Our Year:2013 - 2014

University of Plymouth Students’ Union

to transform lives through experience

UPSU is a registered charity in England & Wales No.1143614

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excellenceoutstanding

Silver

:Awards

BEST MARKETING CAMPAIGN

MOST IMPROVED RAGHIGHLY COMMENDED

BEST OUTREACH

BEST MARKETING& RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN

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OUR MISSION: To make a positive impact on the lives of all our members, through understanding, empowering and delivering on their needs.

OUR VISION: To transform lives through experience

AWARDS

OUR VALUES:Passionate about student rightsDemocratic and student ledEmbracing diversity and equalityCaring and responsibleContinuous improvement and qualityEmpoweringGreat ValueFun

The last twelve months have been an incredible journey for UPSU, with the appointment of our new Chief Executive, a review of our Governance and Constitution, an array of outstanding awards and brilliant student led campaigns.

In December 2013 we appointed our very first women Chief Executive who will continue to push forward our mission vision and values as well as develop the Students’ Union services and activities to improve the experience of our current and future members.

The Governance and Constitution review, led by the Executive Officers with the input of key stakeholders, has enabled us to focus on improving our democratic structures. This will aim to result in new and effective student Forums, a Union Executive Council and an Accountability Board that will improve accessibility and enable more students to engage with Student Voice, campaigns, policies and other extracurricular activities that will improve their student experience.

As well as this, we reviewed the Executive Officer roles and responsibilities, to ensure that they are up to date and relevant to our members. In order to make successful alterations we involved key stakeholders from the University, Union and student body to inform our decision to change the roles to President, VP Welfare, VP Societies & Sports, VP Education and VP International & Outreach.

2013-14 was also an incredible year for student successes, which we celebrated through the SSTAR, Sports, Relays and Societies & Volunteering Awards. 77 students were awarded for their sporting achievements, 94 completed 50-200 hours of volunteering, 10 were recognised as Relays champions, 13 SSTAR’s for their commitment and support for fellow students and 57 for their society and volunteering accomplishments.

UPSU was also recognised as an organisation through the National Raise and Give Awards for the Most Improved RAG, in recognition of the growth of our student fundraising, expansion of committee and leadership roles and the increase in different events and activities on offer for the student body. We were also awarded the Best Marketing & Recruitment Award from the Student Adventure Awards in recognition of the innovative and successful recruitment of over 100 students onto the fundraising mountain challenges.

This year we ran successful campaigns to tackle issues around hidden course costs, targeted recommendations to the University about ways to improve mental wellbeing support, prepared a student strategy leading into the general elections, created a Dragons Den project to improve students experiences on partner campus’ and developed more accessible sports for students with disabilities.

Then finally the last big blow out of the year, our extremely successful Summer Ball, that sold a mammoth 4,600 tickets in a record breaking time of 23 hours.So overall, it’s been an extremely successful year for UPSU and the rest of this report will demonstrate the wonderful achievements of our staff and students that have truly transformed lives through experience.

Sarah BowmanUPSU President

:President’s Introduction

PRESIDENT Sarah Bowman

VP ENGAGEMENT Sarah Pook

VP WELFARE & COMMUNITY Charlie Green

www.goo.gl/fES5DE

A lot has been achieved over the last year and I’m extremely proud to have worked with such incredible students, Executive Officers and SU staff! I’ve led on the appointment of our new CEO, worked on improving our democratic structures to increase member participation and initiated new placements to diversify students’ career opportunities. All in all it’s been an amazing year, so a huge thank you to everyone involved!

This year I have enhanced the welcome period for mature students and progression students, and reached the long-term goal of encouraging a community. I accomplished this through creating several desired events, holding much-needed information seminars and producing a mature student’s information booklet that reached over 1,500 students. I empowered off campus students through launching the Dragons Den project, which has produced 9 student led projects at 4 of our off campus institutions.

Safe Taxi, Mental Wellbeing Report, Time To Change Pledge, Green Impact Outstanding Excellence, Accommodation Survey, Community Relationship Events, Society and Volunteering Awards, Responsible Drinking Motion, Disabled Students Allowance Campaign, Learning Support and Wellbeing Partnership Group, Student Watch. These are all the projects I’ve achieved this year and they have all positively changed and improved the lives of students at UPSU, and will hopefully continue to in the years to come.

www.goo.gl/Sg5Iy3 www.goo.gl/f8gw1c

:Executive Officers

VP EDUCATIONSteph Driscoll

VP SOCIETIES & SPORTS Rich Evans

Tony Parry

Adrian Bratt

Matthew Horton

Joe Solaja

Nicholas Shepherd

EXTERNAL TRUSTEES

STUDENT TRUSTEES

Over the past year I have created the hidden course costs report, written the Annual quality report and supported the course and school reps. In conjunction to this I have represented students on academic committees and supported them with academic issues that have arisen. I also held the UPSU SSTAR Awards in which we received 1013 nominations. As deputy president I have overseen the running of the Students’ Union and helped develop a substantial review of our governance.

