OUS-who, where and why?
As the OUSU elections take place this Thursday, students across the university are being invited to have their say in who runs their Student Union, and represents their views. But, The OxStu asks, do the majority of students really care? How relevant is OUSU to the average Oxford student, how does it compare to other student unions, and who even knows where it is?
OUSU is the central student union for the University, run by six elected sabbatical officers, assisted by a number of part-time student executives. It is the body responsible for representing the views and interests of Oxford students, to the university and the wider world, and its other responsibilities include welfare provision, and campaigning on issues ranging from equal rights to recycling.
Despite this vast array of responsibilities, the existence of OUSU still appears somewhat peripheral to the experience of the average Oxford student. General apathy towards the student union is indeed a problem, with a large majority of those students questioned unsure of the exact nature of OUSU, and a number even getting it confused with the Oxford Union, a student debating society which is entirely separate.
Not only are the majority of freshers uncertain of the role that their student union has to play in university life, but even those who have been here for some time still appear a little hazy. When questioned about the nature of OUSU, one first year historian tentatively asked: "Is that the student union?" whilst a third year physicist told The OxStu: "I know where the OUSU building used to be when I was a fresher, but I think it's moved..." (OUSU actually relocated over Easter, and is now just opposite the Westgate Shopping Centre).
Many of the services provided by OUSU are severely underused. Rodrigo Davis, Vice-President for Finance, highlights services such as "discounts in shops, legal advice, genuinely useful publications and a safe ride home at night [on the OUSU night bus]," as ways in which the Student Union seeks to meet the needs of its members, but agrees that too many students are "unaware of the range of services that we provide."
The model of Student Unions such as Warwick, which claims to have the largest student venue in Europe and hosts nightly club events, with it collections of bars, cafeterias and even a university shop, was used by several students as an example of an area in which OUSU is failing to meet the needs of its members. Oxford Brookes also has a large student union building, popular with Oxford students, but the OUSU President insists that the Student Union here must have different priorities: "We may not be as physically visible as other student unions around the country, but at least our members do not think we are just a bar."
OUSU does recognise the demand for greater provision of social events, and zoozoo.org is a new website set up to promote a number of student club nights, organised by OUSU around Oxford, which take place throughout the week. However, many students still feel that the acquisition of a central Student Union venue is essential. Christina Emslie, a second year at Teddy Hall, argued that "the role of a Student Union should be to represent the entire university at national level," and that the existence of a central Union venue should be instrumental in creating this sense of university identity.
The collegiate nature of Oxford University means that, in many ways, the role of the Student Union is necessarily different to that of other universities. College JCRs are to a large degree responsible for the welfare of their students, for representing their views, and are active in organising a wide variety of social events. Hannah Godfrey, JCR President at Brasenose, told The OxStu that "it would be stupid for OUSU to try and emulate the centralised student unions of other non-collegiate universities," and believes that the role of OUSU should be "to do the things that colleges can't do for themselves".
Students' awareness of OUSU seems to depend very much upon their college. Lincoln is notoriously dismissive of the Student Union, with former representatives elected to OUSU council including the college cat, whilst Oriel is no longer even affiliated at all. Corpus Christi is similarly disinterested and inward-looking, with Laura Citron, JCR president, telling The OxStu that "essentially, the JCR provides everything that the average student needs". Other colleges, such as Wadham, have traditionally been more actively involved with the Student Union.
Just over 3,500 students voted in the OUSU elections last Michaelmas; that is, around twenty five percent of the undergraduate population, a far higher proportion than most universities, but ignorance of the candidates up for election remains. Ruth Evans, a second year geologist, told us: "I attended the OUSU hust in college, but only because the JCR hustings were on at the same time. I normally vote for candidates according to their college, or failing that, their photographs!"
Much of the work that is done by OUSU goes on "behind the scenes". OUSU representatives campaign on the issues that affect all students, an often thankless task which can go largely unnoticed by the typical student who steers clear of student politics. Nevertheless, take the time to find out about the Student Union - it may not be perfect, but it certainly has a great deal to offer.
Bea Hemmings and Charlotte O'Sullivan, St Hughes:
"I don't know a lot about OUSU: they just seem to have endless elections and squabbles, although I'm sure they do a lot of work behind the scenes."
Matt Greene, third year, Exeter:
"I see OUSU as the nucleus in the middle of the pie. It exists as an interventionist God overseeing the federal collegiate system, although I won't be voting in this week's elections... Isn't the current president Will Smith?"
Sam Cooke, second year, Wycliffe:
"I know they hand out ribbons..."
13th Nov 2003