The Students’ Union is run by students for students – that means we’re completely dedicated to representing students at Staffs and helping provide what they want from their student experience. That covers everything from advice and support, great venues and events to representation, sports clubs, activities and even a dedicated student media service.
We’re constantly striving to ensure the best possible experience for all students at Staffs and free membership of the Students’ Union is automatic on enrolling at Staffordshire University. That means our students get to have their say in what we do and how we do it.
Staffordshire University Students’ Union is a democratic organisation, working entirely for the benefit of students.
The Students' Union sponsors and supports a diverse range of student-run groups. These include both competitive and recreational sports groups, special interest groups, academic societies and some that we are unable to categorise! You can find out contact details and any info the groups have posted by following the links below.
The Student Advice Centre (SAC) offers confidential and impartial advice on a variety of issues, such as: student finance, academic affairs, student housing, debt management etc. In addition, there are a number of online self help materials which you can access from the Advice Guide.Find out more...
Academic Reps can raise issues when something is wrong or tell the University what works for you and your student experience. If you need advice regarding your course then contact your Academic Rep.Find out more...
Money Doctors is part of the Students’ Union Student Advice Centre. It is free, independent, impartial and confidential. Click on the logo to see how we can help you keep your finances healthy and make your money achieve what you want it to.Find out more...
You can feel safe in the knowledge that the University has a Cop Shop with a friendly campus police officer who is around to answer any questions. You can speak to him about anything from the security of your property, your personal safety or to report a crime.Find out more...
LRV is the Stoke Campus nightclub and holds our regular clubnights such as the ever popular Gobble on a Wednesday night and Super Friday. LRV is the Union’s largest venue with 1300 capacity.Find out more...
Legends and The Lounge are the Union's Beaconside campus venues. The Lounge is a recently refurbished, stylish bar serving great food and coffee as well as the traditional bar refreshments seven days a week. Legends is the Stafford Campus's nightclub and holds our weekly clubnight Mukky Duck as well as regular live music performances. Find out more...
The Ember Lounge is Staffordshire University Students' Union second Stoke Venue. Winner of Best Late Night Venue Midlands and Wales and a Best Bar None award, the Ember Lounge offers something for everybody. Whether it's an early morning espresso to get you ready for the day, a great value lunch or a night of cocktails and entertainment, we aim to deliver. Find out more...
The Squeeze Box has a delicious menu for both breakfast and lunch. For those wanting something healthy, yet tasty, Squeeze Box caters for all with options big and small. There is also a wide variety of hot drinks, with Fairtrade products being used where possible. Find out more...
Verve is Stoke’s newest venue offering students a funky place to relax and enjoy a tasty burger and the creamiest milkshakes. Open all day, students can pop in for food and drink, listen to some music, catch up on the latest magazines and just take a break from the world outside. Find out more...
The Students’ Union is a student-led organisation, and in that spirit endeavours to hire students and harness their skills where possible.
The latest video updates from the officer team about their work on behalf of the students at staffordshire University
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Council Tax is a tax on domestic properties ("dwellings") which have been valued and put on a list. It is a tax on the property and not on the individual, so each property only gets one bill. Some people still refer to it as "Poll Tax" or "Rates" - these were domestic taxes before Council Tax was created.
A dwelling is automatically exempt if it is a Hall of Residence or some other University controlled property solely for the use of students. This does not include student houses rented from private landlords on the accommodation list.
A house whose only adult occupants are full-time students is an exempt dwelling if all the occupants are:
• Defined as full-time by the University or studying 21 hours per week or more, and/or • Qualifying students under 20 years old studying at least 12 hours per week, and/or • Placement students, and/or • Full-time International students and their spouses (if the spouse is not a British or EEA Citizen and s/he is prevented under immigration rules from either taking paid employment or claiming benefits).
However: because the Council Tax regulations are written in respect of students "attending" a course, distance learners are usually not treated as full-time students; even if studying full time.
If the dwelling is exempt, then no-one in the house should have to pay council tax on it. If you get a bill, you need to make sure the council gets proof that all the residents fall into one of these categories. If your council says it has no proof of your student status, speak to the University Information Centres (Flaxman Building, College Road, Stoke; or Beacon Building, Beaconside, Stafford). You will not usually need to do this because information on student status is routinely shared with Council Tax offices, but no system is ever perfect.
Full-time students living with non-students (e.g. parents, partners, part-time students (see section 3), graduates, Union Full-Time Officers, and children aged over 18) are usually not liable for Council Tax in respect of any day after April 6th 2004 (the date of a change in the law). See section 4 for the only exception to this.
When the bill for the dwelling is calculated, students are "invisible" - they are disregarded. But the dwelling itself will attract Council Tax if other people live there. If there is only one adult non-student in the house, the Council Tax bill should be reduced by 25%. If there is more than one adult non-student in the house, it will attract a full Council Tax bill.
When a dwelling is defined as a "house in multiple occupation" (containing more than one separate household), the landlord may be liable for the Council Tax.
If you have always studied part-time on your current course, you are treated like a non-student and will therefore both be “visible” for Council Tax and possibly be liable for the bill (see section 4). If you are on a placement year, this is treated as a year of study, in the same way as the rest of your course, for Council Tax purposes. If, however, you are undertaking a repeat of a full-time year of study on a part-time or “dormant” basis; or if you have suspended your studies; you are usually treated as if you are a full-time student provided that you intend to return to full-time study. There are some possible exceptions to this, so seek advice if you are in this situation and get billed for Council Tax.
Full-time students (see sections 2 and 3) in the house would only be legally liable to pay the bill if it is in respect of a period before April 2004; or if they live with one or more non-students and are higher up the following list than all the non-students. Otherwise, the person who is liable will be the person highest up the following list.
1 - Resident who owns the freehold 2 - Resident with a lease 3 - Resident with a secure/assured tenancy 4 - Resident licensee 5 - Any other resident (e.g. a squatter) 6 - the owner of the house if s/he does not live there.
The person highest up this list is liable to pay the bill. If two or more people are jointly highest on this list, they are "jointly and severally liable" for the bill (if the bill isn't paid, the council can chase anyone who is "jointly and severally liable" for the entire amount of the bill).
• If the dwelling is exempt and you get a bill, prove the exemption to the council. • If the dwelling is not exempt, check whether the bill should be reduced. • If the dwelling is not exempt, check whether you are liable to pay the bill. • If you're liable to pay and can't afford it, get advice early - this problem won't go away!
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