Impact Report 2012/13

“�ON�BEHALF�OF�THE�UNIVERSITY�OF�WOLVERHAMPTON�STUDENTS’�UNION,��I�AM�VERY�PLEASED�TO�BE��COMMENDING�THIS�ANNUAL��REPORT�TO�YOU.�IT�PROVIDES��A�VALUABLE�INSIGHT�INTO�THE��NUMEROUS�ACCOMPLISHMENTS��AND�ACHEIVEMENTS�OF�THE�TEAM�FROM�THE�LAST�ACADEMIC�YEAR”�

Here at the Students’ Union our main aim is to enrich our students’ experiences by creating access to the wide range of opportunities, not only within the Union itself but within the University and local community.

The 2012/13 team started the year by opening the fabulous new lounge, venue, Advice and Support Centre and Squeezebox in our City Campus space. They did great work in raising the reputation of the Union across the University and the profile of the student voice, having a seat on every major committee up to the Corporate Management Team.

They achieved significant wins for students, not least the decoupling of academic and non-academic debt, which remains an issue for many students nationally and, as a result, our University can be seen to be leading the way. This resulted in our being shortlisted by NUS for a national campaign award.

As the elected President of the Students’ Union, I am proud to say that we are continually striving to support our student body at the University of Wolverhampton to gain a wider experience, together with their degree. All of which we hope contributes to students’ future careers and success.

Finally, I would, like to thank our predecessors, Dan Batchelor, Joanna Zielinska, Iwuese Nyager, and Marie Cheer for the exstensive work they carried out for students during their tenure. We will endeavour to build on their many successes.

Enjoy.

INTRODUCTION FROM SIMEON

2012/13our�7�core�aims

Demonstrate Quality & Value

3Create & maintain fantastic social space for students

5Listen to our members and react to the issues that affect them most 6

Develop an involved, supportive and strong staff team

7Be financially, ethically, and environmentally responsible

4Provide support to students

1Help students acquire new skills and discover new experiences

Over the year we ...

Some of the things we want to achieve next year

Trustees and Officers

P6P4

P34

P12

P16

P24 P26

P30

P20

2 3

WOW

Opened a refurbished lounge, venue and Advice and Support Centre on City Campus, as well as a new Squeezebox juice bar to mirror Walsall SU

Gave students over £2,500 from our Employability Support Fund to help towards the cost of attending job interviews.

Saw 52 candidates running in our Spring Elections and over 15,000 votes cast by over 3,500 students – that’s19% of enrolled students who had shared their data with the SU.

Dealt with over 5,500 general enquiries at our City Reception.

Paid 46 student staff over £88,000 working for us over the year.

Over�the�year�we...

Gained a seat on the University’s most senior management group.

Sold 4,264 number of NUS cards coming 15th in the country and creating an income of over £20,000 for us to reinvest back into student support and services.

Gained the views of 1059 students in our “Shape Your Union” survey.

Gained £143,113 for students through sound financial advice.

Won 2 Varsity competitions, against University College Birmingham in October and Staffordshire University in April.

Created better social space for students on Telford campus.

Achieved 66% satisfaction rating from our members in the NSS, increasing our score from 2011/12 by 3%

Were shortlisted for the NUS Campaign of the Year Award for our success in lobbying the university to separate academic and non- academic debt.

Had over 18,000 unique visits to our new City Lounge and Activities Centre.

Saw over 10,000 games of pool being played in our spaces!

Were amongst the top 5 most improved Unions nationally in the THE Student Experience Survey.

Recorded 1382 new cases through our Advice & Support Centre and achieved a 98% client satisfaction rate, ensuring students have 9 different ways of contacting the service.

4 5

“The�atmosphere�around�the�campus�

is�brilliant�as�are�the�activities put on in the Student Union. Great�opportunities

for�volunteering &�getting�support�on�money�advice”

NATIONAL STUDENT SURVEY (NSS) 2013 FREE

TEXT COMMENTS

6 7

DISCOVER

1VOLUNTEERING�

Expanding our volunteering portfolio was a key objective this year. We built up new opportunities and a volunteer squad of over 250 students who gave over 12,000 hours of their time helping others.

We made it to the local Express and Star newspaper for our project with Victim Support in March, whereby students undertook professional training to give free and confidential advice for anyone affected by crime.

Karl Guest, a member of the American Football Team won Volunteer of the Year in our Students’ Union Volunteer Awards in April for the huge amount of time and energy he invested in the club and his ability to inspire others to join.

Divine Onkar Mission

Citizens Advice Bureaux

Key Ring

Children’s Society

Include me too

Crime Stoppers

Bantock House

Planets and People

Catch 22

The Haven

Amnesty International

Addaction

Refugee and Migrant centre

EYES MS

Wolverhampton Voluntary

Sector Council

Improving Futures Wolverhampton

Bliss

Wetland habitat consultant

Oxfam

SOME�OF�THE�ORGANISATIONS�WE�WORKED�WITH

EMPLOYABILITY

Over the year we put on several workshops for course reps and other volunteers on how to translate their experience to a CV/interview scenario to improve their employability. We facilitated Student Hubs project management sessions and public speaking sessions by Wolverhampton Speakers Club.

