The Social Surcharge

There are always a few questions as to what the Student Union does with its budget, and what it does with the money from the Social Surcharges.

Well, this page explains where that money goes, and will break it down for you to realise that over a typical four year course, it's not that much.

So, your've come to Harper, and your've been asked to pay how much?? £250?!?! That's a hell of a lot of money!!

On a four year course, the social surcharge costs just £62.50 a year (if your've paid the whole amount in one go, in your first year).

So, what does your Student Union Fee cover?

• Subsidised subscriptions to sports clubs
• Reduced memberships of societies.
• Reduced membership of the multi-gym at just £50/yr
• Free travel for all BUSA teams
• Subsidised kits for numerous teams.
• Subsidised travel for trips and excursions.
• Subsidised block fixtures.
• Membership of the Bar, therefore free entry and entry of guests on standard social evenings. Visit Bar Entry, Code of Conduct & FAQs for further information.
• Use of free facilities such as badminton, table tennis, pool table, sports hall, squash courts, all weather pitch etc.
• Free hire of kit, such as badminton, squash, table tennis etc.
• Organisation of charity events foir fundraising to local and national good causes.
• New and upgraded Students Union facilities such as the Lounge Bar.
• Security for events and fixed security cameras.
• Social activities such as entertainers, including comedy nights, bands and DJ's. Visit Bar Entry, Code of Conduct & FAQs for further information.
• Finance for setting up new clubs or societies.
• A Bar Steward for running the Bars, of which profits go directly back to clubs and societies.
• A Finance Officer, who oversees spending and manages the finances.
• A sabbactical President, who heads the Organisation and represents student issues to the College at various meetings and also sits on the Board of Governors.

Only a small amount of the budget goes into entertainments in the Bars where you need your ID Card to verify you have paid the Social Surcharge.

If you do the maths, and add up all the Wednesdays, comedy and acoustic nights; and then remember all of the above, your paying pennys, not pounds, for every event. To be exact, your paying approximately 47p for every event over the academic year.

We hope that the above clarifies what we do with your money, and that we do spend it on your behalf, for your benefit.

If there were no social fee, there would be no Students Union.