14 13 0 2 t r o p e R t c a p m I
Impact Report 2013-14 The Students’ Union is a democratic organisation run by students for students to represent student views to the University and to provide support services for its members. The SU provides a means for students to voice their own views, and assists students to organise activities and services, thereby improving their employability. It is led by a team of four elected Sabbatical Officers who are supported by staff (including student staff) and hundreds of student volunteers. This document explains how the SU has engaged with more students throughout 2013-14 than ever before. The SU makes a difference to students’ lives – this document shows how.
WWW.SUUG.CO.UK
The SU’s Elected Sabbatical Officers for the 2013-14 Academic Year
Our Mission The SU ’s fundamental purpose... “The Students’ Union University of Greenwich is a democratic organisation run by students, for students, to represent student views to the University and to provide support services for its members.”
Our VISION
What the organisation wants to be...
“A thriving and successful organisation which engages with its members and the University.”
Alex Brooks President (2013-14)
Jenny Greenfield Chief Executive
ADVICE SERVICE
ACTIVITIES
4,520
students HELPED THROUGH OUR FREE, INDEPENDENT AND CONFIDENTIAL ADVICE SERVICE
students involved in activities
NTS BARS & EVE
CAMPAIGNS
KEY WINS:
- 24 HOUR LIBRARY AT MEDWAY - ANONYMOUS MARKING - GENDER NEUTRAL TOILETS IN UNION BUILDINGS
COMMUNICATIONS
449,731
UNIQUE VISITS TO OUR WEBSITE (TOTAL: 681,147 VIS
ITS)
590
CAFES & S H O PS
28,672
38,176
Admissions to events
COFFEES SOLD ACROSS ALL OUTLETS
STUDENT VOICE
2,088 INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS VOTED IN THIS YEAR’S ELECTIONS, CASTING 12,932 VOTES IN TOTAL!
SUSTAINABILITY HUB
1
Green Impact Bronze Award
Campaigns, Communications and Student Voice figures within this Impact Report include Medway students.
Activities The SU provides opportunities for students to take part in a wide range of activities beyond their courses – including leading their own student groups, trying new events and activities through the Give it a Go scheme, and gaining recognition for volunteering and the skills they have developed during their time at University.
Ten teams across seven different sports competed in this year’s Varsity against Medway in April “Supported by a core team of dedicated individuals, my role is to help facilitate the diverse range of groups, activities and events the Union continues to offer. The diverse student demographic we have here at Greenwich also brings with it fresh, exciting ideas which keeps my job both interesting and rewarding, especially when an initial plan becomes a successful event! Working for the Union has certainly been a great way to meet new people, improve my skills and gain valuable work experience highly sought-after by employers. It’s a flexible place to work which constantly changes keeping you motivated and interested. It’s certainly true that volunteering, participating or working for the Students’ Union can only enhance your Greenwich experience.”
Alexander Hides BA History Student Activities Assistant
number of societies
57
number of SPORTS CLUBS
16
(23 TEAMS)
4,520
students involved in activities
1,481 Hours of volunteering and 509 different skills logged by students using THE brand new EmployabilitY & Volunteering Toolkit
Student Voice The Students’ Union represents the views and interests of students within the Students’ Union, the University of Greenwich and the wider community. The SU ensures that the Student Voice is effective, relevant and robust. This is achieved through a range of activities including officer elections, programme representative training and studentled meetings such as our Student Council. As well as supporting the Student Voice, the SU also develops and supports selected student-led campaigns. This area of work plays a key role in improving all aspects of student life at unversity.
KEY FIGURES FROM OUR 2014 ELECTIONS
50
2,088
CAndidateS stood in our Elections
voters
1,712
2014 Elections
voters 2013 Elections
THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 2,088 STUDENTS WHO VOTED IN THIS YEAR’S ELECTIONS, CASTING 12,932 VOTES!
This year’s Elections attracted a record numer of candidates and voters
7
UNION COUNCIL MEETINGS HELD
4
new PART-TIME OFFICER roles created
- Disabled Students’ Officer - Greenwich Campus Officer - LGBT+ Students’ Officer - Volunteering Officer
Campaigns
KEY WINS:
- 24 HOUR LIBRARY AT MEDWAY - ANONYMOUS MARKING - GENDER NEUTRAL TOILETS IN UNION BUILDINGS
In 2013-14, the SU has campaigned for students across its broadest ever range of issues. Amongst its successes were: - 24 hours Library on all campuses - anonymous marking scheduled for 2014/15 - improvements in assessment and feedback policy - introduction of course evaluation system - hundreds of programme reps trained with new policies passed that will increase transparency and participation in union democracy (including at Medway) - on-campus safety improvements underway - multi-faith facilities improvements agreed - gender-neutral toilets rolled out in union buildings The SU will be just as active in 2014/15.
