Karen Edwards Project Manager, Good Governance Project, National Union of Students

1. Karen Edwards Project Manager, Good Governance Project, National Union of Students The National Survey on the Governance of Student Unions

2. Good Governance Project

3. Context Supporting the long term sustainability, effectiveness and legitimacy of students� unions Recognition of the value of good governance in the development of students� unions Changes in charity law Requirement for students� unions to register as charities Regulation by the Charity Commission

4. Outputs

5. Outcomes Stronger working relationships between HEIs and students� unions across the sector Improved understanding of the value for money obtained by the sector for the investment made in students� unions Practical improvements, and greater confidence across the sector, in the governance and reporting arrangements of students� unions Accepted minimum standards for the governance arrangements of students� unions, without being prescriptive as to form or structure

6. Project Steering Group Supporting the project development Student Unions (Officers and Staff) Higher Education Institutions Association of Heads of University Administration Universities UK GuildHE Committee of University Chairs Leadership Foundation for Higher Education Hefce NUS

7. Development of the Project The story so far: Researching students� union governance Capturing learning from existing governance guidance, e.g. Committee of University Chairs & National Council for Voluntary Organisations Nationwide survey of all students� unions and higher education institutions

8. Project Survey 281 responses in total 160 from students� unions (SU) 121 from higher education institutions (HEI) 108 distinct SU�s or HEI�s represented 76 responses from corresponding SU and HEI 11 responses from HEI but not SU 21 responses from SU but not HEI Respondents span Student population from <1,000 - >40,000 Income range <�10 million - > �100 million All mission groups

9. Initial analysis Excellent response rate 63% of all HEI�s represented 70% of all SU�s Balance of perspectives Level of congruence but also some divergence Strong support for a sector specific governance code

10. Drivers for good relationships Top three drivers for developing and maintaining good working relationships for both SU and HEI: Improving the student experience Shared success Improved student representation

11. Example of Excellence A higher education institution�s perspective: �There is an open and constructive relationship with regular meetings and a sense of trust both ways. When problems arise, there seems to be no hesitation in sharing them. However, the Union is also clear about its independence and its role in representing students who have a grievance with the University�

12. Example of Excellence A students� union perspective: Long history of good relations - both sides work at it Union regards University as fair and reasonable in its funding and support University regards Union as a highly important part of its student experience University regards Union as efficient and well-run

13. Areas for improvement Higher education institution reflections: �The Students' Union had a particularly difficult time about three or four years ago and had severe financial difficulties. A number of staff had to be released and trading activities severely restricted. Only now are relationships back on an even keel� �In part excellent, in part very strained. SU has serious governance problems currently�

14. Areas for improvement Students� union reflections: The constitution is not relevant to our needs and does not ensure any independence and does not empower the SU or students to represent concerns. Also financial control is held not by the SU or the board of governors but the department of student services Governance arrangements are inadequate and unsuitable. There is no trustee board yet, other than the three officer trustees. No external trustees are in place yet. University is the GM's employer and responsible for decision on GM recruitment. This was one of the main points of issue between President and University management

15. HEI�s feeling more optimistic? Qssdafz Vadvad dvdv 91% of all HEI respondents rated the relationship as Good, Very Good or Excellent compared to 69% of SU�s 1/3 of SU respondents rated their relationship as less than good.

16. Principles of a good working relationship Relationship Agreement: Strategic Partnership; Student Centred; Respect & Understanding; Openness & Trust; Mutual Support & Commitment; Independence; Accountability; Diversity & Equality;

17. Achieving Outcomes Good governance supports good relationships Embedding good practice across the sector Requires buy-in from both students� unions and higher education institutions Joint commitment to working together to drive up standards

18. Next Steps Further data analysis Production of guidance Gathering and collating case studies & examples of good practice Further work with NCVO and the CUC Project promotion

19. Any Questions? Karen Edwards email: karen.edwards@nus.org.uk tel: 020 7380 6600