Deze score (van 5) is een gewogen gemiddelde van scores op Psychologische Hulp, Actieve Aanwezigheid Op Sociale Media, Financiële Hulp, Bijles, Juridische Hulp, Bemiddeling, Voedselhulp, Organisatie van Buitenschoolse Activiteiten, en Hulp bij Counseling.

Deze score (van 5) is een gewogen gemiddelde van de scores op Lidmaatschap van een nationale studentenvakbond, Gebruik van structurele macht, Geschreven beleid of gemeenschappelijke praktijken, Uitvoering en resultaten van belangenbehartigingscampagnes, en Deelname aan het bestuur van de gemeenschap buiten een school.

Cette note (sur 5) est une moyenne pondérée des notes obtenues dans les domaines suivants : aide psychologique, présence active sur les médias sociaux, aide financière, services de tutorat, aide juridique, médiation, aide alimentaire, organisation d'activités extrascolaires, et aide à la consultation.

Cette note (sur 5) est une moyenne pondérée des scores obtenus pour l'adhésion à un syndicat national d'étudiants, l'utilisation du pouvoir structurel, les politiques écrites ou les pratiques communes, l'exécution et les résultats des campagnes de sensibilisation, et participation à la gouvernance communautaire en dehors de l'école.

Deze score (van 5) is een gewogen gemiddelde van de scores voor Actieve aanwezigheid op sociale media, Rechtshulp en bemiddeling, Organisatie van buitenschoolse activiteiten, et Hulp bij advies.

Cette note (sur 5) est une moyenne pondérée des notes obtenues pour la présence active sur les médias sociaux, l'aide juridique et la médiation, l'organisation d'activités extrascolaires, et l'aide à la consultation.

This score (out of 5) is a weighted average of scores in Active Presence On Social Media, Legal Aid and Mediation, Organization of Extracurricular Activities, and Counseling Assistance.

This score (out of 5) is a weighted average of scores in Membership in a National Students' Union, Utilization of Structural Power, Written Policies or Common Practices, Advocacy Campaigns' Execution and Results, and Participation in Community Governance Outside a School

This score (out of 5) is a weighted average of scores in Psychological Help, Active Presence On Social Media, Financial Aid, Tutoring Services, Legal Aid, Mediation, Food Aid, Organization of Extracurricular Activities, and Counseling Assistance.

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Student government matters

An efficient student government is able to represent students better, deliver high-quality services, and improves the overall student experience. Higher education institutions benefit from a strong, autonomous student government because students have a legitimate channel to voice their concerns rather than resorting to unorganized student movements in the streets.

Key findings of the study on Belgian Student Unions

Key Finding No. 1

Better Structural Power — Higher Overall Score

In both universities and colleges across Wallonia and Flanders, the level of structural power consistently emerged as a strong predictor of overall performance and the quality of student representation. This insight suggests that student governments are the most effective means of representing students within educational institutions, rather than “student-university” partnerships that treat students as an interest group rather than primary stakeholders.

Key Finding No. 2

More Autonomy Given by the State — Better Representation

A study of student unions in Belgium, a federal state, enabled a comparison of legislative frameworks. Wallonia enforces strict representation quotas, while Flanders allows student unions to set their own quotas.  In Wallonia, if there aren’t enough elected candidates, students can be co-opted as full members with the same rights as elected ones, a practice that is debatable as co-opted students might be less committed to student governance. Flanders, on the other hand, has no such restrictions.

Ultimately, student unions in Flanders scored higher in the “representation” category. This insight suggests that a greater autonomy given to a student union by the state likely influences the ability of a student union to represent themselves within their educational institution.

Key Finding No. 3

Economies of Scale Help Larger Student Unions — But They Don't Guarantee Success

The number of students had an impact on the scores of student unions in universities, likely due to increased human resources and budgets, which can be attributed to economies of scale. The same effect was not observed in colleges, likely because of decreased engagement among students who come to study for short-term programs and may not have as much time to devote to a student union.

However, the influence of enrollment is minor compared to the much stronger impact of structural power. This means that smaller student unions can be highly effective, even if they do not have as many financial and human resources. Their structural power can help to succeed with less.

This website is part of a graduate research project funded by Fonds de recherche du Québec.