Reading University Students' Union Annual Report 2011/12

t r o p e R l a u n an 2011/2012 1

Contents President’s Message. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Chief Exec’s Message. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Vision, Mission & Values. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Our Year in Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Our Strategic Aims. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Representing The Views Of Our Members. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Engaging Effectively With Our Members. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Enhancing The Experience For Our Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Providing Quality Facilities & Services For Our Members . . . . . . 18 Working On Behalf Of Our Members. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Where Does The Money Come From?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Where Does The Money Go? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Summarised Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Balance Sheet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Faculty Rep & Student Officer Elections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Trustee Board. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

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President’s Message It is my great pleasure to present you with the Annual Report for Reading University Students’ Union (RUSU).

RUSU has worked hard over the past year to ensure that students’ lives at Reading are the best that they can be. We have lobbied the University, local and national government and through the National Union of Students, to enhance the experiences of students while in higher education. The Higher Education sector has changed dramatically over the past two years and Students’ Unions, especially RUSU, have faced these challenges head-on.

With pride, I report that RUSU came 6th in the UK, when students were asked to rate their satisfaction of their Students’ Union in the recent National Student Survey. We look forward to working on behalf of students in the year ahead, to build on this success whilst working towards our vision of being the leading Students’ Union in the country.

This report provides you with a snapshot of your Students’ Union over the past year. RUSU is in a position to become the best Students’ Union in the country but five Student Officers and a team of fantastic, hardworking staff cannot do this on their own. Without students engaging with our activities and democratic processes, we cannot become that leading Union. Your interest in this document is testament to the engagement of students at the University of Reading and your willingness to make your lives better by way of ‘Directing your Union’.

I am proud to lead an organisation whose members engage so well and proud to present you with this document.

RUSU organises a variety of activities that aim to benefit students and enhance their development while at university. We have continued to develop interest in our student activities with incentives such as ‘The Big One’ as well as giving sports clubs, societies and volunteering opportunities a new home in the heart of our building.

In the coming year, we will focus on what learning resources mean to students. Through various national student surveys, it is clear that providing learning resources are something that Reading achieves less well. RUSU will work hard to make sure that these resources are brought up to the standard that students expect, consistent with the spirit of the Reading Student Charter.

Student wellbeing is always a priority for our Students’ Union and with the first cohort of Home/EU undergraduate students at Reading paying £9,000 tuition fees, RUSU recognises the increased need to support students through its representation and advice services more than ever.

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James Fletcher President and Chair of the Board of Trustees 2012-13

Chief Executive’s Rep ort RUSU provides a range of services to ensure that our members receive the support they need during their time at University as well as provide opportunities to develop new skills. Our Advisors offer impartial advice to students, we support over 100 sports, societies and volunteer groups and our ‘Little Learners’ nursery provides invaluable childcare provision.

During the 2011/12 financial year RUSU continued its positive work in the area of responsible licensing, received Gold accreditation again for its commitment to environmental best practice and achieved the Gold standard Investors in People award as recognition of the training, development and support we provide to our student and permanent staff.

RUSU is governed by a Trustee Board consisting of the 5 elected Student Officers, 3 elected Student Trustees and up to 4 appointed External Trustees.

The Board sets the strategic direction and ensures that the organisation achieves its strategic and financial targets. As a registered charity we are also accountable to the Charity Commission and must ensure that we abide by our Charitable Objects.

RUSU’s objects are the advancement of education of students at the University of Reading for the public benefit by: • Promoting the interests of students at the University of Reading during their course of study and representing, supporting and advising students • Being the representative channel between students and the University of Reading and any external bodies • Providing social, cultural, sporting and recreational activities and forums for discussion and debate for the personal development of students

to the University through the Student Staff Liaison Committees, Faculty Boards and directly via our Student Officers • The Student Officers actively engage with students to establish the important issues and communicate these to the University through the committee structure and more widely to appropriate local and national bodies • Our sports, societies and volunteer groups receive support and development opportunities and by investing in the recreational facilities provided to our members To ensure RUSU is governed effectively we complete an annual review of our structures and produce recommendations for future development. An outcome of the most recent review proposed that we continue to elect 2 student trustees and appoint a further 2 students based on their experience and knowledge of charity sector governance.

