Solent Students' Union Impact Report 2017-18

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Impact Report 2017-18

WELCOME

Hello and welcome to our 2017/18 Annual Impact Report.

This impact report gives an overview of our work and success over the last academic year. The full Annual Report and Financial Statements can be found on our website. We have had some successes over the year which you will find throughout this report.

We are continuing to work on our strategic plan; towards our vision that every student will have an excellent experience at Solent University.

Over the last year we have seen an increase in engagement across a variety of activities and for the third year held a fantastic Union awards ceremony to recognise and reward our volunteers who support these opportunities.

We continued to work closely with the University to ensure that the student voice was heard at every level.

I hope you find our Annual Impact Report interesting. If you want to get involved, give feedback on how we can get even better or have a great idea for enhancing the student experience, then please drop in and speak to one of us or email student.union@solent.ac.uk

2017/ 18

Trustee Board Megan Maddex

Lewis Cleminson

Naomi Fry

Hanna Head

President (Officer Trustee & Chair) Resigned December 2017

VP Education (Officer Trustee)

VP Employability & Engagement (Officer Trustee)

VP Welfare & Community (Officer Trustee)

Student Trustees

External Trustees

Sebastian Graves-Read

Andrew Gameson

Ellie Mees

Michael Platten (Resigned May 2018) Bonnie Amato Southcott Darren Xiberras (Appointed February 2018) Tom George Wood (Appointed May 2018)

In-Depth Report Available at solentsu.co.uk/annualreport

“EVERY STUDENT WILL HAVE AN EXCELLENT EXPERIENCE AT SOLENT UNIVERSITY”

For more information visit www.solentsu.co.uk

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Impact Report 2017-18

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ACHIEVEMENTS & PERFORMANCE

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In-Depth Report Available at solentsu.co.uk/annualreport

[6] Supported Student Council to make 6 key decisions throughout the year including amendments to the bye laws and the introduction of new policies

The induction of sabbatical officers was reviewed and a new residential programme introduced which has been positively receieved. We will continue to develop this programme in the coming year Delivered induction presentations to over 2000 students and cadets

Successfully lobbied the University to reverse the decision to charge for guest tickets to attend graduation ceremonies

Provided representation at NUS National Conference

Developed the position of and elected our first Trans Student Officer

Successfully passed Part A of the NUS Quality Students’ Union award

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Impact Report 2017-18

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ACHIEVEMENTS & PERFORMANCE

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In-Depth Report Available at solentsu.co.uk/annualreport

[6] 6 School Rep positions were created along with the introduction of a new Academic Representation system with the University. The aim is to increase the ability of the Union to represent students’ academic interests

Supported cadets with the relocation of the Warsash Maritime Academy & successfully secured a choice in accomodation

introduced a free print service for students

Had a key role in shaping the University TEF submission resulting in a silver award

Consulted with the University on the access agreement

Conducted collaborative research with 25 other Unions to establish students’ understanding of what excellent teaching is in the context of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Developed our former cafe bar space to provide a social learning and events space for student led activity

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Impact Report 2017-18

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ACHIEVEMENTS & PERFORMANCE

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In-Depth Report Available at solentsu.co.uk/annualreport

[64%] of society committee members trained

Supported media societies with the development of a student media office within the Union building

Developed a programme of trips in partnership with a local provider

Hosted 3 live music events to showcase student talent Two vehicles were available of students to hire and were used for a total of 692 miles of travel supporting both society activity and individual student projects.

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Developed an out of hours accessible storage area for societies

We offered three six week intern positions to students in partnership with Solent Futures, the University employability service.

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Impact Report 2017-18

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ACHIEVEMENTS & PERFORMANCE

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In-Depth Report Available at solentsu.co.uk/annualreport

[2146] Students utilised our Night Bus service

[ÂŁ495.20] raised for Hearing Dogs for the Deaf

Provided 2 puppy room events to provide an opportunity for students to de-stress

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Conducted collaborative research exploring the extent and impact of mental health issues on students

Successfully lobbied the University to introduce a University wide mental health and wellbeing strategy Worked in partnership with the University to explore sexual harassment on campus

Provided a microwave in The Den to allow students to heat their own food on campus

Introduced a Housing Fayre into our Refreshers Fayre in February

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Impact Report 2017-18

TARGETS The Board of Trustees set 24 organisational targets across the five strategic themes outlined in the Strategic Plan 2015-2018 and included an additional set of financial operational targets which are detailed with progress against the targets.

