The state of

THE UNIONAnnual Report 2010

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Welcome to the Students’ Union Annual Report �010! So what’s the point of a Students’ Union, anyway? What do we do? What have we ever done for you? Every student - that is, every member - should ask this of their Union, and ask it regularly. In this report, we hope to give you a genuine idea of the impact that we’re having on the lives of thousands of our members. Whether you’ve helped run a society, come in for a spot of advice from our Student Advice and Representation Centre, or even if you’ve bought a sandwich in one of our shops, you’ve come into contact in some way with the work that we do as your Students’ Union. But behind all of this, there’s a huge amount going on that you might not always know about.

We’re incredibly proud of our achievements as a Union in the last year. In the following pages, we hope you’ll be able to get a real glimpse of some of the many things that we do to make your time at Nottingham the best that it can be. Over the next twelve months, we aim to make it even better. So look out for us, and make sure you let us know what you think!

Will VickersPresident

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The SU Big Review was a unique opportunity for students to have their say about how the Union is run, and to shape its future! A huge part of this was a survey, which was completed by over �000 students, with all demographics represented. The result was plenty of useful feedback on how the Union is viewed and what can be done to improve the student experience:

The most popular ways that you’d like the Students’ Union to help you, are through a balance of providing support into work, making university life more fun and improving your prospects of academic success.

71% of you know about the Students’ Union; however there are significantly lower levels of awareness amongst Non-EU Internationals (5�%), Mature students (58%) and Non-White students (61%).

51% say the main limitation to use of the Union is time, followed by lack of information (�8%) and money (�6%).

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Email is the preferred means of union communication followed by the university portal. Facebook is also popular but less so amongst part-time students in particular.

80% of members feel the Students’ Union is having a positive impact on their time at University. This is good but obviously we would like this to be higher! It will be a key part of our strategy to recognise the impact we are having.

This survey was one of two major surveys which took place this year, with the aim of gauging student opinion on their university experience. We have taken this information forward to use in refining our core values and purpose, and developing a new strategic plan.

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SU Big Review �010

THE S.U.

BIG REVIEW

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Digital screens were installed into all Halls during the summer; these will be used to improve communication between JCRS and the Students’ Union.

This year, Union Council and Candidate Question Times were broadcast over the internet, making the Students’Union accessible to the student body as a whole, including those who were too far away (in Boston or Mansfield for example) or too busy to attend.

The Students With Caring Responsibilities Group was established specifically to support students juggling the demands of being parents and carers, providing guidance and offering plenty of opportunities to socialise with those in the same situation. The Postgraduate Students’ Association had a highly productive year, with its most successful Week One to date and a huge variety of events, including Big Days Out across the country. The first PGSA at our China and Malaysia Campuses were also established.

RepresentationOver 7,000

students voted in

the �010 Exec

Elections, making

it another record

breaking year!

General Election �010

May �010 saw the General Election take place, as well as an exciting time for British politics. The Students’ Union was there to make sure students realised the importance of casting their vote, on both a local and national level, not least because the student population holds a massive 1�% of the UK vote! The Students’ Union Exec were out and about encouraging students to register to vote (Cadbury’s Creme eggs were used as a tasty extra incentive!) and to actually use their vote on 6th May. Along with the Politics Society they also held a debate for all the prospective parliamentary candidates standing for Nottingham South; issues from the NHS to student funding were discussed. University tuition fees and graduate unemployment were big issues in the election, and the Students’ Union was there to represent your voice to the people that matter. In the run up to the election the Students’ Union campaigned for fairer top-up fees through the Debtonate Campaign. �009-10 President, Rob Greenhalgh, presented a petition with over 1,�00 signatures, opposing any increase in tuition fees, to Lord Mandelson during a visit to the University of Nottingham.

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Library Campaign

During the summer exams,

when the libraries are at their

busiest, we conducted a library

campaign. We asked students to

complete comment cards with

their opinions on the libraries and

how they would like to improve

their learning experience. Some of

the top comments centred around

space, computers and noise levels!

