Who are societies run by?

Societies are run by students, for students. Each year we have a different student or group of students volunteer to take up the role of Society Leader alongside their studies here at LAU. Each year the list of societies we offer changes depending on who puts themselves forward and for which society. If a society doesn't have a leader for that year, all it's events will be paused until someone takes over.

 

How often do societies meet and where do they meet?

Societies meet as often as the Society Leader decides. Some meet weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or even termly. Usually, societies meet on site and often in the SU Space that is located at the back of the Blenheim Walk Café. Although some may decide to have meetings at venues off site and around the city. We would recommend checking the What’s On or mailing list emails for updates on when society meetings will be taking place and where!

 

What is the purpose of signing up to a society mailing list?

On the LAU Societies page, we list all our societies that are currently running. By signing up to their mailing lists, your name and student email address are sent across to the Society Leaders to let them know you're interested in joining their society. You should receive emails with updates from your Society Leader via your student email once the term starts and throughout the year. These email updates are sent as and when your Society leader sees fit and they will let you know about the events they are hosting and any other exciting things going on with your chosen society.

 

When I signed up to a society mailing list I didn’t receive an email straight away, is there a problem?

When signing up to a society mailing list you won’t receive an automated email as the mailing list is operated by your Society Leader. The first email you receive will be an update about the first society events of the year or an initial meet and greet to get to know other new members and your Society Leader. 

 

If I haven’t received any email updates is there anywhere else I can find out if my society has an event happening soon?

Our Society Leaders are human after all, so they may have forgotten or just been too busy with Uni to email their mailing list. If this is the case, all society events that have been organised via the Union team will be advertised on our What’s On Page. Make sure to regularly check this to see all the events our societies and the Union team have been putting together. If you're still not sure what's happening with the society, feel free to email us and ask.

 

I haven’t signed up to a society mailing list but I’ve seen an event I’m interested in, am I still allowed to come along?

For almost all of our societies (apart from Sports and Life Drawing) you don’t have to sign up to the society mailing list to get involved with their events. You just need to be aware of our society members Code of Conduct so you know what behaviour we expect of everyone attending. We also recommend double checking the long description of the event you want to attend, to make sure there aren't any limitations on your joining before you turn up on the day.

 

I want to start my own society, how do I do this?

Read up on starting your own society here and if you have any questions pop into the Union office or email us at: student.union@leeds-art.ac.uk

 

I want to be a Society Leader, how do I go about this?

At the end of the academic year (June) all societies renew leadership and students can register their interest to be a Society Leader by filling out a Society Leader Call Out form. You can check which societies are looking for new leaders via our Instagram and you'll also be sent a call out to your student email address. If multiple people who haven’t met before put themselves forward to lead the same society, we would ask you all if you wanted to be put in touch via email or the Union team would organise a meeting for you all to get to know eachother.