King's Buildings House
The Pleasance
Potterrow
Teviot Row House
CONTENTS 02 04 06
WELCOME 2015-16 ACHIEVEMENT HIGHLIGHTS SUPPORTING STUDENTS
06 Advice Place 08 Peer Learning & Support
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OUR VENUES
10 Bars 11 Catering 12 Retail 12 Entertainment 14 Student Staff 15 Partnerships
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LEADERSHIP AND REPRESENTATION
22 Sabbatical Team 24 Student Council 25 Academic Representation 27 Liberation Groups
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CELEBRATING SUCCESS
28 Activities Awards 29 Impact and Teaching Awards
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THE MONEY BIT WHAT’S NEXT
GET INVOLVED
16 Activities 17 Societies 18 Volunteering 20 Global
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WELCOME
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Welcome to the Edinburgh University Students’ Association Impact Report 2015-16: a great chance for us to reflect on last year’s successes and developments, now that our new Sabbatical Team is settling in. Over the last year we have done a huge amount of work to improve and develop the student experience. We have continued to progress our financial stability, through sustainability and development. We have opened various new catering and retail spaces, offering improved services throughout our campuses. Our student support services have improved and developed in multiple areas: this year, over 9,800 students have attended and been involved in Peer Learning & Support projects, and students have donated over 1,860 hours of their time through our Volunteering Groups. This report also gives us an opportunity to look forward. We are continuing to work towards reaching the ambitious goals set within our first ever Strategic Plan, which we published in 2014-15. The plan will enable us to fulfil our vision to ensure all students at Edinburgh have the power to shape their own future and enjoy being part of a vibrant and cohesive student community, where everyone is valued and respected. Alec Edgecliffe-Johnson Edinburgh University Students’ Association President 2016/17
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2015-16 ACHIEVEMENTS HIGHLIGHTS Along with offering support and encouragement to enable our members to experience all University life has to offer, we have been working in close partnership with the University of Edinburgh and others to secure positive change on the things that matter to students:
award ceremonies
Hosting three to encourage and develop excellence in the Students’ Association and the University.
Asylum seekers exempted from international fees.
Give It A Go
Introducing programme of over 130 events hosted by the Students’ Association, societies, clubs and volunteering groups.
Over 400
new study spaces in the main library.
£2million increase in undergraduate bursaries for
low income students. Mental Health and Wellbeing
£10,000 Fund for student-led initiatives, a £140,000 increase in funding for the University Counselling Service and mental health first aid training for all 1,300 personal tutors.
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£100,000 investment
in Edinburgh College of Art’s Wee Red Bar.
£0.5million
Over investment in study and social space at King’s Buildings House, including added investment in the KB gym.
Free sanitary
products and pregnancy tests available at the Advice Place.
Pleasance
First phase of the complex renovation completed.
democracy review
Association-wide leading up to a referendum where 4,163 students voted, resulting in a new full-time Vice President Welfare, and new part-time paid liberation and college representatives.
taxi scheme
Emergency to get students home when they’re stranded.
Ethical investment and the UK’s first conflict minerals policy for the university.
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ADVICE PLACE Edinburgh University Students’ Association’s Advice Place has a team of professional advice staff who support students and university staff with free, confidential and impartial advice.
SUPPORTING STUDENTS
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In 2015-16 the service has brought in a number of new initiatives, including free sanitary products and pregnancy tests for students, and improved services for students who are parents. We have also visited locations across the campuses to run information stalls and recruited trained and supported over 50 volunteer advisers and proofreaders. As well as offering individual advice to thousands of students, the Advice Place advisers also work to improve the services students receive from the University, the City of Edinburgh Council and accommodation providers. This year we have worked closely with the University on the (anti-plagiarism) Read, Write, Cite campaign and on helping students to find accommodation when they arrive in Edinburgh in the Accommodation Hub throughout Welcome Week.
12,000
The Advice Place offers an excellent service. I feel very lucky to be at Edinburgh, where providing the Advice Place service is a high priority for the university. I am most impressed with the calibre of Advice Place and their genuine desire to want to help and support the students. Thank you! – Anonymous Student Feedback
Over enquiries answered this year (student volunteers answered 1,386 of these).
