About Us

 

London Metropolitan University Students’ Union (MetSU) is an independent, democratic organisation run by students for students. It provides representation, advice and support to students at the University. We also run our own Media channels including Verve magazine & Verve Radio. Verve Magazine is of professional standard and we are always looking out for new writers, editors, photographers, designers, Illustrators and layout artists. Last year we launched Verve Radio so we are on the look out for DJ’s, presenters or technicians to get involved. This year we will launch Verve TV so if you have any experience in filming, editing or producing TV then get involved with MetSU.

 

The Students’ Union continues to work in partnership with the University as it moves into the future. Do let us know if you have any suggestions, ideas or comments as to how we can make things better for you , the student.
On behalf of the entire University, I hope your time studying with us will be enjoyable, exciting and rewarding.

 

The history of the London Metropolitan University Students’ union goes back the year of London’s two prominent universities (London Guild halls) and (University of North London) famous merger in 2001.  As part of the University merger arrangement Students Unions from these two universities also merged to create a new Students’ union for the London Metropolitan University in 2002. And a new Students’ union was form as METSU (Met Students’ union).

From its outset the Students’ union experienced several structural changes.  Many of its core functions were segregated from the Union and attached to the University departments. This separation of services actually vitiated the actual purpose of the Students’ union and for many years London met student’s experienced poor representation from their Union.  London Met Students’ union took a new shape in March 2009 after massive lobbying by then executive committees to the University Governing body. The University governing members agreed that the current model of the Students’ union in not self-directed and unable to represent its member’s voice independently.   The Governing body agreed to move students union to a new model and registered as Charity organisation.  Following the approval of the board in December 2009 the University and Students’ union executive committees mutually agreed to employ a project manager for nine month fix term periods to deliver a project to restructure and develop a new autonomous and functional Students’ union.

 The project started in February 2011 under the supervision of a project board consisting of eight members including university staff, Students’ union president, student Council Chair, and student Council nominated member, general manager from two other external unions and a NUS senior manager.  Starting in February 2011 the project board met six times and performed different work streams independently to shape the union that can fit for its core purpose. After a nine month discussion and negotiation the project board delivered a new model of the Students Union in August 2011 to be implemented from July 2013.

 

To registered as Charity organisation by grantee in line with the Charity act 2006 and ensure good governance for the Union
 

To ensure effective representation for all Students through formalising the StAR(Students Academic Rep) function

 

To provide independent advise, information and representation to all students at the university

 

To become watchdog to the University decision making process and to be recognised as critical friend in all plan for change and development at the University

 

To Gain financial autonomy and utilise financial resources effectively

 

Ensure a constrictive partnership between the Students union and the University

 

Ensure students involvement in university policy development and strategic planning

 

Develop an effective communication system to meet the needs of all union members and also actively promote Students’ union role to its members

 

To develop a new and effective governance structure through structuring and effective Students Council, Board of trustees and implementing a new constitution

 

To deliver the services that address the changes in students trends to meet their needs

 

To make ethical decision and minimise our impact on the environments

Increase participation for all level of students at the union elections and maintain diversity at the union

 

The main function of any Students’ union is representation. Elected officers spent over 80% of their times with students to ensure proper representation with every level of students at the University. The London Metropolitan University is very diverse in term of student population. And a significant proportion of students at this University are coming from many ethnic minority groups and also from disadvantage backgrounds. Despite of recent proposed changes in the fees in Higher education the London Metropolitan University will always offer education to people from disadvantage background and will maintain its widening agenda. Given the nature of these groups of students and as a result of paying higher fees in the form of investment to build better future, student’s expectations from the University in term of quality and standard of education will be very high.  Therefore the essence of the Students’ union functions in forth coming years will be to represent these students’ expectations to the HEI.  Therefore it is decided by the Students Council that the to model of London Met new Students’ union will be based on the following six basic functions where representation is predominant;

 

• Representation (proper channel of Communication through effective Academic Rep system)
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• Independent  advice information and representation(AIR)
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• Democracy and Governance (Elections, SC, Trustee board)
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• Clubs and Societies (social and community ethos)
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• Independent Media and communication (Magazine, Radio and news letter’s)
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• Fresher’s fair (Students welcome events)

 

Department of Student Service:

• Students activities GIGO(Give it a go)
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• Volunteering(the Rich)
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• Mentoring /peer support
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• Students welcome team/orientation

 

Department of Campus Service:

• Sports activities only
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• Summer ball event
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• Other events

 

Human recourse and Finance department:

• Payrolls
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• Staff Pension
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• Other relevant back of the house services 

 

Department of Recruitment

• International night