agenda - surrey students union documents/annual mem… · as the amm is time limited the meeting...

The University of Surrey Students' Union is a private limited company, registered in England & Wales with registered number 07470232, registered at the address above. The University of Surrey Students' Union is a registered charity, registered with charity number 1142479

Annual Members Meeting Agenda

10th May 2017

1. Presentation of the Union’s Annual Report 2. Presentation and approval of the Union’s Annual Accounts 3. Receiving the Annual Report from the Board of Trustees 4. Approval of the Budget 5. Continuing Policy 6. Approval of External Affiliations 7. Motions 8. Any other business None submitted

Meeting Procedure:

As the AMM is time limited the meeting procedure will be as follows

There will be no oral presentation on items 1-3. The meeting will be asked to receive the report

Item 4 there will be a 2 minute overview and time for questions. There will be a vote to accept or reject the budget

Item 5. The assumption is to continue policy, and therefore there will only be one round of speeches per motion if any member wishes to discontinue a policy. There will be 1 X 2 minute speech to discontinue a policy and a 1 X 2 minute speech to continue There will be a vote to continue or discontinue each motion

Item 6. If any member wishes to challenge one or more affiliation then there will be a 1 X 2 minute speech against affiliation and 1 X 2 minute speech in favour of affilitation. There will be one or more votes to continue or discontinue each affiliation. Please note: any affiliation that the meeting votes to discontinue is then put to a campus wide referendum for decision.

Item 7. For each motion there will be a 1 X 2 minute speech for the motion and 1 X 2 minute speech against the motion. Amendments will not be permitted There will be a vote to accept or reject each motion


Annual Report & Accounts. Agenda points 1 & 2

The AMM simply votes to record the report and accounts have been received.

Registered Charity No: 1142479 Registered Company No: 07470232

UNIVERSITY OF SURREY STUDENTS' UNION

TRUSTEES' REPORT AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31JULY2016

UNIVERSITY OF SURREY STUDENTS UNION

Contents

PAGE

Administrative information 1

Report of the Trustees 2 · 6

Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities 1

Auditors' Report 8 - 9

Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities 10

Consolidated Balance Sheet 11

Union Balance Sheet 12

Statement of Cash Flows 13

Notes to the Financial Statements 14. 24

UNIVERSITY OF SURREY STUDENTS' UNION ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Charitable Status The University of Surrey Students' Union (USSU) is an incorporated charity (Company Limited by Guarantee) established under the Education Act 1994 and registered with the Charity Commission (No. 1142479) and Companies House (No. 07470232).

Principal Address Union House, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 5XH.

Charity Trustees

Full-time (Sabbatical) Officers President & Chair of Trustees VP Community VP Support VP Activity VP Voice

Part-time (Non-sabbatical) Officer Union Chair

External Trustees

July 2015/16

Mustapha Smith (to 8 July 2016) Katy Sawyer (to 8 July 2016) Jack Paulley (to 8 July 2016) Alex Mackenzie Smith Munyaradzi Mudarikiri (to 8 July 2016)

Rebecca Ibbotson

Barry Hitchcock (to 8 July 2016) Hashim Alsaidi Jeremy Pattison Harri ap Rees Anthony Crampton

July 2016/17

Alex Mackenzie Smith Saskia Cochrane (since 8 July 2016) Koyinsola Akinsiku (since 8 July 2016) Rebecca Ibbotson Taiwo Ademola (since 8 July 2016)

Zainab Donli (since B July 2016)

Amanda Massie (since 1 Sept 2016) Hashim Alsaidi Jeremy Pattison Harri ap Rees Anthony Crampton

Part-time Executive Officers (Nontrustees) Community Exec Officer Community Exec Officer Support Exec Officer Support Exec Officer Voice Exec Officer Voice Exec Officer Activity Exec Officer Activity Exec Officer Editor in Chief

Auditors Crowe Clark Whitehill LLP Statutory Auditor 49-51 Blagrave Street Reading Berkshire RG1 1PL

Ammarah Salvatore Maisie Ross Gueth Aluoch Lucy Curd Jessi Elgood Katie Power Jake Simpson Danielle Platt Daniel Adesanya

Bankers National Westminster Bank Pie University of Surrey Guildford Surrey GU27XS

NadiaZamba Sophie Bradbury Lauretta Alonge Dan Bradshaw Anna Ouston Natasha Ivory Hana Bibi Joanna Tattersall

Soll cf tors Goodyear Blackie Herrington Law Limited Oak House Tanshire Park Shackleford Road Elstead SURREY GUS 6LB

USSU employs a Chief Executive Officer to work closely with the Executive Officers and ensure effective management of the charity as head of a senior management team as follows:-Chief Executive Officer Alan Sutherland Deputy CEO Debra Rideout Human Resources & Staff Development Manager Caroline Royle

Page 1

UNIVERSITY OF SURREY STUDENTS' UNION TRUSTEES' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2016

The Board of Trustees present their Annual Report for the year ended 31 July 2016, which includes the administrative information set out on page 1, together with the audited accounts for that year.

Structure, governance and management USSU is constituted under the Education Act 1994 as a charity (see page 1) with internal regulations or Rules approved by the governing body of the University of Surrey. The Union is a Company Limited by Guarantee. The Charitable Company's Memorandum and Articles of Association are the primary governing documents. Each member of the Charitable Company undertakes to contribute to the owners of the Charitable Company in the event of it being wound up, while they are a member, such amount as may be required, not exceeding £1.

USSU charitable Objects under the Act, to advance the Universities' educational purposes by providing representation and support for the students of the University, are supplemented by the further Object of helping members to develop their own charitable activities as active participants in civil society.

USSU is administered by its Executive Committee of fourteen (previously thirteen) students elected annually by cross-campus secret ballot of the USSU membership. The five posts of President, VP Voice, VP Support, VP Community and VP Activity (new roles for 2015/16) are full-time, or 'sabbatical', posts remunerated as authorised by the Education Acts and cannot exceed two years' duration for each holder. The five full-time Officers, Union Chairperson, University Trustee and four external trustees are regarded as the charity trustees of USSU for the purposes of the Charities Acts.

Arrangements for setting pay and remuneration of key management personnel Pay and remuneration of key management personnel is determined by a variety of contributory factors, such as, the size of the student union, the pay scales for each role e.g. sabbaticals, CEO etc, and the level of experience of the staff member. In addition to this, levels of pay may be effected by the ability to recruit key management personnel and retain them in post, which all coincides with the student union's appointment and pay policies. All amendments to the pay and remuneration policy for the key management personnel is discussed and agreed by the trustees.

Risk Management The Finance Committee has examined the major strategic, business and operational risks faced by USSU in particular those relating to governance, finance, student experience, health and safety, organisation, operations, reputation, HR and ICT. A risk register has been established and is updated at least annually.

The Students union prime risks are:

• Failure to manage costs improve efficiency and maintain financial stability. Current mitigation is Annual budgets detailed monitoring and production of monthly finance reports. Monthly finance meeting with quarterly trustee meetings.

• Loss or reduction in annual subvention. Current mitigation Continuing cooperation with the university encouragement of positive links from Sabbatical officers to key University personnel. Transparency of the USSU core aims and objectives

• Failure to improve the student experience. Current mitigation Implementation of the Zone structure enabling VP,s to complete their manifestos.

Where appropriate, systems or procedures have been established to mitigate the risks the charity faces. Budgetary and internal control risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for authorisation of all transactions and projects. Procedures are in place to ensure compliance with health and safety of staff, volunteers and participants on all activities organised by the Union. Staff training and development are in place to ensure staff are aware of the risks and have the necessary skills and ability to complete the designated role. KP l's are regularly reviewed to pick up any early warning signs that issues may be these occurring. These procedures are periodically reviewed to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of the charity.

Page2



Procedures and Policies of Trustee Induction and Training. In October 2015 an external trustee resigned and in June 2016 a second external trustee term of office ended. A recruitment process took place and two new external trustees have been appointed. They have undergone initial induction training, which has included attending external training/briefing events, and further induction training will take place throughout the coming year, along with additional update training for the existing trustees. In July 2016 six new trustees took up office on the Board and undertook a full week's internal induction training. They will be attending the accredited Students' Union Leadership Training for Trustees at De Montfort Students' Union in August 2016. On.going training will be made available to the trustees during their office including attendance at conferences, specific training events and access to website training materials.

Alms, Objectives and activities The Board of Trustees has identified The University of Surrey Students' Union's vision and mission as 'To be a leading Students' Union that has a positive impact on every University of Surrey student. The University of Surrey Students' Union exists through the University Charter and is the sole representative body for the students at the University of Surrey. The Students Union is an independent, membership led organisation; committed to providing the services our members need, and to creating the changes our members want.' (The University of Surrey Students' Union Strategy 2010-15). With the new governance structure (which began in July 2015), the Students' Union started an interim strategy prior to the consultation process for a new long term strategy. The objectives under the current interim strategy are as follows:

• Understanding our members better: We hold more data on our members than ever before, however we have not yet harnessed this information in a meaningful way. This year we will form a much more complete picture of who our members are, what they do, what they need, what they like and what is important to them.

• Engaging with all members: Put simply, the Union has to reach the parts of the student body that it has not reached before. By understanding our members better, we will also being to learn who is not engaging with the Union, and who we are leaving behind. We will use this information to engage better with all members.

• Communication Students have a third for information, and for that information to be delivered in a format that is accessible for them. We will continue to adapt and improve the way we communicate which will help students understand us better, and help them to engage more.

• Stakeholder Engagement: More individuals and organisations than ever before are showing an interest in the University of Surrey, and higher education. We need to make sure we are leading the agenda on discussions surrounding students, and we are pressing hard on what our membership need. This means going out and talking to stakeholders and external organisations more often and with clearer aims.

• Recognition: We want to recognise the work and achievements of those who actively participate in the Union and the difference that they can make. We want to show how those who participate leave their mark and contribute to the life and progress of the University.

In pursuit of these aims for public benefit, The University of Surrey Students' Union will ensure the diversity of its membership is recognised, valued and supported and has established services for use by its members and to support its work with the University and other organisations on behalf of students. These include the Students' Union support service, volunteering and training, diverse student activities, and support for student sports clubs and societies, alongside our commercial activities which include our Rubix nightclub. The Executive Officers of the Union sit on the majority of the committees of the University of Surrey and meet regularly with department and central service heads on campus.

The University of Surrey Students' Union continues to represent the students of this University on relevant local, national and international issues by maintaining a high proportion of student representatives. The Union facilitates training and communication with 600 student course representatives, and has a committee of 15 executive officers contributing across the University from SSLC (student liaison committees) to the highest University committees, Senate and Council.

Page3



To further enhance the student experience, The University of Surrey Students' Union attracts students from all walks of life to get involved, by actively promoting the benefits of taking part in student-led activities. As a result, in 2015/16, over 3000 students once again took part in society activities or projects within the local community or within the institution. The Students' Union also continues to hold Investor in People and Investor in Volunteers accreditations. In 2015116, the Students' Union was once again named as a Times Top 100 Not for Profit employer, securing a ranking of 5lh, rising 43 places.

When reviewing our objectives and planning our activities, we have given due consideration to the Charity Commission's general and relevant supplementary guidance on public benefit.

Achievements and performance The University of Surrey Students' Union created and achieved the following against KPI objectives for 2015/16:

KPI Objective Achievement

(i) Student overall satisfaction:

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

(v)

In August 2014, the Union received a score of 81 %, ranking the Union at 12•h position.

Achieve a top ten position in the National Student Survey Question 23 ranking - the NSS is aimed at final year undergraduates only: In August 2015, the Union received a score of 79%, 'Thinking of all the services, including ranking the Union in 1 at11 position. support, activities and academic representation provided by the Students' Union (Association or Guild) at your institution, to what extent do you agree with the following statement: 'I am satisfied with the Students' Union (Association or Guild) at my Institution.'

Societies and Sports: create consistent measurement of participation and analyse the demographics of students taking part. Target - to begin consistently measuring these statistics.

Social Experience: Measure the demographic breakdown of our student audience for our nightclub venue, Rubix.

