How does the Big Ideas process work?

Huddersfield Students' Union is run by students, to make student life better. One way we do that is by giving you a platform to suggest and vote on Big Ideas.

What is a Big Idea? A Big Idea is something that you want to change, whether that’s at the University, the Students’ Union, in the local area or even nationally. You can make a difference.

Want to know more about how you submit a Big Idea?

As a student, you can submit anything that you want. Common ideas submitted are normally around improving facilities, creating new extracurricular activities, or lobbying the University to make big changes.

Decision Time

The SU President and Democracy & Citizenship Coordinator will consult with the relevant staff and a decision will be made on the best route for your idea. There are three routes that can be taken, they are:

• Live Vote on the website: Your idea will be available on the SU’s website for all students to upvote/downvote and comment on. The aim of this is to identify whether other students could get behind your idea.
• Referred to SU Officer/Staff/University meeting: Some ideas can be solved easily without a university-wide vote. Your idea would be referred to our Officer Team, SU/University staff, or a larger meeting to be resolved or rejected within a shorter timeframe.
• Outright rejected: Your idea might not appropriate at all and we will outright reject it.

You will be notified of the decision via email as soon as possible.

Has your idea been approved for a live vote?

Democracy works best when all students participate in it. It’s crucial that you communicate your idea to your fellow students, so that you can build-up support around the thing you want to change. Ideas that have a strong mandate behind them are more likely to succeed.

Check out and vote on the other live Big Ideas here: https://www.huddersfieldsu.co.uk/thestudentvoice

Student Panel

The Student Panel 

When it comes to fostering a vibrant and responsive university community, your input is invaluable. At Huddersfield, we believe that your voice should be heard, and we've established a unique and democratic process known as the Student Panel to ensure just that. If you're curious about how this process works and how it can benefit you, especially if you're not familiar with it, let's delve deeper into the intricacies. 

The Significance of the Student Panel 

The Student Panel is not just another administrative procedure; it's an essential aspect of democratic governance on our campus. Its primary purpose is to facilitate a thorough review and discussion of proposed changes to the university environment. This ensures that any modifications or initiatives align with your collective interests and values as a student. In essence, it empowers you to have a direct impact on decisions that directly influence your university experience, making it a powerful mechanism for positive change. 

Understanding the Student Panel Process 

Now, let's take a closer look at how this fascinating Student Panel process unfolds:  

Selection: Thirty students are randomly chosen to participate in the panel. This randomness is key to ensuring fairness and an unbiased representation of the student population. This means that any student, regardless of background or affiliation, has an equal chance of being part of this influential group. 

Debate: The selected students come together to engage in in-depth discussions and debates about the proposed Big idea. During these sessions, they meticulously examine all facets of the idea, including its potential benefits, drawbacks, and its potential impact on student life. This phase is a crucible where ideas are refined, scrutinized, and assessed. 

Recommendation: Following extensive deliberation, the Student Panel offers a recommendation on whether the idea should proceed to the next stage—a live vote. The value of this recommendation cannot be overstated, as it represents the collective views and concerns of their peers. It serves as a vital checkpoint in the journey of an idea from concept to reality. 

Live Vote: If the Student Panel recommends an idea, it advances to a live vote. During this phase, all students have the opportunity to cast their votes. The idea needs to garner sufficient support from the student body to become an official change or initiative within the university. This live vote is the ultimate test of an idea's popularity and relevance. 

Making a Difference- Your Role in the Process 

For students who may be new to this process or hesitant to share their ideas, it's crucial to understand that your voice matters. If you have a great idea for improving student life, don't hesitate to share it and gather support. The prospect of being discussed by the Student Panel and put to a live vote means your idea, just like any other, has the potential to become a significant change for the entire university community. 

Active participation in this democratic process is not only your right but also your responsibility. It is through your engagement and contributions that we can create a campus environment that truly reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of our student body. Remember, you are an integral part of this dynamic and influential community, and together, we can shape the university experience in ways that enrich the lives of all our students, including you. 

If your idea has been made live on our website, it could be eligible for Student Panel. This means that your idea will be sent to a group of 30 randomly selected students to debate whether your idea would make student life better or not.

Student Panels (Faith Centre Main Hall) 

• Tuesday 14th November 2023, 12:30pm-2:30pm 
• Tuesday 6th February 2024, 12:30pm-2:30pm 
• Tuesday 30th April 2024,12:30pm-2:30pm 

 If your idea passes, it becomes official policy of the Union, and the officer team are accountable for implementing it for you.

If you are unsure about anything, contact our Democracy & Citizenship Coordinator - Hamish Wilkinson (bigideas@hud.ac.uk) for support on the big ideas platform and the processes that we follow.