University of York Students' Union (York SU, formerly YUSU) is the representative body for the students at the University of York, England. It provides representation for all students, is the key provider of entertainment and welfare services, and operates a range of commercial ventures including a cafe bar and events & marketing department. Lewis Parrey is the current Union Affairs Officer (head of the union). At one time entertainer Tom Scott was president after running as Mad Cap'n Tom, entered against his will by friends and dressed as a pirate.
| Founded | 1963 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | The Student Centre, James College, York |
Area served | University of York |
Key people |
|
| Revenue | £4,181,483 (2021) |
| Members | approximately 20,000 (15,000 full-time equivalent) |
Number of employees | 156 (2018, 2019)  |
| Website | yorksu |
York SU is responsible for representing and campaigning for students to the university, for example over improved facilities such as a 24-hour library.[1]
Services
editEvents
editMost regular late night events are run by college Junior Common Room committees in the campus bars; however the union provides support to individual college Entertainments reps, through providing training, health and safety advice, and acts as a representative to university Catering and Bar Management, as well as to other venues in York city. The Union runs Late Licence events in The Courtyard on a Saturday night; and organises a variety of cross Campus events including the Freshers and Graduation Balls.
Welfare
editThe Union provides an individual casework service, as well as running campaigns on specific issues such as sexual health or academic integrity.
The Union runs various "Student Action" projects which aim to provide student development, while giving something back to the local community. One of the major project it runs is an annual 'Kids Camp' which is a residential holiday for Underprivileged children, staffed by volunteers.[2]
York Sport Union
editThe Union funds and supports a number of sports clubs, which compete with other universities in leagues such as BUCS. It also organizes the annual Roses Tournament which takes place against Lancaster University.
Venues
editThe student union currently operates six venues, spread between five on Campus West and one on Campus East.[3] For a short time during 2021 the union also operated an outside venue called The Lakeside Tap in order to remain open due to Covid restrictions.[4] It has since closed indefinitely.[5]
Locations
edit- Courtyard: Located within Derwent College
- D-Bar: Located within Derwent College
- Glasshouse: Located within Langwith College
- Kitchen: Located at the Seebohm Rowntree building
- Lounge: Located within James College
- Vanburgh Arms: Located within Vanbrugh College
Societies
editAs of 2023 there are more than 200 student run societies and over 60 sports clubs.[6] Societies are managed by the Societies Committee which is responsible for the creation of new societies as well as the allocation of funding and is currently made up of 9 members.[7]
New Student Centre
editCo-designed by ADP Architecture and O'Donnell + Tuomey the project is a part of a larger redevelopment of University Square. The £35 million building is being designed with the environment in mind, being built mainly of natural materials and housing solar panels to reduce its carbon footprint.[8] The site will be home to the relocated offices of Nouse and URY as well as social spaces spread across five floors with the 5th floor housing a rooftop bar.[9] The project aims to be completed the 2025/26 academic year with construction starting in spring of 2023.[10]
Sabbatical officers
editThe Union's current sabbatical officer team consists of:
| Union Affairs Officer | Lewis Parrey |
| Union Development Officer | Gen Andrews |
| Academic Officer | Fenella Johnson |
| Equality and Inclusion Officer | Ezreal Xie |
| Community & Wellbeing Officer | Freddy Russell |
| Activities Officer | Kaitlyn Beattie-Zarb |
| Sports Officer | Tanisha Jain |
While resignations are rare,[11] in early 2021, the then Activities Officer, Brian Terry, resigned from his post, citing coronavirus and an offer of long term employment.[12]
Financials
edit| Year | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | £5,770,802 | £5,932,697 |
| 2022 | £5,593,340 | £5,452,018 |
| 2021 | £4,181,483 | £3,833,284 |
| 2020 | £4,391,816 | £4,468,226 |
| 2019 | £5,354,373 | £5,305,055 |
| 2018 | £5,123,390 | £5,091,488 |
References
edit- ^ James, Sophie Ann (30 October 2008). "Support YUSU's campaign for a 24 hour Library". Nouse. Retrieved 2 June 2010.
- ^ Ellis-Petersen, Hannah (6 May 2010). "Kids' Camp 'saved'". Nouse. Retrieved 2 June 2010.
- ^ "YUSU Bars". University of York Students' Union. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
- ^ "We've got a new venue!". University of York Students' Union. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
- ^ "The Lakeside Tap". University of York Students' Union. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
- ^ "Student societies". University of York. Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
- ^ "Societies". University of York Students' Union. Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
- ^ "Design of new University student centre unveiled". University of York. 25 May 2022. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- ^ "How will it look?". University of York. Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- ^ "Project timeline". University of York. Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
- ^ Smith, Emily (2 February 2021). "YUSU's Activities Officer resigns effective immediately due to an offer of long term employment". The Tab. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
- ^ King, Matthew (21 January 2021). "Brian Terry, YUSU Activities Officer, to resign". Nouse. Retrieved 28 January 2021.