UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH STUDENTS’ UNION
Annual Report 2011 - 12
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UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH STUDENTS’ UNION
Contents
Page
About the Union
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Introduction to the report
4
Headline Achievements in 2011/12
5
Satisfaction
6
Performance against objectives
7
Performance against the strategic plan
10
Representing Portsmouth Students
11
Volunteering contribution
12
Raising money for other charities
13
Student Activities
14
Media & Give it a Go Trips
15
Democratic participation
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Trading activities
17
Income & Expenditure
18
Financial strategy
19
The future of the Union's buildings
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Annual Report 2011 - 12
UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH STUDENTS’ UNION
Portsmouth Students’ Union has a vision of creating a positive impact with every Portsmouth student during their time at University. As a charity led by our values and guided by our students, the Union provides wide-ranging services and learner support to the 22,000 + students of the University of Portsmouth. The Union is based in the centre of Portsmouth and turns over £1.7M per annum, employing approximately 60 staff.
Our Vision
“A positive impact with every Portsmouth Student” Our Values
Annual Report 2011 - 12
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UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH STUDENTS’ UNION
In 2011/12 the Union achieved new highs in student and stakeholder satisfaction, engagement in democracy and student activities and made great strides in achieving its strategy – A Positive Impact with Every Portsmouth Student 2011-14. During 2011/12 the Union achieved many things for the first time, whilst also breaking records: In June 2012 the Union became the first organisation in Portsmouth to be accredited with Investing in Volunteers status; our members raised over £73,000 for other charities this year – three times the figure raised in 2010/11; The Union achieved Investors in People Gold status in July 2012; The Union’s Naked Debate general meeting attracted over 100 members; and the Union’s trading company made profits of over £100,000 for the first time, to put back into the Union’s activities and services.
highlights the next steps we are taking, so that the Union strives to have a positive impact with every Portsmouth student. In addition to operational development, the report also details how we’re rebuilding our financial position so that we can invest in new activities and services. 2011/12 was another good financial year, primarily due to new income being developed. We are committed to making sure that this continues so that by August 2014, we will have hit our reserves targets and can put more direct investment back into what we do. We hope that this report gives you an insight into our work and how we enhance the student experience at Portsmouth.
Godfrey Atuahene Junior In addition, the Union has continued to increase its engagement with members and diversify the activities and services on offer. Some highlights include: Organising some of the biggest student elections in the UK with over 5,000 students voting; providing just under 5,000 community volunteer hours in the local community in Portsmouth; helping 50% more students with individual academic concerns over the year in the Union’s Academic Support Unit; and launching the ‘Give it a Go’ scheme, with over 500 new participants taking part in one-off activities throughout the year. This report highlights our development across all areas of the Union, according to the strategic plan that we adopted a year ago. The report also
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UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH STUDENTS’ UNION investing in people.
Investing in Volunteering In 2010 the Union set its aim of becoming an accredited Investing in Volunteers organisation. After nearly two years of work and major improvements to the support offered to volunteers that goal has been achieved. In addition, the Union is one of a small group of students’ unions to achieve the award and the first organisation of any kind in Portsmouth to receive the accreditation.
Union President 2012/13 Improvement in satisfaction In 2011/12 the Union has made great strides in improving its satisfaction ratings with students, staff and its stakeholders. Students rate the Union 5% higher than the UK average and our staff and stakeholder satisfaction has never been higher. A breakdown of these numbers can be seen on page 6.
Democracy Our elections are some of the biggest student elections in the UK. In March 2012 we broke all known records in Portsmouth by getting over 5,000 students to vote, comprising 27% of all full-time students.
Investors in People - Gold At the Union, we need highly motivated and inspiring staff to deliver our activities and services. In July 2012 the Union successfully built on its existing Investors in People status by achieving the ‘Gold’ standard and becoming a leader in
Raising money for other charities Over the course of the year the Union’s members raised an unprecedented amount of money for other charities - £73,448. In comparison £26,031 was raised in 2010/11 and £7,976 in 2009/10. In total, 41 charities were in receipt of funds from Union members with the highest being Practical Action, a charity who works to eradicate poverty worldwide through effective use of technology, with £25,918 being donated. Big increases in participation and use of new activities and services (More information on Page 14) A year ago the Union launched a new student activities initiative - the ‘Give it a Go’ trips and events programme, with the aim of broadening the types of activities on offer at the Union. In its first year the programme attracted over 500 participants in everything from mug painting to overnight trips into mainland Europe. In September 2010 the Union launched its new Academic Advice Unit, helping students with academic problems and assisting them in dealing with the University’s formal procedures. In 2011/12, 256 students sought one-to-one help, up from 165 in its first year.
