Students' Union

Central’s Students’ Union aims to bring students together to form a vibrant community and to represent the student voice. It plays a key part in communicating with students and staff at Central in order to provide the best possible learning and social experience. The Union’s strong links with other institutions also provide endless opportunities for collaboration and shared resources.

The work of the Students’ Union is focused around these key areas:

  • representing every student within Central
  • ensuring that every student has the opportunity to participate fully in all that is available at Central in a safe and respectful manner
  • providing every student with a well-rounded experience of Central, providing ample opportunity for voices to be heard and collaborations to be made
  • working alongside University of London Union (ULU) and the National Union of Students (NUS) to enhance experiences and gain stronger support where necessary.

Students’ Union Executive Committee
The Students’ Union Executive Committee consists of a selection of undergraduate student volunteers who are elected mid-way through the summer term. The Students’ Union President is a sabbatical officer who has either taken a year out from study at Central, or has just completed his/her study, but generally the latter. The Executive Committee meets weekly to ensure students are being listened to, supported and to plan and provide entertainment and to put into practice the mechanisms to get voices heard.

The Executive Committee is elected each year and has the following members:

  • President
  • Vice-President Democracy
  • Vice-President Operations
  • Activities Officer
  • Black and Ethnic Minorities Officer
  • Campaigns Officer
  • Dyslexia and Disabilities Officer
  • Entertainments Officer
  • Environments Officer
  • International Officer
  • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Officer
  • Publications Officer
  • Postgraduate Officer
  • Technical Support Officer
  • Web Development Officer
  • Welfare Officer.

Students from all courses can be involved in many interesting and diverse extra-curricular activities, with various Union events, such as campaigning against a certain issue, organising a sporting event or helping plan the End-of-Year Ball. Social events are a high priority for the Students’ Union which aims to create and maintain a friendly and open environment for everyone at Central. 

During term-time in the Students’ Union Bar there are live music nights, quiz nights using a range of media, such as animated observation rounds, student-led cabaret and burlesque evenings, fundraisers and DJ nights. The Students’ Union constantly strives to build upon the entertainments offered to remain exciting and inclusive for all undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as staff.

Activities
With Students’ Union time now on Wednesday afternoons to coincide with the rest of the University of London, the existing wide range of societies and sports activities, such as capoeira, yoga, karate, football, gardening/vegetable growing, and debating, continues to develop alongside the quality and diversity of its activities year-on-year.

Welfare
Welfare provision is also of high importance and the Students’ Union offers:

  • affiliation to Nightline, the confidential listening and practical information telephone and Skype line
  • weekly drop-in sessions where you can ask for assistance or just have an informal chat
  • free health and welfare information and resources including sexual health, finance, housing and academic support.

Representation
The Union aims to represent the student views within the School through active, formal and non-formal communication. Union representatives sit on a number of forums, boards and committees within Central, including the Academic Board and the Governing Body. The Union also represents Central’s students London-wide within University of London and nationally as part of the National Union of Students.

University of London Union (ULU)
Students can use the facilities of ULU in central London, only 20 minutes away, which offers a gym, sports hall, swimming pool, student café and restaurant, bar and club, and meeting rooms for societies. There are also intercollegiate societies covering a wide range of interests and the opportunity to network with other colleges of the University of London.

National Union of Students (NUS)
Central is affiliated with the NUS which offers a range of services and activities, such as discounts with the NUS Extra card, conferences, being a member of the national arts group and fora on current issues. This year students attended the National Arts Summit and the NUS Annual Conference.

Our strong links with other unions across London and the UK have helped us grow over the years and become what is a productive and valuable Union. You are guaranteed a warm welcome from the union if you decide to study here. For further information on Central Students’ Union see www.central-su.com