronline.co.uk/

What is Annual Conference?
Annual Conference is the highest decision-making body of NUS, which takes place each spring and runs for three days. Every subscribing college or university sends representatives to participate in Conference, passing policy that sets the priorities of the National Union for the coming year.Conference determines the policy and decides the major campaigns to be run to benefit the student movement, and by being part of the NUS the Guild, through its delegates, gets its say in the direction the NUS should take.
Here are some of the policies and campaigns are the NUS following this year....

• Bin the Broke and Broken HE Funding System, calling for a fairer fees system based on ability to learn not pay. Check out the report http://www.nus.org.uk/en/Campaigns/Broke-and-Broken/Broke-and-Broken-the-report




• Roll out a national system of activist academies, training students and their unions to consistently campaign on the rights of students




• Support student activities and development




• Support student unions in making ethical and environmental choices




• To support unions and their sports teams with initiations policies




• To lobby and campaign for the end to age discrimination in the National Minimum Wage. So all people can have a living wage!




• Review Postgraduate tuition fees




• Support and encourage the promotion of the “Hope not Hate” campaign to encourage voting in the European elections and fight against the rise of racist and fascist parties. Check it out http://hopenothate.org.uk/

All the policies passed can be found on: http://resource.nusonline.co.uk/media/resource/AC09_CD19_Minutes%20and%20Resolutions.pdf


On a personal note I was disturbed to hear of the racist attacks and abuse experienced by number of delegates in Blackpool. I have asked the NUS President and the Black Students Officer to formally look into this.