How We Work

Our Strategy

Oxford SU is guided by a strategy built around one primary purpose: to represent every Oxford student. We do this by amplifying student voices, pushing for a fairer University, and creating opportunities for meaningful student involvement and leadership. Our work is student-led and focused on long-term change.

Everything we do is shaped by what students tell us matters, working across the collegiate University to challenge injustice, reduce barriers, and promote a more inclusive Oxford experience for everyone.

 

Our Representation Structure

Student voice is at the heart of Oxford SU’s structure. We represent students through our four elected Sabbatical Officers, who work on key issues, attend University meetings, and collaborate with departments and colleges.

We also support a wide network of Common Room representatives from Junior Common Rooms (JCRs) and Middle Common Rooms (MCRs), coordinated through the Conference of Common Rooms (CCR)

Learn more about the Conference of Common Rooms (CCR)

 

Impact Reports

Our elected officers regularly attend key decision-making bodies across the University - from education and access to housing and student welfare. Oxford SU Sabbatical Officers sit on over 40 University committees, making sure student priorities are heard at every level.

Our impact reports reflect the tangible progress made each year. These reports will be available soon.

 

How We're Governed: Our Trustee Board

Oxford SU is a registered charity governed by a Board of Trustees. The Board ensures legal and financial accountability, strategic oversight, and long-term planning. It includes:

  • The four elected Sabbatical Officers
  • Student Trustees (elected from the student body)
  • External Trustees (appointed for their professional experience)

The Board meets regularly throughout the year.

Board Members

Sabbatical officers

Seun

Sabbatical Trustee

Wantoe

Sabbatical Trustee

Alisa

Sabbatical Trustee

Shermar

Sabbatical Trustee

Student trustees

Lucy Chen

Student Trustee

Nick Lang

Student Trustee

Eleanor Miller

Student Trustee

Kush B. Vaidya

Student Trustee

External trustees

Charlie Palmer

External Trustee

TBD

External Trustee

Fay Shorter

External Trustee

Ben Ward

External Trustee

External Trustee

 

Board Structure

People & Culture Committee
(currently paused)
 
Finance & Risk Committee
(currently paused)
Nominations Committee
(currently paused)
The Board

Transformation committee
 

 

The Trustee Board has three sub-committees; People & Culture Committee which supports and assists the organisation to make sound decisions in relation to people, development and culture, Finance & Risk Committee which is responsible for advising the Board on the organisation's finances, and the Nominations Committee which is responsible for the appointment of External Trustees.

During Transformation, these sub-committees have been paused whilst we work through our recommendations.

Each of these boards has a select membership of Student, Sabbatical, and External Trustees with staff attendees as advisors and facilitators. The full Terms of Reference for each sub-committee are below.

 

Board Meeting Minutes ARCHIVE

2024/2025

18 JULY 2024
23 AUGUST 2024
31 OCTOBER 2024
16 DECEMBER 2024
31 JANUARY 2025

2023/2024

2022/2023

2021/22

2020/21

2019/20

2018/19

2017/18

2016/17

2015/16

2014/15

2013/14