Representation

One of the core purposes and responsibilities of the Students’ Union is representation. Representation takes the two main forms: firstly, representation of individual members or groups of members who have a similar issue and second, corporate representation of the student body as a whole.

  

 

  

Every student at Birkbeck, who has not opted-out of membership, is an Ordinary Member of the Students’ Union. This means that students take part in the government and decision-making of the Students’ Union as well as being the beneficiaries of the charitable and representational role of the Students’ Union.

 

You are advised to read the leaflets on Students’ Union Advice Centre for information on academic complaints, appeals, confidential advice, debt, legal, housing and employment issues.

 

Corporate Representation: as the official representative body for the students at Birkbeck College, as declared in the Royal Charter of incorporation of Birkbeck College, the College’s committees and governing body have student representatives on them. The SU appoints under the Students’ Union Bye-Laws (so you as members make them and can alter them!) two students to the Board of Governors, seven students to the Academic Board and then students to a host of other governance or decision-making and strategic committees. The Students’ Union also has appointments on disciplinary panels and hearing committees convened under the College ordinances and regulations. Email: sean@birkbeckunion.org and anna@birkbeckunion.org

 

Individual or Group Representation: Students or groups of student are most welcome to speak to students’ union staff and elected student representatives on personal issues affecting them or if you wish to raise any matters of concern, proposing a campaign or want to find out more about getting involved in the Students’ Union. The Students’ Union also runs, as part of the Representatives’ Council (see later) liberation groups, networks and peer support groups for members. Email: advice@birkbeckunion.org or jo@birkbeckunion.org

 

Representatives’ Council: the Council is a wholly elected body, which under the constitution is responsible for “representing the voice of students” at Birkbeck, making policy and policy stances (on such things as education fees, library hours, NUS affiliation, clubs and societies funding, campaign etc). Potentially, there can be over seventy members of the Council, but in practice, some of the posts are taken a “double jobs” or are sadly vacant. You are encouraged to get involved in the work of the Council – either by standing for election or by attending meetings, which are once or twice a term for the full Council. Email: sean@birkbeckunion.org

 

Sub Groups: the Council has many self-organising groups that are accountable to the full Council. These are generally for special work or autonomous representation of groups of students. The sub-groups are co-ordinated by the Executive Committee and supported by Students’ Union staff members. Groups include: Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans* & Queer, Black Members, Disabled Members, Parents & Carers, Mature Students and Women Members (collectively known as the Liberation Campaigns) and the International Students Committee and the Postgraduate Members Committee (two peer support groups). The Council has also supported groups for self-employed members in the past. Email: joshi@birkbeckunion.org

 

Networks: under policy made by the Council, the Students’ Union supports and managed a number of “networks”, which are groups of students gathering or coming together for a mutual interest. Networks are not representative groups or policy making committees, but are there to help share and support educational and life experiences, such as working for yourself, enterprise and entrepreneurials. Email: jo@birkbeckunion.org

 

ULU and NUS: The Students’ Union works closely with ULU, which is the University of London Union, based right next door to Birkbeck on Malet Street. ULU is the federal University’s students’ union – and like Birkbeck Students’ Union, you are automatically a member unless you opt-out of membership. ULU runs a number of more “elite” or special activities and societies, gigs, bars, a restaurant, shops and has a strong campaigning tradition in London and works closely with the Mayor of London. NUS (the National Union of Students), is a body to which Birkbeck Students’ Union pays an affiliation fee (about £17,000 in 2010/11), which gives students here access to the NUS Card and national representation and campaigning. The NUS supports local students’ unions and also encourages local unions to participate in the democracy and government of the NUS itself. The Students’ Union sends one voting member to ULU Senate and four voting delegates to NUS National Conference (and delegations to other sub-conferences). Any student can get involved with ULU and NUS. Email: sean@birkbeckunion.org

 

Course Representation: each course and year within Birkbeck has course reps, who are students just like you who are elected to represent you to your course director, academic department and to sit on the Staff/Student Exchange Committee - a termly two-way meeting on the student experience within each department and course. You can be a course rep! Email: jo@birkbeckunion.org

 

Lamp & Owl Magazine: the official journal and magazine of the members of the Students’ Union is the Lamp & Owl which has also had published names including Lampanelle and Lamp Light. Any student can write for or sign-up to manage the magazine, which is published by the Students’ Union. It comes out twice a term and features articles that are topical, comment, artistic and historical. It also has articles showcasing debates ongoing at the College and highlighting some of our academic community’s research and development. Email r.park@bcsu.bbk.ac.uk

 

Opportunities to Participate: at the heart of the Students’ Union is democracy – the SU is member-led and member-governed. Ordinary Members (registered students at Birkbeck College) can all attend and vote (or proxy their vote) in business at the AGM and other general meetings when called. Twice a year, cross-campus elections in which all members can vote are held – mainly to elect the Council, but also sometimes to fill vacancies and delegates to national meetings. Participation in elections is online and you will receive your information and ballot instructions on voting to your email address that is registered with Birkbeck College itself. Email: r.park@bcsu.bbk.ac.uk