Our Year: University of Plymouth Students’ Union
2013 - 2014
to transform lives through experience
:Awards OUR MISSION:
excellence outstanding
To make a positive impact on the lives of all our members, through understanding, empowering and delivering on their needs.
OUR VISION:
To transform lives through experience
OUR VALUES:
Silver
Passionate about student rights Democratic and student led Embracing diversity and equality Caring and responsible Continuous improvement and quality Empowering Great Value Fun
BEST MARKETING CAMPAIGN MAKE THE MOST OF THIS REPORT
Download a QR reader Make the most of this report download a QR reader to your smart phone. Search ‘QR scan’ in your app store Or search the web address under the QR codes in your browser to reveal the videos.
UPSU is a registered charity in England & Wales No.1143614
MOST IMPROVED RAG HIGHLY COMMENDED BEST OUTREACH
AWARDS BEST MARKETING & RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN
:President’s Introduction The last twelve months have been an incredible journey for UPSU, with the appointment of our new Chief Executive, a review of our Governance and Constitution, an array of outstanding awards and brilliant student led campaigns. In December 2013 we appointed our very first women Chief Executive who will continue to push forward our mission vision and values as well as develop the Students’ Union services and activities to improve the experience of our current and future members. The Governance and Constitution review, led by the Executive Officers with the input of key stakeholders, has enabled us to focus on improving our democratic structures. This will aim to result in new and effective student Forums, a Union Executive Council and an Accountability Board that will improve accessibility and enable more students to engage with Student Voice, campaigns, policies and other extracurricular activities that will improve their student experience. As well as this, we reviewed the Executive Officer roles and responsibilities, to ensure that they are up to date and relevant to our members. In order to make successful alterations we involved key stakeholders from the University, Union and student body to inform our decision to change the roles to President, VP Welfare, VP Societies & Sports, VP Education and VP International & Outreach. 2013-14 was also an incredible year for student successes, which we celebrated through the SSTAR, Sports, Relays and Societies & Volunteering Awards. 77 students were awarded for their sporting achievements, 94 completed 50200 hours of volunteering, 10 were recognised as Relays champions, 13 SSTAR’s for their commitment and support for fellow students and 57 for their society and volunteering accomplishments.
UPSU was also recognised as an organisation through the National Raise and Give Awards for the Most Improved RAG, in recognition of the growth of our student fundraising, expansion of committee and leadership roles and the increase in different events and activities on offer for the student body. We were also awarded the Best Marketing & Recruitment Award from the Student Adventure Awards in recognition of the innovative and successful recruitment of over 100 students onto the fundraising mountain challenges. This year we ran successful campaigns to tackle issues around hidden course costs, targeted recommendations to the University about ways to improve mental wellbeing support, prepared a student strategy leading into the general elections, created a Dragons Den project to improve students experiences on partner campus’ and developed more accessible sports for students with disabilities. Then finally the last big blow out of the year, our extremely successful Summer Ball, that sold a mammoth 4,600 tickets in a record breaking time of 23 hours. So overall, it’s been an extremely successful year for UPSU and the rest of this report will demonstrate the wonderful achievements of our staff and students that have truly transformed lives through experience.
Sarah Bowman UPSU President
:Executive Officers PRESIDENT
VP ENGAGEMENT
VP WELFARE & COMMUNITY
A lot has been achieved over the last year and I’m extremely proud to have worked with such incredible students, Executive Officers and SU staff! I’ve led on the appointment of our new CEO, worked on improving our democratic structures to increase member participation and initiated new placements to diversify students’ career opportunities. All in all it’s been an amazing year, so a huge thank you to everyone involved!
This year I have enhanced the welcome period for mature students and progression students, and reached the long-term goal of encouraging a community. I accomplished this through creating several desired events, holding muchneeded information seminars and producing a mature student’s information booklet that reached over 1,500 students. I empowered off campus students through launching the Dragons Den project, which has produced 9 student led projects at 4 of our off campus institutions.
