Title Annual Impact
REPORT 2013-14
Annual Impact Report 13-14
1
Contents Laura 3rd y ear
English Language Laura Sargent is President of the Photography Society and took the portaits in this report. Doing the photography for the report has been an amazing opportunity to develop my photography skills and work on something new and exciting that I’ve never done before. It’s been a great experience and makes me feel very proud to have my work used.
3
About the Union
24
Student Development
4
Introduction
26
Volunteering and Student Enterprise
5
Headline Achievements
29
Venues
6
How Our Students Rate Us
30 Jobs
7
Overall Engagement
32
Retail – Cardiff Student Letting
8
Depth of Enagement
34
Retail – IT Shop & Cutting Edge
9
Satisfaction v Engagement
36
Heath Park Campus
10
Performance Against Goals
38
Income and Expenditure
13
Student Voice
39
Trading Performance
14
Student Advice
40
16
Sports
42
Our Top Targets for 2014–15
18
Societies
44
Directors of Cardiff University Students’ Union and Cardiff Union Services Ltd
20
Student Media
22
Democracy & Elections
and Money
Capital Projects
About the Union Cardiff University Students’ Union aspires to have a positive impact on all students’ lives, whilst helping them enjoy their time at Cardiff. As a student-led, independent part of the University, the Union does this by representing students and providing a diverse and inclusive range of activities and services. The Union is based on Park Place and at the University Hospital of Wales, employs 100 permanent staff, 300 student staff and turns over approximately £6.2M per annum.
“Working with every Cardiff student to enhance their university experience” Our values We will: • provide opportunities and empower • be excellent at what we do by being totally inclusive • champion student leadership • facilitate positive change • listen, communicate and engage
Our slogan Get involved, love Cardiff
Our purpose The advancement of education of students at Cardiff University for the public benefit by: • Promoting the interests and welfare of students at Cardiff University during their course of study and representing, supporting and advising students; • Being the recognised representative channel between students and Cardiff University and any other external bodies; and • Providing social, cultural, sporting and recreational activities and forums for discussions and debate for the personal development of its students.
Annual Impact Report 13-14
3
Introduction Introduction from the President 2013/14 was an exciting year for Cardiff University Students’ Union and it gives me great pleasure to introduce our Annual Impact Report to you. We embarked on some of the most ambitious organisational developments in recent memory and, as you will see from this report, had some outstanding results. As a second year Officer, I was lucky enough to not only be part of that period of change but am able to reflect and build on its results as we move in to 2014/15. The year saw drastic physical improvements to our building in addition to changes to our governance and a reassuring uplift in our financial performance. A new Senior Management Team led by a new Chief Executive meant that, coupled with the Officers, the organisation’s Leadership Team approached the year with innovation and ambition. This year also marked the end of our three year strategy which gave us the opportunity to look back at the last three years and review our performance. This review fed into the development of our new strategic vision, which takes us through to 2017. You can find out more about this at cardiffstudents.com/our-plan. One of our goals for the next three years is to be recognised as an exceptional organisation and 2013/14 did a great job of putting the foundations in place to make this possible. We were ranked the fifth best Students’ Union in the UK according to the National Student Survey, which places us third in the Russell Group and first in Wales. A great achievement for all involved! I’d like to thank and congratulate everyone, particularly the 2013/14 Officer team, for such a successful year. You will see from this report that there are some significant wins for students and they’ve inspired this year’s team to really hit the ground running. I hope you enjoy reading this report and continue to follow our developments as we progress in to the future. Elliot Howells.
Introduction from the Chief Executive It gives me great pleasure to introduce this report and look back on what was a whirlwind year for Cardiff University Students’ Union. Our year was shaped around developing our strategy for 2014 to 2017, whilst enacting enormous change in how the Union looks, how it interacts with students and what it provides to Cardiff students. As you can see from this report the impact of these changes has contributed to the Union engaging with more students than ever before, whilst achieving our highest ever satisfaction rating. Over the past two years the Union’s building on Park Place has received significant investment and as a result offers a more diverse range of facilities and services. The most recent development, the creation of Y Plas, the food court and the general upgrades to the second floor of the building, are the biggest capital investments undertaken by the Union since we built the building over 40 years ago. However, we recognise that we have more work to do, so over the next year we will develop plans to vastly improve our presence at the Heath Park campus, whilst continuing to upgrade our facilities at Park Place.
5
5th best Students’ Union in the UK
To complement the Union’s developing facilities, I believe that we have some of the very best people to manage our services and engage with students and that they are the primary contributor for the Union’s continued success. The Union’s career staff, student officers, student staff and volunteers have an unshakable commitment to Cardiff and are proud to play such a big part in student life at the University. I would like to congratulate them for such a fantastic year and thank them for their ongoing commitment. Thank you for your interest in the Union; I hope that you enjoy reading our report and finding out a bit more about some of the students we work with. Daniel Palmer.
4
Annual Impact Report 13-14
Headline wins for students
Secured the recording of all lectures as part of the Learn Plus project
Academic • Held the first Vice Chancellor’s Question Time open to all students. • Launched online timetables for 6 academic schools to be followed by a cross-campus roll out by September 2015. • Secured the recording of all lectures as part of the Learn Plus project. • Lobbied the University to release exam timetables earlier. • Trained over 1,000 academic reps. • Trialled a placement portal in the school of dentistry Activities • Increased society membership figures by 31%. • Trained over 2,500 committee members. • Held two networking evenings, 16 training sessions, 10 society forums, a leadership conference, two councils and a committee welcome evening for societies. • Streamlined administration processes for sports clubs and societies alongside a sophisticated online membership system. • Became accredited providers of the Millennium Volunteers award so students can get recognition for their time on a committee. • Introduced a reward and recognition tier structure for all societies and sports clubs.