Communications The SU works to promote a broad range of services, activities and events as well as publicising elections, campaigns and delivering other key messages to students. This is achieved through various channels, including the SU website, printed materials, regular emails, social media (inc. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) and traditional meetings. The SU also provides training and support to three student-led media societies - Latitude Lookout, Latitude Radio and Latitude TV - which produce magazines, radio shows and video content covering the work of the SU and a whole lot more!
1,423 NEW LIKES ON FACEBOOK (TOTAL: 5,940)
449,731 UNIQUE VIews on OUR WEBSITE
(TOTAL: 681,147 VIe
ws)
9 65
NEW FOLLOWERS ON TWITTER (TOTAL: 2,527)
130,366
WEEKLY 'SUUG NE WS BULLETIN' EMAILS OPENED
148
FOLLOWERS ON OUR NEW INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT
Advice Service
The SU Advice Service is free, independent and confidential. Staffed by three advisers with support from trained volunteers, the Service covers academic and welfare issues on the Greenwich and Avery Hill campuses, with GK Unions running a Service at Medway.
CLIENTS' ISSUES
Academic (58%)
(appeals, complaints, extenuation etc)
Finance & debt (15%)
(student loans, welfare benefits, advice, negotiating debt repayment etc)
Housing (14%)
(eviction, rent arrears, housing options, disrepair and recovering deposits etc)
Student Issues (9%)
(disability, bullying & harrassment and childcare etc) Between 1st August 2013 and 31st July 2014, we advised 590 students
Other (4%)
(miscellaneous)
Sustainability Hub
Launched in 2013, Greenwich Sustainability Hub is a new partnership project between the Students’ Union and the University, funded by the NUS Students’ Green Impact Green Fund. Its purpose is to increase Bronze Award positive environmental behaviours amongst students and the community through student-led activities, support for environmental accreditation, and the delivery of sustainability workshops.
1
1
Sustainability HuB Manager
6
Student Green Ambassadors
+
Volunteers
+
}
working to improve sustainability within the Union, the University and local community
Members of Students’ Union staff collecting this year’s Green Impact Bronze Award
Bars, Cafes, Shops & Events 13,715
The SU runs a number of outlets on the Avery Hill and Greenwich Campuses. The Engine Room, the Village Shop and Sparrows are situated at Avery Hill and Le Café and Bar Latitude are on the Greenwich campus.
GAMES OF POOL PLAYED
The SU’s shops sell everything from hot and cold food and drinks to stationery and Universitybranded merchandise. The bars serve freshly prepared cooked food in a relaxing atmosphere where students can chill out with free Wi-Fi and enjoy a diverse entertainments programme.
28,672 Admissions to events
13,909 MEALS SOLD IN BAR LATITUDE
47,892 The profits we generate from the money students spend in our outlets goes back into funding SU services
SANDWICHES SOLD IN SU SHOPS
38,176 COFFEES SOLD ACROSS ALL OUTLETS
8,384 HOURS SU SHOPS & CAFES WERE OPEN
3,286 HOURS SU BARS WERE OPEN
Here’s what our students think of us... “Yes you get to skip the queue and yes you get discounts, but working for the SU is much more than that! Working for the SU gives you a voice, gives you an opportunity to be heard, and gives you an opportunity to make a difference! Whether it’s pouring drinks at Sparrows Bar, or advocating on behalf of the students to the Vice-Chancellor, working for the SU is an opportunity of a lifetime combining fun, democracy, and representation all into one!”
“During my time at Greenwich I was part of the hockey team, meaning I played in fixtures organised by the SU every Wednesday. I also volunteered during freshers week, which was fun and helped enhance my CV!”
Fiona Mather BSc Psychology with Counselling Sports club member & SU volunteer
Michael Browne
Esin D’Amery
MBA International Business Supervisor, Sparrows Bar & sports club member
BA Politics and International Relations Student Green Ambassador
“I started working at Sparrows to earn a little more extra cash but it has turned out to be a lot more than that. I’ve met some many new, genuine people. It’s more than just a job on the evenings, it’s a social, fun environment but most of all I love what I do and the friends I’ve made. Getting paid is just a bonus.”
“The SU gave me the opportunity to not only work while being at university but also to be part of many different experiences of the student life. I had the chance to work with smart, ambitious and inspiring people who are now lifetime friends. The SU family helped me to become part of many social events and activities which I will never forget. Working behind the bar helped me improve my social skills. I met people from different nationalities, with different studies and interests. I had an amazing three years of university life thanks to the SU.”
