Democracy and Governance
As well as providing shops, bars and entertainment, the Union is a democratically run organisation. All students of The University of Winchester are automatically members of The Union. The President and Vice President Participation & Development are full-time sabbatical officers who are elected from amongst the students to oversee the smooth running of the Union and its services and to ensure that it responds to student demand. They are aided by an Executive Committee and Union Council all of whom are elected from, and are accountable to the student body. Continuity and professional expertise are provided by permanent staff, and there are opportunities for students to work in the bars, shops, offices, and as security stewards. The Union provides welfare, academic advice, and representation to students, and the President, along with part-time officers responsible for specific areas, has responsibility for co-ordinating this work. The President is also a Governor of the University and through the Union, students are represented on University Committees. The Union can also support student appeals to the University. The Union runs campaigns each year, promoting student health and welfare issues.
The Elected officers for 2012/2013 are:
- President: Harry Stow
- Vice President Activities: Jonny Brason
- Academic Affairs Officers: Tom Lowe, Natalia Okeke, Jasmine Wyatt and Julia Thebault
- Communications Officer: Meg Magrath
- Entertainments Officer: Gemma Carden
- Ethical And Environmental: Allison Jones
- Equality And Diversity: Will Kelly
- International Students Officer: Kora Kirby
- Volunteering And Participation Officer: Aston Harrison
- Welfare Officer: Sophie Farmer
The Elected officers for 2011/2012 were:
- President: Seb Miell
- Vice President Participation & Development: Jonny Brason
- Academic Affairs Officer: Jamie Gough
- Services Officer: James McKenzie
- Ethical And Environmental Officer: Alex Walker
- Participation & Volunteering officer: Jonny Brason
- Welfare Officer: Sadie France
- Equal Opportunities Officer: Sunita Crack
- Communications Officer: Sam Cornelius-Jones
- Community Action Officer: Harry Stow
- International Students Officer: Konstanze Kugler
- Activities Officer: Adam Fellingham
Winchester Student Union is affiliated to the National Union of Students (NUS) and through the National Union is committed to giving students everywhere representation at the highest level and co-ordinating national campaigns on student issues. Students are given the opportunity to attend national demonstrations and conferences on student issues and the right to be elected into national positions.
Winchester Student Union is currently ranked as the 2nd greenest student union within Britain, as for the year 2009/2010 the Union won the Gold Award in the NUS award system entitled: the Sound Impact awards. In 2012, the Winchester Student Union went on to win NUS' 'Best Bar None' competition after being runners up for the past two years, cementing it's status as one of the best Student Unions in the country.
Read more about this topic: Winchester Student Union
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