annual report 2011

August: Lunch in the sun at Mojo’s Bar

December: RUSU hosts first

Vice Chancellor talk to students

January: Children from

Little Learners Nursery at play

November: Marching against higher tuition fees in London

October: Freshers’ Fayre

busy as always

September: International

Students’ Welcome in 3sixty

AnnuAl RepoRt 2011

Contents

04 President’s Message

05 Chief Executive’s Message

06 Vision Mission Values

08 Our Year In Numbers

10 Our Strategic Aims

12 Representing the views of our members

14 Engaging effectively with our members

16 Enhancing the experience for our members

18 Providing quality facilities & services for our members

20 Working on behalf of our members

22 Where does the money come from?

25 Where does the money go?

26 Summarised Accounts

28 Balance Sheet

30 Trustee Board 2011/2012

04 - RUSU Annual Report 2011

President’s Message

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Reading University Students’ Union Annual Report and to our Annual General Meeting.

As an organisation we have faced many challenges over the last year. Students’ Unions across the United Kingdom, as well as the National Union of Students, have come under unprecedented scrutiny from the government, press, public opinion and most importantly of all, our members. I am immensely proud to say we have faced these challenges head on while at all times staying true to our core values as a membership led, democratic union of students.

In November almost 500 of our students marched on the streets of London against the cuts to higher education funding and the imposition of tripled tuition fees onto new undergraduates. As one of, if not, the biggest contributing unions outside of London in terms of student numbers, this shows activism is alive and well on Reading’s campuses. As well as the national demonstration a series of local demonstrations, debates and actions look place providing further opportunities for our members to make an impact on government policy.

Internally we sought to develop our brilliant student societies that are so intrinsic to our aim of being ‘the centre of life on campus.’ We reformed the way groups are started, funded and supported to make things easier and quicker for our members. We also secured funding from the Development and Alumni office to facilitate our student groups in integrating international students more effectively by putting on events and excursions for their members.

With the resignation of an Officer Trustee late into the year it was more important than ever that the student officer team pulled together and I’m proud to say students still benefited from high quality representation.

This year we intend to build on these successes and I implore you to join us in doing so. Come along to our new Student Officer Scrutiny (SOS) meeting and grill your officers. Help us win the world class library you deserve by getting involved with the ‘Love your Library’ campaign. Help tackle the stigma surrounding mental health issues with our ‘Post Secret’ campaign and above all, make Reading the place you want it to be.

I have a vision for RUSU to be the UK’s leading campaigning union, an organisation that pushes boundaries, that wins for our members and, crucially, is ready for a higher education sector that is about to change forever. Five Student Officers can’t make it happen without you. After all, together we are stronger than the sum of our parts, so get involved and let’s create this change together.

Karl Hobley

RUSU President & Chair of Trustee Board 2011-2012

RUSU Annual Report 2011 - 05

This has been another busy year as RUSU registered with the Charity Commission as an Unincorporated Association to comply with the requirements following the implementation of the Charities Act 2006. Although the planning for registration started a number of years ago with the introduction of the Trustee Board it still involved making a number of significant changes to our Constitution and Bye Laws.

RUSU has once again achieved a number of national accreditations for the services and facilities we provide for our members. We maintained Gold standard for our ethical and environmental performance in both the Students Union and the University ‘Green Impact’ schemes. We achieved the Gold ‘Best Bar None’ award for our continuing commitment to responsible licensing and also gained ‘Investors in People’ accreditation confirming the importance we place on developing our staff.

The new RUSU website was launched over the summer to coincide with the publication of A-level examination results. This development will enable us to understand in greater detail the demographics of the students involved in RUSU and will help us to develop targets for the future to ensure that we represent our members more effectively.

The opening of the new Campus Central store has been an exciting development made possible through working in partnership with the University. The new outlet offers an enhanced

Richard Silcock

Chief Executive

Chief Executive’s Message

facility for students, staff and visitors to the campus and also provides an increased revenue stream for the Students’ Union.

Once again this has been a difficult trading year for the organisation with a reduction in the contribution provided by both our bars and catering operations. As a result of this continued decline a number of staffing changes were made at the end of the academic year. These changes include the introduction of more permanent staff in the catering department and the creation of the new role of Business Development Manager.