Stu Willis
Lyuba Pekyanska
DipHE Adult Nursing Steward, Sparrows Bar
“For me, the Students’ Union has become the centre of my life at university. It’s where I go to socialise and meet friends at its bars and cafés, gain new skills via joining sports teams and societies and most importantly for me, it’s where I work as a student staff member. I just couldn’t go a day at University without encountering the Students’ Union along the way.”
BA Architecture Bar Staff, Sparrows Bar
“Whether you’re looking for advice, looking to join a sports team or society, or just looking to meet friends in a relaxed environment, the Students’ Union is the place for you!”
Georgia Cook BA Film and TV Production Receptionist, Greenwich Campus
On Tuesday 20th May 2014, the SU held its first ever Union Awards at Charlton Athletic Football Club to recognise all of the amazing students involved in the SU’s work and in volunteering with the University! The celebration event recognised all the volunteers and student staff in every area of the SU, who partnered with the University Guidance and Employability Team to award a range of certificates and prizes for student achievement.
Union Awards Winners Society Awards
Student Voice Awards
Society of the Year - Islamic Society
Outstanding Contribution from Sports or Societies Representative - Harry Stevenson (Men’s Rugby)
Event of the Year - Performing Arts Society (‘Turbulence’) Outstanding Contribution from a Faculty Officer Best New Society - Brent Johnston - Gre.Events Society Outstanding Contribution from a Most Improved Society Part-time Officer - LGBT+ Society - Roxana Bucur Campaign of the Year Most Active Union Council Member - Jewish Society (Jewish Awareness - Brent Johnston Week)
Sports Awards Club of the Year - Men’s Rugby Team of the Year - Men’s Basketball Best New Team - Women’s Football Sports Person of the Year - Bethany Fisher Fresher of the Year - Gareth Whatley Sparrows Award - Men’s Rugby
Tessa Blackstone Prize Awards
- Sophie Parker (GET) - Anna Tokareva (GET) - David Taylor (SUUG Badminton HE Officer) - David Shannon (SUUG Student Legal Advice Project) - Roxana Bucur (SUUG Part-time Officer, Economics & Business Society Union Recognition Awards and Womens’ Hub President) Eleven students received these Student Employee of the year awards to recognise their commitment to helping the Union and other - Scarlett Dempsey students. They took part in a range of activities and volunteering in all areas of the Union.
Money WE RAISED...
£ 2,329,000
SUSTAINABILITY HUB £55,000 (2%) UNIVERSITY BLOCK GRANT £900,000 (39%)
OTHER INCOME £46,000 (2%)
MUSIC, FOOD & DRINK £386,000 (17%)
SHOPS £942,000 (40%)
WE SPENT...
£ 2,313,000
Activities & VOLUNTEERING £146,000 (6%) Advice & Reception £90,000 (4%)
OTHER COSTS £475,000 (21%) CAMPAIGNS, REPRESENTATION & COMMUNICATIONS £207,000 (9%)
SUSTAINABILITY HUB £55,000 (2%) MUSIC, FOOD & DRINK £315,000 (14%)
SHOPS £819,000 (35%) STUDENT WAGES £204,000 (9%)
Our Future The SU is continually listening to students, consulting its stakeholders (including the University, its partners in GK Unions at Medway, Kent Union and the NUS) and researching the wider Higher Education sector. It distils all that information into Unionwide three year strategic plans (approved by its Trustee Board) and one year operational plans.
Project 2017 The SU’s new plan, which will be in place until 2017, sets challenging targets: (i) building a sense of community and pride in Greenwich; (ii) developing and maintaining an effective Student Voice; (iii) ensuring that the SU is integral to University life;
Elected Student Officers for the 2014-15 academic year Sabbatical Officers: Alex Brooks President
Owais Chishty Vice President Education
(vi) maintaining an ethical and sustainable Union. The SU will achieve these targets through its focus on student engagement, the stability of its finance and governance and the efficient deployment of its resources – and a dedicated and effective team of elected officers, staff and volunteers. It won’t be easy, but we believe we can do it – and we look forward to working with students along the way.
Harry Hodges Vice President Student Activities
Part-time Officers: Linda Yuma Joshua Knight Black Disabled Students’Officer Students’ Officer Nimalanathan Jack Kilner Althavan LGBT+ International Students’ Officer Students’ Officer Peter Mills Mature Students’ Officer
Carolyn Snitzer Postgraduate & Part-time Students’ Officer
Carney Battenti Volunteering Officer
Christy Mackrill Women Students’ Officer
(iv) supporting employability and development; (v) promoting new services and activities; and
Edward Oakes Vice President Campaigns & Welfare
Abdulmajid Kathryn Eversfield Osman Avery Hill Greenwich Campus Officer Campus Officer Jitendra Naga Godarvarthi Medway Campus Officer