Impact Report 2013-14

Impact Report 2013-14

The Students’ Union is a democratic organisation run by students for students to represent student views to the University and to provide support services for its members. The SU provides a means for students to voice their own views, and assists students to organise activities and services, thereby improving their employability. It is led by a team of four elected Sabbatical Officers who are supported by staff (including student staff) and hundreds of student volunteers.

This document explains how the SU has engaged with more students throughout 2013-14 than ever before. The SU makes a difference to students’ lives – this document shows how.

WWW.SUUG.CO.UK

The SU ’s fundamental purpose...

“The Students’ Union University of Greenwich is a democratic organisation run by students, for students, to represent student views to the University and to provide support services for its members.”

What the organisation wants to be... “A thriving and successful organisation which engages with its members and the University.”

Our Mission

Our VISION

Alex Brooks President (2013-14)

Jenny Greenfield Chief Executive

The SU’s Elected Sabbatical Officers for the 2013-14 Academic Year

Campaigns, Communications and Student Voice figures within this Impact Report include Medway students.

CAMPAIGNS

ACTIVITIES ADVICE SERVICE

COMMUNICATIONS

BARS & EVENTS

STUDENT VOICE

SUSTAINABILITY HUB

590

KEY WINS: - 24 HOUR LIBRARY AT MEDWAY

- ANONYMOUS MARKING - GENDER NEUTRAL TOILETS

IN UNION BUILDINGS

2,088INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS VOTED IN THIS YEAR’S

ELECTIONS, CASTING 12,932 VOTES IN TOTAL!

1 Green Impact

Bronze Award

28,672

Admissions to events

4,520 students involved

in activities

students HELPED THROUGH OUR FREE,

INDEPENDENT AND CONFIDENTIAL

ADVICE SERVICE

449,731

UNIQUE VISITS TO OUR WEBSITE

(TOTAL: 681,147 VISITS)

38,176

COFFEES SOLD ACROSS ALL OUTLETS

CAFES & SHOPS

4,520 students involved

in activities

1,481 Hours of volunteering and

509 different skills logged by

students using THE brand new

EmployabilitY & Volunteering Toolkit

number

of societies

57number of

SPORTS CLUBS

16(23 TEAMS)

“Supported by a core team of dedicated individuals, my role

is to help facilitate the diverse range of groups, activities and

events the Union continues to offer. The diverse student demographic

we have here at Greenwich also brings with it fresh, exciting ideas

which keeps my job both interesting and rewarding, especially when an

initial plan becomes a successful event! Working for the Union has certainly been a great way to meet new people, improve my skills and gain valuable work experience highly sought-after by employers. It’s a flexible place to work which constantly changes keeping you motivated and interested. It’s certainly true that volunteering, participating or working for the Students’ Union can only enhance your Greenwich experience.”

Alexander Hides

BA History Student Activities Assistant

Activities

The SU provides opportunities for students to take part in a wide range of activities beyond their courses – including leading their own student groups, trying new events and activities through the Give it a Go scheme, and gaining recognition for volunteering and the skills they have developed during their time at University.

Ten teams across seven different sports competed in this year’s Varsity against Medway in April

Student Voice

The Students’ Union represents the views and interests of students within the Students’ Union, the University of Greenwich and the wider community. The SU ensures that the Student Voice is effective, relevant and robust. This is achieved through a range of activities including officer elections, programme representative training and student-led meetings such as our Student Council.

As well as supporting the Student Voice, the SU also develops and supports selected student-led campaigns. This area of work plays a key role in improving all aspects of student life at unversity.

- Disabled Students’ Officer - Greenwich Campus Officer - LGBT+ Students’ Officer - Volunteering Officer

THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 2,088 STUDENTS WHO VOTED IN THIS

YEAR’S ELECTIONS, CASTING 12,932 VOTES!

2014 Elections

2013 Elections

50

CAndidateS stood in our Elections

2,088

voters

1,712

voters

4 new PART-TIME

OFFICER roles created

7 UNION COUNCIL

MEETINGS HELD

KEY FIGURES FROM OUR 2014 ELECTIONS

This year’s Elections attracteda record numer of candidates and voters

Campaigns

Communications

In 2013-14, the SU has campaigned for students across its broadest ever range of issues. Amongst its successes were: - 24 hours Library on all campuses - anonymous marking scheduled for 2014/15 - improvements in assessment and feedback policy - introduction of course evaluation system - hundreds of programme reps trained with new policies passed that will increase transparency and participation in union democracy (including at Medway) - on-campus safety improvements underway - multi-faith facilities improvements agreed - gender-neutral toilets rolled out in union buildings

The SU will be just as active in 2014/15.