The positive effects of these changes will hopefully ensure that 2011/12 will see a growth in our commercial income which will provide additional funds to further develop the support and services we offer to students.

The year ahead includes a number of further opportunities and challenges for the organisation including gaining national accreditation for our advice, nursery and volunteering services, plus further developing the support we provide to our volunteers, Liberation & Representation groups, Course Representatives and working together with the University to limit the impact of the impending fees regime.

ViSion MiSSion VAlueS


ViSion MiSSion VAlueSouR ViSion

(What We Aspire to)

We aspire to be the leading union in actively

representing, engaging and empowering every student

ouR MiSSion(What We exist For)

RuSu is a democratic student led organisation. We provide high quality representation,

opportunities for personal development and excellent services and facilities to all our members

ouR VAlueS (underpinning everything We Do)

openneSS

We will ensure

that the way we

operate is open and

transparent to our

members.

ReSponSiVe

We are constantly

reviewing our

services to ensure

that they reflect

the expectations of

our members.

innoVAtiVe

We are a flexible

and dynamic

organisation

focused on

providing the best

possible student

experience.

ReSponSible

We recognise

our wider role in

society and actively

promote ethical

and environmental

best practice.

leARning

We are committed

to realising the full

potential of our

trustees, staff and

volunteers.

DiVeRSity

We are committed

to promoting

equality of

opportunity and

celebrating the

diversity of our

membership.

DeMocRAcy

We are a

student led and

student focused

organisation with

strong democratic

structures.


56%147

ouR yeAR in nuMbeRS

£ 253,002in financial gains to students through help from our Student Advice provision from benefits, compensation, managed debts and funding

71,263

people through the door on Wednesday and Saturday Union nights

international students attended immigration workshops

RepresentationRUSU represented 22,000 students

increase in the number of students and staff taking advantage of our Little Learners

Nursery


16,54

6212ouR yeAR in nuMbeRS

Alumni Sports Day150

ex-Reading students

took part

in the

inaugural Alumni Sports

Day

NUS N

ational

Demo

4,311students engaged

in sports

and societies

The average number of visits to our website each month

A total of 212 people attended our Annual General Meeting

2,620

one-to-one sessions with our Student Advisors

559 students

signed up to the ‘Fund our

Future: Stop

Education Cuts’

march in London


ouR StRAtegic AiMS

Representing the Views of our MembersRepresentation, Campaigning, Governance, University, National Representation, Community

engaging effectively With our MembersMarket Research, Communications, Online voting, Web & IT, Feedback, Satellite Campus

enhancing the experience For our MembersParticipation, Volunteering, Sports & Societies, Involvement, Employability

providing Quality Facilities And Services For our MembersVenues, Retail, The Hub, Nursery, Advice & Welfare, Student Focused Services

Working on behalf of our MembersPartnerships, Staff Development, Initiatives, Benchmarking, Financial Stability

The Strategic Operating Plan (SOP) sets out RUSU’s targets for the next three years. The SOP is updated and agreed by the Trustee Board and our progress toward the targets is monitored throughout the year. All targets within the plan form a link between our vision, mission, values and the work of our student officers and staff.

This year we will be asking students for their feedback on the plan which will give our members an opportunity to shape the plans of the organisation over the next three years.


ouR StRAtegic AiMS


Further develop the support and guidance provided for Junior common Rooms (JcRs)

Work with university to enhance the support and facilities for international students

Hold a referendum on our affiliation to the national union of Students (nuS)

Host a general Meeting to update members on progress towards our targets

implement the election of liberation & Representation officer roles

RUSU made a number of changes to Student Voice and Services & Entertainments Forum which included selecting students from defined demographic groups to feedback on our commercial services. As a result of these changes attendance at the meetings increased by 100 students compared with the previous year.

A review of how RUSU supports its Liberation & Representation Groups (Women, Mature students, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT), Postgraduate students, International students, Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic (BAME) and Disabled students)

was presented to the Trustee Board. These changes will take effect in the coming year.

RUSU continued to support the role of Course and Faculty representatives. All 10 Faculty Rep positions were successfully filled and the number of Course Reps increased to 283.