This is all really useful information

that can be used to

constantly improve

facilities.

Course RepsIn 2009 we trained 198 Course Reps – up from 110 in 2008. To make things easier, continuing Reps got to complete refresher training hosted through WebCT, with a further 78 Reps taking up this opportunity. The on-line skills sessions have also proved popular.

The elected Faculty Co-ordinators worked extremely hard on various projects throughout 2009/10, in conjunction with the Education Officer. Whilst students may have been enjoying the snow, Faculty Co-ordinators were on hand to co-ordinate information after snow hampered the January exam period, and they also assisted Reps with lecture shout-outs to encourage final year students to complete the National Student Survey.

EducationIn Autumn 2009, the University agreed to introduce a �8 day turnaround time for marking and feedback on assessments. The Education Officer worked with Course Reps across the University to make this happen.

The Education Officer worked with students from various schools across the University to address the accuracy of pre-arrival information. In most cases this was resolved to the students’ satisfaction and re-enforces the importance of the Education Network.

Postgraduate Councils will be introduced in 2010/11 to build on the already strong PG Rep System. 2009 saw the elections for the first Postgraduate Faculty Co-ordinators.

Following the Quality Assurance Agency audit, it was felt that information such as external examiner reports should be more freely available to students. As a result the Students’ Union ran a competition to re-name Student Staff Feedback Committees as learning community forums and the Education Officer worked with the University to develop an on-line resource which will be rolled out in 2011.

News of the Education Network Accreditation Scheme filtered down through the Schools, and we were pleased to award 220 certificates, some of which were awarded at the Education Network AGM.

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SUEI Award We were awarded a Bronze Students’ Union Evaluation Initiative (SUEI) award this year, the culmination of a number of years’ work. Working in partnership with the NUS, this accreditation demonstrates the mark of a good Students’ Union, ensuring we are making a positive difference to the lives of students, and continually improving the opportunities available to them. Next time we’ll be aiming for Silver!

National Student Survey (NSS) The NSS polls all final year students at UK universities on their student experience, and in �010 the University of Nottingham jumped 1� places in the NSS rankings — from ��nd to �0th, with an overall satisfaction score of 87%. This rise reflects continued efforts to respond to feedback from previous surveys, and the Students’ Union worked with colleagues across the University to increase awareness of the NSS and the importance of students getting their voice heard.

The trends gathered from the survey go on to help form Exec Officers’ priorities for the year, as well as allowing us to make plenty of positive changes in the year ahead.

Feedback from the Survey resulted in 500 extra plug sockets being provided across five Libraries. They have also tweaked the wireless coverage in the Hallward Library and the number of laptops available for loan in the libraries has increased by �0% to 1�0.

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The Student Advice team had the busiest ever year in terms of numbers in 2009/10 - with 10,1�� enquiries received. The main areas of work for the Welfare Advisers related to housing deposits and housing contract issues. The main areas of work for the Education Advisers related to academic appeals and academic offences.

One of the Welfare Advisers has carried out accreditation inspections for UNIPOL, helping to develop SARC’s knowledge of local student housing conditions. A member of SARC staff continued to sit on the UNIPOL Nottingham sub-committee.

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student advice &representation centre

IntersitesIn September 2009, The Department of Health (DoH) released a consultation document on the future of the NHS Bursary scheme for healthcare students in England. Using an on-line survey we gathered the views of over 780 students across our nine healthcare teaching sites in Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire. We then submitted a report to the DoH on behalf of our members to ensure that our nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy and medical students had a voice and could actively contribute to the consultation process on this vital aspect of student funding. At the time of publishing this report, we continue to wait for the outcome of this review to be announced by the government.

Following the submission of a plan from a student nurse to improve the common room at our Lincoln Centre, the Students’ Union has worked closely with the University to successfully secure over £5000 of funding from the central university, which will now allow this project to go ahead.

