As part of your application, we may collect:

• Your name, date of birth, and contact details.
• Proof of identity.
• Information relating to your eligibility category (e.g. alumni, staff member, student at another institution)
• A passport-style photograph for your Associate Member ID card.
• Information provided as part of your application.
• Records relating to membership approval, payment, and society participation.

Your information is processed to:

• Assess and manage Associate Membership applications.
• Verify eligibility and identity.
• Obtain approval from the relevant society committee.
• Produce and administer Associate Member ID cards.
• Manage access to society activities and University facilities.
• Meet safeguarding, health and safety, insurance, and security requirements.
• Administer membership payments.
• Investigate complaints, conduct concerns, or breaches of policy where necessary.

Your information may be shared with:

• Relevant De Montfort Students' Union staff.
• The committee members of the society you are applying to join.
• De Montfort University Security for the purpose of creating and administering Associate Member ID cards.
• Approved third-party providers where necessary to administer membership services.

Your information will only be shared where there is a legitimate operational, legal, safeguarding, or security reason to do so.

DSU will retain your information only for as long as necessary to administer your membership and meet legal, safeguarding, insurance, financial, and regulatory obligations. Information will then be securely deleted in accordance with DSU's data retention procedures.

Under UK data protection legislation, you have the right to:

• Request access to your personal data.
• Request correction of inaccurate information.
• Request deletion of your data where appropriate.
• Restrict or object to certain processing activities.
• Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)

Please note that some information may need to be retained where DSU has a legal, financial, safeguarding, or regulatory obligation to do so.

By submitting an Associate Membership application, you confirm that:

• The information you have provided is accurate and complete.
• You understand that your personal data will be processed for the purposes outlined above.
• You consent to DSU contacting you regarding your application and membership.
• You understand that relevant application information may be shared with society committees and De Montfort University Security as part of the membership approval and ID card process.

If you have any questions about how your data is used, please contact dsuopportunities@dmu.ac.uk

Associate Membership is open to individuals aged 18 or over who fall into one of the following categories:

• Group A: DMU Alumni or DMU Staff
• Group B: Current students at another NUS-affiliated institution
• Group C: Individuals who do not qualify under Group A or Group B

All applications are reviewed by DSU and require approval from the committee of the society you wish to join before membership can be granted.

Associate Membership was introduced following the approval of a student-led motion at Student Council that called for greater opportunities for non-students to remain involved in the communities they value.

To develop the scheme, DSU researched how other Students' Unions manage non-student participation and worked with stakeholders including DMU Security and insurance providers. The aim was to create a safe, practical, and cost-neutral model that allows participation while protecting the student-led nature of DSU societies.

Associate Membership is charged annually and is based on your membership category:

• Group A (DMU Alumni & Staff): £35
• Group B (Students at another NUS-affiliated institution): £65
• Group C (Other applicants): £115

Please note that this fee is in addition to any society membership fees charged by the society you wish to join.

Payment will only be requested once your application has been approved.

Associate Membership is valid for one academic year and expires at the end of June.

If you'd like to continue your membership after this date, you'll need to submit a new application and pay the relevant fee for the next academic year.

Associate Members can join eligible DSU societies and participate in approved meetings, activities, events, volunteering opportunities, training sessions, and trips.

However, participation in some activities may be limited by capacity, insurance requirements, health and safety considerations, governing body regulations, licensing conditions, or society-specific rules.

Associate Membership is different from student membership. Associate Members:

• Cannot vote in DSU or society elections.
• Cannot stand for election or hold committee positions.
• Cannot access services reserved exclusively for current DMU students.
• Cannot represent themselves as students of De Montfort University.

DSU societies remain student-led and Associate Membership does not provide the same rights as full student membership.

Yes.

To ensure societies remain student-led:

• No more than 20% of a society's total membership can be Associate Members.
• No more than 10% of a society's total membership can be made up of Group C Associate Members.

Applications may be declined if a society has already reached its Associate Membership limit.

All Associate Members will be issued with an Associate Member ID card.

You must carry this card whenever attending activities on campus, as it may be required for access to certain events, activities, or buildings. Campus Security may ask to see your ID at any time and may refuse access if you are unable to provide it.

All Associate Members are expected to help create safe, welcoming, and inclusive society communities.

By becoming an Associate Member, you agree to:

• Treat others with dignity and respect.
• Follow DSU, DMU, and society policies.
• Behave honestly and responsibly.
• Respect University, Students' Union, and society property.
• Follow reasonable instructions from society committees, DSU staff, and University staff.
• Maintain appropriate boundaries with student members.

DSU has a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment, discrimination, victimisation, and sexual misconduct.

Yes.

DSU reserves the right to refuse, review, suspend, or withdraw Associate Membership where there are concerns relating to eligibility, safeguarding, conduct, disciplinary history, or reputation. Associate Membership is a privilege and continued membership is dependent on compliance with DSU policies and the Associate Member Code of Conduct.