Will the Courtyard alter YUSU’s poor reputation?
The Times Higher Education’s Student Experience Survey rates the University of York’s Student Union as one of the worst in the country. The survey looked at 21 attributes to determine student satisfaction, one of which was simply ‘Good Student Union’. Ours received 4.4 out of 7, considerably lower than most other universities.
The question is whether this was deserved or not. Our university is much smaller and far more personal than many of the other, larger universities in the UK with equivalently larger Student Unions. I have found, if I need to contact them, they are quick to respond and willing to listen to suggestions. Their dedication to the ‘Save B Henry’s’ campaign and willingness to organise, open and now run The Courtyard shows that they sincerely care about what they do for us. (Clearly, they think more piss-ups are in our best interests.)
Although you do hear people whining about them occasionally, it’s usually those who will not then actually do anything about it: I don’t see how they can do something about issues they don’t know about.
Students who have complaints need to actually attend meetings, put forward motions and have something done about their complaints. Unfortunately, these are usually the people who have no idea that there are Union General Meetings every term to air their grievances and terrorise YUSU officers. As the survey was supposedly filled out by students, those who do have issues with our student union should take them up with them.
Despite their good points, compared to some universities that have Student Unions with numerous clubs and bars, such as Leeds University Union, our little ‘student centre’ does seem diminished in comparison.
However, this survey is unlikely to have taken into account the differences there may be now that The Courtyard is open. Being a café-bar run by students for students, it has been a definite success, despite the slightly questionable décor. The Courtyard has been overflowing since opening night, and while we may not have a “proper” student venue, we do have a union that seems to continually be making changes in our best interests, whether we ask for them or not.
And let’s face it – how many Student Unions have a pirate as their president?
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