Policy Paper

13 Optional Membership of Student Organisations

The Commonwealth has received numerous representations from individuals claiming that they have been forced to join, and financially support, a student association when they are either opposed to its activities or indifferent to its services. The Government considers that individuals should have the right to freedom of association in all contexts.

Fees for adjunct, non-academic services must be paid upfront. Such arrangements are inconsistent with improved and easy access to higher education.

The Government will be introducing separate legislation to ensure that membership of student organisations is optional and universities do not collect fees that are not directly related to course provision. Institutions would be penalised for breaches of the legislation.

It is also unfair that in order to access that which they really want and need – an education – university students are forced to join a student union, guild or association. Whilst such organisations provide a range of services, students should be free to choose whether they will join and financially support their activities.

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