University of Southampton Highfield Campus

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The University of Southampton Students' Union, branded as SUSU is the students' union at the University of Southampton in southern England, United Kingdom. Union Southampton represents the students at the University council as well as providing support and social activities. The union is financed through its operations, a grant from the University and additional benefits brought by its charitable status.Its main facilities are based on the main Highfield Campus, but the union also operates a presence at the Winchester School of Art and helps student societies and groups at the other campuses of the University. All students at the University become members of the union automatically unless they specifically request to opt out. Its operation is enshrined in law through the Education Act 1994, the University Charter granted in 1952 and the Union's constitution.HistoryThe origins of the union lie in the original union that represented the students of the Hartley University College, the precursor to the current University, when it became affiliated to the University of London in 1903. It became self-governed by students in 1921 with the introduction of the basic structure of one male and female member from each faculty. The Union expanded greatly following the granting of the Universities Charter in 1952 and the subsequent expansion of the university in both student numbers and outlook, leading to the creation of several union facilities and services.