essential guide 2014/2015

advice

sports

societies

volunteering

entertainment

accommodation

shopfundraising

www.

the execstudent voice

barscatering

:welcomeUniversity of Plymouth Students’ Union (UPSU) is an independent registered charity that seeks to represent all the students of Plymouth University. We facilitate student representation at all levels, host the sports clubs and societies, manage campus sport facilities and provide volunteering opportunities, independent advice, entertainment, shop, accommodation, catering and bars.

We employ over 80 permanent staff and over 200 casual student staff. UPSU is a student led and democratic organisation. The majority of our trustees are elected student officers and all of our major decisions are made by students. We operate with high standards and have received awards for our performance, including the Students’ Union Evaluation Initiative (SUEI) Bronze, Investors in Volunteers, Green Impact Excellence Outstanding and Investors in People – Gold Award.

excellenceoutstanding

Silver

:mission, vision & values:our mission

1 2 3 4Passionate about students’ rights

To protect and promote the rights of students, to access the personal and study resources required for them to get the most from their education.

Democratic and student led

Providing a democratic decision making structure that enables students to develop their citizenship qualities.

Embracing diversity and equality

To provide all our services and employment in an environment that is open and accessible, seeks to develop personal opportunities and is underpinned by an absolute commitment to fairness and equality for all.

Caring and responsible

To educate our members and other stakeholders, in the principles of social responsibility and citizenship. To be open, honest and trustworthy in our business at all times. To be an ethical, considerate and sustainable organisation in all that we do.

To make a positive impact on the lives of all our members, through understanding, empowering and delivering on their needs.

:our values

:our vision To transform lives through experience.

5 6 7 8Continuous quality and improvement

To identify, adopt and develop best practice in our sector. To constantly improve services to all our members, by responding effectively and efficiently to the evolving and diverse needs of students.

Empowerment

Enable our members to take on greater responsibility to deal with issues themselves, whilst also developing our capacity to assist and represent them.

Great value

To provide excellent value for students in our traded and membership services, as well as through our partnerships with others. Putting our members’ needs first.

Fun

To be an organisation and to provide an environment; one that is fun to be involved with at any level, in any capacity, by anyone.

:the execOur five Executive Officers are elected by you to represent all Plymouth students for one year, and they get paid to do it. Any student can stand for one of the positions, see upsu.com for more details. The successful students either take a year out from their studies or do an extra year at the end of their degree, all to improve your student experience.

The Executive Officers focus on specific areas of the student experience for example, education, sports and societies, student welfare, international students etc, as well as working together on the big issues affecting the student body. They are also trustees of UPSU, so the whole organisation is led by our students.

Sarah is responsible for leading the Executive Officers Team and representing Plymouth students nationally and across the University. She supports UPSU’s organisational communications and is the first point of contact for external press enquiries.

SU PresidentSarah Bowman

follow your exec on facebook /exec officers

sarah.bowman@su.plymouth.ac.uk@UPSUPresident01752 588372

@

Rich is responsible for representing Plymouth students and improving their experience in all areas related to welfare (health, wellbeing, equality and diversity etc.) and students in the community (housing, environment, safety etc.). He also works to support community volunteering.

Ruth is responsible for representing Plymouth students and improving their experience in all areas related to education (feedback, course costs, placements etc.). She also works to support the course and school rep system.

VP Welfare & Deputy PresidentRich Skipper

VP EducationRuth Titmuss

richard.skipper@su.plymouth.ac.uk@UPSUwelfare01752 588379

ruth.titmuss@su.plymouth.ac.uk@UPSUeducation01752 588372

@ @

Will is responsible for representing and improving the experience of our non-traditional students. These include International, Postgraduates, and Mature students, and those that are studying at one of our Partner Colleges.

Emily is responsible for representing the views of students involved in our many sports clubs and societies, supporting their long term development and improving their experience.

VP International & OutreachWill Holmes

VP Societies & SportEmily Hamilton-Peach

william.holmes@su.plymouth.ac.uk@UPSUIntOut01752 588378

emily.hamilton-peach@su.plymouth.ac.uk@UPSUsocsport01752 588379

@ @

:student voicePlymouth students need a way to make their voice heard in decisions that affect their lives and UPSU has a significant role in ensuring that there are student representatives at every level; from Course Representation to the Executive Officer leadership team the Students’ Union has a fundamental role. The Student Voice team support students to challenge the status quo and influence key decisions, making sure they are the right ones for Plymouth students,whether that’s in the University, the localcommunity, or on a national platform. Representation facilitated by UPSU truly represents Plymouth students because the Union is an independent charity run by students for students. There are many ways that students can get involved, from being an elected representative to becoming involved in the many student

Forums which reflect a diverse range of issues and topics. Representatives contribute to the running of their Union, holding the Executive Officer leadership team to account.