Volunteering: measure and increase the numbers of student volunteers participating in activities within the Union and community. Target 15% of student population taking part by the end of the academic year 2013/14

Communication, democracy and accountability: This is measured through the Union's election turnout statistics. The Union's election turnout target is 5000 votes.

This question will be removed from the 2017 NSS onwards, and no decision has yet been taken on an alternative

We have created a measurement process via our SharePoint website, and have now reached a participation rate of 50% - we have now begun to measure unique memberships, and a monthly report is being produced.

The Union now has a completely online ticketing website, with the capability to measure demographics as the next step. Our long term aim is for the ticket buying population to match the student population demographic. The 15% target was matched in 2014. In 2015, numbers reached 16%. The long term target for volunteering remains at 25%.

The Union's election turnout in 2014 was 34% (a total of 4860 votes cast). In 2015, the turnout reached exactly 5000 votes. Targets will be extended in 2016.

Page4

(vi)

(vii)

(viii)



Delivery: This is measured by the 'i-graduate' survey of all home undergraduates which is conducted each year by the University, with support from the Union. Target for 2014 was to rank within the top 6 Students' Unions who take part in this survey from Surrey's selected competitor group.

Representation: This is measured by the percentage of elected course representative students who the Students' Union trains as part of its course rep training programme. The target for this KPI was 80%.

Accessibility: The Union measures this aim through election candidate numbers, showing how many students wish to put themselves foiward for positions in the Union's executive team.

This target was met, with the Union sustaining a satisfaction level of 96%, making a ranking of 3rd. Our revised long term target is to maintain this, and to rank higher than 4t11 place in the 2016 survey results.

In 2014, the number of reps trained raised by 10%, while the number of course reps rose by over a third, meaning that more reps have been reached overall.

In 2015, the Union trained over 50% of course reps, and this target will be revised for the 2016 training.

There were 102 official candidates in the 2015/6 Students' Union elections. This is an increase on the 2014/5 figure of 80 candidates.

Future Plans USSU will continue with its core functions of representation and provision of student activities for the foreseeable future. A governance review, involving a consultation process and eventual referendum took place in May 2013, and during the academic year 2014/15 the Union prepared for this change in the structure of the organisation and the officer representation. This came into force in July 2015, and we have reached the end of the first academic year with our new governance structure.

With the long-term strategy planning underway alongside the University of Surrey, a clearer picture of the 'Students' Union of future' was started during 2013, enabling USSU to work towards an envisioned Students' Union, suitable for the coming decades. New societies and sports clubs continue be accommodated where there is a will from the student body for such groups to the created; in line with the Union constitution.

USSU will continue to develop its provision of support and activities in order to meet the ever-changing needs of the University's demographic; through feedback from members.

USSU will continue its association with all external bodies from 2015/16 (BUCS, NUS, llV, Bii, etc.), unless a popular vote from members deems this unsatisfactory. In May 2015/16 a vote took place at the Union's Annual Members' Meeting on the Students' Union's continued affiliation with the National Union of Students, with the majority of members choosing to continue with this affiliation.

Page5

Financial review

UNIVERSITY OF SURREY STUDENTS' UNION TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES


USSU has continued to benefit from the recognition and support of the University, and this year received an annual Block Grant of 1,055,000.

Reserves Polley The Board of Trustees reviews the Student Unions' Reseive Policy annually. The Board of Trustees have determined that the appropriate level of reseives should be £270,000 cash (which is an average of 3 months salaries).

The reason for this reseive is to provide sufficient working capital and to deal with unexpected emergencies. In future years capital maintenance and development projects may be considered in the reseives policy review.

The Students union consolidated free reseives as at the 31st July 2015 are £626,429. In line with the budgeted forecast the free reserves have marginally reduced their value at 31st July 2016 at £606, 169.

The Student Union's cash reseives as at 31 July 2015 were £430,307.The cash reserve as at the 31 61 July 2016 is £328,440 (a reduction of£101,867).

The Union has disbursed £81,950 on Fixed Assets in 2015/16. In line with the proposed union building project the only fixed asset expenditure for 2016/17 will be on the Microsoft Dynamics Navision finance upgrade at a cost of £30,000. Therefore we feel that we will be able to maintain the cash reserves in 2016/17.

The key management personnel understand that the Student Union needs to maintain an appropriate level of reseives, in order to provide sufficient capital to cover delays which can occur between spending and receipt of income. This includes the need to fund capital projects and/or to provide for unexpected expenditure and emergences.

Custodian Activities: Clubs' & Societies' Funds USSU acts as custodian for funds raised by the students' amounting to £99,433 at the year-end. £492,051 paid in and £491,789 paid out of the clubs and societies own funds made up of a total of 14,453 transactions for the year.

In addition to the grant-support funds it disburses to them as shown in the accounts USSU is also custodian of the annual RAG proceeds from fundraising events organised by the students under USSU auspices for distribution to the intended charities.

Future Funding The Executive Committee confirms that USSU has sufficient funds to meet all its obligations; the Block Grant for 2016/17 has been confirmed at £1,080,000.

Page6

UNIVERSITY OF SURREY STUDENTS' UNION TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES


Trustees' Responsibilities Charity law require us as the charity Trustees to prepare annual financial statements giving a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Union and of the surplus or deficit for that year.

In preparing those financial statements we are required to:-select the most suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently; make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; Prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is not appropriate to presume that the Union will continue in business. The trustees were not entitled to take advantage of the small companies exemption from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with charity law and the particular requirements of the Union of Surrey Students' Union under the Education Act 1994. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and ensuring their proper application in accordance with charity law, and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Page7

UNIVERSITY OF SURREY STUDENTS' UNION AUDITOR'S REPORT


Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of the University of Surrey Students' Union

We have audited the financial statements of the University of Surrey Students' Union for the year ended 31 July 2016 which comprise the Group Statement of Financial Activities, the Group and Company Balance Sheets and the related notes numbered 1 to 18.

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and the charitable company's trustees as a body in accordance with section 154 of the Charities Act 2011. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members and trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company, the charitable company's members as a body and the charitable company's trustees as a body for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and auditor

As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purpose of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view.

We have been appointed as auditor under section 151 of the Charities Act 2011 and under the Companies Act 2006 and report in accordance with regulations made under those Acts.

Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board's Ethical Standards for Auditors

Scope of the audit of the financial statements

An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This includes an assessment of: whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the company's circumstances and have been consistently applied and adequately disclosed; the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the directors; and the overall presentation of the financial statements.

In addition, we read all the financial and non-financial information in the Trustees' Annual Report to identify material inconsistencies with the audited financial statements and to identify any information that is apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent with, the knowledge acquired by us in the course of performing the audit. If we become aware of any apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the implications for our report.

Opinion on flnanclal statements

In our opinion the financial statements:

• give a true and fair view of the state of the group's and the charitable company's affairs as at 31 July 2016 and of the group's incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;

• have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

• have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011.

Opinion on other matter prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion the information given in the Trustees Annual Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements.

Page a

UNIVERSITY OF SURREY STUDENTS' UNION AUDITOR'S REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED31 JULY2016

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

• the parent charitable company has not kept adequate accounting records; or

• the parent charitable company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

• certain disclosures of trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or

• we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

• The trustees were not entitled to take advantage of the small companies exemption from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.

-t\lo..-.L L1 "'-. Alastair Lyon

Senior Statutory Auditor

For and on behalf of

Crowe Clark Whltehlll LLP

Statutory Auditor

Reading

. !..~.JY.'!:!.~Y .... r:?: .. ~ '~

Page9

UNIVERSITY OF SURREY STUDENTS' UNION STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR

(Incorporating Income and expenditure account} FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2016

Note Unrestricted Restricted Capltal Total Funds Funds Grants 2016

£ £ £ £ Gross Income Donations: - Donations, University Grant, etc. 3 1,055,000 1,055,000 Income from other trading activities -Activity 70,490 70,490 - Advertising and Marketing

- Central 102,256 102,256 - Community 95,789 95,789 Charitable activities for students:

- Activity 492,051 492,051 - Central 107,098 107,098 - Community 981,230 981,230 -Voice 2,250 2,250 Other Income 365 365

Total income 214141478 4921051 219061529

Expenditure on: Costs of Raising Funds:

- Advertising and Marketing

Charitable Activities for students:

-Activity 468,884 491,789 960,673 - Central 300,030 300,030 -Community 1,177,685 1,177,685 - Support 232,408 232,408 -Voice 273,016 273,016

Total expenditure ~ 2,452,023 491,789 2,943,812

Net (expendlture)/lncome (37,545) 262 (37,283)

Transfer between funds 17,285 (17,285)

Net Movement In funds (20,260) 262 (17,285) (37,283)

Fund balances brought forward 626,429 99,171 61,365 786,965

Fund balances carried forward 606,169 99,433 44,080 749,682

The notes on pages 14 to 24 form part of these accounts.

Total 2015

£

855,000

61,871

32,102 42,943

51,785

469,792

257,659

1,626,492

1057

3,3981701

29,671

786,842

1,008,483

1,382,579

180,446

213, 150

3,601, 171

(202,470)

(202,470)

989,435

786,965

Page 10


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31JULY2016

2016 2015 £ £ £

Notes

Fixed Assets Tangible fixed assets 7 349,745 Investments 8 1,860

351,605 Current Assets Stocks 28,870 22,239 Debtors & prepayments 9 226,506 191,917 Cash at bank & in hand 328,440 430,307

583,816 644,463

Current Llabllltles Creditors: Amounts due within one 10 year {185z739) (273,279l

Net Current Assets 398,077

Total Assets less Current Llabllltles 749,682

Representing Char/table Funds:-

Restricted Income Funds Students' Societies & Club Funds 11 99,433 99, 171 Other restricted funds 12 44,080 61,365

143,513

Unrestricted Income Funds Free reserves (Undesignated) 606,169 626,429

606,169

Total Funds 13 749,682

£

413,921 1,860

415,781

371, 184

786,965

160,536

626,429

786,965

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on .J~.(.~~.p~ ... and signed on their behalf, by:

President ~ Trustee ~\.£'£.AW!)RJ\ ~f\t~i~-t ~N.\\~

The notes on pages 14 to 24 form part of these accounts.

Page 11


UNION BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31JULY2016

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07470232

2016 2015 £ £ £ £

Notes

Fixed Assets Tangible fixed assets 7 349,745 413,921 Investments 8 1,861 1,861

351,606 415,782 Current Assets Debtors & prepayments 9 239,425 247,998 Cash at bank & in hand 323,535 381,847

562,960 629,845 Current Llabllltles Creditors: Amounts due within one

year 10 {1641885) (257i944l

Net Current Assets 398,075 371,901

Total Assets less Current Llabllltles 749,681 787,683

Representing Char/table Funds:-

Restricted Income Funds Students' Societies & Club Funds 11 99,433 99, 171 Other restricted funds 12 441080 61,365

1431513 160,536

Unrestricted Income Funds Free reserves (Undesignated) 606,168 627,147

6061168 627,147

Total Funds 13 749,681 787,683

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on . ..i.~{. U .. (J ~ .. and signed on their behalf, by:

President and Chair

Trustee

.t\lt'L.MA~lt, ~ '1~ ~It IN A~ ~'- 1

The notes on pages 14 to 24 form part of these accounts

Page 12


CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31JULY2016

2016 £

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net incoming resources (37,283) Depreciation 146,126 (Profit)/loss on disposal of fixed assets Loss on Disposal of Nice Curve Investment Interest received (365) (lncrease)/decrease in stock (6,631) (lncrease)/Decrease in debtors (34,589) (Decrease)/increase in creditors (87.540)

Net cash used In operating activities (20.282)

Cash flows from Investing activities Interest receivable 365 Proceeds from sales of tangible fixed assets Purchase of tangible fixed assets (81.950)

Net cash used In Investing activities (81.585)

Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year (101,867) Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 430,307

Total cash and cash equivalents at the end of the £ 328 1~D year

The notes on pages 14 to 24 form part of these account

2015 £

(202,470) 145,988 67,782

50 (1,057) 8,974

38,632 57.894

115,793

1,057 23,078 (21,557)

2.578

118,371 311.936

£ ~30 3.QZ

Page 13


NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2016

1 Accounting Policies

The university of Surrey Students' union is An incorporated charity registered in the UK (Charity number 1142479. Company Number: 07470232) with its registered office at Union House, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 5XH.

