The Oxford
University Student Union president summed it up – you can’t be a part of change
you feel passionate about, if you leave the organisation that makes that change
possible. There’s more to consider in a 94-year-old union than it’s current
president. With 7 million students behind it, there’s huge potential for change
both within and outside the organisation.
Although
the election of Malia Bouattia in April was the last straw for many, with
universities across the country calling for referendums, those who have voted
so far predominately come down on the side to stay, including Oxbridge and our
neighbours Bath and Exeter. And with good reason too.
No one can ignore the power of a
national union, especially given the NUS’ affiliation with over 500
universities and sixth forms. No individual SU could carry the same clout as an
organisation of that size, even Bristol.
With Tory cuts and threats to raise fees further, we need to keep united and fight for
the debt-free education we believe in. The NUS helps us do this, from the
successful 1992 council tax exemption for students campaign to the national demonstration planned for November this year.
“The
Conservative’s will never listen!” I hear you cry. Fear not, they already have.
In 2015, NUS successfully secured post-graduate tuition loans for over-30s
through their #capsoff
campaign. If that doesn’t fill you with
just a glimmer of hope in these dark, grant-less, debt-filled days, I don’t
know what will.
As
fantastic as many parts of the NUS are, recent controversies need to be
addressed, particularly the anti-Semitism debate. There is outrage surrounding
Bouattia’s claim in 2011 that Birmingham was a ‘Zionistoutpost’,
leading to accusations of anti-Semitism. I don’t agree with and nor do I
condone Bouattia’s conduct, but I do believe the union is not just who leads
them. The sheer size of the NUS and the frequently changing face from annual
presidential elections, leads me to think leaving over Bouattia is rash.
However,
this does lead to questions about anti-Semitism in the organisation as a whole.
Recently, the motion at the national conference to commemorate Holocaust MemorialDay was met with resistance from some in the union, leading to a wave of criticism
from the Jewish community and politicians. The Memorial Day is an incredibly
important part of respecting the victims and educating many about the Holocaust
and other genocides. Changing the direction of the NUS to better accept and
respect events such as these can only happen if those inside the union act. If
we leave now, we have no power over the course of such a big organisation with
such a potential to be a force for good.
Claims
of lack of representation and democracy in the NUS are weak. If you don’t like
the direction of the union, change it. It’s there for you, so exercise your right
as a member. And as for the democratic system of the NUS, the planned reform
for 2017 shows constant work for improvement. Hope is not lost, change can
still happen.
This
referendum on affiliation with the NUS has brought up some uncomfortable and
worrying questions, but it does not mean we should give up on a union that has
the potential to do so much more good for students than it already has. The
problems can’t be denied, but they also can’t be ignored. They need to be
addressed, changes need to be made and we need to move forward together. But we
can’t do that from outside the NUS.
Published originally in the Epigram student newspaper
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