Impact Report 2010/2011

90%

Of our students said that Leeds University Union contributed positively to their time at university

Leeds University Union

Impact Report 2010 to 2011 www.leedsuniversityunion.org.uk/impact

Leeds University Union.

Together, we’ll make sure you...

Our year in numbers

7,929

Voted in the Leadership Race (Student Executive Elections)

10,276

Students used the Advice Centre

15,910

Students involved in a club or society

£245,000

Donated to good causes by RAG

Our promises to students:

1 2 3 4 5

Make your life at university fun.

Help you change the things that you want changed.

£580,000 Invested in the Union building

£640,000 Paid out in wages to students through Joblink

Give you great support, services and facilities.

Listen to you and understand your needs.

Act responsibly in everything we do.

3,134,140

Visits to the Union building

Leading the way in a year of change The Leadership Race

Fees campaign

We set out ambitious goals for building and supporting student leadership in the first year of our new strategic plan, recognising that raising the profile of the Student Exec was crucial to being understood as a student-led organisation.

The Browne Review, White Paper and subsequent decision to withdraw the majority of state funding for higher education put student unionism at the centre of UK politics. The work of the Student Exec and the widespread involvement that resulted ensured Leeds played a prominent role in the campaign against fees and cuts.

Our elections are important in their own right, but we also recognise participation in them as a measure of our broader work on student leadership.

A target of 6,000 voters was ambitious, so the record turnout of 7,929 (24% of the student population) is a fantastic achievement reflecting widespread involvement from all areas of the organisation.

Student support for the campaign was secured through our decisionmaking forums. The Student Exec led 13 coaches of Leeds students to the national demonstration, organised a peaceful demonstration in Leeds, made local and national media appearances, lobbied MPs, and delivered a deputation to Leeds City Council which gained cross-party support.

Changing the world

Target

Actual

40% 90%

Of students felt their arguments could influence the Union

40% 62%

Of students felt their arguments could influence the University

35% 40% Of students knew what the Student Exec do

Priorities for 2011/12

“You always think that you are not going to be able to help change decisions, but when I heard that we might have EU funding withdrawn to support year abroad study I started a campaign that led to its reinstatement. It’s a great feeling to think you can have a positive impact on so many people.”

Increase participation in the elections to 10,000 voters.

Launch new training programmes and online support for school reps.

Introduce online ‘rate, review and recommend’ tool to increase engagement.

Rachel Albinson, European Languages School Rep

41 candidates 7,929 voters 43,669 individual votes

Although the government majority was reduced from 84 to just 21, the campaign against higher fees didn’t succeed. We remain opposed to the new fees regime.

Leading the way through our staff and facilities The people who work for LUU are our biggest asset and in 2010/11 794 were employed at the Union, of which 80% were studying at Leeds.

Our values We established behavioural values that we’re embedding in every part of our organisational culture.

Created by our staff, our values are:

Trust and respect Innovative and creative Helpful and supportive Friendly and fun Positive attitude Using these values as the focus for our training and development we ran the Cupid programme to support our managers in developing cultural change. They generated hundreds of ideas to encourage staff to demonstrate these values, from spending time working in other

What our staff and students think

departments to posting thank you notes when someone had been helpful.

Recognising our people A number of initiatives have encouraged our staff to sing the praises of their colleagues. Over the year 384 staff were nominated as Hero of the Week and 22 Shining Stars were awarded.

85%

Of students agreed that our staff were very helpful and friendly

Investment Investment in our building and rebranding of our visual identity reflects the fun yet professional environment we want our members to experience.

The Terrace bar and Lounge are now fantastic social spaces and our Foyer provides a meeting point and area to communicate with our members.

Priorities for 2011/12 Make membership services more accessible and create ‘Opportunities’ space.

Enhance student staff employability and train emerging leaders.

Launch the Leeds Service Experience.

88%

Of staff said they loved working at Leeds University Union

84%

Of students said they enjoy being in the Union building

Leading the way as a students’ union We can demonstrate our impact through facts and figures but it is when independent assessors tell us we are doing well, that we really feel we can be proud of our achievements.

External Recognition

SUEI Gold

NUS Award for Disabled Student’s Campaign in HE Union

In 2008 we became one of the first students’ unions to gain the ‘Students’ Union Evaluation Initiative’(SUEI) and the first to be given Gold status.