The Principal activities are campaigning, representation, provision of social activities and the organisation of sporting and recreational activities and opportunities.

(a) Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FAS 102) (effective January 2015) - (Charities SOAP (FRS102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FAS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

The Union meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FAS 102. Assets and Liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note.

Consolidated financial statements ('group accounts") have been prepared in respect of the charity and its wholly owned subsidiary, Origin Events Limited. The parent has taken exemption from presenting its unconsolidated profit and loss account under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and as permitted by FAS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note.

(b) Going concern The charity has cash resources and is supported by the University of Surrey. The trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. They continue to believe the going concern basis of accounting appropriate in preparing the annual financial statements.

(c) Reconclllatlon with previous Generally Accepted Accounting Practice In preparing the accounts, the trustees have considered whether in applying the accounting policies required by FAS 102 and the Charities SOAP FAS 102 the restatement of comparative items was required.

At the date of transition being 1 August 2014 in applying the requirement to recognise liabilities arising from the untaken holiday pay as at the year end a liability has been recognised for accrued employee benefits not yet taken. In accordance with the requirements of FAS 102 a reconciliation of opening balances is provided below:

Page 14


NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31JULY2016

(c) Reconclllatlon with previous Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (continued)

Reconciliation of group funds and balances

Fund balances as previously stated Holiday pay Adjustment

Fund balances as restated

Reconciliation of funds and balances

Surplus as previously stated Holiday pay Adjustment

Surplus as restated

(d) Incoming resources

1 August 2014

£ 994,118

(4,753)

989,365

31 July2015

£ 790,547

(3,582)

786,965

Year ended 31 July 2015 (203,641)

1, 171

(202,470)

All income and capital resources are recognised in the accounts when the Charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable certainty.

(e) Resources expended Expenditure is accrued as soon as a liability is considered probable, discounted to present value for longer term liabilities. Expenditure includes irrecoverable VAT. Charitable expenditure comprises the direct and indirect costs of delivering public benefit. Other central overhead costs are apportioned to charitable and other projects/activities on a usage basis, pro rata to the amount of staff hours attributable to each project or activity undertaken.

(f) Tangible fixed assets Fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Equipment, fixtures and fittings are included at cost. Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write the cost of assets off over their estimated useful lives:-

Building works Equipment Sub Aqua Equipment Web development Motor Vehicles Computer Equipment

(g) Investments

10% 10-20% 10-20% 20-33% 25% 20-33%

per annum straight line per annum straight line per annum straight line per annum straight line per annum straight line per annum straight line

University of Surrey Students' Union's fixed asset investments are valued at cost, as these assets are not readily saleable and a reliable market value if not readily ascertainable.

(h) Cash and cash equivalents Cash at bank and cash equivalents includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of 3 months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

Page 15


NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY2016

(i) Pension costs The Union now operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the company to the fund in respect of the year. Differences between contributions payable in the year and paid are shown as accruals or prepayments in the balance sheet.

0) Leased assets Rentals payable under operating leases are charged as expenditure on a straight line basis over the period of the lease

(k) Stock Stock is valued at the lower of the cost and its net realisable value.

(I) Fund accounting

(i) Unrestricted Funds representing unspent income which may be used for any activity/purpose at the Executive Committee's own discretion;

(ii) Capltal Grant Funds are released annually in line with the depreciation policy on the capital spend.

(ii) Restricted funds raised and administered by USSU for specific purposes, such as Club and Societies Accounts, as well as revenue received for purposes specified by the donor. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund.

(m) Taxation The Union meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the Union is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by part 11, chapter 3 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

(n) Financial Instruments The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.

2. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS AND KEY SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY

3

Preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements and estimates. The directors consider that there are no material judgements in applying accounting policies or key sources of estimation uncertainty.

Grants Receivable

2016 2015 £ £

University Block Grant (Subvention) 1.055.000 855,000

Total 1.055.000 85~QOO

Page 16



4a) Charitable and other Activity costs

Cost of sales Staff costs Rent

£ £ £

Charitable activities Activity 217,421 22,000 Central 67,662 88,414 4,897 Community 413,491 332,829 36,999 Support 149,530 22,000 Voice 174,265 22,000

Total costs 481,153 962,459 107.896

Included in the above costs is the annual audit fee of £13,580 (2015.' £13, 180).

Affiliation fees included in the above amounts to £38,421 (2015: £39,610).

Other costs

£

721,252 139,057 394,366 60,878 76,751

1.392.304

Stock that has been charged to cost of sales in the year are £230, 194 (2015: £528,288).

Total £

960,673 300,030

1,177,685 232,408 273,016

2.943,812

During the year the classification of expenditure has been reclassified to Central, Voice, Activity, Support and Community from Bars & Catering, Advice and Welfare, Retail, Entertainments and Security and Societies and Clubs.

Page 17



4b) Central Overhead Costs Included In Note 4a

All central overhead costs have been apportioned on a usage basis, pro rata to the total costs of each project or activity undertaken as per the below breakdown.

Overheads used evenly by all zones represent the following cost:

Staff Other Total Usage £ £ £

Charitable activities Central 20% 52,211 32,490 84,701 Voice 20% 52,211 32,490 84,701 Activity 20% 52,211 32,490 84,701 Support 20% 52,211 32,490 84,701 Community 20% 52,211 32,490 84,701

Total costs 100% 26:11055 l62.~5Q ~23.505

Overheads deemed not to be utilised by central and used equally by the remaining zones represent


Charitable activities Central 0% Voice 25% 35,008 236 35,244 Activity 25% 35,008 236 35,244 Support 25% 35,008 236 35,244 Community 25% 35,008 236 35,244

Total costs 100% 140,032 944 140.976

Overheads related to Insurance are split based on a usage basis as per the below breakdown


Charitable activities Central 8% 5,605 5,605 Voice 15% 10,510 10,510 Activity 15% 10,510 10,510 Support 15% 10,510 10,510 Community 47% 32,931 32,931

Total costs 100% Z01066 ZD1066

Page 18

5 Staff Costs



2016 £

Wages and salaries 806,865 Social security 67,694 Pension costs 87.900

962 459

2015 £

1, 101,830 79,908 74.805

l.2~3Z3

One {2015: one) employee earned between £70,000 - £80,000 per annum. Defined contribution pension scheme costs for this employee amounted to £10,279 for the year to 31 July 2016.

The key management personnel of the Union compromise the Trustess, the Chief Executive Officer, the Deputy CEO and the Human Resources and Staff Development manager. The aggregate employee benefits of key management personnel was £296,546 {2015: £295,566).

The average staffing was as follows:

Full time Students - term time only

25 48

19 120

===7:!!3 139

6 Trustees' Remuneration and Expenses

Trustees received total remuneration of £102,573 (2015: £100,817). Reimbursed expenses to Trustees totalled £668 (2015: £945) for clothing allowances.

Page 19


NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE VEAR ENDED 31JULY2016

7 Tangible Fixed Assets - Group and Union

Fixtures & Computer Computer Motor fittings Equipment Hardware Software Vehicles

£ £ £ £ £ COST

At 1 August 2015 1,332,163 679,286 143,416 156,983 119,472 Additions 59.709 2.613 19.628

At31July2016 1.391.872 681.899 163.044 156.983 119.472

DEPRECIATION At 1 August 2015 1,025,848 665,793 96,440 109,846 119,472 Charge for the year 83.165 6.022 28.667 28.272

At31July2016 1.109,013 671,815 125.107 138.118 119.472

NET BOOK VALUE

At31July2016 282,859 10,084 37,937 18.865

At 1 August 2015 306.315 13,493 46.976 47.137

8 Investments

Group £

COST: 1 August 2015 1.860

COST: At 31 July 2016 1.860

Total £

2,431,320 81,950

2,513.270

2,017,399 146. 126

2.163,525

349,745

413.921

Union £

1.861

l 186l

At 31 July 2016 the Union held investments in the following companies which are incorporated in the United Kingdom.

Name of Company NUS Services Limited A Shares B Shares

Origin Events Limited

Main Trading Activity Purchasing Services

Bar and shop trading

Equity Held

0.33% 1.23% 100.00%

Origin Events Limited (Registered number) 5048518 a fully owned subsidiary has net assets as at 31 July 2016 of £1 (2015: £718 net liabilities), Income of £1 ,286,372 (2015: £1, 121,466) and Expenditure of£ 1,285,653 (2015: 1,285,653) and a profit of £719 (2015: Nil).

Page 20

9

10



Debtors 2016 2015

Group Union Group £ £ £

Trade debtors 136,008 37,657 137,845 Amounts owed by group

undertakings 114,267 Other debtors 20,561 19,714 20,219 Prepayments & accrued income 69,937 67.787 33.853

226,506 239,425 191,917

Union £

73,897

132,287 19,686

22. 128

247.998

All debtors are basic financial instruments measured at amortised cost, with the exception of prepayments.

Included in Group debtors is an impairment of £5,370 (2015: £5,000).

Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

2016 2015 Group Union Group Union

£ £ £ £

Loan & overdrafts due within one year 6,253 6,253 6,844 6,844

Trade creditors 58,872 38,197 89,357 82,215 Social security & other taxes 45,100 45,100 23,484 23,314 Other creditors 12,059 12,059 15,594 15,217 Corporation tax 179 Accruals and deferred income 63.276 63.276 138.000 130.354

1851139 164,885 2.Z3.,2.Z9. 2sz1944

All creditors are basic financial instruments measured at amortised cost, with the exception of taxation and social security and deferred income

11 Restricted Funds held for Student Societies & Clubs - Group and Union

Funds held at 1 August 2015 Income Expenditure

Funds held at 31 July 2016

£

99,171 492,051

(491.789)

99,433

Restricted funds represent amounts raised by the Student Societies and Clubs of the Union for their own use.

Page 21

12



Capital Grant Fund - Group and Union 2016

£

Funds held at 1 August 2015 61,365 Transfers to unrestricted funds (17.285)

Funds held at 31 July 2016 44,080

2015 £

78,650 (17.2851

§l,.165

This Fund represents capital grant funds received from the University. It is amortised to unrestricted funds over the life of the assets in line with the Unions' depreciation policy on the assets.

13 Analysis of Net Assets between Funds

Restricted Unrestricted Income Capital

Funds Funds Grant Fund Total Group £ £ £ £

Fixed assets 307,525 44,080 351,605 Net current assets 298.644 99.433 398,077

606,169 99,433 44,080 749,682

Restricted Unrestricted Income Capital

Funds Funds Grant Fund Total Union £ £ £ £

Fixed assets 307,526 44,080 351,606 Net current assets 298.642 99.433 398.075

IH2l!1:l68 99,!133 :1:1.0BQ 749,68:1

14 Leasing Commitments-Group and Union

At 31 July 2016 the Union had annual commitments under non-cancellable operating leases as detailed below:

Plant and machinery Operating leases expiring within one year Operating leases expiring within one to two years Operating leases expiring within two to five years

15 Control Relationship

2016 2015 £ £

44,463 17,298

41,372 38, 147 10.981

Ultimate control of the University of Surrey Students' Union rests with its membership, represented by the Union Trustee board.

Page22

16 Related Parties



The Union is in receipt of a recurrent grant from the University of Surrey of £1,055,000 (2015: £855,000).

The sabbatical members of the executive committee receive remuneration for their services as provided for within the Constitution. The aggregate amount payable under such contracts in the year was £102,573 {2015: £100,817).

Origin Events Limited is considered to be a related party of the Union as it is a wholly owned subsidiary. The company made a payment under gift aid to the Union of £270,430 (2015: £218,460). The balance due from the company to the Union at the year-end was £114,267 (2015: £132,287).

17 Pension Costs

In 2011 the Union moved from a defined benefit to a defined contribution retirements benefit scheme. As part of the arrangement, the liability for deficits relating to past service of TUPE employees remained with the University. The Union pays contributions for TUPE employees at a rate of 16% of pensionable salary for former members of USS and 16.4% for former members of LGPS. The pension contribution rate for staff commencing employment after 1st August 2011 is 4% and remains at this rate. The total pension cost for the year was £87,900 (2015: £74,805).

