University of York Students' Union (York SU, formerly YUSU) is the representative body for the students at the University of York, England. It provides representation for all students, is the key provider of entertainment and welfare services, and operates a range of commercial ventures including a cafe bar and events & marketing department. Lewis Parrey is the current Union Affairs Officer (head of the union). At one time entertainer Tom Scott was president after running as Mad Cap'n Tom, entered against his will by friends and dressed as a pirate.
York SU is responsible for representing and campaigning for students to the university, for example over improved facilities such as a 24-hour library.[1]
Services
Events
Most regular late night events are run by college Junior Common Room committees in the campus bars; however the union provides support to individual college Entertainments reps, through providing training, health and safety advice, and acts as a representative to university Catering and Bar Management, as well as to other venues in York city. The Union runs Late Licence events in The Courtyard on a Saturday night; and organises a variety of cross Campus events including the Freshers and Graduation Balls.
Welfare
The Union provides an individual casework service, as well as running campaigns on specific issues such as sexual health or academic integrity.
The Union runs various "Student Action" projects which aim to provide student development, while giving something back to the local community. One of the major project it runs is an annual 'Kids Camp' which is a residential holiday for Underprivileged children, staffed by volunteers.[2]
York Sport Union
The Union funds and supports a number of sports clubs, which compete with other universities in leagues such as BUCS. It also organizes the annual Roses Tournament which takes place against Lancaster University.
Venues
The student union currently operates six venues, spread between five on Campus West and one on Campus East.[3] For a short time during 2021 the union also operated an outside venue called The Lakeside Tap in order to remain open due to Covid restrictions.[4] It has since closed indefinitely.[5]
As of 2023 there are more than 200 student run societies and over 60 sports clubs.[6] Societies are managed by the Societies Committee which is responsible for the creation of new societies as well as the allocation of funding and is currently made up of 9 members.[7]
New Student Centre
Co-designed by ADP Architecture and O'Donnell + Tuomey the project is a part of a larger redevelopment of University Square. The £35 million building is being designed with the environment in mind, being built mainly of natural materials and housing solar panels to reduce its carbon footprint.[8] The site will be home to the relocated offices of Nouse and URY as well as social spaces spread across five floors with the 5th floor housing a rooftop bar.[9] The project aims to be completed the 2025/26 academic year with construction starting in spring of 2023.[10]
Sabbatical officers
The Union's current sabbatical officer team consists of:
Union Affairs Officer
Lewis Parrey
Union Development Officer
Gen Andrews
Academic Officer
Fenella Johnson
Equality and Inclusion Officer
Ezreal Xie
Community & Wellbeing Officer
Freddy Russell
Activities Officer
Kaitlyn Beattie-Zarb
Sports Officer
Tanisha Jain
While resignations are rare,[11] in early 2021, the then Activities Officer, Brian Terry, resigned from his post, citing coronavirus and an offer of long term employment.[12]
