Student Trustee election to Trustee Board

GC.5.15.4 GUILD COUNCIL – 14th MAY 2015 Author/contact: Poppy Wilkinson, President. Purpose: Student Trustee election to the Trustee Board. Recommendation: To elect Daniel Longhorn to the Trustee Board as a Student

Trustee. Nomination The Appointments Panel nominate Daniel Longhorn as a Student Trustee (Undergraduate) to serve an initial term of two years. Further information regarding the nominee can be found below for consideration.

x Undergraduate Biomedical Material Science Student 1st year x Tennis Court RA 2014 to present, and attends Guild Council as part of

the Tennis Court RA x LGBTQ representative for the Residents Association x Elected at ResExec in January 2015 x Elected onto the Officer Disciplinary Committee in 2015.

4) Student Trustee – Appointments Panel

5a) SGX Report

GC.5.15.5a Student Groups Executive (SGX) report for May 2015 Guild Council (Summary of meeting on 17th March & 30th April) Group recognitions Three new groups were approved during this period : Kabaddi (outdoor activities & recreational pursuits) : Omani (cultural) : Pastafarian (cultural) Student Group Audit & derecognitions The following 8 groups had gone inactive and/or had failed to recruit a new committee and requested voluntary derecognition: Breakdancing, Brum Digs House, Dateables, Fitness, Friends of Irise, Rocketry, St Marys Hospice, Urban Music. Discussion of deadlines for committee handovers, and about specific groups that were overdue for activity or had had issues with their elections; groups that still have outstanding issues will be automatically derecognised, although with chance to appeal to a future meeting (6 groups affected as of 28/04). Initial discussion around potential options for supporting the 3 struggling representation associations: Home Students Association, Interfaith, Student Parents & Carers; will be taken forward by VPAD during this term. Rolling grant funding allocations Funding was allocated to the following groups: Kids Adventure (activities), Redbrick (conference), The Autism Play Project (activities), Islamic (security), Conservation Volunteers (travel) Other business : Reserved business concerning electoral irregularities with one group, continued from previous meeting : Reserved business concerning unease about safety and other risk factors involved in one group : Discussion of groups that had been flagged up for not showing up to over 50 hours of Guild room bookings during last term, formal warnings were issued and the situation will be reviewed at a meeting in June If you have any queries about the work of the SGX, contact the Vice-President Activities & Development or the Student Groups department

5b) Steering Report

GC.5.15.5b Present: Vice President Housing & Community, Ian Kafka, Daisy Lindlar, Rob Sumner, Zoe Salanitro, Representation Coordinator, Director of Engagement

Item Paper Motion Summary Comments

1 Email To look into the creation of specific mailing lists for every Guild Councillor.

Approved

2 Remote Look into remote attendance at General Meetings

Approved

3 Hustings Look into creating Hustings for elections through RAs and Student Reps

Approved

4 VCQT Push for bringing back the opportunity for students to ask questions and get feedback from their Vice Chancellor

Approved

STAFF SURVEY ACTIONS 5c) SOG REPORT

SOG 16th March 2015

Exam Time Exam Time The VPE presented the ‘de-stresstival’ proposal and draft ideas. It was noted Amos Room is to be booked out every day from 27th April to 5th June 10am – 6pm as an exam study place with refreshments. It was further noted the VPE is looking to speak to Munrow and 3 Elms Road about study spaces across campus and the VPSN volunteered to contact UB Sport. The Officers approved the de-stresstival proposal and the VPE and CEO are to check availability of funds.

Approved

Author / contact: Poppy Wilkinson, President Purpose: For information. Executive Summary: Since the last Guild Council, the Sabbatical Officer Group (SOG) has put through motions of which those that affect students and Guild Council are listed below. Recommendation: To note the contents.

