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Building a Stronger RAUSU: Our Transformation Programme

At RAUSU, we are committed to creating a students’ union that is stronger, more effective, and truly representative of our student body. Over the past year, we have been working hard to make necessary changes to ensure that we can better support you—our students—both now and in the future.

Why Change Was Needed

Towards the end of last year, it became clear that RAUSU was not operating as effectively as it should. Our structures, processes, and ways of working were not fully delivering the support, representation, and opportunities that students need and deserve. To address this, we embarked on a major transformation programme designed to strengthen our students’ union, making it more transparent, accountable, and sustainable.

What We’re Doing

To drive this transformation, we have been working closely with our Board of Trustees and, in January 2025, we welcomed Sam Harris as RAUSU’s Transformation Director. Sam brings a wealth of experience in organisational change and is leading the programme, which is built around six key pillars:

  • Governance – Ensuring our decision-making processes are clear, accountable, and student-led.
  • Democracy – Strengthening student representation and making it easier for you to have your say.
  • HR & People – Investing in staff development and creating a positive culture within the SU.
  • Finance – Improving financial sustainability so we can grow and support more student initiatives.
  • Culture – Building an inclusive, student-focused environment where everyone feels welcome.
  • Our Relationship with RAU – Strengthening our partnership with the university to better support students.

What This Means for You

This transformation is all about you. We want RAUSU to be a place where you feel heard, supported, and empowered. Over the coming months, you’ll start to see changes in how we operate—whether it’s better communication, more opportunities to get involved, or a clearer democratic structure for decision-making.

We’ll be sharing regular updates on the RAUSU website, so you can stay informed on our progress.

Get Involved

This is your students’ union, and your input is essential to making these changes a success. If you have any questions, ideas, or want to be part of shaping the future of RAUSU, we’d love to hear from you.

You can reach out to RAUSU President Alexandra or Sam Harris at sam.harris@rausu.co.uk 

Together, we’re building a stronger students’ union—one that truly works for you.