Financially the organisation achieved an overall surplus for the financial year of £280,709 which is an improvement on the previous year, this means that our reserves now stand at £774,907 which is broadly in line with our reserves policy. This level of surplus will enable us to investigate the feasibility of making structural improvements to the RUSU building in the next financial year.

‘Little Learners’ nursery once again performed very well and contributed £222,036 to the overall surplus highlighted above.

The year ahead promises further opportunities for RUSU to develop towards its goal of providing excellent support, facilities, development opportunities and representation for our members.

We work towards the objects by ensuring that: • The issues highlighted by Course and Faculty representatives are effectively communicated

Richard Silcock Chief Executive 5

Vision, Missio OUR MISSION (What We Exist For) RUSU is a democratic student led organisation. We provide high quality representation, opportunities for personal development and excellent services and facilities to all our members

OUR VISION (What We Aspire To) We aspire to be the leading Union in actively representing, engaging and empowering every student

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on & Values OUR VALUES (Underpinning Everything We Do)

Democracy

Diversity

Learning

We are a student led and student focused organisation with strong democratic structures.

We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity and celebrating the diversity of our

We are committed to realising the full potential of our trustees, staff and volunteers.

membership.

Responsible

Innovative

Responsive

Openness

We recognise our wider role in society and actively promote ethical and environmental

We are a flexible and dynamic organisation focused on providing the best possible

We are constantly reviewing our services to ensure that they reflect the expectations of

We will ensure that the way we operate is open and transparent to our members.

best practice.

student experience.

our members.

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Over 1,000

in financial gains to students through help from our Student Advice

signed up to volunteer nts

8

Our Year In Num bers e 194 stud

150,19

ÂŁ80,450 raised by

bottles collected to build a plastic bottle greenhouse

6

Average 117,00

page views per month to our website

1,885 students seen at our Student Advice drop-in sessions

6,541

students given advice by

our Student Advisors

32% i

at Campus

2,138 in societies Over

by RAG

students involved

500 students

came out to cheer on our

ckets

i t in s 6 t 5 n ,8 eve

6

voted to stay affiliated to the

Reading Knights teams at

2,021

Big

for d eek l W so ’ ers sh e r F

726 students

verage 00

NUS in the NUS Referendum

per our

students involved in sport

‘The

One’

2,941 students hoodies and

33,773

Meal Deal sandwiches sold

RUSU Officer elections

4,330 portions of

cheesy

Chips served in

87%

increase in income during first month of Starbucks operation

Mojo’s

7,060 Redbull drinks sold

1,412

voted in the annual

Bar 1,500

increase in sales

ampus Central against previous year

lattes sold per month

9

Our gic e t a Str Aims 10

The Strategic Operating Plan (SOP) sets out RUSU’s targets for the next three years. The SOP is updated and agreed by the Trustee Board and progress toward these targets is monitored throughout the year.

All targets within the plan form a link between our vision, mission, values and the work of our Student Officers and staff.

Representing The Views Of Our Members Representation, Campaigning, Governance, University, Community

Engaging Effectively with Our Members Market Research, Communications, Democracy, Web & IT, Satellite Campus

Enhancing the Experience for Our Members Participation, Volunteering, Student Activities, Engagement, Skills Development

Providing Quality Facilities & Services For Our Members Venues, Retail, Nursery, Advice and Welfare, Student Focused Services

Working On Behalf Of Our Members Partnerships, Staff Development, Initiatives, Benchmarking, Financial Stability 11

Representing The Views Of Our Members This year saw elections for the newly introduced Part-time Officer roles take place. Seven Parttime Officer positions were created; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT), Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME), Women, Disabled students, International students, Postgraduate students and Environment & Ethics. These voluntary positions provide support, represent and extend and defend the rights of those specific student groups. All the positions were successfully filled.