Safe Taxi, Mental Wellbeing Report, Time To Change Pledge, Green Impact Outstanding Excellence, Accommodation Survey, Community Relationship Events, Society and Volunteering Awards, Responsible Drinking Motion, Disabled Students Allowance Campaign, Learning Support and Wellbeing Partnership Group, Student Watch. These are all the projects I’ve achieved this year and they have all positively changed and improved the lives of students at UPSU, and will hopefully continue to in the years to come.
www.goo.gl/fES5DE
www.goo.gl/Sg5Iy3
www.goo.gl/f8gw1c
Sarah Bowman
Sarah Pook
Charlie Green
VP EDUCATION
Steph Driscoll
Over the past year I have created the hidden course costs report, written the Annual quality report and supported the course and school reps. In conjunction to this I have represented students on academic committees and supported them with academic issues that have arisen. I also held the UPSU SSTAR Awards in which we received 1013 nominations. As deputy president I have overseen the running of the Students’ Union and helped develop a substantial review of our governance.
www.goo.gl/Cigcfy
VP SOCIETIES & SPORTS
Rich Evans
This year saw the launch of UPSU ICONS scheme, designed at developing all sports clubs and societies, this triggered societies to engage with UPSU like never before over the year. Working alongside the University I have helped build on their sporting partnerships giving students a bigger voice. I also saw the launch of our brand new kit supplier for our sports teams chosen by them to be ready by September!
EXTERNAL TRUSTEES Tony Parry Adrian Bratt Matthew Horton
STUDENT TRUSTEES Joe Solaja Nicholas Shepherd
www.goo.gl/YlJ9Hl
:Student Voice
Hugh Waters
Chair of Accountability and Independent Rep
COURSE
ACROSS
703REPS 19
UPSU SUPPORTED
ELECTIONS
2,966
SCHOOLS
SCHOOL REPS UPSU SUPPORTS
15
STUDENTS VOTED
SCHOOL REPS
THIS YEAR THEY HAVE :
•
www.goo.gl/397TBP
RUN
•
12,019
•
Tom Pashby
Election Candidate
UPSU
VOTES WERE CAST
44% 56% FEMALE VOTERS
www.goo.gl/wZHWRN
32
MALE VOTERS
STUDENTS NOMINATED THEMSELVES AS CANDIDATES
•
•
CREATED A BUDDY SYSTEM TO HELP INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS TRANSITION TO LIFE WITHIN PLYMOUTH BUSINESS SCHOOL DEVELOPED WORKSHOPS ON HOW TO USE ATHENS. SUCCESSFULLY CAMPAIGNED FOR ROOMS TO BE OPEN FOR LONGER FOR ALL STUDENTS. STARTED A TERMLY STUDENT-LED NEWSLETTER WITHIN THE SCHOOL OF NURSING AND MIDWIFERY. SUCCESSFULLY SUPPORTED STUDENTS IN TRANSITION FROM PLACEMENT TO PROFESSIONAL COURSES IN THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION.
1,013 303
7 PARLIAMENT MEETINGS
PASSED A RESPONSIBLE DRINKING MOTION
SUPPORTED THE RIGHT FOR STUDENTS FROM LIBERATION GROUPS TO SELF REPRESENT APPROVED A MOTION BOYCOTTING THE SONG ‘BLURRED LINES’ BY ROBIN THICKE FROM BEING PLAYED AT UPSU
AWARDS
NOMINATIONS
34 14
ALLOWING STUDENTS TO GET HOME SAFELY IF THEY ARE SHORT OF CASH ON A NIGHT OUT AND THEY CAN THEN PAY IN THE SU THE NEXT DAY.