STAFF SURVEY ACTIONS STAFF SURVEY ACTIONS

5d) Sub-quorate Guild Council Report

GC.5.15.5d The following decisions were made at the Guild Council on the 26th May 2015. As it was determined that the meeting was not quorate (less than half the elected voting members were present) the decisions made must be ratified at this Guild Council. Proceed Sub-quorate Approved – For 19 votes, Against 12 votes, Abstain 3 votes. Defer motion 12g to BEMA Approved – For 5 votes, Against 19 votes, Abstain 11 votes. (motion withdrawn) 12a – CEO Motion Rejected - For 2 votes, Against 16 votes, Abstain 2 votes. 12c Full-Time Officer Group Powers Rejected – For 4, Against 21, Abstain 1. 12f Affiliations Redux Rejected – For 3 votes, Against 19 votes, Abstain 0 votes. Adjournment of meeting - Procedural motion passed If you were not at the last Guild Council, and wish to see the motions in full before the meeting please email council@guild.bham.ac.uk.

Author / contact: Jack Mably (Vice President Housing & Community) Executive Summary: This report summarises the decisions made at Guild

Council on 26.3.15

VPAD Report GC.5.15.5e

Name: Wadim Wesolek Position: Vice President (Activities & Development) Date of writing report: 30/04/15 What duties have you been carrying out which tie into your manifesto pledges? Improved Room Bookings

A tender process for the online system is due to commence later this month. T&F Group and various Guild committees have approved the specs for new system.

Annual room bookings policy is due to be announced at Megaforum tonight and is due to be implemented later this month.

Online finances for groups

The automated account statements are more or less working but we are still seeing some minor issues – these are being currently addressed. Further discussions about online P/Os are still ongoing.

Empowered representation associations

We’ve started review of how the HSA, SPC and Interfaith Association work and what we can do to support them more.

What other duties have you been carrying out within your role? I am still involved in number of interviews for some remaining positions within the Guild of Students.

Attending number of different University Meetings and Committees

Hosting mediation sessions between some groups

Dealing with disciplinary issues and complaints raised against some groups or committee members

Representing students in their disciplinary proceedings at the university

Individual case-work with a number of groups.

Signing countless claim forms.

Guild Awards 2015

Student Staff Recognition Strategy

External volunteering strategy

Keeping the Guild running whilst other officers were on leave of Easter holidays

What do you aim to get done before the next Guild Council? Handover to new ADO Successful tender for room bookings software

VPE Report

Name: Joe Armer Position: Vice President (Education) (VPE) Date of writing report: 28/4/15 What duties have you been carrying out which tie into your manifesto pledges?

EDUCATE IN YOUR OWN TIME

There is strong support with the University Executive Board for this to go forward. However,

there have been some discussions with Trade Unions about concerns around intellectual

property. I have written to the UCU executive outlining the positives of lecture recording

particularly for those who don’t have English as a first language, dyslexic students and those

who are on the borderline of failing modules.

I’m hoping that we can reach a stage where the University can publish what it intends to do

with mandatory lecture recordings by the end of the academic year.

EXPAND YOUR WALLET

As a final recommendation of the Hidden Course Costs report, I have been working over the

last 9 months to secure commitment from the University to publish course costs before

students start at the University which they have agreed to (and will be the first university in the

Russell Group, if not the UK to do so)

We are also investigating whether fees for international students change year on year whilst

they are studying.

I have also been working with Postgraduate research reps to investigate the late payment of

wages to those Postgraduates who teach.

ENCOURAGE BETTER INSTRUCTION

I’m proud to say we received 390 nominations in the Outstanding Teaching awards. The

shortlisting panels of Student Reps are currently underway before being sent to the judging

panel, comprising of a mixture of officers and senior university staff in mid-May. This is a real

positive and the shortlisted candidates will be publicised once they have been decided. The

winners will be announced at Degree congregations in front all of the students that they

taught.

As with all the above points, I can only tackle instances where I know where things are

happening where they should or shouldn’t be happening. Please let me know so we can

work on it together.

VPE Report What other duties have you been carrying out within your role?

