Student Experience Report 2012/13
Student Experience Report 2013 Page 1
Contents Student Lifestyle .......... p3 Finances .......... p3 Time contraints .......... p3 In the community .......... p3 University Experience .......... p4 Student experience .......... p4 Teaching standards .......... p5 Access to resources .......... p5 Quality of facilities .......... p5 Job opportunities .......... p5 Social opportunities .......... p6 University bus service .......... p6 Lecture timetables .......... p7 Communication .......... p7 Contact time .......... p7 Arrangement .......... p7 Union Experience .......... p9 The Students’ Union .......... p9 Communications .......... p9 Union activities .......... p9 Students’ Union services .......... p12 Representation .......... p13 Student Satisfaction .......... p14 #1 The Union building .......... p15 #2 Communication .......... p16 #3 Representation .......... p17 #4 Student activities .......... p18 #5 Commercial services .......... p19 Moving Forwards .......... p21 You Said We Did 2012 .......... p22
Methodology Over the period of one week from 1st November 2012 the Union conducted on campus and online questionnaires incentivising students with free sweets and the chance to win an iPad3. The survey contained 14 quantitative and qualitative questions to gain an insight into Portsmouth student life. 3,153 responses were received from University of Portsmouth students. Of those students 49.8% of respondents were Male, 49.4% were female, 28% were mature students, 6% were part time students, 10.7% were post graduates, 76.3% were UK students, 11.6% were EU International students, 12.1% were non EU International students, 34% were first year students, 32.6% were in the middle of their studies and 33.5% were final year students. Respondent quotes within this report are listed with their response number in subscript “Quote” #R2121 to identify the individual responses.
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Student Lifestyle Finances The average student spends £155.62 per month on their general lifestyle, of that £32.40 per month goes on eating out (whereas Postgraduate students spend 20% more than the average student), £39.94 per month goes on going out, £34.12 per month goes on clothes and £49.16 per month goes on groceries.
Time constraints The average student will spend less than 5 hours per week travelling, shopping and on nights out, whereas they will spend 5 to 10 hours per week doing coursework and seeing friends. Importantly the average student expects to spend between 10 and 15 hours per week in lectures. 26% of students said they would spend over 20 hours a week surfing the internet. In contrast, Part-time students said that they expect to spend just 5 to 10 hours.
community living, those in Halls also think they are at risk, even within their flats. “The worst thing about Portsmouth is that sometimes at night halls do not feel safe” #R2332
In our students eyes the worst thing about Portsmouth are what they term ‘the locals’. The majority of the complaints were focussed around anti-social behaviour relating to drugs and alcohol. Students also consider Portsmouth to be quite a deprived city in areas with 3% of the open comments referring to Portsmouth being “run down”. “Much of the city is a concrete jungle in the centre, there are social problems such as alcoholics and drug users” #R2353 10% more respondents had positive views on the city living. The two outstanding positive influencers on Portsmouth students are the seafront location (20%), especially in the summer period with Southsea Common, along with the proximity to both local amenities and lecture theatres (15%).
