Referenda

Question:
Should LSESU lobby departments to host formal dinners and events to strengthen student community, encourage academic discussion, and enhance LSE's reputation?

What this means:
LSESU would formally ask LSE academic departments to organize regular formal dinners (similar to collegiate universities). This could include end-of-year celebrations, networking events with academics, and discipline-specific social gatherings.

If it passes:
LSESU will add this to our policy platform and dedicate staff time to lobbying LSE central and individual departments.

If it fails:
LSESU won't pursue this as an organizational priority.

Question:
Should LSESU reform its internal operations to improve efficiency, transparency, communication, and student engagement?

What this means:
A comprehensive review of how LSESU functions internally - from how decisions get made to how we communicate with you to how accessible our services are.

If it passes:
Trustees will commission an operational review with student input, likely resulting in structural and procedural changes over the next year.

If it fails:
We'll continue with current operating procedures.

Question:
Should LSESU disaffiliate from the National Union of Students UK(NUS UK)?

What this means:
Ending our membership in the UK's national student organisation. NUS UK provides training, resources, national campaigning, and bulk-buying discounts. We currently pay thousands of pounds each year for membership.

What this means:
LSESU affiliated with NUS UK in a 2015 referendum. Students' unions including Cambridge, Oxford, and Imperial have disaffiliated in recent years. It's standard practice in the sector to hold regular affiliation referenda.

If it passes:
LSESU will end NUS UK membership, losing access to their services but saving membership fees.

If it fails:
We remain NUS members.

Question:
Should LSESU renew its expired policy to lobby LSE to divest and promote the boycott of the NSS survey?

What this means:
Reinstating our previous policy (expired in 2024) that committed LSESU to:

• Lobbying LSE to divest from fossil fuels and companies in certain sectors
• Encouraging students to boycott the National Student Survey

What this means:
LSESU previously held this policy but it lapsed. LSE has made some divestment commitments but students argue they don't go far enough.

If it passes:
This becomes active LSESU policy again, directing sabbatical officers and staff to campaign for divestment and NSS boycott.

If it fails:
LSESU has no formal position on these issues.

No – you can skip any you're unsure about. Every referendum is independent.

A: Simple majority (50%+1) of votes cast. The quoracy for these referenda are 5% of the student population.

No – once you submit, your vote is final.

No. We're neutral on all four questions. Our role is to run a fair process and provide information, not advocate for outcomes. If no student or body comes forward to run the 'Against' Campaign, the Students' Union is obliged to run that campaign and will provide a balanced argument for students to research and make an informed decision on.

This follows our standard referendum procedures to ensure a concentrated voting period that maximises engagement. We know it's tight – that's why we're giving you all this advance notice.

Submit a complaint via the form at the bottom of this page, by midnight on 5th February. Our Deputy Returning Officer and/or Returning Officer will investigate.

All registered campaigns will be listed on this page once campaigning begins on 2nd Feb.