Impact Report 2012/13
2
3
2012/13
our 7 core aims
1
Over the year we ...
INTRODUCTION FROM SIMEON
P4
“ ON BEHALF OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON STUDENTS’ UNION, I AM VERY PLEASED TO BE COMMENDING THIS ANNUAL REPORT TO YOU. IT PROVIDES A VALUABLE INSIGHT INTO THE NUMEROUS ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND ACHEIVEMENTS OF THE TEAM FROM THE LAST ACADEMIC YEAR” Here at the Students’ Union our main aim is to enrich our students’ experiences by creating access to the wide range of opportunities, not only within the Union itself but within the University and local community. The 2012/13 team started the year by opening the fabulous new lounge, venue, Advice and Support Centre and Squeezebox in our City Campus space. They did great work in raising the reputation of the Union across the University and the profile of the student voice, having a seat on every major committee up to the Corporate Management Team. They achieved significant wins for students, not least the decoupling of academic and non-academic debt, which remains an issue for many students nationally and, as a result, our University can be seen to be leading the way. This resulted in our being shortlisted by NUS for a national campaign award.
As the elected President of the Students’ Union, I am proud to say that we are continually striving to support our student body at the University of Wolverhampton to gain a wider experience, together with their degree. All of which we hope contributes to students’ future careers and success. Finally, I would, like to thank our predecessors, Dan Batchelor, Joanna Zielinska, Iwuese Nyager, and Marie Cheer for the exstensive work they carried out for students during their tenure. We will endeavour to build on their many successes.
Help students acquire new skills and discover new experiences
P6
Demonstrate Quality & Value
P12
3 5
Enjoy.
7
4
Create & maintain fantastic social space for students P16
Listen to our members and react to the issues that affect them most P24
Be financially, ethically, and environmentally responsible
P30
6
Provide support to students
P20
Develop an involved, supportive and strong staff team P26
Some of the things we want to achieve next year
Trustees and Officers
P34
4
WOW
Over the year we...
5
Recorded 1382 new cases through our Advice & Support Centre and achieved a 98% client satisfaction rate, ensuring students have 9 different ways of contacting the service.
Created better social space for students on Telford campus.
Saw over 10,000 games of pool being played in our spaces!
Won 2 Varsity competitions, against University College Birmingham in October and Staffordshire University in April.
Were amongst the top 5 most improved Unions nationally in the THE Student Experience Survey.
Gained £143,113 for students through sound financial advice.
Had over 18,000 unique visits to our new City Lounge and Activities Centre.
Achieved 66% satisfaction rating from our members in the NSS, increasing our score from 2011/12 by 3%
Sold 4,264 number of NUS cards coming 15th in the country and creating an income of over £20,000 for us to reinvest back into student support and services.
Gained the views of 1059 students in our “Shape Your Union” survey.
Were shortlisted for the NUS Campaign of the Year Award for our success in lobbying the university to separate academic and nonacademic debt.
Gave students over £2,500 from our Employability Support Fund to help towards the cost of attending job interviews.
Gained a seat on the University’s most senior management group. Opened a refurbished lounge, venue and Advice and Support Centre on City Campus, as well as a new Squeezebox juice bar to mirror Walsall SU
Saw 52 candidates running in our Spring Elections and over 15,000 votes cast by over 3,500 students – that’s19% of enrolled students who had shared their data with the SU.
Dealt with over 5,500 general enquiries at our City Reception.
Paid 46 student staff over £88,000 working for us over the year.
6
7
“The atmosphere around the campus is brilliant as are the activities put on in the Student Union. Great opportunities for volunteering & getting support on money advice” NATIONAL STUDENT SURVEY (NSS) 2013 FREE TEXT COMMENTS
8
1
9
Help students acquire new skills and discover new experiences
SOME OF THE ORGANISATIONS WE WORKED WITH
VOLUNTEERING
DISCOVER
Expanding our volunteering portfolio was a key objective this year. We built up new opportunities and a volunteer squad of over 250 students who gave over 12,000 hours of their time helping others.
Divine Onkar Mission
Oxfam
The Haven
Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council
Citizens Advice Bureaux
Planets and People
Amnesty International
Improving Futures Wolverhampton
Key Ring
Catch 22
EYES
MS
Children’s Society
Crime Stoppers
Addaction
Bliss
Include me too
Bantock House
Refugee and Migrant centre
Wetland habitat consultant
We made it to the local Express and Star newspaper for our project with Victim Support in March, whereby students undertook professional training to give free and confidential advice for anyone affected by crime. Karl Guest, a member of the American Football Team won Volunteer of the Year in our Students’ Union Volunteer Awards in April for the huge amount of time and energy he invested in the club and his ability to inspire others to join.