“
“
23,000
Over free safer sex products given out with our Potterrow C:Card point being the third most used C:Card point in the Lothians.
350
Over essays proofread for non-native English speakers by their peers.
648 sanitary
products visits.
113 pregnancy test visits.
150
Over leases checked through with students before they signed them.
£41,900
844,072 total word
count of proofread essays.
Over lent, from our emergency loan fund, to help students who had nowhere else to go.
1,000
Almost students supported in applying for help from the Discretionary fund.
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PEER LEARNING & SUPPORT Peer Learning & Support provides a safe, confidential and informal space for newer students to get academic advice and social and pastoral support from more experienced students. This interaction can take the form of facilitated group study sessions, befriending meetings and academic families. Through continued motivation, support, supervision and training by the Students’ Association in partnership with the Schools and Central Services there are now over 60 Peer Learning & Support projects running across the University, supported by over 530 volunteers and attracting over 9,800 attendees. Peer Learning & Support provision at Edinburgh has achieved both national and international recognition.
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} Worked with 42 Institutions nationally
“
I have particularly enjoyed seeing the development and progress within myself over the past year. I believe the skills that I have learnt as a PALS Leader to be invaluable — for example time management, public speaking and written communication.
} Launched the Alumni Mentoring Project. This has been a huge success and is now being modelled as an example of best practice in the UK and internationally
– Student Leader
} Developed an innovative credit-bearing
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and internationally from the Scottish Peer Support Network and International Academic Peer Learning Steering Group, as well as hosting visits from Kosovo to North America and Ireland to Cyprus
Leadership Course which will allow our Student Leaders to gain academic credit for their peer-led activities. We are one of the only Universities in the UK to offer this model
} Shortlisted for an NUS UK Award in Education
531
Number of Student Leaders: Number of University staff we work with on a regular basis:
80
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BARS
OUR VENUES
Our Students’ Association’ bars provide diverse and exciting social spaces. Whether you are looking for a quiet relaxed space to meet friends or high energy night club experience, the focus is on great value. We have expanded our craft drinks range this year so there is always something interesting to be found.
Successful interactive events such as Cocktails
and Cupcakes sell-out workshops and 14 Meet The Maker events showcasing local craft beer brewers, cider makers and gin distillers, as well as our Loft Bar & Roof Terrace renovation and menu update, which introduced a wider range of cocktails.
Further development of our Safe Space policies, successfully implementing a procedure by which our front line staff can refer any individuals who may be having a difficult time to our Advice Place for support.
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CATERING Our catering services have expanded in all Students’ Association venues with the creation of a wide selection of products and dishes suitable for all. We source our raw ingredients from local suppliers within a 30 mile radius, and ensure they are sourced in an ethical and sustainable way. There are daily specials, cooked freshly to order by our trained chefs. We have responded to demand for vegan and gluten free products, which we have added into our standard range.
}
Four-day long consultation on King’s Buildings campus gathering over 3,600 students’ responses, which informed plans for new catering outlets included in £0.5m refurbishment plan of King’s Buildings House.
}
Introduction of a Sports Bar menu in Teviot, which was developed in conjunction with numerous sports teams
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RETAIL
ENTERTAINMENT
This year we revised our meal deal offering, introducing a cheaper option to the standard meal deal to suit more of our customers’ needs. We also expanded a range of vegetarian products and healthier soft drinks to meet demand. Our stationery and writing product range was increased to cater to more of our members’ needs.
Our Students’ Association events programme offers an impressive and award-winning live music provision, hugely popular club nights, sell-out annual activities, like our Halloween celebrations, and a range of student programmed weekly events including comedy, jazz and quiz nights.
A brand new fridge was installed in our Potter Shop and the deli counter at King’s Buildings Shop was revamped to improve service and to speed up queuing time at peak periods. Environmentally, retail continued to play an important role with cardboard, paper and plastic recycling in all outlets. This also expanded to target food waste, which is now recycled and disposed of more sustainably through implementation of food waste bins around our outlets.