The Annual General meeting was held on 15th November with over a 100

All 7 positions were successfully filled in the new Part-time Officer elections

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students in attendance and the accounts for the year were agreed. The second ‘Make a Date with your Union’ meeting was held on 14th February and at this, the changes to the Constitution were ratified.

A referendum was held in November as to whether RUSU should stay affiliated to the National Union of Students (NUS). A debate was held prior to the vote, the result of which was that 726 out of 771 students voted to remain affiliated.

A new feedback process to the Student Officers has been put in place. The Student Officer Scrutiny (SOS) meetings allow students to hold

the Officer Trustees to account. Each Officer submits a report on their activities and students then have a 15 minute period to scrutinise them.

The Student Voice meetings gave valuable feedback and resulted in more on campus campaigns, with the ‘Love Your Library’ campaign being especially successful with more sockets and data points being installed, opening hours extended and money being allocated for extra resources and improvements to the building.

Other successes were the allocation of extra study space and student access to the new Minghella theatre.

The introduction of staff support for volunteering has seen a number of new and successful ventures including a Volunteering Fayre, the establishment of a Community choir, the building of a greenhouse out of recycled plastic bottles and an afternoon tea dance for local elderly residents.

The new SOS meetings ensured the Student Officers were held to account

The Love Your Library Campaign increased allocation of extra funding and resources

Future Plans Set up a working group to review RUSU’s vision, mission and values

Take feedback from Student Voice meetings and include in Student Officer’s future plans and projects

Develop a process to ensure Student Officers spend time talking to students about their ideas for change campaigns 13

Engaging Effectively with Our Members

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A termly magazine was produced to highlight the work of RUSU and the Student Officers

Future Plans Increase the number of candidates and voting turnout in the RUSU Elections

Develop a termly publication highlighting volunteering and community initiatives

Carry out a full review of the Officer Trustee roles prior to the 2013 RUSU Elections

The RUSU Elections saw more students standing, having a total of 29 candidates for the five Student Officer positions. A huge push was made to increase website registration and this topped 9,000 prior to voting opening. The election turnout hit an all-time high with a record 2,941 students voting in the election, equating to a 21% turnout.

The Impact Report was produced in a new bright and easier to navigate format. This was made available online and in print format. Printed versions were distributed at the final Student Officer Scrutiny (SOS) meeting of the year.

To raise the profile of the work undertaken by the Student Officers a new ‘Well That’s Fantastic’ (WTF) magazine was produced and distributed to students around campus, outlining all the key areas and successes that had taken place each term. This seemed well received with good feedback received at the Services and Entertainments Forums.

Market research was undertaken in the Summer Term to gauge how students viewed their experience of the Students’ Union.

A return of 82% was achieved in stating that RUSU had a positive impact on their time whilst studying at the University.

A record 2,941 students voted in the RUSU Election, equating to a 21% turnout

A total of 29 candidates stood for the 5 Student Officer positions in the RUSU Elections

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Enhancing The Experience Of Our Members This year saw the ‘Give it a Go!!’ scheme successfully re-launched, with 11 societies and 17 sports clubs offering a wide ranging variety of activities. This gave students the opportunity to try out new pursuits before committing to join.

The two week period saw 460 students taking part, with over 40% of the participants rating the sessions with a 10 out of 10 score. Feedback from the clubs and societies was also positive with them all stating that running a session was worthwhile in gaining new members.

This year saw the commencement of discussions with the University and students to put together a ‘Student Charter’ with the aim of outlining the mutual expectations between the University, its staff and the students.

The Reading Knights brand was launched with teams taking on the same kit colours to create a unified image for sports teams, giving a more integrated feel and to encourage non-involved students to go out and support their University teams.

