NUS represents university and college students across the UK, with the aim of achieving national change for students.
The referendum process
A referendum is an all-Student Member vote to decide how Hallam SU should act on an issue. It has been called by a resolution of our Board of Trustees.
A referendum is only valid if 1% of Student Members have voted in it.
A referendum is decided by a simple majority (i.e. if there are more 'Yes' votes than 'No' votes, the referendum passes).
The question we're asking
Should Hallam Students’ Union remain affiliated to the National Union of Students UK (NUS UK) or disaffiliate from NUS UK?
Your options:
- Remain affiliated to NUS UK
- Disaffiliate from NUS UK
Key dates
Friday 27 February
Notice of referendum
Monday 9 March, 10am
Voting opens
Thursday 12 March, 4pm
Voting closes
Friday 13 March
Provisional results announced
Want to be involved in campaigning to disaffiliate or remain affiliated?
If you'd like to submit an argument for either side of the referendum question, or you'd like to form or join a campaign team, you'll need to express your interest by Thursday 5 March, 5pm.
There are two parts which make up our NUS Membership:
- NUS UK which organises its democratic and political campaigning.
- This costs HSU £30,000 a year.
- NUS Charity which provides admin support for HSU, such as support in our yearly Officer Elections, Officer training, staff support, and crisis guidance.
- This costs HSU £9,000 a year, plus £483 in admin costs.
This referendum is to decide if HSU should remain affiliate to NUS UK. HSU will remain a part of NUS Charity.
General reasons for remaining or disaffiliating from NUS UK
Why remain affiliated to NUS UK
HSU remains part of a larger student voice for bigger national issues (such as during general elections).
HSU can be a part of national days of campaigning and lobbying led by NUS. This includes campaigning days on Hardship Funding, Renters Reform, and representation in parliamentary groups.
HSU gets to have a vote on the elected leadership of NUS, influencing the direction and priorities of the organisation. We are able to engage with democratic activity ran by NUS over the year.
HSU gets support from NUS Elected Officers for campaigns which impact Hallam students regionally, providing us with a larger voice when needed.
NUS provide further info online on the benefits of remaining affiliated.
Why disaffiliate from NUS UK
The £30,000 HSU spends each year on NUS UK can instead be spent on resources impacting Hallam students directly.
Hallam students do not necessarily feel a large benefit from NUS Campaigns as they are on national, not local, issues.
HSU Officers can still campaign and work with local MPs, other Students' Unions, and other elected officers to create change within South Yorkshire.
Disaffiliating from NUS UK has no impact on students being able to access student discounts, such as the TOTUM card.
What happens if we remain affiliated or disaffiliate with NUS UK?
If we remain affiliated...
HSU will continue to access the democratic and political aspects of NUS. We will continue to pay £30,000 towards membership each year.
If we disaffiliate...
HSU will submit our disaffiliation to NUS by June 2026. HSU will continue to access NUS UK services until December 2026. From this point, HSU will no longer participate in the NUS democratic and political processes.