This year saw the launch of UPSU ICONS scheme, designed at developing all sports clubs and societies, this triggered societies to engage with UPSU like never before over the year. Working alongside the University I have helped build on their sporting partnerships giving students a bigger voice. I also saw the launch of our brand new kit supplier for our sports teams chosen by them to be ready by September!

www.goo.gl/Cigcfy www.goo.gl/YlJ9Hl

RUNUPSU

ELECTIONSSTUDENTSVOTED

STUDENTS NOMINATEDTHEMSELVES ASCANDIDATES

VOTES WERE CAST

2,966

12,019

3244%FEMALE VOTERS

56%MALE VOTERS

UPSU SUPPORTED

AC

RO

SS19SCHOOLSCOURSEREPS

Tom Pashby

www.goo.gl/wZHWRN

Election Candidate

SCHOOL REPSUPSU SUPPORTS

SCHOOL REPS

THIS YEAR THEY HAVE :15

Hugh Waters

www.goo.gl/397TBP

Chair of Accountability and Independent Rep

• CREATED A BUDDY SYSTEM TO HELP INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS TRANSITION TO LIFE WITHIN PLYMOUTH BUSINESS SCHOOL

• DEVELOPED WORKSHOPS ON HOW TO USE ATHENS.

• SUCCESSFULLY CAMPAIGNED FOR ROOMS TO BE OPEN FOR LONGER FOR ALL STUDENTS.

• STARTED A TERMLY STUDENT-LED NEWSLETTER WITHIN THE SCHOOL OF NURSING AND MIDWIFERY.

• SUCCESSFULLY SUPPORTED STUDENTS IN TRANSITION FROM PLACEMENT TO PROFESSIONAL COURSES IN THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION.

703:Student Voice

3414

SAFE TAXI SCHEME

7 PARLIAMENTMEETINGS

LAUNCHED

FACULTY WINNERSOVERALL WINNERS

CATEGORIES:

• STUDENT AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR

• INSPIRATIONAL TEACHING

• BEST PLACEMENT SUPPORT

• OUTSTANDING SUPPORT STAFF (UNIVERSITY WIDE)

• OUTSTANDING SUPPORT STAFF (SCHOOL AND FACULTY BASED)

• OUTSTANDING PERSONAL TUTOR

• MOST INNOVATIVE TEACHING METHODS

• BEST COURSE REP • OUTSTANDING

SCHOOL REP • PARLIAMENTARIAN

OF THE YEAR • EXCELLENCE IN

CHAMPIONING CAREER DEVELOPMENT

• OUTSTANDING COLLEGE REP

• MOST DEDICATED PROJECT/ DISSERTATION SUPERVISOR

• BEST FEEDBACK

Joanne Sellick

www.goo.gl/Xdl5Vx

SSTAR Award WinnerBest Feedback

ALLOWING STUDENTS TO GET HOME SAFELY

IF THEY ARE SHORT OF CASH ON A NIGHT

OUT AND THEY CAN THEN PAY IN THE SU

THE NEXT DAY.

SSTARAWARDSNOMINATIONS

PASSED A RESPONSIBLE DRINKING MOTION

SUPPORTED THE RIGHT FOR STUDENTS FROM LIBERATION GROUPS TO SELF REPRESENT

APPROVED A MOTION BOYCOTTING THE SONG ‘BLURRED LINES’ BY ROBIN THICKE FROM BEING PLAYED AT UPSU

2 GREEN WEEKS

RUN

1,013 +169%ON 2013

STUDENT & STAFF TEACHING & REPRESENTATION AWARDS

NOMINATIONS FROM

PARTNER COLLEGES

303

Advice Feedback

www.goo.gl/MJACip

Quotes

CASES THIS YEAR

TOP THREE ISSUES

STUDENT FINANCE

ACADEMIC ISSUES

HOUSING ISSUES

138834%

18%

12%

735489

52% UNDER 25

26% OVER 25 & MATURE

22% NOT KNOWN 84% UNDERGRADUATES

52% FEMALE

42% MALE

6% UNKNOWN

5%POST GRADUATES

11%UNKNOWN

DEMOGRAPHICS

CASES AMOUNTED TO TOTAL OF

2113

OF ADVICE TIMEHOURS

ADVICE ASSISTED A MATURE STUDENT TO CLAIM PARENT LEARNING ALLOWANCE FOR A CHILD OVER 18. THE STUDENT WAS CLOSE TO LEAVING DUE TO FINANCIAL ISSUES. TOGETHER THEY CHALLENGED S.F.E REGULATIONS AND SOLVED THE DISPUTES.