Annual Report 2011 - 12
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UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH STUDENTS’ UNION
The Union conducts satisfaction surveys with its three most important groups: Students; Union staff and the other stakeholders that it works with, including the University. We are pleased to report that our performance is getting better in each area, with some dramatic improvements in 2012. The Union is committed to continually developing its activities and services and in turn, continuing to improve these satisfaction scores.
The National Student Survey The National Student Survey (or NSS) has been a tool for measuring satisfaction in universities since 2005. All final year students fill out the survey and since its inception the University of Portsmouth has performed better than the national average of all universities.
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In 2012 a new question was added about students’ union satisfaction. We are pleased to report that the Union’s score of 71% is 5% better than the national average and places the Union in the top quarter of all union’s in the UK. Did you know? The Union placed 34th for student satisfaction (and 31st In England) out of over 130 students’ unions in the UK in 2012.
UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH STUDENTS’ UNION
Each year the Union sets 20 top-level operational targets to be achieved. Many of these targets are directly linked to the objectives set in the Union’s strategic plan, A Positive Impact with Every Portsmouth Student 2011-14. Of the 20 targets set, the Union achieved 14 of them, with a further 6 being partially
Stakeholders - Maintain strong, sustainable and satisfied relationships with our stakeholders whilst ensuring that the Union is actively working towards a ‘Positive impact with Every Portsmouth student’ - 2011-14
Targets 1. Produce a glossy annual report, including a full breakdown of engagement statistics by 30th September 2011 Achieved in January 2012. Due to time pressures and the length of time taken to obtain the correct figures the original completion date was unrealistic to achieve. 2. Achieve at least 2,000 responses in the biannual Student Satisfaction Survey with over 73% satisfaction according to the SUEI Killer question by 31st December 2011 Achieved. In total, 2,375 student filled out the survey in November / December 2011 and with a 76% satisfaction in the Union’s performance. 3. Achieve year-on-year improvement in overall ratings in the staff and stakeholder satisfaction surveys by 30th June 2012 Staff satisfaction increased from 69% to 76%, whilst stakeholder satisfaction increased from 72% to 88% 4. Develop the Union’s democratic structures, evidenced by approval of a democracy strategy, a voter turnout in excess of 4,200 votes, with an average of 3 sabbatical candidates for each post in the annual elections by 31st March 2012 The democracy strategy has been approved, 5,027 students voted in the annual elections, with an average of 4.2 nominations per post 5. Develop mutually beneficial partnership agreements with the University’s department of Employability and the Sport and Recreation department by 28th February 2012 A partnership agreement with the department of employability now exists, whilst a one-year rolling service level agreement with the Sports & Recreation department continues. We have not developed a full relationship agreement with the department of Sport & Recreation, but it is aimed that this will be achieved early in 2012/13.
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UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH STUDENTS’ UNION
Learning & Growth – Continually improve what the Union does whilst equipping staff, officers and volunteers with the skills and knowledge they need to achieve the Union’s Vision
Targets 1. To work with the School of Architecture to redevelop the Union Shop into an overall welcome centre, cash office and gift shop by using student designs by 31st July 2012 The Welcome Centre has been designed, quantified and approved by the University. The project requires financial consent from the Union’s Board of Trustees and the University before the project can begin. It is expected that this will happen and the project will commence in June 2013. 2. To benchmark the Union’s performance in student engagement against other Students’ Unions within the University Alliance Group by 30th November 2011 Achieved in January 2012. 3. To achieve Investors in Diversity status at level 2 by 31st January 2012, whilst ensuring the maintenance of Green impact Students’ Union ‘Gold’ status and an improvement in overall score compared to 2010/11 by 30th April 2012 Investors in Diversity accreditation has progressed well, but the final audit will not take place until early 2012/13. The Union has maintained its ‘Gold’ environmental standard, with a significantly improved score. 4. Complete the Representation & Volunteering department office re-fit and create of a staff room in Gun House by 16th September 2011 Achieved, with the re-fit being officially opened by the University’s Chancellor in December 2011 5. Achieve Investors in Volunteering status and successfully put 20 students through the ASDAN certificate in Community volunteering by 31st July 2012 The accreditation process worked well, but despite over 46 students signing up, only 8 submissions were received, with 6 achieving the full certificate.