EMPLOYABILITY
Over the year we put on several workshops for course reps and other volunteers on how to translate their experience to a CV/interview scenario to improve their employability. We facilitated Student Hubs project management sessions and public speaking sessions by Wolverhampton Speakers Club.
New sports-related volunteering opportunities were also created, including mentoring and coaching placements (and supporting Special Needs) for students in local FE colleges and youth groups, including Sandwell College and Wodensborough Technology College.
10
11
SPORT OVER THE YEAR itsu celebrated 20 years of J establishment at the University – the coach clocking up 15 years with the club - and won 4 medals at the Randoori Nationals. It went on to win ‘Club of the Year’ by the Jitsu Foundation. Jake Porter won a gold medal in the 60M Hurdles at the BUCS Indoor Championships in Sheffield in March. yclist, Tom Gregory, brought back a C silver in the men’s sprint and bronze in the kilo race at the BUCS Outdoor Championships in May. Men’s Hockey, Women’s Football, and Men’s Rugby all reached the final 8 in the BUCS Conference Cup.
SOCIEITIES 70 societies were set up over the year, with over 1700 members. Societies formed around interests, academic subjects, culture, religion, sport and talents. New societies included the Ukulele Society, Mercy to Mankind, Table Tennis, Cheerleading, Ahle-Sunnah, and The Thread.
Men’s Hockey were eventual winners in their British Universities and Colleges Sport league, securing promotion. Women’s Football and Men’s Rugby were runners up, narrowly missing out on promotion but the additional funding and closer links we had secured with the RFU had clearly helped the team. Recreational sport also grew, particularly on City Campus with attendance figures hitting 1,000 by the end of the year. No Strings Badminton and Mars Just Play Football were the most popular (helped by securing additional funding from the National Governing Bodies), followed by Netball, Table Tennis, and Cricket. Taster sessions were run for Squash, Kickboxing, Judo, Rugby 7’s and Aussie Rules Football.
March saw the SU and University jointly host a sell-out Sports Awards at Walsall’s Bescot Stadium. The number of nominations received for the awards trebled those of 2012. Teams and individuals were recognised and decorated for achievement and commitment, receiving their honours from VIP and former Olympian, Tessa Sanderson, who gave a truly motivational speech. A great night was had by all. The Union also worked closely with SSPAL, SEF, and Sports Coach UK (SCUK) to develop a Coach Education programme for 200 students and become an SCUK delivery partner, providing accredited workshops around inclusive coaching and supporting disability in sport.
SPORT 2012/13 WAS A BIG YEAR FOR SPORT. #TEAMWOLVO WAS LAUNCHED TO ENCOURAGE TEAM SPIRIT AND AWARENESS ON CAMPUS OF OUR TEAM’S MATCHES AND SUCCESSES AND MONTHLY AWARDS WERE GIVEN FOR ‘MOST COMMITTED’ AND ‘MOST SUCCESSFUL’ TEAMS. WEEKLY UPDATES OF FIXTURES AND SCORES WERE POSTED VIA SOCIAL MEDIA AND MOST FIXTURES WERE COVERED BY THE THREAD’S SPORTS CORRESPONDENTS.
52 different society activities received help from the Society Support Fund, including: A promotional event for a new Enterprise Soc Sikh society Vaisakhi celebration St John Links 10 year anniversary event Table Tennis Society equipment Sign Language Society Ball Attendance at a national conference for the Psychology Soc Material and equipment for a Mercy to Mankind Art Exhibition in the SU
Ukuleles for the Ukulele Society!
STUDENT MEDIA
Afro-Caribbean Society Cultural Event
Our student media – online radio and newspaper - developed beyond recognition under ‘The Thread’ society. Student editors and contributors recorded over 20 hours of radio shows with music, political debate, talk shows and entertainment.
The Wolverhampton Wildcats American football team was officially entered into the BUCS league for the first time. 13 Teams were entered into a Men’s Badminton, Basketball, Football, Rugby and Hockey and Women’s Football, Hockey, and Netball. A Team Review in Spring saw approval for additional Men’s Football and Rugby teams to be entered into BUCS for 2013/14.
A new website achieved 27,000 views in 7 months, during which time 335 articles were posted for the newspaper by student contributors. For many of The Thread committee members, it was their first involvement in the SU, and some even went on to stand in our elections.
Welcome Week saw some really competitive trials and, as well as pre-season training, taster sessions throughout September and October in Women’s Rugby, Cricket, Orienteering, Golf, TenPin Bowling, Martial Arts, Cheerleading and Badminton.
A 1000 cranes project for the J-Soc (Japanese Society)
Ashley Connolly
THE WINNER S
SOCIETY PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR AND MOST SUBMITTED HOURS FOR HIS DEDICATION TO ST JOHN LINKS Daniel Orton
SOCIETY OF THE YEAR The Bar and Mooting Society for developing their members throughout the year through debates, meetings and conferences.