The Nursing & Midwifery Association (NAMA) Committee at Boston Centre has gone from strength to strength this year, selling hoodies, holding social events, providing sporting activities for Boston and Grantham students and fundraising for The Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Air Ambulance. For the first time members at these centres have gained a real taste of the full student experience and become more engaged with the Students’ Union.

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We ran the House Campaign in partnership with UNIPOL to support students moving out of Halls and into the private rented sector.

We ran a pilot Community Warden Scheme with eight Student Wardens covering an area of Lenton with 81� student houses. The Scheme focussed on accommodation and community issues such as waste management and good neighbour campaigns. The response was positive and long-term residents appreciated that students were trying to make an effort in the community.

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You said, we did! The student voice does make a real difference; here are just some of the ways we’ve been listening...

You wanted better baby changing facilities on campus; we’ve secured space for this in the Portland Building.

You said there should be more sport in the Varsity series; American Football has been added for 2010.

You said there’s no briefing or de-briefing for Business students taking part in the Study Abroad programme; we liaised with the Business School and there’s now a designated member of staff responsible for this.

You said you wanted hot breakfasts in Halls during exams; we got the Catering department to reinstall these during the exam periods to give you to give you the food you need when you’re busy revising.

You said the Treasury should be easier to use; we’ve produced handbooks and guides for student groups and moved much of the treasury online.

You said you needed more help with finding sponsorship for AU clubs; we provided all AU club Presidents with sponsorship proposal kits.

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You wanted more non-alcoholic events during Freshers’ Week; we made sure that the events in Refreshers’ Week focussed on trialling activities and showcasing student talent, and plan to do more.

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Sutton BoningtonSutton Bonington campus is over 10 miles away from University Park but we’ve done a lot this year to make sure students based here feel more within the Union than ever before:

The changes to the Hopper Bus service are significant; not only are the buses more frequent but they now stop at the local rail station and in Kegworth (twice daily).

The first ever blood donation sessions happened on campus.

Sutton Bonington Ents was established to organise social events for the whole campus.

SB TEC merged with University Park TEC to broaden the SRS.

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BizSoc won the Nestlé National Champions Award this year; it is open to societies all over the UK!

Societies have been gaining recognition on a national stage, with Musicality, the Students’ Union musical theatre group, appearing on the Channel 5 programme “Don’t Stop Believing.” Dance Society won NUS Club or Society of the Year; they had a year packed with successes in terms of the number of participants, raising revenue, building links with the local community and winning dance competitions.

Magic Soc indeed had a magical year of success, doubling their membership, achieving the SU Best Event award by hosting a Gala Show, increasing the number of socials and performances and attracting a record number to their annual Blackpool Convention. All of this resulted in them winning their first ever Gold Award.

People and Planet Society was involved in an international campaign to stop RBS investing in socially and economically destructive practices in Canada, creating public awareness on campus and nationally.

As well as celebrating their 30th birthday this year, URN, the Students’ Union radio station, also scooped seven gongs at the Student Radio Awards 2009:

Best Male Presenter (Gold) Best Specialist Music Programming (Gold) Best Specialist Music Programming (Silver) Best Marketing and Branding (Silver)Best Interview (Bronze) Best Live Event or Outside Broadcast (Bronze) Best Student Radio Station (Bronze)

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Opportunities

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18 new societies were affiliated to the Students’ Union:• Nat Sci • Cake Society • Jainism• Slovak and Czech • Iranian • DJ Soc• Man Soc • Bangladesh • MahJong• Social Sport • Iraqi • Article �5• Stop the Traffik • Nigerian • DubStep• Kettle • MBC • Quidditch and Harry Potter

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New Theatre celebrated 40 years of being the only student run theatre in the country. They marked the occasion by inviting University staff, alumni and Students’ Union staff to a matinee performance followed by a reception at the University Club.

Karnival continue to raise money for charity through various means, including cycling from London to Paris and climbing to Everest Base Camp. This year they raised a staggering £1,��5,�5� for good causes.

Our annual Varsity series against Nottingham Trent University raised £14,627 for the charity CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young), which will be used to put on screening sessions for student athletes to detect heart problems.

