Download - Our Year 2013 2014
Our Year:2013 - 2014
University of Plymouth Students’ Union
to transform lives through experience
UPSU is a registered charity in England & Wales No.1143614
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excellenceoutstanding
Silver
:Awards
BEST MARKETING CAMPAIGN
MOST IMPROVED RAGHIGHLY COMMENDED
BEST OUTREACH
BEST MARKETING& RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN
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OUR MISSION: To make a positive impact on the lives of all our members, through understanding, empowering and delivering on their needs.
OUR VISION: To transform lives through experience
AWARDS
OUR VALUES:Passionate about student rightsDemocratic and student ledEmbracing diversity and equalityCaring and responsibleContinuous improvement and qualityEmpoweringGreat ValueFun
The last twelve months have been an incredible journey for UPSU, with the appointment of our new Chief Executive, a review of our Governance and Constitution, an array of outstanding awards and brilliant student led campaigns.
In December 2013 we appointed our very first women Chief Executive who will continue to push forward our mission vision and values as well as develop the Students’ Union services and activities to improve the experience of our current and future members.
The Governance and Constitution review, led by the Executive Officers with the input of key stakeholders, has enabled us to focus on improving our democratic structures. This will aim to result in new and effective student Forums, a Union Executive Council and an Accountability Board that will improve accessibility and enable more students to engage with Student Voice, campaigns, policies and other extracurricular activities that will improve their student experience.
As well as this, we reviewed the Executive Officer roles and responsibilities, to ensure that they are up to date and relevant to our members. In order to make successful alterations we involved key stakeholders from the University, Union and student body to inform our decision to change the roles to President, VP Welfare, VP Societies & Sports, VP Education and VP International & Outreach.
2013-14 was also an incredible year for student successes, which we celebrated through the SSTAR, Sports, Relays and Societies & Volunteering Awards. 77 students were awarded for their sporting achievements, 94 completed 50-200 hours of volunteering, 10 were recognised as Relays champions, 13 SSTAR’s for their commitment and support for fellow students and 57 for their society and volunteering accomplishments.
UPSU was also recognised as an organisation through the National Raise and Give Awards for the Most Improved RAG, in recognition of the growth of our student fundraising, expansion of committee and leadership roles and the increase in different events and activities on offer for the student body. We were also awarded the Best Marketing & Recruitment Award from the Student Adventure Awards in recognition of the innovative and successful recruitment of over 100 students onto the fundraising mountain challenges.
This year we ran successful campaigns to tackle issues around hidden course costs, targeted recommendations to the University about ways to improve mental wellbeing support, prepared a student strategy leading into the general elections, created a Dragons Den project to improve students experiences on partner campus’ and developed more accessible sports for students with disabilities.
Then finally the last big blow out of the year, our extremely successful Summer Ball, that sold a mammoth 4,600 tickets in a record breaking time of 23 hours.So overall, it’s been an extremely successful year for UPSU and the rest of this report will demonstrate the wonderful achievements of our staff and students that have truly transformed lives through experience.
Sarah BowmanUPSU President
:President’s Introduction
PRESIDENT Sarah Bowman
VP ENGAGEMENT Sarah Pook
VP WELFARE & COMMUNITY Charlie Green
www.goo.gl/fES5DE
A lot has been achieved over the last year and I’m extremely proud to have worked with such incredible students, Executive Officers and SU staff! I’ve led on the appointment of our new CEO, worked on improving our democratic structures to increase member participation and initiated new placements to diversify students’ career opportunities. All in all it’s been an amazing year, so a huge thank you to everyone involved!
This year I have enhanced the welcome period for mature students and progression students, and reached the long-term goal of encouraging a community. I accomplished this through creating several desired events, holding much-needed information seminars and producing a mature student’s information booklet that reached over 1,500 students. I empowered off campus students through launching the Dragons Den project, which has produced 9 student led projects at 4 of our off campus institutions.