‘The Big One’ was introduced to encourage support from the side-lines from students not actually taking part in the sport themselves. This proved to be successful with over 200 students turning out at each ‘Big One’ creating a great atmosphere.

With the Reading Knights brand being launched, the re-introduction of ‘Give it a Go!’ and increased focus on volunteering , the number of students involved in activities increased by 733 up to 4,364, a 20% increase overall.

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The Reading Knights brand was launched to all sports teams

The year saw 20% increase in amount of students taking part in activities

Over 460 students tried out something new during ‘Give it a Go!’ week

Future Plans Continue to promote and roll out the Reading Knights brand

Further increase the number of members involved and participating in RUSU Student Activities

Further develop awards and recognition schemes within student activities and all areas of volunteering 17

Providing Quality Facilities & Services To Our Members In an effort to increase the number of student groups using our facilities this year, we put on a number of non-alcoholic and international focussed events. During international weekend we hosted a salsa session, dodgeball tournament and the Vice-Chancellor’s Reception. The Reception was especially successful with over 500 international students attending. Other events included a Culture Show in which various student groups participated, a Fairtrade Fashion Show and an Inter-University Kick Boxing Competition.

children and 21 children who attend the nursery’s ‘schools out’ scheme. Final documentation for the Pre-School Learning Alliance has been submitted and an Ofsted inspection is expected within the next 12 months.

A reconfiguration of the retail area took place with all franchised units filled

With the plan to offer our venue facilities out for hire by external users, a programme of refurbishment of certain areas has commenced.

The retail provision has changed over the past year. With the departure of certain franchisees and the relocation of the RUSU retail outlet to new and bigger premises, reconfiguring of the retail mall needed to be undertaken. The old RUBeing Served space was divided into two units with Seoul Plaza and Mail Boxes Etc occupying these. Campus Central opening hours were extended and Bully’s on the Bulmershe Campus was closed at the end of the Autumn term.

The ‘Little Learners ‘nursery has continued to provide a high quality service with the number of children registered rising to 141.

This is made up of 45 student children, 74 staff

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RUSU hosted a number of non-alcoholic and internationally focussed events

The number of children registered in the ‘Little learners nursery has risen to 141

Future Plans Investigate the feasibility of setting up a RUSU lettings agency

Actively promote the use of RUSU facilities to the local community and external companies

To change the existing Hub area to form an Advice & Representation Centre and move Student Activities to a separate location 19

Working on behalf of our members

Continued recognition of our high levels of responsible licensing and welfare within our venues

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Following an in-depth review of the business, RUSU was awarded a Gold Standard accreditation as an ‘Investor in People’ (IiP). The award focuses on how well an organisation implements strategies to improve performance and develop staff. The independent assessor reported that, ‘RUSU is an impressive organisation with a trusting and empowering culture that is conducive to high levels of engagement, enthusiasm and motivation.’

RUSU has been awarded funding as part the NUS ‘Student Eats’ project, supporting institutions across the UK in cultivating their own student-led growing sites for fruit and vegetables.

Consideration of student welfare whilst in our venues continues to be important and we remain committed to providing a safe environment for our customers. Responsible drinking campaign materials are now a permanent fixture in our venues and as part of the NUS backed ‘Best Bar None’ scheme, we maintained our accreditation recognising our efforts.

RUSU maintained its Gold standard in both the NUS backed Students’ Union and University, Green Impact schemes.

The accreditation encourages environmental best practice and measures ethical performance which includes the selling

of Fairtrade items and encouraging the use of positive, environmental modes of transport.

RUSU is now part of the ‘Green Impact Excellence’ cohort which oversees and conducts green audits in the local community.

Market research was undertaken with over 1,000 Further Education students on what services a Students’ Union should provide and what support they would expect to receive.

The results of this will be used to develop the Union to meet with these expectations.

