smsu St Mary’s University Students’ Union
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The year in review
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Students’ Union President For me, there are three big moments that stand out this year: First is the QAA review. A great deal of work went into this behind the scenes, but it means that the University now has the QAA Accreditation Mark! Not many students are aware of the importance of this, but it means that the University is doing everything right when it comes to giving you the best student experience. Ensuring that the Library is now open for 24 hours was another huge achievement. I’d like to say a huge thank-you to the Library staff for bending over backwards to get this done – I can now confirm that the 24-hour schedule will be implemented next year, too!
Lastly was the Puppy Rooms! I never knew that organising something that supposed to relieve stress could be so stressful. Despite that, it was a great success and will be back next year! that’s
Being re-elected as your SU President was a huge honour, so I’d like to say thank you for giving me another opportunity to represent you next year!
&)!&8)!&ZUĝĖĝiOĝ D==^>)Zm Ryan Dowsett This has been such a jam packed year that I am genuinely spoilt for choice as to what parts have been my favourites! Within the community aspect of the role there are two moments that spring to mind. The first is the introduction of Home Comforts Café which has been a great way to develop a space in the evening for students to relax and socialise, and I’m thrilled to say that this will be continuing in the new term. The second would be hosting the Christmas Community Festival again, and inviting the local community to celebrate with us on campus. Helping to raise money for local charities and watching everyone queue excitedly to meet Santa Claus and his Reindeer was definitely the highlight of the day! With regard to the events, my favourite moment would have to be the success of Summer Ball. This year was the Students' Union's largest ever ball and included the added extra of an inflatable igloo on the Rugby Pitch that was used for a silent disco. Securing Wretch 32 as the headline act was another highlight and it was brilliant to see students enjoying themselves so much and ending the year on a high!
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Vice-President Sports and Societies This year has seen some pretty dramatic changes to the student experience, especially in sports and societies - this includes a huge growth in the number of our societies (increasing from 14 to 24) and a structural reboot for societies. This has given them their own committee structure and training, development team, Societies' Fair, Societies’ Dinner and development plans. During 2015/16 we presented p the first Student Sport Strategy. This came with a huge investment from the University including coaches for every club, new scholarships, lower membership fees, two new members of staff (Performance Officer and Volunteering and Outreach Officer) and a centralised budget to cover club travel, officials and accommodation! It’s such an exciting time for sport at St Mary’s, and I’m eager to see how it all develops!
Lastly, and probably the one thing people will remember… Varsity! Lastl I had the pleasure of organising a home Varsity event for 30 St Mary’s teams and 2,000 students and I’m so, so happy that we won!
6 mĝ Q)i QU Our vision
By 2018, St Mary’s will be a student-centred university and SMSU will make a positive impact on the lives of every student by providing dynamic, member-led services which deliver the best possible student experience of all the small universities.
Our mission
To support, develop and represent students of St Mary’s, University; to make their time the best it can possibly be – a positive, self-defining era providing a firm foundation for the rest of their professional and personal lives.
Our values
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SMSU gives 100% in everything that we do to ensure students get the best from their student experience.
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SMSU is led by students, and student leadership at all levels is fundamental to the purpose of the organisation.
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SMSU strives to create an inclusive environment for our diverse student community.
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SMSU will support students throughout their student experience whether it be via advice and guidance, innovative ideas or student-led activities.
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Raising And Giving
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Cut the costs: Not Grants A campaign run by the NUS on which our SU President took a lead. He liaised with the Senior Management Team and lobbied local MPs to try to encourage them not to scrap the grant system.
Mental Health Awareness Week A campaign to raise awareness and understanding of mental illness.
Alcohol Awareness Week A campaign to promote a safe and responsible attitude towards drinking.
Have your say A campaign to give students a voice about their student experience.
Yes means yes A campaign to educate students on sexual consent, teaching them that only yes means yes.
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Upvote Positivity Downvote Bullying A campaign to prevent bullying on social media and to spread positivity online.
Interfaith Week A campaign to celebrate religious diversity throughout St Mary’s.
LUSH Week
A campaign to educate students on sexual health, and how to stay safe. Help the Homeless at Christmas with SPEAR A campaign to feed the local homeless population by distributing unwanted food.
SIMMIEs’ Angels
A campaign to keep our students ` nights out, safe on Wednesday and to improve relations within our local community.
Puppy Room
A campaign to de-stress students at the busiest point of the exam period.
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Raising And Giving
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Smurf Night - Welcome Fortnight
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Rugby League’s charity row
Staying protected for LUSH Week
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• Introduced the ‘Yes Means Yes’ campaign to educate students about the importance of consent on campus • Introduced three Sub-Committees to the SU Trustee Board to ensure that your SU is working for you in the most effective way • Introduced a walkover policy for sport • Introduced a new committee structure for clubs and societies for 2016/17 • Introduced a new campaign – ‘Society in Spotlight’
• Held a National Student Survey consultancy day to learn how SMSU can use the NSS data to make positive change on your courses and designed an action plan to respond to views within the National Student Survey 2015 • Held Programme Rep training for new and continuing reps • Began a training programme for Senior Residents (Drug and Substance Abuse workshop) • Held the Mental Health Awareness Week campaign
• Reduction from £5 to £3 minimum spend on all catering provision • Extended time limit on catering points • Introduction of a professional coaching programme for sports clubs • Introduction of a strength and conditioning programme for sports clubs • Creation of the NSS90+ Group to increase engagement and enhancement to the University in relation,to the National Student Survey • Improved sanitary provision on campus for female students
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Campaign teams at the SMSU Elections
December 2015 - February 2016
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â&#x20AC;˘ Held the SMSU Elections â&#x20AC;˘ Presented the first Student Sport Strategy to students and staff â&#x20AC;˘ Introduced an external speaker policy for sports clubs and societies
â&#x20AC;˘ Hosted the annual ski trip (Andorra) â&#x20AC;˘ Hosted the annual RAG Week and raised ÂŁ5,327 for charities â&#x20AC;˘ Provided top-up training for Programme Reps
Nativity at the Christmas Community Festival
Ă&#x17E;2,20 29 â&#x20AC;˘ Attended a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;PREVENTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; workshop to ensure that the SU staff and Officer Team can keep you safe from extremism â&#x20AC;˘ Held the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;LUSHâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (Learning and Understanding Sexual Health) Week campaign â&#x20AC;˘ Held the Christmas Community Festival â&#x20AC;˘ Coordinated a Drink/Alcohol Awareness campaign with the Alcohol Network
Ladiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; GAA after their RAG Week Sports-a-thon
&)!&8)!&ZU March - May 2016
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Students de-stressing in the puppy room
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• Held a puppy room on campus to help combat exam stress • Held sport clubs committee training • Hosted the Summer Ball and Boat Party • Introduced a three year customer service strategy • Began work on a transgender policy for sport • Introduction of a second student representative on the University Board of Governors
• Hosted the SIMMStock music Festival • Held the Annual General Meeting and By-Elections • Implementation of the SMSU Business Continuity Plan • Pilot run by VP Community of ‘Simmies Angels’ to be fully implemented in 2016/17 • SU President and Library agreement of a pilot of 24 hour library access for students
Winners at the Sports and Societies’ Awards Dinner
19,3 • Hosted the West London Varsity (St Mary’s vs Brunel) – and won! • Held the Annual Sports and Societies’ Awards Dinner • SU President worked with the International Department to secure a housing guarantor scheme for students Rockaoke at SIMMStock Festival