We maintained our 7th place in the BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sports) championships in 2010, out of 142 universities. We remain the only university in the top 10 which does not offer a sports degree. 56 athletes travelled to our Malaysia Campus for the Tri Campus Games, a mini-olympics between the Malaysian, Chinese and UK Campuses. This year we competed against each other in 19 sports, from Football to Ultimate Frisbee.

As well as being active members of the Students’ Union, these talented sportspeople have represented their country:

Jess Sylvester Swimming European and Commonwealth Games Silver Medallist

Nick Catlin Hockey GB Seniors

Ben Arnold Hockey England U21

Joanne Arnold Hockey England & U21

Carl Delaney Rowing GB U23 European Bronze medallist

Katherine Wyld Swimming GB Seniors and Commonwealth Games Team

Paul Worth Speed skater GB Seniors Winter Olympics Vancouver 2010

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The Student Volunteer Centre (SVC) ran their first Gold Awards this year, to recognise and reward student volunteers’ hard work. �� nominations were received and �1 awards given to deserving students.

By the end of the year the SVC had �686 active volunteers, who helped out with a variety of local projects in schools, youth clubs and community centres.

Knit-a-Soc, one of the Union’s newest societies, teamed up with the SVC to develop projects that would benefit others and give more of a purpose to their hobby. This included knitting tiny hats for the babies in the QMC Neonatal Ward and knitting mini hats to support Innocent’s ‘Big Knit’ campaign for Help the Aged.

Thanks to Golden Futures, a student-led project established with the help of the SVC, three disadvantaged young people from Cambodia started University in September 2009. The charity provides young people leaving Cambodian care homes with careers advice and interest-free loans to help them make the first steps towards independence.

This year we launched a Student Union module for the Nottingham Advantage Award. Students can now earn recognition for the skills that they gain whilst volunteering within the Students’ Union. So far �6 students have completed the module.

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“Give

volunteering

a try, not just to

pad out a thin CV,

it might even

change your

career!

“

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A Greener Students’ Union Officers have been working hard this year to bring about real change by introducing simple measures:

The fight against plastic bags continued, with the Students’ Union shops continuing to charge 5p per bag. The revenue gained from this charge has fallen in the last year, suggesting the change is having a positive effect. The money was reinvested in the purchase of reusable jute bags

We’ve installed water fountains in some campus hotspots with the aim of reducing the amount of bottled water bought.

Fairtrade Fortnight saw the first Fairtrade football tournament and a Fairtrade roadshow, during which we gave out lots of Fairtrade goodies to students in halls.

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Sounds on the Downs was enjoyed by all who attended, though very bad weather put a bit of a dampener on the day (literally!) There were however cool bands, completely green powered, and veggie and vegan food stalls.

There was a successful campaign to reinstall environmental reps to the JCRs

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ServicesThe numbers of students wanting to get involved with the Students’ Union just keep rising; at Freshers’ Fair in 2009, 10,�19 students signed up for society memberships over the 3 days. ��05 signed up for AU memberships. Overall, 1�,�7� signed up for societies during the year, �,90� for AU Clubs.

We jumped from Bronze to Silver in the Sound Environmental Impact Awards, an award scheme which recognises the positive green innovations in Students’ Unions and the steps taken to become more sustainable. Your Students’ Union was especially commended for our recycling policies, electricity awareness and environmental campaigning. We’ve tried to become more environmentally friendly by installing water fountains and recycling office supplies such as toner cartridges. The Student Volunteer Centre and ethically-focused events like Sounds on the Downs also contributed towards us achieving the award.

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Students’ Union shops facts and figures:The profit from your purchases in the Students’ Union Shops, Bars and Events goes towards funding all the other activities of the Students’ Union. The more you buy the more we can do for you.

The biggest selling soft - drink was Coke Original 500ml: 26,616 bottles were sold. If the 26,616 bottles were laid end-to-end, they would cover a distance of over 6km (nearly 4 miles)enough to reach almost from University Park to Junction 26 of the M1 - as the crow flies!