In the community
Portsmouth is considered by many students as “a compact city” #R912, that’s “big enough to have an interesting social life, 64.2% of the Students who completed this but small enough to get around” #R2630. Its flat survey said they lived in Southsea with a topography is a real note point for students, further 13.1% living within the Fratton area. making cycling and walking around the city With such a high density of students living in easy. For many of the international students just 2.5 square miles of Portsea Island there the history of Portsmouth is also important, are bound to be conflicts with city life. providing a cultural insight into the city, one student commented that Portsmouth is “a Safety and crime are a significant concern city that’s not too busy and not too quiet, for Portsmouth students, especially at night, it has a good balance with a vast history” with 10% of open comments referring to #R2184. either personal safety, crime levels or bike theft. 10% of students say the array of nightlife and social life opportunities open to them are a positive attraction within the city, “Crime levels are high and I often feel un- allowing students to make friends and safe walking around the city. This is the case socially interact outside of their lecture time. even on my way home from lectures after 6 Social opportunities rate highly in students in the winter when it is already dark.” #R245 top 5 most important aspects of the student experience. This is not just an concern isolated to Student Experience Report 2013 Page 3
University Experience The student experience Teaching standards are considered by Portsmouth students as the most important aspect of their student experience across all segments. However, across the segmented groups the top five most important aspects of the student experience vary:
The 'average' student
EU and International students
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Teaching standards (62%) Jobs opportunities (52%) Quality of facilities (51%) Access to resources (48%) Social opportunities (46%)
Teaching standards (54%) Jobs opportunities (51%) Quality of facilities (46%) Access to resources (42%) Social opportunities (42%)
Undergraduate students
Part time students
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Teaching standards (63%) Job opportunities (52%) Quality of facilities (51%) Social opportunities (48%) Access to resources (48%)
Teaching standards (71%) Access to resources(57%) Quality of facilities (45%) Job opportunities (41%) Access to support (38%)
Postgraduate students
Mature students
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Teaching standards (65%) Access to resources (52%) Quality of facilities (48%) Job opportunities (44%) Access to support (34%)
Student Experience Report 2013
Teaching standards (62%) Access to resources (52%) Quality of facilities (48%) Job opportunities (48%) Access to support (35%) Page 4
Teaching standards Students rated the standard of teaching staff highly, commenting on the levels of interaction between students and staff, however, many students felt that the contact time between students and lecturers was not enough.
When looking at support needs there are 3 main categories that students are calling for improvements in: • Academic Skills and Advice • Course support from tutors • Student accommodation
Quality of facilities
The largest issue, for students, is not necessarily “The great relationship between staff and that of quality of facilities but quantity of students, communication and atmosphere computer and IT facilities. in general to complement the excellent quality of teaching.” #R405
Access to resources For those on campus, access to University resources such as the Library and Chaplaincy were rated amongst some of the ‘best things about Portsmouth’, however, distance learners and part-time students found accessing resources particularly difficult due to either distances or demands on their time from full-time employment. When considering improvements for access to resources there are particular calls in 2 main areas. The first is online resource improvements; students want a vast amount of resources online from both the Library and their lectures, but in line with that several students felt that department staff often lacked the ability to update the online facilities.
“The lack of IT facilities in the library and difficulty of access to the library during exam times.” #R1474 Students often called for the University to “invest more money in new sports facilities” #R1331 and a “better swimming facilities” #R1322 along with calls to “improve the facilities in the union itself i.e. seating” #R893.
Job opportunities Portsmouth students are concerned about the lack of job opportunities available to them during their time in the city to help fund their living costs.
Responses around Purple Door were mixed. Some students suggest that the service is not suitable to their needs “Purple Door because they always seem to advise you to just take whatever job you can get” #R903. Whereas “make sure that all staff are trained to other students suggest that the best thing properly use online resources as sometimes about Portsmouth is “Purple doors helping it is frustrating to see that they do not know with job opportunities” #R389 how to open an internet browser or operate victory site” #R194 There were several complaints that the University timetabling did not support the access to part-time jobs whilst studying here. The second area for improvements is within the University Library. The main call from students is extended opening hours “More efficient timetabling, I’m in lectures (preferably 24 hours a day) to allow access an hour a day each day, plus it changes to a demand for an increase in the amount every week so I can’t find a job” #R1132 of up-to-date reference material. Student Experience Report 2013 Page 5
Furthermore, International students commented that they struggled to gain parttime employment during their time here and felt unsupported in achieving these goals.
University bus service
Amongst the 1698 varying responses focussing on what students wanted the University to change to enhance their “More international support (with regards to experience was a large focus on the University visa policies affecting jobs)” #R909 bus service. Students see the University bus service as more than just a mechanism for getting from home to lectures and back. They see it as a tool that has the potential to support their lifestyle. Significant numbers of students want to use the bus service to get to Friendship and the opportunities the retail areas for shopping such as Gunwharf University brings to enhance and explore Quays (40.9%), Commercial Road (31.5%) new social opportunities were one of the and Fratton Road (more likely ASDA - 29.1%). largest areas of feedback within the 20122013 student experience survey. Overwhelmingly, students living in Southsea suggest they are left without a service that Considered amongst the best things about other students benefit from, without a bus Portsmouth were both friends and social service that covers both Albert Road (56.2%) opportunities. Students are aware of the and Fawcett Road (35.9%). Students rated “variety of pubs, bars [and] nightlife for all the bus service as the 3rd worst thing about music tastes” #R1177 that the city of Portsmouth Portsmouth. is able to offer.