The societies were recognised in the Students’ Union Volunteering and Teaching Awards in April, with the following winners:
STUDENT MEDIA PERSONALITY FOR CREATING THE THREAD WEBSITE FROM SCRATCH Ashley Connolly
OUTSTANDING SOCIETY ACHIEVEMENT Atiyah Ghulam for the Mercy of Mankind Art Exhibition.
The annual Varsity between Wolves and University College Birmingham (UCB) in October saw Wolves triumphant again. Around 150 students and 13 clubs took part, their efforts boosted by the new Cheerleading Society. Notable wins went to Badminton, Rugby, Men’s Hockey, Women’s Football, and Men’s Football. A 2nd Varsity was staged for the first time in April between Team Wolvo and Staffordshire University, where battle commenced in Basketball, Men’s Football, Rugby, Netball and Frisbee - another Wolves victory!
“Very positive people, happy to help you” MYSTERY SHOPPING EXCERCISE OCT 2012
12
13
ELECTIONS The main SU Elections took place in the first week of March and saw 52 candidates standing for Full and Part-time Executive positions, as well as School Reps. The Full Time positions were all contested by at least 5 students. 3539 voters (19% of students enrolled who had shared their data with the SU) cast 15,218 votes during the week.
“Well done to the SU for encouraging students to reflect on the work done by the lecturers and giving them a chance to appreciate us” University academic, SU Teaching Awards 2013
The Autumn Bye Elections in Semester 1 also went well, with 1,151 students voting - a 33% increase on voter turnout in Oct 2011.
STUDENTS’ UNION TEACHING AWARDS
NATIONAL STUDENT SURVEY Our satisfaction score in Q23 of the National Student Survey increased 3% from 2011/12 to 66%. More detailed analysis showed us in which Schools we needed to concentrate efforts to improve satisfaction and in which Schools the students rated us highly. National analysis shows that SU satisfaction averages 20% below that of their institutions; we came in 17% below ours. Our ‘dissatisfaction score’ came in much lower than a lot of Unions nationally and regionally, at 8%.
Demonstrate Quality & Value
The SU also supported the University to increase completion rates for the NSS by holding ‘NSS days’ followed by targeted School-based promotions, encouraging students to fill in the survey in return for a tasty free smoothie from our Squeezeboxes.
In April we hosted the second SU Teaching Awards, amusingly compered by our President, Dan Batchelor. Talented students entertained the staff and student guests, including Joey and the Jammers (Forensics student, Rachel Joseph, and Nursing student, Dan Mohr, pictured on page 15) and Judge (a Business Management student), our favourite Bhangra artist! (Pictured below right) We received over 200 student nominations for lecturers, tutors and support staff for 5 categories, with the winners receiving a stunning sculpture made by Art and Design student, Elliot Walker (pictured left).
THE WINNERS
ABOVE AND BEYOND AWARD Dr Shantha Perera (School of Applied Science)
CUTTING EDGE TEACHING STYLE Dr Brendan Bartram (School for Education Futures)
PERSONAL TUTOR AWARD
Quality
We improved our placement in the Time Higher Education Student Experience Survey Results published in April 2013 and were amongst the top 5 most improved Unions nationally, with our league placement improving to 69 (from 105 in 2010).
Mike Rickhuss (School for Education Futures)
DR NICK MUSGROVE AWARD FOR EXCEPTIONAL STAFF Support Dave Ormerod (School of Applied Science, pictured above right)
INSPIRATIONAL LECTURE Gerry Carlin (Law and Social Science)
DVC AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE Thaisa Whistance (Law and Social Science)
14
15
“I thought the awards evening was outstanding and really enjoyed the experience, the feeling of pride was tangible. Thank you for arranging such a great event” University academic, SU Teaching Awards 2013
MYSTERY SHOPPING
NUS AWARDS
The SU tested its services through mystery shopping of all its main reception points 3 times during the year. Results were between 79% and 100% for each visit , with some helpful feedback, including...
The Officers’ hard work paid off when we were Runners-Up for the NUS ‘Campaign of the Year’ Award in July (pictured top right). This was after successfully lobbying the University to separate academic debt (tuition fees) from non-academic debt (eg accommodation and nursery fees) when applying academic sanctions (such as with-holding IT facilities).
