subject: Students Unions: A Brief Overview Of Diverse Opinions [print this page] It is no doubt that unionization in educational institutions is a significant phenomenon in a modern and historical context. In a social perspective, it can be stated that unionization is a form gathering of individuals based on such criteria as interests, mutual goals, visions, and backgrounds. Nevertheless, as with any organization, there might be diverse opinions on the way they should be perceived. This article will attempt to provide an overview of unionization within educational institutions, in terms of their structure and effectiveness.
Effectiveness of Unions
The main arguments against students unions are based on the assessment of their effectiveness. In that regard, such arguments can be seen in the diverse nature of the activities of students unions. Those activities are related to education, students life, the political life on campus, and others. Accordingly, it can be assumed that not all of those skills are equally prioritized. The attention of the media to unions is usually brought by large scale initiatives that focus mainly on educational policies, lobbying, and political elections. Thus, it might be suggested that unions, either on local or national level, should be divided into smaller departments, with each department handling separate tasks or managing different responsibilities.
Collective Bargaining
Another debatable issue in student unions can be seen in the approach those unions make toward agreements with the administration of the college or university. Collective bargaining, in that matter, is approaching the administration with unified demands in the name of all students in the institution. Accordingly, such demands might be concerned only with the opinion of the majority, ignoring small, yet important issues. In that regard, the individual approach in such cases might prove more efficient for students, rather than the collective approach implemented by student unions.
