Oxford Brookes Students' Union Ltd

Oxford Brookes Students' Union Ltd is the official students' union representing the interests and welfare of students at Oxford Brookes University. Established to support and represent students during their course of study, the union provides a wide range of services including student advice, representation, and the facilitation of numerous student societies. It operates as a nonprofit organisation with charitable status under charity number 1194635.

Overview

Oxford Brookes Students' Union, also known as Brookes Union, serves approximately 18,000 students enrolled at Oxford Brookes University. The union is affiliated with the National Union of Students and functions as the official body through which student voices are heard in university governance and beyond. It offers services aimed at enhancing student life, including welfare advice, campaigns, and opportunities for social and academic engagement.

History

The Students' Union has a rich history intertwined with that of Oxford Brookes University, which itself evolved from the Oxford School of Art founded in 1865. Over time, the university developed through several mergers and name changes before becoming Oxford Brookes University in 1992. The union has adapted alongside these changes, relocating its premises as campus facilities expanded. For example, in 2012, the union moved to the John Henry Brookes Building on the Gipsy Lane Campus, marking a new phase in its development after closing the Morals bar, which had been a student social venue since 1992.

Services and Activities

The union offers a comprehensive range of services designed to support students’ academic and personal development. These include:

• Hosting and managing student societies and sports clubs
• Providing student advice on academic, financial, and welfare issues
• Representing student interests at university and national levels
• Organising events, campaigns, and volunteering opportunities to enhance student engagement
• Running student-focused facilities and spaces on campus

The union has faced challenges, such as receiving low satisfaction rates in national surveys in 2012, but has since worked to improve its offerings and student relations.

Governance

The organisation is governed by a team of elected student officers, including a President and Vice Presidents responsible for various portfolios, who lead the union in representing student interests and managing day-to-day operations. The union operates within the legal framework of a charitable company limited by guarantee.

Oxford Brookes Students' Union Ltd plays a vital role in fostering a supportive and vibrant student community at Oxford Brookes University, working continually to improve student experience and representation[1][4].

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxford_Brookes_Students'_Union [2] https://www.brookes.ac.uk/about-brookes/history [3] https://www.brookes.ac.uk/about-brookes/history/timeline-our-history-at-a-glance [4] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search?p_p_id=uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet&p_p_lifecycle=2&p_p_state=maximized&p_p_mode=view&p_p_resource_id=%2Faccounts-resource&p_p_cacheability=cacheLevelPage&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_objectiveId=A16865906&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_priv_r_p_mvcRenderCommandName=%2Ffull-print&_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_priv_r_p_organisationNumber=5179812 [5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxford_Union