Social Opportunities
However, Mature and Part-time students often commented that they struggled with the social interaction opportunities at the University. One student commented, “[there is] a lack of support for mature students... ...I was informed that I would receive regular emails and be invited to social gatherings. I have never been contacted.” #R1984
Student Experience Report 2013
However, the biggest problem students find with the current service is overcrowding at peak times. Several students commented that they waited for the bus and often it would drive straight past as it was already full resulting in them missing or arriving late for their lecture. Portsmouth students would like a bus service that takes two routes. One service that covers
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the current route with the potential addition out how much their course costs them to the of routing near to ASDA and Commercial hour and contact time is a big figure in this Road but with additional services at peak equation. time to cope with demand. The second service would cover Southsea areas such as Albert Road and Fawcett Road.
Arrangement
Lecture timetables Also featuring highly on student agendas is their lectures and timetabling. There were 3 main areas that were covered by the responses: communication, contact time and arrangement.
Communication
A large amount of the lecture feedback was that the lectures were often spread widely apart with some students having 4 to 5 hours gaps. However, several students also commented that they struggled getting between lectures as they may have one on the North Campus followed immediately by a lecture in the Guildhall area. “To make timetables more together to stop long walks. Some of these I know have to be done but sometimes I’ll be on one side of the campus and then I have to be at the other a few moments later!” #R557
Students commented that they’d like to be better advised on changes to their timetable especially in times when lecturers are ill or facilities are changed at short notice with one student recommending that the University “Send a warning email/text if In addition, many students commented a timetable change is made with under 48 about the conflict of their timetable hours notice” #R1238 with social and sporting activities on a Wednesday, especially those playing in away fixtures.
Contact time
Several students felt that the contact time they had with lectures both in a teaching environment and on a one-to-one level was not sufficient enough. Students are working
Student Experience Report 2013
“Change lectures so i am able to play away matches for sports teams... This is the reason we have wednesday afternoons free, lectures till 1 stops me from playing matches” #R888
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but throughout the rest of the year struggle to engage with the Union. For many the preferred communication method would be e-mail, however they want the email to be relevant to them with distance learners wanting to know more about academic advice and campus based undergraduates wanting to know more about events and For most, the Union is the building including activities to be involved with. the bar, Third Space, and in some cases the Cooperative store. The majority of students are unable to distinguish between the services “I believe the way to engage more of the offered by the charitable organisation and student population with activities is to have the building that they know as the Union. student reps who actively go out to pro-
Union Experience
How students see the Students’ Union
When asked ‘if you could ask the Union to change one thing to improve... ...what would it be?’ 40% of the open comments referred to the building with just 20% referring to Union services, 20% referring to Union communications and 20% referring to other areas. As an organisation the Union achieved a 20.9% net promoter score in 2012 compared with that of 16.6% in 2011, which shows a significant improvement.
Communications
mote what the Union does” #R491 This need to be ‘targeted’ with information, relevant to the individual student is further supported by 75% of students completing the survey stating they would support the University securely sharing data with the Union to ensure ‘our communications are relevant to your time here’.