4,084:Advice

15,055 BY 987 STUDENT VOLUNTEERS

BARN OWLTRUST4GREEN TEAM11MONKEY SANCTUARY 4MOORTREES6RURAL STATIONS 2SPECIAL OLYMPICS 8STOVER CANAL 2SUSTAINABLECOMMUNITIES 4

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERING

HOURS

VOLUNTEERING PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS

STUDENT LED PROJECTS HOURS

HOURS VOLUNTEERED IN PLYMOUTH

10,689PROJECTS IN PLYMOUTH:

25

200+ HOURS

100+ HOURS

50+ HOURS

STUDENTS VOLUNTEERED

STUDENTS VOLUNTEERED

STUDENTS VOLUNTEERED15841 1,831 5

2367

STUDENT PROJECTS

Simon Stringer

www.goo.gl/LZeyiq

Student Volunteer

Sarah Redford

www.goo.gl/0zpmzO

Student Volunteer

+33% increase

on 2012-13

157 GOOD DEEDSAT THE GOOD DEED MARKET

NATIONAL VOLUNTEERING WEEK LAUNCHED

3,741 SPORTS VOLUNTEERING HOURS

:Volunteering

£232,799+

2ND

RAISED THIS YEAR

HIGHEST SIGNUPS OF ALL UK

UNIVERSITIES

MOVEMBER

STUDENTS

AWARDS

1310

PLYMOUTHCHARITIES

JUMPED OUT OF A PLANE AT 14,000FT DRESSED AS MONKEYS

NATIONALCHARITIES

MOST IMPROVED RAG 2013 – RAG AWARDSBEST RECRUITMENT & MARKETING CAMPAIGN – STUDENT ADVENTURE AWARDS

SOUTH WESTCHARITIESINTERNATIONALCHARITIES

388SUPPORTING

32

103STUDENTS SIGNED UP TO CLIMBKILIMANJARO AND EVEREST RAISING £2,000+ EACH

RAG JAIL BREAKONE TEAM ESCAPED TO

CROTIA IN 36 HOURS

LAUNCHED

Omar Zibdher

www.goo.gl/HdKc8p

Student Fundraiser

WINTER BALL RAISED

£3,800

:Fundraising+119%

increase on 2012-13

5,0007,000

Lara Jerommes

www.goo.gl/1y462Y

Off Campus Student

£3,000

STUDENTS ATTENDED PROGRESSION DAY

SSTAR AWARD NOMINATIONSFROM PARTNER COLLEGES

VISITEDSTUDENTS 29CAMPUS

VISITS

MILES DRIVEN

100%

50032

OF COLLEGE COURSE REPS ATTENDED

TRAINING

COMMONROOMSREFURBISHEDTHANKS TO THE STUDENT VOICE

COLLEGE REPS MEMBERS OF STUDENT STAFF EMPLOYED

COURSE REP MEETINGS ATTENDED

GRANT ALLOCATED TO STUDENT PROJECTS IN 4 COLLEGES

APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED

SHORTLISTED

SUCCESSFUL

31 15

11

HIGHEST NSS & SPQ

PARTICIPATION OF ANY

FACULTY

7COLLEGES RAISED MONEY

FOR CHARITY

5 10

DRAGONS DEN

:Off Campus

303 +4,229%

595,500+

631

PARTICIPANTS1708SPORTS SESSIONS 500SKILLED COACHES41VOLUNTEERS38SPORTING ACTIVITIES34

ACTIVE UNI’S Alice Murray-Gourlay

www.goo.gl/5lWfc7

Student Sport Clubs

RANKED37th in BUCSo u t o f 1 4 5

33 TEAMS36 EVENTS ENTERED

British University & College Sports

INTRAMURAL SPORT

PARTICIPATINGSTUDENTS

STUDENTSCOMPETING

RAISED FOR REVERSE RETT & CLIC SARGENT

SPORTS12500+

UPSU MARJON