The biggest selling single product across the shops by value (excluding E top-ups) was Ginsters Deep Fill Chicken & Bacon sandwich. The 23,384 individual units sold represented over £50,000 through the tills. A total of 2,338 loaves of bread were used just to make this one line for the Nottingham Students’ Union shops!

Our students certainly have a sweet tooth; our Pick & Mix sales were over £26,000 last year. A hefty 3,535kg were scooped from the display bins over the 12 month period! That’s almost 4 tonnes... equivalent to an average sized female elephant!!

Students’ Union WebsiteDuring the last year we’ve been working very hard to improve the Students’ Union website and make it easier to use. Our aim is to make it a one stop shop for all your Students’ Union needs.

Students can now log on to the website with their university username and password.The Students’ Union membership system has been rolled out to Sutton Bonington, the Student Volunteer Centre (SVC) and the PGSA.Elections have been going online; the LGBT, PGSA, BME, Nottingham NAMA and JCR elections have been run through the website.NUTS are embedding key videos into the website.We’ve created a news and events channel for the University mobile application, Campus M. We’re also developing a mobile version of the Students’ Union website.This hard work has been paying off; there is increased traffic to the website, with over more than 700 students logging on each day and increased tickets and hoodie sales.

Visitors to the website doubled over the year to �17,700 unique visits.

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Finance In perspective…

2009/10 saw an increase to the University Block Grant of about 2.5%. We negotiated a further 2.6% increase for 2010/11.

Unfortunately there has been a heavy reduction in the donation from UNU Services. This is largely attributable to the closure of The Den as a full-time bar and a poor turnout at Summer Party.

Our investment return also took a hit, predominately due to the financial climate. A new strategy is in place to maximise returns on our investments.

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Income 09/10

University Grant.............................

Donation from UNU Services ........

Investment Income ......................

Food ...............................................

Alternative Income ......................

£�,���,��0

£110,�65

£10,6�7

£51,000

£96,566

University Grant.............................

Donation from UNU Services ........

Investment Income ......................

Food ...............................................

Alternative Income ......................

£�,185,�1�

£�07,�81

£��,791

£�9,�96

£107,�95

Income 08/09

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2009/2010 saw a 10% increase in funding for representation, marking out one of our core aims as a Union.

Similarly, there has been nearly a £10,000 increase in Association funding and a 9% increase for funding Student Activities.

Furthermore, the Student Advice & Representation Centre (SARC), the Student Volunteer Centre (SVC) and Societies received increases in their funding.

Overall, the Union made a deficit this year, which has been absorbed by the reserves. However, the implementation of our new investment strategy is indicative of the steps we are taking to secure our financial future.

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Management ...................................

Administration ..................................

Student Activities .............................

Treasury ............................................

Student Volunteer Centre ...............

Student Advice Centre ...................

Overheads .......................................

Association Grants ..........................

AU ......................................................

Societies ...........................................

Student Run Services .......................

Officers .............................................

Representation .................................

£�76,5�9

£169,�69

£160,619

£1�9,97�

£101,�16

£191,67�

£��5,9�1

£�90,0��

£�8�,581

£�8,505

£51,890

£188,5��

£108,665

Expenditure 08/09

Expenditure 09/10Management ...................................

Administration ..................................

Student Activities .............................

Treasury ............................................

Student Volunteer Centre ...............

Student Advice Centre ...................

Overheads .......................................

Association Grants ..........................

AU ......................................................

Societies ...........................................

Student Run Services .......................

Officers .............................................

Representation .................................