STUDENT REP SCHEME

I have had conversations and started work on what a Postgraduate Research representation

model might look like as it is not as straight forward as a Taught model might be due to the

structures and culture of Postgraduate research. I have been regularly consulting the PG

officer about progress on this.

GENERAL ELECTION

We have launched ‘Birmingham Asks’ document with BCUSU and it has been sent out to all

prospective local and national candidates in the up and coming election.

Voter registration has now finished but I am proud about the number of students that we

managed to register and make aware of the need to register but despite this, politicians lack

of effort to properly engage young people in politics and not completely put them off has

not made this exercise any easier.

I have also had conversations about how we embed electoral registration into the University

enrolment process so that this effort to register to students isn’t necessary every single election

year.

We have developed comms to remind students about how and where to vote on polling

day. We are also planning Joe’s to be open to see the results pour in on elections night!

YEAR ABROAD

Alongside the VPW, I have begun to look at the support services the University offers to

students abroad, the assessment expected on Year Abroads and how we can make the

general experience better. This is a quite large piece of work which I imagine I will be passing

over to the Education officer-elect, Welfare officer-elect and the President-elect. This is

something which I have not managed to progress since the last Guild Council. This is

something that will feature in my handover document.

EXAM TIME

I have helped to pull this all together including the ‘Own your marks’ campaign to increase

awareness of and hopefully reduce instances of exam misconduct. We have also put

together a package of ‘fun stuff’ to do including street food, other activities and maybe, just

maybe something to do with Puppies (keep your eyes peeled!)

VPE Report

NEUROLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY

The Guild President and I were informed of some changes planned in the College of Medical

and Dental Sciences. These changes seem to indicate that there will be disinvesment from

the areas of Neurology and Pharmacology ‘to realign with research strengths’ the proposals

are out to consultation with staff until the 16th May so I don’t wish to dwell on the details as

nothing has been decided yet but it is pretty apparent that there will be a reduction in staff

numbers.

I have pushed for there to be full and proper student consultation which wasn’t planned

originally and have continued to campaign to see this recognised as a Major change so that

the University are required to follow the policy on consultation with students on major

changes. I have worked to publicise this widely including working with student media and

Guild comms to make this apparent.

I am working with Student Reps from the affected areas to help them contribute to the

consultation and help them take the next steps if the outcome of the consultation is not what

we wished.

OFFA AGREEMENTS

Every year the University as part of the requirements for them to charge £9k fees is that they

must set out an Access Agreement outlining how they will encourage and support students

who are from groups who are less likely to go to University and stay there. This is the first time

we have been looked at this in a lot of detail. I challenged the University this year on their

agreement as there had been a lack of consultation with the Guild. There was also an

obvious lack of financial support on projects such as supporting Trans students and closing

the BME attainment gap. I have thrown down the gauntlet for them to work on this and

develop a much fuller and comprehensive offer on supporting marginalised groups for the

next Access Agreement otherwise the Guild is unlikely to endorse and support this in the

future.

We are developing a better structure so that the Guild are able to input into this process

earlier and include things such as the Equal Access motion passed in the February Guild

Council.

Mandates

Web History

VPE Report

I have discussed this with Comms and Marketing about how to progress with this further.

Speak Week

Due to the elections and referendum, there has been delay with meeting with the Guild

Management team to discuss. This is an ongoing piece of work which we will continue to do. I

am frustrated by the time it has taken to do this but it will be a focus of mine going forward.

UNIVERSITY MEETINGS AND OTHER BUSINESS

I have attended several University wide meetings including); UEB/Guild meeting; Outstanding

Teaching Awards project group, University Quality Assurance committee, Student

Engagement Working Group; attended Graduate School Management Board; attended

Student Access and Progress committee, Student Rep Scheme Advisory Board; Senate; 1-2-1

with PVC Education, University Education committee and the LES Student Reps award panel;

attended NUS Conference as Delegation Leader.