Page 23



18 Prior year comparatives

Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds

£ £ Gross Income Donations: - Donations, University Grant, etc. 855,000 Income from other trading activities -Activity 61,871 - Advertising and Marketing y 32,102 - Central 42,943 - Community 51,785 Charitable activities for students: -Activity 469,792

- Central 257,659

- Community 1,626,492

- Voice Other Income 1 057

Total Income 2,928,909 469,792

Resources expended Costs of Generating Funds: - Advertising and Marketing 29,671 Charitable Activities for students: -Activity 350,087 436,755 - Central 1,008,483 - Community 1,382,579 - Support 180,446 - Voice 213,150

Total expenditure 3,164,416 436,755

Net (expendlture)/lncome (235,507) 33,037

Transfer between funds 17,285

Net Movement In Funds (218,222) 33,037

Fund balances brought forward 844,651 66,134

Fund balances carried forward 626,429 99,171

Capital Total Grants 2016

£ £

855,000

61,871 32,102 42,943 51,785

469,792 257,659

- 1,626,492

1 057

- 3,398,701

29,671

786,842

- 1,008,483 - 1,382,579

180,446 213,150

- 3,601,171

(202,470)

(17,285)

(17,825) (202,470)

78,650 989,435

61,365 786,965

Page 24


Annual Report from the Board of Trustees The meeting may question the report and then vote to receive it.

The report traditionally outlines the board of trustee action points

Module Evaluation Questionnaire Harri ap Rees to updated Committee once completed

Supplier guidelines for clubs and societies CEO to create guidelines for clubs and societies to ensure suppliers they selected complied with the Anti‐Slavery Act

Elections – student ratios CEO to review the ratio of FEPS students who stood as candidates in Surrey Decides 2016

Community Engagement Strategy Katy Sawyer to liaise with Paul Spooner concerning students taking furniture/rubbish to the local recycling centre CEO to investigate proposal for local employers of students to allow them to wear a badge saying “today you were served by a University of Surrey student” Ian Handy to email details of local community events/initiatives students were involved with to Paul Spooner CEO to liaise with Paul Spooner to facilitate a meeting to discuss problems black and ethnic students experienced in Guildford Refurbishment Project A report from the new Steering Group to be presented to the next meeting

External Trustees The annual report to include details of the number of meetings external trustees have attended during the year

Stag Radio CEO to commence a consultation process concerning future location of Stag Radio

CEO Annual Report Copy of annual report to be emailed to Trustees Action plan to be created looking at mitigating risks and taking advantage of future opportunities Mission/Values Draft Mission/Values to be created and distributed to trustees for initial feedback

Community Engagement Update from meetings with Paul Spooner, Leader of Guildford Borough Council (President/CEO)


Welcome Home Booklet Copies of the Welcome Home booklet to be available at the next meeting (VP Community)

Annual Accounts Amendments to be made to the annual accounts. Details circulated to trustees and agreement to the accounts to be confirmed via email

Union Strategy – vision, values & mission Board members to email comments on Vision, Mission & Values

Student Engagement with Board Union President to investigate how to remove the disconnection with students to the Board of Trustees

Student Engagement with Board Zone committee members asked to consider how they could interact with the Board and to feed information up from students.

External Trustee Recruitment Search Committee to commence recruitment for new external trustee to replace Hash Alsaidi when his term of office ends in summer 2017

External Trustee Surrey email accounts


Approval of the Budget

This is the proposed budget for the 2017/18 academic year. The AMM has the opportunity to question the budget, and then approve or reject the budget with a simple majority. The AMM may also vote to refer the budget to another body, e.g. the Board of Trustees.

2017/18 Budget University budgets for 17/18 are being prepared with a view to efficiency savings, and the Union was initially asked to prepare a budget with the same level of funding as 16/17. However, following discussions during the budget process, the University has committed to increasing the subvention grant to allow for protected zone budgets

Significant movements from 16/17

Income The income levels have remained static. As outlined above, the requested subvention is £1.08m. There has been a slight drop in ‘marketing’ income (Fresher Fair commercial stalls, advertising, market stalls) and a slight rise in rentals income as we take responsibility back in house for market stalls. We do not believe it would be realistic to expect Rubix to generate any higher level of income next year. There is a budgeted increase in Teas & Tees income, however this is matched with a corresponding rise in cost of sales.

Zone Expenditure As this is the only truly flexible section of the budget, this is most affected from last year. Zone budgets are maintained at £10k. We have budgeted to spend £7k more on minibuses following representations from sports clubs on travel costs. The budget for One World events has been halved, and the cost of NUS Affiliation has risen from £37k to £43k partly as a result of our subvention level and the new affiliation method of 4% fee on block grant.

Fixed Costs

There is movement within the fixed costs, however overall we have reduced expenditure by approx. £8k on last year

Staff Costs Payroll costs are budgeted to rise by £26k as a result of cost of living and maternity payments.

Voic

eA

ctiv

itySu

ppor

tC

omm

unity

C

entr

al20

17/1

820

16/1

7Su

bven

tion

267,

089

Subv

entio

n 40

0,06

4Su

bven

tion

259,

101

Subv

entio

n 58

,026

Subv

entio

n 13

2,17

01,

116,

450

1,08

0,00

036

,450

Bank

Intre

st20

020

030

0-1

00M

inib

us in

com

e 48

,000

48,0

0048

,000

0St

uden

t Trip

s 30

,000

30,0

0030

,000

0Ba

r 57

8,50

057

8,50

057

8,50

00

Tick

et s

ales

48

0,00

048

0,00

048

0,00

00

Clo

akro

om

9,80

09,

800

9,80

00

Tech

Hire

60,0

0060

,000

60,0

000

Mar

ketin

g36

,000

36,0

0046

,800

-10,

800

shop

sal

es

110,

000

110,

000

90,0

0020

,000

Ren

tals

60

,000

60,0

0053

,000

7,00

026

7,08

947

8,06

425

9,10

11,

186,

326

338,

370

2,52

8,95

02,

476,

400

52,5

50

CO

S D

rink

170,

000

170,

000

170,

000

0C

OS

Shop

60,0

0060

,000

40,0

0020

,000

CO

S En

ts

221,

000

221,

000

221,

000

0Te

ch H

ire20

,000

20,0

0020

,000

041

1,00

060

,000

471,

000

451,

000

20,0

00 0 0M

inib

us

90,0

0090

,000

83,0

007,

000

Elec

tions

8,

000

8,00

07,

000

1,00

0Ex

t Tru

stee

exp

1,00

01,

000

1,00

00

Inte

rnat

iona

l eve

nts

2,00

02,

000

4,00

0-2

,000

Acad

emic

Rep

6,00

06,

000

6,00

00

Vars

ity

4,00

04,

000

2,00

02,

000

Lega

l fee

s2,

000

2,00

02,

000

0Tr

avel

400

Trav

el40

0Tr

avel

400

Trav

el40

0Tr

avel

400

2,00

02,

500

-500

Volu

ntee

ring

/Rag

6,00

06,

000

6,00

00

Stud

ent t

rips

cost

33

,000

33,0

0033

,000

0Fr

eshe

r's w

eek

50,0

0050

,000

50,0

000

Col

ours

bal

l5,

000

5,00

05,

000

0so

ciet

y 40

,450

40,4

5040

,450

0st

uden

t aw

ards

4,00

04,

000

4,00

00

com

mitt

ee tr

aini

ng

5,00

05,

000

5,00

00

conf

eren

ces

2,00

0co

nfer

ence

s2,

000

conf

eren

ces

2,00

0co

nfer

ence

s2,

000

8,00

08,

000

0N

US

Aff

8,60

0N

US

Aff

8,60

0N

US

Aff

8,60

0N

US

Aff

8,60

08,

600

43,0

0040

,000

3,00

0Zo

ne

10,0

00Zo

ne

10,0

00Zo

ne

10,0

00Zo

ne

10,0

00Zo

ne

10,0

0050

,000

50,0

000 0

35,0

0018

9,45

021

,000

92,0

0022

,000

359,

450

345,

450

14,0

00

Sabb

trai

ning

2,

000

Sabb

trai

ning

2,

000

Sabb

trai

ning

2,

000

Sabb

trai

ning

2,

000

HR

/Pay

roll

16,0

0024

,000

28,0

00-4

,000

Prin

ting

/pos

tage

/sta

n4,

000

Prin

ting

/pos

tage

/sta

n4,

000

Prin

ting

/pos

tage

/sta

n4,

000

Prin

ting

/pos

tage

/sta

n4,

000

Prin

ting

/pos

tage

/sta

n9,

000

25,0

0029

,852

-4,8

52Ba

nk C

harg

es

3,00

03,

000

5,00

0-2

,000

sabb

Clo

thin

g 20

0sa

bb C

loth

ing

200

sabb

Clo

thin

g 20

0sa

bb C

loth

ing

200

200

1,00

01,

000

0C

ash

colle

ctio

n4,

000

Cas

h co

llect

ion

6,00

0C

ash

colle

ctio

n3,

000

13,0

0013

,000

0In

sura

nce

11,0

00In

sura

nce

11,0

00In

sura

nce

11,0

00In

sura

nce

30,0

00In

sura

nce

3,00

066

,000

65,0

001,

000

Util

ity7,

400

Util

ity7,

400

Util

ity7,

400

Util

ity7,

400

Util

ity7,

400

37,0

0037

,000

0St

aff E

xpen

ses

400

Staf

f Exp

ense

s40

0St

aff E

xpen

ses

400

Staf

f Exp

ense

s40

0St

aff E

xpen

ses

400

2,00

02,

500

-500

`D

epre

ciat

ion

70,0

00D

epre

ciat

ion

25,0

0095

,000

90,0

005,

000

Tele

phon

e 1,

600

Tele

phon

e 1,

600

Tele

phon

e 1,

600

Tele

phon

e 1,

600

Tele

phon

es1,

600

8,00

010

,000

-2,0

00R

ent

22,0

00R

ent

22,0

00R

ent

22,0

00R

ent

37,0

00R

ent

10,0

0011

3,00

011

3,00

00

Audi

t fee

s 2,

000

Audi

t fee

s 2,

000

Audi

t fee

s 2,

000

Audi

t fee

s 2,

000

Audi

t fee

s 2,

000

10,0

0010

,000

0IT

5,00

0IT

5,00

0IT

5,00

0IT

5,00

0IT

5,00

025

,000

25,0

000

Lice

nces

550

550

550

0D

oor S

taff

78,1

0078

,100

78,1

000

PRS

15,0

0015

,000

15,0

000

On

line

ticke

ts

14,0

0014

,000

14,0

000

St J

ohns

4,

850

4,85

04,

833

17O

pera

tiona

l cos

ts10

,000

10,0

0010

,000

0U

llage

1,00

01,

000

1,50

0-5

00Ti

lls

8,00

0Ti

lls

1,80

09,

800

9,80

00

Equi

pmen

t ren

tal

3,00

03,

000

3,00

00

Cre

w fo

od4,

000

4,00

04,

000

0St

aff U

nifo

rms

1,00

0St

aff U

nifo

rms

100

1,10

01,

250

-150

--

-C

rew

saf

ety

tra/IL

M8,

000

8,00

08,

000

0Irr

ecov

erab

le V

at5,

000

Irrec

over

able

Vat

15,0

0020

,000

20,0

000

Tech

Ope

ratio

nal S

uppl

ies

15,0

00Fr

ont R

Mai

nten

ance

5,

000

20,0

0020

,000

0R

ubix

Ope

ratio

nal c

osts

24,0

0024

,000

24,0

000

55,6

0059

,600

55,6

0034

4,10

012

0,50

063

5,40

064

3,38

5-7

,985

Pres

iden

t/VP

21,6

50Pr

esid

ent/V

P21

,650

Pres

iden

t/VP

21,6

50Pr

esid

ent/V

P21

,650

Pres

iden

t/VP

21,6

5010

8,25

010

6,76

51,

485

Staf

f /M

anag

emen

t59

,197

Staf

f /M

anag

emen

t59

,197

Staf

f /M

anag

emen

t59

,197

Staf

f /M

anag

emen

t59

,197

Staf

f /M

anag

emen

t59

,197

295,

985

285,

000

10,9

850

25,0

00-2

5,00

0St

aff /

Zone

91,1

42St

aff /

Zone

141,

867

Staf

f /Zo

ne97

,154

Staf

f /Zo

ne18

1,87

9St

aff /

Zone

31,5

2354

3,56

550

4,00

039

,565

P/T

Staf

f P/

T St

aff M

inib

us T

este

r1,

800

P/T

Staf

f P/

T St

aff /

Com

m72

,000

P/T

Staf

f /C

omm

19,0

0092

,800

93,3

00-5

00P/

T St

aff S

tude

nts

Zone

4,50

0P/

T St

aff S

tude

nts

Zone

4,50

0P/

T St

aff S

tude

nts

Zone

4,50

0P/

T St

aff S

tude

nts

Zone

4,50

0P/

T St

aff S

tude

nts

Zone

4,50

022

,500

22,5

000

176,

489

229,

014

182,

501

339,

226

135,

870

1,06

3,10

01,

036,

565

26,5

350

00

00

00

00


Continuing Policy This is the policy motions currently in force. The amm can decide to continue them, or discard them. The motions themselves may not be altered.