New sports-related volunteering opportunities were also created, including mentoring and coaching placements (and supporting Special Needs) for students in local FE colleges and youth groups, including Sandwell College and Wodensborough Technology College.

Help students acquire new skills and discover new experiences

8 9

STUDENT�MEDIAOur student media – online radio and newspaper - developed beyond recognition under ‘The Thread’ society. Student editors and contributors recorded over 20 hours of radio shows with music, political debate, talk shows and entertainment.

A new website achieved 27,000 views in 7 months, during which time 335 articles were posted for the newspaper by student contributors. For many of The Thread committee members, it was their first involvement in the SU, and some even went on to stand in our elections.

THE WINNERS

SPORT�OVER�THE�YEAR Jitsu celebrated 20 years of establishment at the University – the coach clocking up 15 years with the club - and won 4 medals at the Randoori Nationals. It went on to win ‘Club of the Year’ by the Jitsu Foundation.

Jake Porter won a gold medal in the 60M Hurdles at the BUCS Indoor Championships in Sheffield in March.

Cyclist, Tom Gregory, brought back a silver in the men’s sprint and bronze in the kilo race at the BUCS Outdoor Championships in May.

Men’s Hockey, Women’s Football, and Men’s Rugby all reached the final 8 in the BUCS Conference Cup.

Men’s Hockey were eventual winners in their British Universities and Colleges Sport league, securing promotion. Women’s Football and Men’s Rugby were runners up, narrowly missing out on promotion but the additional funding and closer links we had secured with the RFU had clearly helped the team.

Recreational sport also grew, particularly on City Campus with attendance figures hitting 1,000 by the end of the year. No Strings Badminton and Mars Just Play Football were the most popular (helped by securing additional funding from the National Governing Bodies), followed by Netball, Table Tennis, and Cricket. Taster sessions were run for Squash, Kickboxing, Judo, Rugby 7’s and Aussie Rules Football.

March saw the SU and University jointly host a sell-out Sports Awards at Walsall’s Bescot Stadium. The number of nominations received for the awards trebled those of 2012. Teams and individuals were recognised and decorated for achievement and commitment, receiving their honours from VIP and former Olympian, Tessa Sanderson, who gave a truly motivational speech. A great night was had by all.

The Union also worked closely with SSPAL, SEF, and Sports Coach UK (SCUK) to develop a Coach Education programme for 200 students and become an SCUK delivery partner, providing accredited workshops around inclusive coaching and supporting disability in sport.

The Wolverhampton Wildcats American football team was officially entered into the BUCS league for the first time. 13 Teams were entered into a Men’s Badminton, Basketball, Football, Rugby and Hockey and Women’s Football, Hockey, and Netball. A Team Review in Spring saw approval for additional Men’s Football and Rugby teams to be entered into BUCS for 2013/14.

Welcome Week saw some really competitive trials and, as well as pre-season training, taster sessions throughout September and October in Women’s Rugby, Cricket, Orienteering, Golf, TenPin Bowling, Martial Arts, Cheerleading and Badminton.

2012/13�WAS�A�BIG�YEAR�FOR�SPORT.�#TEAMWOLVO�WAS�LAUNCHED�TO�ENCOURAGE�TEAM�SPIRIT�AND�AWARENESS�ON�CAMPUS�OF�OUR�TEAM’S�MATCHES�AND�SUCCESSES��AND�MONTHLY�AWARDS�WERE�GIVEN�FOR�‘MOST�COMMITTED’��AND�‘MOST�SUCCESSFUL’�TEAMS.���WEEKLY�UPDATES�OF�FIXTURES��AND�SCORES�WERE�POSTED�VIA�SOCIAL�MEDIA�AND�MOST�FIXTURES�WERE�COVERED�BY�THE�THREAD’S�SPORTS�CORRESPONDENTS.

SPORT

The annual Varsity between Wolves and University College Birmingham (UCB) in October saw Wolves triumphant again. Around 150 students and 13 clubs took part, their efforts boosted by the new Cheerleading Society. Notable wins went to Badminton, Rugby, Men’s Hockey, Women’s Football, and Men’s Football.

A 2nd Varsity was staged for the first time in April between Team Wolvo and Staffordshire University, where battle commenced in Basketball, Men’s Football, Rugby, Netball and Frisbee - another Wolves victory!

“Very�positive�people,�happy��to�help�

you”

MYSTERY SHOPPING

EXCERCISE OCT 2012

SOCIEITIES70 societies were set up over the year, with over 1700 members. Societies formed around interests, academic subjects, culture, religion, sport and talents. New societies included the Ukulele Society, Mercy to Mankind, Table Tennis, Cheerleading, Ahle-Sunnah, and The Thread.