The priority campaign for the year was the NUS ‘Fund Our Future’ campaign. Reading sent nearly 500 students to London to join the march and although the outcome was not as planned, the show of strength allowed the NUS to gain some important amendments to forthcoming legislation.

RepReSenting tHe VieWS oF ouR MeMbeRS

RuSu sent nearly

500 students

to the national

demonstration

against tuition Fees

in london

All Faculty Rep positions were filled and the number of course Reps increased to a total of 283

Student attendance at Student Voice and Services & entertainments Forum rose by 100 compared with the previous year


Further develop the support and guidance provided for Junior common Rooms (JcRs)

Work with university to enhance the support and facilities for international students

Hold a referendum on our affiliation to the national union of Students (nuS)

Host a general Meeting to update members on progress towards our targets

implement the election of liberation & Representation officer roles

RepReSenting tHe VieWS oF ouR MeMbeRS

In response to the implementation of the Charities Act 2006, RUSU became a registered charity on 11th February 2011. This process involved a number of changes to our constitution and bye laws. RUSU is governed by a Trustee Board including five elected Officer Trustees, three elected Student Trustees and up to four appointed External Trustees. We completed the NUS Good Governance exercise which highlighted the systems in place are in line with best practice and recommended a few improvements.

With the support of additional University funding RUSU developed the Community Wardens scheme to strengthen links with the local community and to promote the positive impact that the Union and the University have on the local community.

Challenges Ahead


create an impact report highlighting the positive difference RuSu makes to students

produce a termly publication highlighting the work of RuSu and the Student officers

enable students to further influence RuSu direction through consultation

Significantly increase turnout and candidate numbers for trustee elections

to raise the profile and awareness of the work of the Student officers

Research into the support provided for international students highlighted a number of areas including the lack of an appropriate non-licensed space on campus, the need for more entertainment focused events and also the importance student activities play in providing opportunities for home and international students to integrate. As a result of this research we developed plans to improve The Lounge (our non-licensed social space), provided additional non-licensed events and we now measure the demographics of students involved in our activities.

As part of our work on improving communications with our members we launched a new website in the middle of August. The new content management system is based on the database provided by the University which allows us to tailor our communications to specific groups of students rather than sending out generic information to all members. The development of the website is an on-going project which will continue to change in response to student feedback.

The work on launching the website delayed the implementation of online ticket sales

engAging eFFectiVely WitH ouR MeMbeRS

the new RuSu

website was

launched to

help improve

communications

with our members

RuSu conducted market research to learn more about support provided for international Students

plans were developed to improve the lounge (our non-licenced social space) and additional non-licenced events were provided


create an impact report highlighting the positive difference RuSu makes to students

produce a termly publication highlighting the work of RuSu and the Student officers

enable students to further influence RuSu direction through consultation

Significantly increase turnout and candidate numbers for trustee elections

to raise the profile and awareness of the work of the Student officers

engAging eFFectiVely WitH ouR MeMbeRS

until the summer term and the ability to provide online booking of RUSU facilities is still in development.

The introduction of the database driven website also had an impact on our plan to achieve a turnout of 3,000 votes in the Spring Trustee elections. Unlike previous years students wishing to cast a vote in the elections had to register on the website first which meant that a lot of time and resource was focused on encouraging students to register rather than just promoting the elections. Although we failed to reach our overall target the number of votes for each candidate increased and with the support of the RUSU student media the elections results night was a great success.

Challenges Ahead


increase the number of students involved in student activities by 10%

lobby the university on changes to the funding model for sport

promote and support the role of the Student Activity Reps

Achieve ‘investors in Volunteering’ accreditation

Re-launch the ‘give it a go’ scheme

This year RUSU re-launched its volunteering programme running 7 local community projects providing opportunities for over 100 students. RUSU also worked in partnership with the University in the Reading Experience and Development (RED) award scheme which provides key employability skills for over 500 students. Students involved in volunteering, holding positions in student activity groups or attending our employability workshops were eligible to take part in the scheme.