Safe Taxi, Mental Wellbeing Report, Time To Change Pledge, Green Impact Outstanding Excellence, Accommodation Survey, Community Relationship Events, Society and Volunteering Awards, Responsible Drinking Motion, Disabled Students Allowance Campaign, Learning Support and Wellbeing Partnership Group, Student Watch. These are all the projects I’ve achieved this year and they have all positively changed and improved the lives of students at UPSU, and will hopefully continue to in the years to come.
www.goo.gl/Sg5Iy3 www.goo.gl/f8gw1c
:Executive Officers
VP EDUCATIONSteph Driscoll
VP SOCIETIES & SPORTS Rich Evans
Tony Parry
Adrian Bratt
Matthew Horton
Joe Solaja
Nicholas Shepherd
EXTERNAL TRUSTEES
STUDENT TRUSTEES
Over the past year I have created the hidden course costs report, written the Annual quality report and supported the course and school reps. In conjunction to this I have represented students on academic committees and supported them with academic issues that have arisen. I also held the UPSU SSTAR Awards in which we received 1013 nominations. As deputy president I have overseen the running of the Students’ Union and helped develop a substantial review of our governance.
This year saw the launch of UPSU ICONS scheme, designed at developing all sports clubs and societies, this triggered societies to engage with UPSU like never before over the year. Working alongside the University I have helped build on their sporting partnerships giving students a bigger voice. I also saw the launch of our brand new kit supplier for our sports teams chosen by them to be ready by September!
www.goo.gl/Cigcfy www.goo.gl/YlJ9Hl
RUNUPSU
ELECTIONSSTUDENTSVOTED
STUDENTS NOMINATEDTHEMSELVES ASCANDIDATES
VOTES WERE CAST
2,966
12,019
3244%FEMALE VOTERS
56%MALE VOTERS
UPSU SUPPORTED
AC
RO
SS19SCHOOLSCOURSEREPS
Tom Pashby
www.goo.gl/wZHWRN
Election Candidate
SCHOOL REPSUPSU SUPPORTS
SCHOOL REPS
THIS YEAR THEY HAVE :15
Hugh Waters
www.goo.gl/397TBP
Chair of Accountability and Independent Rep
• CREATED A BUDDY SYSTEM TO HELP INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS TRANSITION TO LIFE WITHIN PLYMOUTH BUSINESS SCHOOL
• DEVELOPED WORKSHOPS ON HOW TO USE ATHENS.
• SUCCESSFULLY CAMPAIGNED FOR ROOMS TO BE OPEN FOR LONGER FOR ALL STUDENTS.
• STARTED A TERMLY STUDENT-LED NEWSLETTER WITHIN THE SCHOOL OF NURSING AND MIDWIFERY.
• SUCCESSFULLY SUPPORTED STUDENTS IN TRANSITION FROM PLACEMENT TO PROFESSIONAL COURSES IN THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION.
703:Student Voice
3414
SAFE TAXI SCHEME
7 PARLIAMENTMEETINGS
LAUNCHED
FACULTY WINNERSOVERALL WINNERS
CATEGORIES:
• STUDENT AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR
• INSPIRATIONAL TEACHING
• BEST PLACEMENT SUPPORT
• OUTSTANDING SUPPORT STAFF (UNIVERSITY WIDE)
• OUTSTANDING SUPPORT STAFF (SCHOOL AND FACULTY BASED)
• OUTSTANDING PERSONAL TUTOR
• MOST INNOVATIVE TEACHING METHODS
• BEST COURSE REP • OUTSTANDING
SCHOOL REP • PARLIAMENTARIAN
OF THE YEAR • EXCELLENCE IN
CHAMPIONING CAREER DEVELOPMENT
• OUTSTANDING COLLEGE REP
• MOST DEDICATED PROJECT/ DISSERTATION SUPERVISOR
• BEST FEEDBACK
Joanne Sellick
www.goo.gl/Xdl5Vx
SSTAR Award WinnerBest Feedback
ALLOWING STUDENTS TO GET HOME SAFELY
IF THEY ARE SHORT OF CASH ON A NIGHT
OUT AND THEY CAN THEN PAY IN THE SU
THE NEXT DAY.