SOCIETY PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR AND MOST SUBMITTED HOURS FOR HIS DEDICATION

TO ST JOHN LINKSDaniel Orton

STUDENT MEDIA PERSONALITY FOR CREATING THE THREAD WEBSITE FROM SCRATCH

Ashley Connolly

OUTSTANDING SOCIETY ACHIEVEMENT

Atiyah Ghulam for the Mercy of Mankind Art Exhibition.

SOCIETY OF THE YEAR The Bar and Mooting Society for developing their members throughout the year through debates,

meetings and conferences.

The societies were recognised in the Students’ Union Volunteering and Teaching Awards in April, with the following winners:

Ashley Connolly

52 different society activities received helpfrom the Society Support Fund, including:

A promotional event for a new Enterprise Soc

Sikh society Vaisakhi celebration

St John Links 10 year anniversary event

Table Tennis Society equipment

Sign Language Society Ball

Attendance at a national conference for the

Psychology Soc

Material and equipment for a Mercy to

Mankind Art Exhibition in the SU

A 1000 cranes project for the J-Soc

(Japanese Society)

Ukuleles for the Ukulele Society!

Afro-Caribbean Society Cultural Event

10 11

Demonstrate Quality & Value

Quality

STUDENTS’�UNION��TEACHING�AWARDSIn April we hosted the second SU Teaching Awards, amusingly compered by our President, Dan Batchelor. Talented students entertained the staff and student guests, including Joey and the Jammers (Forensics student, Rachel Joseph, and Nursing student, Dan Mohr, pictured on page 15) and Judge (a Business Management student), our favourite Bhangra artist! (Pictured below right)

We received over 200 student nominations for lecturers, tutors and support staff for 5 categories, with the winners receiving a stunning sculpture made by Art and Design student, Elliot Walker (pictured left).

ELECTIONSThe main SU Elections took place in the first week of March and saw 52 candidates standing for Full and Part-time Executive positions, as well as School Reps. The Full Time positions were all contested by at least 5 students. 3539 voters (19% of students enrolled who had shared their data with the SU) cast 15,218 votes during the week.

The Autumn Bye Elections in Semester 1 also went well, with 1,151 students voting - a 33% increase on voter turnout in Oct 2011.

NATIONAL��STUDENT�SURVEYOur satisfaction score in Q23 of the National Student Survey increased 3% from 2011/12 to 66%. More detailed analysis showed us in which Schools we needed to concentrate efforts to improve satisfaction and in which Schools the students rated us highly. National analysis shows that SU satisfaction averages 20% below that of their institutions; we came in 17% below ours. Our ‘dissatisfaction score’ came in much lower than a lot of Unions nationally and regionally, at 8%.

The SU also supported the University to increase completion rates for the NSS by holding ‘NSS days’ followed by targeted School-based promotions, encouraging students to fill in the survey in return for a tasty free smoothie from our Squeezeboxes.

We improved our placement in the Time Higher Education Student Experience Survey Results published in April 2013 and were amongst the top 5 most improved Unions nationally, with our league placement improving to 69 (from 105 in 2010).

ABOVE AND BEYOND AWARD Dr Shantha Perera (School of Applied Science)

CUTTING EDGE TEACHING STYLEDr Brendan Bartram (School for Education Futures)

PERSONAL TUTOR AWARDMike Rickhuss (School for Education Futures)

DR NICK MUSGROVE AWARD FOR EXCEPTIONAL STAFF

Support Dave Ormerod (School of Applied Science, pictured above right)

INSPIRATIONAL LECTUREGerry Carlin (Law and Social Science)

DVC AWARD FOR EXCELLENCEThaisa Whistance (Law and Social Science)

THE WINNERS

“Well�done�to�the�SU�for�encouraging�students�to�reflect�on�the�work�

done�by�the�lecturers�and�giving�them�a�chance�to�

appreciate�us”University�academic,�SU�Teaching�Awards�2013

12 13

MYSTERY�SHOPPING The SU tested its services through mystery shopping of all its main reception points 3 times during the year. Results were between 79% and 100% for each visit , with some helpful feedback, including...

Walsall SUFantastic and polite service with a friendly greeting and a warm atmosphere. The environment is great; it is clean and fun. It would be a nice place to sit and have a chat whilst catching up with friends. (Feb 2013)

Walsall SUAttitude was great - no complaints. Overall really good visit, went into the SU for advice and received that advice. It was a nice clean site, everyone seemed happy. And they were really helpful.(Oct 2012).

City SU ReceptionI got the information I required. I was unaware of this service and found it interesting. I was impressed with the range of information I could have got there. (Feb 2013)

City Juice barThe staff member was happy to answer my questions and did not hesitate to answer. She showed a good knowledge of the products and SU services. (Jan 2013)

City SUThe signage for the SU wasn’t the best so I had to ask for some directions (Oct 2012)

City SUThe Squeezebox is well decorated with great lighting to make a great atmosphere. There was music playing at the right level which added perfectly to the area. The staff’s attitude could not have been any better today, he was quick and accurate with the responses he gave me. (Oct 2012)

“I�thought��the�awards�

evening�was�outstanding��and�really��

enjoyed�the�experience,��the�feeling��

of�pride��was�tangible.�Thank�you��

for�arranging��such�a�great�

event”

“It’s�a�real��honour�to��receive�a�

nomination��and�brought��a�tear�to�my��eye�–�makes�

it�all�so�worthwhile”

“I�would�recommend�this�

reception�to�anyone�who�needed�help.��

I�left�with�a�smile�on�my�face”

NUS�AWARDSThe Officers’ hard work paid off when we were Runners-Up for the NUS ‘Campaign of the Year’ Award in July (pictured top right). This was after successfully lobbying the University to separate academic debt (tuition fees) from non-academic debt (eg accommodation and nursery fees) when applying academic sanctions (such as with-holding IT facilities).