We also investigated the feasibility of gaining accreditation as part of the ‘Investing in Volunteering’ (IIV) scheme which ensures

that the support we provide for all students involved in volunteering or activities reaches a set of national good practice standards. This is something we hope to achieve in the coming year.

A review of the ‘Give it a Go’ scheme highlighted that the funding provided was often spent on equipment and events rather than as a means of encouraging new students to get involved in our activities. As a result the scheme was put on hold for the year and the recommendations will be included in the re-launched scheme next academic year.

enHAncing tHe expeRience FoR ouR MeMbeRS

A Student Activities

strategy was created

to concentrate on

the development

students involved in

activities

the RuSu volunteering programme was re-launched following market research from the previous year

the new roles of Student Activities Representatives were developed to focus on activity development rather than finance and administration


increase the number of students involved in student activities by 10%

lobby the university on changes to the funding model for sport

promote and support the role of the Student Activity Reps

Achieve ‘investors in Volunteering’ accreditation

Re-launch the ‘give it a go’ scheme

enHAncing tHe expeRience FoR ouR MeMbeRS

We have developed a Student Activities strategy which focuses on the development of students involved in sports, societies and student media. As part of this strategy we reviewed the role and effectiveness of both the Sports Federation and the Societies Convention. Following this review the roles of Student Activity Reps were developed with a focus on the development of activities rather than the finance and administration of them.

RUSU continued to work with the University SportsPark in the provision of facilities and services to our student groups. This involved ensuring that the University conformed to the requirements of our Service Level Agreement and also feeding back any issues raised by our activity groups. The area of funding for sport was highlighted as an area that requires further investigation in the coming year.

Challenges Ahead


Develop the old retail area to provide new commercial services for students

Achieve a standard of ‘good’ or above in our nursery ofsted inspection

gain community legal Services Accreditation for our advice services

increase the number of student groups that use our facilities

Develop interactive student advice web pages

This year, in line with our market research we have hosted an increased number of non-licensed social events. The majority of these events have been produced in partnership with RUSU student groups and have included the Culture Show, Fight Night, a Vintage & Retro show and the return of Levi Roots.

When Lloyds Bank closed their premises in Black Horse House we were offered the opportunity to develop a business plan to provide a new shop in the old bank premises. The project included gaining feedback from students on the range of products and services we should provide. We were able

to take advantage of a national deal to work in partnership with the Co-op to provide an enhanced range of competitively priced and ethically sourced products. The Campus Central store opened toward the end of the Summer term and feedback from customers and staff has been very positive.

The ‘Little Learners’ nursery continues to provide a high quality service to the children of staff and students and due to an increase in demand the number of places offered has risen from 94 to 106 and opening hours have been extended throughout the year. The nursery is on track to receive national

pRoViDing QuAlity FAcilitieS & SeRViceS FoR ouR MeMbeRS

increased the

number of

non-licenced

social events

A brand new store, campus central, was opened in a larger premises providing a broader selection of products and services to our members the number of places offered to the children of students and staff at little learners nursery has risen from 96 to 106


Develop the old retail area to provide new commercial services for students

Achieve a standard of ‘good’ or above in our nursery ofsted inspection

gain community legal Services Accreditation for our advice services

increase the number of student groups that use our facilities

Develop interactive student advice web pages

pRoViDing QuAlity FAcilitieS & SeRViceS FoR ouR MeMbeRS

accreditation from the ‘Pre-School Learning Alliance’.

Our Advice Service offers specialist help to students in the areas of academic support, financial management, accommodation issues and visa assistance for international students. Demand in all these areas is growing and this trend looks likely to increase further with the planned introduction of higher tuition fees. The service is currently working towards national accreditation with the ‘Community Legal Services’ scheme.

The Lounge provides the only non-licensed social space on campus for students who are unable or not comfortable socialising in bars and nightclubs. RUSU student media (Spark newspaper, Junction 11 Radio and RU:ON television) have now moved in to the space.

Challenges Ahead


Maintain our gold standard green impact Students’ unions accreditation

Work towards gold standard investors in people accreditation

Maintain our gold standard best bar none accreditation

Apply for project funding from external agencies

implement our new environmental strategy

RUSU gained accreditation as an ‘Investor in People’ (IIP) following an onsite audit at the end of the Spring term. The IIP award focuses on how an organisation works towards its goals and supports and develops its staff as part of the process. This is a great achievement for RUSU and we have been encouraged to aim for the Gold standard in the coming year.