SSTARAWARDSNOMINATIONS
PASSED A RESPONSIBLE DRINKING MOTION
SUPPORTED THE RIGHT FOR STUDENTS FROM LIBERATION GROUPS TO SELF REPRESENT
APPROVED A MOTION BOYCOTTING THE SONG ‘BLURRED LINES’ BY ROBIN THICKE FROM BEING PLAYED AT UPSU
2 GREEN WEEKS
RUN
1,013 +169%ON 2013
STUDENT & STAFF TEACHING & REPRESENTATION AWARDS
NOMINATIONS FROM
PARTNER COLLEGES
303
Advice Feedback
www.goo.gl/MJACip
Quotes
CASES THIS YEAR
TOP THREE ISSUES
STUDENT FINANCE
ACADEMIC ISSUES
HOUSING ISSUES
138834%
18%
12%
735489
52% UNDER 25
26% OVER 25 & MATURE
22% NOT KNOWN 84% UNDERGRADUATES
52% FEMALE
42% MALE
6% UNKNOWN
5%POST GRADUATES
11%UNKNOWN
DEMOGRAPHICS
CASES AMOUNTED TO TOTAL OF
2113
OF ADVICE TIMEHOURS
ADVICE ASSISTED A MATURE STUDENT TO CLAIM PARENT LEARNING ALLOWANCE FOR A CHILD OVER 18. THE STUDENT WAS CLOSE TO LEAVING DUE TO FINANCIAL ISSUES. TOGETHER THEY CHALLENGED S.F.E REGULATIONS AND SOLVED THE DISPUTES.
4,084:Advice
15,055 BY 987 STUDENT VOLUNTEERS
BARN OWLTRUST4GREEN TEAM11MONKEY SANCTUARY 4MOORTREES6RURAL STATIONS 2SPECIAL OLYMPICS 8STOVER CANAL 2SUSTAINABLECOMMUNITIES 4
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERING
HOURS
VOLUNTEERING PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS
STUDENT LED PROJECTS HOURS
HOURS VOLUNTEERED IN PLYMOUTH
10,689PROJECTS IN PLYMOUTH:
25
200+ HOURS
100+ HOURS
50+ HOURS
STUDENTS VOLUNTEERED
STUDENTS VOLUNTEERED
STUDENTS VOLUNTEERED15841 1,831 5
2367
STUDENT PROJECTS
Simon Stringer
www.goo.gl/LZeyiq
Student Volunteer
Sarah Redford
www.goo.gl/0zpmzO
Student Volunteer
+33% increase
on 2012-13
157 GOOD DEEDSAT THE GOOD DEED MARKET
NATIONAL VOLUNTEERING WEEK LAUNCHED
3,741 SPORTS VOLUNTEERING HOURS
:Volunteering
£232,799+
2ND
RAISED THIS YEAR
HIGHEST SIGNUPS OF ALL UK
UNIVERSITIES
MOVEMBER
STUDENTS
AWARDS
1310
PLYMOUTHCHARITIES
JUMPED OUT OF A PLANE AT 14,000FT DRESSED AS MONKEYS
NATIONALCHARITIES
MOST IMPROVED RAG 2013 – RAG AWARDSBEST RECRUITMENT & MARKETING CAMPAIGN – STUDENT ADVENTURE AWARDS
SOUTH WESTCHARITIESINTERNATIONALCHARITIES
388SUPPORTING
32
103STUDENTS SIGNED UP TO CLIMBKILIMANJARO AND EVEREST RAISING £2,000+ EACH
RAG JAIL BREAKONE TEAM ESCAPED TO
CROTIA IN 36 HOURS
LAUNCHED
Omar Zibdher
www.goo.gl/HdKc8p
Student Fundraiser
WINTER BALL RAISED
£3,800
:Fundraising+119%
increase on 2012-13
5,0007,000
Lara Jerommes
www.goo.gl/1y462Y
Off Campus Student
£3,000
STUDENTS ATTENDED PROGRESSION DAY
SSTAR AWARD NOMINATIONSFROM PARTNER COLLEGES
VISITEDSTUDENTS 29CAMPUS
VISITS
MILES DRIVEN
100%
50032
OF COLLEGE COURSE REPS ATTENDED
