At Huddersfield Students' Union, we are proudly run by students for students, dedicated to enhancing your university experience in meaningful ways. One of the key mechanisms we have in place to achieve this is by providing you with a platform to propose and vote on Big Ideas that matter to you.
What is a Big Idea?
A Big Idea represents a change you wish to see—whether it’s within the University, the Students’ Union, the local community, or even at a national level. Your voice truly matters, and you have the power to make a difference in our shared environment.
Want to know how to submit a Big Idea?
As a student, you are encouraged to submit any idea you believe could improve our community for everyone. Common submissions often focus on enhancing facilities, introducing new extracurricular activities, or advocating for significant changes at the University that can benefit the student body as a whole.
If you need a little help writing your Big Idea, don’t worry! Check out our guide for helpful tips: Guidance on Writing a Big Idea
Decision Time
Once you submit your idea, the SU President and the Democracy & Citizenship Coordinator will consult with relevant staff to determine the best course of action. There are three possible routes your idea could take:
- Live Vote on the Website: Your idea will be showcased prominently on the SU’s website, where all students can upvote, downvote, and comment on it. This process helps gauge student support and interest in your idea, enabling a democratic approach to decision-making.
- Referred to SU Officer/Staff/University Meeting: Some ideas can be addressed more efficiently without requiring a university-wide vote. In this scenario, your idea will be forwarded to our Officer Team, SU/University staff, or discussed in a larger meeting for a quicker resolution.
- Outright Rejected: If an idea is deemed inappropriate or unfeasible, it will be outright rejected without further consideration.
You will be notified of the decision via email as soon as possible to keep you informed.
Has Your Idea Been Approved for a Live Vote?
Democracy thrives on participation and engagement. It’s essential that you communicate your idea to fellow students to build support for the change you want to see. Ideas with strong backing and community interest are more likely to succeed and bring about positive transformation.
Check out and vote on other live Big Ideas here: Live Big Ideas.
The Student Panel
Depending on the outcome of the live vote, your Big Idea will either become policy right away or it will go towards the Student Panel. Wondering what that is? The Student Panel is a democratic process that gives every student a chance to have their voice heard. Here’s how it works:
Why the Student Panel Matters
The Student Panel is essential for decision-making on campus. It helps us review and discuss proposed changes to improve the university environment, ensuring these changes reflect the interests and values of all students. This means you have a direct say in shaping your university experience.
How the Student Panel Works
- Selection: Thirty students are randomly chosen to participate in the panel. This random selection ensures fairness, giving every student, no matter their background, an equal chance to take part.
- Debate: The selected students meet to discuss the proposed Big Idea in detail. They examine all aspects of the idea, including its benefits, drawbacks, and impact on student life. This process allows ideas to be refined and thoroughly assessed.
- Recommendation: After the discussions, the Student Panel makes a recommendation on whether the idea should move to the next step—a live vote. This recommendation reflects the collective views of the panel and serves as an important check on the idea's viability.
- Live Vote: If the panel recommends the idea, it proceeds to a live vote. Here, all students can cast their votes. For the idea to become an official change at the university, it must receive enough support from the student body. This vote determines how popular and relevant the idea is.
Your Role in Making a Difference
If you’re new to this process or unsure about sharing your ideas, remember that your voice is important. If you have a great idea for improving student life, don’t hesitate to share it and seek support. Having your idea discussed by the Student Panel and then voted on means it could lead to meaningful change for everyone.
Participating in this democratic process is both your right and responsibility. Your involvement helps create a campus environment that meets the diverse needs and aspirations of our students. You are a vital part of this community, and together we can enhance the university experience for all.
If your idea passes through the Student Panel process, it becomes official policy of the Union, and the Officer Team will be responsible for implementing it.
Questions?
If you have any questions or need help with the Big Ideas platform and the processes we follow, please contact our Democracy & Citizenship Coordinator, Hamish Wilkinson, at bigideas@hud.ac.uk.
