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. 4
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
6
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. 7
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
12
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
14
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
15
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
18
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
20
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. 22
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. 23
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? 24
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.
25
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
26
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
27
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. 28
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.
29
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
30
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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0118 378 4100 0118 378 4115
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