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ACHIEVED

• Increase the engagement with the Advice service by 20% with 103 cases reported • Create a database of democratically elected academic reps and produce a handbook to support them in their role by 30 November 2017 • Develop a student letting agency within the Union by 31st July 2018 • Investigate and submit a proposal for a free print service within the Union by 30th September • Establish at least one new partnership Union night partnership with a local venue by 31st December 2017 • Hold at least 3 student led events in Den by 31st May 2018 • Submit part 1 of the NUS quality mark by 31st July 2018 • Produce a student friendly version of the strategic plan by 31st December 2016 • Encourage staff to volunteer their time with 30 hours recorded by 31st July 2018 • Introduce an appraisal system for the Board of Trustees to ensure effective governance by 31st July 2018 • Develop a clear Chief Executive appraisal framework approved

by HR commitee by 31st December 2017 • Ensure the approved 2017-2018 budget is met • Submit the 2018-2019 draft budget to Finance Committee by 30th April 2018

In-Depth Report Available at solentsu.co.uk/annualreport

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PARTIALLY ACHIEVED

• Implement the new course and school rep system and link with Academic societies by 31st July 2018 The new course rep and school rep system has been successfully implemented. The link to academic societies has not been possible this year with the change of staff.

• Implement and launch the new website by 31st August 2017 and develop a regular schedule of events and engagement across all buildings by 30th Novemeber 2017 The new website was in place and a regular pop up union schedule developed. This did not cover all buildings but mainly focussed around the Library and the Spark Building.

• Develop and produce consolidated monthly management accounts and end of year accounts for the Union and trading subsidiary by 31st July 2018 Managment accounts have not been consolidated as we initially thought as we need to monitor them separately to have accurate forecasting.

• Complete the first phase to redevelop the cafe bar area by 30th October 2017 and have plans agreed with the University to complete the redevelopment by 31st July 2018 The redevelopment of the cafe bar was complete mid September.

The plans are on hold as there is more consideration being given to move the SU from the current position and the investment needed to continued the plans would be wasted.

Harry Potter Quiz Novemeber 2018

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Impact Report 2017-18

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NOT ACHIEVED

• Develop the activist academy and hold at least two training events attended by at least 50 students by 31st July 2018 Activist academy was scheduled in November but cancelled as the students were unable to attend the planned residential activity.

This was refocused into a student leaders academy which invited course reps, school reps as well as elected student officers.

• Establish a system which allows students to car pool by 31st December 2017 This was not possible this year.

• Develop and implement a range of society ambassadors and mentors by 31st July 2018 This was trialled this year but unfortunately no students applied to be part of the project.

• Produce a plan to introduce ethical international volunteering opportunities for Trustees by July 2018 This was not possible this year.

• Annual survey will be conducted with over 1000 responses by 31st May 2018 The annual survey was replaced this year by the Big Research Project to support the development of the new strategic plan. The launch was delayed due to staff absence in the communications department and as a result response rates were impacted by the lack of students on campus. The final response was just over 200.

• Run a staff satisfaction survey by 31st December 2017 with 90% staff satsisfaction rate This has not been possible this year but we have agreed to utilise the NUS employee engagement structure in 2018.

• Ensure the SoSUT budget meets the additional income generation targets set by the Board of Directors by 31st July 2018 The AAA events income was significantly under budget and the “It’s a knockout” event was not held as planned as our partner pulled out.

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In-Depth Report Available at solentsu.co.uk/annualreport

01 SABBATICAL OFFICER ELECTION Every year members elect four Sabbatical Officers who represent solent students locally and nationally for the next academic year, here were your candidates

PRESIDENT 1 Candidate 706 Votes

DAVID COWELY

33 Abstentions

VP EDUCATION 2 Candidates 694 Votes

LEAH WHITE

MOLLIE TUCK

10 Abstentions

VP WELFARE & COMMUNITY 2 Candidates 667 Votes

WILFRED INUAGHATA

SINDJA GERUCKA

11 Abstentions

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Impact Report 2017-18

02 VP EMPLOYABILITY & ENGAGEMENT BY-ELECTION Due to not recieving any candidate nominations for VP Employability & Engagement as part of the sabbatical officer elections in March Trustees decided to run a by-election to fill the role.

4 Candidates HANNAH MOLONEY

HANNAH SIDDONS

563 Votes 1 Abstention

LEAH WHITE

ROSEMARY TOMLIN-WILLS

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In-Depth Report Available at solentsu.co.uk/annualreport

03 VP WELFARE & COMMUNITY BY-ELECTION Due to circumstances beyond our control the position of VP Welfare & Community became vacant and so Trustees decided to run a by-election to fill the role.