We achieved Gold standard as part of the NUS backed ‘Best Bar None’ scheme in the Spring term. This accreditation scheme focuses on responsible licensing which includes providing a safe environment for customers and

ensuring that drinks are sold at reasonable prices rather than relying on heavy discounts and promotions. RUSU have consistently achieved the standard since 2005, which demonstrates our commitment to responsible licensing.

RUSU also achieved Gold standard accreditation in the NUS backed ‘Green Impact Student Unions’ and ‘Green Impact University’ award schemes. This accreditation measures the environmental and ethical performance of the organisation and includes everything from selling fairtrade products to encouraging staff and students to choose

WoRKing on beHAlF oF ouR MeMbeRS

RuSu achieved

accreditation as an

‘investor in people’

(iip)

gold standard was achieved as part of the nuS backed ‘best bar none’ scheme which recognises responsible licencing of bars and venuesReceived a gold standard accreditation in the nuS ‘green impact Student unions’ and ‘green impact’ university award schemes


Maintain our gold standard green impact Students’ unions accreditation

Work towards gold standard investors in people accreditation

Maintain our gold standard best bar none accreditation

Apply for project funding from external agencies

implement our new environmental strategy

WoRKing on beHAlF oF ouR MeMbeRS

environmentally friendly modes of transport. RUSU has achieved the Green Impact Student Union accreditation for the last three years which demonstrates our on-going commitment to environmental and ethical best practice. We actively encouraged the University to get involved in the University scheme when it launched two years ago and work in partnership to provide volunteers and incentives to support the scheme.

We are continuing to work towards the next stage of the Students’ Union Evaluation Initiative (SUEI). Last year we proudly announced that we had achieved Silver accreditation under the scheme and we are now committed to completing SUEI 2 which aims to further stretch our commitment to making a positive difference to the lives of our members during their time at University.

Challenges Ahead


WHeRe DoeS tHe Money coMe FRoM?

Income from fees paid to Little Learners’ Nursery.

SubSiDARy coMpAny

VenueS & eVentS

Income from Mojo’s Bar and kitchen, Cafe Mondial, 3sixty nightclub and events including the Summer Ball.

FRAncHiSeD SpAce

This is rental income from the outlets in the RUSU building such as Blackwells bookshop, Proper Pasty Company and Advanced Services Solutions.

StuDent ActiVitieS

Income from the sale of Sports Federation Insurance and the money raised from club photographs.

gRAnt incoMe

The money provided by the University.

MARKeting & SponSoRSHip

Includes money raised from Freshers’ Fayre and the sale of NUS Extra Cards.

ReStRicteD FunDS

This is the money received from bids to the University Annual Fund for specific projects. The funds may only be spent on these projects and any unused amounts must be returned.

The areas listed below all contribute to the overall income RUSU receives.

The main source of RUSU’s income is from the University. However, this pie chart highlights how money spent in our shops, bars and catering outlets all make significant contributions towards the overall income.

SHopS

Income from R U Being Served?/Campus Central and Bully’s Shop on Bulmershe Campus.


WHeRe DoeS tHe Money coMe FRoM?


WHeRe DoeS tHe Money go?


This is the money spent on campaigns, elections and academic representation

SuppoRt coStS MARKeting

ReSeRVeS ADVice SeRViceSDeMocRAcy & RepReSentAtion

StuDent ActiVitieS

WHeRe DoeS tHe Money go?

RUSU provides high quality services and facilities in line with our Charitable Objects. The main expenditure areas are highlighted below.

RUSU’s Charitable Objects include representing, supporting and advising students. We also aim to provide social, cultural and recreational activities for our members.

The money spent on promoting the facilities and events available to students

goVeRnAnce

The money spent on Officer Trustees, trustee training and producing the Audited Accounts

This is money given to the Sports Clubs, Societies and Student Media

This is money spent on providing free professional advice to students in areas including finance, accomodation, academic issues and immigration

This is the money that RUSU will use to deal with unforseen problems.

