huddersfield students' union impact report 2010/11
DESCRIPTION
This Impact Report details how we have made student life better for those studying here.TRANSCRIPT
Our Vision:To have a positiveimpact on the livesof all our students
Our Mission:Working togetherto make studentlife better
3. Introduction
4. Democratic & accountable student leadership
8. Ethical & sustainable
10. Impact in images
12. Quality & continuous improvement
14. Inclusive & accessible
16. Partnership
18. Innovation
Contents
3IntroductionDuring the 2010/11 academic
year, we have made great steps
forward in our quest to make life
better for the students at the
University of Huddersfield. The
Students’ Union is committed to
the continuous improvement of
everything we do to make a
positive impact on the lives of
our students.
To do this, we live by a number
of values:
• to ensure our leadership is
democratic and accountable
to students
• to operate ethically and be
sustainable
• to be accessible and inclusive
for all of our members
• to work in partnership with the
university and other
organisations to make
student life better
• to strive to improve and
innovate in all that we offer.
This year both students and staff
have worked hard to make
student life better and 78% of
our members say we’ve had a
positive impact on their time at
Huddersfield.
This Impact Report details how
we have made student life better
for those studying here.
We have grouped our
achievements according to our
values, but a review of the
document shows our work is not
easily pigeon holed.
Matt ChristieStudents’ Union President
2010/11
2010/2011 Executive teamMatt Christie: President
Natalie Wolstenhulme: WelfareAndy Blunt: EducationKieran Elsby: Activities
Ben Hall: Comms
2010/2011 EXECUTIVE TEAM
Democratic &accountablestudent leadership
All key decisions will have the input of ourmembers and staff and will be open toscrutiny. All elections will be conductedfairly. Our campaigns work will be evidenceled and reflect members priorities
15% turnout 48% increase 3,579 votes
CRIM COLLECTIVE ARTWORK IN THE GRADUATE
5DemocraticEvery year the Students’ Union holds elections for
its members to decide who will lead the
organisation. We want our members to have a
say in the way we run their Union and actively
encourage students to participate in our
organisation through the Course Rep system,
Union Council and General Meetings – to name
but a few.
• There were 3,579 votes cast in the March
2012 elections a 15% turnout and increase of
48% from the previous year
• The five executive team positions contested by
16 candidates
• Six forums were established, including: LGBT
Forum, Women’s Forum and International
Students’ Forum
• 2 Motions were submitted to NUS Conference,
one of which is now NUS policy (Students with
Dependents)
• Influencing some of the Olympics 2012
decisions, with one of our student officers
sitting on the British Olympics Student
Committee.
Accountable studentleadership
• Union Council membership has expanded,
adding over 10 new representatives
• Seven school reps have been elected to
ensure array of voices in our key decisions
• Support and training in accountability and
report writing delivered to Council members.
Course RepsAt this University we have a fantastic
relationship where our Course and School
Reps champion the student voice and in return
see real change for their students -making
sure that your time here is the best that it can
be. This includes:
• restructuring the way a module is taught
• improving the feedback loop on assessments
to ensure that students are getting the best
grades possible
• organising the Freshers’ Ball in Human and
Health Sciences (organised by their School
Rep)
Fees and funding cuts
We regularly survey our members who
consistently tell us their top concerns are finance
& debt and academic workload and achievement.
Our response to the government proposals to
reduce the public investment in Universities,
which will project more costs on to students and
put academic quality and contact time at risk, was
clear opposition.
• 200 students from Queensgate, Barnsley and
Oldham campuses attended National
Demonstrations
• 50 students from University Campus Barnsley
marched on their Town Hall
• The President and Vice Chancellor issued a
joint email urging staff and students to write to
and lobby their MPs.
• Executive members represented student views
to our local MPs. Conservative MP Jason
McCartney then voted against his party policy
on raising fees.