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Our events team also support student run activities — empowering students to express themselves through hosting events within Students’ Association venues — as well as supporting non-student led activity. We also hire our venues to local and national promoters, augmenting a comprehensive entertainment programme for our members. Our key entertainments activity this year saw the continuation of the increasingly popular Pleasance Sessions Festival. The festival aimed to increase footfall and broaden recognition of the complex as well as fulfilling a provision of live music, strengthening our entertainment programme.
Staged over
200 live music events
throughout the academic year.
Over 1,500 events organised or
supported during this academic year, with a staff of 60 technicians, DJs, student programmers and box office assistants.
Introduced a new annual
Give it a Go programme
hosting over 120 events over a fortnight.
NME brought their tour to Teviot with Nick Grimshaw.
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STUDENT STAFF
Student staff are given opportunities to take part in training to develop their skills, including leadership development programmes relevant to their roles which include sessions on leading and developing teams, team working, communicating effectively, initiative and creativity, delivering results and customer focus. Student staff also have opportunities for career progression, particularly in our commercial areas where they can progress from team member, through team leader, senior team leader, up to shift manager whilst studying. Student staff also have the opportunity to undertake the prestigious Edinburgh Award with us. The award facilitates development of transferrable skills that can be applied in a professional career and other areas of life.
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“
What I have gained from working for the Students’ Association throughout my undergraduate degree goes far beyond the financial aspect of a part-time student job. The support and advice I have gained from the network of people here have been fundamental to my student experience. I have also accumulated a wealth of professional skills that will transfer to my career beyond my academic life.
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The Students’ Association is a major employer of students in Edinburgh, offering significant support in terms of training, development and flexible working hours to fit in with study. Student staff made up the majority of our more than 500 hourly paid staff in 2015-16.
– Claudia Breakwell, Student Staff Member
PARTNERSHIPS EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE
PRIDE EDINBURGH
Every August the Students’ Association participates in the world’s largest arts festival by working in partnership with Edinburgh Festival Fringe producers Gilded Balloon and Pleasance Theatre Trust. By sharing our venues, we create a multitude of performance spaces for up-and-coming as well as established artists, generating profits from our bars, catering and retail provision that get channelled directly back into the Students’ Association to support our services to students through the year.
Pride Edinburgh took place in June 2015 at Teviot and Potterrow, raising awareness as well as celebrating the LGBTI community with a march and post-march entertainment. Approximately 1,500 people attended the day.
DURING AUGUST 2015 OUR OUTLETS:
}
Served 2.4 tonnes of pulled pork
}
Poured over 3,500 kegs of draught
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Generated an income of £3.3m
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ACTIVITIES
GET INVOLVED
The Activities department strives to provide the best service possible to student volunteers, Volunteering Groups and Societies. The service focuses on efficient and quality support to student led-groups and projects across the University and the local communities. We work to identify our members’ needs and provide tailored support, guidance and advice to help student-led groups achieve their goals in an effective and sustainable manner. As part of our support system, over 15 training sessions for committee members of societies and volunteering groups were delivered by external professionals. This year, Societies and Volunteering combined their student award celebrations to produce the Activities Awards, enabling even more students to attend. This showcased what makes the University such a fantastic place to be, and the experiences that it offers, as well as the contributions that Societies and Volunteering Groups make to the University and the community.
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SOCIETIES
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Being involved in activities has been my favourite thing about university. You can find like-minded students that are passionate about the same things as you. Activities have given me real world experiences, lifelong friendships and access to an alumni network that spans the globe.
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Student activities play a vital part in the student experience at Edinburgh. As well as intrinsic enjoyment, participation supports and encourages students’ personal and professional development, giving them an opportunity to develop new interests and skills and, if they choose, to exercise leadership. It also ensures a vibrant student community and student life, encouraging performing arts, sport, media, entrepreneurship, political activism and international culture and connections to thrive on campus, along with an almost infinite range of particular hobbies and interests. The Students’ Association supports Societies through advice, funding and services, including space: Societies use rooms in our venues approximately 360 hours per week during term-time!
