SOAS Students’ Union opens consultation on proposal to redirect student funding from one Sabbatical Role directly to student societies and student media
Following a democratic Town Hall meeting of student societies, led by the Co-President for Activities, we are asking for the mandate and feedback of our members to take forward a decision to our trustees for approval.
At the current stage, the SU is looking to consider the withdrawal of the Welfare and Campaigns Officer role and integrate the responsibilities of that role into the roles of the remaining three Officers, effective from July 2025, in time for the next academic year. This would leave us with three elected Sabbatical Officers, which is what SOAS SU always had until 2016.
Why is this being proposed?
The decision to propose the removal of the Welfare and Campaigns Officer role is based on two key considerations:
1. The Role Has Been Vacant for Two Years
For the past two academic years, the Welfare and Campaigns Officer position has remained unfilled. Despite this, the Union has continued to deliver effective welfare support and campaign initiatives. These services have been managed by our professional staff team and other elected officers, demonstrating that support structures are in place even without a dedicated officer.
While the absence of the role has not stopped us from providing these essential services, we acknowledge that the Sabb Officer role traditionally played an important part in shaping welfare and campaigning efforts. However, this period has also shown that alternative approaches can maintain, or even enhance, service delivery without the need for this specific position.
2. Reallocating Resources to Student Activities
Based on the ongoing feedback from students widely and specifically from society members we have been weighing up different options about re-allocating resources. The removal of one officer position, not only puts us in a better financial stead to continue operating at a continuous standard level but allows us to use that money saved to go directly to students and student activities.
Each Sabbatical Officer role currently costs SOAS SU approximately, £35,000 per year in salary costs. If approved by our students, this change will allow SOAS SU to redirect the money saved from this change as set out below:
- Increase the Societies grants fund from the £20,000 it currently is to £40,000 from September 2025, thereby doubling the current fund.
- £11,000 to help support our student media by paying students London Living Wage to participate in student media by paying student Journalists at The Spirit and delivering a free monthly podcasting course for students involved in SOAS Radio.
- £4,000 for the Sabb Officers to lead campaigns effectively, including a student Breakfast Club for all students in the JCR
Why does your feedback matter?
Your input is crucial in helping us determine whether this change would benefit the student body as a whole. Specifically, we are asking for your thoughts on the following question:
Should SOAS Students’ Union remove an elected officer position and re-direct the funding to Student Societies, Student Media and Campaigns?
Your views will shape how we move forward. We recognise that any decision we make must align with the needs and expectations of our students.
How can you share your views?
Please share your thoughts by filling out this form. We will be accepting responses until 10:30 am on Monday, 20th January.
We would welcome all views as these will be shared at our next Trustee Board meeting.
What happens next?
After the consultation period, we will review all student feedback and consider the responses carefully. We are committed to transparency throughout this process and will communicate the outcomes and final decision in a timely manner.
If the decision is made to remove the role, we will outline how the SU plans to continue delivering high-quality welfare and campaign services in the absence of an elected officer.
The three realigned Sabbatical Officer roles will be:
- Activities and Campaigns
- Welfare and Liberation
- Democracy and Education
Alternatively, if the decision is made to retain the position, we will work on ensuring it is filled and supported effectively in the future.
Thank you for taking the time to engage with this important consultation. Your input is essential in shaping the direction of the Students’ Union.