Whilst the new fee regime was passed in
Parliament, we have worked to influence the
University to adopt a fair approach to fees in a
challenging environment. An Executive Committee
letter sent to the VC and University Council set
out a range of principals focused on getting a fair
deal for students. Whilst other Universities are
charging the maximum, the University listened to
our representations. The resulting fee of £7950
means a £3150 saving for each student over 3
years in contrast to Universities charging the
maximum. For around 3000 English
undergraduates who will join the University in
Sept 2012 this amounts to a total student saving
of £9.45million over the course of their studies.
Evidence led Campaigning & Representation
JASON MCCARTNEY BLOGS ABOUT TUITION FEES
7
OPAL rent chargesOur Student Accommodation
Survey alerted us to the fact that
OPAL Housings payment schedule
was out of sync with Student Loan
payments, putting students at risk
of late payment penalties of £30
per week.
Huddersfield Students’ Union led
nationally in lobbying the
accommodation provider to
reverse late rent payment fees for
students who were receiving their
loans after the rent payment
schedule.
OPAL agreed not to apply penalty
charges to students with loans due
and agreed to review their
payment schedule for future years.
We estimate in the current year
this has saved the 729 students
living in OPAL accommodation a
total of £44,000
HUGE SAVINGS FOR HUDDERSFIELD STUDENTS
estimated future fees
of accommodation charges
Ethical & Sustainable!We will conduct our affairs and make decisions based onthe principles of recognised sound ethical practice formembership based Not For Profit organisations. We willmanage our services in a financially sustainable manner.
100% of the tea, coffee, hot chocolate& sugar served in The Graduate,Coffee Bean and Shop is Fair Trade
Environmental ImpactWe work hard to ensure minimal
environmental impact, focussing
closely on our energy
consumption and wastage. Our
reduced carbon emissions
contribute to the Universities
carbon reduction targets and we
have been able to not only
reduce the amount of rubbish we
produce, but also reduce our
operating costs.
Examples of our improved
environmental impact include:
• None of our waste goes to
landfill. This year 15.44
tonnes of waste from the
Students’ Union was
recycled, with 13.66 tonnes
being recycled locally.
• Installing restrictors on our
washbasin taps has reduced
our water consumption by
30% this year, saving 737
cubic metres of water.
• Continued efforts to reduce
our electricity consumption,
has led to a 2,145 kilowatts
decrease in usage.
Ethical ImpactOur commitment to ethical
products can be highlighted with
our exclusive use of Fair Trade
tea, coffee, sugar and Hot
Chocolate in the Coffee Bean,
Shop and Graduate.
The Students’ Union Shop
stocks over 60 different Fair
Trade products giving students
ethical choices in food and
clothing.
AccreditationIn March 2011 we received a
Silver Award as part of the NUS
Green Impact accreditation
scheme reflecting our hard work
and success in improving our
environmental impact and
movement towards sustainability.
9
This year we havedecreased ourelectricityconsumption by2,145 kilowatts
That’s enough topower a studentflat for 5 months!
FRESHERSBigger than ever, the Freshers Marqueewas the place to be Freshers week.Providing info & showcasing theactivities and opportunities for studentsto get involved in, not only on campusbut around Huddersfield!
LOSE THELABELS
First campaign ofthe year focussed
on celebratingdiversity and
encouraging afriendly campus
SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER JANUARY FEBRUARY
TUITION FEES200 Huddersfield students attended
the NUS demo in London againstTuition Fees. The Exec convinced localConservative MP Jason McCartney to
vote against the increase, and alsoworked with the University to ensure a
fair fee was established.
CREATINGSPACEThe Coffee Beanwas treated to afacelift, creating asocial space forstudents to eat,work, chat & relax.
CLEGGERONMASKMOBA visual quick digat the CoalitionGovernmentspolicies affectingstudents.
FUNFAYREAnother opportunity for the Students’Union to highlight the varied activitiesstudents can be involved with oncampus, with some additionalencouragement in the form of candyfloss & hook-a-duck!
CHINESE NEWYEAR
The SU was proudto host a Chinesecelebration with
food, music,dances, displays
BATTLE OF THEBANDSRevive, a graduatebusiness venturesupported by theUniversityBusiness Mine,held a BotB event,spanning fivenights. Usingstudent designers,photographers &musicians, thisevent was morethan just a greatgig!