– Jess, Member of Political Union Society & North American Society
There are over: 270 Societies
1,720 committee members
24,100 memberships (22,620 students and 1,480 non-student)
The Buchanan Institute organised and ran Gender
Inequality Week: discussing the influence of women’s rights on all groups in society.
The Synthetic Biology Society held ‘Painting
with Pipettes’ in collaboration with the Art Soc and Marles-Wright lab: An event where participants were able to paint images by culturing fluorescent GMO bacteria!
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VOLUNTEERING Our volunteering service advertises local and national volunteering opportunities to students. In addition, we support student-led volunteering groups who deliver a range of community projects themselves.
553 organisations are now registered on our database, which attracted
526 new volunteers in the last year.
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“
Very thankful that the Students’ Association funded the coach (for our trip!) It made the trip accessible to a lot more people.
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VOLUNTEERING DATABASE
– Arts & Heritage volunteering group
VOLUNTEERING IMPACT FUND
£2,869 funded 13 student-led volunteering projects
13 VOLUNTEERING GROUPS
950 student
volunteers contributed
1,860 hours
to
benefiting
projects
individuals
67
3,266
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GLOBAL Our Global initiatives bring students together to discover new cultures, share their own and create connections. Through events such as the Gather Festival, free language classes and the Tandem scheme, Global enables students to exercise global citizenship on campus, fostering and celebrating innovation through the Edinburgh Award for Global Citizenship, the Get Involved Fund and the annual Impact Awards. Global works with the elected International Students Convenor, campaigning on issues affecting international students, and supports the International Students Centre in providing a welcoming and friendly space for students. Students are heavily involved in all aspects of Global, taking on responsibility as volunteers, committee members, interns and student staff.
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The Buddies Scheme, run by Global and Peer Learning & Support, and led by a student committee, welcomes visiting exchange students from around the world to the University. 240 students were matched in small groups of international and local students, with events running throughout the academic year.
700 students connected on the Tandem database, with
weekly events at King’s Buildings and Central Area attracting up to 50 people each time.
The Global Fund was awarded to four student groups to support their independently-run projects promoting Global Citizenship and internationalisation.
24 Students completed the Global Citizenship (on Campus)
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Edinburgh’s global and diverse campus community is one of the best things about this University. Global Buddies connects students from all around the world, helps students transition into a new city and builds long-lasting friendships.
– Jonny Ross-Tatam, Edinburgh University Students’ Association President 2015/16
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I thought it was really helpful to have students who I knew I could go to with any questions. My buddies were very eager to organise lunch dates and get to know us. It was a great way to learn about Edinburgh and try new places.
– International Buddy
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University, celebrates the diversity of cultures on campus, builds community and cultivates connections. Held over a week, the 50 events attracted over 2,000 students, staff and members of the community.
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The Gather Festival, run in partnership with the
strand of the Edinburgh Award, reflecting their commitment to promoting Global Citizenship at the University.
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SABBATICAL TEAM 2015/16 Elected by students on an annual basis, our Sabbatical Officers help to voice the student community’s opinions and needs to the University and beyond. They also shape our services to ensure that students are at the heart of everything we do. Our 2015-16 Sabbatical Officers were:
LEADERSHIP AND REPRESENTATION
Jonny Ross-Tatam, President: The President’s role is to represent our student members’ views by campaigning to make their overall university experience better. Imogen Wilson, Vice President Academic Affairs (VPAA): The VPAA represents students on all aspects of academic life, including academic support, assessments, study spaces and more. Andy Peel, Vice President Societies and Activities (VPSA): The VPSA represents students on issues of welfare and equality and diversity, as well as supporting Societies and Volunteering Groups. Urte Macikene, Vice President Services (VPS): The VPS oversees the services we provide to students, including the events, shops, and bars in our four students’ union buildings. The role also focuses on making sustainability and ethical responsibility central to our services.