Your academic experience should be as good as it can be. To make sure this happens, UPSU supports elected student volunteers called Course Reps and School Reps to communicate the student voice and work with University staff to improve your experience. UPSU has a dedicated member of staff to support academic representation. We offer training and support to help reps achieve improvements, as well as working closely with the University.

:course reps

Every course has at least one Course Rep who researches student views and works with University staff informally and through formal committees to move the quality of your experience forward. They are a crucial contact for you to pass ideas and feedback to, meaning your course is constantly developing!

:school reps

Courses are grouped into 19 Schools. Our School Reps carry out the same important role at School level, working with Course Reps to make sure your views are represented. They are also a crucial link between Course Reps and UPSU, helping us understand what issues are cropping up across the board.

studentvoice@su.plymouth.ac.uk@upsuvoice/UPSUstudentvoice01752 588380

@

:adviceThe UPSU Advice centre is an independent, confidential, impartial advice centre available to students regarding any aspect of their life. The advisors are available for students to drop in and see, or an appointment can be made. The centre is open from 9.30 – 4.30pm Mon – Fri, but this can change outside of term time (check upsu.com for opening times).

The service can be described as the ‘Citizens Advice Bureau for students’ with advice on student funding, academic, housing, welfare benefits, legal, debt being the key areas that students access the centre for. However, students can access the service for any reason as the advisors work within a network both within and outside of the University.

advice@su.plymouth.ac.uk@upsu_advice01752 588380 0800 953 0155

:volunteeringThe UPSU Volunteer Department develop and promote student volunteering in the local and student community and can help students find the perfect activity to enhance studies; learn new skills; meet people and have fun; and access free training.

The Volunteering team work with a number of Community partners who provide volunteering opportunities for students and advertise those opportunities to students who have registered an interest with them.

The coverage of opportunities is broad and runs alongside student led volunteering projects. These projects (ViP) are chosen by students and UPSU provides training and support for student project leaders.

volunteer@su.plymouth.ac.uk@UPSUVolunteers/UPSUVolunteers01752 588387

@

:RELAYS

The RELAYS Project supports and trains student volunteers to assist at a number of sports and cultural events and programmes across Devon, both in schools and in the community.

:ViP

ViP is a student led group who organise volunteering opportunities throughout the academic year. Projects include everything from keeping the train tracks clear to painting enclosures at The Looe Monkey Sanctuary. Last academic year alone, ViP organised 43 projects and contributed over 2700 voluntary hours to local organisations.

@RELAYSupsu/RelaysDevonCornwall

/ViPStudentLedVolunteering

Last year students of Plymouth University raised an incredible £232,799.57 for charity, supporting local, national and international causes. Our students are fantastic volunteers giving so much back to the community. There are lots of different ways you can get involved in fundraising...

:RAG (Raise & Give)

A student group dedicated to putting on lots of exciting fundraising opportunities and challenges. There are lots of ways you can get involved with RAG.

:sports & societies

As part of the icon scheme all clubs and societies engage with fundraising as a way to give back to the community. Maybe you could help your club or society put on a fundraising event?

:as individuals

UPSU has a dedicated member of staff to support anyone who wishes to raise money for charity. We are located in the volunteer office in the Hive.

:fundraising

rag.plymouthgmail.com@UPSURag/ViPStudentLedVolunteering

@ fundraising@upsu.com@UPSUfundraising

@

:societiesStudent led societies are a major part of what UPSU is about. They exist as a result of student led decisions and actions to meet student need, for students to have opportunities to meet likeminded people, and to try new things.

Becoming involved in a society is a great way to develop a whole range of life and leadership skills. UPSU provides support to all societies who are part of the union, including advice and guidance with regards to activities, trips, fundraising, development of the society as well as funding insurance and providing training.

societies@upsu.com01752 588388

@

:sportsThe opportunities to become involved in sport for students at Plymouth are diverse and growing. UPSU runs the Sports and Recreation facilities on campus where there is a Gym, Sports Hall, Studio with classes running and 3 squash courts.Student led sports clubs are diverse and cover most sport, including the water sports. The student led sports clubs

provide opportunities to lead a club, as

provide opportunities to lead a club, aswell as participate in the chosen activity. UPSU provides support for all sports clubs, who are part of the union, including advice and guidance with regards to activities, trips, fundraising, development of the society as well as funding insurance and providing training.

Some clubs compete within the British University & Colleges Sport (BUCs) and other national and global competitions. Support for this is provided within the Union.

UPSU also facilitates programmes of sports where students can engage at a semi competitive level or non-competitive by just turning up and trying things out. Including an Intramural programme, Give a it Go activities and other projects such as Motivate Generate Activate.