TRAINING
COMMONROOMSREFURBISHEDTHANKS TO THE STUDENT VOICE
COLLEGE REPS MEMBERS OF STUDENT STAFF EMPLOYED
COURSE REP MEETINGS ATTENDED
GRANT ALLOCATED TO STUDENT PROJECTS IN 4 COLLEGES
APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED
SHORTLISTED
SUCCESSFUL
31 15
11
HIGHEST NSS & SPQ
PARTICIPATION OF ANY
FACULTY
7COLLEGES RAISED MONEY
FOR CHARITY
5 10
DRAGONS DEN
:Off Campus
303 +4,229%
595,500+
631
PARTICIPANTS1708SPORTS SESSIONS 500SKILLED COACHES41VOLUNTEERS38SPORTING ACTIVITIES34
ACTIVE UNI’S Alice Murray-Gourlay
www.goo.gl/5lWfc7
Student Sport Clubs
RANKED37th in BUCSo u t o f 1 4 5
33 TEAMS36 EVENTS ENTERED
British University & College Sports
INTRAMURAL SPORT
PARTICIPATINGSTUDENTS
STUDENTSCOMPETING
RAISED FOR REVERSE RETT & CLIC SARGENT
SPORTS12500+
UPSU MARJON
V A R S I T YC H A M P I O N S
2 3 1 9
www.goo.gl/ZN80LR
£10,600D O N A T I O N
Varsity
SPORTSCLUBMEMBERS
STUDENT LED SPORTSCLUB
AWARDS GIVEN
51HALF COLOURS FULL COLOURS
13
+95% increase
on 2012-13
Champion’s Movie
:Sports & Fitness
28,643 EXERCISE CLASS ATTENDEES
26,416 BOOKINGS
ONLINE
2,605TOTAL GYM
MEMBERSHIPS
Chloe Wilcock
www.goo.gl/ltXaKr
Sports Centre
Ben Easton
www.goo.gl/JPeL7a
Sports Clubs
SQUASH SESSIONS6,410
WATER SPORT
ROWING CLUB
BUCS FLEET CHAMPIONSHIPS IN NOVEMBER
SAIL & POWER CLUB
WON
3rd2 WINS
2nd4 WINS
1st6 WINS
A W A R D S
19 BRONZE
4 SILVER4 GOLDMENS HOCKEY NETBALL OCTOPUSHRIDING
AMERICAN FOOTBALLATHLETICSDODGE BALLLADIES FLAG FOOTBALL
ARCHERYBADMINTONCHEERLEADERS FENCINGMENS FOOTBALLLADIES FOOTBALLFUTSALLADIES HOCKEYKICKBOXING
LACROSSEPOLE DANCINGROWINGMENS RUGBYSAIL & POWERBOATSNOWRIDERS SWIM & WATER POLO SURF TENNIS TRAMPOLINING
BUCS GOLFGOLF PREMIER CHAMPIONS& CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI FINALISTS
£16,342+59 STUDENT LED
SPORTS CLUBSSPORTS CLUBS RAISED
FOR CHARITY EXCLUDING VARSITY)
+62% increase
on 2012-13
Devisha Karadia
www.goo.gl/vY86J2
Societies Student
6,500+SOCIETY MEMBERS
STUDENT LED SOCIETIES RAISED
£14,775D O N A T I O N
FOR CHARITY
SOCIETY & VOLUNTEERINGAWARDS
19 BRONZEA W A R D S
AWARDS GIVEN
Rob Young
www.goo.gl/kFcSv6
Societies Student
KNIT FAST,DIE WARM
41HALF COLOURS FULL COLOURS
10 SILVER2 GOLD BIG BAND CHOIR
ALLOTMENT AMATEUR DRAMATICSGEOG SOCHINDUKNOWLEDGEMEDSOCMTG PLYMLINKS PLUGSRADIO
6
CHINESE CHRISTIANSDESIGN SOCIETYDENTISTRYENACTUSEDUCATION SOCIETYENG WITHOUT BORDERSFOOD GEOLOGYILLUSOC
KNIT FAST, DIE WARMMARROW MEDSIN OPTOMETRY PADS PRINTMAKERS (PUPS)ROBOTICSSEXPRESSION UKULELE ZOOLOGICAL
110SOCIETIES
SOCIETY OF THE YEAR