Secured a £3.4M investment for the redevelopment of our second floor
• Secured the largest Guild sponsorship total to date. • Transformed Go Global into a single showcase solely focussing on our cultural societies to a sell-out audience. • Introduced the first ever Cardiff Fringe Festival; a week dedicated to showcasing societies. • Trained over 2,500 committee members. • Gair Rhydd named the second best student publication in the UK. • Introduced a new programme of activity, Give It A Go, and secured staff resource to support it. Welfare • Lobbied the University and Students’ Union to sign the Time To Change pledge. • Set up the Advice Squad, a volunteering group to promote advice to students. • Secured a GP on campus for a 2015 launch. • Lobbied the University to provide outof-hours student support. Representation and Liberation • Took over the running and administration of the Student Academic Rep system and expanded the Student Voice team to support it. • Increased women candidates in our elections from 32% in 2013 to 40% in 2014.
Signed the T ime To Change pledge & persuaded the University to do the same
• Gender balanced Student Senate. • Introduced a BME Officer. • Organised liberation training for all career staff and committee members. • Introduced Women only sessions at gyms across campus. Organisation and Institution Wide • Secured a £3.4M investment for the redevelopment of our second floor. • Raised £2,360 for Cardiff Foodbank charity by recycling students’ unwanted household items. • Named runner up for NUS Officer Team of the Year 2013/14. • Developed the Students’ Union’s strategy for the next three years. • Developed a business case with the University for a Centre For Student Life. • Raised over £3,000 for Heath RAG. • Ensured fixed fees for International students were extended to include Postgraduate students. • Lobbied the University into becoming a Living Wage employer. • Secured reduced fees for asylum seekers. • Lobbied the University to act as a guarantor for International and EU students as well as care leavers.
Annual Impact Report 13-14
5
How our students rate us Student Satisfaction In recent years a number of organisations have sought to independently assess student satisfaction at universities, including students’ unions. The exact wording of satisfaction questions differs with each survey, as well as the percentage of all students who respond. We recognise and monitor three independently measured satisfaction scores for the Union: The National Student Survey (NSS), carried out by Ipsos-Mori on behalf of HEFCE/HEFCW; The Times Higher Education (THE) Student Experience Survey, carried out by the Times Higher Education magazine; and the International Student Barometer (ISB), carried out by i-graduate. In 2013–14, we retained our place at fourth in the THE survey and moved up two places within the NSS to fifth. The Union’s participation in the ISB is biennial and wasn’t assessed in 2013–14.
International Student Barometer
T imes Higher Education Student Experience Survey
National Student Survey
2012–13
2014
2014
3rd in the UK
7th
in the world
6
Annual Impact Report 13-14
4th in the UK 2013
4th in the UK
5th in the UK
2013
7th in the UK
2012
5th in the UK 2011
5th in the UK
2012
4th in the UK
Overall engagement 12000
Number of students 2012-2013
10000
2013-2014
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
ad
vo St v St St ve Sk NU H Gu En Jo El Ca at as dr an IT ac ec te ud ud ud hl bs nu olu ill S iv t Sh rd ild eat n so vi ad nt et r Ex tio erp er s h ce ho en en en es iff ci em ual of ee ic Pa op d r t p t t t a n M r i ev ic St r tio se R M S S U r a C e in e o n k un ed ud el m an c n c Re n i g R o at op ar ie be s ia en di n et Se p tie e rs m d da ai tL rv en sa s l te Me et i ce tS le ti et s s er ng in vi g ce
The Union strives to measure all of its interactions with Cardiff students and records participation in Union activities and use of services. We use this information to better run our activities and services and ensure that student participation reflects the diversity of the University’s students. During 2013/14 the Union saw another significant increase in the number of students that engaged with the Union in ways that we can measure. We engaged with at least two thirds of all Cardiff students last year, the first time that this has been achieved. We have made engaging with at least 25,000 students a year a key priority within our new strategy and we hope to engage with over 20,000 students during 2014/15.
Two thirds of all Cardiff Students… In 2013/14 18,924 students used one or more of the Union’s services, compared to 16,616 in 2012/13, representing a 14% increase. In total, this amounts to 66% of all Cardiff students. In addition to this we recognise that many students engage with us in ways that we aren’t able to measure – like using the social facilities in the Union and buying things through our shops, bars and cafes. It is unlikely that we will ever measure these sorts of engagements, but we are always striving to ensure that all Cardiff students feel engaged with the Union and are satisfied with what we offer.
Annual Impact Report 13-14
7
Depth of engagement 8000
Number of students 2012-2013
7000
2013-2014 6000
Dramatic increase
5000
As well as increasing the number of students that engage with us, 2013/14 also saw a dramatic increase in the total number of users across all of our services, meaning that many more students used an increasing number of the activities and servicers we offer. In 2013/14 the total number of engagements was 47,109, up from 36,788 in 2012/13.
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
On e
Th Ei El Tw Th Si Fi Se Fo Ni Tw Te x gh ev ve ne ur ve n ir re o el se en te se ts se se ve n e se se se en rv se se r rv rv e s r s r r v rv er vi ic vi er vi r i rv ic ic se c v ce ce ic ce es vi e v es ic e ic rv s i es ce ce s s s es es ic s es
Total Engagement Since 2011/12 the Union has recorded a broad range of student engagements, with the number of students using our activities and services rising each year. For 2013/14 our target was to engage with over 17,500 students and this was easily achieved, due to significant increases in participation in democracy, societies and our entertainments programme.