Future Plans

RUSU achieved Gold standard accreditation as an Investor in People

Gold standard achieved in the NUS ‘Green impact Students Unions’ and ‘Green Impact University’ award schemes

Develop and deliver the ‘Student Eats’ project

Present Trustee Board with recommendations for alternative funding

Review the findings from the Further Education research to develop targets to develop RUSU in line with expectations 21

? m o fr e m o c y e n o m e h t s e o d e r e h W

The areas listed here show how much income is generated in each to contribute to the overall income RUSU receives.

Over half of RUSU’s income comes from our trading activities via the events, catering outlets and retail areas. The pie chart illustrates how each area contributes to the overall income.

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Marketing & Sponsorship

Student Activities

3.1%

This includes money raised from the Freshers’ Fayre, external companies advertising and the sale of NUS extra cards.

7.4%

Income from the sale of the Sports Federation insurance and the money raised from the club photos.

Subsidiary Company

Restricted Funds

0.7%

This is the money received from bids to the University Annual Fund for specific projects. The funds must be spent on those projects stated and any surplus must be returned.

15.6%

Venue & Events

Income from the fees paid to Little Learners’ Nursery.

Grant Income

17.4%

The money that is provided by the University.

Shop & Franchised Space

26.9%

28.9%

Income from Mojo’s Bar and kitchen, 3sixty nightclub and events including the Summer Ball.

Income for Campus Central and the rental income from the outlets in the RUSU building such as Blackwell, MailBoxes Etc., Seoul Plaza, Cerealworks and Uni-Cuts Hairdressers.

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The Union’s objects include promoting the interests and welfare of students, representation, offering support and advice as well as providing social, cultural, sporting and recreational activities to all students.

All the money received goes back into the organisation to provide, improve and develop all these services to our members.

The areas on the right show how RUSU’s expenditure is divided up.

Where does the money go?

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Democracy & Representation

Marketing & Sponsorship 3.8%

This is the money that is spent on running campaigns, elections and academic representation.

Reserves

Student Advice

3.6%

The money used to promote all RUSU’s services, facilities and events to the students.

The money spent on providing free professional advice to students covering finance, accommodation, academic issues and immigration.

5.3%

Governance

The money that RUSU will use to deal with any unforeseen problems.

Subsidiary Company

3.3%

2.9%

The money spent on Officer Trustees and their training and on producing the audited accounts.

Venue & Events

28.2%

11.4%

The money spent on providing services at Little Learners’ Nursery.

Student Activities

Shop & Franchised Space 16.5%

The money spent on putting on and running bars, events and providing our catering services.

25%

The money spent on running our retail and franchised outlets.

This is the money given to Sports Clubs, Societies and Student Media groups.

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The summarised financial information below is extracted from the full trustees’ annual report and statutory financial statements which were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf on the 19th November 2012. The statutory financial statements on which the auditors Knox Cropper gave an unqualified audit report will be submitted to the Charity Commission within the appropriate time scale.

Summarised Accounts The accounts below indicate the money raised (Incoming Resources) and from where.

For the year ending 31st July 2012 RUSU Trustee Board President Karl Hobley VP Student Activities Jack Legon VP Democracy & Campaigns Ben Haines VP Welfare & Representation Steph Johnson VP Academic Affairs Alex Slater

Student Trustees Freddie Clifford Emily Hatcher Hannah Hayes External Trustees John Cryne Bob Deffee Joe Martin

General Unrestricted Funds

Designated Funds

Restricted Funds

Total 2012

Total 2011

£

£

£

£

£

911,611

896,611

6,038

20,094

109,752

109,752

79,855

160,146

160,146

143,638

526

526

600

Student Social Venues & Events

1,517,160

1,517,160

1,540,564

Student Shops

1,299,432

1,299,432

981,208

417,058

362,236

820,540

820,540

658,061

5,383

5,383

-

5,247,646

4,682,867

INCOMING RESOURCES Incoming Resources from Generated Funds Grant Income

901,611

10,000

Annual Fund

6,038

Activities for Generating Funds Franchised Space Marketing & Sponsorship Interest Receivable

Incoming Resources from Charitable Activities

Student Activities (Clubs & Societies) Subsidiary Company Income Profit on Disposal of Fixed Assets

Total Incoming Resources

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19,676

4,834,226

369,415

379,415

27,967

34,005

This page shows money spent (Resources Expended).

