Want to help EUSA shape your university experience? Matt McPherson shows you how.

The beginning of this semester brings fresh opportunity to us at Edinburgh.

We should be proud of the part each of us play in the success of our Union. We have one of the highest voting turnouts in the country, we have lobbied the university successfully on more library study space, we argued hundreds of thousands of more pounds into bursaries, and we look forward to a full development of Potterrow.

However, for too long the direction of EUSA – what it is fighting for, what it spends your money on, and its focus – has been set by the few and not the many.

This semester is set to be one of great transition. Following the universal endorsement of our new constitution, it’s time for each of us – whether we’re from one of our 271 societies, committed to one of our great sports teams, or have nothing more to do with EUSA other than the occasional pint in Teviot – to take the opportunity to make this university better.

There are enormous challenges that lie in front of us over the next year. Students are concerned about safety on campus, international students and postgraduates face rapidly increasing fees, and students feel at times out of touch and irrelevant to the work of EUSA. It is crucial that it is students themselves who lead the way in making much needed change happen.

The biggest visible difference to the work of EUSA this year is that power will be in the hands of the student body. Through online referenda, students will be able to submit questions about matters of importance to them. Whether it’s boycotting a company in our shops; setting up a campaign against fees in retaliation to the Scottish Parliament; or making EUSA sign a pledge to make its business greener – online referenda will give every student the chance to set the agenda for their Union. With a filmed debate night, and support given to ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ campaigns, voting will be open to each of our 30, 000 students.

All referendum questions must be submitted in advance by 25th January, with online voting on 8th and 9th February. Information on exactly how to submit can be found online at the EUSA website.

Additionally, nominations open for the EUSA general election on the 5th of March, with elections on the 27th to 29th of March. Despite a voting turnout of one of the highest in the country, the last general election featured a vote from just 22.5% of students.

I do not believe we are an apathetic university. I believe that students care passionately about their futures. Everyday I meet students who want the best for their society, who get frustrated that transport to their campus isn’t good enough, and who want to improve their CVs and opportunities in a bleak job market.

What matters is speaking up, getting involved. EUSA is a union of students, and we must work harder and do better to ensure that we become the difference we seek.

Where students care, EUSA is there. So put a question to referendum. Stand for election or get involved in a friend’s campaign, and let’s work together to build a world leading experience for every student here at Edinburgh.