As the Students’ Union for all Cambridge University students, Cambridge SU plays a key role in offering support, resources and guidance to all Cambridge University societies. We know that extra curricular activities play a critical role in not only enhancing skills that improve studies, but also create communities that help people thrive whilst at university. Here we’ve answered some questions to better explain the role that the SU plays and how we offer support to students.
Can anyone register a society?
We have some set criteria that student groups have to follow, such as having a minimum number of committee members, and a constitution. These are detailed on the SU website. These guidelines help ensure that we are prioritising our support for students running student interest groups.
Is funding available?
Yes - we have a societies grant where amounts of up to £350 can be requested per term. You can read more about these on the SU website.
Can the SU stop someone from starting a society if they disagree with its focus or political opinion?
In short, no.
Whilst the SU is a campaigning organisation, with policies on how we will lobby the university, this does not influence which student groups we support. The Education Act (the act in which the Students' Union is accountable to) is clear in that it states that equal resources must be available to all student groups. Therefore even if the SU had conflicting policy or campaigning priorities, this is not grounds to stop a student group from existing.
The role of the SU is to provide support for all different views and standpoints across the student body. For example, that’s why you’ll see student groups for different political parties, rather than just one.
Will the SU stop societies forming that cause harm to others?
Yes - if a society, or any student, is causing objective harm, the SU will intervene. However, particularly in line with recent Freedom of Speech legislation, harm must be evidenceable as objective harm. This does not include material that individuals find personally offensive.
This is typically the case when a group holds a view that is legally deemed a protected belief. For example, the SU supports all LGBTQ+ students to thrive at university, however, this does not mean we could stop the formation of a student group that holds a religious belief that does not promote same sex marriage.
As an SU we are here to help students build communities and groups, whilst also advocating for spaces that all students feel welcome in. If you’d like to register a society or find out more about the societies that currently exist, please feel free to reach out to our Activities team activities@cambridgesu.co.uk