Each motion will be voted on individually

Motion: Remove assessments from Reading Week

Proposer: Sam Bryanton (6262569)

Seconder: Tom Parker (6268734)

This Union believes that the University of Surrey should remove all assessments

from Reading Week. This is on the basis that those students, who have

assessments in Week 15, have less freedom to participate in the broad range of

activities provided by societies and clubs. Having spent the Christmas period

revising, this Union believes that students should have the option to relax in

Reading Week, to aid their focus and mental well-being.

This Union resolves to approach the University of Surrey and request that all

forms of assessment be removed from reading week, effective from the academic

year 2017/18.

Bar Crawl Policy

1) A bar crawl is defined as an organised tour of three or more licensed venues for a social purpose by any group constituted as part of the Students’ Union 2) It is recognised that bar crawls have long been a tradition of student social activity, and a mainstay of many club or society social programmes 3) Bar crawls can be an enjoyable way to introduce new students to Guildford (or other towns) along with their peer group 4) The nature of bar crawls are such that there is a risk over participants drinking too much over a shortened period of time. This policy is intended to mitigate that risk and the resultant effects Policy 5.) Any organised bar crawl must be advertised for a purpose of a social gathering and not for the explicit purpose of drinking alcohol. 6) Alcohol pricing offers must not feature as the headline advertising for any bar crawl event. 7) If any discounted price is negotiated with individual licensed premises, the offer must extend to an alcohol free variant. 8) Events with prescribed drinks and venues (e.g. ‘Bar Golf’) must include either a. A non-alcoholic option every third round and b. A wholly non-alcoholic card for the entire event 9) Any participant who is opting for a non-alcoholic option must not be pressured into taking an alcoholic alternative 10) ‘Speed drinking’ games (e.g. boat races) are not to be conducted during the event. 11) ‘Fines’ or ‘forfeits’ during the event must always have a reasonable non-alcoholic alternative 12) There must be at least 1 sober individual for every 15 people participating in the Bar Crawl from the beginning to the end of the event. 13) Participating members must respect the authority of the abstaining committee member throughout the event 14) The abstaining organiser must tally the participants at the beginning of the event and tally the group on leaving each venue 15) Students participating in a bar crawl must not walk through Walnut Tree Close and the burden of proof will be on the students to show that they followed due process. 16) To refer clubs, societies, or identifiable students to the disciplinary process if this policy is not followed. 17) If the alternative route is via Guildford Park Road, it is recommended to have a marshal on the corner of A31. 18) The club or society must notify the Union about a bar crawl and numbers through the online form. In turn the Union will inform the Police and residents. 19) Each bar crawl must have a physical way to keep track of numbers e.g. t-shirts, wristbands, tickets. 20) If your group is more than 15 people, it is essential to notify licensed venues of your arrival the day before to reduce the risk of anyone being turned away. 21) The abstaining organiser and helpers will need to provide a Risk Assessment and contact numbers to the Union. It is highly recommended that contact numbers are made available for students who are attending the bar crawl. 22) It is the abstaining organiser’s responsibility to ensure all students attending are 18 years old and above before allowing them to attend. 23) It is advised to mention to all students the following rules before the bar crawl begins for their own safety: a. Avoid walking to and from the venue alone, especially when under the influence of alcohol. b. Mention any places of risk to avoid, e.g. alleyways, high risk areas, rivers etc. c. Be aware of any risks and ensure to avoid leaving your drink alone in a venue d. No one is allowed to be under the influence of drugs. Anyone on heavy medication needs to

be assessed separately. Passed by Union Executive on 13/10/15

Motion to Voice Zone – Changes to the National Student Survey The Voice Zone notes: That the National Student Survey (NSS) is a high profile annual survey which reaches nearly half a million final year University students each year, and has been in operation since 2005.

The National Student Survey contributes to national league tables and is the key measure of students’ satisfaction with their student experience.

Question 23 was added in 2012 and asks: ‘Thinking of all the services, including support, activities and academic representation provided by the Students’ Union (Association or Guild) at your institution, to what extent do you agree with the following statement: ‘I am satisfied with the Students’ Union (Association or Guild) at my institution’ That the four UK Higher Education funding councils have been undertaking a review of the provision of information regarding Higher Education for the past two years. This work has involved participation from NUS.

In October 2015, a document was published containing recommendations for changes to the NSS. The proposed changes include the removal of Question 23, replacing it with an optional bank of questions on Students’ Unions, ‘including partnership and academic engagement.’ Institutions will be expected to work with their Students’ Unions in order to agree which questions to include from the optional bank of tested questions on offer.

The document also proposes to add nine new questions to the core survey focussing on academic challenge, integrative learning, student voice, learning community and collaborative learning.

There is a consultation on the above proposals, with responses required by Friday 4 December 2015.

Any agreed changes will be made to the NSS for February 2017. The Voice Zone believes: That Question 23 is the first and only national measure of Student Unions, through which we can compare ourselves to other Unions nationally, and robustly judge our performance as an organisation.

That data produced by Question 23 continues to show a link between scores achieved, and resources available – showing that Question 23 performance, and the impact it can have on the survey outcomes as a whole, is a key driver for improvements in the support provided by institutions to their Students’ Unions.

That replacing Question 23 with an optional bank of questions will make answers unreliable and unrepresentative as these may only be provided by students who have a strong interest, or who want to share a particular experience (good or bad).

That these changes are being proposed in order to make the NSS an ‘academic experience’ survey, and that the implication that Students’ Unions are not central to the ‘academic experience’ takes no account of the role that Unions can play in quality enhancement via course representation.

That Question 23 should remain in the National Student Survey and that an optional bank of questions regarding Students’ Unions should also be added. The Voice Zone resolves: We, as the University of Surrey Students’ Union, disagree with the removal of Question 23 from the NSS.

Provided Exec are in agreement with this motion, to answer the consultation by Friday 4th

December expressing the views in ‘Believes’.

To communicate with the membership regarding this view and to update these communications when we are informed of the outcome of the consultation process. Submitted by the Voice Zone. Passed by Union Executive on 24/11/15

Climate Week Motion

(08/12/15)

This Union Notes:

1. Climate change is a key issue facing all of humanity , and therefore all of our members.

2. For a 75% chance of avoiding 2°C climate change, means that at current trends we will

reach our carbon budget for 2°C within the next 20 years.

This Union Believes:

3. Its members cannot care about something they do not understand.

4. Climate change is an urgent issue, as the world has not currently got the situation under

control.

5. It has a duty to inform and educate the student body on the seriousness of climate

change and the effects it will have on its members both past, present, and future.

6. It should inform its members both of the causes of climate change, barriers to progress

in addressing them, and what they can do to help.

7. Its members can play a role in avoiding climate change, both through personal choices,

how they spend/invest their money, as well as through campaigning.

8. It has a duty to put pressure on the University to be more sustainable in all that it does;

the University should be setting the example for both its staff and students, and the rest

of society.

9. The focus of this week would be to inform its members about climate change, how it will

affect both current and future members, and the actions that can be taken to combat it.

This Union Resolves:

10. To support and facilitate any students wishing to run climate week in collaboration with

the University.

Proposed by Peter Davies,

Seconded by Peter Sims

We all know climate change matters

Issue of generation

1 “If humanity wishes to preserve a planet similar to that on which civilization developed and to

which life on Earth is adapted, paleoclimate evidence and ongoing climate change suggest that CO2

will need to be reduced from its current 385 ppm to at most 350 ppm.” – Hansen, J., et al., Target

Atmospheric CO2: Where Should Humanity Aim?, GISS NASA, Science Briefs, 2008, available

http://www.giss.nasa.gov/research/briefs/hansen_13/ last accessed 01/12/15.

Equal Access Campaign Motion

Notes 1. According to Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights "Everyone has the right to education... and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit". 2. The term refugee applies to any person who, owing to a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, or membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable, or owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country. 3. An asylum seeker is someone who has lodged an application for protection on the basis of the 1951 UN Refugee Convention. 4. Discretionary leave to remain (DLR) is a 3 year renewable status that may be granted to individuals on the basis of an asylum claim, including many separated children from countries such as Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq. 5. Officially, the University of Surrey’s current policy is that asylum seekers are recognised as ‘international students’ and are expected to pay fees of up to £16,100/year.2 Meanwhile, asylum seekers are: a. not allowed to take out student loans; b. not allowed to apply for grants and bursaries; c. unable to study in another country; d. denied the right to work in the UK; e. Sometimes required to wait for years while a decision is made as to whether they can stay in the UK. 6. Current university policy on individuals with DLR as a result of an asylum application is that they are also considered ‘international students’, while they are: a. not allowed to take out student loads; b. not allowed to apply for grants and bursaries; c. unable to study in another country. 7. Asylum seeker students and students with DLR are routinely charged overseas fees, yet their situation and needs are different to those of international students. 8. STAR has been working with the National Union of Students for Equal Access to higher education for asylum seekers and those with DLR since 2008. Their work is supported by a broad coalition of 28 organisations including the British Red Cross, the Children’s Society, Article 26 and the Refugee Council. 9. A number of UK universities have amended their admissions policies to allow asylum seekers and/or students granted DLR as the result of an asylum application to pay ‘home’ tuition fees, or have waived fees entirely. These include: Manchester University, Leeds University, Royal Holloway University of London, Salford University and many more. 10. More than 500 students have signed our petition supporting equal access to university for students seeking refugee protection as part of the Equal Access campaign. 2 https://www.surrey.ac.uk/currentstudents/money/fees/Undergraduate%20Fees/

Beliefs 1. The University should recognise that people who are legally in the UK seeking protection from persecution and who have been talented enough to be offered a place at that university be able to take up that place by ensuring that: a. Asylum seekers and people granted DLR are classed as “home students” for fees purposes. To do this the university commits to waiving any additional costs which would usually be drawn down from the government for home students. b. Asylum seekers and people granted DLR are recognised as a vulnerable group in the same way as others from deprived backgrounds and be allowed to apply for additional support such as scholarships and bursaries.

2. The University should adopt a fair and equitable approach in providing access to higher education on the basis of merit for all, including asylum seekers or individuals granted DLR on the basis of an asylum claim. Resolves 1. To support the Equal Access campaign and work closely with NUS and STAR to create a campaign specific to our institution/students’ union. 2. To lobby the university to sign the Equal Access Pledge and remove financial barriers preventing students seeking refugee protection from studying here. Specifically to: a) Enable all those seeking refugee protection to be able to study as home students b) Recognise that, like other vulnerable groups, students seeking refugee protection have additional needs and give them access to additional support, such as fee waivers, bursaries, scholarships and grants. 3. To support campaigns on the national level for equal access to higher education for students seeking refugee protection and the right to work for asylum seekers. Passed by Union Executive 26.04.16

Initiations Policy This Union Notes 1. Members or potential members of a club or society (a type of ‘group’ as defined by the core

constitution) are known to host welcome events however these are sometimes referred to as ‘Initiations’, these can be described in two ways. 1.1. The first description is as a fun welcome event which does not cause any harm or pressure

towards a student, and is not deemed as a necessity to part take in or to gain entry to a student group.