15,760 2011/12
8
16,616 2012/13
Annual Impact Report 13-14
18,924 2013/14
TARGET SET
20,000 2014/15
TARGET SET
25,000 2016/17
Satisfaction v engagement 100
Students engaged
NSS Score
80
60
40
20
0
S C E E d C P C E J C P P C W M M O a M S S SO E B NM U RO Ed OHC O CS RCH HR P TO E LS OME NGI ENT S y C aRB H aR aRT HEM OM H yS LaW NCa IOS P La USI aT My HS SC IC N I C H L M H X N S I S C P H S S E S I y
Satisfaction v engagement The Union looks very closely at its engagement and satisfaction statistics and uses them to ensure that the Union’s reach is broad and totally inclusive. Over the past year we have started to use this data to shape how we work and prioritise our resources. For the first time we have been able to map student satisfaction in the Union v the actual engagement figures that we hold. In the majority of Schools we find that satisfaction is higher than engagement and probably reflects the challenge we face in being able to effectively capture all student participation. Four of the five least engaged groups of students are based at the Heath Park campus and we have prioritised these groups in our future plans.
Annual Impact Report 13-14
9
Performance against goals
Stakeholders
Learning and growth
Achieved 1. T o produce and launch the Union’s strategy 2014-17, following a thorough consultation with students, staff and the University, by 30th June 2014
Achieved 1. T o increase the Union’s overall engagement with individual members up to 17,500 students by 31st July 2014
Achieved 2. T o develop satisfaction surveys for: career staff, student staff, students, student activities volunteers and stakeholders and present the various findings to the Board of Trustees by 31st July 2014
Achieved 2. T o hold at least 3 staff development days and introduce and produce regular communications from the Chief Executive by 31st July 2014
Partially achieved 3. T o measure satisfaction amongst career staff and then improve overall performance by 31st July 2014
Achieved 3. T o develop a Trustees’ development plan and oversee the recruitment of additional Board members, by 31st March 2014
Achieved 4. T o achieve at least 85% satisfaction in the Union’s 2014 National Student Survey (NSS) question 23 score, by 31st July 2014
Achieved 4. T o agree a development plan for the second floor of the building with the University, for a summer 2014 build, by 31st March 2014
Partially achieved 5. T o significantly increase participation in the Union’s annual elections, evidenced by a minimum a voter turnout in excess of 8,000 votes with an average of 5.5 sabbatical candidates for each post by 31st March 2014
Partially achieved 5. T o set up and take a leading role in the development of the ‘Centre for Student Life’ project with the University, by 31st October 2014
Each year the Union’s Board of Trustees sets its top 20 priorities, across four areas. T he Union’s Elected Officers and senior management team work together in striving to achieve the targets. 10
Annual Impact Report 13-14
Financial Management and Control
Systems, policies and procedures
Achieved 1. T o set annualised budgets for the Union and achieve the overall budgeted position for the two companies for 2013/2014, by 31st July 2014
Achieved 1. T o develop a management plan and senior management team structure in support of the Union’s strategic priorities, by 31st March 2014
Achieved 2. T o agree a long term financial plan for the Union and achieve the overall cash reserves target for 2013/14, by 31st July 2014
Not achieved 2. T o develop a modern appraisal system with links to individual balanced scorecards for all staff by 31st December 2013
Not achieved 3. T o develop a cost centre accounting approach to the Union’s various departments within the Union and present the findings to the Board of Trustees, by 31st January 2014
Achieved 3. T o establish a new job evaluation scheme and evaluate all job roles by 31st July 2014
Achieved 4. T o develop the second floor entrance to the building and then pay for that development through additional trading profits achieved from that space, by 31st July 2014 Achieved 5. T o ensure that both the third floor and fourth floor capital projects are completed on time and on budget, by 31st October 2013
Ov erall Achieved: 15
Achieved 4. T o oversee a full review of the Union’s finance and governance arrangements, including a review of company structure and flow of information, by 31st January 2014 Achieved 5. T o develop a customer service strategy, including service standards, introducing a corporate identity for staff and measurements for service quality, by 31st December 2013
Partially achieved: 3
Not achieved: 2
Annual Impact Report 13-14
11
Will 3rd y ear
Mathematics Will Mcloughlin has been a Student Academic Rep for 3 years. I feel that I am more in touch with the staff members and opportunities available at Cardiff through becoming a Student Academic Rep. I have also met a lot of engaging, interesting students that I would not have met otherwise. My input into educational issues has given me an insight into how I can improve academic affairs. I want a career in education so the experience is brilliant!
12
Annual Impact Report 13-14
Student Voice The Union has a long and proud history of representing Cardiff students and shaping the learner experience at Cardiff University. Every year the student leadership of the Union is elected by students with College and School reps being elected by students from those areas.
Representation
Speak Week In February 2014 we organised Speak Week in conjunction with the University; a week offering students the chance to give feedback on their University experience through online surveys, feedback points around campus and an ideas wall in the Students’ Union. Speak Week also hosted the annual Student Academic Rep conference at the Students’ Union.
Student Academic Reps play a vital role in the partnership between Cardiff University Students’ Union and Cardiff University. The Reps act as a link between members of staff and their fellow students to ensure that the student voice is heard and taken seriously at every level. Reps also attend student-staff panels within their school. In 2013/14, 500 students were trained in comparison to 200 the year before. The training was delivered via 35 individual training sessions across Schools and the Students’ Union.
Number of Student Academic Reps
2011-12
963
2012-13
971
2013-14
983
Annual Impact Report 13-14
13
Student Advice Academic issues Advisers dealt with 2545 new enquiries / cases which represented a significant increase of 14% on the previous year. During the year, Student Advice worked at increasing their engagement with Heath Park students resulting in 258 enquiries.
Student Advice Cyngor i Fyfyrwyr The Union runs a dedicated advice and representation centre on the third floor of the Union building and from The Hub at the Heath Campus. Our team of Student Advisers will either directly support students or refer them on to specialist help. During 2013/14 the Advice and Representation Centre (ARC) was rebranded as Student Advice and had another year with significantly more students seeking help. In total, 1,984 individuals sought help compared to 1,739 in 2012/13. Student Advice staff advise students on a range of issues including academic, consumer, housing, employment, student finance, money matters and personal matters.
