Oxford students deserve a Student Union that truly represents them. Yet according to the 2024 National Student Survey, only 40.7% of Oxford undergraduates felt they were represented well by the SU. That needs to change.
The introduction of the new Conference of Common Rooms (CCR) model gives us a real opportunity to transform how the SU works in a collegiate university like Oxford. We, Lucy Chen (Merton), Nick Lang (Keble), and Kush B Vaidya (St Catherine’s) are running to be your Student Trustees because we believe this new model only works if students who understand and believe in it are on the SU’s governing board.
CCR recognises that Oxford is different. Unlike other universities, the strongest form of representation here comes through our college common rooms. These spaces are where student concerns are heard and acted upon. The CCR model puts elected common room presidents at the centre of SU decision-making. It gives them a collective voice on major issues, such as how the SU spends its money, what policies it adopts, and how it advocates for students.
Lucy and Kush, as JCR Presidents, and Nick, as Secretary and now President-Elect, have worked closely with the SU to design, amend, and improve the new by-laws. This reform was driven by students, and we want to maintain that momentum. We have seen firsthand how much is possible when students take the lead.
But no matter how strong CCR becomes, the Board of Trustees will always remain the legal decision-maker. Under charity law, it can overturn student votes, block reforms, and control the entire SU budget. That is why it is crucial that the student trustees believe in the vision of a democratic, accountable, and transparent SU. If elected, we will work to ensure that the SU delivers on that promise.
We are standing on five core commitments:
1. Respecting Student Democracy
We will never vote to override decisions made by CCR or referenda unless absolutely required by law. Instead, we will support processes that give real power to student voices and make sure their decisions are implemented.
2. Transparency and Accountability
Students should always know what the SU is doing. We will push for regular updates on Board decisions and make sure this information is shared with CCR and the wider student body. We also support full editorial independence for student journalism, including The Oxford Student.
3. Supporting Student Initiatives
The SU has a budget of around £1 million and employs 11 staff members. Much of this money comes from student fees. We believe more of it should go directly to students through funding for common rooms, campaigns, and grassroots projects. We also support reviving dedicated funding streams, like the former Student Council Fund, which helped student-led initiatives succeed.
4. Empowering Common Rooms
Common rooms are the backbone of student life at Oxford. We want to make sure they receive the support they need to deal with college administrations, access SU resources, and remain independent. The SU should never impose policies on them without their consent.
5. Making the SU Visible and Accessible
For the SU to work, students need to know it exists. We will stay active in our common rooms, attend CCR and RepCom meetings, and be available to hear and raise your concerns.
Oxford SU is at a turning point. The changes introduced this year offer a real opportunity to make student representation more meaningful, but that will only happen if students remain engaged. It was disappointing to see that key RepCom elections had to be postponed due to a lack of nominations. These roles are vital in giving a voice to underrepresented groups and in ensuring that student perspectives are heard on the committees where real decisions are made. More than votes, what the SU truly needs is active participation. A renewed SU cannot succeed without students stepping forward, speaking up, and shaping the institutions that exist to represent them.
You can read more about our experience and pledges on the SU election website: www.oxfordsu.org/elections/2025elections. Voting is now open and closes at 8 p.m. on Thursday of Week 4 (22nd May).
Vote Lucy, Kush, and Nick for Oxford SU Student Trustees.
