Union Assembly is CSU’s student decision-making body. It is where your ideas and motions are discussed, debated, and voted on, which helps to lead the direction of CSU and your Elected Officers.
It has three functions:
- Setting and supporting the campaign priorities for CSU
- Scrutinising and supporting your full-time Officers in achieving the change set out in their manifestos
- Establishing policy that enables the student voice to be clearly heard
You may have heard of Student Council instead – that’s what Union Assembly used to be called! It was renamed by Elected Officers in 2025 to reflect a more united group of students with real responsibilities and decisions.
Want to get involved with Union Assembly?
We hold Elections for Union Assembly Officers during the Spring term, and By-Elections in the Autumn term – keep an eye out on your emails, our website and our social media for the announcement!
See a vacant role you’d like to take on? You can be co-opted into a vacant role if it wasn’t elected in both our Spring Election and By-Election in Autumn. Contact us on studentvoice@chester.ac.uk if you’re interested and we’ll go from there.
Contact Union Assembly Officers
Become the Chair of Union Assembly!
As the Chair of Union Assembly, you’ll be facilitating constructive discussions during Union Assembly meetings, and ensuring all voices are heard. This role is for 30 hours spread over the academic year (term time only), and you’ll be paid £300 (in termly instalments) for your input. Check out the application pack and apply by the 19th September 2025!
FAQs
Which Officers are in the Union Assembly?
- Black, Asian Arab & Minority Ethnic Students’ Officer
- Women’s Officer
- LGBTQ+ Students’ Officer
- Transgender & Gender Diverse Students’ Officer
- Disabled & Neurodivergent Students’ Officer
- International Students’ Officer
- Mature & Caregiver Students’ Officer
- Commuting Students’ Officer
- Estranged & Care Experienced Students’ Officer
- Open Seat x3
There’s also a Union Assembly Chair, a neutral party who ensures meetings are run smoothly. All meetings are Minuted by the Democracy & Campaigns Coordinator (a staff member), and all three full-time Elected Officers attend meetings to give reports and take on mandated actions.
What do the Union Assembly Officers do?
- Represent their demographic’s interests and perspectives in Union Assembly meetings, where topics affecting them may be discussed or debated
- Actively gather feedback from the students they represent and bring that feedback to meetings. This feedback can lead to actions that the full-time Officers or CSU staff will take on
- Spread the word about the work CSU does to their peers
- Attend meetings and discuss points raised in those meetings together, voting or mandating actions where necessary
- Get involved with campaigns, events, and other CSU initiatives
What are the 2025/26 Union Assembly meeting dates?
- 26th November 2025
- 28th January 2025
- 18th March 2025
- 27th May 2025
If you’d like to attend one of these meetings, please contact studentcouncil@chester.ac.uk.
What did Union Assembly achieve last year?
- Ratified Trustee Board
- Got involved in Lily’s Consent/Anti-Spiking campaign
- Voted for CSU to hold a cultural exchange festival in Spring (Chestival)
- Attended the Reclaim the Night march
- Discussed creating a Pride event on campus
- Renamed Student Council to Union Assembly (for next academic year)
- Attended University committees like SVEC and Sustainability
- Made sure commuting students have reserved lockers in Seaborne library
- Ratified the development grant and proud to be fund process
- Created and attended support networks and events for their communities
- Planned a Womens’ Empowerment event in collaboration with Lily
- Raised gender inclusivity concerns to BUCS/AU as well as Facilities and Accommodation
- Planned a Pride event and got involved with University Pride events
- Organised free period products for the University bathrooms
- Produced a report on neurodivergent students’ feedback and concerns
- Been shortlisted for Student Leader of the Year at the 1839 Awards
- Attended an NUS event campaigning for Trans Rights
- Written blog posts for CSU’s website
- Posted statements of solidarity for Transgender and Non-Binary students after the Supreme Court ruling
What have Union Assembly achieved this year?
- Watch this space! Union Assembly begins in the new academic year.
What do the current Union Assembly Officers want to achieve?
- Read the manifestos of the 2025/26 Union Assembly Officers below
Meet the Union Assembly Officers 👇
Vacant Role
Commuting Students’ Officer
To be filled in By-Election
Vacant Role
Women’s Officer
To be filled in By-Election
Vacant Role
Estranged & Care-Experienced Students’ Officer
To be filled in By-Election