Walsall SU Fantastic and polite service with a friendly greeting and a warm atmosphere. The environment is great; it is clean and fun. It would be a nice place to sit and have a chat whilst catching up with friends. (Feb 2013) Walsall SU Attitude was great - no complaints. Overall really good visit, went into the SU for advice and received that advice. It was a nice clean site, everyone seemed happy. And they were really helpful. (Oct 2012). City SU Reception I got the information I required. I was unaware of this service and found it interesting. I was impressed with the range of information I could have got there. (Feb 2013) City Juice bar The staff member was happy to answer my questions and did not hesitate to answer. She showed a good knowledge of the products and SU services. (Jan 2013)
“It’s a real honour to receive a nomination and brought a tear to my eye – makes it all so worthwhile” University academic, SU Teaching Awards 2013
City SU The signage for the SU wasn’t the best so I had to ask for some directions (Oct 2012) City SU The Squeezebox is well decorated with great lighting to make a great atmosphere. There was music playing at the right level which added perfectly to the area. The staff’s attitude could not have been any better today, he was quick and accurate with the responses he gave me. (Oct 2012)
We considered the policy, written into the University’s Bye Laws over 20 years ago, to be out of date and to compound students’ problems, and we questioned its legality. After a series of papers and committee meetings, the University agreed to no longer apply academic sanctions for non-academic debt. This was a genuine win for students and is an issue the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is investigating nationwide as other unions take up the argument with their institutions.
21 AND PROUD As well as playing a key role at Open Days, the SU helped the University to celebrate its 21st Birthday, with a Poetry Night in April and the Walsall Family Fun Day in May. Sam Murphy, our Student Engagement Assistant, also won the University’s 21 and Proud Poetry Competition, with his 21 line poem.
“I would recommend this reception to anyone who needed help. I left with a smile on my face” Mystery Shopping Excercise City Reception [Oct 2012]
16
17
“ Me and my friends go to the SU at night before going out because it’s a place where there is no trouble and everyone seems friendly. The university has put a lot of work into the SU”
MYSTERY SHOPPING EXERCISE WALSALL SU FEB 2013
18
SPACE
THE LOVELY NEW LOUNGE, VENUE, ADVICE AND SUPPORT CENTRE, & SQUEEZEBOX IN OUR CITY CAMPUS WERE OFFICIALLY OPENED IN NOVEMBER 2012. STUDENT MUSICIANS AND SINGERS - EDWARD LONG, NADINE DANIELS, DANIEL NOCK, AND SOPHIE COTTERILL - HELPED US TO OPEN THE SPACE FORMALLY, WITH THE VICE CHANCELLOR AND PRESIDENT ALSO PROVIDING ENTERTAINING SPEECHES. WELCOME WEEK
CLUB DEALS
A successful Welcome Week was held with a packed programme of events on City and Walsall Campuses from Freshers Fayres, Sports and Societies Fayres, a ‘Get Involved’ Volunteering Fayre, International Students’ information Fayre, through to Comedy Nights, Quiz nights, Open Mic/Acoustic Nights, Games events, film screenings, Alton Towers trip, an Early Arrivals Party, and
The SU continued to negotiate deals with local clubs and bars to ensure exclusive and safe student nights out for our members. We have built good relations over the years so that rare problems or incidents on these nights are followed up very quickly and the students can enjoy relevant and affordable entertainment in local venues.
bespoke student nights in local bars and clubs. Around 6,000 students took part over the week. 126 Bestmates volunteered throughout to support our resources and make the whole thing possible, to whom we owe enormous gratitude.
THANKYOU!
TELFORD CAMPUS We worked with the University to create a better space for students to relax on Telford Campus, complete with a pool table, tea and coffee making facilities and a direct phone line to the City Campus SU.
WALSALL A new addition to our Walsall SU for 2012/13 was an afternoon and evening bar service. This came about after encouragement from the University to reinstate a bar on the campus, in response to student demand. After initially good sales, the bar eventually proved far more popular in the afternoons than evenings, with evening promotions and events failing to attract enough students. The programme of events for 13/14 will be reduced in light of these patterns of student behaviour.
SPACE DEVELOPMENTS The Trustee Board committed in Summer 2013 to utilise SU reserves to realise an engagement zone in the City SU and improve the kitchen in our Walsall SU.