Joanne Sellick
SSTAR Award Winner Best Feedback
• • •
•
• •
www.goo.gl/Xdl5Vx
FACULTY WINNERS OVERALL WINNERS
CATEGORIES:
•
SAFE TAXI SCHEME LAUNCHED
ON 2013
STUDENT & STAFF TEACHING & REPRESENTATION AWARDS
NOMINATIONS FROM PARTNER COLLEGES
2 GREEN WEEKS RUN
SSTAR +169%
STUDENT AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR INSPIRATIONAL TEACHING BEST PLACEMENT SUPPORT OUTSTANDING SUPPORT STAFF (UNIVERSITY WIDE) OUTSTANDING SUPPORT STAFF (SCHOOL AND FACULTY BASED) OUTSTANDING PERSONAL TUTOR MOST INNOVATIVE TEACHING METHODS
• • • •
• •
•
BEST COURSE REP OUTSTANDING SCHOOL REP PARLIAMENTARIAN OF THE YEAR EXCELLENCE IN CHAMPIONING CAREER DEVELOPMENT OUTSTANDING COLLEGE REP MOST DEDICATED PROJECT/ DISSERTATION SUPERVISOR BEST FEEDBACK
:Advice
4,084 TOP THREE
ISSUES
1388 34% ACADEMIC ISSUES 735 18% STUDENT FINANCE
HOUSING ISSUES
489 12%
Advice Feedback
CASES THIS YEAR
DEMOGRAPHICS
52% UNDER 25 26% OVER 25 & MATURE
84%
22% NOT KNOWN
UNDERGRADUATES
5%
POST GRADUATES
52% 42% FEMALE
MALE
6%
11%
UNKNOWN
UNKNOWN
Quotes
www.goo.gl/MJACip
ADVICE ASSISTED A MATURE STUDENT TO CLAIM PARENT LEARNING ALLOWANCE FOR A CHILD OVER 18. THE STUDENT WAS CLOSE TO LEAVING DUE TO FINANCIAL ISSUES. TOGETHER THEY CHALLENGED S.F.E REGULATIONS AND SOLVED THE DISPUTES.
2 113
CASES AMOUNTED TO TOTAL OF
HOURS
OF ADVICE TIME
:Volunteering
15,055 HOURS
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERING
+33%
increase on 2012-13
BY 987 STUDENT VOLUNTEERS
Sarah Redford Student Volunteer
41
STUDENT LED PROJECTS
1,831HOURS
158
VOLUNTEERING PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS
www.goo.gl/0zpmzO
STUDENT PROJECTS
4 11 4 6 2 8 2 4
BARN OWL TRUST GREEN TEAM MONKEY SANCTUARY MOOR TREES RURAL STATIONS SPECIAL OLYMPICS STOVER CANAL SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES
PROJECTS IN PLYMOUTH:
25
5
STUDENTS VOLUNTEERED
200+ HOURS
23 100+ HOURS
STUDENTS VOLUNTEERED
67 50+ HOURS
STUDENTS VOLUNTEERED
10,689
HOURS VOLUNTEERED IN PLYMOUTH Simon Stringer
NATIONAL VOLUNTEERING WEEK LAUNCHED
Student Volunteer
157 GOOD DEEDS AT THE GOOD DEED MARKET
3,741
SPORTS VOLUNTEERING HOURS
www.goo.gl/LZeyiq
:Fundraising +119% increase on 2012-13
£232,799+
MOVEMBER
SUPPORTING
8
38
32
PLYMOUTH CHARITIES NATIONAL CHARITIES
WEST CHARITIES 13 SOUTH 10 INTERNATIONAL CHARITIES
Omar Zibdher Student Fundraiser
RAISED THIS YEAR
STUDENTS
JUMPED OUT OF A PLANE AT 14,000FT DRESSED AS MONKEYS
AWARDS
MOST IMPROVED RAG 2013 – RAG AWARDS BEST RECRUITMENT & MARKETING CAMPAIGN – STUDENT ADVENTURE AWARDS
103
2ND
HIGHEST SIGNUPS OF ALL UK UNIVERSITIES RA
G JA IL B LAU REA NCH K ONE ED ESC TEAM
CRO APED 36 H TIA INTO OUR S
STUDENTS SIGNED UP TO CLIMB KILIMANJARO AND EVEREST