As part of my Vice Presidential role I have attended students as their ‘friend’ in disciplinary

and misconduct style interviews as well as acting as one of the trustees of the organisation.

Time utilisation

In the interests of transparency, I have broken down how my time that I am in appointments is

broken down. Between appointments tends to be for administration purposes which I have

not included in this pie chart. This was regarding the dates 12th March- 28th April

NUS conference

Annual leave

Guild Closed

Uni meetings

Face to face

Guild meetings

portfolio

What do you aim to get done before the next Guild Council?

x Begun writing and preparing Izzy’s handover document

x Launched our exams provision from the Guild

x Have an announcement around lecture capture for next academic year

x Positive outcome for students affected by neuroscience and pharmacology proposals

VPHC Report

Name: Jack Mably Position: Vice President (Housing & Community) Date of writing report: What duties have you been carrying out which tie into your manifesto pledges? Community Week

So it happened, and it was largely a success! With a record number of collections for the Easter Junkbusters, a huge voter reg drive with a big red bus and obviously the fairground attracted a lot of attention. We have since reviewed the week and although it will not occur again in the same form we are taking the principles of community week and developing a yearlong plan of events which focus on different issues at different times of the year for example getting to know your neighbour in term 1 and perhaps a larger focus on safety stuff around autumn/winter when it gets darker.

Following this we also went to Leeds who were renowned for their community work, and it gives me great pleasure to say that I was slightly underwhelmed – don’t get me wrong Leeds is great! But when it comes to what we do in the community we do so much more! What I did learn is that we don’t shout about what we do enough - a problem that manifests itself across the guild, so I have spent time with relevant staff creating a community strategy which links various projects, events, services and volunteering (including all the environmental stuff we do) all together under one large community banner allowing us to shout loudly and proudly about all that we give back to the community – I refuse to be told again that students are bad for a local area when we put so much back into the area.

Move’m

Its coming (fingers crossed) – the property rating site we have all been waiting for! I’m in conversations currently about how it all fits in with the services we run and the campaigns which we run but watch this space for the revolution of the Selly Oak housing market.

What other duties have you been carrying out within your role? RAs

The regular RA catch up meetings, ResExecs etc have been going on as usual and we have a fantastic range of events going on this term from Waterworld to Alton towers to a Harry Potter themed night out. Big up to all the RAs and keep going!

We have also been planning the RA summer ball – hopefully themed around ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’! Will also be planning the RA recognition day very soon.

General Election

Finalising the last part of the GE Campaign, working with tickbox on helping students inform themselves on policies rather than people. We will also be open until 5am on the General Election night so for those that want to come down to the Guild to watch as it all unfolds please come down (unless you have exams then you should probably be revising).

Chamberlain Tower

VPHC Report Casually went to the top of the 62m building with the VPHC elect which was great! The views were phenomenal and it all looks like it will be a fantastic building!

Right to Rent

It’s been slow and hasn’t progressed very far if I’m honest. What’s been the most challenging is trying to talk to students about an issue that doesn’t affect them and has had no real tangible outcome in terms of cases I can make clear reference to. Met with other lettings agencies who have submitted their responses to the trial however after speaking to the NUS and the vibe I am getting from various people it appears that this may just be a rubber stamping exercise before it’s rolled out nationally. The petition didn’t gain much traction, I contacted a number of societies and it was heavily shared on social media. Any suggestions of next steps are welcome.

Moving In / Moving Out

The annual campaign helping students move into the private rented sector and know the first things they need to do is underway. So just been planning what kind of activity we can run and how to get people involved.

Welcome Week Planning

I sit on literally all the sub-committees of everything which is great so watch out for Welcome Week 2k16.

Generic Stuff

CoSS College Education Committees, SOG, GOG (maybe), ResExec etc etc….

I also went to Madrid. It was great before you all ask – would highly recommend a visit.

Oh… & NUS Conference.

There aren’t enough words, pages or characters to describe how much I utterly disliked conference and I feel as if I go into too much detail I won’t actually make it to Guild Council and I am sure many in the room have opinions on conference so I’ll save that until then.