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Over the year, the team led a series of campaigns and were able to achieve a number of changes around the University, aimed at improving students’ experience during their studies. Some of their successes include: IMPROVING STUDENT REPRESENTATION The team led a successful ‘yes’ campaign in our referendum, securing support for wide ranging improvements to the way we represent students. FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING Creating Mental Health and Wellbeing Week, launching our award-winning #letstalk campaign, providing a £10,000 fund for student led mental health and wellbeing initiatives and securing Mental Health First Aid training for all 1,300 Personal Tutors helped ensure students’ mental health was a priority across the University. INVESTMENT IN STUDENT SPACES From £100,000 for the Edinburgh School of Art’s iconic Wee Red Bar to £500,000 for a redevelopment of King’s Buildings House, the team fought hard to secure increased investment in student spaces and facilities, particularly those outside of Central campus.
INFLUENCING THE UNIVERSITY Working with University colleagues, the Officers achieved results for students, including the earlier release of exam dates; the University’s first ethical investment and conflict mineral policy; the creation of 400 additional study spaces in the Main Library and improvements to coursework extensions and special circumstances policies. SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY The team ran a high visibility campaign highlighting that all of the fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, seafood, dairy and baked goods served in our venues are sourced from no more than 30 miles away. BEING THERE FOR STUDENTS From the introduction of free sanitary products and pregnancy tests to the launch of an emergency taxi scheme to ensure students are never left stranded if they lose their cash, the team made changes designed to help students when they need it most.
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STUDENT COUNCIL Our biggest turnout at Student Council was 424 students. Approximately 702 students attended across the whole year.
There were six Student Council meetings last year, and twelve External, Welfare and Academic Committee meetings.
Student Council has passed policy on a
range of issues this year and this has led to Sabbatical Officer action on matters like maintenance grants, the EU referendum, 24/7 library, student carers and counselling provision.
Student Council supported projects such as Accessible Edinburgh, the Living Rent Campaign, and voter registration for the Scottish Parliament election.
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ACADEMIC REPRESENTATION Our Academic Representation team has had a strong positive impact on empowering Class Reps and School Reps at all levels of study to improve students’ academic experience across the University of Edinburgh. We have implemented new initiatives that have fostered massive increases in engagement with the team. We offered new basic online training, held 71 Rep events and intermediate training sessions, and recognised Reps with new Open Badges.
CLASS REPS
SCHOOL REPS
2,219 Class Reps represented 2,469 tutorials, classes,
51 School Reps led on local academic representation
169% increase of Class Reps participating in the Students’
96.5% of School Reps rated their overall experience
programmes, and year-groups — our highest number yet!
Association’s basic Class Rep training compared to last year, due to the introduction of new online training.
work across 21 Schools and Deaneries at the University.
as ‘Very Positive’ or ‘Positive’.
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CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF REPS 51 Reps successfully completed the
Edinburgh Award for Representing Students.
blogging about their successes — we were the first Students’ Association in Scotland to implement Open Badges to give additional recognition to Reps who reflected on and documented their work.
662 Class Reps and School Reps attended learning lunches or intermediate training.
Over £2,400 was awarded from
the Schools Fund to students who were organising and leading events or projects to build community either within their School or between Schools.
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“
One of the big outcomes I’ll take away from being a student representative is that I had no idea how capable I was, until I took on this role. I can put all of these skills and experiences on my CV, and they will no doubt help towards my future careers, but much closer to home they have helped develop me as a person.
“
247 Reps earned an Open Badge by
– Hazel Turnbull, ECA Postgraduate Vice-Convenor 2015-16
LIBERATION GROUPS Liberation groups at Edinburgh University Students’ Association exist to represent communities of students who have traditionally been marginalised in, or excluded from, higher education. Over 500 self-identifying students have joined the Liberation Groups’ Facebook Groups, and over 350 students have liked our Liberation Facebook page, which was launched last year. The Liberation Groups have become more involved in University-level policy making with Convenors sitting on both the University’s Thematic Review of Mental Health Services and the Black and the Race Equality Charter Mark Self-Assessment Team. The Black and Minority Ethnic Liberation Group also won Campaign of the Year at the National Union of Students’ Black Students Conference 2016 for their work on Students Not Suspects. In 2015-16 Edinburgh University Students’ Association celebrated all four Liberation History Months for the second year running and there are plans to grow our celebrations in 2016/17.
