THE WARWICK STUDENT EXPERIENCE

Kate Hughes – Director of Student ServicesStuart Thomson – Students’ Union President

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It was given land

on the county

border between

Coventry and

Warwickshire

Warwick

University

was founded

in 1965

The first

intake of 450

students arrived

in October 1965

The only real

student services

were located in

the Rootes

Social Building

The students

soon decided

that they needed

a building of

their own

...However

there was

strong opposition

within the

University

In 1970 there was

a breakthrough –

the Union was

given control over

a temporary

building called

‘The Balloon’

Warwick was

becoming a

hot-bed

of student

activismIts radical

student politics

earned it the

nickname

‘Red Warwick’

The battle

over the Union

building carried

on for several years

and repeatedly

spilled over into

direct action

This incident led to

the publication

of the book

‘Warwick University Ltd’

edited by

rebel academic

EP Thompson

In 1974 the

University relented

and signed over

what was intended

as the 2nd Rootes

Social Building…

…to the

control of the

Students’ Union

Despite once proclaiming that the SU

would never have its own building, Jack

Butterworth signed the papers which led to

the birth of the Students’ Union

we know today

The election of the

Thatcher government

heralded huge cuts

for higher

education

Warwick was faced

with a £1.4 million

slash in its funding

Throughout the

80s therefore

both the University

and the Union had

to begin developing

other areas of activity

to supplement

their income

Determined not to

be beaten by the

Thatcher cutbacks

the University

started tapping into

other income streams:

conference

business

international

students

business and

Industry links

alumni

donations

Firkin Bar

(Cholo)

Pugwash Lounge

(Grumpy Johns)

Elephants Nest

(The Grad Club)

The SU also developed

commercial services to

contribute towards its

membership services

Mandela’s

(Graduate)Harvey’s

(South Central)

The Union

started to organise

large-scale events

such as the first

One World Week

One World Week is

now the worlds

largest student

run event.

Warwick has more sports

Clubs and societies than

Any other Univeristy in

The UK

What is the Student Experience?

It is about Everything!

“The student experience is the totality of the experiences students have in all areas of university life – academic, social life, belonging and well being, personal security, housing, food and finance”

THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE

THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE

THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE

THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE

SOME QUESTIONS WORTH ASKING Is there a gap between student expectation and

experience? If a gap does exist is it: acceptable, reasonable and

inevitable? Four critical factors influencing success identified by

Yorke and Longden in2004:

Flawed decision-making about entering the programme Events that impact on students lives outside the

institution; Failure to cope with the demands of the programme,

and Students’ experience of the programme and of the

institution

WHO PERSISTS AT UNIVERSITY WHAT DATA SHOWS

Knowledgeable about the university before they arrive

Knowledgeable about their subject area and demands before their course begins

Ability to cope with the academic and social challenges of university life

Recognise and acknowledge the support both academic and non academic which they receive

The crucial nature of the first year university experience

THE WARWICK STUDENT EXPERIENCE

• What Makes It Distinctive?• Campus Based University• International Mix• PG/UG Mix• University and Students’ Union collaboration• The Type of student that Warwick attracts - demanding

THE SU/UNIVERSITY RELATIONSHIP

• Critical Partners• Trust, honesty and mutual confidence• Intangible benefits from a strong SU• Open Communications channels• Reaching out to all the university• Understand the role of your SU• Universities and their Unions report 2006• The Warwick Way

THE UNIVERISTY SIDE OF THINGS Rich integrated network of

support: Senior Tutor & Personal Tutors Residential Tutors & Wardens Careers Centre Centre for Student Development & Enterprise Warwick Volunteers Counselling Service Disability Services Mental Health Team University Health Centre Chaplaincy Student Funding International Office Security Nursery

THE STUDENTS’ UNION SIDE OF THINGS

The Kit Kat Analogy

WHAT WE DO – WARWICK SUClubs and SocietiesEventsWelfare and SupportEducation – SSLC System and the QAARepresentation International IssuesSkills developmentDriving the University AgendaCommunicationsEntertainment DemocracyCommercial ServicesSE valued by some, not by others

SOME HEADLINESLord Young – Minister For students“vital for this country and its future to improve the student experience” November 2008QAA and HEFCE – Need to ensure students play a role in shaping their education

Student Barometer (Summer Wave 2008) - satisfaction with student support 87.4% (5th of 14) - ranked 1st – clubs and societies, worship facilities- 2nd – learning spaces, careers advice, opportunities to earn money, faith provision, graduate school; - 3rd – course content, multicultural environment, sports facilities and student finance office

International Student Barometer (Summer Wave 2008)- satisfaction with student support 86% (RG average 87%)- 1st – faith provision, careers advice, quality of accommodation, opportunities for PhD students to teach

CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES Students as consumers – the “health club” Internationalisation Changing PG/UG balance Diversity of community Increasing parental involvement Access to resources and facilities – 24/7 Support services vs. self-help Re-definition of the “campus” Employment and employer expectations Increasing alumni engagement and support Global economic uncertainties - soft funds Expectations and aspirations – lifestyle Fees and part time work

WHAT WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE THE WARWICK EXPERIENCE DISTINCTIVE?

• What will our students and stakeholders need, want and expect in the future? • How can we make the most of the resources and facilities we have in challenging economic times?

Over to you…..