NUS Affiliation battle kicks off, as Burton warns: don't play dirty

NUS...Disaffiliate?

Union’s up and down the country have to decide whether they want to remain an affiliate of the National Union of Students (NUS).

Last night saw the election of two groups, one forming the ‘Yes’ campaign, and one the ‘No.’

The YUSU funded campaign for both sides began last night with the election of campaign co-ordinators. An open meeting was held where those interested in joining either campaign were invited to express their ideas.

Grace Fletcher Hall and Tom Langrish, both YUSU Officers are co-ordinators for the ‘Yes’ to continued affiliation to the NUS, whilst Alan Yonge was chosen as the ‘No’ leader.

The turnout at the meeting was considerably stronger for the ‘Yes’ group, with 13 people attending, whereas there were just 5 representatives for the ‘No’ campaign.

The Yorker spoke to both parties to see their motivations for running and how they plan to campaign.

Grace-Fletcher Hall, co-ordinator of the Yes campaign and YUSU Academic and Welfare Officer said in her appeal to be chosen: "I hadn’t really thought about it, but have been ambassador for it for a couple of weeks."

We prefer to think of ourselves as facilitators and not leaders. We want to be a point of contact between the Union, NUS and you.
Tom Langrish

Fletcher-Hall who has been a dominant force on campus for many years, has stood for various positions, including Labour councillor at the local elections, said: "I’ve never lost a YUSU based campaign. When the SU wanted to change the constitution, I fought that with me and photocopier."

Her fellow co-ordinator, Tom Langrish, YUSU Training Officer said: ‘In my 12 plus months here I’ve picked up ideas…we prefer to think of ourselves as facilitators and not leaders. We want to be a point of contact between the Union, NUS and you.’

Let’s keep it clean, there’s no need to play dirty.
Matt Burton

Matt Burton, YUSU Services Officer said that the campaigns should be kept clean, ‘let’s keep it clean, there’s no need to play dirty.’

Fletcher-Hall said she supports continued affiliation because, ‘My experience of the NUS, with welfare and liberation support and their commercial backing.’ She also said that she plans to make their campaign ‘very much informative' by following the Union's side.

Alan Yonge, Co-ordinator of the 'No' Campaign said: 'I think it's about time to leave the NUS, we're paying tens of thousands of pounds to something that has not given me, or anyone I've spoken to any benefits.' He said he would rather, 'spend the money on what motivates York students.'

YUSU are giving each group £150 to spend on their respective campaigns which is to be spent at the Union-run print shop, Your:Print, and £50 to spent on alternative advertising.

In an age where students rarely log on in order to vote Fletcher Hall said they plan to market their campaign 'All out, conventional, postering and Facebook, but to be informative.’

Yonge said that the 'No' Campaign would be 'high-profile, with large colour posters and just get it out there. 'A lot of students, especially first years don't have any idea of how to vote, so we'll be canvassing to make them aware of the NUS and why we should leave.'

You don't need an NUS card, let alone a NUS Extra card.
Alan Yonge

A major issue that will be of importance to most students is that of the NUS Extra card, which guarantees student discount.

Yonge said that, 'If you go about in York with your university card you're fine, you don't need an NUS card, let alone a NUS Extra card.'

Yonge added that 'businesses voluntarily gave discounts because they want student business. They're not going to stop that, it's a myth that an NUS card is needed for discount.'

Fletcher-Hall added that YUSU would have to find an alternative way of getting students discount if the 'No' campaign is successful.

Voting will begin Monday Week 6, with the announcement of results on Thursday.

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