We considered the policy, written into the University’s Bye Laws over 20 years ago, to be out of date and to compound students’ problems, and we questioned its legality. After a series of papers and committee meetings, the University agreed to no longer apply academic sanctions for non-academic debt. This was a genuine win for students and is an issue the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is investigating nationwide as other unions take up the argument with their institutions.

21�AND�PROUDAs well as playing a key role at Open Days, the SU helped the University to celebrate its 21st Birthday, with a Poetry Night in April and the Walsall Family Fun Day in May. Sam Murphy, our Student Engagement Assistant, also won the University’s 21 and Proud Poetry Competition, with his 21 line poem.

Mystery�Shopping�Excercise�City�Reception�[Oct�2012]

University�academic,��SU�Teaching�Awards�2013

University�academic,��SU�Teaching�Awards�2013

14 15

“�Me�and�my�friends�go�to�the�SU�at�night�before�����going�out

because�it’s�a�place�where�there�is�no��

trouble�and�everyone��seems�friendly.��

The�university�has�put�a�lot�of�work�into�the�SU”

MYSTERY SHOPPING

EXERCISE WALSALL SU

FEB 2013

16 17

SPACEWALSALLA new addition to our Walsall SU for 2012/13 was an afternoon and evening bar service. This came about after encouragement from the University to reinstate a bar on the campus, in response to student demand. After initially good sales, the bar eventually proved far more popular in the afternoons than evenings, with evening promotions and events failing to attract enough students. The programme of events for 13/14 will be reduced in light of these patterns of student behaviour.

SPACE�DEVELOPMENTSThe Trustee Board committed in Summer 2013 to utilise SU reserves to realise an engagement zone in the City SU and improve the kitchen in our Walsall SU.

THE�LOVELY�NEW�LOUNGE,�VENUE,�ADVICE�AND�SUPPORT�CENTRE,�&�SQUEEZEBOX�IN�OUR�CITY�CAMPUS��WERE�OFFICIALLY�OPENED�IN�NOVEMBER�2012.�

STUDENT�MUSICIANS�AND�SINGERS�-�EDWARD�LONG,�NADINE�DANIELS,�DANIEL�NOCK,�AND�SOPHIE�COTTERILL�-�HELPED�US�TO�OPEN�THE�SPACE�FORMALLY,�WITH�THE�VICE�CHANCELLOR�AND�PRESIDENT�ALSO�PROVIDING�ENTERTAINING�SPEECHES.�

WELCOME�WEEKA successful Welcome Week was held with a packed programme of events on City and Walsall Campuses from Freshers Fayres, Sports and Societies Fayres, a ‘Get Involved’ Volunteering Fayre, International Students’ information Fayre, through to Comedy Nights, Quiz nights, Open Mic/Acoustic Nights, Games events, film screenings, Alton Towers trip, an Early Arrivals Party, and bespoke student nights in local bars and clubs. Around 6,000 students took part over the week.

126 Bestmates volunteered throughout to support our resources and make the whole thing possible, to whom we owe enormous gratitude.

THANKYOU!

CLUB�DEALSThe SU continued to negotiate deals with local clubs and bars to ensure exclusive and safe student nights out for our members. We have built good relations over the years so that rare problems or incidents on these nights are followed up very quickly and the students can enjoy relevant and affordable entertainment in local venues.

TELFORD�CAMPUS�We worked with the University to create a better space for students to relax on Telford Campus, complete with a pool table, tea and coffee making facilities and a direct phone line to the City Campus SU.

3Create & maintain fantastic social space for students

SPACE18 19

4 Provide support to students

SUPPORT

We held our second “Studentpad Housing Fair” again as part of Re-Freshers Week in January 2013, inviting all advertising landlords to come on to campus (City and Walsall) to meet prospective tenants.

1,864�INDIVIDUAL�ENQUIRIES�WERE�RECORDED�THROUGH�OUR�ADVICE�AND�SUPPORT�CENTRE�(ASC)�ON�FINANCE,�ACADEMIC,�INTERNATIONAL�AND�HOUSING�ISSUES,�AS�WELL�AS�ENQUIRIES�ABOUT�EMPLOYMENT,�HEALTH,�CONSUMER,�AND�LEGAL�MATTERS.

58% of our clients sought advice by dropping in to see an adviser through our drop-in services on City and Walsall campus and 20% made contact via email.

