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11 Times The NUS and Students' Unions Caused Controversy

One time, they banned sombreros
Catherine Wyatt
By 

Trainee journalist at the Press Association.

A student raises their hand in agreement at the NUS conference in Brighton
A student raises their hand in agreement at the NUS conference in Brighton
NUS UK

This week student unions across the country began campaigns to disaffiliate from the National Union of Students following the election of Malia Bouattia as president.

Bouattia stoked controversy after her past statements were branded 'anti-Semitic', claims she was forced to deny.

But this isn't the only controversy involving the NUS and students' unions have made in recent times. From banning sombreros to replacing clapping with jazz hands, these are 11 of the most awkward and contentious decisions made by student bodies...

When They Supported The #RhodesMustFall Campaign
Twitter
Oxford University Student Union supported the controversial campaign to remove the statue of Cecil Rhodes from Oriel College. The #RhodesMustFall campaign sought to "decolonise the institutional structures and physical space in Oxford and beyond." Part of the SU's budget was "heavily depleted" by funding the project, and it won the President's Award for Outstanding Impact in 2016.
When They Banned 'Transphobic' Cross Dressing
YouTube
The NUS banned "transphobic fancy dress" at women's conference last year. The motions document says: "Conference resolves to encourage Unions to ban clubs and societies from holding events which permit or encourage (cisgender) members to use 'cross-dressing' as a mode of fancy dress." However, despite this "zero-tolerance" approach, drag "as an expression or exploration of queer identity is to be encouraged."
When A Student's Arm Movements Violated Safe Space Policy
Twitter
Imogen Wilson, an Edinburgh University student, was threatened with removal from a student council meeting after she violated her student union safe space rules by making an arm gesture which "denoted disagreement".
When They Voted Against Syrian Air Strikes
Twitter
Whilst Parliament were debating foreign policy, so were the NUS. They decided on the opposite course of action to Britain's elected representatives, but luckily for MPs, their vote didn't count.
When They Planned To Ban Yik Yak
Associated Press
A motion to restrict anonymous messaging app Yik Yak during election campaigns was passed at this year's conference. “Anonymous accounts have the ability to shield racists, sexists, and cyber bullies from campus disciplinary procedures,” the motion read.
When They Elected Malia Bouattia As NUS President
Youtube
Bouattia has been called anti-semitic by her opponents, after she referred to “mainstream Zionist-led media outlets”, and called the University of Birmingham a "Zionist outpost”. Her election has led to students calling for their unions to disassociate from the NUS.
When They Said Gay Men Weren't Oppressed Enough
Peter Dazeley via Getty Images
An NUS motion said: “Misogyny, transphobia, racism and biphobia are often present in LGBT+ societies," blaming "cis gay men" in particular. It advised university LGBT+ societies to drop the gay men's rep, as they were not a marginalised group within the LGBT movement.
When They Refused To Condemn ISIS As It Was Islamophobic
The NUS refused to pass a motion condemning ISIS for fears it could condemn Muslims as a whole. The motion asked students "to boycott anyone found to be funding the IS or supplying them with goods, training, travel or soldiers," which newly elected president Malia Bouattia argued could encourage the suppression and surveillance of Muslims. A re-worded motion condemning the terrorist group was later passed by the NUS.

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