ALEKSANDRA KRUSINA

CHARLOTTE MEDNICK

COURTNEY JOSEPH

EMMA LOWE

HAYLEY EDWARDS

KUGAN VANANATHAN

LEAH WHITE

PILLAY

11 Candidates 122 Votes

RICH WESTLAKE

SINDJA GERUCKA

VASIL HRISTOV

0 Abstentions

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Impact Report 2017-18

04 STUDENT OFFICER & NUS DELEGATE ELECTION Student Officers are voluntary roles key areas of our student membership at Solent.

BME STUDENTS’ OFFICER

DISABILITIES STUDENTS’ OFFICER

EU & INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ OFFICER

IZZY MANA

MOLLIE TUCK

KATHRINA LAUBE

LGBT+ STUDENTS’ OFFICER

MENTAL HEALTH CAMPAIGNS STUDENTS’ OFFICER

NUS DELEGATE

SABASTIAN GRAVES-READ

REBECCA LATCHMAN

EDWARD BUNKER

NUS DELEGATE

NUS DELEGATE

NUS DELEGATE

HANNA HEAD

LEWIS CLEMINSON

RICHARD NEALE

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In-Depth Report Available at solentsu.co.uk/annualreport

POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS’ OFFICER

WARSASH CADETS’ OFFICER

WARSASH CADETS’ OFFICER

RICHARD NEALE

JACK BULLER

LOTTY ASTBURY

WOMEN’S OFFICER

WOMEN’S OFFICER

14 Candidates 862 Votes

BETHANIE CLARKE

FREYA VON-CLAIRE

31 Abstentions

NUS DELEGATE BY-ELECTION Due to unforeseen circumstances the positions for NUS Delegate became vacant and so Trustees decided to run a by-election to fill the role.

NUS DELEGATE

NUS DELEGATE

NUS DELEGATE

MOLLIE TUCK

SAMUEL SPENCER

NAOMI FRY

14 Candidates

862 Votes

31 Abstentions

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Impact Report 2017-18

“Undoubtedly, the SU were the reason I got my graduate job”

In-Depth Report Available at solentsu.co.uk/annualreport

GOING FORWARD The trustees plan to develop the new strategic plan.

In order to support this development we will complete the NUS Quality Students’ Unions process, complete a full democratic review with options for change available for member consultation.

There will also be a full review of our main governing document the Memorandum and Articles of Association.

We will continue to improve academic representation and strengthen the link and communication between the VP Education, school reps and course leaders and will continue to explore how our academic societies can support our members to apply learning and identify skills development in an employability framework.

Trustees have agreed to invest ÂŁ25k of reserves into our societies and will open a new grant funding scheme in the New Year to allow societies to bid for capital to invest in their activities.

We will review the funding for societies and introduce a new reward and recognition programme for all student activity.

We are exploring the location of the Union on campus with the University and how best we can support the University to ensure student experience is at the heart of everything they do.

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Impact Report 2017-18

INCOME A large proportion of our income comes from a block grant from Solent University, the rest we predominantly raise through our commercial services and student events.

BLOCK GRANT £473,598 RENTALS, ADVERTISING & MANAGEMENT INCOME £122,357 TRADING £87,214

INVESTMENTS £964 STUDENT EVENTS £106,641 RENTAL GIFT IN KIND £206,149

Our total incoming resources for the year were £923,837.

Our largest source of income continues to be our block grant and other grants from the University totalling £473,598. This was supplemented with a gift in kind of £206,149 applied as a rental charge to the building we occupy bringing the total income from the University to £679,747. Income from our charitable trading activities was £120,493 and additional income from the rental of space and advertising equated to £122,633 with interest on funds held amounting to £964.

In-Depth Report Available at solentsu.co.uk/annualreport

EXPENDITURE As a charitable organisation we reinvest our profits into the student experience.

SUPPORT & GOVERNANCE £194,614 PROJECTS £7,686 COMMUNICATIONS £92,102 STUDENT INVOLVEMENT £103,647 INCOME GENERATION £41,619 RENTAL & ADVERTISING £17,816 SABBATICAL OFFICERS £74,310 TRADING £4,429

RENT GIFT IN KIND £206,149

Our total resources expended were £853,919.

Our largest expenditure was on charitable activities at £836,103 which includes support and governance costs of £194,614.

The costs of rental and advertising was £17,816 generating an income of £122,633.

For more detail of our financial accounts, you can view our full Annual Report at www.solentsu.co.uk/about/publications

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