For the year ending 31st July 2012

General Unrestricted Funds

Designated Funds

Restricted Funds

Total 2012

Total 2011

£

£

£

£

£

Resources Expended Cost of Generating Fund Franchised & Sponsorship

17,254

17,254

1,500

Marketing & Sponsorship

190,340

190,340

177,284

Student Social Venues & Events

1,479,365

1,479,365

1,518,460

Student Shops

1,297,590

1,297,590

972,625

Student Democracy & Representation

197,781

197,781

195,437

Student Activities (Clubs & Societies)

461,044

864,426

773,571

Advice Services

170,954

170,954

158,121

Subsidiary Company (Nursery)

598,504

598,504

549,604

150,723

150,723

160,178

Charitable Activities

Governance Total Resources Expenditure Net Movement in Funds

369,734

33,648

4,563,555

369,734

33,648

4,966,937

4,506,780

270,671

(9,681)

357

280,709

176,087

440,288

49,602

4,308

494,198

358,833

Funds Brought Forward As Previously Reported Prior Year Adjustment Now Reported

Funds Carried Forward

-

(40,722)

440,288

49,602

4,308

494,198

318,111

710,959

59,283

4,665

774,907

494,198

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Balance Sheet For the year ended 31st July 2012

Consolidated 2012 £

Parent 2011

£

£

2012 £

£

2011 £

£

£

Fixed Assets

833,089

910,318

829,234

910,318

Investments

1,862

1,862

1,862

1,862

834,951

784,607

831,096

912,180

Current Assets Stocks

120,235

114,101

119,522

113,160

Debtors

211,180

222,385

375,365

172,577

Cash at Bank and In Hand

678,647

381,689

428,254

286,583

1,010,062

718,175

923,141

572,320

(494,106)

(467,157)

(403,466)

(330,880)

Creditors Accounts falling due within one year Net Current Assets

515,956

(251,018)

519,675

241,440

1,350,907

1,163,198

1,350,771

1,153,620

(576,000)

(669,000)

(576,000)

(669,000)

£774,907

£494,198

£774,771

£484,620

710,959

440,288

710,823

430,710

59,283

49,602

59,283

49,602

770,242

489,890

770,106

480,312

4,665

4,308

4,665

4,308

£774,907

£494,198

£774,771

£484,620

Creditors Accounts falling due more than one year

RESERVES Unrestricted General Designated

Restricted Total Reserves

Auditors’ Report We have examined the summarised financial information below and have carried out the procedures necessary to ascertain whether they are consistent with the full financial statements from which they have been prepared. In our opinion, the summarised financial statements are consistent with the full financial statements for the year ended 31st July 2012.

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Knox Cropper, Chartered Accountants, 8/9 Well Court, EC4M 9DN

Faculty Rep Elections Faculty Reps are elected students who speak on behalf of students at a faculty level university meetings. Faculty Reps serve for a year whilst studying and their role is to ensure that the student voice is clearly heard where it matters.

Key Dates Nominations Open Nominations Close Voting starts Voting ends

10th December 18th January 21st January 25th January

They work really hard alongside the Course Reps and VP Academic Affairs to make sure the University listens to what students want, need and think.

This year Faculty Reps must be or have been a Course Rep. There are 10 positions up for grabs: 2 x Science Faculty Reps 2 x Life Science Faculty Reps 2 x Social Science Faculty Reps 2 x Arts & Humanities Faculty Reps 2 x Henley Business School Faculty Reps

RUSU Elections 2013 The Union is run by full time elected Student Officers. Elections are held each year during the Spring Term and are open to all students. You can take a year out from your course or be a Student Officer at the end of your degree.

There are five different roles covering different aspects of the representation work we do.

