Union Council has recently been updated to make it a more friendly, realistic and proactive place where students can voice their opinions and work towards making the student experience a positive and happy journey.

Union Council is place where YOU, the student, have a chance to voice and hear ideas and opinions, and feed back to YOUR students Union.  

The purpose of Union Council is to represent student’s voice in a fair and democratic manner. Our aim is to do this in the most productive and proactive way possible.

Ideas that have been brought to the union council in the past are:

• A university Carers policy.
• Free Wednesday afternoons.
• Student spaces and Snooze room.
• Student friendly catering.
• WearOverpaying Campaign (free graduation tickets)
• Let's Get Digital Campaign (no hard copy hand ins)

If you have any ideas or proposal you can add them to the agenda prior to the meeting, please do this by via email to Nicki (Representation Officer) at the Students' Union on nicola.j.edwards@sunderland.ac.uk. This is so you can bring an item to the meeting, it will be discussed and then voted for further action.

At the Union Council It is also a chance to hear the SU Exec Team updates on the work they are doing for YOU!!!  And to ask any questions and hold them to account on any relevant work.  

We have a minimum of six meetings a year to give you a voice all year round and the chance to receive regular updates on the work being done. All agendas and minutes will be published on our student union website for future reference.

Union Council is NOT for:

• Questioning financial aspects of the Union.
• Question or hold accountable the staff of union.
• Discussing personal complaints / grievances with the university/ members of staff or students (there is a produce in place for this).

If you would like to be kept up to date with Union Council upcoming meetings and agendas please email Nicki (Representation Officer) at; nicola.j.edwards@sunderland.ac.uk  and she will add you to the mailing list.

All students are welcome to come and give their opinions – so come and give yours!

The Officers of the union will present a report from the board of trustees – so come and make sure you know what’s going on!

The Officers will also tell attendees about what they are doing to improve the university experience for students – so come and hold them accountable!

Students will also be able to give their opinions about proposals for change which are discussed and voted upon – so come and have your say!

If you have an idea and want to make a change please post it here! sunderlandsu.co.uk/makeithappen

Once it gets enough support (usually 20 students liking it), if necessary you'll invited to complete a Council Policy Template (we'll give you support!) & send it to nicola.j.edwards@sunderland.ac.uk for inclusion in the agenda and potential approval by Council.