making student life
our ideas for
better Strategic Map 2011-2015
Contents 5. Strategic objectives & enablers 6. Making student life better 7. Quality & improvement 8. Democratic & accountable student leadership 9. Evidence led campaigning 10. Ethical & sustainable 11. Partnerships 12. Inclusive and accessible 13. Developing & supporting our people 14. Quality & sustainable trading services 15. Facilities & space to meet members needs 16. Effective use of finances & resources 17. Independent info, advice & support 18. Communications, engagement & media
Key CEO: Chief Executive Exec: Elected Student Officers CODM: Commercial Operations & Development manager MMSM: Marketing & Membership Services Manager FM: Finance Manager SMT: Senior Management Team (CEO, CODM, MMSM & FM)
Introduction This strategic map will help guide Students’ Union staff and student officers in achieving the Students’ Unions mission, vision and values over the next few years. In the changing Higher Education sector, we have purposefully focussed on continuous improvement; allowing us to be able to react to students evolving needs. We will proactively look to our members for involvement and guidance in further developing the strategy and its implementation. All our efforts and ideas are underpinned by our values. These are outlined as a visual map on page 4. We also have a series of Strategic Objectives and Enablers that help focus these values into action.
Our Mission: Working together to make
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student life better Our Vision: To have a positive impact on the lives of all our students O n idea on If you have a dents’ Union how the Stu student life could make ou & your better - for y r for future classmates o of students generations know. please let us
email us your ideas makehudbetter@hud.ac.uk
OBJECTIVES
Strategic & ENABLERS Strategic Objectives
SO1. We will address students’ concerns through active research, representation and achieving prompt positive change SO2. We will provide students with independent, impartial and professional advice to improve student life SO3. We will provide space, facilities and opportunities for students to make friends, lead, innovate, be active and create communities on campus SO4. We will provide quality & sustainable services valued by students Strategic Enablers EN1. We will develop our communications, media research, and IT capacities to continuously improve our engagement and communication with students EN2. We will develop our people to be innovative, entrepreneurial and student focused EN3. We will manage finances and resources effectively and ensure they are focused on making student life better
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Working together to
MAKE STUDENT LIFE BETTER Although we have a strong desire to make student life better, we are aware the student market and expectations constantly change. Keeping student opinion, needs and ideas at the centre of everything we do is key to achieving our mission. How will we evidence our success
Responsibility
Annually surveying members asking whether “the Students’ Union has a positive impact on their life whilst at University?”
CEO & Exec
Undertake market research (surveys and focus groups) in year to understand how to improve the positive impact Produce an annual Impact Report Benchmark our performance against other institutions including monitoring improvement in national research that evaluates the Students’ experience (NSS, THES Survey, Student Opinion Panel, Guardian Survey)
Have your say! larly Although we’ll regu like to ask questions, we your listen too - share ber of ideas with a mem nt officer SU staff or Stude
Quality & Improvement 7
Providing a quality experience will underpin all our planning and be our principal focus when interacting with our members. We will be nationally recognised for improving student life through quality and effective representation.
How will we evidence our success?
Responsibility
Improve standards for SUEI (Students’ Union Evaluation Initiative), Best Bar None and Green Impact Awards
CEO & SMT
Gain Community Legal Services Award & Investors in People SUEI works in partnership with the National Union of Students and is supported by the Department of Business Innovation and Skills. It is a unique quality assessment model that assists in improving the services and activities delivered to members of Students' Unions by indicating areas for continuous improvement. SUEI accreditation is the mark of a good Students’ Union.
WAY AHEAD
& c i t a r c edacmcoountable stleaudent dership
All key decisions will have the input of our members and staff and will be open to scrutiny. All elections will be conducted fairly. Our campaigns work will be evidence led and reflect members priorities
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“
How will we evidence our success?
Development Area
Responsibility
Increase % election turnout from 15.5% to 20% by March 2015
We need to develop systems and strategies to support ordinary members to scrutinise union and officer decisions – we should consider the development of an ‘Officer Promises Targets Table’ with RAG Assessment and development of Student Jury’s to evaluate progress
Exec & MSMM
1 major policy or strategic decision considered by members each term Review of Governance arrangements using NUS governance tool kit by end of 2012 and 2014
T A H W is NT... this W we A
EVIDENCE LED campaigning &
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REpRESENTATION
How will we evidence our success?