3
Create & maintain fantastic social space for students
19
20
21
1,864 INDIVIDUAL ENQUIRIES WERE RECORDED THROUGH OUR ADVICE AND SUPPORT CENTRE (ASC) ON FINANCE, ACADEMIC, INTERNATIONAL AND HOUSING ISSUES, AS WELL AS ENQUIRIES ABOUT EMPLOYMENT, HEALTH, CONSUMER, AND LEGAL MATTERS. 58% of our clients sought advice by dropping in to see an adviser through our drop-in services on City and Walsall campus and 20% made contact via email. ASC continued to facilitate external drop ins by University Counselling Services, IT Services, Study Skills and the local Police and facilitated pre-bookable “Improve Your English” sessions for international students
4
ACADEMIC ISSUES
Provide support to students
SUPPORT
32% of all casework was academic related, with misconduct and appeals (mainly against completion) being the most common enquiries. The number of complaints about the University have fallen by around 15% this year and we know that a number of complaints are resolved informally through our Student Voice, via Course or School Reps. We have seen, however, an increase in the number of complaints regarding contact time with tutors/supervisors. There was a rise in requests for representation at formal hearings this year and Officers attended 58 meetings with students. Most requests for representation (misconduct hearings in particular) occur during the Summer months.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS 18% of all casework (an increase of 5% on 2011/12) was related to immigration and international student queries, mainly about visa renewal and extension. We continued to facilitate the Student Batch Scheme and, in partnership with the International Centre, to deliver Visa Workshops. One of our ASC advisors also made the shortlist for the NUS International Adviser of the Year Award.
ASC SEEK FEEDBACK FROM ALL STUDENTS WHO USE THE SERVICE 30% of those surveyed said that they had been referred from a University Department. A further 29% of those surveyed told us they had been directed to the service from either the University or Students’ Union website. 90% of students surveyed stated that they would recommend the service to other students.
22
23
76%
Undergraduate 24% HOUSING ADVICE & GUIDANCE 8% of all casework was Housing related, mostly requests for support with release from Halls Licence Agreements for financial, personal or medical reasons. We worked closely with University Accommodation Services and with local private halls of residence, ensuring that students experiencing genuine delays in their funding were treated as fairly as those living in University halls. www.wolverhamptonstudentpad. co.uk continues to grow in demand, with lodgings and homestay offers increasing the most in 2012-13.
EMPLOYABILITY SUPPORT FUND We implemented an Employability Support Fund for final year students to access up to £50 each to help pay towards the cost of attending interviews e.g. train fares or a new suit. The Fund was gifted to the SU following negotiations conducted by the previous President who argued that the University should allow savings from the lecturer’s strike in November 2011 to benefit students. Over the course of the year, we gave out just shy of £2,500 to 56 students. The fund will continue in 2013/14.
STUDENTWATCH New for 2012-13 was the launch of our bespoke Neighbourhood Watch initiative, “StudentWatch”, whereby students signed up to receive regular on-line updates on crime and safety in their area and to anonymously report incidents (for us to pass to the police). This gives local police valuable intelligence and enables them to
“They are always there to help with any worries that are stressful”
Home/EU fees
ASC client’s feedback (September 2012)
38% of all casework was finance related, mainly around tuition fees and fee support, although there was a reduction from 2011/12 in the number of enquiries we received with regards to University debt. We hope this is in part due to the proactive work that we undertake each year to remind students as to when and how to apply for student funding. ASC maintained strong links with University Finance and the Student Financial Support Unit and had a seat on the Access to Learning Fund - ALF - panels. 2012/13 saw a rise in the number of cases of hardship we supported through ALF and we helped secure over £33,000 for students in ALF awards alone. In total, we recorded gaining £143,113 for students through sound financial advice in, for example extra benefits and entitlements;
“The person I spoke to calmed me down and made me feel like I was not alone and there was professional advice available”
75% 24%
International fees
allocate resources more effectively.
FINANCE
Postgraduate
Male 48%
Female 52%
Standard age on entry
Mature (21+) on entry
40%
60%
ASC client’s feedback (September 2012)
THE ASC CONTINUES TO SUPPORT A DIVERSE RANGE OF STUDENT CLIENTS ACROSS ALL CAMPUSES
57%
were of an ethnicity other than “white”
24
25 TNE STUDENTS The President Dan Batchelor finished a great year by working with the International Centre to draft a Trans National Education (TNE) Charter for students at the University’s branch campuses. Dan visited the Sri Lanka campus with the VC where he was inspired by the students’ enthusiasm for the Student Voice for 2013/14. This is now an on-going priority for us.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
LISTEN STUDENT VOICE
5 Listen to our members and react to the issues that affect them most
Our Student Voice continued to be strong with 705 Course Reps (double the number in 2011/12) and 18 School Reps. SU staff and officers attended School Councils, monitoring trends through monthly reports and addressing urgent issues. Some of the wins facilitated by our Reps:
“ Of our 7 core aims, most respondents found Support to be the most important” Shapre Your Union Survey April 2013
A mendments to Telford bus times to accommodate particular lectures and reduce waiting times for students A review of marks for a whole course after complaints received from within the Business School R aising the issue of childcare and timetabling for School of Health students A change in teaching rooms that LSSC students reported as unfit for purpose E xtra support for international students on some School of Health courses, including tours of the local area. Emma Beardsmore, SHaW School Rep won School Rep of the Year at our Students’ Union Volunteer Awards in April for ‘building fantastic relationships with staff and students’. Course Rep of the Year was won by Laurren Wood-Bowness from the Business School, who was also elected Chair of the Business School Council.
