'Campaigner–in–chief' Wes Streeting lays out his vision for NUS

NUS' new President Wes Streeting, who took over the office from Gemma Tumelty on 1 July 2008, has recorded the first in a series of podcasts for students.

Talking about his role as president, Wes said: "My main, overarching priority is to make NUS a more representative and relevant campaigning organisation for the seven million students we represent in both further and higher education. I was elected to be NUS' 'campaigner–in–chief' so over the coming year we'll be rolling out a series of campaigns that I hope students, from both further education and higher education, will see as being relevant to their interests and will want to get involved in."

Listen to the podcast in News

New NEC takes office today

NUS' elected body, the NEC, welcomes in a new cohort of officers today (1 July 2008). The fresh faces, elected during NUS' Conference season, and re-elected officers will be spending the next four days at an induction and training session in Coventry.

Details of who holds which position and the aims they have for their Zone/Campaign can be found in the about us section. A podcast from NUS' new President Wes Streeting will be online shortly.

The Hidden Cost of Further Education Survey

Last day today!

NUS and LSN have joined forces to conduct the first piece of research for more than ten years into the cost of studying in further education. We need as many FE students as possible to share their experience by completing the survey.

The online survey is entirely confidential, only takes about 15 minutes and three lucky participants will win a £50 Amazon.co.uk voucher for their trouble.

Take the survey today

Friend of NUS, Stella Greenall

Long standing supporter of NUS, Stella Greenall has died aged 81.

Stella had been involved in NUS since 1946. Stella gave 24 years of service during a very significant time for NUS and the student movement.

NUS President Wes Streeting said:

“We at NUS are very sad to hear about Stella’s death. She was a true hero of the students' union movement, and played a key role in the introduction of universal student grants in 1962. She was held in such high regard by everyone associated with NUS that we held a reception to celebrate her 80th birthday in 2006. It was clear that she had retained her passion for higher education and social justice.

“Our thoughts are with her friends and family.”

Stella’s obituary written by Francis Beckett can be found in the 25 June issue of the Guardian.

Plenty to shout about

Will the government consider alternatives to top-up fees? Are ministers up for a real debate about how our higher education system is funded?

Read the full interview with new NUS President Wes Streeting in the 24 June edition of the Guardian

Good advice comes straight from horsesmouth.co.uk

NUS is working with horsesmouth, an innovative online mentoring site.

You’ll be able to login to www.horsesmouth.co.uk to give and receive confidential advice, communicating with people all around the UK. Senior NUS staff have enlisted as mentors, and will eventually be joined by other NUS members.

For more details visit www.horsesmouth.co.uk or, to sign up to wear the NUS badge while using horsesmouth, register through the NUS page.