Financial Management & Control - Achieve financial stability through robust financial management, reviewing existing practices and consistently working towards the Union’s reserves target of £350,000 by August 2015
Targets 1. Achieve the overall budgeted surplus for the Union for 2011/2012 Achieved 2. Achieve the overall budgeted surplus for PSUT for 2011/2012 Achieved 3. Achieve the overall budgeted income revenues for PSUT for 2011/2012 Achieved 4. Produce a tendering procedure and a due-diligence procedure by 31st December 2011 Achieved 5. Review the operational processes and financial procedures of the finance department, including outsourcing arrangements by 31st March 2012 Achieved
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UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH STUDENTS’ UNION
Systems, Policies & Procedures - Ensure that the Union’s systems, policies and procedures add value, enable greater student engagement, are easy to understand and enable the Union to achieve its Vision
Targets 1. Complete the NUS Good Governance self-assessment, achieving an overall standard of level 2 by 31st January 2012 Achieved 2. Agree and sign a redeveloped relationship agreement with the University of Portsmouth by 31st March 2012 The financial elements of the agreement were agreed in March 2012, but broader elements have yet to be finalised. 3. Develop a comprehensive Governance section of UPSU.net, including Trustees reports and Trustees information by 31st December 2011 Achieved in August 2012 4. Integrate of the ‘Maximiser’ monitoring system within the Representation and Volunteering department, evidenced by 200 academic casework contacts, 2,000 community volunteer hours and contact details for at least 600 course reps by 31st July 2012 The system has been installed and is being effectively used by the department, with 256 academic casework contacts being recorded, 4,991 volunteer hours being achieved and with 526 course rep details being maintained. Note: The volunteer hours weren’t recorded on Maximiser, but will be integrated from 2012/13 on. 5. To develop an Innovation Scheme framework to be accessed by volunteers and staff by 30th September 2011 The scheme has been approved and was launched to staff in August 2012
TARGETS HIT
Number of targets achieved and partially achieved out of 20.
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UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH STUDENTS’ UNION
In early 2011 the Union launched its new strategy, A Positive Impact With Every Portsmouth Student 2011-14. The strategy took nearly a year to develop and involved consultation with all of the Union’s stakeholders. In August 2012 the strategy was reviewed to see what the Union had achieved in its first year and to update the remaining targets to ensure they remained relevant.
DID YOU KNOW? 1. 2. 3.
In 2011/12 the Union launched a Committee Member Training programme, for students that take on leadership roles in student groups. In its first year 486 students were trained in sessions ranging from risk assessments to leadership. The Union has a ‘pop-up Union’ which is used around campus so that students who wouldn’t normally come to the Union building can see what the Union has to offer - look out for it! The Union was the runner-up for ‘most improved students’ union’ participating in the Internationalising Students’ Unions project, led by NUS in December 2011.
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UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH STUDENTS’ UNION
The Academic Advice service supported 256 individual students and reached 3,800 students in two outreach tours where Exam Survival kits proved very popular. In addition, new confidential rooms were built in Gun House to increase the quality of the service offered to students. The rooms were officially opened by the University’s former Chancellor, Sheila Hancock in December 2011.
Photo by Kofi Agyemang
The service dealt with 20 Plagiarism cases, 13 disciplinary issues, 2 criminal convictions panels, 9 exclusions, 2 financial issues, 2 fitness to practise issues, 3 panel hearings, 1 suspension of studies, 7 sets of referral advice and 3 people choosing to leave University.
The student led “Golden Apple” teaching awards were held for the second year and saw 91 members of staff nominated for their exceptional and inspirational impact on students. The Union was in contact with over 500 course reps over the year and for the first time held an event to recognise their contribution and thank them for their commitment. The Union’s student officers attended 82% of the key University committee meetings in 2011/ 2012. The Union successfully lobbied the University to install a baby changing facility in Cafe CoCo, the only facilitty for student parents in the building and in addition secured an agreement from the University to install accessible doors throughout the building making the Union services inclusive for all students.
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UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH STUDENTS’ UNION
The Union’s strategy places a strong emphasis on community volunteering projects and in 2011/12 students had 11 volunteering opportunities to choose from. The Union organised the Local Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile in Portsmouth with over 800 local people taking part and raising over £10,000. The Union’s READ volunteers were able to collect and sort over 11,000 books, the highest total for any Student Union READ group in the UK.
