Elected Officer CommitteeTHURSDAY 11TH DECEMBER 2014

MINUTES

Present: Will Ridley, Ryan Marshall, Manon Goetschel, Brian Keogh, Hilary Brennock, Ashley MehnertIn attendance: Adam Cotterill, Michele Jukes

1 Apologies

Apologies were received from Jodie Bird.

2 Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The minutes from the previous minutes were approved.

3 Reports and actions on mandates received

The minutes of each forum were noted.

Athletic Union Straightforward meeting and no issues were raised.

Societies Federation There was a discussion about Soc Fed becoming more engaged. A social was organised for

last night through Facebook and went well. There has been more engagement so far this year. There are plans for a Soc Fed and AU social.

There has been more activity on the Soc Fed Facebook page in the last four weeks than all of last year.

There was feedback from a questionnaire which JB has seen but some feedback was not relevant to Soc Fed. A number of students said there is not enough democracy in the SU.

Student Rep Forum There are continuing problems with paramedic students’ placements Classes are being cancelled and not rearranged and assignments deadlines are not being

adjusted. It was noted the University has a policy on cancelling lectures. The first option is for another lecturer to sit in. If it is a specialist area the lecturer should put on an alternative activity eg further reading.Action: RM to take forward

Scrutiny Committee This meeting was rearranged and took place on Monday 8th December. The minutes will be

brought to the next meeting. No mandates were given The Officers were questioned on the campaigns.

Ordinary Students

WR noted he has done some research in charity law in relation to the General Election. The SU will be politically neutral. WR is currently working on a General Election plan for next year

HB noted concerns regarding the building site and safety. Some students are being verbally abused by people hanging around the site and having things thrown at them. MG noted she has heard about this but she needs these students to speak to her about it so she can raise it elsewhere. WR noted there is a campus heart email address and if students email details of any issues they will go direct to the Head of Building DevelopmentAction: WR to forward the campus heart email address to everyone

4 Drafting of new policies

WR noted there have been no additional comments regarding the policy document. This has now been published on the SU website.

5 Summary report on progress from each Officer

Will Ridley SU on Tour – finished the first term and spoke to 1200 students, received 500 forms. Next

term will give students an umbrella question, ensuring it is relevant to students. Travel – working on a green travel plan to encourage the University to look at student issues

as well as staff Talking to students in halls with MG – promoting the Housing Fair and I Love TUSU Week General Election Plan – the aim is to encourage as many students as possible to register to

vote. There is a national registration day in the New Year Reviewing the first term campaigns, looking for gaps and where to concentrate efforts next

term.

Manon Goetschel “Catching the ZZZ” – the student sessions have started. Four students attended the first oe.

Will continue to promote in the New Year. Mental Health – organising a campaign on managing stress. Will do an alternative campaign

to dry January eg being safe when drinking. Drug and Alcohol awareness and drug enhancement with JB – organising talks in the Hub with

external speakers Lumps and Bumps – a campaign to raise awareness of testicular and breast cancer. Also

aiming to increase screenings next year eg Aids/HIV Safe Haven is not opening in December as planned. There will be two paramedics near

Wetherspoons in December as a precaution. Safe Haven will open in January

Ryan Marshall Course Rep System – first term report was distributed two weeks ago and 33 completed

questionnaires have been received. Will do the analysis in the New Year. Had a meeting with Learning and Development and Enterprise as considering organising more training sessions.

Timetabling – finished the five principles and met with Eileen Martin and Matt Leng. Postgraduate – not had time to build relationships but have had two socials. Planning to pick

up and dedicate more time in the New Year Festival of Learning is in the planning stages at the moment, this is taking place next year. 53

session suggestions have been submitted from students and staff. There will be three sessions a day. Promotion will begin in the New Year.

6 Summary report of student engagement against annual plan including SU on Tour

WR noted the TUSU Impact Report will be out shortly. It will show what the SU has been doing this year. It will summarise all the campaigns. He noted the Officers have spoken to over 2500 students on a 1-2-1 basis in all campaigns this term and are now working on issues raised during SU on Tour. The Officers have produced a report on SU on Tour which has been distributed to Schools.

WR noted club and society membership is well above the total at this time last year. However, there has been a massive decrease in interest in AU/Soc Fed Tours. BK noted students can’t afford it. Scottish students receive their loans later than everyone else. AM noted that the tour company’s deadline for signing up was extended to the 5th December but it should have been extended to January when the next loan instalment would have been received.Action: WR to follow up with JB

I Love TUSU Week is taking place during the week commencing 26 th January. There are different activities on each day and include Academic Aid, Housing Fair and a Welfare day.

7 Honorary Life Membership proposal

WR asked everyone to bring names of people they think deserve this award to the next meeting.Action: All to take forward

8 Announcements and any other business

WR noted the new Club Development Coordinator has been appointed. Martin Hawley will start on 5th January.

9 Date of next meeting

The date of the next meeting is to be confirmed.