Students who sought help
1,984 in 2013/14 1,739 in 2012/13
14
Annual Impact Report 13-14
Academic issues
856
Academic matters are a significant proportion of the work that Student Advice undertakes. 166 students got in contact about academic appeals during June and July 2014. Other academic problems can include complex fitness to practise issues, the outcome of which can have a profound impact on students’ future careers.
Housing Housing issues including deposits and disrepair make up a large proportion of enquiries (1159 enquiries in 2013-14). Many students also visit Student Advice to use the house hunting lists they produce to help find accommodation.
Advice Squad During October 2013, a group of volunteers were recruited under the name of the ‘Advice Squad’ to assist with the non-advice activities and engage with students by helping to deliver Monday Doctors Events, National Student Money Week, Just Ask Week and Housing Advice Week.
Academic appeals
251
Housing issues
1064
Sally 4th y ear
Mathematics, Operational Research and Statistics with Professional Placement Sally Sam has used Student Advice twice and would do so again. Without Student Advice I’m not too sure where I would have ended up living in my Second year! They helped me find fellow Cardiff University students looking for housemates in a safe and reliable way. They also checked my contract when we found a place, another great service of theirs I took advantage of.
Annual Impact Report 13-14
15
Sports Position 18
2005/06
12
16
17
16
15
2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
2009/10
The Union facilitates the running of 64 sports clubs. These groups are overseen by the Union, but much of the organising activity is undertaken by student volunteers from within the student groups. These volunteers are the elected members of these groups every year. In 2013/14 the Union saw a 5% increase in members of Athletic Union clubs. This resulted in 88 teams representing the University in sport competitions with over 800 students participating. Unfortunately, in 2013/14 the Union fell out of the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) top 20 in the UK for the first time in recent history. The Athletic Union have made regaining a top 20 place a priority for 2014/15 and to enter to the top 10 by 2017.
2010/11
17
19
22
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14
88 T EAMS
The Union offers such a wide range of sports that not all competition structures can be provided by BUCS. Many of our teams compete and excel in alternative leagues, with Tae Kwon Do currently British Champions and DanceSport ranked fourth in the UK.
5% 16
Annual Impact Report 13-14
increase in members
Anni 4th y ear
Dentistry Anni Seaborne played lacrosse throughout school and was keen to carry it on at University. Prior to Uni I played lacrosse for seven years at school. This will now be my fourth year of being part of the lacrosse club at Uni. In my second year I was Ladies First Team Captain, In Third year I was Vice President and I am now President of the club. It has provided structure to my days and gives me something to work towards and look forward to outside of my degree.
Annual Impact Report 13-14
17
Societies The Guild of Societies is a diverse collection of groups, broadly broken into political, recreational, cultural and course based groups. If you want to see a full breakdown of all the Union’s societies then please visit cardiffstudents.com/societies.
31%
increase in societies memberships
During 2013/14 Societies memberships increased dramatically to an all-time high of 7,712 students – up by 31% on 2012/13. Societies memberships have grown substantially in recent years, with more than a quarter of all Cardiff students being a member of at least one group. 2013-14 was an active year for the Guild; they trained over 2,500 committee members as well as holding two networking evenings, 10 society forums, a leadership conference, two councils and a committee welcome evening. Work was also undertaken to streamline the administration processes for sports clubs and societies alongside a sophisticated online membership system.
7,712 MEMBERS
The 2013-14 academic year saw the Students’ Union become accredited providers of the Millennium Volunteers award so students can get recognition for their time on a committee adding extra value to participation in student groups. The guild and Athletic Union also collaberated to introduce a reward and recognition tier structure for all societies and sports clubs.
18
Annual Impact Report 13-14
Millennium Volunteers Award ACREDIT ED prov iders
Title
Jumana 4th y ear
Pharmacy Jumana Nabulsi started the Arab Society in her first year. My student life in Cardiff would not have been the same if I had not been involved with societies. The experience made me a more wellrounded individual and enabled me to enrich my student life in Cardiff. The most valuable aspect of my involvement has to be meeting all the wonderful people that I had met along the way, a lot of whom I am fortunate enough to now call my friends.
Annual Impact Report 13-14
19
Student Media The Union supports a range of student led media outlets: Gair Rhydd; Quench; Xpress Radio; and CUTV. These media groups are run like societies and produce media content for all Cardiff students. Over the past two years we have been developing more effective ways of measuring engagement in Student Media. Rather than measuring those who ‘sign up’ for Student Media groups at Freshers fairs we have begun measuring those who participate as contributors to media content or in support roles. During 2013/14 416 students contributed to Student Media and although we are confident the media groups engaged with more students, it is not a like-for-like comparison with the 126 that participated in 2012/13. Gair Rhydd was highly commended in the ‘Best Student Publication’ category at the Student Publication Association Awards in May 2014, making it the second best student publication in the UK. In addition, Quench Editor, Michael O’Connell Davidson, also received a highly commended award in the ‘Best Feature’ category for his article on mental health, titled ‘The Elephant in The Room’.
2nd
best student publication in the UK
Student Publication Association Awards May 2014
20
Annual Impact Report 13-14
Olivier Title 3rd y ear
Religious & Theological Studies with Journalism Olivier van den Bent-Kelly is a regular contributor to Gair Rhydd. I started out as a regular contributor for the Opinion and Science section, before being offered the role of Opinion Editor in mid January last year to my pleasant surprise. Being involved in Student Media has enabled me to enhance my creative side through print, and allowed myself to do something different. Getting involved with Student Media was one of the best decisions I have made whilst at Cardiff.