During 2011/12 the ‘SU Heroes’ were introduced, alongside the “Get Home Safe” scheme in partnership with City Wide Taxis to provide nighttime welfare support to new students. The Union was also able to sustain the Intergenerational Projects that began in 2010, despite the external funding for the project ending. In addition, the London 2012 inspired “Be A Champion” project was awarded silver accreditation by NUS.
DID YOU KNOW? 1.
In total the Union’s student volunteers gave 4,991 volunteer hours in 2011/12.
The Union also worked in partnership with the University on a number of joint projects in 2011/12, including the introduction of the ASDAN accreditation scheme. Six volunteers were awarded the Community Volunteering Qualification and a Celebrating Volunteers event, attended by the University’s ViceChancellor, was organised to recognise and reward the contribution they made.
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UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH STUDENTS’ UNION
The Union has strong links with charities in the local community through the work the Union does in volunteer projects. In addition, the Union’s members raise money for local and national charities through Raising and Giving (RAG).
the Union broke all known records in fundraising and raised £73,448.
In 2011/12
In comparison £26,031 was raised in 2010/11 and £7,976 in 2009/10. The funds raised were distributed among 41 different charities. The top five beneficiaries were: Practical Action - £25,918; Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) - £10,850; Sport Relief - £10,271; Elizabeth Foundation - £2,500; and NHSF UK £2,500.
DID YOU KNOW? 1.
Did you know? The Union organised the Portsmouth Sport Relief Mile at the Mountbatten Centre in March 2012 and got over 800 runners to take part. Annual Report 2011 - 12
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UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH STUDENTS’ UNION
The Union’s Student Activities - comprising of sports, societies and student media - continue to be one of the biggest and most diverse ranges of activities available within modern Universities in the UK. In total, memberships for these 100+ groups exceed 7,000 members and involve approximately 500 active volunteers in leadership positions.
GRAPH SHOWING NUMBERS OF MEMBERS IN SPORTS CLUBS AND NUMBER OF CLUBS
GRAPH SHOWING OUR POSITION IN THE BRTISH UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES SPORTS (BUCS) LEAGUE TABLE
WE ARE 30TH OUT OF 145 PARTICIPATING UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES
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Membership numbers within sports clubs and societies were mixed during 2011/12; Sports Club membership increased, whilst members of societies dropped. During 2012/13 the Union intends to launch an online membership system so that these numbers can be better understood and so that the membership numbers reflect active participation from the membership.
GRAPH SHOWING NUMBERS OF MEMBERS IN SOCIETIES AND NUMBER OF CLUBS
GRAPH SHOWING NUMBERS OF MEMBERS IN SOCIETIES AND CLUBS COMBINED AND THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CLUBS
UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH STUDENTS’ UNION
Did you know? In September 2011 the Union celebrated 100 years of Student Media. The Galleon student magazine was first published in the autumn of 1911, by the students of the Municipal College Portsmouth.
DID YOU KNOW?
In recognition of their origins the Pugwash News newspaper changed its name to the Galleon in November 2011.
In 2011/12 the Union launched a new branch of its Student Activities - the Give it a Go Trips and Events Programme - with the purpose of engaging with students who wouldn’t necessarily want to commit to being a member of a club or society but still wanted to get involved in trips and activities. In its first year the programme attracted over 500 participants. Following the success of the programme in its first year, the Union intends to provide dedicated staff support to the programme and further increase the amount of trips and events on offer.
DID YOU KNOW?
In 2011/12 the Union ran trips to Disneyland Paris, Amsterdam, Rimini, Canterbury, Bluewater and Thorpe Park.
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UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH STUDENTS’ UNION
The Union’s elections continue to be a highlight of the academic calendar and engage with record numbers of students. In March 2012 5,027 students voted in the annual sabbatical officer elections, with 21 students nominating themselves for the 5 positions. The turnout for the elections in 2012 was the highest in the Union’s history and represented 27% of all full-time students taking part.
The sabbatical elections have grown at a phenomenal rate over the past few years and work is ongoing to ensure that it continues. In addition, the Union aims to incrementally increase the number of students nominating themselves. In March 2013 the Union aims to get an average of 4.5 nominations per position.
Graph showing Election Turnout each year
DID YOU KNOW? 1.