Union Activities
Students consider sports, societies and the variety of opportunities available to them One of the biggest roadblocks for students through the Students’ Union as some of in engaging with the Students’ Union is the best things about Portsmouth. Of the communications, many felt they lacked activities the Students’ Union offers over 40% regular communication about what the of students said that they weren’t aware Union is doing and what activities are of the Give It A Go activities or trips, Varsity available to them. and the Better Portsmouth Forums; over 60% of students said they weren’t aware of One Students would like to see an increase in World Week and Carnival. However, over communication from the Union via a multi- 90% of students were aware of the Union’s channel approach. For many a single Sports Clubs, Societies, Graduation Ball and approach such as website marketing or Freshers Fayre. a facebook post doesn’t work. They want relevant communication methods at an appropriate time for them, in locations Sports where they don’t have to hunt for it. For many of our students sport is a passionate area with a wide variety of views expressed “More advertisements in about everything from transport to University buildings” #R1233 opportunities. There are 5 key improvement areas for sports: Students rate our communications during the Team Transport Freshers period and Elections period highly, The words ‘improve the team transport’ Student Experience Report 2013 Page 9
Kofi Agyemang appear multiple times throughout the survey. Beyond this request students didn’t make specific recommendations that identify exact improvements. Registration and costs
all ‘competitive’ individuals, but enjoyed playing sport with friends and keeping active. Students commented that they felt the Union didn’t entirely cater for them in this area.
In an environment where financial pressures “Make sport more accessible to students are high amongst the student population who might just enjoy it recreationally.” #R1436 it’s no surprise that students wanted to see the costs of joining sports clubs significantly reduced - the word ‘cheaper’ was regularly Facilities raised. Whilst the Union does not operate facilities, students see the facilities our clubs operate It is evident that students struggle to find in as being the responsibility of the Students’ information during term, after freshers events, Union. Often teams travel around the country on how to join student activities - “I think that to other venues and the University’s facilities there should be another sport signup event get compare to that of the competitors and at the union (other than the information there is evidence that Portsmouth facilities shared at freshers week) I don’t really know may not be to similar standards. where to go, or how to get involved- prices, etc.” #R104 “Better sport facilities - Some are good but others have been forgotten.” #R834 Non-competitive sporting opportunities Sport at the Union predominantly encompasses competitive sporting opportunities, however students were Drink Culture clear in their opinions that they were not Whilst not a vast amount of responses Student Experience Report 2013
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focussed on drinking cultures within sporting groups, there were some opinions voiced that had particular concerns over spending large amounts of money to play sport but to find the focus on alcohol rather than sport.
There was a big focus on responses from committee members on internal communications with the Union groups, one student said “communication is often last minute, particularly in notifying Societies as to what was happening at Fresher’s Fayre and of changes to policies.” #R991
“Having been a previous member of a sports society it concerns me that the ma- Similarly students felt there was a level of jority appear to be glorified drinking clubs additional bureaucracy or ‘red tape’ that with little focus/resources put into sport.” prevented them from developing and #R1503 evolving their activities as they felt the groups needed to be developed; especially in relation to the time it takes to get things done.
Societies
As with sports clubs, a wide variety of responses were received from engaged students within the societies groups and the improvements focus on 3 key areas: Joining a society The Students’ Union moved to a secure membership system in 2012, there have been a few responses in the survey from committee members who are struggling with the process this move has brought “The society registration should go back to the way it was. No more online registration cause it is causing quite hassle.” #R167 There were no complaints from noncommittee members about the system, but suggestions on improving the communications from the groups and from the Union promoting the variety of societies on offer - “Send out more emails regarding societies that we have joined, by emailing recommendations of other societies that are similar.” #R880
“As a committee member of a society, I have found the Union very slow in processing forms/payment for us when we were organising a trip. In some instances this resulted in us losing reservations.” #R1438
Student Media There was very little feedback on Student Media, beyond a few comments that suggested improved funding for the student media outlets to improve facilities.
Trips and Activities “Give it a go Trips?? What is that? I wanna go!!!” #R795 summarises the majority of responses around trips and activities. Students are keen to be involved in student trips to different places and to do different things, especially if related to their courses, however students simply aren’t aware of what’s on offer to them through the Give It A Go programme.
Variety There were many students who commented that they wanted a wider variety of societies, especially around their courses. No student went into detail about this and many of the Events responses read ‘more variety of societies’ which indicates a drive for the wider variety Bearing in mind the majority of the students but also publicity and streamlining of the consider the Union to include all the functions process to start up a new society. within the building (Thirdspace and the Waterhole Bar) it’s unsurprising that when Operations students were asked what the Union could Student Experience Report 2013
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change to improve their experience a large chunk of the responses were around events within the building, students asked the Union “to hold events at the SU where students would be able to socialise with each other” #R161 , to “Open 3rd space for night events.” #R62 , and to expand into doing more ‘big events’ incorporating Ravelin Park.
