How the University supports the Students' Union

At York St John University (YSJ), all students are entitled to membership of the York St John Students' Union (YSJSU), a student-led organisation representing student interests.

While universities and students' unions are separate entities, YSJSU receives significant financial support from the University. The most well-known aspect of this financial support is the annual grant (called a subvention) given by the University to the SU. Other aspects include but are not limited to, rent-free space, free utilities, subsidised membership of clubs and societies and co-management of the Sports Union.

YSJ and YSJSU share a commitment to enhancing your student experience and work closely to ensure students are effectively supported. Together, we have reviewed and improved the system of student representation implemented by YSJSU.

To strengthen governance links, the University recently proposed that a senior leader from the University should be invited to be an SU Trustee - a model used successfully at a number of other institutions. The purpose of this proposal was to ensure the SU had a Trustee who would offer YSJ's perspective, ensure a clear communication route between the YSJSU Trustees and the University, support discussions on University investment in YSJSU, and foster closer partnership working at a strategic level. Whilst conversations on this are ongoing, the current likelihood is that a member of University staff will be invited to advise the SU Trustee Board in 2025/26. This support enables ongoing exploration of effective partnership models and ensures the continuity of the important services offered by YSJSU.

Following a review, the University has recently agreed that it will provide the SU with its full subvention of £414,000 in 2025/26, in addition to continuing to fund the SU via the other mechanisms listed above. The Students' Union will determine how the funding is allocated. Because each university and students' union funding relationship is unique, comparisons across the higher education sector are of limited value.

A constructive relationship between the University and Students' Union is both expected and welcomed. While healthy challenge is part of this dynamic, our shared goal remains clear: placing students at the heart of everything we do.