By Ivy Nicholls, Second Year, Liberal Arts
We all have elements of university life that disappoint us. We love to complain about inadequate seating in the library, overpriced food, and the frustrating elements of our courses. But who should we be complaining to if we want to make a difference? How much sway do we actually have as the student body, and how many are opting out of exerting that influence?
Only 29.3 per cent of students voted in the Bristol Student Union (SU) elections. I was not a part of this statistic last year. Although the yellow posters around the university and persistent emails didn't escape my notice, I had given the elections little thought before starting this article. Like many in my social circle who didn’t engage, I have had little awareness of the union's work beyond my use of the spaces they provide.
I sent out a survey to investigate if students felt the same ambivalence and obliviousness to the organisation. The majority of those who said they didn't vote, were unaware it was happening or believed it didn't affect them. Most who did vote cited the SU's campaign strategies as the motivation including free food, the inability to access the SU website without voting, and as one respondent put it, being 'pestered'.
Fewer said they were motivated by the difference they could make or the policies of specific candidates. I had reached out in society group chats, a sample presumably keen to get the most out of their university experience through extracurricular activities which are associated with the SU. It surprised me that the particular students I spoke to seemed disconnected from the union's work, though it shouldn't really, as I am one of them.
Communications Executive Jake Tapping told me they want to promote voting in the upcoming election as part of the creation of 'a voter for life.' For students who think student politics is trivial, perhaps the contextualisation of student votership within wider politics can help build good voter habits in the future.
He also explained the way a higher turnout would affect the impact of the SU, not just how representative it is: 'This year we are aiming for a 30 per cent turnout which could once again make us the best represented SU Election in the country. This goes a long way when we lobby the university for change and support on our campaigns.'
It seems that many students don't consider the individuals behind the services the union provided. Indeed, the BBSU (Big Bristol Student Union Survey) revealed that officer visibility was relatively low in 2025, standing at 24 per cent despite 96 per cent agreeing with officers' priorities. It seems we like what they do for us, but what exactly does that include?
To help rectify this, I spoke to Katie Poyner, Union Affairs Officer, about her recent achievements within the SU.
She mentioned the reopening of the Hawthorns Hatch, serving £1 and £2 meals to students on campus. This responds proactively to the Cost of Living Crisis which was most commonly selected as an important issue in the BBSU. Although often using this service, I had not considered this as an example of the union catering directly to students' everyday needs.
Poyner said the SU have hosted society forums to spot common issues in societies, think of shared solutions, trialled society ambassadors to aid the communication, and trained the SU and student societies. They have also launched the Ideas Board to help students access their democratic voice and opened the SU Basement Activity Room, open from 9am-9pm Monday to Thursday.
She continued that going forward they are hoping for 'more ongoing work around spaces, and having a campus which suits our needs, having enough space for study but also social activities, for our societies and sports clubs.' Furthermore, an important job for the next Union Affairs' Officer will be finalising the new support systems she has put in place for societies; the society ambassador roles and society forum. Poyner described the officer role as extremely varied 'no day is the same.'
James Lewis
Anna Dodd
'I am so proud of the work I've achieved in this role, and it is definitely an experience I would recommend to anyone. Get involved, make a change and see the difference you can make!'
Though it might seem remote, you have the chance to affect things. Don't leave it all to the grown-ups. If you don't like it, change it. If you don't vote, don't complain.
Featured image Epigram/ Frankie Curtis
Who will you be voting for this year?