ASC continued to facilitate external drop ins by University Counselling Services, IT Services, Study Skills and the local Police and facilitated pre-bookable “Improve Your English” sessions for international students

ACADEMIC�ISSUES32% of all casework was academic related, with misconduct and appeals (mainly against completion) being the most common enquiries. The number of complaints about the University have fallen by around 15% this year and we know that a number of complaints are resolved informally through our Student Voice, via Course or School Reps. We have seen, however, an increase in the number of complaints regarding contact time with tutors/supervisors.

There was a rise in requests for representation at formal hearings this year and Officers attended 58 meetings with students. Most requests for representation (misconduct hearings in particular) occur during the Summer months.

INTERNATIONAL��STUDENTS�18% of all casework (an increase of 5% on 2011/12) was related to immigration and international student queries, mainly about visa renewal and extension. We continued to facilitate the Student Batch Scheme and, in partnership with the International Centre, to deliver Visa Workshops.

One of our ASC advisors also made the shortlist for the NUS International Adviser of the Year Award.

ASC�SEEK�FEEDBACK�FROM�ALL�STUDENTS�WHO�USE�THE�SERVICE30% of those surveyed said that they had been referred from a University Department. A further 29% of those surveyed told us they had been directed to the service from either the University or Students’ Union website.

90% of students surveyed stated that they would recommend the service to other students.

20 21

STUDENTWATCHNew for 2012-13 was the launch of our bespoke Neighbourhood Watch initiative, “StudentWatch”, whereby students signed up to receive regular on-line updates on crime and safety in their area and to anonymously report incidents (for us to pass to the police). This gives local police valuable intelligence and enables them to allocate resources more effectively.

FINANCE38% of all casework was finance related, mainly around tuition fees and fee support, although there was a reduction from 2011/12 in the number of enquiries we received with regards to University debt. We hope this is in part due to the proactive work that we undertake each year to remind students as to when and how to apply for student funding.

ASC maintained strong links with University Finance and the Student Financial Support Unit and had a seat on the Access to Learning Fund - ALF - panels. 2012/13 saw a rise in the number of cases of hardship we supported through ALF and we helped secure over £33,000 for students in ALF awards alone. In total, we recorded gaining £143,113 for students through sound financial advice in, for example extra benefits and entitlements;

HOUSING��ADVICE�&�GUIDANCE8% of all casework was Housing related, mostly requests for support with release from Halls Licence Agreements for financial, personal or medical reasons. We worked closely with University Accommodation Services and with local private halls of residence, ensuring that students experiencing genuine delays in their funding were treated as fairly as those living in University halls.

www.wolverhamptonstudentpad.co.uk continues to grow in demand, with lodgings and homestay offers increasing the most in 2012-13.

EMPLOYABILITY��SUPPORT�FUNDWe implemented an Employability Support Fund for final year students to access up to £50 each to help pay towards the cost of attending interviews e.g. train fares or a new suit. The Fund was gifted to the SU following negotiations conducted by the previous President who argued that the University should allow savings from the lecturer’s strike in November 2011 to benefit students. Over the course of the year, we gave out just shy of £2,500 to 56 students. The fund will continue in 2013/14.

“They�are�always�there�to�help�with�any�worries�that�

are�stressful”

“The�person�I�spoke�to��

calmed�me�down�and�made�me�

feel�like�I�was�not�alone�and�there�was�professional�advice�available”

ASC�client’s�feedback��(September�2012)

ASC�client’s�feedback��(September�2012)

Undergraduate

Male Female

Postgraduate

International�fees

were�of�an�ethnicity�

other�than�“white”

Home/EU�fees

Standard�age��

on�entry

Mature�(21+)�on�entry

76%

48%

40%

52%

57%

60%

75%

24%

24%

THE�ASC�CONTINUES�TO�SUPPORT�A�DIVERSE�RANGE�OF�STUDENT�CLIENTS�ACROSS�ALL�CAMPUSES

22 23

5Listen to our members and react to the issues that affect them most

STUDENT�VOICEOur Student Voice continued to be strong with 705 Course Reps (double the number in 2011/12) and 18 School Reps. SU staff and officers attended School Councils, monitoring trends through monthly reports and addressing urgent issues. Some of the wins facilitated by our Reps:

Amendments to Telford bus times to accommodate particular lectures and reduce waiting times for students

A review of marks for a whole course after complaints received from within the Business School

Raising the issue of childcare and timetabling for School of Health students

A change in teaching rooms that LSSC students reported as unfit for purpose

Extra support for international students on some School of Health courses, including tours of the local area.

Emma Beardsmore, SHaW School Rep won School Rep of the Year at our Students’ Union Volunteer Awards in April for ‘building fantastic relationships with staff and students’.

Course Rep of the Year was won by Laurren Wood-Bowness from the Business School, who was also elected Chair of the Business School Council.

“�Of�our�7�core�aims,�most�respondents�found�Support�to�be�the�most�important”

Shapre�Your�Union�Survey�April�2013

LISTEN

TNE�STUDENTSThe President Dan Batchelor finished a great year by working with the International Centre to draft a Trans National Education (TNE) Charter for students at the University’s branch campuses. Dan visited the Sri Lanka campus with the VC where he was inspired by the students’ enthusiasm for the Student Voice for 2013/14. This is now an on-going priority for us.