1.2. However, an initiation can also be described as an event which involves substantial peer pressure, (though not always explicitly) exerted on students. The events pressure students to partake in tasks that can potentially compromise a person’s inherent dignity, by forcing or requiring an individual to drink considerable amounts of alcohol, eat mixtures of various food items, or any other behaviour that may be deemed humiliating.

The Union Believes

That 1.2 is deemed unacceptable and prohibits student participation to activity.

That there should be zero tolerance to initiation events that fit into the description of 1.2 The Union Resolves

That any student groups (as defined by the core constitution) that are found to have organised, hosted or partaken in such events as 1.2 shall be called into the students union and undergo disciplinary action in accordance with the bye laws.

Policy on the Surrey Student Union’s continued participation in the National Student Survey. The University of Surrey Students’ Union Notes: The National Student Survey (NSS) the largest of its kind, completed by 70% of all final year students studying at 349 institutions all over the UK. Outcomes of the NSS show prospective applicants how the student experience compares at different institutions, using the Unistats website University league tables are informed by the NSS results. The NSS has recently attracted criticism from academics and the NUS alike, regarding the validity of the questions asked and whether the survey continues to be fit for purpose. NSS results are currently proposed to become a key measure in the new Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) as part of the government’s new Higher Education policy. Institutions applying for the TEF will need to present their NSS results as evidence to support their submission. In April 2016, the NUS published recommendations following a consultation with its member Unions regarding changing the shape of the NSS, and reformulating ‘Question 23’, which focusses on Students’ Unions. There continues to be an on-going conversation between the NUS and HEFCE regarding the future of Question 23. At the NUS national conference in April 2016, policy was passed for the NUS boycott the NSS in 2017. The University of Surrey Students’ Union Believes: The NUS policy to boycott the NSS is based on the theory that a boycott or sabotage of the survey will invalidate the results and therefore the NSS will no longer be used as a measure in the government’s new Teaching Excellence Framework. This Students’ Union does not support the raising of tuition fees through the TEF or any other measure, but also does not support the NUS’ boycott of the NSS. Outcomes of the NSS show institutions how the experience they offer students compares to that offered elsewhere, therefore allowing benchmarking to take place across the sector, and for the sharing of best practice. Students’ Unions can use the NSS results as a powerful representational tool to lobby their institutions on the issues that students are highlighting. Student Unions can also use the previous data collected through Question 23 (which has now been edited as a question but still concerns the performance of Students’ Unions) to justify their institution supporting them to make key improvements to their service delivery, for example by increasing their block grant. Question 23 has previously allowed Students’ Unions to gain an understanding of how they compare to others, and this has led to a far greater push for the sharing of best practice and drive improvements across the sector.

The NSS, like any other large scale survey, has its imperfections, but there is no viable alternative national survey of its size and scale that can be used to provide detailed information on the student experience at an institution. The NUS policy to boycott and sabotage the 2017 NSS means that rather than shaping the argument, the NUS has opted out of the conversation. Spending its resources on actively boycotting the survey rather than negotiation on improvements to the questions means that the NUS is not usefully representing its members on this key issue. The NSS itself will not fold or otherwise cease to exist because of the action taken by the NUS, as there is no viable alternative survey, and measurements are required. A viable alternative survey should be created by the NUS if they truly consider that the NSS is no longer fit for purpose. By removing its support for the NSS, the NUS is effectively telling its member Unions that there is no validity in the survey outcomes and therefore they should not be looking to use the results to highlight key areas of the student experience at their institutions that would benefit from improvement. Students’ Unions must represent their memberships based on the evidence at their disposal, of which the NSS is a crucial part. The University of Surrey Students’ Union Resolves: Surrey Students’ Union will continue to support the National Student Survey and will work in partnership with the University to ensure that final year students continue to take part and share their views. Surrey Students’ Union will not be supporting the NUS boycott of the NSS and will continue to oppose the raising of tuition fees through lobbying and networking with other Students’ Unions.

PREVENT Policy Union Notes 1. Due to recent events around the world terrorism is a real and significant threat to people and societies both domestic and internationally. 2. That PREVENT as part of the wider counter terrorism strategy CONTEST is designed to tackle extremism with in society. 3. That prevents agenda is to: a. Respond to the ideological challenge of terrorism and the threat we face from those who promote it. b. Prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure that they are given appropriate advice and support. c. Work with sectors and institutions where there are risks of radicalisation which we need to address. 4. That there is a legal requirement for institutions and public bodies to comply with PREVENT, however this obligation is not applicable to the University of Surrey Students Union. Believes 1. That the PREVENT agenda in practice disproportionately affects already marginalised groups of society. 2. The monitoring of students in the manner proposed by PREVENT is an infringement of civil liberties such as freedom of speech and will change the nature of institutions devoted to learning, personal growth and challenging ideas. 3. The prevent agenda reinforces through the language within its documentation islamophobia and its by-product of discrimination and racism. 4. A position of non-compliance does not prevent the students union from participating in discussions with the university on PREVENT or monitoring the effects of prevent on its membership. Resolves 1. That the University of Surrey’s Student Union will establish a position of non-compliance with the prevent agenda. 2. That the union publicly declares its position on PREVENT and the reasons as to why. 3. The University of Surrey’s Student Union will continue working with the University regarding the Prevent agenda. Submitted by The Voice Zone. Passed by Union Executive on 24/11/15

University of Surrey Students’ Union Exec Meeting (28th March 2017)

Motion on The University’s Proposed Increase in Student Numbers By Akanshya Gurung and Jake Roberts

USSU notes that:

1. The University’s Strategy 2012-17 document aims for an increase in “the number of students coming to Surrey, particularly international and postgraduate students”, as well as their qualityi.

2. Total student numbers at the University have grown significantly over the past decade, from 12,213 in 2006/07ii to 15,280 in 2015/16, the highest ever achieved by the Universityiii.

3. USSU Sabbatical Officers were told the University intends to increase the total student headcount by 3000 by 2020, although this statistic is not as yet official or confirmed.

4. The University’s strategic report, contained within its 2015-16 Financial Statement, states that “the University is extremely sensitive to the need to ensure that growth in student numbers does not come at the expense of the quality of the student experience.”iv

5. Successive UK governments have reformed higher education funding structures, with the consequence that tuition fees have come to be the main source of University income, while grants from central government have been cut. Funding council grants accounted for £47.8million of the University’s income in 2010/11v – in 2015/16, the figure was just £29.4millionvi.

6. Other UK higher education reforms have relaxed government control over student numbers. Indeed, student number controls were removed completely for entry into 2015, which allows universities to – in the government’s own words – “choose to recruit as many students as have the ability and wish to apply”vii.

7. There has thus been an 8% growth in the University’s total income, which it describes as “driven by additional student numbers”viii.

8. The University is building 1,200 new student bedrooms on Manor Park, for completion by September 2019ix.

USSU believes that:

1. Although higher education should be as accessible as possible, current infrastructure is unable to sufficiently cope with a substantial increase in student numbers over such a short time. Such an increase would be to the detriment of the Surrey student experience, for both new and returning students.

2. Study space and accommodation availability have come under pressure over the last few years already, the increase in student numbers would only further add to this problem and dissatisfaction.

3. Local factors also pose significant challenges to any rapid increase in student numbers. The housing crisis in Guildford is acute, with high number of student and land of which 89% falls under the green belt, making house building a more difficult process. Substantial increases in student numbers will thus only serve to increase demand and push up housing prices for students.

4. The 1,200 new bedrooms in Manor Park thus reflect an inadequate increase in University housing stock, and are unlikely to be genuinely affordable for students, thus decreasing the proportion of genuinely affordable (Band C and below) rooms on campus.

5. The University is relying too heavily on increase in student numbers in its income strategy. The University should seek to modify their income strategy and obtain income through other means.

USSU resolves that:

1. To raise such concerns to the University management team to stop, or at least reduce, their proposed plans to increase student number intake from the academic year of 2017/18 onwards.

2. To persistently pressure University management team, in University Council meetings for example, to resist the UK’s higher education reforms.

University of Surrey Students’ Union Exec Meeting (28th March 2017)

3. To pressure and inform the University management team of other methods of obtaining income from other sources.

4. To raise awareness of the issue to students and support student concerns over the issue.

5. A. To create and promote via web page and social media informing students on universities plans, with specific statistics and expressing the USSU’s opposition to such plans and pressuring senior management of The University of Surrey to release a statement on the matter. B. Organise by any means e.g. financially support and attend any student led direct action or any other pressure in relation to planned increases in student numbers

Notes http://www.surrey.ac.uk/sites/default/files/University-of-Surrey-Financial-Statements-2015-16.pdf https://www.offa.org.uk/agreements/The%20University%20of%20Surrey%201718.pdf http://www.surrey.ac.uk/about/management-and-strategy/financial-statements

i http://www.surrey.ac.uk/sites/default/files/University-of-Surrey-Strategy-2012-17.pdf, p.19. ii https://www.surrey.ac.uk/files/pdf/200607annualreport.pdf, p.13. iii http://www.surrey.ac.uk/sites/default/files/University-of-Surrey-Financial-Statements-2015-16.pdf, p.6. iv http://www.surrey.ac.uk/sites/default/files/University-of-Surrey-Financial-Statements-2015-16.pdf, p.14. v http://www.surrey.ac.uk/sites/default/files/University-of-Surrey-Financial-Statements-2011-12.pdf, p.15. vi http://www.surrey.ac.uk/sites/default/files/University-of-Surrey-Financial-Statements-2015-16.pdf, p.19. vii https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/523546/bis-16-265-success-as-a-knowledge-economy-web.pdf, p.54. viii http://www.surrey.ac.uk/about/management-and-strategy/financial-statements (Accessed: 23 March 2017) ix http://www.surrey.ac.uk/mediacentre/press/2016/plans-new-campus-accommodation-take-major-step-forward (Accessed: 23 March 2017).

http://www.surrey.ac.uk/sites/default/files/University-of-Surrey-Financial-Statements-2015-16.pdf

https://www.offa.org.uk/agreements/The%20University%20of%20Surrey%201718.pdf

http://www.surrey.ac.uk/about/management-and-strategy/financial-statements

http://www.surrey.ac.uk/sites/default/files/University-of-Surrey-Strategy-2012-17.pdf

https://www.surrey.ac.uk/files/pdf/200607annualreport.pdf





https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/523546/bis-16-265-success-as-a-knowledge-economy-web.pdf

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/523546/bis-16-265-success-as-a-knowledge-economy-web.pdf

http://www.surrey.ac.uk/about/management-and-strategy/financial-statements

http://www.surrey.ac.uk/mediacentre/press/2016/plans-new-campus-accommodation-take-major-step-forward

of 2

Surrey Students Against Support Cuts

Exec Meeting 28.03.17 USSU Notes

1. That in the University of Surrey’s Access Agreement 2017/18, published by the Office For Fair Access (OFFA), it states “The University has decided to reduce the amount of money it spends on student support....”

2. That on their website, the OFFA state that they engage in “discussions with

institutions and other stakeholders.”

3. That the University of Surrey welcomes input by the USSU, since it details in the last access agreement that “A consultation meeting was held with the Student Union sabbatical officers to review and evaluate the current bursary and scholarship schemes”

4. Between 2010 to 2015, the University of Surrey reduced the funding for student

support by £1.4 Million, in real terms, whilst the number of students supported grew.

5. The USSU core constitution states that the relationship is has with the University of Surrey is “a relationship founded on mutual respect”

USSU believes

1. As a stakeholder, the USSU has a responsibility to ensure there is fair access into the University of Surrey

2. That support from the University of Surrey ensures that students from all backgrounds

are able to engage in extracurricular activities and can study at Surrey without having to worry about increasing debt.

3. That with the national government removing maintenance grants, and Surrey students lacking access to London weighted maintenance loans, there is greater responsibility on the University of Surrey to ensure students at Surrey are supported.

4. That the University of Surrey’s decision to cut support funding does not demonstrate the same degree of respect as USSU affords them.

