Structures

ESU has a democratic structure based on the primacy of its members – 45 national unions of students from 38 different countries across Europe. The Boards meets twice a year and elects ESU’s officials on an annual basis, with each member country having two votes. The elections appoint ESU’s representative structure which consists out of the Executive Committee whose work is supported by five content committees that work on various topics such as academic affairs, gender equality, social affairs, students’ union development and related topics. In addition to the content committees, ESU had 3 working groups in 2010 which worked on the topics of international cooperation, immigration and ethnic minorities and gender equality.

It should however be noted that since July 2010, ESU has been organising its content work in a new working structure, internally referred to as the "New Deal". Instead of dividing tasks according to the committee structure and description, each elected representative is working on few topic areas, such as mobility, financing, third cycle etc. The coordination of the work is still in the hands of the Executive Committee, but there is a less stringent division of tasks between Academic and Social Affairs, leading to more proactive actions, with cross-pollination from different fields of action. The New Deal structure aims to create more transparency in ESU's internal task division, and to raise the accountability of the individual student representatives towards the National Unions of Students.

The daily work of the Executive Committee and the elected representatives is supported by a professional Secretariat which consists out of a Financial Officer, a Communications Manager, a Project Officer and an Executive Assistant, all four based in Brussels.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee (EC) consists out of a chairperson, a vice-chairperson and three general members. The EC is responsible for steering and coordinating the organisation, both politically and financially, on a day-to-day basis. It is responsible for carrying out the decisions which are taken by the Board Meeting, the highest-decision making body of ESU which consist out of all member unions.

Academic Affairs Committee

The Academic Affairs Committee (AAC) is responsible for developing expertise and representation regarding academic affairs. It deals with issues such as quality assurance, qualifications frameworks, ECTS (European Credits Transfer System) and student-centred learning. It monitors these developments, produces policy papers, drafts statements and develops external strategies to promote these. It is a key channel for the promotion of the paradigm shift that ESU is pushing for in higher education generally.

Committee for Internal Development

The Committee for Internal Development (CID) is responsible for finances, public relations and internal working conditions. Initially, its work is to develop the plans for more finances by setting up the ISIC- card and developing a training portfolio. Finally, it is a reference point for elected representatives, making them feel comfortable in the organisation and making sure they are able to use the facilities that are offered.
 

Gender Equality Cross Committee

The role of this committee is to ensure the implementation of ESU’s Gender Mainstreaming Strategy and to increase awareness and understanding of gender equality issues among ESU and its members.  It is made up of one member from each of the other four content committees.

Social Affairs Committee

The Social Affairs Committee (SAC) is tasked with researching, training and representing students in the field of social affairs of higher education. The SAC focuses on questions on access to higher education, participation in and completion of one’s studies. It therefore involves all work regarding the social dimension of higher education, including financial affairs, students’ health, accommodation and work.

Student Union Development Committee

The Student Union Development Committee (SUDC) is tasked with supporting the development of student unions in Europe. It carries out this work in cooperation with the other working structures of ESU as well as the national unions of students. The SUDC develops its own plan of work and define its work methods based on the general plan of work of ESU.

Working Groups

Working Groups are a structure of ESU that allows members and associate organisations deal with specific topics of interest – and thus contribute actively to the policy generation of ESU. Members and associate organisations can apply to host a workshop at a Board Meeting.

ESU has currently 5 working groups.

For more information on how to apply to chair a working group please send an email to: secretariat@esu-online.org