Download - Impact Report 2013-14
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