The Union’s election turnout is thought to be the biggest for a post1992 University in the UK
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UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH STUDENTS’ UNION
The Union raises money through trading activities, including balls, events, night-time promotions, advertising and retail sales. The money raised from these activities is then pumped back into the Union’s activities and services for the benefit of Portsmouth students. The Union runs a trading company, Portsmouth Students’ Union Trading Limited (PSUT), to do this.
OUR TRADING PROFITS:
2011/12 was a record year for the Union’s trading company, with profits exceeding £100,000 for the first time. The improved performance came from additional income from trips, tours and the expansion of Union-organised night time events, including the Graduation Ball.
INCOME FROM THE TRADING COMPANY:
DID YOU KNOW?
In 2011/12 the Union sold 3,199 NUS Extra cards, raising £18,516
Retail includes Clothing Sales and NUS Extra Cards. Events includes Purple Wednesdays, Balls and Events Commercial includes Advertising, Sponsorships, Alumni Memberships.
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UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH STUDENTS’ UNION
The Union’s financial performance was strong in 2011/12 and all financial targets were achieved. This follows two years of similarly strong performances, which have significantly contributed to the Union’s balance sheet position. The Union’s net income of £60,934 was achieved by increasing incomes, whilst maintaining expenditure. The additional income came from exceptional trading performance and additional grant income from the University. During the year the Union contributed to some significant capital developments and general building improvements. These included building two new confidential advice rooms in Gun House, purchasing new boats for the Union’s sailing club and redecorating the Students’ Union building. The projects amounted to £42,670.
The Union’s Income BLOCK GRANT £937,600 MANAGEMET CHARGES (PSUT) £62,255 TRADING PROFITS £103,343 OTHER INCOME £199
The Union’s Expenditure STUDENT ACTIVITIES £246,560 REPRESENTATION & VOLUNTERRING £300,624 CENTRAL COSTS £267,337 MARKETING £77,616 HUMAN RESOURCES £56,101 FINANCE DEPARTMENT £90,379
Did you know? The Union has reduced the amount of money it spends on non-student facing costs every year for the past three years
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UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH STUDENTS’ UNION
The Union’s financial position has been significantly strengthened by three years of operating surpluses, but is still weaker than the level recommended by the Union’s auditors. The Union’s long term financial plan is to continue building its free reserves until they reach £350,000 – approximately 3 months of operating expenditure – before creating a capital development fund to ensure that the Union can
continue to invest in its facilities and ongoing activities. Following 2011/12 the Union’s free reserves stood at £320,662, which is still short of the Union’s free reserves target of £350,000. It is forecast that this will be achieved in August 2014.
Our free reserves:
Did you know? The Union holds £55,865 in restricted reserves, primarily for students groups to spend on their activities beyond their normal allocation of funds from the Union
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UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH STUDENTS’ UNION
The Union moved into its current, purpose-built premises in 2002. For the first 7 years, the Union’s buildings were mainly used as night-time spaces and housed multiple bars and nightclubs. Significant re-developments in 2010 have transformed the building into a vibrant, multi-use space, but there remain some parts of the building that still need updating. Over the next two years the University and the Union have committed to redeveloping these remaining spaces so that the building can have more useful space and be more attractive. These include the reshaping of the ground floor of the Student Centre and the renovation of all the buildings’ toilets.
• • • BE FO R E • • •
• •• AF TER •••
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UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH STUDENTS’ UNION
University of Portsmouth Students’ Union Cambridge Road Portsmouth Hampshire PO1 2EF
hello@upsu.net 02392 84 3859 www.upsu.net
Trustees and Directors Sabbatical Trustees President VP Education & Democracy VP Welfare & Community VP Sport VP Activities
Amy Baker Godfrey Atuahene Junior Stephen Roberts Dan Black Milly Youngman
Student Trustees Non-Portfolio
Peter Oxborrow
Non-Portfolio
Emily Ohlsson
Non-Portfolio
Desislava Andreeva
University Nominated Trustee Non-Portfolio
David Franklin
External Trustees Non-Portfolio
Christina Munslow
Non-Portfolio
Fraser Whyte
Non-Portfolio
Ian Piper
Company Secretary
Amy Baker
Senior Managers Chief Executive
Daniel Palmer
Representation & Volunteering Manager
Lorna Reavley
Student Activities Manager Business & Marketing Manager
Joanne Hodgson Tom Worman
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UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH STUDENTS’ UNION
Designed by the University of Portsmouth Students’ Union Marketing Department.
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