RAISING £2,000+ EACH
WINTER BALL RAISED
www.goo.gl/HdKc8p
£3,800
:Off Campus
5,000 100% 7
STUDENTS VISITED
OF COLLEGE COURSE REPS ATTENDED TRAINING
32
COURSE REP MEETINGS ATTENDED
500
STUDENTS ATTENDED PROGRESSION DAY
COLLEGES RAISED MONEY FOR CHARITY
5
29
CAMPUS VISITS
7,000 MILES DRIVEN
COMMON ROOMS REFURBISHED THANKS TO THE STUDENT VOICE
10
COLLEGE REPS MEMBERS OF STUDENT STAFF EMPLOYED
HIGHEST NSS & SPQ PARTICIPATION OF ANY FACULTY
Lara Jerommes Off Campus Student
303 www.goo.gl/1y462Y
SSTAR AWARD NOMINATIONS FROM PARTNER COLLEGES
+4,229%
DRAGONS DEN
£3,000 31
GRANT ALLOCATED TO STUDENT PROJECTS IN 4 COLLEGES
APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED
15 11
SHORTLISTED
SUCCESSFUL
:Sports & Fitness
5,500+ 19
12 SPORTS 500+ STUDENTS COMPETING RAISED FOR REVERSE RETT & CLIC SARGENT
Varsity
SPORTS SESSIONS SKILLED COACHES VOLUNTEERS SPORTING ACTIVITIES
£10,600
Champion’s Movie
RANKED
37th in BUCS
www.goo.gl/ZN80LR
www.goo.gl/5lWfc7
AWARDS GIVEN
DONATION
out of 145
Student Sport Clubs
1708 PARTICIPANTS
500 41 38 34
STUDENT LED SPORTS CLUB
Alice MurrayGourlay
ACTIVE UNI’S
VARSITY CHAMPIONS UPSU MARJON
23
59
SPORTS CLUB MEMBERS
British University & College Sports
33 TEAMS 36 EVENTS ENTERED
51
HALF COLOURS
13
FULL COLOURS
INTRAMURAL SPORT
631
PARTICIPATING STUDENTS
+95% increase on 2012-13
+62% increase on 2012-13
28,643
EXERCISE CLASS ATTENDEES
26,416
BOOKINGS ONLINE
2,605
BUCS GOLF
Chloe Wilcock Sports Centre
GOLF PREMIER CHAMPIONS & CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI FINALISTS
6,410
TOTAL GYM MEMBERSHIPS
SQUASH SESSIONS www.goo.gl/ltXaKr
AWARDS
4 GOLD MENS HOCKEY NETBALL OCTOPUSH RIDING
4 SILVER
AMERICAN FOOTBALL ATHLETICS DODGE BALL LADIES FLAG FOOTBALL
19 BRONZE ARCHERY BADMINTON CHEERLEADERS FENCING MENS FOOTBALL LADIES FOOTBALL FUTSAL LADIES HOCKEY KICKBOXING
59
LACROSSE POLE DANCING ROWING MENS RUGBY SAIL & POWERBOAT SNOWRIDERS SWIM & WATER POLO SURF TENNIS TRAMPOLINING
STUDENT LED SPORTS CLUBS SPORTS CLUBS RAISED
£16,342+
WA T E R S P O R T
FOR CHARITY EXCLUDING VARSITY)
WON
Ben Easton
SAIL & POWER CLUB
Sports Clubs
BUCS FLEET CHAMPIONSHIPS IN NOVEMBER
ROWING CLUB 2nd
4 WINS www.goo.gl/JPeL7a
1st
6 WINS
3rd
2 WINS
:Societies
6,500+ STUDENT LED SOCIETIES RAISED DONATION
£14,775
110
SOCIETY MEMBERS
SOCIETIES
+55%
SOCIETY & VOLUNTEERING AWARDS
Devisha Karadia Societies Student
AWARDS GIVEN
FOR CHARITY
41
HALF COLOURS
6
FULL COLOURS
SOCIETY OF THE YEAR
RECORD BREAKING
UKULELE SOCIETY PLAYED NON-STOP
30
www.goo.gl/vY86J2
BEST NEW SOCIETY
HOURS
KNIT FAST,DIE WARM
2 GOLD BIG BAND CHOIR AWARDS 10 SILVER 19 BRONZE ALLOTMENT AMATEUR DRAMATICS GEOG SOC HINDU KNOWLEDGE MEDSOC MTG PLYM LINKS PLUGS RADIO
