Issue 155

Graduate elected to Block of 12 for NUS

08th May 2007

Swansea University Students' Union Executive Committee member, Tom Stubbs, has been elected to the 'block of twelve' - an executive group of the National Union of Students (NUS) Wales governing body.

Tom Stubbs, aged 22 from Truro in Cornwall, graduated in International Relations in July 2006, and is currently studying for a Masters degree in International Relations. During his time as a student, Stubbs became involved in the students' union, stating that in his view 'a degree can only open doors'.

Stubbs, explained that the 'block of twelve' is the, "executive committee of the NUS responsible for day-today running of the NUS." The 'block of twelve' meets on approximately monthly basis to discuss various policy areas, including topup fees. The 'block of twelve' forms part of the national executive, who meet in London, and across the country most recently in Leeds, London and Loughborough.

Participation in the 'block of twelve' includes NUS Wales; a semi-autonomous division of the National Union of Students which was established in response to the devolution of education policy in Wales to the National Assembly for Wales. NUS Wales also covers Further Education and Higher Education institutions in Wales, which, as Stubbs states, "allows people to be members from the age of sixteen - at somewhere like Swansea College - right through to the end of a final postgraduate degree." The NUS operates as a bottomup organisation, which aims to represent the views of student unions.

Tom Stubbs suggests to anyone who wishes to get involved with the NUS and their Universities' student union by getting elected to executive committees. Stubbs argued that, "Students should definitely get involved. It is really satisfying to see the results that have bought about because of your efforts."

Nick Evans