York Students’ Union, formerly YUSU, is a registered charity run for each and every student at York alike. In 2022/23 ‘YUSU’ and the GSA (Graduate Students’ Association) merged from two separate unions into a unified students’ union to accommodate for every student at York, undergraduate and postgraduate alike. Every student that studies at York automatically becomes a member of the union completely free of charge.
The organisation is run independently- it is completely separate to the university and is led by a team of elected full-time sabbatical officers, all of whom are either York students or recent graduates. York SU’s Board of Trustees includes seven full-time Sabbatical Officers, three elected student trustees, the CEO, and three external trustees. Sabbatical Officers are elected by the student population and are paid student representatives who have either recently graduated or take a sabbatical year out of their studies to focus on representing student interests within the union. According to York SU 2024 election information, Sabbatical Officers salary is £24,685.
Though the University and Students’ Union function separately, York SU’s primary funder is the University block grant year-on-year. The 2022/23 academic year block grant totaled to £1,783,108 (Evidence: University of York Students’ Union Annual report and consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 July 2023). This partnership between the university and students’ union protects the Union’s core services. The Union works to balance the competing pressures of prioritising support and activities for students, whilst protecting Union finances to meet our ever-increasing costs.
The York Students’ Union (formerly YUSU) is under much less financial stress than the University. Academic Officer Fenella Johnson told Nouse in August 2024 that “as an independent charity, our budget operates separately to the University, and we are not directly affected by the same financial pressures.”
“Following the merger of YUSU and the GSA, we are beginning our new chapter as York SU with a strong financial foundation. As well as existing funding from both organisations, we will be continuing to diversify our income and fundraising options to ensure we maintain a strong financial standing.”
York SU has undergone various changes in recent years, and they are expected to continue with the recruitment of a new CEO due to begin the role in March 2025.
York has previously been affiliated with the National Union of Students’, which exists to represent the views and interests of students in national campaigns and political lobbying. The NUS has faced controversy in recent years.
In line with the Education Act 1994, in order for a referendum decision to be valid, at least 5% of YUSU members need to cast their vote.
In the 2016 NUS referendum, 15.7% of the full time student popularity cast their vote, with a majority voting to remain in the union.
Only 365 votes were cast in the 2022 NUS referendum. 72% of votes were for YUSU to remain affiliated to NUS UK, 25% were for YUSU to disaffiliate and 3% abstained. As under 5% of members voted, this referendum is not considered valid. Therefore, YUSU retained its position and remained affiliated to NUS UK.
The NUS faced further controversy in March 2023 concerning the publication of the Anti-Semitism report. York Jewish Society commented: “As York remains affiliated with the NUS due to a low referendum turnout, we feel a statement should be made condemning the antisemitism that was revealed, particularly from a student union who so often have ignored our complaints.” This was in reference to the lack of respect for the Kosher prayer room and not providing alternate catering options for Jewish students despite various requests. “Multiple times, Jewish students have reported NUS events as being hostile and unsafe but had their complaints dismissed. We as York Jewish Society urge you to read the full report and to understand the extent of the antisemitism in the NUS.”
YUSU Union President Pierrick Roger told Vision in response: “In light of the NUS report on antisemitism being made public, we have been proactive in our response to the NUS.”
In 2023, YUSU Officers wrote to NUS Officers addressing their “deep dissatisfaction with the running of the National Conference”(Nov 2022). Issues such as the falsification of facts regarding the genuine amount of support to remain in the NUS, an inappropriate comment directed from a NUS Officer towards NUS delegates, and the continuation of outdated language to refer to underrepresented groups reinforced YUSU’s lack of confidence in the NUS.
York SU Union Affairs Officer 2024/25 commented "In June 2024 under the previous Sabbatical Officer team the Trustee Board agreed to notify NUS UK of our intention to disaffiliate from NUS UK. The new Trustee Board decided to uphold this decision in October 2024. This was due to a number of concerns raised by YUSU’s Officer Group … York SU is currently finalising this disaffiliation."
Nouse understands that York SU disaffiliated from the NUS UK in December 2024 but remains a part of the NUS Charity. The NUS Charity is a membership body who supports student unions to develop through resources and training.
Nominations have recently opened for the elections for 7 new Sabbatical Officers. Results are due to be announced on 28th March 2025.