11
MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE INTO THE FUTURE
RAG WEEKA student led week of fund raising,involving University bigwigs andstudents leaping off the side of tallbuildings and lecturers beingsubmerged in a bath of cold mushypeas. All for chari-dee baby!
ELECTIONSDemocracy on campus: a record numberof votes as 16 candidates fought it outfor the five executive team positions.
CELEBRATINGSUCCESS
in all areas ofstudent life - at theAnnual SU Awardsevening, on Results
Day and duringGraduation week.
FUTURE We have many exciting plans forthe year ahead. These include abrand new online TV station anda community green campaign,which will supply food for localhomeless charities.
NE W BRANDThe Students’ Union launches its’ newbranding in the summer of 2011. Thenew brand combines simplicity, brightvisuals, strong values and encourages aconsistant presence on campus andonline
VARSITYRevenge is a dishbest served cold.After last yearsheart breakingdefeat, it was timefor Huddersfield towin it back onhome soil.
HUDDERSFIELD13 V 8
BRADFORD
78% of Huddersfieldstudents said yes!
Does the Students’ Unionhave a positive impact onyour life at University?
Quality & Continuous Improvement...Providing a quality experience will underpin all our planning and be our principalfocus when interacting with our members. We will be nationally recognised forimproving student life through quality and effective representation.
13Students’ Union Evaluation InitiativeIn October 2010 we collected our Students Union Evaluation
Initiative Bronze Award. This award recognised 2 years of
working towards external standards and demonstrated our
commitment to continuous improvement. We are now working
towards SUEI 2 and aim to improve our accreditation level.
An element of the SUEI evaluation, known as the SUEI “killer
question”, asks students “Does the Students’ Union have a
positive impact on your life at University?” In March 2011, of the
students who answered the annual Students’ Union survey, 78%
answered this “killer question” positively.
Recognising the change and improvement made, Huddersfield
Students’ Union was asked to present a challenging session at
the SUEI national conference with the title “getting 100% better”.
Best Bar NoneThe Graduate was recognised nationally as a Best Bar None.
The Home Office supported scheme ensures that all winners
work closely with local authorities to ensure a safe environment
RebrandThe new Students’ Union brand launching in Summer 2011 will
simplify the identity of services offered to students, clearly
communicating what we stand for and what we do. There will
be no blurry memories of the SU just being the place where they
partied, but an organisation that made a real positive impact on
many aspects of their student life.
Recognising our quality and continuous improvement...
Womens Football at Varsity 2011
Inclusive &accessible
We will take positive action to make all ouractivities, services and opportunities forinvolvement open to all our members
15Our values set out “we should be open and
accessible to all of our members”, and we really
take that to the heart of everything we do. That’s
why this year, we have:
• 986 members of Union sports teams or
societies
• 104 active community volunteers
• 380 course reps trained and supported
• 5 Elected students who lead the organisations
democratic and social activities.
But in addition to these formal roles and activities
it is the informal work of clubs, societies and
student groups that support an inclusive and
accessible student experience.
Providing a Great WelcomeOver 3,000 new students were addressed during
welcome talks delivered throughout the year in
partnership with the University.
The Freshers Fayre in September and the Fun
Fayre in January brought marquees onto campus
and gave new and returning students an
opportunity to find out more about what they can
get involved with and sign up there and then!
Varsity 2011
Huddersfield hosted the Annual Varsity Challenge
against Bradford, involving 15 different sports and
over 1000 participants. Not only was this event
bigger and better than in previous years, on home
turf Huddersfield secured Varsity victory.
RAG (Raise and Give)RAG’s success this year is primarily owed to the
1100 hours put in by core volunteers and
committee members, enabling the group to raise
over £20,000 which is fantastic compared to the
previous years total of approximately £3,500,
which was a considerable financial donation to
RAG charities.