The Executive Officers achieved a number of significant wins for students this year, namely: Coming runners-up in the annual NUS Awards for their campaign around ‘decoupling’ academic and non–academic debt (see page 14 for more details). The establishment, by our Welfare Vice President, of a cross-University Strategic Mental Health working group, after her concerns about the number of students on campus experiencing mental health problems. The group drew up an action plan endorsed by the University Student
DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNANCE The Exec team achieved a number of changes to the Union’s Bye Laws to streamline processes for our members and make Union Council more effective and representative including: R eplacing Activities Vice President with Student Experience Vice President C reating a Part-time Volunteering Engagement Officer R educing the number of nominations required to stand in Union Elections R emoving Non-Portfolio positions from 2013/14 M erging the posts of Mature Students’ Rep, Student Parents’ Rep and Parttime Students Officer into one Part-time Officer position
Experience Committee which resulted in the implementation of revised crisis guidelines and new training programmes for staff in how best to support students with mental health issues, and the recruitment of a specialist mental health advisor.
The Exec sat on every major university committee up to the University’s Corporate Management Team and Board of Governors and participated in specific project groups and reviews, often facilitating wider student groups discussions, including:
They also brought about a number of wins for international students, such as
T he University’s move from Schools to Faculties
c hanges in the timetabling of some Spring graduation ceremonies to enable more international students to attend
A move to percentage marking (from alpha-numerical)
t he scrapping of charging deposits to international students to borrow equipment on some courses (when home students weren’t charged)
A reviewing the University’s Virtual Learning Environment
t he agreement by the University to establish a hardship fund in 13/14 to which international students could apply
Timetabling changes
R eview of the Institute of Learning Enhancement S urveying students about support provided by IT students
c hallenging the University on its policy of charging students for posting degree certificates overseas.
SHAPE YOUR UNION Throughout April, we conducted a ‘Shape Your Union Survey’ with our members. 1059 respondents answered 31 on-line questions, with the following headlines: 7 7% either agreed or strongly agreed that they were satisfied with the SU O f our 7 core aims, most respondents considered the most important to be ‘Provide support to students’ followed by ‘Listen to our members and react to the issues that affect them most’ Just under half were aware that the SU represented their views to the University and provided sport & social activities, as well as advice and support 6 4% felt our website was good or very good (33% thought it was ok) Just under 30% of students knew who the Exec were and were aware of their achievements 60% voted in our March Elections J ust under 60% knew who their Course Reps were and how to contact them
THE MOST POPULAR PRIORITIES THEY FELT THE UNION SHOULD HAVE WERE: Providing volunteering opportunities R epresenting students’ views to the university Providing impartial advice and support P roviding more employability skills support The full set of results were extremely useful, giving clear areas to action for 2013/14.
26
27 STUDENT STAFF
6 Staff “ I would recommend to anyone to get involved in some way with the SU” Daria Ostapengo Staff Member [2013]
Develop an involved, supportive and strong staff team
Over the year, 46 members of student staff worked over 14,200 hours with us, earning over £88,000. We are committed to providing employment opportunities to as many students as possible and review all vacant core staff positions to establish if students can fulfil the role. This year we created a new student staff post to support our advertising and sales function. Two graduate interns were also appointed to support the Executive Officers and our marketing department. Student staff received corporate inductions, probationary reviews, regular team meetings and 1-2-1s. During our recruitment drive in May 2013, we had 150 applications for 23 jobs and 48 for 2 new student engagement posts. Student staff redesigned our website to make it more vibrant and accessible. Page views in March 2012 increased by 32,000 from the same 6 week period in 2011 and the time spent on pages increased by 8%.
This year also saw another of our student members of staff, Daria Ostapengo (pictured left), secure a core staff position as a Projects Assistant from April to September. On leaving the organisation for a great opportunity at Bath Students’ Union, Daria wrote: “ I would like to thank everyone at the SU for giving me and teaching me so much during my time here. It’s been an amazing, rewarding experience and I’ll never forget it as my first full-time job. I’ll be forever thankful to all the people who’ve helped me develop my skills and build my confidence. This was the perfect step for me career wise as it’s given me the push I needed to go from a student to a professional.” A member of our Walsall student staff, Gemma Carroll (see image on page 29) was a regional winner in the annual Student Employee of the Year Awards 2013, held by NASES (the National Association of Student Employment Services) in June. Gemma always went the extra mile to help the core staff team and suggest ways to improve services to students. As a Special Needs and Inclusion with Education student, she also clocked up many hours volunteering in a local school helping SEN children.