Students’ Union Services At least 8 in 10 students are aware of our key services including the Union shop, academic advice service, course representatives and student volunteering services.
It is clear that during their time studying at Portsmouth, students want to be involved with volunteering opportunities and there are 3 key areas that students would like to see improved: Volunteering abroad There is a demand for opportunities guided by the Students’ Union as safe and appropriate for Portsmouth students to get opportunities abroads. Accreditation Students would like to see all the hard work they put into volunteering accredited and officially acknowledged by the University.
Awareness of opportunities When considering the Union shop students Students would like the Union to provide felt it needed longer opening hours and to clearly advertised volunteering opportunities be expanded in size “...not just a kubby hole” for students with 23% of students suggesting #R55 “a proper Union shop where I can walk a volunteering bureau would be a good into and browse” #R416. Additionally, students service for the Union to provide. want to see an expanded range of products and stationery available for purchase. “Emphasising on their volunteering as I Very few students had comments wasn’t aware they had so much volunteering opportunity until i was in my final year.” surrounding the Union’s academic advice #R1171 service. Those that did comment showed a desire for increased communication around those services and a lack of understanding around who ran the service - the Union or Commercial Services the University. The top 5 services students consider the Union should provide to enhance their student experience are: “Set up a mentoring scheme if possible where anyone having academic problems 1. 2nd hand bookshop (64.3%), can contact a person in the year above 2. Shuttle bus at night (58.6%), etc on their course” #R161 3. PC repair service (46.5%), 4. Bar or venue (43.9%) 5. Quick snack shop (35.8%). The profile of Course Representatives is an area that could be improved; both in training and raising awareness amongst their peers. Whilst some students are aware that Course Reps exist, others don’t and would not know how to get in touch with their representative. “Having been a course rep I found it to be a slightly unproductive service; students are highly unaware of who their rep is and how they can be contacted.” #R1347 Student Experience Report 2013
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Representation In terms of representation there is variance between the individual demographics with international students (non EU) being the least represented during their time here (54%) with female students being the most represented (71%) by the Union. In all demographics the students felt the University represented them better than the Students’ Union. There is, however, a consistency with whether students believe they are represented; throughout the full period of study there is just a 1% fluctuation in their recognition of representation by the Union and 2% fluctuation with the University.
Demographic Mature Students Part Time Students EU International Students Non-EU International Students 1st Year Students Middle of Study Students Final Year Students Male Students Female Students
UPSU
UoP
63% 60% 70% 54% 69% 70% 69% 67% 71%
69% 62% 78% 67% 71% 70% 71% 69% 72%
Daniel Chesterton Student Experience Report 2013
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What are the best things about Portsmouth?
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What are the worst things about Portsmouth?
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What would you change about the University?
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What would you change about the Union?
with the organisation and have become disappointed with the difficulties with running a student led activity or are so disengaged In the last academic year the National with the organisation that they consider the Student Survey introduced ‘Question 23’ Union to be a venue, nightclub or bar as which looks at satisfaction amongst students they see on the television. with their Students’ Union. It is vital for the Union to understand students satisfaction Those that have a neutral opinion ratings to ensure we not only develop for their predominantly are hard-to-reach students, benefit but develop our national position as those who want to see a focus around an organisation to benefit the University’s educational experiences rather than recruitment. social and those who feel the Union lacks
Student Satisfaction
communication with them about the The indicative satisfaction rating provided activities, events and services on offer to by students this year is 81.5% amongst all them as well as seeing any evidence of what students (78.9% for final year students), which the Union has actually done for them. is an increase of 8% on this time last year. To understand what affects our students satisfaction ratings we asked students how we could improve our score. These comments have been broken into both themes that trend throughout the recommendations and divided into progression sections. To improve the organisation’s NSS score we must focus on moving from not satisfied and neutrally opinionated students to at least mostly satisfied rating.