Annual Impact Report 13-14
21
Democracy and Elections
6,786
All students at Cardiff are given the opportunity to participate in the Union’s democracy and influence the direction and policy of the organisation. This is done in a number of ways, but includes electing the Sabbatical Trustees in March every year and through participation in policy making bodies like the Annual Members Meeting and the Student Senate. Our elections in March 2014 were the biggest ever held in Cardiff with 6,786 students voting for 90 candidates, another record high. We have prioritised significant increases in the Union’s democracy within the Union’s strategic plan and we are aiming for at least 10,000 student to participate in our elections by 2017.
students voting
90
Student Senate In its first year the newly formed Student Senate affirmed the Union’s commitment to tackle mental health stigma by signing a Time to Change action plan with the University; joined the Equal Access campaign to ensure asylum seekers have the right to access Higher Education in the UK on equal terms with home students; and took decisive action to tackle gender inequality by adopting a gender balancing motion.
8000
candidates
100
Nominations & Turnout Summary
90
7000
80
6000
70
Votes
60 50
4000
40
3000
30
2000
20
1000 0
10 2007
2008
2009 Votes
22
Annual Impact Report 13-14
2010
2011
Candidates
2012
2013
2014
0
Candidates
5000
Faraz Title 2014-15
Elected Officer Danial Faraz Alauddin is the Vice President Welfare for Cardiff Students’ Union. To be voted in, by students across the campus, as their representative and their voice of change? One of the best moments of my life!
Annual Impact Report 13-14
23
Student Development This Union was one of the first in the UK to develop student development programmes to enhance student skills and employability. In recognition for the growing importance of this work and the need to expand opportunities to more students, the Union partnered with the University to develop an excellent new space for student development, within the newly created Centre for Skills, Enterprise and Volunteering within the Union building which was completed in September 2012.
Opened by the Vice Chancellor, the new Centre now offers an excellent space to deliver the Union’s skills programmes in areas such as leadership, personal effectiveness and communication. Students can gain certification for completing five units in these courses and during 2013/14, 134 students attained Communication, 155 Personal Effectiveness and 161 Leadership. In total 1,797 individual students took part in skills development sessions, a huge 39% increase on the year before. In total 6,411 contacts were made as a result of repeat attendances and working closely with individual schools.
1,797
students took part
39% increase
6,411
contacts were made
24
Annual Impact Report 13-14
Ellie Title 2nd y ear
French and Philosophy Ellie Davies did a few sessions with the the Skills Development Service (SDS) in her first year & is now teaching the sessions. Students love nothing better than something free, and most don’t realise that the SDS is a free service. So many third year students come to sessions and say they wished they had known about it earlier in their studies, and
many freshers simply ignore it as they don’t think it’s relevant to them. I would say that the earlier you realise how useful the service is, the more you can get out of it. Starting in your first year makes it so easy to complete all three certificates, and these can then be used when applying for graduate jobs.
Annual Impact Report 13-14
25
Volunteering and Student Enterprise The Union supports a huge programme of community volunteering in Cardiff and the wider community in South Wales through Student Volunteering Cardiff (SVC). SVC is an independent charity set up and run by Cardiff students, funded by the Union and housed in the Centre for Skills, Enterprise and Volunteering on the second floor of the Union building.
Achievements within the Community: • Education: SVC operated in 10 local primary schools, seven secondary schools and managed three after-school clubs. • Mental-health: SVC operated on 13 wards within two mental-health hospitals in Cardiff; SVC also offered volunteering opportunities within two rehabilitation units. • Partner Organisations: SVC continued to work in partnership by supporting recruitment for local and national organisations including Headway, Bullies Out, Hybu, Age Concern, NHS, Communities First and South Wales Police.
New Projects: Last year SVC started the following new projects: • Confident Futures Project: In partnership with the Widening Access Team, a project supporting young people living in care to develop skills, confidence and aspirations about Higher Education. • Fab 5 Partner Planners and Make & Bake: Both are clubs organising events and activities for older people. • Innovate Trust: Working with our partner organisation, volunteers were matched to adults with learning, physical and /or mental health disabilities living in supported housing. • LOL Fridays: A club providing young people with Down’s Syndrome the opportunity to build social and life skills. More information about SVC can be found on their website: svcardiff.org
26
Annual Impact Report 13-14
Cardiff University Enterprise Cardiff University Enterprise, part of Careers and Employability, is a University service that works closely with the Union to offer excellent student enterprise opportunities and support. Cardiff University Enterprise is part-funded through the Welsh Government Youth Entrepreneurship Strategy. Over the course of the year Cardiff University Enterprise recorded 1450 student attendances at extracurricular events. These give students the opportunity to develop practical enterprise skills. In addition 106 students were supported to develop their business ideas through 1-2-1 guidance, access to proof of concept funds, access to free office space and links to external business advisors. A Prize fund of £10,000 was awarded to students and graduates who were successful through the Spark Ideas competition. Within the curriculum, over 850 students developed enterprise skills through accredited modules in 10 academic schools delivered by academic staff with development supported by the Enterprise team.
655
Students took part in Cardiff University Enterprise
Title
Ross 2nd y ear
Accounting Ross Piner first got involved with the Enterprise Team during his first year. I have been attending workshops, guest speaker events & entrepreneurial lectures run by Cardiff University Enterprise since the beginning of my first year at University. I have been an ambassador since the beginning of this educational year. Attending the workshops and events last year really helped to diversify what I learnt at Cardiff University.
Annual Impact Report 13-14
27
Title
Sindy 4th y ear
Genetics This is Sindy Reyat, in her second year working for our bars and catering team. I’ve met some of my best friends here, gained so much confidence and realised how important it is to develop skills necessary for employability as well as studying towards a degree. The breadth of experience you gain is ridiculous; one day you’ll be serving food in the Taf and the next you could be in charge of box office and ticket collection at a high profile gig! Most of the time it doesn’t even feel like a job because everyone is your friend you know you love your job when you choose to socialise at your workplace.
28
Annual Impact Report 13-14
Venues Entertainment
The Kitchen
The Union plays a huge role in creating fun and friendship opportunities for Cardiff students and this is done through dedicated spaces within the Union building.