What do you aim to get done before the next Guild Council? Liberty Court Traffic Lights I will have traffic lights by Liberty Court (or at least an agreement) before I leave. It is with the council currently who are in perdre (election time) so everything is moving slowly but THERE WILL BE LIGHTS. Move’m Hoping to have made enough progress on this to incorporate into the moving in/moving out campaign Handover So I’m going to start prepping handover and bringing super Sorrentino up to speed on stuff before handover properly starts just so it means I can spend enough time to give him a comprehensive handover whilst ensuring I don’t miss out on my handover with Poppy.

VPSN Report

Name: Molly Browne Position: Vice-President of Sport and Nutrition Date of writing report: 13th March What duties have you been carrying out which tie into your manifesto pledges? Inclusion Secured £1500 to establish University of Birmingham Wheelchair Basketball Club (Satellite club with Birmingham Black Cats) – taster one-off sessions will commence in Term 3, with weekly training from September/October 2015.

Promotion Attended BUCS Big Wednesday to watch our finalists.

Working on a project to encompass all of the sports/physical activity events on campus.

Looking at events for term 3 – tying activities into ‘Sports Week’

Updating Sports Calendar for Term 3

Provision

I am continuing work on UBSports Equity and Access Strategy looking at implementation before the new build opens.

Focus on UBSport and New sports Centre – STUDENT INPUT, meeting with Senior management team to address issues.

Review of Sports Committee – looking at a complete revamp of the makeup of the committee to tie in all areas of sport across campus

Reviewing the UBSport Social Policy to specifically incorporate Not On

What other duties have you been carrying out within your role? BUCS

- Ongoing handover preparation for BUCS Conference.

- Creating the BUCS database for Student Officers for 2015/2016 as Officer Elections are happening.

- Producing the third and final BUCS Newsletter for this year

Sexual Harassment Formulated a 6 month programme of events, and long term campaign plan. Meeting with societies that are interested in taking part in activities and supporting the campaign.

Developing a session for Club Conference with Sexpression to deliver to incoming committee members

VPSN Report

Displaying posters in schools across campus

Meeting with University arranged to discuss plans for integrating Not On into Welcome Week introductions.

UBS/Sustainability

I have created a Sustainability working group with staff from UBSport, the University and Guild Officers. Further meeting held with the working group, identifying other relevant members. Tasks include P.O.A for the new sports centre marketing to students, how to promote ‘green campus’ to all students in halls, and carbon footprinting an average BUCS Wednesday. Also working on a bigger BUCS Strategy – with Birmingham as Case-Study

Sports Ball

Tickets have all been sold – award nominations are now open.

Engagement

Thorough strategy to better sabb engagement with students – P.O.A drawn up with Sabbs/Marketing

End of year summary

Sports Event

Organising with RAs Sports Event @ Fisher House for Term 3, date set.

OTHER: Working on Handover

Sports Equality Project

Alumni Sports Day

What do you aim to get done before the next Guild Council? - Handover prep - Rewritten social policy inc. Not On - De-stress activities successful - Found a job!

VPW Report

Name: Frankie Greenwell Position: Vice President Welfare Date of writing report: 19/11/14 What duties have you been carrying out which tie into your manifesto pledges? Shag week:

I have postponed SHAG week until the third term to allow for more planning and to make it really stand out as an event

Website:

I have been in contact with the university (3 Elms and senior management) and have agreed with them that they will give me all the information to go on the website and are supportive of the idea. I have had a few meetings with our marketing department thinking about where the best place on the website to host the page is and how it will be laid out. Lay out and space have been confirmed and I am writing the content for it currently

Non alcohol centred events:

I have discussed this with senior management and I am doing research into other university systems for welcome week events. And also what events they run that appeal to people who may not want to drink alcohol. It is on the agenda for the welcome week and fresher’s fest meetings and I have met with Marketing who run the central events during welcome week. I will be attending their planning meetings to ensure this happens

What other duties have you been carrying out within your role? Grad-ball

Grad-ball planning has started and I’m sitting on the planning committee.