USSU resolves

1. To ask the University of Surrey to explain and apologise to all students for the reductions to student support

2. To stipulate during any access consultation that the University of Surrey at least sustain the same amount of money it spends on student support, in real terms, for academic years between 2018/20.

of 2

3. To take all the following actions if reductions to support are reported in the Access Agreement 2018/19:

a. Write and send an email to all students detailing the USSU’s opposition as

well as the extent of the reductions, in real terms.

b. Write to the OFFA, detailing the USSUs opposition to the access agreement put forward by the University of Surrey.

c. Write to local newspapers (e.g. Get Surrey) detailing the USSUs opposition to

the University of Surrey’s support funding cuts.

The Right to Stay Motion

USSU notes

1. On the 29th March 2017, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

(UK) will trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty.

2. Members of Parliament (MPs), by a majority of 42, voted against a bill

that would protect the residence rights of citizens of the European Union

and their family members who were lawfully resident in the United

Kingdom on 23 June 2016.

3. Guildford MP, Rt Hon Anne Milton, was among those who voted against

the bill which would guarantee the right of EU national students to stay.

USSU believes

1. That European nationals should have the right to stay in the UK after

Brexit

2. That EU national students are an integrated part of student body

3. Withholding the right to stay not only threatens European national

Surrey students but also affects all students who wish to make friends with

people from different cultures and backgrounds.

USSU Resolves

1. To write an open letter to Rt Hon Anne Milton detailing the USSU’s

unconditional support for the EU national students right to stay and asking

her to change her position at the next available opportunity.

2. To invite Rt Hon Anne Milton to defend her position and receive

questions from the student body.

Surrey Divest MotionThis Union already has a fossil free policy as feels that Divestment is in the long term interest of it’s members. This mandates it to support campaign to get the University of Surrey to Divest from Fossil Fuels. Despite the University now having sold it’s investment it yet to make a public statement and won’t review its ethical investment policy till 2017, meaning this campaign is still ongoing. Recently members of the local community have started a sister campaign to get Surrey Country Council Pension Fund to divest it’s £100m investments in fossil fuels. They are currently appealing for support from organisations within Surrey in order to put pressure the pension fund’s committee to take them seriously.

The Motion is Proposed by Peter Sims, Seconded by Zoe Wide.

This Union Notes:

1. That The University of Surrey has public commitments to tackling climate change mandated by its Environmental Policy1

2. That CarbonTracker's Unburnable Carbon 20132 report highlights the overvaluation of fossil fuel reserves and the huge financial risks of investing in fossil fuels.

3. That the Fossil Free UK campaign is calling on UK higher education institutions, pension funds and councils to divest from fossil fuels and sever their links with these companies.3

4. That to date 18 UK University’s have made divestment commitments4

5. That In the UK 6 councils and 10 faith based organisation have made divestment committments4.

6. That the originally proposed changes to the University of Surrey Ethical Investment Policy have been submitted and the finance department has chosen to reject all amendment apart from commitment to publish name of it’s ethical screening service.5

7. That University’s Treasurer, Thomas Chambers has send a letter to Union President confirming that the University has now sold it’s investments in the top 200 fossil fuel companies6 and committing the University not to reinvest until it has reviewed it’s ethical investment policy. This is scheduled for 2017.

8. The Divest Surrey campaign currently has a petition with 167 signatures7

Fossil Free Student Union Motion - Version 2.1 1 of 2

1 University of Surrey Sustainability Policy2 Carbon Tracker ‘Carbon bubble will plunge world into another financial crisis - report', 19 April 2013,3 peopleandplanet.org/fossil-free4 gofossilfree.org/commitments/5 Proposed Amendments to Ethical Investment Policy (Unchanged in Grey)6 fossilfreeindexes.com/research/the-carbon-underground/7 campaigns.gofossilfree.org/petitions/divestsurrey

https://campaigns.gofossilfree.org/petitions/divestsurrey




http://www.surrey.ac.uk/about/campus/sustainability/policies/index.htm

http://www.surrey.ac.uk/about/campus/sustainability/policies/index.htm

http://www.carbontracker.org

http://www.carbontracker.org

http://peopleandplanet.org/fossil-free

http://peopleandplanet.org/fossil-free

http://gofossilfree.org/commitments/

http://gofossilfree.org/commitments/

http://www.ussu.co.uk/ClubsSocieties/societies/young-greens-society/Shared%20Documents/Amendments%20to%20Ethical%20Investment%20Policy.pdf

http://www.ussu.co.uk/ClubsSocieties/societies/young-greens-society/Shared%20Documents/Amendments%20to%20Ethical%20Investment%20Policy.pdf

http://fossilfreeindexes.com/research/the-carbon-underground/

http://fossilfreeindexes.com/research/the-carbon-underground/




1. That we are running out of time to keep global warming below 2C above pre-industrial levels- the limit for ensuring a safe and stable future for the economy, the planet and all people on it, as recently outlined in the IPCC's 5th Assessment Report.8

2. That the fossil fuel industry business plan is incompatible with to keeping global temperature rise below 2 degrees.

3. That we must do everything in our power to rapidly reduce the global use of fossil fuels and expand clean energy alternatives.

4. That Surrey Country Council should be a role model in society, acting responsibly and helping create a safe future that is better for everyone.

5. That Surrey Country Council Pension Fund’s investments in the fossil fuel industry undermine Surrey Country Council’s work on sustainability and climate change.

6. That as Surrey Country Council have accepted the consequences of inaction on climate change, they should now take action, such as Divesting.9

7. That there is currently a perfect storm situation where the Fossil Fuel industry is currently too big and powerful to be regulated by governments and the fossil fuels industry won’t lose it’s political power until it is regulated. 10

8. That Surrey Country Council Pension Fund doesn’t currently have a complete understanding of the reasons for and consequences of divesting from the fossil fuels industry.11

9. That Surrey Country Council Pension Fund Committee is reluctant to take leadership on this issue.

10.That the Surrey Country Council Pension Fund should make a commitment to Divest from fossil fuels and make appropriate exclusions in an Ethical Investment Policy.

11.That this Union should speak up on political issues within Surrey which affect it’s members, whether these affects be in the present or future.


1. That the Union executive committee members should sign this petition to Surrey Country Council Pension Fund regarding the issue.

2. To help publicise the campaign and the petition to it’s members and within Surrey12

3. To formally write to Surrey Country Council Pension Fund Committee urging them to divest and requesting a public statement be made explaining their stance on this issue.

4. To release a public statement expressing it’s support for this campaign.

Fossil Free Student Union Motion - Version 2.1 2 of 2

8 http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/sep/27/ipcc-world-dangerous-climate-change9 www.surreycc.gov.uk - Impacts of climate change on Surrey10 Why should the University of Surrey Divest from the Fossil Fuels Industry - Final11 Statement of Investment Principles.pdf12 campaigns.gofossilfree.org/petitions/divestsurrey

http://campaigns.gofossilfree.org/petitions/divestsurrey

http://campaigns.gofossilfree.org/petitions/divestsurrey

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/sep/27/ipcc-world-dangerous-climate-change

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/sep/27/ipcc-world-dangerous-climate-change

http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/environment-housing-and-planning/energy-sustainability/impacts-of-climate-change-on-surrey

http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/environment-housing-and-planning/energy-sustainability/impacts-of-climate-change-on-surrey

http://www.ussu.co.uk/ClubsSocieties/societies/young-greens-society/Shared%20Documents/Why%20should%20the%20University%20of%20Surrey%20Divest%20from%20the%20Fossil%20Fuels%20Industry%20-%20Final.pdf

http://www.ussu.co.uk/ClubsSocieties/societies/young-greens-society/Shared%20Documents/Why%20should%20the%20University%20of%20Surrey%20Divest%20from%20the%20Fossil%20Fuels%20Industry%20-%20Final.pdf

http://www.surreypensionfund.org/themes/surrey/scheme%20documents/Statement%20of%20Investment%20Principles.pdf

http://www.surreypensionfund.org/themes/surrey/scheme%20documents/Statement%20of%20Investment%20Principles.pdf



Uni Green Team Behavioural Change Campaigns - Motion

The student body has never voted on whether the Union should support the NUS campaigns run on campus, yet currently the Union doesn’t support these campaigns despite being a member of the NUS. The Union could be eligible for a rebate from the NUS for supporting these campaigns.

This Union Notes:

1. That Student Eats, Student Switch Off, Blackout and Green Impact are campaigns run by the NUS

2. That these 4 campaigns focus on different areas of behavioural change on campus.

3. That the Student Switch Off campaign is run throughout the year in University halls, focuses on such things as increasing the composting and recycling rates, and reducing the amount of energy wasted by encouraging students to close windows, put lids of sauce pans, not leave lights on unnecessarily, only put the needed about of water in the kettle etc.

4. That Green Impact is a campaign run throughout the year focusing on reducing consumption and waste in office spaces on campus.

5. That Blackout is a annual one day campaign in which students and staff collaborate to reduce energy wastage over a weekend by doing an ‘energy audit’ on a Friday evening to ensure things are not left on unnecessarily over the weekend.

6. Student Eats is a campaign focused around putting sustainable food at the heart of university campuses by educating students and facilitating them in growing their own food'.

7. That the Student Eats campaign at the University of Surrey is currently run by the Union’s Garden Society and is support by University Green Team.

8. That the University Green Team currently funds and coordinates the NUS running the following campaigns on campus: Student Switch Off, Blackout and Student Eats. Green Impact is not run every year.

9. That over the 2014/15 year 16.4% of eligible students signed up to the University of Surrey Student Switch Off campaign (777 out of 4,752 students in halls).1

10.That it is estimated that over 50 tonnes of CO₂ emissions were avoided as a result of running Student Switch Off campaign at University of Surrey over the 2014/15 academic year. 1

11.That almost 100 MWh of energy were saved, which at 10p/KWh is almost £10,000 worth of electricity. 1

Uni Green Team Behavioural Change Campaigns - Motion - Version 1.0 1 of 2

1 NUS - Student Switch-Off - University of Surrey Campaign Report 2014-15


1. That the Student Switch Off campaign successfully helps promote sustainable habits amongst students at the University of Surrey.

2. That the Blackout campaign successfully helps raise awareness of the energy wasted on campus by not turning off equipment/lights when not in use.

3. That Garden Society’s participation in the Student Eats campaign help spread knowledge about where food comes from and how to grow it.

4. That the Student Eats campaign helps to promote sustainable behaviour amongst staff members on campus.

5. That some Union Members may feel the names of some of these campaigns are unrepresentative of their intentions or purpose and may falsely associate a move towards sustainability with a regression to poorer living standards or reduction in quality of life.

6. That, should the Union take issue with the way in which these campaigns are designed, run or named, or have any other suggestions, it should raise these with the NUS.

7. That it is in the interests of the Union’s members to promote sustainable behaviours both on and off campus.

8. That, in the absence of the Union designing and running its own campaign focused on each of these areas, it should support these campaigns.

9. That by supporting these campaigns they could be more effective and/or wider reaching.


1. To announce it’s position on the Student Switch Off, Blackout, Student Eats and Green Impact campaigns.

2. To making that least the following available for the promotion of these campaigns: Union’s Screens, Union’s Social Media, Events Planners & Union’s Website.

3. To claim any rebates offered by the NUS for supporting these campaigns.

Proposed by Peter Sims

Seconded by Tom Pinnegar

Uni Green Team Behavioural Change Campaigns - Motion - Version 1.0 2 of 2


Affiliations These are the current affiliations. If you wish to vote on one individually, then this must be done in parts, ask the chair to vote on the affiliation you wish to discuss separate.