CHINESE CHRISTIANS DESIGN SOCIETY DENTISTRY ENACTUS EDUCATION SOCIETY ENG WITHOUT BORDERS FOOD GEOLOGY ILLUSOC
KNIT FAST, DIE WARM MARROW MEDSIN OPTOMETRY PADS PRINTMAKERS (PUPS) ROBOTICS SEXPRESSION UKULELE ZOOLOGICAL
Rob Young
Societies Student
www.goo.gl/kFcSv6
:Entertainment
360
? 32
QUIZZES HELD AND SUPPORTED AT THE SU
RAISING
£1500+ FOR CLUBS AND SOCIETIES Mark Grace Student DJ
LIVE PERFORMANCES BY STUDENTS AND LOCAL ACTS IN THE SU
PERFORMED
THIS YEAR
128 HOURS OF LIVE MUSIC
100+
STUDENT EVENTS THE DARKNESS SUPPORTED PALMA VIOLETS BY UPSU PROPAGANDA EVENTS TEAM DJ FRESH GORGON CITY WHEATUS DAVID RODDIGAN HIGH CONTRAST DUKE FREEJAK NIGHTCLUB FLUX PAVILION NIIGHTS PROFESSOR GREEN ELLA AYRE VENGABOYS MATRIX AND FUTUREBOUND HANNAH WANTS KOVE LOCATE
64
20 320
SUPPORTING LOCAL TRADERS AND STUDENT CRAFTERS
STUDENT DJS SUPPORTED WITH
www.goo.gl/As0zyq
5
CAMPUS MARKETS & CRAFT FAYRES HELD
HOURS OF SET TIME IN THE SU
18.8 1 SUMMER BALL TICKET SOLD EVERY
SECONDS 4600 TICKETS SOLD IN LESS THAN 24HOURS The Summer Ball Official After Movie
www.goo.gl/165qRS
5
TRIPS OUT FOR 250 STUDENTS TO: BATH CARDIFF AMSTERDAM BRISTOL PRAGUE
:Communication +19%
increase on 2012-13
UPSU.COM
334,717 VISITS
CHANNEL
YOU TUBE
LAUNCHED
239
26,444
VIDEO VIEWS
FOLLOWERS
1,803,550
47,858 MINUTES WATCHED
PAGE VIEWS
+45% James Stoner
Student Photographer
SU
23,000+
APP
PHOTOS TAKEN COVERING STUDENT EVENTS
20,300
LIKES
www.goo.gl/7p14SK
+26%
7,703 FOLLOWERS
+35%
1,766 DOWNLOADS
+76%
:Staff AWARDED THE INVESTORS IN PEOPLE
GOLD AWARD
82
66% 34% FEMALE MALE
SALARIED STAFF
PLYMOUTH UNIVERSITY GRADUATES EMPLOYED AS SALARIED STAFF
29%
Frazer Curtin-Anderson Student Placement
750+
HOURS OF TRAINING PROVIDED ON www.goo.gl/z8XKDJ
24
200+
COURSES
440 STUDENT STAFF TOTAL PAY
£467,359
12 5
HEALTH & WELLBEING GUIDES FOR STAFF PUBLISHED ON THE UPSU.COM
STAFF WELLBEING EVENTS HELD
• • • • •
WEIGHT LOSS CLUB HEALTHY COOKING WALKING NO SMOKING DAY CHILL OUT DAY
:Eat & Drink
50,237
COFFEES PURCHASED IN THE LOUNGE AWARD WINNING BAR
Nathaniel Foale Graduate Intern
THE SU BAR EMPLOYS
125
3,600
STUDENTS
2
GRADUATE INTERNS
PINTS
www.goo.gl/lfmEFi
MILKSHAKES SMOOTHIES JUICES
CHUNK PASTY
LAUNCHED
11,208 PASTIES SOLD
PLYMOUTH BEST BAR NONE
SILVER AWARD NUS BEST BAR NONE
OF BEER & CIDER SERVED AT THE BEER FESTIVAL
LAUNCHED BURST BAR
SERVING
HIGHLY COMMENDED
QUARTERDECK
LAUNCHED SERVING
6,371 9,146
BREAKFASTS BURGERS
4,518 BAGUETTES
LOCALLY SOURCED FISH & MEAT Jade Edward Samuels The Lounge Staff
SERVED IN THE QUARTERDECK
1,283 PIECES OF FRUIT
SERVED IN THE LOUNGE
www.goo.gl/Qu6CzB
:Shop +49% increase on 2012-13
67,500
SAVING STUDENTS
MEAL DEALS SOLD