EXECUTIVE�OFFICERSThe Executive Officers achieved a number of significant wins for students this year, namely:

Coming runners-up in the annual NUS Awards for their campaign around ‘decoupling’ academic and non–academic debt (see page 14 for more details).

The establishment, by our Welfare Vice President, of a cross-University Strategic Mental Health working group, after her concerns about the number of students on campus experiencing mental health problems. The group drew up an action plan endorsed by the University Student

Experience Committee which resulted in the implementation of revised crisis guidelines and new training programmes for staff in how best to support students with mental health issues, and the recruitment of a specialist mental health advisor.

They also brought about a number of wins for international students, such as

changes in the timetabling of some Spring graduation ceremonies to enable more international students to attend

the scrapping of charging deposits to international students to borrow equipment on some courses (when home students weren’t charged)

the agreement by the University to establish a hardship fund in 13/14 to which international students could apply

challenging the University on its policy of charging students for posting degree certificates overseas.

The Exec sat on every major university committee up to the University’s Corporate Management Team and Board of Governors and participated in specific project groups and reviews, often facilitating wider student groups discussions, including:

The University’s move from Schools to Faculties

A move to percentage marking (from alpha-numerical)

Timetabling changes

A reviewing the University’s Virtual Learning Environment

Review of the Institute of Learning Enhancement

Surveying students about support provided by IT students

DEMOCRACY��AND�GOVERNANCEThe Exec team achieved a number of changes to the Union’s Bye Laws to stream-line processes for our members and make Union Council more effective and representative including:

Replacing Activities Vice President with Student Experience Vice President

Creating a Part-time Volunteering Engagement Officer

Reducing the number of nominations required to stand in Union Elections

Removing Non-Portfolio positions from 2013/14

Merging the posts of Mature Students’ Rep, Student Parents’ Rep and Part-time Students Officer into one Part-time Officer position

SHAPE�YOUR�UNIONThroughout April, we conducted a ‘Shape Your Union Survey’ with our members. 1059 respondents answered 31 on-line questions, with the following headlines:

77% either agreed or strongly agreed that they were satisfied with the SU

Of our 7 core aims, most respondents considered the most important to be ‘Provide support to students’ followed by ‘Listen to our members and react to the issues that affect them most’

Just under half were aware that the SU represented their views to the University and provided sport & social activities, as well as advice and support

64% felt our website was good or very good (33% thought it was ok)

Just under 30% of students knew who the Exec were and were aware of their achievements

60% voted in our March Elections

Just under 60% knew who their Course Reps were and how to contact them

THE�MOST�POPULAR�PRIORITIES�THEY�FELT��THE�UNION�SHOULD��HAVE�WERE:�

Providing volunteering opportunities

Representing students’ views to the university

Providing impartial advice and support

Providing more employability skills support

The full set of results were extremely useful, giving clear areas to action for 2013/14.

24 25

6Staff“ I would recommend to anyone�to�get�involved�in�some�way�with�the�SU”�

Develop an involved, supportive and strong staff team

Daria�Ostapengo�Staff�Member�[2013]�

STUDENT�STAFFOver the year, 46 members of student staff worked over 14,200 hours with us, earning over £88,000. We are committed to providing employment opportunities to as many students as possible and review all vacant core staff positions to establish if students can fulfil the role. This year we created a new student staff post to support our advertising and sales function. Two graduate interns were also appointed to support the Executive Officers and our marketing department.

Student staff received corporate inductions, probationary reviews, regular team meetings and 1-2-1s. During our recruitment drive in May 2013, we had 150 applications for 23 jobs and 48 for 2 new student engagement posts.

Student staff redesigned our website to make it more vibrant and accessible. Page views in March 2012 increased by 32,000 from the same 6 week period in 2011 and the time spent on pages increased by 8%.

STAFF�RECOGNITION��AND�DEVELOPMENTThe mid-year budget review in January saw additional funds being channelled to staff recognition, training and development and three of our staff completed an ILM Level 5 in Management. Our advisers continue to keep abreast of developments in the advice fields through regular training and we recognised 15 individual core and student staff for excellent work. We took all staff out to thank them for delivering the busy Spring Elections and our student staff attended our Christmas meal for the first time.

STAFF�SURVEYSApril saw the annual round of core and student staff surveys, giving management crucial feedback to action, mainly around improving team work and communication. Staff coffee mornings were then established, as well as more cross-department working groups to enable staff to experience different projects.

Improvements the previous year to the student staff training had clearly had a positive effect as student employees they reported feeling much more knowledgeable about the SU and their roles. They asked us to ensure they always got feedback on their ideas to improve the SU and to feel able to ask for help from all staff, not just their line manager.

