Wednesday 10-02-2021 - 00:00

The past year has created a lot of national challenges for students across the country and many may be looking for the opportunity to voice their concerns – whether that be student wellbeing issues, student housing difficulties or safety net debates. The 2021 NUS election is a perfect opportunity for you to join national discussions and make sure that students are well represented.

Every year the National Union of Students (NUS) hosts National Conferences to gather feedback from students on issues that relate specifically to them. Delegates are elected to represent Manchester Met students at a national level at NUS National Conferences and influence NUS decision making for the year ahead. At these conferences, delegates vote on motions put forward and elect NUS Officers to campaign on student issues.

As members of NUS — the national representative body for UK students — Manchester Met students are able to run in the upcoming election to become NUS delegates and attend the two conferences below.

 

National Conference

Set over three days (6 April – 8 April 2021), the NUS National Conference brings together over 1,000 student representatives who decide what priorities the NUS should work on for the next three years.

There are eight positions available to attend this conference with four places reserved for women and four open places. This is in line with NUS national policy that 50% of the delegation must be women, rounded down. The President will attend the Conference as ex-officio on behalf of The Union and will act as the delegation leader.

No prior experience is needed and any Manchester Met student can nominate themselves for one of these positions. Nominees will then have the chance to campaign and get the chance to be voted in by fellow Manchester Met students.

 

The Key Dates:

• Nomination Deadline: Sun 28 Feb 2021
• Manifesto Deadline: Fri 5 March 2021
• Campaigning Starts: Thurs 11 March 2021
• Voting: 12 – 18 March 2021

 

Liberation Conference

The Liberation Conference is another three day event (23 – 25 March 2021) which brings together activists from NUS Liberation campaigns to build policy and discuss issues affecting students from Liberation groups. Due to COVID-19 social distancing measures, this conference will take place online this year.

The following positions are available to attend this conference:

•        One Black* Student

•        One additional place for a Black* Woman Student

•        One Trans Student

•        One LGBT+ Student

•        One Disabled Student

•        One Woman Student

*the NUS use Black to mean students from African, Asian, Arab and Caribbean heritage. All of these delegates must self-define in their respective category.

The Conference is a platform to discuss policy, hold Officers to account and to hold elections. It gives students from each liberation group a chance to discuss matters relevant to them.

Submit your nomination form and The Union will decide who attends based on the strength of your application.

The deadline to nominate yourself for the Liberation Conference is: Sunday 28 Feb 2021.