Open letter urges Bristol SU to reconsider its decision to end Associate Membership Scheme

An open letter has been written to Bristol Students’ Union following its recent decision to end the Associate Membership Scheme, which has previously allowed non-students to join University of Bristol societies. 

The letter, co-authored by 33 University of Bristol societies, criticised the reasoning behind the SU’s decision and urged it to reconsider, describing the policy change as “incredibly distasteful and undemocratic”. 

It argues that alumni, staff, and young people outside of the University of Bristol community play an integral role in these societies, many of whom hold qualifications or particular knowledge that facilitate their running. 

However, the SU stated that it does “welcome the continued use of qualified experts where this enhances the benefits a student group receives”. 

The decision was made following a recommendation from the Code of Conduct review work, which emphasised risks around health and safety, insurance, and safeguarding that arose from the Associate Membership Scheme. The removal of the scheme has since been signed off by the Bristol SU Board of Trustees. 

The SU claimed that this change in policy will ensure that Bristol SU resources are “benefitting current students”, and that it can “better support groups with any matters of misconduct”. It also emphasised the need for societies to be “future-proofed and less dependent on external people”. 

Senate House which house Bristol SU’s facilities

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The letter directly responded to these claims, arguing that ending the Associate Membership Scheme will not “future-proof” clubs, but rather place them under “considerable strain”. In response to misconduct concerns, the letter demanded that the policy be amended to “explicitly empower student group committees to independently manage their associate membership in a way that protects student interests”. 

The letter also contained a series of statements from affected societies, highlighting the importance of roles filled by society members who do not attend the University of Bristol, some of whom currently hold “democratically elected” committee positions. 

When asked how this change will affect them, University of Bristol Mountaineering Society (UBMC), one of the open letter’s co-authors, said that it will “dramatically alter the functioning of clubs that are as old as the union itself, and exclude core members of certain communities across the whole university”.

In particular, two of the society’s newest committee members “have now been told by the union that they must step down from their roles”. 

UBMC also expressed frustration with the SU’s review process, stating: “The way this review, which cost the university £6,000, has been conducted is absolutely disgraceful and we will not be affiliated with a union that passes policies such as these.”

The changes will also affect students at other universities and colleges around Bristol. One student, who attends SGS College and is also a member of the Wildlife Film Society, expressed disappointment in the ending of Associate Memberships. She told The Bristol Tab that the scheme was “an excellent way to meet people with similar interests from other universities and a range of different courses in the same area”, and allowed “students from smaller universities to gain valuable contacts and experience societies more”.

Signs of protest against the SU can be seen in the city, with one banner being flown in Castle Park, reading “BRISTOL SU BETRAYAL”.

A Bristol Students’ Union spokesperson told The Bristol Tab: “We know there are strong feelings about our intention to remove the associate membership scheme, and we’ve seen the open letter that was published last week.

“This is a big change and we know it’s not a welcome one for everyone. This is happening to make sure that Bristol SU resources are benefitting current students and that groups remain led by students.

“It is also due to concerns that appropriate protections are in place around safeguarding, health and safety, and insurance. All groups were invited to be part of the review process, and we heard a range of views through the consultation via survey and subsequent interviews.

“We’re committed to working directly with and supporting groups affected. Our current priority is to continue to meet with affected groups to understand their concerns.

“We understand that many of our affiliated groups benefit from the instruction of qualified experts to carry out their activity, and that some of these experts won’t be students. We are introducing a coach and instructor registration process that we’ll be expanding to give a pathway for groups to continue to benefit from external expertise and experience. Many current Associate Members will be eligible for the.”