Student skillsAll our student activity leaders gain the skills
and knowledge needed to organise and deliver
large events whilst being supported within a
professional work environment. The activities
and events held brought together students,
staff and members of the local community,
making a positive and enjoyable atmosphere
on campus.
PartnershipWe will develop partnership working withUniversity departments and externalorganisations where this will benefit ourmembers and customers. Elected Officers,Students’ Union departments and staff willwork together as a unified team at all times.
UNIVERSITY CAMPUS AT DUSK
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS CELEBRATE THE2010 FOOTBALL WORLD CUP IN THE GRADUATE
17University Partnerships:Working closely with the
University of Huddersfield
ensures student concerns are
addressed by those who are in a
position to make changes and
improve student life.
Alongside the University we
oppose the Governments Higher
Education reforms. The SU was
praised for its involvement in
highlighting the impact these
changes would have on future
students.
International Office.International students arriving at
UK airports are greeted with a
warm welcome by Students’
Union Ambassadors.
International Office colleagues
commented “We were enthused
about how brilliant the
Ambassadors were at the
airport.” The Students’ Union
worked with the Chinese Society
and the International Office to
celebrate the Chinese New Year
on campus.
SchoolsThe Students’ Union supports
student led events, School Rep
Laura McIntyre worked with her
Dean to create a summer ball.
Estates Department3,000 students a day visited our
Fresher’s’ Fayre marquee; and
our first Fun Fayre in January
was visited by over 1,100
students.
Local PartnershipsBuilding a relationship with local
Athletics team, Longwood
Harriers, we started a Athletics
Club, where students can enjoy
the benefits of track and field for
only £15 per year, saving £135!
Huddersfield Giants joined
forces with the Students’ Union
offering discount entry to Super
League matches, whilst player
Jamahl Lolesi trained our Rugby
League team. The Giants also
gave access for students from
Radiohudd and Huddersfield
Student to interview players and
commentate on matches,
gaining valuable media
experience.
Huddersfield Town and the
Students’ Union welcomed
students by giving away 500
match day tickets to games
throughout the season.
I would like to pay tribute
to the Students’ Union for
the way in which they have
lobbied on the issue and
behaved with utmost respect.
They have been an example
for other SUs to follow.
Vice Chancellor Bob Cryan
Innovation!We will be creative in all our work and will seekout new and innovative ways of deliveringservices, activities and opportunities for members
“ASK TIM” QUESTION & ANSWERS WITH PRO VICE CHANCELLOR PROFESSOR TIM THORNTON
19Ask TimInnovation doesn’t always need
to be about technology,
sometimes you have to go back
to basics and the Ask Tim events
were about making a key
member of University
management - Tim Thornton the
Pro Vice Chancellor Teaching
and Learning - available for
students to ask questions and
get answers & results quickly.
Some examples of changes for
members include:
• Oldham students getting
access t o Guest Lectures at
Queensgate via Unitube
• Many teaching and learning
matters were resolved in
under 48 hours.
• Issuing University timetables
early so students can plan
their study and home life.
Mobile SUThe MSU came from a need to
reach out to students that may
not step into the SU building, or
interact with us on our online
sites. After consultation and
dummy runs we realised it would
need to be multifunctional &
physically adaptable and use
cutting edge technology.
A financial commitment to the
Mobile SU has been made and it
will launch at Storthes Hall
during welcome weekend.
Smartphone AppsAnother of our innovative
University Partnerships was
working with a student in the
School of Computing &
Engineering. The brief was to
design a S martPhone App for
our annual Varsity event. The
app provided simple, fast and
reliable coverage; with an
interactive map of venues,
fixture times & live scores,
transport arrangements and up-
to-date news throughout the day.
USING IPADS TO RECORD STUDENT OPINION & VARSITY APP IN ACTION
Huddersfield Students’ UnionQueensgate. Huddersfield. HD1 3DH • 01484 [email protected] • www.huddersfield.su
Huddersfield Students’ Union is a Registered Charity 1137401
v1.2 July 2011
Join us online @huddersfieldSU Environmental information:This report is printed on 80%recycled paper, using vegetable ink.