Steven Robert Topazio's diary

 What are UPSU and UPEL?

The Union is run by three companies: UPSU - the Union's charity which runs clubs, societies, volunteering and democratic processes - whose mission statement is to "promote, extend and defend the rights of students", UPEL - the Union's trading company - which takes responsibility for running the Union's entertainments and bars to the highest possible standard, and the University's catering department, which manages the Union's catering services in conjunction with UPEL.The split: Summer 2005

In the past the Union was made up of the UPSU (charity) and UPSU Trading Limited (a subsidiary trading company) so that any profit made by the trading company would be covenanted back to the charity to support its charitable objectives.

Since moving into the Student Centre in 2002 it became apparent that the trading subsidiary would struggle to make a bottom line profit having a client base of only students and being able to trade for only 33 weeks a year.

The situation was therefore discussed at great length and a decision was taken that the UPSU could no longer sustain the UPSU Trading Limited in its present format.

After taking legal advice it was agreed that the trading company would be put into administration. To preserve the assets and facilities available to the student membership the decision was made that the University through their own subsidiary company University of Portsmouth Enterprise Limited (UPEL) would purchase and run the trading side of the Union’s facilities.

This meant that when students returned, in October 2005, they were able to enjoy full use of the Union’s facilities as they had always done.
The Current Situation

UPSU and UPEL are working alongside each other to provide representation, membership, social space and activities for the student body.
Who runs UPSU?

Ultimately you, the students of Portsmouth, do!

Therefore by getting your voice heard, things can be changed to the way that you want them to be.

However the practicalities are that all 18,000 registered students couldn't run the union, so each year the students of Portsmouth vote in a team of six Sabbatical officers to run the union in the elections.

They, along with two representative union council members and a university nominee, form the trustees of the union.


**************************

Hello all, Below is a link taking you to a facebook group where an intersting debate is occuring with regard to making the Students Union better. Take a look and join up. All comments will be compliled and used to try and improve the situations.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=15487715974