V A R S I T YC H A M P I O N S

2 3 1 9

www.goo.gl/ZN80LR

£10,600D O N A T I O N

Varsity

SPORTSCLUBMEMBERS

STUDENT LED SPORTSCLUB

AWARDS GIVEN

51HALF COLOURS FULL COLOURS

13

+95% increase

on 2012-13

Champion’s Movie

:Sports & Fitness

28,643 EXERCISE CLASS ATTENDEES

26,416 BOOKINGS

ONLINE

2,605TOTAL GYM

MEMBERSHIPS

Chloe Wilcock

www.goo.gl/ltXaKr

Sports Centre

Ben Easton

www.goo.gl/JPeL7a

Sports Clubs

SQUASH SESSIONS6,410

WATER SPORT

ROWING CLUB

BUCS FLEET CHAMPIONSHIPS IN NOVEMBER

SAIL & POWER CLUB

WON

3rd2 WINS

2nd4 WINS

1st6 WINS

A W A R D S

19 BRONZE

4 SILVER4 GOLDMENS HOCKEY NETBALL OCTOPUSHRIDING

AMERICAN FOOTBALLATHLETICSDODGE BALLLADIES FLAG FOOTBALL

ARCHERYBADMINTONCHEERLEADERS FENCINGMENS FOOTBALLLADIES FOOTBALLFUTSALLADIES HOCKEYKICKBOXING

LACROSSEPOLE DANCINGROWINGMENS RUGBYSAIL & POWERBOATSNOWRIDERS SWIM & WATER POLO SURF TENNIS TRAMPOLINING

BUCS GOLFGOLF PREMIER CHAMPIONS& CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI FINALISTS

£16,342+59 STUDENT LED

SPORTS CLUBSSPORTS CLUBS RAISED

FOR CHARITY EXCLUDING VARSITY)

+62% increase

on 2012-13

Devisha Karadia

www.goo.gl/vY86J2

Societies Student

6,500+SOCIETY MEMBERS

STUDENT LED SOCIETIES RAISED

£14,775D O N A T I O N

FOR CHARITY

SOCIETY & VOLUNTEERINGAWARDS

19 BRONZEA W A R D S

AWARDS GIVEN

Rob Young

www.goo.gl/kFcSv6

Societies Student

KNIT FAST,DIE WARM

41HALF COLOURS FULL COLOURS

10 SILVER2 GOLD BIG BAND CHOIR

ALLOTMENT AMATEUR DRAMATICSGEOG SOCHINDUKNOWLEDGEMEDSOCMTG PLYMLINKS PLUGSRADIO

6

CHINESE CHRISTIANSDESIGN SOCIETYDENTISTRYENACTUSEDUCATION SOCIETYENG WITHOUT BORDERSFOOD GEOLOGYILLUSOC

KNIT FAST, DIE WARMMARROW MEDSIN OPTOMETRY PADS PRINTMAKERS (PUPS)ROBOTICSSEXPRESSION UKULELE ZOOLOGICAL

110SOCIETIES

SOCIETY OF THE YEAR

BEST NEW SOCIETYUKULELE SOCIETY PLAYED NON-STOP

RECORD BREAKING 30

HOURS

:Societies

+55%

:Entertainment

Mark Grace

www.goo.gl/As0zyq

Student DJ

360 LIVE PERFORMANCES BY STUDENTS AND LOCAL ACTSIN THE SU

SECONDS+100?1 SUMMER BALL TICKET

SOLD EVERY

4600 TICKETS SOLD IN LESS THAN 24HOURS

STUDENT EVENTSSUPPORTED

BY UPSU EVENTS TEAM

QUIZZES HELD AND SUPPORTED

AT THE SU

TRIPS OUTFOR 250STUDENTS

TO:

BATHCARDIFFAMSTERDAMBRISTOLPRAGUE

20320

STUDENT DJS

HOURS OFSET TIMEIN THE SU

SUPPORTEDWITH

THE DARKNESSPALMA VIOLETSPROPAGANDADJ FRESHGORGON CITYWHEATUSDAVID RODDIGANHIGH CONTRASTDUKEFREEJAKFLUX PAVILIONPROFESSOR GREENELLA AYREVENGABOYSMATRIX AND FUTUREBOUNDHANNAH WANTSKOVELOCATE