This money is spent providing the services and facilities to students.


Summarised AccountsThe accounts below indicate the money raised (Incoming Resources) and from where.

For the year ending 31st July 2011

general unrestricted

Funds

Designated Funds

Restricted Funds

total 2011

total 2010

£ £ £ £ £

incoMing ReSouRceS

incoming Resources from generated Funds

Grant Income 896,611 896,611 886,611

Annual Fund 20,094 20,094 34,121

Activities for Generating Funds

Franchised Space 79,855 79,855 118,306

Marketing & Sponsorship 135,463 135,463 92,946

Interest Receivable 600 600 804

incoming Resources from charitable Activities

Student Social Venues & Events 1,540,564 1,540,564 1,627,686

Student Shops 981,208 981,208 981,160

Student Activities (Clubs & Societies)

23,115 334,493 4,628 362,236 278,424

Subsidiary Company Income 658,061 658,061 454,085

total incoming Resources 4,315,477 334,493 24,722 4,674,692 4,474,143

RuSu trustee board president Jess LazarczykVp Student Activities Eve NicolVp Democracy & campaigns Nes CazimogluVp Welfare & Representation Steph JohnsonVp Academic Affairs Tommy Gilchrist (resigned March 2011)

Student trustees Chris Campbell Ben Haines James Lloyd

external trustees John Cryne Julia Guest

The summarised financial information below is extracted from the full trustees’ annual report and statutory financial statements which were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf on the 31st October 2011. The statutory financial statements on which the auditors Knox Cropper gave an unqualified audit report will be submitted to the Charity Commission within the appropriate timescale.


This page shows money spent (Resources Expended).

For the year ending 31st July 2011

general unrestricted

Funds

Designated Funds

Restricted Funds

total 2010

total 2011

£ £ £ £ £

ReSouRceS expenDeD

cost of generating Fund

Franchised & Sponsorship 1,500 1,500 1,400

Marketing & Sponsorship 169,109 169,109 128,450

chartiable Activities

Student Social Venues & Events 1,518,460 1,518,460 1,622,139

Student Shops 972,625 972,625 986,904

Student Democracy & Representation

190,323 5,114 195,437 187,081

Student Activities (Clubs & Societies)

415,222 343,049 15,300 773,571 722,266

Advice Services 158,121 158,121 152,649

Subsidiary Company (Nursery) 549,604 549,604 472,026

governance 160,178 160,178 168,969

total Resources expenditure 4,135,142 343,049 20,414 4,498,605 4,441,884

net Movement in Funds 180,335 (8,556) 4,308 176,087 32,259

Funds brought Forward

As Previously Reported 358,833 - - 358,833 299,894

Prior Year Adjustment (98,880) 58,158 - (40,722) (14,043)

Now Reported 259,953 58,158 - 318,111 285,851

Funds carried Forward 440,288 49,602 4,308 494,198 318,110


geneRAl Meeting on

About RuSu’S pRogReSS

Balance SheetFor the year ended 31st July 2011

consolidated parent

2011 2010 2011 2010

£ £ £ £ £ £ £ £

Fixed Assets 910,318 782,745 910,318 782,745

investments 1,862 1,862 1,862 1,862

912,180 784,607 912,180 784,607

cuRRent ASSetS

Stocks 114,101 93,186 113,160 91,956

Debtors 222,385 175,750 172,577 243,426

Cash at Bank and In Hand 381,689 82,086 286,583 67,403

718,175 351,022 572,320 402,785

cReDitoRS

Accounts falling due within one year (467,157) (417,143) (330,880) (370,026)

net cuRRent ASSetS 251,018 (66,121) 241,440 32,759

1,163,198 718,486 1,153,620 817,366

cReDitoRS

Accounts falling due more than one year (669,000) (400,375) (669,000) (400,375)

£494,198 £318,111 £484,620 £416,991

ReSeRVeS

unrestricted

General 440,288 259,953 430,710 358,833

Designated 49,602 58,158 49,602 58,158

489,890 318,111 480,312 416,991

Restricted 4,308 - 4,308 -

Total Reserves £494,198 £318,111 £484,620 £416,991

Auditors’ ReportWe have examined the summarised financial information below and have carried out the procedures necessary to ascertain whether they are consistent with the full financial statements from which they have been prepared. In our opinion, the summarised financial statements are consistent with the full financial statements for the year ended 31st July 2011.