Those that are mostly satisfied with the Union for the bulk of the ‘average’ Portsmouth students, they have an idea of what the Union does, generally engaged with the activities offered, but aren’t always involved in the day-to-day goings on of the organisation. Many of those that are satisfied with the Union feel that the Union needs no further improvement, but have some areas that would put the cherry on top of their ice cream.
Those that are not satisfied with the Union predominantly are either highly engaged Richard Glover
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Theme 1: The Union Building
The Union’s interperation of qualitative responses.
Progression
Student Recommendations
Not satisfied to neutral, mostly satisfied, or satisfied.
Nightclub: Students want to see the nightclub re-opened as they feel there is no ‘proper SU’ bar or club. Facilities: Students are disappointed with the facilities in the Union, especially the state of the toilets. They feel the building needs a makeover to make clean and cosy.
Neutral opinion to mostly satisfied, or satisfied.
The Waterhole Bar: Students want to see a more entertainment in the bar in the evening bar during the day the music turned down to enjoy a conversational level atmosphere. Facilities: Students want to see an increase in the amount of student spaces available in the building. Catering: The comments around catering identify the need for cheaper food for students as they feel it’s “cheaper for students to go to Greggs” #R952
3rd Space: The main complaint was that students wanted tables and furniture that weren’t broken or damaged. Mostly satisfied to satisfied.
The Waterhole Bar: Students want to see the bar improved and become a cheap, student friendly place to chill out. “A better, more welcome Students’ Union bar, a space you can chill in with sofas, not the hard surfaced drinking/society focused bar that have at the moment.” #R1551 Catering: Students see the catering outlets as somewhere to get cheap but good quality food, many of the comments focussed on making the food cheaper along with increasing both the quality and variety of food on offer and raising the awareness of the Halal options. Facilities: Students wanted to see the Union space being utilised better, with many comments relating to making the student spaces bigger especially relating to the amount of meeting rooms available to students and comfortable seating areas. “Make the Union a more relevant place to be rather than only just drinking there, need more chill out sofas rather than just wooden stools and tables. Need big comfy sofas like the ones in costa where people can relax.” #R612 3rd Space: There were many comments relating to the use of third space within the evening - “The Union should regularly open up 3rd space so students can have a good night and keep away from the trouble and violence that the locals cause at the weekend.” #R943
Keeping satisfied students satisfied.
Outside: Students want more tables and heating outside The Waterhole Bar: Students want less restrictions on visiting guests and more bar staff to cater for demand on busy nights. Catering: Students would like a longer food service in the Waterhole Facilities: Students would like a lounge area and more things to do in the Union when they are relaxing.
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Theme 2: Communications
The Union's interperation of qualitative responses.
Progression
Student Recommendations
Not satisfied to neutral, mostly satisfied, or satisfied.
Engagement: Students want to see a regular presence across campus from the Union engaging students in what the Union offers. “The presence of the Student Union and it’s activities should be easily accessible and as well engaging to students from all backgrounds and works of life. I’m interested in the student union and it’s activities but seem the student union engage with student more during election period, and afterwards it’s presence is felt in a very reduced scale.. a lot students are aware of the students union building but are not well informed of what the student union is about, what it does,and how it could be of benefit to them.. that should be looked into.” #R856 Promotion: Students want to see the Union activities promoted more online so that they can receive more information when they want to find it.
Neutral opinion to mostly satisfied, or satisfied.
Promotion: Students want the Union to advertise the trips and activities better and increase communications with distance learners, part-time students and those in the community rather than halls. Additionally they want to see the welfare and advice services further promoted. Digital Comms: Students want to receive more emails from the Union - “Email me more information about activities on offer and how to get involved” #R189 Research: Students want the Union to understand them as individuals better through more research and face-to-face contact. Internal Comms: Several of these students complained about the lack of response to emails sent to the Union.
Mostly satisfied to satisfied.
Promotion: Students want to see more promotion of events offline and through street teams of student representatives. Digital Comms: Students want to see the website updated more regularly and designed so that it is easier to find sports clubs and societies.