STAFF RECOGNITION AND DEVELOPMENT The mid-year budget review in January saw additional funds being channelled to staff recognition, training and development and three of our staff completed an ILM Level 5 in Management. Our advisers continue to keep abreast of developments in the advice fields through regular training and we recognised 15 individual core and student staff for excellent work. We took all staff out to thank them for delivering the busy Spring Elections and our student staff attended our Christmas meal for the first time.
STAFF SURVEYS April saw the annual round of core and student staff surveys, giving management crucial feedback to action, mainly around improving team work and communication. Staff coffee mornings were then established, as well as more cross-department working groups to enable staff to experience different projects. Improvements the previous year to the student staff training had clearly had a positive effect as student employees they reported feeling much more knowledgeable about the SU and their roles. They asked us to ensure they always got feedback on their ideas to improve the SU and to feel able to ask for help from all staff, not just their line manager.
“ It’s been an amazing, rewarding experience and I’ll never forget it as my first full-time job” Daria Ostapengo Staff Member [2013]
28
“
29
When applying for the job at Walsall’s Student Union never in a million years did I expect to get it.
“
GEMMA CARROLL STUDENT STAFF JULY 2013
I was nervous, unorganised, ditzy and was all over the place but somewhere in between they managed to spot some potential and I became part of the Squeezebox team.
“
I never expected to love a job as much as I did working in the SU, to many people its just the SU where we sell amazing chicken wraps and a pool table but once you engage with the staff and students there you will realise it is more than that. The people I worked with were not just colleagues they became amazing friends and a second family. My confidence grew as everyday I was constantly dealing with different people and became good at dealing with difficult situations. I have learned the true meaning of responsibility and was able to apply this to Uni work. Also through the SU, I volunteered in a Secondary School in the Special Needs Unit. The support I got before I started and throughout really made my experience more enjoyable as I felt at ease and confident about the expectations that school had of me and what I was expecting from the school. The SU very much practices what it preaches in terms of being there for students, run by students and everything they do is for the interest of students - it is a pleasure to work and be involved in. Any ideas or improvements we mentioned to management they took on board and did their best to put into practice or if that was impossible, to offer alternatives. Working for the SU has heightened my experience of University and winning the Student Employee of the Year Awards Regional Level has brightened up my CV.
“
30
7 RE SPON SIBLE
Be financially, ethically, and environmentally responsible
31
32
33
WE CONTINUED PROMOTING EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY AND REPRESENT A WIDE RANGE OF STUDENTS IN 2012/13. HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES: A Black History Month exhibition showcasing work by student artists chronicling historical black icons, as well as a black mental health workshop ur welfare VP established a crossO campus strategic group to address issues surrounding mental health support on campus F acilitated Interfaith Fayre in November, bringing students together to celebrate religious diversity I ncreased the number LGBT+ NUS delegates representing our University. O ur LGBT+ Society won the Event of the Year Award at the NUS LGBT Awards and were shortlisted for Campaign of the Year at the LGBT Society Awards
eld a sports tournament to mark H International Day for People with Disabilities P etitioned the University for more disability access to sporting facilities, to form part of the blueprint for a refurbished Sports Centre on City Campus F acilitated accredited courses whereby teaching and sports students could learn how to support and coach pupils with disabilities
H eld a series of deaf-awareness workshops and ensured sign language interpreters attended all of our major events D elivered disability awareness and cultural awareness training for core staff E stablished better social space for students on Telford campus
D eveloped a ‘Friendly Faces’ scheme, in partnership with the Enabling Centre, to help a diverse range of students settle into University life T rialled a family room in partnership with the University Chaplaincy for parents to come once a week to access support and guidance
In summer 2012, our Dig In project received an ‘Improving Award’ in the RHS Heart of England in Bloom Directory
GREEN IMPACT Following a comprehensive audit visit from NUS in January 2013, the SU was delighted to retain its Silver Green Impact standard and continued to work with the University at a strategic level to improve sustainability across the campuses. As well as organising a Fair trade Football Tournament in February, we supported the University’s annual Green Week in April by hosting a number of activities, including a British Heart Foundation Shoe Amnesty (collecting 191 pairs of shoes), a Green Fair promoting Fair trade, vegan and vegetarian produce, an artwork exhibition with art recouped from University waste, and green ‘The Hulk’ smoothies sold from our Squeezebox! Information went out encouraging students to take small steps to reduce
HOW WE SPENT OUR FUNDING – HEADLINE SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR In 2012/13 we received a very similar Block Grant to the previous year which, in light of the economic climate and efficiencies being made across the University, demonstrated a belief in the SU. We exceeded income targets for external advertising arrangements and Welcome Week commercial fairs and generated over £20,000 through the sale of 4,264 NUS Extra Cards, coming 15th out of 106 SUs for sales. As well as saving students plenty of £££s, this enabled investment back into student services. The Union received reserved funding for Welcome Week activities and for the NUS Student Led Teaching Awards programme. Staffing vacancies throughout the year, including a Full Time Executive Officer
their own carbon footprints. The University produced a fabulous video of the week, which can be viewed at http://www.wolvesunion.org/yourunion/ environment/
position and, for a time the CEO position, resulted in a higher than expected year-end surplus. This was added to our reserves to support space development projects over summer 2013.
