Student officers have reacted angrily to news that ULU President Jennifer Huseman is to be paid for what would have been the remainder of her time in office.

Although details of the deal made between Huseman and the University of London - who pay ULU sabbatical officers their £21k annual salary - are confidential, remaining VPs Diego Carmona and Joe Martin have been privately briefing fellow sabbaticals at other colleges about the arrangement.

In a statement circulated on 6^th May, Huseman wrote “Effective immediately, and as a result of a worsening in my medical condition related to my disability, I am compelled to step down from the ULU Presidency in order that I may go on extended sick leave. It is with great sadness that I have had to make this decision, but under the circumstances it is what is best for my health and for Union business.

But stepping down does not equate to resignation, and officers have ridiculed Huseman’s assertion that the situation is best for ULU.

King’s future president Chris Mullan commented on Imperial College news website Live!, which broke the news: “To sit there for 6 months, barely turning up once a month, all the while enjoying her £21,000 pa salary, knowing she could not work for it, is insulting, wasteful, greedy, and disgusting.”

Mullan and others have questioned the veracity of her disability, despite meetings between Huseman and the University’s occupational health therapist.

Eight officers had previously submitted a motion of no confidence to remove Huseman from her position, including her salary, in March. The motion listed examples where Huseman had failed to perform numerous aspects of her job.

Diego Carmona said the Senate meeting was cancelled because: “You can’t no confidence someone while they’re on sick leave and they can’t defend themself. It’s not in the constitution, but it’s necessary from a legal human resources point of view.” But this decision disappointed some of the motion’s proposers, all sabbatical officers who represent their colleges at ULU’s Senate.

Andy Fernando from UCLU said: “If you’re sick, fair enough, but I don’t just think that’s an accurate record. When she was there she was failing to do anything. She failed to organise award ceremonies and lead on campaigns and meet with officers. Even her conduct within the office, from what I understand, was poor.”

Another of the motion’s proposers, Stephen Brown, who is President of Imperial College Union added that he was concerned that Huseman had not delegated responsibilities while unwell: “I imagine if I got run over on the way home I’d be on the phone to my colleagues saying ‘you have to pick this up’” he said. “In a position of responsibility, that’s the way the world works.”

Jennifer Huseman declined to comment further on her situation. UL Director of Human Resources Kim Frost said: “All staffing matters are treated in confidence and this case is no different. It would therefore be inappropriate for me to comment.”

He declined to comment on whether the University would cover the salary or deduct it from ULU’s budget.

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