Keeping satisfied students satisfied.
Promotion: Students want an increase in print media available to them through posters and leaflets.
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Theme 3: Representation
The Union’s interperation of qualitative responses.
Progression
Student Recommendations
Not satisfied to neutral, mostly satisfied, or satisfied.
Student Voice: Students want to know how their voice can be heard but also shown how their voices truly make a difference with tangible evidence. As elected officers students also want to know regularly what the Sabbatical team is doing for them.
Neutral opinion to mostly satisfied, or satisfied.
Student Voice: Students said they wanted the Union to actually be about the students with more requests to demonstrate how the organisation is meeting the needs of our students. Advice: A big concern amongst these students was that of housing and wanting an increased portfolio of housing services as well as welfare advice. Hard-to-reach: Students wanted more consideration for off campus students and students at external colleges e.g. Chichester as well as a focus on engaging and empowering Postgraduates.
Mostly satisfied to satisfied.
Hard-to-reach: Students would like to see a student council rep for distance learners, as well as more events and support for mature students. Student Voice: Students would like an anonymous comment box for those who might be shy about voicing their opinions. Additionally they want the Union to be “more representative of students and less representative of socialist ideals” #R1124 Advice: Students want the sabbatical officers to be more vocal in their opinions on student welfare and to ensure the academic and welfare advice services are well sign-posted. Community: Students want the Union to ensure that students are not used as ‘cash-cows’ by landlords and help students be more aware of their rights as tenants.
Keeping satisfied students satisfied.
Advice: Students want more staff available to help them when they have problems. Student Voice: Students want the Union to help improve connections between students and lecturers and to see more interaction from course reps with their peers.
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Theme 4: Student Activities
The Union’s interperation of qualitative responses.
Progression
Student Recommendations
Not satisfied to neutral, mostly satisfied, or satisfied.
Societies: Students wanted to see the Union taking two strands of action with societies, firstly, ensuring the societies are caring for their members and informing them of upcoming events and secondly increasing the support for societies whilst reducing restrictions on setting up societies and accessing information. Sport: Students saw sport as poorly run and under-financed with committee members wanting ‘minibuses that work’ and having difficulties getting forms signed. Events: Students want non-alcohol related trips and events. Media: Students felt that the student media featured very little about what the Union can offer students to benefit their experience.
Neutral opinion to mostly satisfied, or satisfied.
Sports: Students want more non-competitive sports events, improvements in sports facilities, and an increase in support for minority sports. Events: Students wanted more international student events and activities run by the Union. Societies: Students wanted it to be easier to manage their accounts. Hard-to-reach: Part-time students want the Union to increase the accessibility of activities to those who have to work full-time, study and wish to take part in the activities.
Mostly satisfied to satisfied.
Registration: Students want to see an improvement to the registration system. GIAG: Students want to see more course specific trips. Societies: Students want the Union to find processes to speed up processing payments and form completion, to increase the support for activities and provide easier access to budgets. Sports: Students want the Union to challenge and coordinate with academic tutors and the University around Wednesday lectures to ensure everyone can play sport, if they wish. Additionally, students want more recreational and interdepartmental activities.
Keeping satisfied students satisfied.
Registration: Students want more information on how to sign up to clubs and societies after Freshers Fayre. GIAG: Students want to see more advertising of trips.
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Theme 5: Commercial Services
The Union’s interperation of qualitative responses.
Progression
Student Recommendations
Not satisfied to neutral, mostly satisfied, or satisfied.
---
Neutral opinion to mostly satisfied, or satisfied.
Shop: Students want to see the shop as a shop not a cupboard with longer opening hours and the Ikon opening hours improved too. In relation to products they wanted a clothing range more attractive to female and older students as well as providing stationery and more gifts whilst making the clothing cheaper. Events: Students wanted more nightclub events at the Union that united Portsmouth students as a group, additionally, there was call for Job Fairs at the end of academic years.
Mostly satisfied to satisfied.