Knox Cropper, Chartered Accountants, 8/9 Well Court, EC4M 9DN


geneRAl Meeting on

About RuSu’S pRogReSS

iF you WAnt to KnoW MoRe

coMe to tHe next

tueSDAy 14tH FebRuARy 201212noon in 3Sixty


Aim

s

Jack legonVp StuDent ActiVitieS

• Work to increase membership of Student Activity Groups

• Improve communication between SportsPark and RUSU

• Utilise Student Media for coverage of all club and society events

Karl HobleypReSiDent

• Ensure more is spent on library resources

• Introduce Reading’s first Student Charter

• Ensure Student Officers are truly accountable and subject to effective scrutiny

ben HainesVp DeMocRAcy & cAMpAignS

• Motivate students to attend Student Fora

• Ensure that students are fully informed before they vote in the NUS Referendum

• Create a focus group to discuss what needs changing at the University of Reading

Alex SlaterVp AcADeMic AFFAiRS

• Increase communication between the University, Union and students

• Campaign for longer library opening hours and a 24 hour study space

• Promote the National Student Survey

Steph JohnsonVp WelFARe & RepReSentAtion

• Run a student safety campaign to tackle the high level of burglaries

• Raise the profile of peer support to tackle stigma related to mental health issues

• Organise a Welfare Party every term in the Students’ Union

The Trustee Board is made up of the five Officer Trustees, three Student Trustees and two to four External Trustees. All Trustees are responsible for the leadership and strategic direction of the Students’ Union.

tRuStee boARD 2011/2012

Officer Trustees


The constitution has the provision for between two and four External Trustees to sit on the Trustee Board. These positions are filled through an application and interview process involving the Trustee Broad.

The Trustee Board includes three Student Trustees who are elected by cross campus ballot during the Student Officer Elections in the Spring Term.

External TrusteesStudent Trustees

emily HatcherEmily studies Fine Art. She served as a Course Rep in her first year and was awarded Faculty Rep of the Year 2010/11.

Hannah HayesHannah is a third year Human and Physical Geography student. She is Co-President of the recently formed Reading University Domestic Do It Yourself Society (RUDDIYS)

Freddie cliffordFreddie is a third year student studying Real Estate and Planning. He has held different positions within JCR’ committees and is currently President of Stenton JCR.

bob DeffeeBob has 40 years of experience of working with students unions. He started as a sabbatical officer and then went on to the NUS. He has worked in marketing for STA Travel as well as campaigning and public affairs for the British Refugee Council.

John cryneJohn is an alumnus of Reading, graduating in 1976. He was a sabbatical officer at RUSU so is well placed to provide support and advice. He spent 30 years in the financial services sector and was a National Chairman the Campaign for Real Ale.

Joe MartinJoe was a sabbatical officer at both Leicester Students’ Union and University of London Union. He sat on the NUS Services Ltd Trustee Board and for the Learning & Skills Improvement Service and the Central Office of Information.

AnnuAl RepoRt 2011

March: Alumni generously donate lighting kit to RUDS

Registered Charity No. 1140375

PO Box 230WhiteknightsReadingRG6 6AZ

Tel: 0118 378 4100Fax: 0118 378 4115

rusu.co.uk facebook.com/RUSUnews twitter.com/RUSUtweets

April: RUSU JCR Training

Monday 07.03.11Volume 56

Issue4

Travel

Jessica Hosmer-WrigHt

Plans to develop the sibly Hall site

have been rejected.

town councillors have agreed

that plans by the University of

reading to develop the site cur-

rently occupied by sibly Hall

should be rejected at a planning

meeting in radstock community

centre which was held on Friday

18 February.

the decision by earley town

council was warmly received by

about 100 local people who at-

tended the meeting to voice their

objections and criticism of the pro-

posed plans to demolition sibley

Hall and build 99 houses on the

land in order that the University

be able to concentrate its accom-

modation on campus.

there was also a planning appli-

cation for a phone mast on the site

that the councillors also decided

to recommend be rejected. the

vote to recommend the plans be

rejected was unanimous.