Development Area
Responsibility
Develop and deploy a web based Annually survey members concerns Exec & MSMM members issues database accurately and publish a Student Voice report making recommendations for change. capturing and reporting on students concerns (trailed in 2011/12 in full use Run focus groups in each term 2012/13) listening to members priorities and Access funding to develop our professional research Demonstrate 5 major changes(affecting all students) and 5 and campaigning capacities Minor changes (affecting a limited number of students) each academic year ideas to make student life better
U evening the S Every Tuesday l al t open to hosts an even o if the place to g is students. It the w o h idea about you have an f o t ec p other as Union, or any ved. uld be impro co e lif ty si er iv n U the SU CafĂŠ. From 5pm, in
We will conduct our affairs and make decisions based on the principles of recognised sound ethical practice for membership based Not For Profit organisations. We will manage our services in a financially sustainable manner. How will we evidence our success?
Development Area
Responsibility
Continuously improve Green Impact audits Score
Develop an ethics and sustainability policy and checklist to inform & further improve practice.
Our Visio To have an: posenvironmental Develop and social tive on thieprojects i enterprise m lives of all pact our student Our Missi s o n : Work studing together to ent l m ife ake
CEO & Exec
Going for Green en to We are always ke ojects pr t support studen have an get in touch if you you need idea or something us at help with... email d.ac.uk makehudbetter@hu
th we iWs isAWHATbetter NT...
Partnerships & c i t a r e c l o b a ed amccountt sletuaddeenrship
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We will develop partnership working with University departments and external organisations where this will benefit our members and customers. Elected Officers, Students’ Union departments and staff will work together as a unified team at all times.
““
How will we evidence our success?
Development Area
Responsibility
We will detail 10 areas of substantive partnership working within our impact report which have helped make student life better
We will further develop and deliver our community strategy
CEO & Exec
We will identify practical ways to support and encourage student volunteering We will support RAG to be more successful (engaging more members and raising more charitable funds)
b e t ter & ACCESSIBLE INCLUSIVE den
t lif e
Stra
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>>> Comm unications >>>>> Enga gement >>>>>> and Media
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Partnerships
How will we evidence our success?
Increase the Number of students participating in SU Activities and will frame our measures as follows: pact raLevel tic & 1 – service users r students edacmcoocuntLevel able 2 - active participants nt stude Level 3 - responsibility takers ip ake leadershLevel 4 - leaders better
““
e action We will take positiv tivities, to make all our ac rtunities services and oppo en to all for involvement op our members
Development Area
Our Visio To ha n: posvie a on thetliivve e imp s of all our a stud Our Missi Responsibility o n Working to: stud gether to ent l make i
£
MMSM & Exec Undertake an Equality and Diversity Audit to provide baseline data to assess and evaluate inclusivity and accessibility. To include improving our EO monitoring of service usage.
Quality & I mprovemen t
£
Develop new ways for students to be involved and lead, including the development of intern opportunities, and develop funding and structures that enable student run social enterprises and shorter term projects
WAY AH
EAD
Explore ways of further recognising and rewarding students’ extra curricular activities jointly with the University
this is W we WA HAT NT .. Volunteers Evaluate Investors .in
Develop our offer and support for international students
fe be
tter
Developing & Supporting our
OurHow Vision:will we evidence our success? To have a Investors in impact People accreditation by positive on the lives of all our students May 2013 line managers to have undertaken OurAll Mission: appropriate development activities Working together to make Positive &life Improving student betterStaff Survey Scores
Appraisals annually and 1-1 for 6-8 weeks for all staff and executive officers
people
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Development Areas
Responsibility
Identify and develop new ways of working with University partners to improve the student experience
CEO & SMT
Improve Customer Care policies and training for all staff Develop IT skills and capacities to reduce costs and provide services to members
tnemevorpmI
Develop HR and Reward Strategy Provide budget to reward and recognise excellent service to members
Develop & improve systems to record and evaluate time and impact of training activity including baseline data of hours and money spent on Training and Development Use & support for student Interns
this
Quality & Sustainable services
ERSFIELD.SU The Students’ Union building is home to a range of student friendly commercial services - including a shop, cafÊ and bar. Our Vision:
Improveme nt
ations mmunic ment Engage ia we evidence our success? d Medwill > anHow
Increased Turnover and net profitability in trading services
Monitor footfall into the building and services Independent mystery customer feedback in every term
ty & Improvement
Conduct an annual trading services satisfaction survey
To have a positive impact on the lives of all our students Our Mission: Development Working together toArea: make
Responsibility
student life better
Develop opportunities for members to input into our trading services development and offers
ÂŁ
CODM
Did you know... erative Just like The Co-op the SU and John Lewis, es are commercial servic t just no member led and onymous about profit for an shareholders
FACILITIES
AD& SPACE to meet members needs
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this is W we WA HAT NT...