The SU works to promote a broad range of services, activities and events as well as publicising elections, campaigns and delivering other key messages to students. This is achieved through various channels, including the SU website, printed materials, regular emails, social media (inc. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) and traditional meetings. The SU also provides training and support to three student-led media societies - Latitude Lookout, Latitude Radio and Latitude TV - which produce magazines, radio shows and video content covering the work of the SU and a whole lot more!

1,423

NEW LIKES ON FACEBOOK

(TOTAL: 5,940)

965

NEW FOLLOWERS ON TWITTER (TOTAL: 2,527)

148

FOLLOWERS ON OUR NEW INSTAGRAM

ACCOUNT

130,366

WEEKLY 'SUUG NEWS BULLETIN' EMAILS OPENED

449,731

UNIQUE VIews on OUR WEBSITE

(TOTAL: 681,147 VIews)

KEY WINS: - 24 HOUR LIBRARY AT MEDWAY

- ANONYMOUS MARKING - GENDER NEUTRAL TOILETS

IN UNION BUILDINGS

Advice Service

Sustainability Hub

The SU Advice Service is free, independent and confidential. Staffed by three advisers with support from trained volunteers, the Service covers academic and welfare issues on the Greenwich and Avery Hill campuses, with GK Unions running a Service at Medway.

Launched in 2013, Greenwich Sustainability Hub is a new partnership project between the Students’ Union and the University, funded by the NUS Students’ Green Fund. Its purpose is to increase positive environmental behaviours amongst students and the community through student-led activities, support for environmental accreditation, and the delivery of sustainability workshops.

CLIENTS' ISSUES

Members of Students’ Union staff collecting this year’s Green Impact Bronze Award

Between 1st August 2013 and 31st July 2014, we advised 590 students

Academic (58%) (appeals, complaints, extenuation etc) Finance & debt (15%) (student loans, welfare benefits, advice, negotiating debt repayment etc) Housing (14%) (eviction, rent arrears, housing options, disrepair and recovering deposits etc) Student Issues (9%) (disability, bullying & harrassment and childcare etc) Other (4%) (miscellaneous)

61 Sustainability

HuB Manager

Student Green Ambassadors

Volunteers

working to improve sustainability

within the Union, the University and

local community

+ }

1 Green Impact

Bronze Award

+

Bars, Cafes, Shops & Events

The SU runs a number of outlets on the Avery Hill and Greenwich Campuses. The Engine Room, the Village Shop and Sparrows are situated at Avery Hill and Le Café and Bar Latitude are on the Greenwich campus.

The SU’s shops sell everything from hot and cold food and drinks to stationery and University-branded merchandise.

The bars serve freshly prepared cooked food in a relaxing atmosphere where students can chill out with free Wi-Fi and enjoy a diverse entertainments programme.

28,672

Admissions to events

13,715

GAMES OF POOL PLAYED

38,176

COFFEES SOLD ACROSS ALL OUTLETS

13,909

MEALS SOLD IN BAR LATITUDE

47,892

SANDWICHES SOLD IN SU SHOPS

3,286

HOURS SU BARS WERE OPEN

8,384

HOURS SU SHOPS & CAFES WERE

OPEN

The profits we generate from the money students spend in our outlets goes back into funding SU services

“Whether you’re looking for advice, looking to join a sports team or society, or just looking to meet friends in a relaxed environment, the Students’ Union is the place for you!”

Georgia Cook

BA Film and TV Production Receptionist, Greenwich Campus

“During my time at Greenwich I was part of the hockey team, meaning I played in fixtures organised by the SU every Wednesday. I also volunteered during freshers week, which was fun and helped enhance my CV!”

Fiona Mather

BSc Psychology with Counselling Sports club member & SU volunteer

“The SU gave me the opportunity to not only work while being at university but also to be part of many different experiences of the student life. I had the chance to work with smart, ambitious and inspiring people who are now lifetime friends. The SU family helped me to become part of many social events and activities which I will never forget. Working behind the bar helped me improve my social skills. I met people from different nationalities, with different studies and interests. I had an amazing three years of university life thanks to the SU.”

Lyuba Pekyanska

BA Architecture Bar Staff, Sparrows Bar

“Yes you get to skip the queue and yes you get discounts, but working for the SU is much more than that! Working for the SU gives you a voice, gives you an opportunity to be heard, and gives you an opportunity to make a difference! Whether it’s pouring drinks at Sparrows Bar, or advocating on behalf of the students to the Vice-Chancellor, working for the SU is an opportunity of a lifetime combining fun, democracy, and representation all into one!”

Michael Browne

MBA International Business Supervisor, Sparrows Bar & sports club member

“I started working at Sparrows to earn a little more extra cash but it has turned out to be a lot more than that. I’ve met some many new, genuine people. It’s more than just a job on the evenings, it’s a social, fun environment but most of all I love what I do and the friends I’ve made. Getting paid is just a bonus.”

