How the Union works
It's the members who are in charge!
Leeds University Union (LUU) is a democracy, so it's you, the students, who have the power to create change. On registering at the University of Leeds, you automatically become a member of Leeds University Union. This entitles you to vote in elections, put forward motions, attend Union Council and vote at Referenda.
How it all fits together:
The student body decides who runs the Union in the elections for Union Council and Student Executive. Any student at the University of Leeds is eligible to stand for any student post within LUU.
The Student Executive Officers- are six elected student members who run Leeds University Union full-time and are here to represent your interests both internally and to outside bodies.
Go to www.luuonline.com/theexec to find out more.
Union Council - is a lively forum that meets every month during term-time. Members of Union Council have the power to hold Student Executive Officers to account, decide LUU policy, and rule on many other issues vital to the running of such a large organisation.
Go to www.luuonline.com/howtheunionworks/unioncouncil. to find out more.
Assemblies - There is an Assembly for every minority demographic at LUU. So if you're concerned about environmental issues, gay, lesbian or disabled students' rights get in touch with the appropriate Assembly for you. Assembly Chairs hold the majority of seats on Union Council where they represent your voice within the Union.
Go to www.luuonline.com/assemblies to find out more.
General Student Reps - There are eight General Student Reps on Union Council. They are there on behalf of students not represented by an Assembly.
First Year Reps - First Year Reps ensure that the voice of new students is heard on Union Council. They focus on issues that directly affect students that have just started University.
VOTE! - Do your part!
As a member of a group you have an obligation to vote. If you want Leeds University Union to look after your interests then you have to be interested in the Union.
We ask our members to take part in voting. We will ask you to vote on a number of issues throughout the year. Things such as environmental matters, Union policy, and how the resources available to members are funded. We also ask you to vote for representatives within the Union such as the Exec and Union Council. If you don't like what is being put forward by a candidate - then don't vote for them. If you do like the idea of a certain change to the Union then vote for it. If you don't use your vote, then somebody else is going to have a say in how our shared resources are used, so you could miss out.
The members hold all the power, as it's the members who decide what happens, either as a regular student voting for candidates at elections or by becoming more involved with how the Union is run.
All members can stand for positions in the Union Council or to become an Exec Officer. You can also become an elected delegate to go to the National Uniion of Students (NUS) Annual Conference (a national forum for discussion about issues effecting all members of the NUS).