Archery UK 150

BMC Membership (Mountaineering) £411.25

British American Football Association (Team Affiliation) 125

British American Football Association (Individual Affiliation) £20 per player

British Judo £55

British Rowing Ltd (Boat) £324

British Universities Colleges Sport (University Affiliation) £11,397.19

British University Sailing Association (Sailing) £150

BUSC Affiliation (Snowsports) £350

County of Surrey Archery Association (SCAS & GNAS) £36

England Athletics £100

England Basketball (Team Affiliation) £110

England Basketball (Individual Affiliation) £10 per player

English Lacrosse Association Ltd £100 English Lacrosse Association Ltd (Individual Affiliation) £15 per player

Guildford & Woking Alliance Football League (Men’s Football) £75

IVDA (Ballroom Dancing) £50

Jitsu Foundation £300

Kings Club Affiliation (Snowsports) £350

LSRFUR Affiliation (Rugby) £480

National Smallbore Rifle Association £128

SUDA (Ballroom Dancing) £50

Surrey County FA (Men’s Football) £137

Surrey County FA (Women’s Football) £50

Surrey County Intermediate League Western (Men’s Football) £125 Swimming and Waterpolo – Surrey ASA Southern Universities Trampoline League £60 Volleyball England Team Affiliation) £89.50 Volleyball England (Individual Affiliation) £10 per player UK Ultimate (Individual Membership) £18.50 per player


Stag Radio – Student Radio Association (£96)

Labour Society – Labour students (Free)

‐ National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts (Free) Stag TV – National and Student Television Association (£60)

Skydiving – British Collegiate Parachute Association (£50)

EARS – RSGB (£51)

‐ EURAVIA (£40) Wake – JB Ski Venue (£700)

AHS – National AHS (Free)

CU – Universities and Colleges Chritian Fellowship (Free)

Copperfeel – Copperfeel (Free)

Enactus – Enactus UK (Free)

National Union of Students £43,000


Motions Member motions submitted for discussion and vote. There is no provision for amendments, however they may be referred to another body (e.g. Union Executive)

This Union Notes 1. The University of Surrey continues to have ambitious plans for expansion

2. The University has an excellent reputation for teaching and learning, and is consistently in

the top ten for league tables biased towards this metric

3. The University also has plans to perform better in world rankings, which currently place the

University outside of the top 250 global Universities.

4. There have been several suggested strategic projects, including a Medical school and a

learning hotel

5. The total income for the University last year was £259m, of which c£130m came from tuition

fees and £26.4m from accommodation.

6. Although satisfaction remains high amongst many students, the 2016 ‘Shape Your Surrey’

survey showed a decrease in satisfaction for many aspects of campus living

7. The students’ union ‘Living at the Limit’ shows that students are living further away from

campus, and having to commute in to study.

8. Campus infrastructure is under pressure from increased numbers and ageing facilities

This Union Believes 1. The University must make current student satisfaction the top priority

2. Strategic plans, and capital investments must be targeted at maintaining the teaching and

learning experience as well as tackling many of the issues students face such as library space,

commuting, and cost of living

3. Any new venture or strategic project which does not maintain or improve the direct student

experience should not be funded from tuition fees or rents

4. ‘Reputation’ does not improve the student experience

This Union Resolves 1. To mandate each Union officer to speak and vote against any proposal on any University

committee, which does not align with ‘Union Believes’ 1‐4.

Proposed By:

Alex Mackenzie Smith, President

Motion: Liberate Representation This Union notes:

1. Students from different backgrounds face different societal and academic challenges or marginalisation.2. There are currently no part-time Liberation Officers within the Union; nor does the Union reserve places on its Executive or

Zone Committees for students who identify within liberation groups: Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, and other gender and sexualminorities (hereafter LGBT+); Disabled Students; People of Colour (Hereafter POC); Postgrad/Mature Students;International Students; or Women

3. The Student Key Facts (University Summary) for 2016/17 reports:a. 6,069 (39%) students identify as black or minority ethnic;b. 1,180 (8%) students identify as having a disability;c. 1,961 (16%) are classified as mature students and 3,605 (23%) Students who are enrolled on postgraduate

programmes;d. 1,823 (12%) students originate from the EU and 3,398 (22%) from non-EU countries;e. and, 8,708 (55%) students identify as women.

4. Liberation groups often face structural oppression in society and educational institutions. Just a couple of examples are:a. In 2013, The LGBT+ Campus Climate Survey, the only LGBT+ Campus research found that there is a culture of

heteronormativity and cisgenderism at Surrey. LGBT+ staff, students, and key informants observed a lack oftraining in LGBT+ awareness; respondents reported hearing homophobic and biphobic language routinely, andpeople shouting at couples. The NUS (2014) reports that discrimination makes LGBT+ students 2–3 times morelikely to consider leaving their course.

b. In a national survey, 1 in 6 Black students reported experiencing racism in their current institution; 1 in 3 do nottrust their institution to properly handle complaints; and, 1 in 3 feel unable to bring their perspective as Black andMinority Ethnic students to lectures and tutorials. (NUS, 2011)

5. In 2014, Surrey students voted to adopt a new zone structure and move away from portfolio and liberation positions

This Union believes:

1. The representation of students in the groups identified supports the Union’s vision to positively impact all students atSurrey

2. The Union should be representative, especially of those who are at risk of marginalisation, oppression, and discrimination3. Liberation Groups can often feel isolated and separate from the general student body, and therefore need a representative

voice from their own community4. The annual changeover of Officers does not include mechanisms to ensure officers are representative of the breadth of

backgrounds at Surrey. In some circumstances, this may discourage participation from students in the groups identified.

This union resolves

1. To form a new Liberation Committee which operates as a sub-committee underneath all four zones2. To include the following Liberation Representatives

a. President (Chair)b. Voice Zone Memberc. Activity Zone Memberd. Community Zone Membere. Support Zone Memberf. LGBT+ Students memberg. Person of Colour (POC) Students members

i. Arab students memberii. Asian students member

iii. Black (African/Caribbean) students memberh. Disabled Students memberi. Non-UK Students member

3. The gender balance of the committee must be 50% students identifying as female4. The liberation representatives will be co-opted from the membership of the agreed societies (and/or

University Staff/Committees, such as the Equality and Diversity Working Groups, for students withoutrelevant Societies – e.g., Disability Equality Group).

5. The liberation representatives will host caucus forums/meetings with their equality group once a term, orwhen a request is submitted of at least twenty (20) students from that Equality Group.

6. The committee is to meet once per term.

https://www.nus.org.uk/global/lgbt-research.pdf https://www.nus.org.uk/PageFiles/12355/NUS_Race_for_Equality_web.pdf

https://www.nus.org.uk/global/lgbt-research.pdf

https://www.nus.org.uk/PageFiles/12355/NUS_Race_for_Equality_web.pdf

https://www.surrey.ac.uk/sites/default/files/R40_Student_Key_Facts_2016_17_all.pdf https://www.surrey.ac.uk/equalityanddiversity/files/lgbt-cc-2014.docx

SUPPORT

1. Proposer

Print Name: Ricki Hewitt

2. Seconder

Print Name: Alex Harden

3. Individuals/Societies

Name Postgraduate Society Nursing Society Feminist Society Marek Hubbell, People and Planet Society Noorulann Shahid, NUS LGBT+ Officer (Open Place) LGBT+ Society

4. Submitted

Date: 17/04/2017

https://www.surrey.ac.uk/sites/default/files/R40_Student_Key_Facts_2016_17_all.pdf

https://www.surrey.ac.uk/equalityanddiversity/files/lgbt-cc-2014.docx

Student Staff Cooperation – Constitutional Amendment USSU notes

1. that a memorandum of understanding exists between the University of Surrey Executive board and the Board of Trustees of the Students Union.

2. that in 2015, the Students Union cooperated with the University and College Union (UCU) in a protest, and saved the politics department from being closed.

USSU believes

1. students and staff have shared interests and these can only be achieved through cooperation between the staff and students’ unions.

2. That the Board of Trustees having a memorandum of understanding with the University of Surrey Executive Board has facilitated cooperation and helped the USSU to achieve their mutual interests.

USSU resolves 1. to delete article 69 of the constitution and insert the following:

Memoranda of Understanding 69. Memoranda of Understanding 69.1 There shall be a memorandum of understanding to be agreed between the Board of Trustees and The University of Surrey Executive board. 69.2 The memorandum with the University of Surrey Executive board shall cover but not be limited to the following provisions:

69.2.1 Financial procedures; 69.2.2 Occupancy of premises; and 69.2.3 Provision of services.

69.3 There shall be a memorandum of understanding to be agreed between the Board of Trustees and The University of Surrey University and College Union Executive Committee 69.4 The memorandum with the University of Surrey University and College Union Executive Committee shall cover but not be limited to the following provisions: 69.2.1 Post-graduate Representation; and 69.2.2 Co-operation on student-staff issues. 69.5 The memoranda shall be reviewed at least every five years

Supporting Rent Strikes

USSU Notes

1. The current commitment to resolving the housing crisis, exemplified by the Housing Manifesto.

2. The rent charged by the University is rising by as much as 3% for the cheapest accommodation, hardest hitting the poorest students

3. The average rent for a room on campus is currently £117/week, rising to £120/week next academic year. The average monthly rent next year will therefore be £521 – not far off the £532 average in Guildford’s highly expensive private sector, as estimated by USSU’s ‘Living at the Limit’ report.

4. All the University’s planned new accommodation is Band D or E, meaning that by the 2019/20 academic year it is highly likely only 33% of the University’s accommodation will be Band C or below.

5. The University made a surplus of more than £8.8million from its student accommodation in the 2015/16 academic year.

6. The University described its student residences as a “strong and profitable income stream” in its 2014/15 Financial Statements (p.10).

7. Student action against rising rent works. At UCL, for example, a rent strike won a freeze in rent and the creation of a rent bursary – together worth £1.5m.

USSU Believes

1. Students should be able to afford to live. 2. Financial pressures place undue stress on students, affecting their mental and physical

health, and their academic performance. 3. The University raising rent above inflation is an attack on students. 4. The University should not be profiting of their students’ need for housing, a basic human

right and condition of a happy, healthy and fulfilling university experience. 5. Following the completion of the new Manor Park rooms in 2019, only Band A, B and C

accommodation should be built thereafter, in particular Band A and B. 6. Rents in University accommodation, across all bands, should be frozen for a significant

period of time, or reduced, with immediate effect. 7. Past tactics of working with the University on accommodation have had some successes

(with increases in Band A, B and C rents over the past five years being below inflation) but have failed in preventing the University’s drive to build more expensive Band D and E accommodation that is out of many prospective and current students’ budgets.

8. Rent strikes are an effective way of making accommodation more affordable for future and current students.

USSU Resolves

1. To support all student efforts against high rents through financial, promotional, and organisational means.

2. To make it clear to University management that student rents will be withheld if the next phase of University accommodation building is Band D or E.

3. To make it clear to University management in the 2018/19 accommodation price setting negotiations that student rents will be withheld if the average price of a room on campus rises above £125/week.

4. To undertake a far-reaching survey of all students living in University accommodation to obtain a clear assessment of how students feel about the state and price of University accommodation.

a. To then use this data in future discussions with University management regarding University accommodation policy to effectively argue for, and achieve, more affordable student accommodation.

Speaking rights for all students The Union Notes:

1. Article 28.7 of the byelaws states “speaking rights for election events shall be confined to full members”.

2. Article 6.2 states that full membership is available to “All students at the

University of Surrey”, “Elected officer trustees”, “Officer trustees elect”, and “All students and elected officer trustees in the interim period between successfully graduating in a course of study or a term in office”.

3. Currently it has been ruled that “Article 28.7 refers to those speaking at election

events and although it refers to ‘full members’ in the context of this section the term refers to the ‘candidate’...”.

The Union Believes:

1. Full members in Article 28.7 refers to all full members as defined in Article 6.2 of the byelaws.

2. All students have the right to self-determination and a fair election must include a

pre-eminent right for all full members, including but not limited to candidates, to speak and shape the direction of their Students’ Union.

3. It is not only feasible for full members (i.e. students) to organise election events

but students unequivocally do organise these events.

4. The student-organised election events are a proud and valuable asset in Surrey and students have done an excellent job to date.

The Union Resolves:

1. To insert text into Article 28.7 in the byelaws so that it reads “speaking rights for election events shall be confined to all full members, as described in 6.2”.

2. To insert “28.7.1 Speaking rights shall include but not be limited to chairing

discussions, speaking on stage, providing comment as an audience member or a

panel member, and having a pre-recorded message broadcasted” into the byelaws.

3. To insert “28.7.2 An election event is distinct from a meeting and refers to any

and all public events organised in part or in whole by Students’ Union that either promote or discuss any candidate of Surrey Decides” into the byelaws.