DIG-IN PROJECT
In January, the Executive conducted a budget review, into which the staff team could ‘bid’.
September 2012 saw the official launch of our Dig In project (pictured left). We secured ’Student Eats’ funding from NUS to develop an allotment on Walsall campus, enabling students and staff to grow and sell their own produce. The allotment, which has raised beds and a polytunnel, as well as a wild section to encourage wildlife, has elicited interest from a small but committed group of students and staff on the campus and produced some lovely fruit and veg, from radishes to strawberries. Engagement was affected by an enduring winter in 2012 but we are hoping to reignite interest in 2013/14.
A surplus and confident profiling allowed us to expend on projects or costs that had been un-resourced in the first term, namely: 6 new PCs for the students in our Activities space 2 new PCs for staff Extra staff training and development Additional funding for School Rep and volunteer expenses New equipment for our kitchen at Walsall A dditional marketing materials S taff reward and recognition
At our Walsall SU, the introduction of a new hot food offer with wraps, pizzas and burgers clearly met a need on campus and contributed significantly to sales. We also supported events held at weekends in the Sports Centre by opening and selling hot food and drinks.
SQUEEZEBOX Both Squeezebox operations (City and Walsall) performed above target, which was particularly pleasing for City Squeezebox in its first year of operation, producing a yearend net profit of just over £9,000.The year saw steady growth as we introduced new lines to the product mix and we were careful to record trading data to allow us to better plan for 13/14. Two biggest peaks in our trade were during the University’s UG assessment periods. The Squeezebox was often the only catering outlet open to students during the holiday periods, offering a vital service to those students who were still around. Throughout the year, in response to feedback we introduced toasted sandwiches and paninis and a new range of healthier smoothies, as well as premium milkshakes for those in need of a treat. We continued to sell sandwiches and salads and introduced a new, healthier range in Urban Eat. The year -end net profit exceeded the target by around £4,000 at just over £16,000. We introduced an evening bar service until 11pm weekdays and 6pm at weekends. After good initial interest, attendance waned significantly over the year, with students spending time in their halls before going out late. Opening times of the bar were, therefore, adjusted to meet a daytime need.
34
35
NEXT
“ I now know not to panic about deadlines but to speak to SU for advice. If I have any future problems I will always speak to the Students’ Union staff first”
Some of the things we want to achieve next year
TRUSTEES
Increase the numbers of students engaged and participating with our activities and services on Walsall Campus
Enhance the Student Voice developing a closer relationship with Course Reps and a bespoke Student Voice database that gives real time information
Jane Nelson – University Trustee
Increase support for student parents and ways for them to access the SU
Mike Ager – External Trustee Lee Smith – External Trustee Adam Keane – Student Trustee
OFFICERS TRUSTEES President – Dan Batchelor Activities Vice President – Joanna Zielinska
Advance our research and marketing intelligence of who is engaged with us and who isn’t
Produce a longer term Strategic Plan Continue to grow our student satisfaction rates through internal surveys and the NSS
Welfare Vice President – Iwuese Nyager
Improve our ranking in the BUCS leagues and increase the number of teams competing
Academic Vice President – Marie Cheer
PART-TIME OFFICERS Gurgit Rai – City Campus Officer Safahad Shaikh – Telford Campus Officer Samantha Oakes – Walsall Campus Officer Abhishek Dicholkar – International Students’Officer Mark Birkumshaw – Part-Time Students’ Officer
Continue to improve the experience and facilities for students on Telford campus
Expand the support we provide to students around employability and help raise aspirations within the local populations
Develop a student voice for TNE students
Kayode Olaniyan – Environmental Officer Marcello Nobrega Events and Activities Officer Gracia Justice – Communications Officer
ASC client’s feedback [April 2013]
City Campus MD Building Wulfruna Street Wolverhampton WV1 1LY
Walsall Campus WS Building Gorway Road Walsall WS1 3BD
Tel: 01902 322021 Fax: 01902 322020
Tel: 01902 322320 Fax: 01902 323036
E-mail: info@wolvesunion.org Website: www.wolvesunion.org
Twitter: www.wolvesunion.org/twitter Facebook: www.wolvesunion.org/facebook YouTube: www.wolvesunion.org/youtube
“Designing the report is a design challenge, but great fun!� Sean Bird - Former Graduate