In your opinion what does a Students Union do?

Hello everyone



It's a horrible wet day and surely there's no better time to ponder the function of your Student's Union. As part of the Officer team's plan to get out and talk to students more regularly I've been harrassing the odd person innocently queing for cash/food with a few questions. Some of the people I spoke to simply couldn't care less and would much rather carry on their day unmolested by some strange woman calling herself a 'Student officer'. However for those who did respond there were some interesting comments. You said.....

In Your opinion what does a Students Union do?

• Help students that need advice


• Provides information on housing jobs, personal health


• Support societies and activities (Most common answer)


• Make fun things


• Provides food, venues, meeting rooms


• Provider of social networks


• Sells stuff


• Provides nights out
  

If you could change one thing about your Students Union what would it be?

• Lower the prices (this was most popular)


• More food outlets


• More places to sit when you haven't bought food


• Replace the bank


• Louder Radio broadcasts


• Bring back Chilli wedges in Interval..(I think I'm too young to understand this one)

And what does all this mean?

In general people were very happy with the way the Union is run and I was cheered that the majority of people were aware that the money they spent in the shop goes straight back into student activities, support and information.

Personally I was shocked that very few people knew that a Student's Union is there as a poltical representative body with the power to protect and defend students. Until of course I remebered that until my thrid year I had pretty much no idea that's what a Students Union was for either.

Sheffield Student's union really is the best in the country but we know we have to do more to show people the importance of democracy and representation. There's an awful lot going on behind the scenes at Students Union council that the majority of students are completely unaware of. Check out the student voice page to see just how much is going on.