BEST NEW SOCIETYUKULELE SOCIETY PLAYED NON-STOP
RECORD BREAKING 30
HOURS
:Societies
+55%
:Entertainment
Mark Grace
www.goo.gl/As0zyq
Student DJ
360 LIVE PERFORMANCES BY STUDENTS AND LOCAL ACTSIN THE SU
SECONDS+100?1 SUMMER BALL TICKET
SOLD EVERY
4600 TICKETS SOLD IN LESS THAN 24HOURS
STUDENT EVENTSSUPPORTED
BY UPSU EVENTS TEAM
QUIZZES HELD AND SUPPORTED
AT THE SU
TRIPS OUTFOR 250STUDENTS
TO:
BATHCARDIFFAMSTERDAMBRISTOLPRAGUE
20320
STUDENT DJS
HOURS OFSET TIMEIN THE SU
SUPPORTEDWITH
THE DARKNESSPALMA VIOLETSPROPAGANDADJ FRESHGORGON CITYWHEATUSDAVID RODDIGANHIGH CONTRASTDUKEFREEJAKFLUX PAVILIONPROFESSOR GREENELLA AYREVENGABOYSMATRIX AND FUTUREBOUNDHANNAH WANTSKOVELOCATE
FOR CLUBS AND SOCIETIES
RAISING£1500+
HOURS OFLIVE MUSIC
18.832
128
PERFORMEDTHIS YEAR
The Summer Ball
www.goo.gl/165qRS
Official After Movie
5CAMPUS MARKETS& CRAFTFAYRESHELD
SUPPORTINGLOCAL
TRADERSAND
STUDENT CRAFTERS
5
64NIGHTCLUB
NIIGHTS
SOCIETY & VOLUNTEERINGAWARDS
334,717UPSU.COM
VISITS
+19% increase
on 2012-13
20,3007,703FOLLOWERS
LIK
ES
+26%+35%
SUAPP1,766DOWNLOADS
+76%
26,444YOU TUBE
PHOTOS TAKENCOVERING
STUDENT EVENTS
23,000+
LAUNCHED
FOLLOWERS
CHANNEL
239 VIDEO VIEWS
47,858 MINUTES WATCHED
James Stoner
www.goo.gl/7p14SK
Student Photographer
+45%
1,803,550 PAGE VIEWS
:Communication
GOLD AWARDAWARDED THE INVESTORS IN PEOPLE
82
34%66%MALEFEMALE
440£467,35924
29%
SALARIED STAFF
PLYMOUTH UNIVERSITYGRADUATESEMPLOYED AS SALARIED STAFF
HEALTH & WELLBEING GUIDES FORSTAFF PUBLISHED ON THE UPSU.COM
• WEIGHT LOSS CLUB• HEALTHY COOKING• WALKING• NO SMOKING DAY• CHILL OUT DAY
STAFF WELLBEING EVENTS HELDHOURS OF
TRAININGPROVIDED
COURSES
ON
STUDENTSTAFF TOTAL
PAY
12750+
200+
5Frazer Curtin-Anderson
www.goo.gl/z8XKDJ
Student Placement
:Staff
50,237 COFFEESPURCHASEDIN THE LOUNGE
THE SU BAR EMPLOYS
GRADUATEINTERNS
STUDENTS
11,208PASTIES SOLD
QUARTERDECKLAUNCHED
AWARD WINNING BAR
CHUNK PASTYLAUNCHED
HIGHLY COMMENDED
SILVER AWARD
PINTS3,600
4,518
1,283
125
Nathaniel Foale
www.goo.gl/lfmEFi
Graduate Intern
Jade Edward Samuels
www.goo.gl/Qu6CzB
The Lounge Staff
PLYMOUTH BEST BAR NONE
OF BEER & CIDER SERVED ATTHE BEER FESTIVAL
BAGUETTES
PIECES OF FRUIT
LOCALLYSOURCEDFISH & MEAT
SERVED IN
SERVED IN
THE QUARTERDECK
THE LOUNGE
NUS BEST BAR NONE
6,3719,146
SERVING
BREAKFASTS
BURGERS
2BURST BAR LAUNCHED
SERVINGMILKSHAKESSMOOTHIES
JUICES
:Eat & Drink
67,500MEAL DEALSSOLD
5,000+
9,849CARDS SOLD
IN THE SU SHOP
PENS SOLD
£118,125SAVINGSTUDENTS
FAIRTRADERANGES SOLDIN THE SU SHOP
THE SU SHOP EMPLOYS
STUDENT STAFF
STUDENTS