Shop: Beyond the previously mentioned items students want to see increased customer care from shop staff and for the Union to sort out Ikon sports service making order times shorter, and bringing down costs. Events: Students are aware of the successes of the Graduation Ball and want more big Ravelin Park sized events. New Services: Students recommended additional new services for the organisation including a second hand bookshop, cash point at Richmond and a rent-a-car service.
Keeping satisfied students satisfied.
New Services: Students want student focussed services such as PC repairs.
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Moving forwards On 11th December 2012, the Union’s Leadership Team reviewed the survey results as presented throughout this report. It was agreed that in order to move forward with making change and ultimately ensuring a positive impact with every Portsmouth student is achieved the organisation would assign strategic champions to generate recommendations and ensure that actions are transferred to any incoming officers, if not already actioned within the academic year.
University Experience Many elements within this report focus around the student experience within the University environment. The Sabbatical Officer team will deal with the main issues that appear throughout this report at committee level directly with the University. If you would like to know how they are progressing please email sabbs@upsu.net
Union Experience Also, much of the feedback related to students’ experience of the Students’ Union. The Union has appointed a Senior Manager and a Sabbatical Officer for each of the 5 key areas that prominently appear throughout this report. Union Building Daniel Palmer, Chief Executive - daniel.palmer@upsu.net Godfrey Atuahene Jnr, President - godfrey@upsu.net Communications Tom Worman, Business and Marketing Manager - tom.worman@upsu.net Grant Clarke, VP Activities - grant@upsu.net Representation Lorna Reavley, Representation and Volunteering Manager - lorna.reavley@upsu.net Enzo Rossi, VP Education and Democracy - enzo@upsu.net Student Activities Joanne Hodgson, Student Activities Manager - joanne.hodgson@upsu.net Cat Redding, VP Sport - cat@upsu.net Commercial Activities Tom Worman, Business and Marketing Manager - tom.worman@upsu.net Perry Taylor, VP Welfare and Community - perry@upsu.net
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What you said previously, and what we’ve done about it! In 2011-2012 the Union ran a similar survey with similar numbers of respondants. We wanted to tell you how we’ve worked towards some of the targets you set us through your feedback. Here’s some of the things you said, and we (the Union) did: You wanted the Union to do more to challenge discrimination and harassment at University. UPSU has introduced a Zero Tolerance policy, tackling all instances of discrimination and harassment in the Union building and at Union run events. You said there needs to be baby change facilities at the Union The Union worked to install a baby change facility in Cafe Coco thanks to the University Catering department. You wanted the chance to volunteer abroad UPSU is setting up its first ever volunteering opportunity abroad next year, hopefully working alongside Soft Power Education in Uganda. You said sports clubs need more recognition
Library will be open 24 hours 7 days a week.
You said the Union building needs to be The Union introduced Bucks for BUCS to updated reward sports clubs who won Leagues, Cups or individual championships in BUCS and The Union worked with the University to invest other equivalent sporting bodies. £40,000 into redecorating the Students’ Union building, with more work planned for You wanted a chance to be more involved the year ahead. in the Union while you're living in Halls You told us the MSc Crisis and Disaster The Union is setting up a Halls Executive management were trying to charge Council to work alongside Halls Support benchmark fees Managers next year. We worked with the students to get the benchmark fees erased, saving students You wanted the Library open longer £22,000 Secured more regular periods where the Student Experience Report 2013 Page 26
You said that student parents were underrepresented within the Union We established the Mama’ and Papa’s Association to engage with student parents and hear your views. You said you'd heard the standard of Graduation Ball was slipping
of student Housing in Portsmouth, with over 550 giving your views on house hunting, landlords and letting agencies. You told us it is unfair to expect societies to charge if they don't need any financial support to run The Union President passed a proposal to allow societies to choose whether they charge membership.
Brought Graduation Ball in house so it is run solely by the Union, to ensure the quality is always high and to reinvest any profit back You said the University bus service needs into student activities. to be improved You complained about the standard of housing in Portsmouth
Passed a proposal to increase the bus service during peak times. From September a shuttle service will run during the evening rush hour.
The Union has undertaken its first ever survey Student Experience Report 2013 Page 27
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