SUEI assesses ways of improving services and activities to members of the Union by indicating areas for continuous improvement.

In 2011 we were reassessed under the new SUEI 2 model and achieved Gold again.

Connecting with our members online

= 500 people

Investors in People Award Best Bar None Award Terrace, Old Bar and Stylus

Best Broadcaster Leeds Student TV Award National Student Television Association Awards

3,445

Followers on Twitter

Vinspired Awards Volunteering Regional Award went to Natalie Tiu and National Award to Kim Cooper University Grand Champions and ICC UK Nationals Leeds Celtics Cheerleaders 125th Christie Championships Won by the sports teams

“It shows their dedication to serving their members and their continuing efforts to develop, grow and improve. Students are a large and vital part of the Leeds community and economy. Knowing that their education, welfare and happiness are being cared for is very important.”

Hilary Benn MP, attended the SUEI award ceremony at Westminster

11,141

Likes on Facebook

335,246

Unique visits to our website during the 2010 to 2011 academic year. This was an increase of 25% on the previous academic year

Developing our partnerships Supporting the University with the student experience We enjoy a positive relationship with a wide range of stakeholders. These partnerships are one of our most important assets and benefit not only the involved organisations, but our students too.

The Blueprint

As the University looked to respond to the changing landscape of Higher Education, it was clear that our role in supporting the student experience was becoming even more important.

Two major initiatives in 2010/11 laid the foundations for major impact in the coming years: the Partnership and the Blueprint.

An example of successful partnership during the year was our work with the International Office on the Global Cafe. Moving the event to the Union helped increase average attendance to 160 at each event and encourage home students to attend.

The Partnership After finding that only 20% of students were familiar with the agreement that sets out the relationship between them and the University, we worked with the University to bring staff and students together to create a shared set of expectations. This new Partnership was launched at the start of the 2011/12 academic year.

Students

Meeting Expectations Through Partnership: A Blueprint, sets out 14 projects that will have an impact on the student experience over the next few years.

“At Leeds we have a strong tradition of partnership with our students. Staff and students worked together to create the Partnership and to make it express the values on which a Leeds education is based.�

We will: Be responsible, accessible and respectful.

Prepare for, engage with and contribute to learning at Leeds.

Help each other to reflect, develop and improve.

Professor Vivien Jones, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Student Education

Priorities for 2011/12 Deliver year one of a three year plan against 14 proposals in the Blueprint.

Work with schools to develop partnership activities.

Put a major focus on increasing engagement amongst target student groups.

Staff

Developing our partnerships

In the community

Helping students to live in Leeds

19,000

This year we have led multi-agency projects, engaged with the local council in new ways, and contributed significantly to the lives of all local residents, making us a respected voice in Leeds.

The Future of Knowledge The Knowledge campaign, managed by the Crime Reduction Partnership, had demonstrated its success in reducing insecure burglaries against students, but Home Office funding was coming to an end.

The Better Leeds Forum We’ve provided an effective way for students to enact change in the local community. In 2010/11 we have:

Established a daily delivery of surplus food to two local homeless shelters Successfully campaigned for a £1 bus fare from Headingley to campus Introduced on campus Tetrapak recycling facilities

A local landlord recognised the importance of the project and his support, combined with Safer Leeds funding, has meant that the project is secured for a further three years.

Hours of volunteering contributed to local projects

1,750

Student volunteers registered at our organisation

21

Tonnes of waste diverted from landfill by student volunteers through Leave Leeds Tidy

Environmental Impact As well as working to reduce our own carbon footprint, we also strive to support environmental issues within the community. Our Bardon Grange Project provides the community with organically grown food, while Leave Leeds Tidy is a multi-agency partnership that recycles waste and distributes unwanted goods and clothes to charities and other students.

Priorities for 2011/12 Implement development of a new community engagement plan.

Ensure students and partners work on making Leeds the best UK city.

Actively engage in the Leeds Initiative.

185

Fewer students victims of burglary due to Knowledge

“Unfortunately, we do know that the student areas in Headingley attract burglars so any steps to prevent crime is commended. I wanted to pass on my appreciation of this promising initiative and say well done.”

Sir Norman George Bettison, QPM and Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police

For more information on our accounts: www.leedsuniversityunion.org.uk/impact