CUSU

CUSU is funny union that is sort of a union of unions. So we are all in CUSU, and can go to any meeting, but I, as External Officer, along with the President, am your representative at cusu. We talk and act on a lot of issues that affect students throughout the university, not just at college, and it is as much as anything a place for information transfer between college reps, faculty reps, and cusu exec members on what is going on in the university.

Often this brings us into conflict with the university (whoever they are), but we try to work with them on lots of issues to improve the quality of student's education and living , as well as relating to the outside world when we think it useful.

CUSU can be found, among other places, here - www.cusu.cam.ac.uk , and here -
http://www.cam.ac.uk/map/v4/drawmap.cgi?mp=nmus;xx=181;yy=165;mt=c

CUSU Council is every other week, and there is an open meeting at which anyone can vote, not just elected representatives, once a term. Any member of CUSU can bring a motion, whether it's something that happens in college that you think should be generalised throughout the university, or if you want CUSU to subsidise travel to an event. It is very unclear what exactly CUSU cannot endorse, and the rational basis behind these rules - some things, like giving money to political parties, is against Charities Law - but there are many interpretations of these laws, and many tried and tested methods of making our voices heard. The best thing to do, if you are unsure, is to bring the motion anyway, and discuss potential issues with the other people at Council. You can always run motions by me, and I can help you write them if need be.

Engaging with CUSU is paramount in order to safeguard the welfare and quality of life for students in Cambridge. It has a lot of resources and knowledge, and has the potential to be the most widespread democratic body in the university. We should all be going to meetings even if we don't have motions to bring, and discussing how I should represent your opinions in Council, so that it really represents students' views. Often, due to lack of engagement, representatives act more conservatively then those who elected them for fear of reprisal; we shouldn't have to guess what people think about university-wise issues - come along and exercise your rights!

Jacob