THE SHOP SUPPORTS 4 LOCAL PRODUCE PROVIDERS. STOCKING PLYMOUTH TEA FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR
15
25
+49% increase
on 2012-13
Ruth Titmus
www.goo.gl/RHddGZ
Shop staff
15,518 HOODIESSOLD
30,000+BOTTLES OF WATER SOLD
NUS EXTRA
+3% increase
on 2012-13
:Shop
:Finance
350ROOMS
LOCAL
SAVING STUDENTS
BY HELPING THEM BACK FILL THEIR ROOMS
VIEWINGS
LANDLORDS
37 £5,800
400+“
+118% increase
on 2012-13
UPSU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A GREAT TEAM
MANAGING OUR STUDENT LET PROPERTY, FROM ATTRACTING NEW TENANTS RIGHT THROUGH TO DEALING WITH THE DAY TO DAY NITTY GRITTY OF THE BUSINESS. THEY HAVE BEEN MOST HELPFUL,EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT TO DEAL WITH- TEN OUT OF TEN
INCOME
BLOCK GRANTFUNDRAISINGINVESTMENT INCOMETRADINGOTHERCLUBS & SOCIETIES
TRADINGFUNDRAISINGSUPPORT AND SERVICESGOVERNANCECLUBS AND SOCIETIESOTHER
1,743,878203,457
10,0562,331,624
537,142581,065
2,210,093161,363
2,191,30740,148
550,663253,649
EXPENDITURE
£5,407,223 £5,407,223
:Accommodation
:Final word2013/14 has been a year of extraordinary achievements for UPSU and as my first year as Chief Executive, I am very proud of what our fantastic staff team and officers have achieved for our members, ensuring that they have the very highest student experience whilst here at Plymouth University .
A key factor this year was the implementation of our new Strategic Plan and the subsequent staffing restructure and we have been working hard to achieve our new Strategic Goals and embed the changes. As you will have read in this report we have had so many successes, are maintaining our financial stability, won several key awards and have progressed significantly with our full Governance Review.
We intend to continue to build on these successes in the coming year and have a very exciting year planned! We are working in partnership with the University on a major building refurbishment ready for when the students return in September and we also have significant digital developments planned aiming to increase our member’s engagement and participation. Also, quite importantly, we will be working hard to embed our new Governance structures to ensure they are accessible and relevant to all of our members.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supports UPSU, including our staff, officers, trustees, the University, commercial partners, funders and most importantly our members.
Gina ConnellyChief Executive
Images by James Stoner, student photographer
upsu.com/ouryear