How it all works together to benefit students
Governance Structure
Reading University Students' Union is a registered charity (Charity No. 1140375). The Union is governed by a Constitution (PDF, 281KB) and accompanying regulations.
RUSU has identified three facets to our governance structure: strategic leadership, student representation and member feedback. Strategic leadership is provided by the Trustee Board, who oversee the progress and development of the Union.
RUSU has a genuine thirst for feedback on the services we provide and we organise systematic opportunities for members to comment through our market research program and our democracy meetings.
« back to top »
RUSU & The NUS
The National Union of Students (NUS) is a voluntary membership organisation which makes a real difference to the lives of students and its member students' unions.
NUS is a confederation of 600 students' unions, amounting to more than 95 per cent of all higher and further education unions in the UK. Through the member students' unions, the NUS represents the interests of more than seven million students.
NUS mission
To promote, defend and extend the rights of students and to develop and champion strong students' unions.
NUS vision
NUS to be a pioneering, innovative and powerful campaigning organisation: the national voice of students. To fight barriers to education, empower students to shape both a quality learning experience and the world around them, supporting influential, democratic and well-resourced students' unions.
« back to top »
RUSU & The Univeristy
It is the Student Officers’ responsibility to represent the University of Reading students in all elements of university life and fight for their rights. This includes sitting on many different university committees with members of the senior management team and ensuring that all decisions that are made are made in the students’ best interest. These academic committee structures allow for positive dialogue and engagement with the university on student issues, but it does mean that we occasionally work against the University in our endeavour to ensure that students have the best experience possible. RUSU is able to do this because we are an independent organisation, not controlled by the university. So, if you have any issues, contact the Student Officers so they can raise the matter in the right committees to the people who have the power to make a difference.
RUSU has a good relationship with the University and ‘synergies’ projects are key to this.
Joint Projects (Past & Present)
-
JCRs
RUSU is offering increased levels of training and support for JCRs on Halls
-
Advice Provision
The University has funded new advisor posts
-
Sport
Service level agreement with SportsPark
-
Volunteering
Development of the new RED scheme and RUSU Volunteering project
-
Nursery
The University wholly funded the million pound plus development of the new Little Learners nursery
-
Community Work
Joint initiatives between RUSU and University including the award winning 'Blooming students' initiative, University financial support for the development of community reps scheme
-
Ethical & Environmental Initiatives
RUSU and the university are working with university to help them improve their position in the green league
-
Support For International Students
A key area of development in the future, RUSU and university are linking together on the international welcome programme
-
Support For The Course Rep System
A key development for RUSU following the membership services restructure, the senior university academic staff are supporting our new initiatives
-
New Space
We are planning to have a shared drop in space with the Carrington building on the London road campus
-
Cashless Card
The university will introduce a cashless card this year initially for building access and students in catered halls but going forward this will be used in all university food and drink outlets. RUSU are working to ensure that we are included in any plans for development in this area
« back to top »