The Kitchen is a daytime only food outlet, providing a range of hot and cold food and drinks at an affordable price. The Kitchen closed in April 2014 as a part of the summer 2014 building redevelopment and has been replaced by an expanded food court, boasting a wide range of food and drink options including a branded coffee outlet.
Cafes, Food and Social spaces The Union runs a range of services within the Union building where students can eat, drink, study and relax. In addition to being highly valued by students, many of these services also contribute financially to the Union, so that more money can be directed towards providing welfare services, student activities and student development.
The Lounge Launched in 2011, The Lounge is a study and social space on the third floor of the building. The lounge has dedicated study and Skype pods, a student kitchen, a prayer room and a roof terrace and is particularly popular during exam periods. As of October 2014, The Lounge is open 24 hours a day to meet student demand for flexible study spaces.
The Graduate Centre The Union works in partnership with the University in running the Graduate Centre – a dedicated space for study and social learning for post graduate students. The Graduate Centre boasts its own cafe bar and a range of social activities for post graduate students.
The Taf The Taf is the Union’s traditional pub in the Union building, offering a range of food and drink options seven days a week and a programme of entertainment.
OV ER
10,000 Students attended our night-time activities
Magic Wrap Situated on the ground floor, Magic Wrap offers a healthy lunch time takeaway option for students.
CF10 CF10 is a traditional cafe that offers affordable breakfast and lunch options all year round. Situated on the first floor opposite the Great Hall, CF10 is also used as a gig venue and bookable space for student groups in the evening.
WHSmiths The Union’s former shop was transferred to WHSmiths in April 2013 and provides a wide range of convenience goods and university branded clothing. Situated on the first floor WHSmiths is open all year round, 9:30 to 16:30.
Night time entertainment and live music The Union runs a thriving, diverse and popular range of evening activities for Cardiff students. The Great Hall, Solus and the Union’s other social spaces provide a fun and safe environment for night time activities that continue to be popular with students. During 2013/14 over 10,000 students attended our nighttime activities, making it the most popular activity we provide. In addition, some of our night time events are open to students from other universities in Cardiff and the general public, but we don’t capture that data for participation monitoring.
Solus The Unions’ main nightclub, Solus, was closed in April 2014 for a significant refurbishment, including creating a mezzanine level and incorporating a glazed roof. Following the refurbishment the space was re-named Y Plas (Welsh for ‘the Place’) and offers regular night time activities as well as gigs, one-off events and is used for a range of day time uses including conferences, exhibitions, market stalls and student group use.
Annual Impact Report 13-14
29
Jobs and Money Unistaff Jobshop and money in students’ pockets The Union works in partnership with the University in running the Unistaff Jobshop – an employment agency for Cardiff students, which places students in part-time and temporary work both within the University and in the wider community. Unistaff Jobshop is based on the Ground Floor of the Union building, although many students access the service via cardiffstudents.com or the database of jobs sent to registered students. In 2013/14 the Jobshop continued to be a highly valued and accessed service by Cardiff students with 1,839 students being placed into part time or temporary work, a slight decrease on the year before.
“Jobshop is a fantastic service which I will continue to promote to prospective and current students. I know my friends from other universities wished for something similar during their studies.” Sarah, Nursing student
“T hank you for everything the Jobshop has done for me this year. I loved working with you!” Helen, ENCAP student
30
Annual Impact Report 13-14
James 3rd y ear
Economics James Reeves signed up to the Jobshop in his second year. Working with the Jobshop has helped fund many experiences that otherwise wouldn’t have been possible. It has helped towards my SCUBA diving training costs as well as joining many different societies in the Union and subsequently enabled me to fully embrace what our university has to offer. It’s is the easiest way to gain experience in many different areas of part-time work while at the same time having the opportunity to develop transferable skills which is what graduate employers look out for.
Annual Impact Report 13-14
31
Retail cardiff student letting The Union wholly owns its own letting agency, based on the Ground Floor of the Union building. Established in 2005, the agency is a model of best practice within the sector and was one of the first students’ union-operated agencies in the UK. Cardiff Student Letting housed 1,803 students last year, and is the only major letting agency in Cardiff not to charge agency fees to tenants. Despite this, Cardiff Student Letting still makes a healthy profit that is then used in the Union’s other activities and services.
Cardiff Student Letting OWNED & RUN BY CARDIFF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION
TEL: (029) 20781525 | www.cardiffstudentletting.com
Students housed
1,360 1,499 1,803 2011/12
2012/13
2013/14
20% increase in the number of students housed during 2013/14
32
Annual Impact Report 13-14
Title
Tom 4th y ear
Physics Masters Tom Harrison has been renting from Cardiff Student Letting. I would highly recommend renting off Cardiff Student Letting, as their service is transparent, responsive and friendly. Any enquiries or issues have been responded to and dealt with quickly, efficiently and completely, or passed on to the relevant parties where necessary. Not only has the property been kept in good condition, but the Union has also made sure to maintain an open and good-natured dialogue regarding our experience with both them and the house.
Annual Impact Report 13-14
33
Retail IT Shop
Cutting Edge
The Union runs an IT Shop from the first floor of the Union building, supplying IT equipment as well as providing PC and laptop repairs. In addition, the Shop also caters for a wide range of student stationery needs.
Located on the ground floor of the Union building, the Union runs a hairdressing salon. Open to students, staff and the local community all profits from the salon are gifted back into the Union’s activities and services. Since opening in 2010 the salon has gone from strength to strength and is a highly valued service.
Students who used the shop for repairs
1,338 2011/12
34
Annual Impact Report 13-14
1,199 2012/13
1,216 2013/14
Claire Title 3rd y ear
Music Claire Wisener has been working in the IT Shop for one year. Student life isn’t cheap, between books for your course and societies, some extra income is very useful. As a music student, I spent a lot of money on printing, so a part time job really helps to support that. For someone like myself, who is heavily involved in Union activity, it’s really great to interact with a wide range of students on a daily basis. The full time staff are great to work with, the Union are excellent to work for, and believe it or not, I have learnt the odd thing about IT since working there!