£�10,�80

£160,97�

£17�,�10

£1�6,�96

£106,0�8

£�10,018

£�9�,7��

£�98,7�6

£�76,0��

£5�,786

£�9,�57

£19�,50�

£119,8�1

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PRIZE WINNERS �010

UNION PRIZESimon AlveyDisabled Students’ Officer, URN and the Debating Union

Luis Miguel AmaroPresident of Entrepreneurs, Erasmus student network, Massage Soc and AISEC Vice-President

Mevin Ashleigh AppooPGSA Committee, Sports Secretary and Rugby Captain

Christopher BaxterStudent Volunteer Centre

Emily BennettPostgraduate Students’ Association

Sudhanshu BiyaniHindu Society

Elizabeth BourneVice-President and President of Ladies Lacrosse Helen BuddPostgraduate Students’ Association (Week One Volunteer and Social Secretary)

Gareth James CashURN, Deputy Station Editor

Emma CelliCourse Rep for NAMA, SSFC Chair and St. John’s Ambulance (LINKS) volunteer

Wayne ChalomWeek One Rep, Society President, Easy Tiger co-ordinator and Societies Exec. Welfare Campaign Co-ordinator for the Welfare Network

Nicholas CoomberLGBT Committee Campaigns Officer

Robert CrookstonPresident of NAMA, Course Rep, Nursing SSFC Co-ordination Group

Jimmy DaltonKarnival Rep, Exec member, Elections Committee, Steering Committee

Sunita DeshmukhFaculty Co-ordinator

Ilhaam Moonaver DhananiModel United Nations; and a number of other committees within the Union

Paul DuarteCourse Rep and member of his SSFC, Vice-President, and President of the Brazilian and Portuguese Society

Fergus DuftonURN as Presenter and Head of Daytime Planning

Joseph Henry EdwardsKarnival Treasurer

Daniel FoxHockey Club (President and 1st Team Captain)

Hugo GemalPresident of NU Food society

Jonathan GosdenComputer Science School rep, BizSoc Committee and Elections Committee

Benjamin GrechFounder and President of the Nottingham Entrepreneurs Society

Eleanor B. GrundellCourse Rep, a Society Social Sec and President of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards

Emily HalfordPGSA Welfare Officer and Committee Member

Lucy HewittNews Editor for URN.

Wenjie LeeDemocracy and Communications Officer, NUTS, JCR committee.

Abbas LightwallaEnglish Society committee, TEC Committee, Undergraduate Rep.

Charlotte ManicomSounds on the Downs, One World Week and Fairtrade Fortnight.

Eleanor MartinJCR President and Sutton Bonington JCR reforms.

Andy McNameeNew Theatre Director, Theatre Manager and Productions Co-ordinator.

Eduardo MorgardoFounder of the Brazillian and Portuguese Society. Charlotte NicolEnvironment and Social Justice Committee, Music Co-ordinator for Sounds on the Downs, Crocus Café volunteer and Young Greens. Stuart Benedict NicollsWeek One Rep for Sutton Bonington, Captain of the Rugby Club and Vice-President of the Shooting Club.

Edward J. ReisnerMusical Director of the Revival Gospel Choir.

Rhys RhodesArchery Club Secretary, Vice-President, Tournaments Officer and President.

Sophie Caroline SandhamNew Theatre Publicity Officer.

Zoe SharpDirector of the New Theatre, Deputy Editor of the Mic and URN Reporter.

Andrew SinclairWeek One Co-ordinator.

Robert SmithWeek One Exec.

Duncan SparkeFlairsoc Social Secretary and President, ‘Working in Tandem’ fundraising team, URN

Matt StreetsSutton Bonington Guild.

Joseph TansleyInvolvement in a large number of committees over the past few years.

Adam John TaylorArchery Club President, Secretary, Treasurer and Equipments Officer.

Alex TongHockey Team Captain, IMS Hockey Officer and Ladies team coach.

Michael Van HongLatin and Ballroom and Salsa Society Team Captain, President and Competition Organiser.

Lewis VickersProducer at URN, Working in Tandem.

Charles WalkerImpact Associate Design Editor and Design Editor.

Tom WhiterURN Deputy Station Editor and Head of Music.

Sydonie WilliamsPolitics Society Committee, Societies Exec Finance Officer.

Zoe WongWeek One exec, BizSoc and Fashion Soc Committees.