@UPSUSportCentre/UPSUsportscentre

Nancy Astor Sports Centrerecreation@su.plymouth.ac.uk01752 588510

@

sportsclubs@upsu.com01752 588366

@

Clubs

:entertainmentUPSU provide an extensive array of entertainment and events throughout the year. We offer a balance between night time music and club events to cultural social events. Whatever music you are into UPSU will be sure to have you covered, from a bustling club night on a Friday and Saturday night to a local acoustic night every Thursday night. With huge events throughout the year including a range of massive freshers events to The Summer Ball at the end of the year, UPSU has so much to offer you to entertain you during your time at Plymouth University.

Past performers have included:

MuseDJ FreshProfessor GreenNoah and the WhaleWretch 32ModestepBen HowardNeroYou Me At SixRoots MauvaElla EyreThe WombatsAnd much more...

events@upsu.comupsu.com

@

www

We have a number of award winning bars that operate throughout the term; We offer a wide range of drinks with value for money prices and a safe environment for our students to enjoy the time when they aren’t studying hard. We stock many products from the market leaders to new ranges, and we also have locally produced ales. We are always open to suggestions for new products, so if you think we are missing out on the latest trends then let us know. Every day of the week sees a range of drinks offers available from our Pint of the Day to our Soft Drinks Special so there’s always a drinks offer for all of our customers whatever your tastes may be!

We are involved in many events throughout the year from Freshers week, to the Sports and Societies Fair and the Freshers Ball at the start of the year and the grand finale that is the Summer Ball at the end of the year! And there is so much more in between including Halloween, St Patricks Day and our Great UPSU Beer Festival where we source local ales and ciders as well as international bottled beers and ciders so there is something for everyone.

We employ over 150 student bar staff, so if you are looking for a great place to work whilst you study keep an eye on the bar facebook page and twitter account.

:bars

bar@su.plymouth.ac.uk/upsubar

@

@UPSUbar

UPSU offers a wide range of catering services to keep you refreshed and fed. You can grab a pasty from our Chunk Pasty Shack, a hearty meal from The Quarterdeck or a coffee to go from The Lounge.

:catering

Chunk Pasty

The Chunk Pasty Shack located next to the library entrance offers you a wide range of the finest pasties and pies in the South West. Rated the best pasty in Plymouth by Plymouth University students, Chunk is the best place to grab a quick bite before a lecture.

The Quarterdeck

Offering a hearty breakfast, a wholesome lunch and tasty dinner; The Quarterdeck offers you great food throughout the day. Located in the heart of the SU The Quarterdeck offers a great range of food at value for money prices.

The Lounge

The Lounge offers you a place to relax and enjoy a Costa coffee from one of our trained baristas. You can also enjoy a snack or light meal including jacket potatoes, paninis, freshly made sandwiches and wraps. Grab a drink to go or sit in and relax. Open from early in the morning for a quick coffee before lectures to late at night, 7 days a week, the Lounge is the place to meet up with friends and relax.

:shopLocated in the heart of the campus on top of the Students’ Union. The UPSU Shop is more than just a convenience store. We sell a variety of goods that you may need for everyday life and your course. From a Mars Bar to keep your energy levels up in the middle of your day’s lectures, to a nice warm Plymouth University Hoody, we’ve got you covered. And the best thing is that the money you spend in your shop is reinvested back into your Students’ Union to offer you and fellow students events, advice, societies and much, much more.

So why not pop in and pay us a visit and meet our friendly team of Student Staff – yes, that’s right we also employ students. So if you are interested keep a look out for advertisements around the students’ union.

We are always happy to hear your feedback good and/or constructive, and are happy to take requests for items you may require for your course.

shop@upsu.com@UshopUPSU/UPSUshop

@

:accommodationThrough our accredited landlords, the SU Accommodation office has a full range of rooms, flats and houses for our students. We are an agency that has our students at the heart of our accommodation, we ensure that you get the best service possible to enable you to enjoy your home whilst at Uni. Located at the SU entrance by The Hive our team of staff will help you find the perfect property for you, from single beds to student houses, we have got you covered.

Owned and run by UPSU, Plymouth Students’ Union Accommodation is committed to ensuring that students find a quality home, sourced, inspected and accredited by the team. With an extensive range of resources and experience, this refreshing accommodation service offers student living at the highest level. All properties will be managed by the office with an efficient and pragmatic approach to student needs during their tenancy.

info@psuaccommodation.com/upsuaccommodation01752 588381

www.psuaccommodation.com@

VP International & OutreachWill Holmes

Are you one of the many students who studies at one of our Partner Colleges? Or perhaps you’re living at home and commuting to Uni? stay up to date with the latest events and opportunities at...

upsu.com/offcampus

Outreach CoordinatorCatherine Tetreault

william.holmes@su.plymouth.ac.uk

01752 588378

partnershipstudents@upsu.com

07966 450214

:off campus

@

@

UPSU is a registered charity in England & Wales No. 1143614

to transform lives through experience