Annual Impact Report 13-14
35
Heath Park Campus The Union at the Heath Park Campus The Union has a small but increasing presence at the Heath Park campus and is responding to student demand by increasing its support for student activities at the campus and improving the facilities available to students and student groups. The Union operates the Heath Hub, within the IV Lounge in the Neuadd Meirionnydd building and students can access most of the Union’s services from the Hub, including the Jobshop, Cardiff Student Letting, Student Advice and the Skills Development Service. The Union’s strategy 2014-17 places a strong emphasis on improving the Heath Park a student experience and it is hoped that during 2014/15 a consultation has taken place which has led to a planned refresh of the space in early 2015.
T he Union’s strategy 2014-17 places a strong emphasis on improving the Heath Park student experience
“As a Heath based student it can be quite easy to feel distanced from a lot of student life in Cardiff which is why I think it is so important that everybody gets involved with the Students’ Union.” Matthew, Medicine student
36
Annual Impact Report 13-14
Matthew 4th Year
Medicine Matthew Williams has been involved with the Students’ Union since his first year. I have been involved with the Students’ Union from my first year in Cardiff when I joined a few societies and since then my involvement has grown. I am now on three society committees and the Societies Executive Committee and being so involved has given me the opportunity to meet fantastic people that I wouldn’t have otherwise come into contact with. Being a part of Student Union activities has made my time at university thoroughly enjoyable and I would definitely encourage others to get involved!
Annual Impact Report 13-14
37
Income and Expenditure Income
2014
2013
Block Grant
600,000
600,000
Donations in Kind (a portion of costs incurred by Cardiff Union Services Limited that applies to the Union)
1,117,001
1,161,519
Sponsorship
2,170
3,951
Gair Rhydd Advertising
-
17,182
Incoming resources from 157,335 charitable activities (including income for sports, societies and other student activities)
124,220
TOTAL
1,876,506
1,906,872
2014
2013
Cost of student media
-
44,485
Wages and salaries
669,886
697,555
Establishment
27,924
38,610
Administrative charges
83,726
65,867
Motor and travel
143,456
161,617
Union activity
670,215
619,392
Professional expenses
6,384
4,737
Finance expenses
336
651
Support costs
244,185
272,337
TOTAL
1,846,112
1,905,251
Net Income/(expenditure)
30,394
1,621
Expenditure
38
Annual Impact Report 13-14
The Union is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. The Union’s charitable activities are accounted for through Cardiff University Students’ Union, with trading activities being accounted for through Cardiff Union Services Limited. 2013/14 was another stable year for the charity, with no major variances in the performance of the charity or allocation of resources to its charitable aims.
A full copy of the Union’s F inancial Statements and Trustees Annual Report can be downloaded from
cardiffstudents.com/about-cusu
er h ot An able st ar!! ye
Trading performance Profit & Loss Account for Year Ended 31/07/14
Balance Sheet at 31/07/14
2014
2013
Turnover
4,361,289
4,659,929
Fixed assets
Cost of sales
(2,338,340)
(2,598,610)
Gross profit
2,022,949
Administrative expenses
2014
2013
Tangible fixed assets
213,335
797,834
2,061,319
Investments
71,563 77,023
(3,766,805)
(3,934,376)
284,898 874,857
Other operating income
1,903,000
1,935,192
Current Assets
Operating profit
159,144
62,135
Stocks
106,095
122,440
Other exceptional items
(588,141)
(2,386,418)
Debtors
1,005,015
597,694
Other interest receivable and similar income
1,178
501
Cash at bank and in hand
407,773
147,416
Interest payable and similar charges
(3,850)
(11,803)
1,518,883 867,550 (1,305,643)
Loss on ordinary activities before taxation
(431,669)
(2,335,585)
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Loss for the financial year
(431,669)
(2,335,585)
(1,243,190)
Net current assets (liabilities) 213,240
(375,640)
Net assets excluding pension liability
499,217
498,138
Net assets excluding pension liability Net pension liability
(2,709,187)
(2,278,597)
Net (liabilities) / assets
(2,211,049)
(1,779,380)
(2,211,049)
(1,779,380)
Shareholders’ (deficit)/funds (2,211,049)
(1,779,380)
Capital and reserves Profit and loss account
The Union’s Trustees are also Directors of Cardiff Union Services Limited, the trading company that provides all of the commercial services offered by the Union, including venues, retail, catering, advertising and lettings. After a challenging year in 2012, the trading company has significantly improved its operating profit position again, which represents a turnaround of nearly £1/2M over the last two years. This year’s operating profit of £159K represents a 156% rise in profit over 2013 and was created by a more competitive gross profit and significantly reduced operating expenses.
Changes in accounting Due to changes in accounting for defined benefit pension obligations, the company has recognised its future obligations to the employee pension scheme SUSS, amounting to £2,709,187 (2013: £2,386,418). The company’s obligations will likely extend to 2030 and will have a dramatic effect on the balance sheet until then.
£1/2m Operating profit turnaround in the past two years
Annual Impact Report 13-14
39
Capital Projects
Renovation of the second floor Over the spring and summer of 2014 the Union undertook its biggest and most ambitious capital project since building the current Union building in 1974, with the redevelopment of the second floor of the building. The project included: renovating the nightclub, Solus (renamed Y Plas), to include a mezzanine level and glazed roof; transforming the Kitchen into an expanded food court with four exciting catering outlets; remodelling and expanding the Reception; redecoration and minor works within the Taf to include new toilets and an expanded catering offer; and installing a goods lift to service the first and second floors of the building.