Concerns for local

traffic and environment

residents voiced concerns about

the amount for traffic that would

be created by so many new houses

on already congested roads, espe-

cially Beech Lane, in the area. the

pressure on school places was also

an issue as well as environmental

concerns about the risk of flooding

and wildlife.

this is despite the University’s

proposals to safeguard many ma-

ture trees including the redhatch

copse and a line of mature oak

trees near the site.

there were concerns that this

many houses contravened the

numbers of houses Wokingham

Borough council had agreed

should be built in the area over

the next five years. many also

believed that if planning permis-

sion was granted the plans for the

development would expand.

the University had hoped to

quell fears and opposition by

inviting the public to an exhibition

in the summer and then follow-

ing up with a newsletter for local

residents published in December.

the newsletter pointed out many

positive aspects to the develop-

ment including the fact that sibly

Hall, a ten storey tower built in the

1960s, is now looking tired and the

improvements to the landscape

that would be facilitated by its re-

placement with residential family

sized houses and a play area.

Sibly Hall is now

looking tired

However, many residents also felt

that having University accom-

modation in that area encouraged

students to integrate more into the

local community.

the Vice chancellor had pre-

viously said that money raised

through the sale of the land would

be reinvested into the University.

Wokingham Borough council is

yet to consider the applications

and public comments on the plans

must be submitted by Wednesday

16 march.

Narrow victory for Hobley

Town council rejects plans for Sibly Hall

40

20

29

7

What’s inside?Politics

Arts

Gaming

Colonel Gaddafi no longer ‘brother leader’

Convict creations

Dead Island Trailer

Top traveltips

Vicky Wong

2,334 students voted in the sabbati-

cal officer elections, the results of

which were announced on Friday

4 march. the results night, which was held

for the first time in 3sixty, saw the

election of the new student officer

team and student trustees who

will represent reading University

students’ Union (rUsU) for the

next academic year of 2011/12.

the first results of the evening

were the positions of student

trustees. the election saw Fred-

die clifford, emily Hatcher and

Hannah Hayes fight off competi-

tion from the other candidates

after several rounds of votes.

mr clifford, miss Hatcher and

miss Hayes extended thanks to

those who voted for them and

pledged to make student trustees

more accessible, and to represent

University of reading students to

the best of their ability.

the second announcement of the

evening was the result for rUsU

President. in a closely fought

contest between karl Hobley

and chris ‘Ducky’ campbell, mr

Hobley was announced as rUsU

President-elect, winning with 1,068

votes, and beating mr campbell by

64 votes.after the announcement of the

results, mr Hobley pledged to

start work on the student char-

ter, which was a key point on his

manifesto.

When asked on whether or not he

expected to win, mr Hobley said

to Spark*: “if you want the honest

answer, earlier today, probably

not. But there were various points

in the week when i thought i was

ahead, and then i thought i was

behind again, but really it was

always going to be a close race be-

tween two very good candidates.”

mr Hobley extended thanks to

current rUsU President, Jess La-

zarczyk for “her encouragement

and your advice, and for listening

in when things got stressful. since

i’ve been at reading i’ve known

the last three teams of sabbati-

cal officers relatively well, and

they’ve all really supported me

and given me the inspiration to

want to do it myself. so, to all of

my predecessors, thank you.”

alex slater was elected as VP

for academic affairs, and spoke

to Spark* about his commitment

towards the 24-hour library.

mr slater said: “the main prob-

lem is that obviously everyone has

different ideas about what stu-

dents actually want, and students

have different ideas about what

they think they want, so we need

to confront this. We need to make

sure people know they’re getting

their value for money and i’m go-

ing to tackle this head on and not

back down.”

Story continued on page 3

RUSU President-elect, Karl Hobley (third from the right) with his campaign team. Photograph by

Henry Twist.

February: Student Officer Elections

June: RUSU’s Summer Ball

July: Student Officer Handover

May: Campus Central Grand Opening

annual report 2011

Documents

students unions

national union of students

democratic union of

international students

student groups

rusu annual report

student officer team

officer trustee