Witness Student Democracy In Action At Better Forums

Better Forums are Leeds University Union’s (LUU) official policymaking process. They are the structured way for students to turn their ideas for change into formal LUU policy.

LUU is a registered charity and the Students’ Union for the University of Leeds. Its purposes include:

Promoting the interests and welfare of students

Representing students within the University and to external organisations

Providing social, cultural, sporting and recreational opportunities

Creating spaces for discussion and debate

Because LUU is member led, every student has the power to influence how the Union works.

The Better Forums ensure that student ideas can become real change.

Why do they matter?

Better Forums are the official way to ask LUU to change something — and to make sure students actually want that change.

The forums provide:

An official route for requesting change from LUU

A way to ensure that proposed changes are representative of our wider student community
A process for passing ideas that require time, resources, or lobbying

How do ideas become policy?

Step 1: Submitting an Idea (a “Motion”)

Every change begins with an Idea, known as a Motion- a written proposal explaining what needs to change. Ideas can relate to LUU, University of Leeds, or wider city of Leeds.

When submitting an idea, students must answer three key questions:

What is the problem, and how does it affect students?
What is your proposed change? / How will it benefit students?
How would this change impact underrepresented groups at LUU, if at all?

Taking ideas to The Better Forums

The Better Forums are where submitted ideas are discussed and voted on by a representative group of students. This is the moment an idea can officially become Policy.

What is Policy?

In LUU, policy is:

A formal, agreed position or commitment on an issue

Publicly available to members

A guiding framework for the Student Executive Officers and staff

Valid for three years once passed

Policy determines LUU’s priorities, actions, and how resources are allocated.

Some policies can be enacted immediately; others require months or even years of sustained work.

Types of Better Forums

There are three forums running three times a year (November, March, May), each focusing on different areas of student life:

Better Union – Issues relating to LUU itself

Better University – Issues relating to the University of Leeds
Better Leeds – Issues relating to the city and the wider community

Who Attends the Better Forums?

20 Student Panellists: A representative group who vote on ideas and decide whether they should become policy.

Idea Holders: The students who submitted the idea and want to make change happen.

Forum Facilitator: The host who guides the session and ensures everyone can participate.

Democracy & Campaigns Team: Responsible for organising and running the event.

Student Leaders: Faculty Officers, LSC members, and Activities Exec who provide feedback from their student communities.

Student Executive Officers: Share expertise, answer questions, and support the decisionmaking process.

What happens when an idea becomes policy?

After a successful vote:

The policy becomes active for three years

It guides the actions of the Student Exec and LUU staff

LUU works to implement it.

Examples of Active LUU Policy

Here are recent policies students may recognise:

Free STI kits for students – Passed March 2023

Support for students facing Islamophobia – Passed May 2024

Improving inclusivity and accessibility in clubs/societies – Passed March 2025

Making the University more studentparent friendly – Passed March 2024

Formal recognition of extra/cocurricular activities by the University – Passed May 2024

Encouraging content note guides in teaching – Passed November 2024

Lobbying for an increased range and availability of bus tickets – Passed May 2023

Lobbying for misogyny to be recognised as a hate crime – Passed March 2025

Addressing hate/discrimination against GRTSB communities – Passed March 2022

Agenda for March 2026

Forum Structure:

Panellist Training Session

A 20-minute Session where Panellists are informed of their responsibilities in the space, how voting works and other key context related to Forums

Welcome

The Forum Facilitator will run through Introductions and Ground Rules

The discussion of each Idea in turn: the student who submitted the Idea (or a nominated spokesperson) to explain what they want and why

Discussion section

Clarifications, questions, comments and change proposals from Forum attendees
Feedback from Student Leaders, and the Student Exec Officers
Secret ballot of the Student Panel
Announcement of Student Panel Verdict

Break for refreshments

Announcements and reports from two Student Executive Officers detailing progress with regard to implementation of Policy and allowing questions from Forum attendees

Continued discussions of Ideas

Recap of Announcement of Student Panel Verdict(s).

March Forum Topics:

IDEA 1: Lockers for commuter students

Should LUU and the University of Leeds provide more lockers for Commuter Students?

There is less accessibility for commuting students in terms of storage, leading to back and shoulder problems. Being able to book a locker or a room under the library for the semester and having the opportunity to have a space to keep textbooks/sports kit.

IDEA 2: Pro Choice Students

Should LUU support Pro-Choice Students?

A continuous global stigma continues to grow surrounding reproductive rights which in turn has led to strained access and support for those seeking reproductive healthcare. On a global scale this has meant abortion rights have been taken away, and access to life saving reproductive healthcare has been vastly limited. We want our union to support students’ choice and bodily autonomy in an open environment. Our union will defend our right to choice in regard to essential reproductive healthcare and support.