Individual cases.

I have had a number of individual’s requiring personal support. Over the last month and a half. I have also been working closely with the Mentors to assist them with their cases.

University and Student Services.

I Have regular meetings with student services and 3 elms road. I have recently met with The vulnerable students’ officer, the Head of wellbeing and the assistant director of student services to discuss ways in which the guild can work closer with 3 elms road. We are looking into the Hardship fund criteria for those applying to it to make it as easy as possible for them to receive financial aid have also sat on the Student access and progress Committee which discusses HEFCE compliance and OFFA agreements. I also helped to plan and deliver UoB’s first Innaugural Welfare conference which was a success all round.

MDS.

I sit on College education board for the College of Medical and Dental Sciences. I’ve met with the director for education and am in discussions with them about their NSS score and how to improve the student experience within MDS.

VPW Report

Student Equality and diversity –

Have not met since the last meeting but aim to meet once this term.

Good Night out pledge - I've spoken to our venues manager and everyone is on board so currently just trying to find dates and times for training that suit staff the best.

What do you aim to get done before the next Guild Council? Have discussed and started work on a policy to make the zero Tolerance policy more a part of daily life in the Guild.

ISO Report

Name: Jeffrey Yip Position: International Students’ Officer Date of writing report: April 30, 2015 What duties have you been carrying out which tie into your manifesto pledges? I have helped arrange the Annual General Meeting for the International Students’ Association so as to vote in the new committee for the next academic year.

I have also helped a student organize one of her own initiatives being an International Potluck Dinner.

I personally also ran for Secretary of the ISA for the next academic year so as to ensure a more effective handover to the incoming ISO when I am able to assist him in relation what the ISA can do for students.

What other duties have you been carrying out within your role? Student support advisers from the College of Arts & Law and the student rep scheme have contacted me regarding what can be done to support int’l students.

The ISA has also been contacted by Student Groups regarding events for Welcome week.

I was hoping to plan a time where I can meet with the former in order to discuss potential activities that can be rolled out while providing data to the latter regarding views of Int’l Students using channels such as the ISA facebook page and mailing list.

What do you aim to get done before the next Guild Council? I was hoping to find a time where the incoming ISA committee members can meet up for the Guild handover meeting where we can sign the code of conduct and plan out events for the next academic year.

PGO Report

Name: Panagiota Axelithioti Position: Postgraduate Students Officer Date of writing report: 5/05/2015 What duties have you been carrying out which tie into your manifesto pledges? My efforts as postgraduate student officer have been to strengthen communication with other postgraduate support services on campus. As a result I have sat in a string of meetings with the Graduate School, the Student Mentor Scheme who are redesigning their services, Student development and Recruitment. Though the Guild is still not engaging students to the numbers we have hoped, there is a lot of mobility towards finding ways to approach the PGs, even if that means going out of the Guild. Also Guild management is fervently working towards exploring the responsibilities of the Sabbatical PSO, which is again very positive development. I am happy to report that I believe my goals for this year are going better than hoped.

What other duties have you been carrying out within your role? Provided PGs with support and information that have required via email. Liaised with administration, university policy or other university staff to help resolve students’ issues

What do you aim to get done before the next Guild Council? Continue doing my job

WO Report

Name: Nora Selmani Position: Women’s Officer Date of writing report: 05/05/15 What duties have you been carrying out which tie into your manifesto pledges?

After a fairly successful Women’s History Month campaign, the WA and I are looking to set up links with the organisations that we worked with so that we have solid events that we can expand upon in the coming year. This includes having workshops during the term as well as during WHM.

What other duties have you been carrying out within your role? Met up with LGBTQSO and their committee to discuss the body positive swim and other events during the summer term.

What do you aim to get done before the next Guild Council? Prepare handover.