“�It’s�been��an�amazing,�rewarding�experience��and�I’ll�never�forget�it�as��my�first��full-time�job”

This year also saw another of our student members of staff, Daria Ostapengo (pictured left), secure a core staff position as a Projects Assistant from April to September. On leaving the organisation for a great opportunity at Bath Students’ Union, Daria wrote:

“ I would like to thank everyone at the SU for giving me and teaching me so much during my time here. It’s been an amazing, rewarding experience and I’ll never forget it as my first full-time job. I’ll be forever thankful to all the people who’ve helped me develop my skills and build my confidence. This was the perfect step for me career wise as it’s given me the push I needed to go from a student to a professional.”

A member of our Walsall student staff, Gemma Carroll (see image on page 29) was a regional winner in the annual Student Employee of the Year Awards 2013, held by NASES (the National Association of Student Employment Services) in June. Gemma always went the extra mile to help the core staff team and suggest ways to improve services to students. As a Special Needs and Inclusion with Education student, she also clocked up many hours volunteering in a local school helping SEN children.

Daria�Ostapengo�Staff�Member�[2013]�

26 27

I�was�nervous,�unorganised,�ditzy�and�was�all�over�the�place�

but�somewhere�in�between�they�managed�to�spot�some�potential�

and�I�became�part�of�the�Squeezebox�team.��

When�applying�for�the�job�at�

Walsall’s�Student�Union�never in

a million years did I expect to get it.

“

“GEMMA

CARROLL STUDENT STAFF

JULY 2013

I never expected to love a job as much as I did working in the SU, to many people its just the SU where we sell amazing chicken wraps and a pool table but once you engage with the staff and students there you will realise it is more than that. The people I worked with were not just colleagues they became amazing friends and a second family.

My confidence grew as everyday I was constantly dealing with different people and became good at dealing with difficult situations. I have learned the true meaning of responsibility and was able to apply this to Uni work. Also through the SU, I volunteered in a Secondary School in the Special Needs Unit. The support I got before I started and throughout really made my experience more enjoyable as I felt at ease and confident about the expectations that school had of me and what I was expecting from the school.

The SU very much practices what it preaches in terms of being there for students, run by students and everything they do is for the interest of students - it is a pleasure to work and be involved in. Any ideas or improvements we mentioned to management they took on board and did their best to put into practice or if that was impossible, to offer alternatives. Working for the SU has heightened my experience of University and winning the Student Employee of the Year Awards Regional Level has brightened up my CV.

““

28 29

RE�SPON�SIBLE

7Be financially, ethically, and environmentally responsible

30 31

A Black History Month exhibition showcasing work by student artists chronicling historical black icons, as well as a black mental health workshop

Our welfare VP established a cross-campus strategic group to address issues surrounding mental health support on campus

Facilitated Interfaith Fayre in November, bringing students together to celebrate religious diversity

Increased the number LGBT+ NUS delegates representing our University.

Our LGBT+ Society won the Event of the Year Award at the NUS LGBT Awards and were shortlisted for Campaign of the Year at the LGBT Society Awards

Held a sports tournament to mark International Day for People with Disabilities

Petitioned the University for more disability access to sporting facilities, to form part of the blueprint for a refurbished Sports Centre on City Campus

Facilitated accredited courses whereby teaching and sports students could learn how to support and coach pupils with disabilities

Developed a ‘Friendly Faces’ scheme, in partnership with the Enabling Centre, to help a diverse range of students settle into University life

Trialled a family room in partnership with the University Chaplaincy for parents to come once a week to access support and guidance

Held a series of deaf-awareness workshops and ensured sign language interpreters attended all of our major events

Delivered disability awareness and cultural awareness training for core staff

Established better social space for students on Telford campus

WE�CONTINUED�PROMOTING�EQUALITY��AND�DIVERSITY�AND�REPRESENT�A�WIDE�RANGE��OF�STUDENTS�IN�2012/13.��HERE�ARE�SOME�EXAMPLES:

In�summer�2012,�our�Dig�In�project�received�

an�‘Improving�Award’�in�the�RHS�Heart�of�

England�in�Bloom�Directory

HOW�WE�SPENT�OUR�FUNDING�–�HEADLINE��SURPLUS�FOR�THE�YEARIn 2012/13 we received a very similar Block Grant to the previous year which, in light of the economic climate and efficiencies being made across the University, demonstrated a belief in the SU. We exceeded income targets for external advertising arrangements and Welcome Week commercial fairs and generated over £20,000 through the sale of 4,264 NUS Extra Cards, coming 15th out of 106 SUs for sales. As well as saving students plenty of £££s, this enabled investment back into student services.

The Union received reserved funding for Welcome Week activities and for the NUS Student Led Teaching Awards programme. Staffing vacancies throughout the year, including a Full Time Executive Officer position and, for a time the CEO position, resulted in a higher than expected year-end surplus. This was added to our reserves to support space development projects over summer 2013.

In January, the Executive conducted a budget review, into which the staff team could ‘bid’.