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CELEBRATING SUCCESS
Every year, we celebrate the success of our student members, and the staff who support them, in three glittering award ceremonies. These award ceremonies seek to recognise and congratulate students on their passion and dedication, as well as help them thank those who have guided and supported them. Visit eusa.ed.ac.uk/awards to find out more. ACTIVITIES AWARDS The Activities Awards celebrate the hard work and successes of Societies and Volunteering groups. This year, over 290 nominations were received. For the first time, this event was moved to an external venue to allow for hundreds more Societies and Volunteering Group members to be part of this event. Taking place in Edinburgh’s iconic Assembly Rooms, over 400 guests were in attendance to celebrate the recipients of 30 awards, including the first Honourary Award for Outstanding Achievement, alumnus Gordon Aikman, in recognition for his fundraising in aid of Motor Neuron Disease.
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IMPACT AWARDS The Impact Awards celebrate the best contributions across our Global, Representation and Peer Learning & Support programmes. Now in their second year, the Impact Awards are already a highly anticipated showcase of the incredible impact being made by students at the University of Edinburgh. The award categories recognise contributions made to the community both at home and abroad, outstanding Peer Learning & Support programmes, the best student representatives, staff and student collaboration, innovative new student led projects and student leadership. Over 100 nominations were received in 2015/16. TEACHING AWARDS The Teaching Awards recognise innovative and inspiring teaching and highlight the best current practices in the University. Established in 2009, the awards are part of an ongoing commitment to highlight the importance of excellence in teaching alongside the University’s research activity. The Awards recognise the teachers, support staff, student tutors, research supervisors, and learning communities who have made a positive impact on students’ learning experiences. A total of 2,268 nominations were received across the 11 categories, and the profile and prestige of the Teaching Awards continues to grow among University staff.
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THE MONEY BIT
Edinburgh University Students’ Association has completed another successful year. The financial results reflect this, with a surplus of £300,000 made in the 12 months to 31 March 2016. We continue to follow our financial recovery plan, introduced in 2013, which set a target of at least £1 million unrestricted funds by 2019. We are not there yet and will continue to face challenging conditions over the year ahead, however this positive result takes us a step closer to our target.
STAFFING 146 salaried staff
Over 500 hourly paid staff (mainly students) Hourly paid staff worked
317,000 hours
and earned over £1.9m
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INCOME
EXPENDITURE
SURPLUS
Other income
£0.1m
Advertising and sponsorship income
£0.2m
Other grants
£0.4m
Surplus from bars, cafés, shops and the Festival
£0.9m
University main grant
£2.5m
Charity governance
£0.1m
Societies and volunteering
£0.2m
Putting on entertainment and events (incl. Welcome Week)
£0.4m
Other costs of running the Students’ Association
£0.9m
Student representation and welfare
£1.0m
Maintaining, cleaning, heating and lighting our buildings
£1.2m
For the year ended 31 March 2016
£0.3m
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WHAT’S NEXT?
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Now in the second year of our Strategic Plan 2015-19, we are working towards achieving the ambitious five goals, eight key strategic projects and supporting activity we have set ourselves. You can read the plan at: eusa.ed.ac.uk/strategicplan In the 2016-17 academic year we will progress many projects including:
• • • • •
Consulting and involving our members more through new democratic processes and increased opportunities to engage on the issues that matter to them Reopening the refurbished Pleasance West, Salisbury and Quaker Studio facilities to student groups and provide Activities staff support on site Renovating our catering and bars areas in King’s Buildings House, and providing a renewed offering
OUR VISION: We believe all students at Edinburgh should have the power to shape their own future and enjoy being part of a vibrant and cohesive student community where everyone is valued and respected.
Launching our new brand and associated visual identity Undertaking a staff culture, recognition and reward review
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Potterrow Reception: 5/2 Bristo Square Edinburgh EH8 9AL eusa.ed.ac.uk
Edinburgh University Students’ Association is a charity (SC015800) and a company limited by guarantee (SC429897) registered in Scotland. Registered Office: Potterrow, 5/2 Bristo Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9AL