YUSU have announced plans to revamp its student representation following recognition of its downfalls for the second time in three years.
Despite the introduction of the new assemblies system just two years ago, President Kallum Taylor has recognised that the system is still struggling to represent students.
Taylor told Vision: “It’s clear that the current assembly system just isn’t working to get the best possible gauge on student opinion, provide a place for the new ideas to be put forward, and to hold the Officers to account properly.
“It’s two years old now – and despite our best efforts to add further appeal to them – the low turnouts and often scarce agenda items give a clear indication that what we do just isn’t accessible enough.”
YUSU’s Assemblies have been frequently criticised in the past for only being attended by a clique – something Taylor is seeking to target in the coming year.
“We want radical ideas from our harshest critics, ideas on how we can engage with harder-to-reach students.
“For the rest of term, we’ll be putting a lot of energy into asking students whether or not they know what we do, whether they feel like they can influence what we do, and if not, why not?”
In the voting for last month’s referendum, whilst all four resolutions reached quorum – the minimum number of students who need to have voted in order for it to be valid – turnout was still considered to be poor.
An average of only 8.2% of students voted on whether YUSU should introduce a no-platform policy, whilst 8.7% of students voted on the motion “Should YUSU stop selling the Sun?”
Taylor admitted: “Democracy isn’t the sexiest or most immediate thing in the minds of most of our students. We’ve got to try and remove as many excuses and barriers as possible for not feeling like you’re having your say.”
Further consultation regarding student representation within YUSU is expected later this week.