Thursday 14-07-2022 - 15:53

Supporting and empowering Student Trustees is a vital element in ensuring proper representation, engagement and effective decision-making on the Trustee Boards of Students’ Unions. 

At the University of Nottingham’s Students’ Union (UoNSU), the four Student Trustees make up a quarter of the membership of the Board and play a huge part in the success of SU’s overall governing body. 

As the UoNSU Governance Specialist, my role involves delivering high quality, comprehensive professional support to the Trustee Board and its sub-committees.  

Student Trustees receive an in-depth induction programme (including with internal and external stakeholders) as well as an opportunity to meet regularly with a Lay Trustee as part of supporting them to settle in. Formal support continues through their involvement as Trustees leading to an understanding of their roles, wider issues and the importance of the impact of their contributions. 

A vital element is the regular informal check-ins with the Student Trustees - I cannot underestimate the importance and value placed on this, and would strongly encourage other Students’ Unions to do the same. 

If a Student Trustee has an interest in a subject area (for example student welfare, as a result of a separate volunteer role, or in our trading activity as a result of their chosen field of study), they are encouraged to join the sub-committee most relevant to this interest to further develop their vested study and career choices.  This also enables the Students’ Union to create learning opportunities for its volunteers in a particular area of their interest – both for their personal and professional development. 

Further personalised learning opportunities have come from membership of interview panels for senior positions including the Director of Student Influence and these have been enhanced by the involvement of our Employability and Development Manager, where future career support is offered including 1-2-1 Strengths Profiling.   This all directly contributes to the future employability of the Student Trustees, whether in their chosen field of study or elsewhere. 

At the end of their tenure, each Student Trustee has an exit interview to share their experiences and potential learning opportunities for UoNSU itself, leading to the following feedback: 

“As a student member, being a Trustee has been one of the most impactful roles I have had in the Students’ Union, both in terms of my own personal development but also the responsibility that comes with the position”  

Will Bowling, Sustainable Hydrogen CDT  

“A huge advantage of the Trustee role is getting to be involved with meaningful decisions without the same time commitment as an Officer role which fits in really nicely around my busy research degree.  The personal development opportunities are huge and there is a lot of time given to supporting the Student Trustees to get up to speed with the papers and procedures, but also to tailor our experience to our interests.” 

Jenny Brazier, Biosciences 

“A Student Trustee position epitomises the importance of students while making crucial financial, commercial, and strategic decisions for the SU. My journey with UoNSU started as a Course Representative and is now ending as a Student Trustee.” 

Hamza Nouman, Economics 

“My main aim as a Student Trustee has been to bring my lived experience, and those of the wider student body to the board, and ensure more nuanced conversations at the board level.   What started as an EDI role at my school evolved into a Student Trustee position in hopes to increase visibility of vulnerable student groups. I would encourage students to apply for the role, because we need to part of conversations that affect us.” 

Farheen Akhtar, Business School 

“Being a Student Trustee at the University of Nottingham’s Students’ Union was one of the most rewarding and life-changing experiences I’ve had. There was never a dull moment, and each day brought a new task to tackle. As a person and a leader, I grew tremendously.   Trustees are recruited on an individual basis, and from my experience, I felt absolutely no barriers to entry other than the requirement of competency. I believe it’s important for prospective trustees to know this.” 

Ebunolowa (Tsemaye) Salami, BLaws 

As the person responsible for recruiting, inducting and supporting Student Trustees at UoNSU, I am deeply moved by the efforts, commitment and impact of Student Trustees and of the vital importance of facilitating this.   By remaining connected and engaged with your Student Trustees, the representation, engagement and quality of the decisions of the Trustee Board can all be significantly enhanced. 

For copies of the original report and further details please contact me at: 

 Susan.Dosangh@nottingham.ac.uk