Editing University of Surrey (section)

=== Students' Union ===

The University of Surrey Students' Union is the sole representative body of Surrey students. They represent students on academic and welfare issues, as well as administering sports clubs and societies. The Union was incorporated as a non-profit charity in July 2011, so any takings from the Union's four commercial outlets are invested in supporting the membership side of the business. Four zones exist within the organisation representing Support, Voice, Community and Activity, with a sabbatical officer managing each one, as well as a president who is a member of the University Council. The Students' Union also organise events on a weekly basis which are held at their venues including Rubix and The Basement for students to take part in.<ref>{{cite web |title=Your Union |url=https://www.ussu.co.uk/yourzones |website=University of Surrey Students Union |access-date=25 February 2019 |archive-date=25 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225223802/https://www.ussu.co.uk/yourzones |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2017 the university was specifically identified in the report by the Free Speech University Rankings as having "unfamiliar" restrictions on free speech because of a collection of its union byelaws regarding university mascot Steve the Stag: the mascot is not allowed to be depicted by students to be drinking, smoking or, as the report and subsequent articles directly quote, "involved in lewd acts".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/student/news/nine-10-uk-universities-free-speech-restrict-rankings-joseph-rowntree-cardiff-ediburgh-newcastle-a7577381.html|title=These are the least free universities in Britain, apparently|work=The Independent|access-date=2018-10-20|language=en-GB|archive-date=20 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020232404/https://www.independent.co.uk/student/news/nine-10-uk-universities-free-speech-restrict-rankings-joseph-rowntree-cardiff-ediburgh-newcastle-a7577381.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Subsequent editions of the Students' Union Byelaws contained a further explanatory note for this.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ussu.co.uk/yourunion/Governing%20Documents/Constitution%20and%20Byelaws/Byelaws.pdf#page=68 |title=The Union - Surrey Students' Union |access-date=26 February 2020 |archive-date=29 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129192950/https://www.ussu.co.uk/yourunion/Governing%20Documents/Constitution%20and%20Byelaws/Byelaws.pdf#page=68 |url-status=live }}</ref>