National survey leaves YUSU trailing in league tables
The annual Times Student Experience Survey has seen YUSU score poorly compared to other student unions, raising worries at the degree of student support for the union.
Their score of 4.4 out of 7 has come as a disappointment, placing YUSU considerably behind the other universities ranked in The Times’ survey. The universities of Exeter and Plymouth, positioned just below York, gained 5 and 5.6 respectively, whilst universities such as Sheffield and Loughborough scored marks between 6 and 7.
The Times Higher Education’s Student Experience Survey aims to show which universities offer the best all-round student experience. Students themselves choose the attributes that they deem most important to them, and more than 12,000 full-time undergraduates were asked to rate their university on these aspects.
Wes Streeting, president of the National Union of Students, commented that, “while some cynics may be quick to dismiss the results as ‘just another league table’, what makes this survey stand apart is that students themselves determine the factors important in delivering a high-quality experience.”
These results come at a time when doubt is being cast over the strength of YUSU. In a recent survey, Nouse discovered that only 42% of those asked stated that they felt represented by YUSU. Interestingly, amidst all of the hype of The Courtyard’s opening, 21% of those asked (many of whom were in the Courtyard at the time) did not think York had a student union bar. Such results raise questions about the Union’s effectiveness.
Jane Grenville, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Students commented: “It will interest students to know, I think that the results of the Times Higher Education survey have been looked at and analysed by a small group of senior management group members and we did note the issues. There are no quick fixes, and the speed of change is slow if you are an undergrad, but be patient.”
Grenville added that YUSU’s score was “probably more to do with ‘the students’ union’ as in the SU building that most universities have and we don’t.” She expressed hope that the new Courtyard venue would help make up for the lack of official SU building.
Charlie Leyland, Academic and Welfare Officer was keen to express her belief in YUSU despite the results: “I have so much confidence in this Union and the amount of work, passion and time that goes into it from so many students who choose to engage with it: whether by sitting on Union Committees, joining a sports club or society, having coffee in the bar, or going on the Student Action Kids camp.
We’re all ears, and well keep on working and working to improve the Student Experience for every member of our Union at this University.”
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