If you are interested in running contact any one of the current Student Officers to find out what the job involves.

As well as Student Officers, Student Trustees and Part-time Officers will also be elected.

Key Election Dates Nominations Open 28th January Nominations Close 8th February Hustings 26th February Voting Opens 25th February Voting Closes Friday 1st March Election Results Friday 1st March

Visit rusu.co.uk/representation for more information about each of the roles.

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Trustee Board 2012/2013 The Trustee Board is made up of five Officer Trustees, three Student Trustees and two to four External Trustees. All Trustees are responsible for the leadership and strategic direction of the Students’ Union.

Officer Trustee Aims Ceri Jones

James Fletcher

Kara Swift

Sophie Davies

Nick Cook

VP Democracy & Campaigns

President

VP Academic Affairs

VP Welfare & Representation

VP Student Activities

Work to make

To make sure that

Work with the

Run an awareness

Improve

Student Forums

Reading’s learning

University to obtain

week in order to

communication

more engaging and

resources are the

permanent out of

promote issues of

between the Union

accessible

best that they can

hours study space

sexual health

and the SportsPark

Raise the profile of

Work with the

Increase

be Work to help further all RUSU

Ensure the Student

Course and Faculty

International Officer

participation in

Student Media

Officers are out

Reps, by publicising

to plan ‘One World

Student Activities

groups

on all campuses

the positive change

Week’ to celebrate

listening to

they bring about

different cultures

Continue to work

Work to ensure

Develop the

with departments

student safety

relationship with

and schools to

remains a priority

JCRs so that

ensure all students

for our Union,

everyone gets the

get the same level

including a ‘pay

best experience

of representation.

later’ taxi service.

Make sure Priority

students

Campaigns are implemented

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Support student groups to achieve success

Student Trustees

Alex Butler Alex is a 3rd year English Literature Undergraduate. President of St

Up to this point the three Student Trustees have been elected by cross campus ballot during the RUSU elections in the Spring Term. From 2013, two Student Trustees will be elected in this way and two others will be appointed by the Appointments Committee comprised of Trustees.

Patrick’s Hall JCR last year, he stood for a Trustee position to become more involved within the Students’ Union

Joseph Lynes

Tom Rye

Joseph is a 2nd Year Ancient History

Tom is in his 3rd year studying

student. He was a Course Rep for

Human and Physical Geography. In

Part 1 Classics last year and Social

his 2nd year he was on the Windsor

Secretary for the Debate Society

JCR and ran to become a Student

as well as being a member of the

Trustee to find out more about the

University Challenge Team.

workings of RUSU.

External Trustees

John Cryne John is an alumnus of Reading, graduating in 1976. He was a

The constitution has the provision for between two and four External Trustees to sit on the Trustee Board. These positions are filled through an application and interview process involving the Trustee Board.

Sabbatical Officer at RUSU and spent 30 years in the financial services sector and was a National Chairman for the Campaign for Real Ale

Bob Deffee

Joe Martin

Bob has 40 years of experience of

Joe was a Sabbatical Officer at

working with Students’ Unions;

both Leicester Students’ Union

starting as a Sabbatical Officer

and University of London Union.

then going on to the NUS. He has

He sat on the NUS Services Ltd

worked in marketing for STA Travel

Trustee Board and for the Learning

as well as campaigning and public

& Skills Improvement Service and

affairs for the British Refugee

the Central Office of Information.

Council.

Resigned as Trustee 30/09/12

Ann Edge

Paul Swaddle

Ann is currently a Development

Paul Swaddle is a marketing

Manager within Retail

professional with experience

Development at Waitrose. This

across a range of technology-based

role involves project work

companies and is currently a CEO

improving the retail efficiency

of an organisation that develops

of stores. Ann is an Alumnus of

mobile applications. Paul is a local

Reading University and was VP

Councillor and was previously

Welfare and Education at RUSU

President of Child’s Hall and a

from July 2001 to July 2002.

sabbatical officer of RUSU.

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