Stu Willis

DipHE Adult Nursing Steward, Sparrows Bar

“For me, the Students’ Union has become the centre of my life at university. It’s where I go to socialise and meet friends at its bars and cafés, gain new skills via joining sports teams and societies and most importantly for me, it’s where I work as a student staff member. I just couldn’t go a day at University without encountering the Students’ Union along the way.”

Esin D’Amery

BA Politics and International Relations Student Green Ambassador

Here’s what our students think of us...

On Tuesday 20th May 2014, the SU held its first ever Union Awards at Charlton Athletic Football Club to recognise all of the amazing students involved in the SU’s work and in volunteering with the University!

The celebration event recognised all the volunteers and student staff in every area of the SU, who partnered with the University Guidance and Employability Team to award a range of certificates and prizes for student achievement.

Society of the Year - Islamic Society

Event of the Year- Performing Arts Society (‘Turbulence’)

Best New Society- Gre.Events Society

Most Improved Society- LGBT+ Society

Campaign of the Year- Jewish Society (Jewish Awareness Week)

Club of the Year - Men’s Rugby

Team of the Year- Men’s Basketball

Best New Team- Women’s Football

Sports Person of the Year- Bethany Fisher

Fresher of the Year- Gareth Whatley

Sparrows Award- Men’s Rugby

Outstanding Contribution from Sports or Societies Representative - Harry Stevenson (Men’s Rugby)

Outstanding Contribution from a Faculty Officer - Brent Johnston

Outstanding Contribution from a Part-time Officer - Roxana Bucur

Most Active Union Council Member - Brent Johnston

- Sophie Parker (GET)- Anna Tokareva (GET)- David Taylor (SUUG Badminton HE Officer)- David Shannon (SUUG Student Legal Advice Project)- Roxana Bucur (SUUG Part-time Officer, Economics & Business Society and Womens’ Hub President)

- Scarlett Dempsey

Eleven students received these awards to recognise their commitment to helping the Union and other students. They took part in a range of activities and volunteering in all areas of the Union.

Union Awards Winners

Society Awards

Sports Awards

Student Voice Awards

Student Employee of the year

Tessa Blackstone Prize Awards

Union Recognition Awards

Money

Advice & Reception £90,000 (4%)

OTHER COSTS £475,000 (21%)

OTHER INCOME £46,000 (2%)

CAMPAIGNS, REPRESENTATION & COMMUNICATIONS £207,000 (9%)

STUDENT WAGES £204,000 (9%)

UNIVERSITY BLOCK GRANT £900,000 (39%)

SHOPS £819,000 (35%)

SHOPS £942,000 (40%)

SUSTAINABILITY HUB

£55,000 (2%) SUSTAINABILITY HUB £55,000 (2%)

MUSIC, FOOD & DRINK

£315,000 (14%)

MUSIC, FOOD & DRINK £386,000 (17%)

Activities & VOLUNTEERING £146,000 (6%)

WE RAISED... WE SPENT... £ 2,313,000£ 2,329,000

Sabbatical Officers:

Alex Brooks President

Edward Oakes Vice President

Campaigns & Welfare

Owais Chishty Vice President Education

Harry Hodges Vice President

Student Activities

The SU’s new plan, which will be in place until 2017, sets challenging targets:

(i) building a sense of community and pride in Greenwich;

(ii) developing and maintaining an effective Student Voice;

(iii) ensuring that the SU is integral to University life;

(iv) supporting employability and development;

(v) promoting new services and activities; and

(vi) maintaining an ethical and sustainable Union. The SU will achieve these targets through its focus on student engagement, the stability of its finance and governance and the efficient deployment of its resources – and a dedicated and effective team of elected officers, staff and volunteers. It won’t be easy, but we believe we can do it – and we look forward to working with students along the way.

The SU is continually listening to students,

consulting its stakeholders (including the University,

its partners in GK Unions at Medway, Kent Union and the

NUS) and researching the wider Higher Education sector. It distils

all that information into Union-wide three year strategic plans

(approved by its Trustee Board) and one year operational plans.

Project 2017

2014-15 academic year

Our FutureElected Student Officers for the

Part-time Officers:

Linda Yuma Black Students’Officer

Peter Mills Mature Students’ Officer

Abdulmajid Osman Greenwich Campus Officer

Joshua Knight Disabled

Students’ Officer

Carolyn Snitzer Postgraduate

& Part-time Students’ Officer

Kathryn Eversfield Avery Hill

Campus Officer

Nimalanathan Althavan International Students’ Officer

Carney Battenti Volunteering Officer

Jitendra Naga Godarvarthi Medway Campus Officer

Jack Kilner LGBT+

Students’ Officer

Christy Mackrill Women

Students’ Officer