News

Union to hold referendum on NUS

In or out? You decide.

Imperial College Union will hold an NUS referendum during this year’s sabbatical elections, which will take place from 8-15 March 2013.

The referendum will be to decide whether or not we re affiliate with the NUS (National Union of Students).

Comment by Union President Paul Beaumont is available here.

History of Imperial College Union and the NUS: In and out like... well, you can end that metaphor:

1922 NUS is founded and Imperial is a member

IN

1923 ICU disaffiliates due to increase cost of membership

OUT

1939 ICU re-affiliated

IN

1940 ICU disaffiliates due to NUS stance against conscription

OUT

1948 Motion to re-affiliate heavily defeated

1956 Motion to re-affiliate less heavily defeated

1963 Motion to re-affiliate passed 405 to 389

IN

Motion overturned in an EGM by 315 to 254

OUT

1964 Motion to re-affiliate passed 279 to 215

IN

Motion overturned in an EGM by 226 to 180

OUT

1969 Referendum to re-affiliate failed by 922 to 781

Motion to re-affiliate in a UGM passed by 192 to 143

IN

1976 NUS Travel collapses and Endsleigh insurance sold

Motion for a referendum passed

1977 Referendum to disaffiliate passed by 787 to 782

OUT

Motion to overturn referendum in UGM fails, as students leave and call quorum

1978 Referendum to re-affiliate failed by 1402 to 1058

1981 Referendum to re-affiliate refused

1983 Referendum asked for, an investigation was agreed upon

1983-6 Delegates to NUS conference to investigate1987 President expresses support for NUS in Annual Report

1989 Motion passed in UGM to hold a referendum in 1990

1990 Motion passed not to hold a referendum

1991 Motion to hold a referendum goes to UGM, quorum challenged1995 Referendum to re-affiliate fails by 965 to 696

2002 Referendum to re-affiliate fails

2006 Referendum held in November, 53% vote ‘yes’, 47% ‘no’ – over 4,000 voted

IN

2008 Left after NUS Governance reform (that ICU backed) fails

OUT

(History compiled by Paul Beaumont)