The University have committed to having student centred focus to their future development and there are there are plans to build a state-of-the-art student centre at the heart of campus, opening in December 2013. How will we evidence our success?
Development Areas
We will monitor footfall and usage of services (termly evaluation)
Work in partnership with the University to provide space that meets members need and supports participation involvement and student led activities
Responsibility CEO & CODM
Resources Finances WAY AHEAD Effective use of
O
& s n io t a ic n u mm ment e ngTheag Students’ Union is funded by a block grant from the through recycling all the profits generated by Meanddia ndcommercial aUniversity, our services.
O
How will we evidence our success?
Development Areas
Maintain reserves of at least one quarters turnover
Develop an in year strategic reserve to FM accommodate innovation, change and development
Ensure less than 3% variance from expenditure budgets Maximise resource allocation to member services and reduce % of admin and management costs Trading services to return a surplus Management Accounts to be produced within 10 days of month end
Responsibility
Develop 3 year rolling budgets
ÂŁ
making st udent
better
life Independent information,
AdviCE & SUppORT Strategic
>>> Communication >>>>> Engagement >>>>>> and Media
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Map 2011
-2015
The Students’ Union Advice service operates across all three campuses and offers students help and support through awareness sessions, face to face interviews, telephone appointments, online information and representation at hearings. Our Vision: There’s also freephone access To have ato Student Finance England
Partnerships
on the lives of all our students Development areas How will we evidence our success? Our Mission: Working together to make positive impact
student life better
Quality & Impro
Improve and augment the online Increase the number of students accessing advice with case work from service offer further enabling students to access advice remotely circa 2000 to 3000 per year by the end of 2014/15
£
& c i t a r c ntable o m e daccothe u t number of students Increase n service via drop in and accessing dethe u t s nt onlineleadership Annually detail and celebrate the positive impact of the service, through statistics and case studies
““
... tter than cure Prevention be e ic rv se ce Advi Students’ Union ber of the m nu a ith w works ices to ensure University serv ep tter informed, ke students are be e th in y, work with healthy & happ themselves and e ag rules & man ctively. their money effe
Responsibility MMSM
this is W we WA HAT NT...
tter
ications n u m m >>> Co ment e g a g n >>>>> E Media d n a > > > >>>
ic Map 2011-2015
erships
le
D U H . W WW
Our Vision: To have a posit onitheo at c i un Our Missio m en Working m m o is theagestude Communicating effectivelywith our members C > d key to ensuring all our objectives ng >> are met.EImproving e M > our communication channels will not>only help us d n >>members>toaget inform our ideas, but enable all> our more out of student life. >> > > >
Quality & Improvement
How will we evidence our success?
Development Areas
Responsibility
Increase number of the Active Members of Website & Facebook
Integrate our online services with University Services to make student life easy for members
MSMM
““
e f i l t n e dip
Increase number of members opening email shots
Engage our members to produce media content for our media and members
Quality & Improvement
Increased number of members participating in our research activities Our Brand will communicate our vision, mission and values.
Improved profiling of student led activities in all Media outlets
£WAY A
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If you have an idea on how the Students’ Union could make student life better - for you & your classmates or for future generations of students please let us know.
email us your ideas makehudbetter@hud.ac.uk
making student life
our ideas for
v1.1 November 2011
Huddersfield Students’ Union Queensgate. Huddersfield. HD1 3DH • 01484 538156 students.union@hud.ac.uk • www.huddersfield.su Huddersfield Students’ Union is a Registered Charity 1137401
Join us online @huddersfieldSU
Environmental information: This report is printed on 80% recycled paper, using vegetable ink.