40
Annual Impact Report 13-14
New building on Park Place During 2013/14 we started discussions with the University about how to resolve the long-standing problem of the inaccessibility of the Union building from Park Place. Over the course of the next year we will develop a plan in conjunction with the University to build a new building in front of the existing Union building that will house some University student support services, create a new entrance to the Union building and improve street level student space. It is envisaged that the project will reinforce the Union’s position as being at the heart of the Cathays Park campus and that the new facility, coupled with the existing Union building will become the Centre for Student Life at the University.
Redevelopment of the ground floor and first floor Following the successful redevelopment projects on the fourth, third and second floors of the Union building between 2012 and 2014, it is our ambition to complete the rest of the building by renovating the first and ground floors of the building in the spring and summer of 2015. It is our intention to create more arts and performance spaces, whilst increasing the number of street-facing retail outlets on the ground floor. The project would also likely include an enhanced rear entrance to the building, a new passenger lift and better connectivity between the two floors.
Short-term and long-term developments at the Heath Park campus During 2014/15 it is our intention to upgrade the facilities within the IV Lounge for students and student groups and to work with the University to improve the catering facilities and increase the opening hours of the ground floor of the Neuadd Meirionnydd building. It is hoped that these developments will facilitate increased student engagement at the Health Park campus in the short term, whilst plans are developed to build a dedicated Students’ Union building to be completed in 2017 or 2018.
Annual Impact Report 13-14
41
Our top targets 2014-15 T he Union’s Board of Trustees have set the following targets as their top 20 priorities for the year:
Stakeholders
Learning & Growth
Maintain strong, sustainable and satisfied relationships with our stakeholders whilst ensuring that the Union is actively engaging its stakeholders in setting strategic and operational plans
Continually improve what the Union does whilst equipping staff, officers and volunteers with the skills and knowledge they need to achieve the Union’s Vision
1. T o ensure the effective roll-out of the Union’s strategy 2014-17, evidenced by an interactive version of the plan on cardiffstudents.com by 30th September 2014 and a first year completion report by 31st July 2015. 2. T o carry out the agreed changes to the Union’s corporate structure, evidenced by all procedural steps being completed and all associated funding and lease agreements being updated with all connected bodies, including the University and SVC by 31st July 2015. 3. T o achieve an improvement of 4% on NSS question 23 scores from students studying at the Heath Park Campus, compared to 2014, by 31st July 2015. 4. T o achieve an overall improvement in the annual career staff and student staff satisfactions scores by 30th June 2015. 5. T o maintain significant increases in participation in the Union’s annual elections, evidenced by a minimum voter turnout in excess of 8,000 votes, a maintained average of 6.5 sabbatical candidates for each post and for all posts to be contested, by 31st March 2015.
42
Annual Impact Report 13-14
1. T o increase the Union’s overall engagement with individual members up to 20,000 students by 31st July 2015. 2. T o introduce a staff development programme plan, a staff volunteering policy and ensure that all staff have an active personal development plan by 28th February 2015. 3. T o achieve Best Companies accreditation and a minimum of Investors in People Silver status by 31st July 2015. 4. T o benchmark the Union’s performance in student engagement and organisational development against other Students’ Unions within the Russell Group by 30th November 2014. 5. T o develop an annual student intelligence programme, delivering insights into student engagement and needs by demographics and course to Union and University staff by 31st March 2015.
Financial Management & Control
Systems, Policies & Procedures
Achieve financial stability through robust financial management, reviewing existing practices and investing in the Union’s building and facilities
Ensure that the Union’s systems, policies and procedures add value, enable greater student engagement, are easy to understand
1. T o set annualised budgets for the Union and achieve the overall budgeted position for the two companies for 2014/2015, by 31st July 2015.
1. T o develop a business case and plan in support of 24-hour term-time opening for the Students’ Union building to the Trustees by 31st December 2014.
2. T o develop a cost centre accounting approach to the Union’s various departments within the Union and present the finding to the Board of Trustees, by 31st January 2015.
2. T o review the front of house and security operations for the Students’ Union building to meet the needs of the new reception space and to have the updated provision operational by 30th September 2014.
3. T o ensure that all second floor capital projects due to be opened for Freshers 2014 are completed on time and on budget and that all minor snagging is resolved by 31st October 2014.
3. T o complete part A and part B of the NUS Quality Students’ Unions accreditation scheme and to have booked an audit for no later than July 2016, by 30th June 2015.
4. T o develop a business case for the redevelopment of the ground floor and first floor of the Students’ Union building and present it to the Board of Trustees by 28th February 2015.
4. T o develop a comprehensive Governance section of cardiffstudnts.com, including Trustees’ reports, annual impact reports and Trustee information by 31st January 2015.
5. T o ensure that a full set of updated financial procedures are approved and in place and that all contracts of more than one year have a review date and are subject to a newly introduced contracts, tendering and outsourcing policy by 31st December 2014.
5. T o develop an updated management competency framework and associated 360 degree appraisal system by 31st March 2015.
Annual Impact Report 13-14
43
Directors of Cardiff University Students’ Union and Cardiff Union Services Ltd 2013/14 Sabbatical Trustees President
Cari Davies
VP Societies & Campaigns
Elliot Howells
VP Sport & AU President
Edore Evuarherhe
VP Education
Ollie Wannell
VP Heath Park Campus
Gemma Wheeler
VP Welfare
Helen Dent
VP Media & Marketing
Tom Eden
University Nominated Trustees Gethin Lewis Susan Gwyer-Roberts
External Trustees Sir Donald Walters Kim Gould MBE Richard Roberts CBE
Senior Staff Chief Executive
Daniel Palmer
Director of Finance
Alice Courtney-Hatcher
Director of Operations
Ben Eagle
Cardiff University Students’ Union Park Place Cardiff CF10 3QN
Director of Membership Services
Steve Wilford
Tel: 029 2078 1400
Director of Commercial Services
Mark Cheeseman
cardiffstudents.com