Better Forums

#Better Forums

Better Forums: What It Is and Why It Matters

Wanna make a real change in LUU, in University, or in the city of Leeds? Make sure to get involved with Better Forums.

Present your idea to a student panel at one of our three forums – Better Union, Better University, and Better Leeds. Or, if you are simply interested in change-making, attend the Better Forums to see student pitches and the panel’s vote in person.

All you need to have is an idea.

What is a Better Forum?

Better Forums are where LUU policies are made. Run by students, they are the opportunity for you to have your voice heard, improve student experience, and see real change happen. Any student can submit an Idea through one of the three forums – Better Union, Better University, and Better Leeds – and the ideas presented, discussed and voted upon by other students.

What is an Idea, and how do I submit one?

All change starts with an idea. If you have an Idea that would change the way we do things at LUU, the University, or Leeds as a city, we’d love to hear it. It becomes an LUU policy if 75% of the student panel votes for it. The panel consists of 16 randomly selected students who represent the Leeds student population.

What is a policy?

Policy is what guides the work of the Student Executive and LUU staff, and gives us something to aim for in our quest to change and improve things for students. All policy lasts for three years; some can happen straight away, others might take months or years of lobbying.

Why is it important?

The Better Forums are key in ensuring we are led by our members – the students. With students’ needs constantly changing, the Better Forums help us capture those changes, and allow us to ensure that what we do as a Union is in the interests of students now.

What change has been made?

LUU’s free breakfasts

This was an Idea proposed in 2022. We implemented the policy in December 2022, and brought it back in February and May 2023. Read more.

24hr library at UoL outside of exam periods

A Policy passed in November 2021, Education Officers since then have advocated for the change, and used the mandate from the Forum decision as a key way of doing this. The Policy was implemented in full in January 2023. Read more.

PGR-Supervisor Agreement 

This was an Idea proposed in March 2022. A new PGR-Supervisor Agreement has been implemented for this year (2023-24), with the University working with the students who created the Idea to support its implementation. Read more.

Drug Testing Kits

This Idea was resubmitted in 2022 by then Wellbeing Officer, Emily Tabern. The Union has worked hard with external organisations like SOS-UK, and with student societies like SSDP to implement drug testing kits within the Union.

Your turn

Got your own idea you’d like to make a reality? Share it on policy.luu.org.uk. To ask any questions, contact our Political Engagement team at LUU.PET@leeds.ac.uk, or the Exec.

Students run the Union. We want to hear about changes you want to make.

The next round of Better Forums will be taking place in November 2023.