A surplus and confident profiling allowed us to expend on projects or costs that had been un-resourced in the first term, namely:

6 new PCs for the students in our Activities space

2 new PCs for staff

Extra staff training and development

Additional funding for School Rep and volunteer expenses

New equipment for our kitchenat Walsall

Additional marketing materials

Staff reward and recognition

GREEN�IMPACT�Following a comprehensive audit visit from NUS in January 2013, the SU was delighted to retain its Silver Green Impact standard and continued to work with the University at a strategic level to improve sustainability across the campuses.

As well as organising a Fair trade Football Tournament in February, we supported the University’s annual Green Week in April by hosting a number of activities, including a British Heart Foundation Shoe Amnesty (collecting 191 pairs of shoes), a Green Fair promoting Fair trade, vegan and vegetarian produce, an artwork exhibition with art recouped from University waste, and green ‘The Hulk’ smoothies sold from our Squeezebox! Information went out encouraging students to take small steps to reduce their own carbon footprints. The University produced a fabulous video of the week, which can be viewed at http://www.wolvesunion.org/yourunion/environment/

DIG-IN�PROJECT�September 2012 saw the official launch of our Dig In project (pictured left). We secured ’Student Eats’ funding from NUS to develop an allotment on Walsall campus, enabling students and staff to grow and sell their own produce. The allotment, which has raised beds and a polytunnel, as well as a wild section to encourage wildlife, has elicited interest from a small but committed group of students and staff on the campus and produced some lovely fruit and veg, from radishes to strawberries. Engagement was affected by an enduring winter in 2012 but we are hoping to reignite interest in 2013/14.

SQUEEZEBOX�Both Squeezebox operations (City and Walsall) performed above target, which was particularly pleasing for City Squeezebox in its first year of operation, producing a year-end net profit of just over £9,000. The year saw steady growth as we introduced new lines to the product mix and we were careful to record trading data to allow us to better plan for 13/14.

Two biggest peaks in our trade were during the University’s UG assessment periods. The Squeezebox was often the only catering outlet open to students during the holiday periods, offering a vital service to those students who were still around.

Throughout the year, in response to feedback we introduced toasted sandwiches and paninis and a new range of healthier smoothies, as well as premium milkshakes for those in need of a treat.

We continued to sell sandwiches and salads and introduced a new, healthier range in Urban Eat. The year -end net profit exceeded the target by around £4,000 at just over £16,000.

We introduced an evening bar service until 11pm weekdays and 6pm at weekends. After good initial interest, attendance waned significantly over the year, with students spending time in their halls before going out late. Opening times of the bar were, therefore, adjusted to meet a daytime need.

At our Walsall SU, the introduction of a new hot food offer with wraps, pizzas and burgers clearly met a need on campus and contributed significantly to sales. We also supported events held at weekends in the Sports Centre by opening and selling hot food and drinks.

32 33

Increase the numbers of students

engaged and participating with our activities and

services on Walsall Campus

Advance our research and

marketing intelligence of who is engaged with us

and who isn’t

Continue to improve the experience and facilities for students on Telford campus

Expand the support we provide to students around employability

and help raise aspirations within the

local populations

Improve our ranking in the BUCS leagues

and increase the number of

teams competing

Develop a student voice for

TNE students

Enhance the Student Voice developing a

closer relationship with Course Reps and a

bespoke Student Voice database that gives real time information

Increase support for student parents

and ways for them to access the SU

NEXTSome�of�the�things�we�want�to�achieve�next�year

Produce a longer term Strategic Plan

Continue to grow our student satisfaction rates through internal

surveys and the NSS

TRUSTEES

Jane Nelson – University Trustee

Mike Ager – External Trustee

Lee Smith – External Trustee

Adam Keane – Student Trustee

OFFICERS�TRUSTEES

President – Dan Batchelor

Activities Vice President – Joanna Zielinska

Welfare Vice President – Iwuese Nyager

Academic Vice President – Marie Cheer

PART-TIME�OFFICERS

Gurgit Rai – City Campus Officer

Safahad Shaikh – Telford Campus Officer

Samantha Oakes – Walsall Campus Officer

Abhishek Dicholkar – International Students’Officer

Mark Birkumshaw – Part-Time Students’ Officer

Kayode Olaniyan – Environmental Officer

Marcello Nobrega - Events and Activities Officer

Gracia Justice – Communications Officer

“�I�now�know�not�to�panic��about�deadlines�but�to�speak�to�SU�for�advice.�If�I�have�any�future�problems�I�will�always�speak�to��the�Students’�Union�staff�first”�

ASC�client’s�feedback�[April�2013]

34 35

“Designing�the�report�is�a��

design�challenge,�but�great�fun!”

Sean�Bird�-�Former�Graduate�

City CampusMD Building Wulfruna Street Wolverhampton WV1 1LY

Tel: 01902 322021

Fax: 01902 322020

E-mail: info@wolvesunion.org

Website: www.wolvesunion.org

Twitter: www.wolvesunion.org/twitter

Facebook: www.wolvesunion.org/facebook

YouTube: www.wolvesunion.org/youtube

Walsall Campus WS Building Gorway Road Walsall WS1 3BD

Tel: 01902 322320

Fax: 01902 323036