DON VARLEY AWARDChristine O’BryneChristine worked in the Students’ Union Admin department for nearly 20 years. She is spoken of in the very highest regard, and most of the officers who have been under her remit say that they wouldn’t have been able to do their jobs were it not for her hard work and organisation. She is especially praised for her personal support, and for how much she cared about the Union.

MARY MARSH AWARDSue WhitingIn the 3 years that she was with us Sue made a significant contribution to improving our financial processes and information, and hence to the quality of the Students’ Union’s decision-making.

HONORARY LIFE AWARDSMatthew ButcherMatthew was Environment and Social Justice Officer, President and Founder of People and Planet, President and Treasurer Young Greens Society, Conservation Society, Crocus Café Board Member, Founder and Treasurer of Bike Society, Stop Aids Campaigner and Co-ordinator of Sounds on the Downs.

Craig CoxCraig has given the Union outstanding service over several years. He has been Education Officer, Chair of Council, on Elections Committee, on a JCR, Societies Exec, History Soc Treasurer, Conservative Society Vice-President and then President to name but a few. He is present at nearly all Union events and is one of the most knowledgeable people about our Union.

David HindDave has put incredible effort into everything he has done and his dedication has been unwavering. As Social Sec for his JCR he was credited with going above and beyond his role, and as Summer Party Coordinator he was involved in re-writing the constitution and reshaping the exec when it made the transition to coming under the Students’ Union. As Democracy and Communications Officer, Dave pushed forward with the idea of broadcasting Union events, such as Union Council and Candidate Question Times, over the internet, helping to inform the student body as a whole about the Union.

Alexandria HingleyAlex is recognised for her prolonged commitment to the Union; she has been heavily involved with the Netball club over several years, from a player through to President. She was on the AU Exec and has been the AU Officer this year. It is in this role that she went particularly above and beyond. She has put a lot of time and effort into trying to improve the IMS set-up, and, following

a University-wide review, is hoping to restructure the JCRs to improve channels of communication between teams and the AU. She has also been working towards the idea of a branded AU to make teams feel more connected to each other and the Students’ Union.

Patrick (Crouchy) Hopkins As well as being a very enthusiastic Societies Officer, an AU Exec IMS Officer, FUTSAL Captain and a member of various committees, Crouchy put in a great deal of effort as a Karni Rep, he organised Rag Raids and various events that raised lots of money. Crouchy is a dedicated professional in everything that he sets out to do.

Rebecca LockhartRebecca’s work this year as Postgraduate Officer has been exceptional, going above and beyond to achieve the best for all students and to try and get PostGrads more involved in the Union. She has put on an incredible number of varied events, spending most weekends travelling up and down the country on PostGrads’ Big Days Out, and hosted the biggest PG Week One to date. She has been more than willing to help out wherever possible, including being on Elections Committee and Prizes and Awards Committee. She also set up the first PGSA in Malaysia, and reformed the PGSA in China to bring it under the SU.

Richard LockingtonRichard has been recognised for his work as a successful

JCR President, on the Mussoc Committee, but mainly his role as TEC Director this year. All SRS heads have to put in an extraordinary amount of time and effort but Richard has surpassed this. He ran TEC very professionally, competing locally with other ‘actual’ businesses, and did everything he could to make every event a success. He has given up his free time to ensure TEC is providing a quality service to student groups, helping establish the high esteem in which TEC is held.

Luke Foster MiddupLuke was nominated for his work over the past seven years in a number of areas including URN, Conservative Future, Drafting Committee and Constitutions Committee. He is praised for his heavy involvement with the Debating Committee and his involvement in Disability Action and the Disabled Students Network. Luke has gone to great lengths for the students he represents, ensuring that provision for Disabled Students is always improving. He has done this through working in the Early Induction Programme for disabled freshers and organising an accessibility audit of university buildings. He has not just been involved in the Union; he has left an impact for the better.

Matthew ReevesMatt has been on the TEC Committee for three years, and has dedicated incredible amounts of time to their success through redesigning their website and in a number of roles including Director.

He was also President of the Motor Sports Society and responsible for a large number of successful events, such as the Grad Ball and Summer Party.

