► National Representation

national representation

what it is & why its important to you:

When we talk of national representation we mean the ability for your student association to have an affect on issues at a national level. DUSA wants the voice of Dundee students to be heard by governments north and south of the border. Student fees, graduates tax, loans, career prospects and housing issues are all areas where our voice is important.

Students must not sit silently by as government make changes which affect our lives. We can campaign to have the best and fairest deal. It is the role of your student association to understand the issues, gauge your views and make them known.

national union of students (NUS)

On the 1st and 2nd April 2010 DUSA held a referendum on joining NUS Scotland. The students of Dundee resoundingly voted to remain independent of this body.

Glasgow, St. Andrews and now Dundee have all said no to NUS in the last decade. This has posed a challenge to NUS and to the non-NUS affiliates. Firstly, how can NUS Scotland claim to be representative of the views of students in this country when three of the largest, most prodigious student associations are not members? Secondly, how do the non-NUS affiliates come together to represent the views of students?

Since taking office the DUSA Executive have been regularly meeting with representatives from St. Andrews. We have created a strong cooperative relationship which allows us to share information and learn from each other. DUSA, St. Andrews and Glasgow will be looking at ways which the three student associations could come together on shared goals and make national representation work for all of us.

coalition of higher education scotland (CHESS)

The NUS are considered to be the main body of national representation for students. However, DUSA is a member of Coalition of Higher Education Scotland (CHESS) which is a body that seeks to give students a voice at a national level. In recent years CHESS has not had the prominence which we would hope for. From our discussions with the other non-NUS affiliates a suggestion is to revive CHESS. DUSA are not against this idea, however, we believe a more informal relationship would be best.

scottish parliament

DUSA has some good informal relationships within Holyrood. Murdo Fraser MSP was until recently a member of our Board of Trustees. We also have an excellent relationship with Dundee’s MSPs. These relationships are useful, and in a city such as Dundee where the University has such prominence, it is pertinent that our local representatives take an active interest in DUSA.

media

Every morning at 9am the DUSA Executive meet to have a press review. This involves trailing through the papers and news websites to find stories which involve our students or are relevant to students in general. When we come across stories that involve our member’s achievements we publicise them - when it’s issues that impact upon student’s lives then we release press responses.

These press meetings allow us to respond to stories quicker than any other student association. To act as swiftly as we do, the DUSA President - in consultation with Executive members - has to make a call. We want to know how you feel, so if you agree or disagree get involved in the debates on our message boards and let us know via email. Our concern is ensuring the best deal for the students of Dundee.

► National Representation

DON'T MISS OUT

Gallery

Twitter


national representation
what it is & why its important to you: When we talk of national representation we mean the ability for your student association to have an affect on issues at a national level. DUSA wants the voice of Dundee students to be heard by governments north and south of the border. Student fees, graduates tax, loans, career prospects and housing issues are all areas where our voice is important. Students must not sit silently by as government make changes which affect our lives. We can campaign to have the best and fairest deal. It is the role of your student association to understand the issues, gauge your views and make them known.

national union of students (NUS)
On the 1st and 2nd April 2010 DUSA held a referendum on joining NUS Scotland. The students of Dundee resoundingly voted to remain independent of this body. Glasgow, St. Andrews and now Dundee have all said no to NUS in the last decade. This has posed a challenge to NUS and to the non-NUS affiliates. Firstly, how can NUS Scotland claim to be representative of the views of students in this country when three of the largest, most prodigious student associations are not members? Secondly, how do the non-NUS affiliates come together to represent the views of students? Since taking office the DUSA Executive have been regularly meeting with representatives from St. Andrews. We have created a strong cooperative relationship which allows us to share information and learn from each other. DUSA, St. Andrews and Glasgow will be looking at ways which the three student associations could come together on shared goals and make national representation work for all of us.


coalition of higher education scotland (CHESS)
The NUS are considered to be the main body of national representation for students. However, DUSA is a member of Coalition of Higher Education Scotland (CHESS) which is a body that seeks to give students a voice at a national level. In recent years CHESS has not had the prominence which we would hope for. From our discussions with the other non-NUS affiliates a suggestion is to revive CHESS. DUSA are not against this idea, however, we believe a more informal relationship would be best.
scottish parliament
DUSA has some good informal relationships within Holyrood. Murdo Fraser MSP was until recently a member of our Board of Trustees. We also have an excellent relationship with Dundee’s MSPs. These relationships are useful, and in a city such as Dundee where the University has such prominence, it is pertinent that our local representatives take an active interest in DUSA.
media
Every morning at 9am the DUSA Executive meet to have a press review. This involves trailing through the papers and news websites to find stories which involve our students or are relevant to students in general. When we come across stories that involve our member’s achievements we publicise them - when it’s issues that impact upon student’s lives then we release press responses. These press meetings allow us to respond to stories quicker than any other student association. To act as swiftly as we do, the DUSA President - in consultation with Executive members - has to make a call. We want to know how you feel, so if you agree or disagree get involved in the debates on our message boards and let us know via email. Our concern is ensuring the best deal for the students of Dundee.