For the first time in recent years, the NUS has voted to campaign for free education for students in higher education.
The motion was controversial, and only passed narrowly; Toni Pearce, NUS president, advised against the decision, but it was passed yesterday morning.
She was re-elected yesterday as President for 2014/15, receiving 454 votes. Aaron Kiely, the NUS Black Students’ Officer, was second with 150 votes after receiving criticism for his support of George Galloway and accusations of “basket weaving” – a term used in the NUS to describe candidates who take an undemanding, part-time course in order to qualify for a senior position. Jack Duffin, Chair of Youth Independence, the youth wing of UKIP, received only 16 votes, after a number of students staged a walk-out during his hust.
Another controversial motion requiring 50% of all NUS committees to be made up of female members, was also passed. The motion received a standing ovation, but has proved divisive.
Aisling Gallagher, a student from Belfast, defended the motion. “Women DO need extra help. Because structural sexism. Structural inequality. PATRIARCHAL MISOGYNISTIC WORLD”.
Hannah Barton, President of the Exeter Guild, tweeted, “So proud the motion for equal representation passed this evening. Great end to the day and very exciting times ahead”.
Others were more critical of the motion. Hannah Mullarky, Vice President of Student Engagement at Southampton Student Union, said, “If I’d been elected due to my gender not my merits, it would be a hollow victory. Empowerment, not forced representation!”.
LGBT activist @aimsetc said, “Please, please, please don’t vote for 50% Women quotes for #nusnc14. They’re a bad idea for trans people of all genders.”
The third day of the conference saw elections for Student Trustees take place. The results of these will be released on Monday. An emergency “Bring Back Yashika” motion also passed unanimously. This means that the NUS will campaign to bring Yashika, an A-level student recently deported from the UK, back to Britain and allow her to attend university here. Daniel Stevens, the International Students Officer tweeted, “Thank you everyone for voting to continue the #FightForYashika.”