Katherine ShawKat has given an incredible amount of time to the AU Exec and several AU Clubs over three years, performing each role extremely well; Ents Officer, Social Sec for Trampolining, Coach for Trampolining, Diving Club, Gymnastics and Cheerleaders. James TorranceJames has contributed to a number of areas of university life, as Faculty Co-ordinator, JCR President, JCR Presidents Committee Chair, World Debating Championships, New Theatre and Wine Soc Committee. He has also been hugely involved in Union Council, eager to help out and always focusing on the best interests of students. Alice TownendAlice was a very able Accommodation and Community Officer. Over the past few years, she has built and improved relationships within the local community as well as working with the Crocus Café. She worked on the SVC and Exec reforms and has also been Hispanic Soc Treasurer, Forum Vice-President, a very active Elections Committee member and an NUS Delegate twice.

Ben TownsendBen is well known for his work as Station Manager of URN over the past two years and his role as a

conductor in Mussoc. He has put immense amounts of time and effort into his work with URN, ensuring that everything possible is done to improve the station. He has won awards for some of his shows, and has been involved in the restructuring of URN, with the aim of providing a better service, and was committed to improving the visibility and accessibility of the station to students.

Thomas WilliamsTom has worked tirelessly to bring about real change through implementing simple measures. He reformed People and Planet as President and Treasurer and as Environment and Social Justice Officer Tom organised a number of initiatives including One World Week, Sound Impact, water fountains, Green Guide, plastic bags, Fairtrade Fortnight, Fairtrade Status, various cycling initiatives and Sounds on the Downs. Tom also lobbied Estates to put an allotment on campus and Broadgate Park shop to stock Fairtrade tea and coffee.

ORDO CALIGULAEStewart BaileyStewart has been involved in the Students’ Union for several years; he is enthusiastic and has been a very successful Finance and Services Officer and Student-Run-Services Officer. Stewart has organised a Week One Party, sat on Commercial Services Panel, helped to organise the Summer Party, developed the JCR reserves scheme, digital noticeboards and achieved an increase in block grant despite the economic conditions.

Dalia FlemingDalia was a very successful Women’s Officer and involved in numerous Committees and Campaigns, including Homophobia in Halls, LGBT Networks, Vice-Chair on SU Council, Elections Committee, BME General Committee Member, Students’ Equality and Diversity Advisory Group, NUS LGBT Conference Delegate and NUS Women’s Campaign Conference. She was elected at the 2009 conference to the National Committee. She is also regional Advisor for NUS Women’s Campaign for the East Midlands, delivering workshops and talking to students nationwide.

Claire GameClaire was nominated for her outstanding work on the Exec this year and previous roles on Week One Exec, Society Committee member, Campaigns Co-ordinator for the Welfare Network and Societies Exec member. Stepping into a brand new officer role she has set an extraordinary precedent for her successor. She introduced new events to the societies calendar, including the Cultural Fair and ‘I Heart Socs’, whilst ensuring existing events were a success. She has worked very hard with SRSs on their projects, including New Theatre and Karni, and has been invaluable to these student groups.

Rob GreenhalghRob has been an inspirational president this year. His leadership qualities and support of the Exec have been excellent. As his previous experience shows, Rob is a very talented individual who is called upon time and time again to take on important tasks which he does so with ease and determination to succeed. He has been Hugh Stewart Hall Week One Rep, Medsin Events Co-ordinator, Week One Co-ordinator and on Graduate Ball Committee. Rob has been a credit to the Students’ Union in all he has done and thoroughly deserves a prize.

Sam WilkinsonSam has been on the Karni Exec and involved with the HuStu Summer Party, but it is as Accommodation and Community Officer that he has been most impressive. He has been a great source of energy to the Exec and run a number of highly successful campaigns, including a House Hunting Campaign, and a campaign getting people to vote. He has established a system of Student Community Wardens and worked to provide Digital Screens in Halls. Sam is also widely praised for improving relations with Sutton Bonington to bring it more within our Students’ Union.

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