£118,125
IN THE SU SHOP
Ruth Titmus
+3%
15
FAIRTRADE RANGES SOLD IN THE SU SHOP
Shop staff
5,000+
increase on 2012-13
PENS SOLD
NUS EXTRA
9,849
CARDS SOLD
www.goo.gl/RHddGZ
25
THE SU SHOP EMPLOYS
STUDENT STAFF
15,518
HOODIES SOLD STUDENTS
30,000+
BOTTLES OF WATER SOLD
THE SHOP SUPPORTS 4 LOCAL PRODUCE PROVIDERS. STOCKING PLYMOUTH TEA FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR
:Accommodation +118% increase on 2012-13
350 ROOMS
37 LOCAL
LANDLORDS
SAVING STUDENTS
£5,800
BY HELPING THEM BACK FILL THEIR ROOMS
400+ VIEWINGS
UPSU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A GREAT TEAM MANAGING OUR STUDENT LET PROPERTY, FROM ATTRACTING NEW TENANTS RIGHT THROUGH TO DEALING WITH THE DAY TO DAY NITTY GRITTY OF THE BUSINESS. THEY HAVE BEEN MOST HELPFUL,EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT TO DEAL WITHTEN OUT OF TEN
“
:Finance INCOME
EXPENDITURE
£5,407,223
BLOCK GRANT FUNDRAISING INVESTMENT INCOME TRADING OTHER CLUBS & SOCIETIES
£5,407,223
1,743,878 203,457 10,056 2,331,624 537,142 581,065
TRADING FUNDRAISING SUPPORT AND SERVICES GOVERNANCE CLUBS AND SOCIETIES OTHER
2,210,093 161,363 2,191,307 40,148 550,663 253,649
:Final word 2013/14 has been a year of extraordinary achievements for UPSU and as my first year as Chief Executive, I am very proud of what our fantastic staff team and officers have achieved for our members, ensuring that they have the very highest student experience whilst here at Plymouth University . A key factor this year was the implementation of our new Strategic Plan and the subsequent staffing restructure and we have been working hard to achieve our new Strategic Goals and embed the changes. As you will have read in this report we have had so many successes, are maintaining our financial stability, won several key awards and have progressed significantly with our full Governance Review. We intend to continue to build on these successes in the coming year and have a very exciting year planned! We are working in partnership with the University on a major building refurbishment ready for when the students return in September and we also have significant digital developments planned aiming to increase our member’s engagement and participation. Also, quite importantly, we will be working hard to embed our new Governance structures to ensure they are accessible and relevant to all of our members. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supports UPSU, including our staff, officers, trustees, the University, commercial partners, funders and most importantly our members.
Gina Connelly Chief Executive
Images by James Stoner, student photographer
upsu.com/ouryear