On Thursday 19 October, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mark E. Smith, and SUSU President, Ed Brooker, signed the University and Students’ Union relationship agreement. This outlines how the two parties will continue to work together and commit to improving students’ experience of academia and the full range of co-curricular aspects of their lives.
The relationship agreement dates back to 1903 when the Students’ Union was first formed. The agreement sets out that both parties will always have students’ interests as their overriding priority even if there are times when they have different areas of focus or aims. It ensures Union representatives are engaged and involved in institutional decision-making bodies.
Professor Mark E. Smith said: “The agreement is a formal recognition of how the University and Students’ Union need to work together and have constructive discussions. When I joined the University of Southampton five years ago, I made the decision to invite Student Presidents to the University Executive Board meetings to ensure the student voice is heard in all debates and provide support and advice where needed. We are looking forward to working closely with Ed and other Union representatives this academic year.”
Ed Brooker said: “I am really pleased to sign the relationship agreement which symbolises allyship and is hugely important for student success and satisfaction within their studies and outside in societies and other extracurricular activities.”