FOR CLUBS AND SOCIETIES

RAISING£1500+

HOURS OFLIVE MUSIC

18.832

128

PERFORMEDTHIS YEAR

The Summer Ball

www.goo.gl/165qRS

Official After Movie

5CAMPUS MARKETS& CRAFTFAYRESHELD

SUPPORTINGLOCAL

TRADERSAND

STUDENT CRAFTERS

5

64NIGHTCLUB

NIIGHTS

SOCIETY & VOLUNTEERINGAWARDS

334,717UPSU.COM

VISITS

+19% increase

on 2012-13

20,3007,703FOLLOWERS

LIK

ES

+26%+35%

SUAPP1,766DOWNLOADS

+76%

26,444YOU TUBE

INSTAGRAM

PHOTOS TAKENCOVERING

STUDENT EVENTS

23,000+

LAUNCHED

FOLLOWERS

CHANNEL

239 VIDEO VIEWS

47,858 MINUTES WATCHED

James Stoner

www.goo.gl/7p14SK

Student Photographer

+45%

1,803,550 PAGE VIEWS

:Communication

GOLD AWARDAWARDED THE INVESTORS IN PEOPLE

82

34%66%MALEFEMALE

440£467,35924

29%

SALARIED STAFF

PLYMOUTH UNIVERSITYGRADUATESEMPLOYED AS SALARIED STAFF

HEALTH & WELLBEING GUIDES FORSTAFF PUBLISHED ON THE UPSU.COM

• WEIGHT LOSS CLUB• HEALTHY COOKING• WALKING• NO SMOKING DAY• CHILL OUT DAY

STAFF WELLBEING EVENTS HELDHOURS OF

TRAININGPROVIDED

COURSES

ON

STUDENTSTAFF TOTAL

PAY

12750+

200+

5Frazer Curtin-Anderson

www.goo.gl/z8XKDJ

Student Placement

:Staff

50,237 COFFEESPURCHASEDIN THE LOUNGE

THE SU BAR EMPLOYS

GRADUATEINTERNS

STUDENTS

11,208PASTIES SOLD

QUARTERDECKLAUNCHED

AWARD WINNING BAR

CHUNK PASTYLAUNCHED

HIGHLY COMMENDED

SILVER AWARD

PINTS3,600

4,518

1,283

125

Nathaniel Foale

www.goo.gl/lfmEFi

Graduate Intern

Jade Edward Samuels

www.goo.gl/Qu6CzB

The Lounge Staff

PLYMOUTH BEST BAR NONE

OF BEER & CIDER SERVED ATTHE BEER FESTIVAL

BAGUETTES

PIECES OF FRUIT

LOCALLYSOURCEDFISH & MEAT

SERVED IN

SERVED IN

THE QUARTERDECK

THE LOUNGE

NUS BEST BAR NONE

6,3719,146

SERVING

BREAKFASTS

BURGERS

2BURST BAR LAUNCHED

SERVINGMILKSHAKESSMOOTHIES

JUICES

:Eat & Drink

67,500MEAL DEALSSOLD

5,000+

9,849CARDS SOLD

IN THE SU SHOP

PENS SOLD

£118,125SAVINGSTUDENTS

FAIRTRADERANGES SOLDIN THE SU SHOP

THE SU SHOP EMPLOYS

STUDENT STAFF

STUDENTS

THE SHOP SUPPORTS 4 LOCAL PRODUCE PROVIDERS. STOCKING PLYMOUTH TEA FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR

15

25

+49% increase

on 2012-13

Ruth Titmus

www.goo.gl/RHddGZ

Shop staff

15,518 HOODIESSOLD

30,000+BOTTLES OF WATER SOLD

NUS EXTRA

+3% increase

on 2012-13

:Shop

:Finance

350ROOMS

LOCAL

SAVING STUDENTS

BY HELPING THEM BACK FILL THEIR ROOMS

VIEWINGS

LANDLORDS

37 £5,800

400+“

+118% increase

on 2012-13

UPSU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A GREAT TEAM

MANAGING OUR STUDENT LET PROPERTY, FROM ATTRACTING NEW TENANTS RIGHT THROUGH TO DEALING WITH THE DAY TO DAY NITTY GRITTY OF THE BUSINESS. THEY HAVE BEEN MOST HELPFUL,EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT TO DEAL WITH- TEN OUT OF TEN

INCOME

BLOCK GRANTFUNDRAISINGINVESTMENT INCOMETRADINGOTHERCLUBS & SOCIETIES

TRADINGFUNDRAISINGSUPPORT AND SERVICESGOVERNANCECLUBS AND SOCIETIESOTHER

1,743,878203,457

10,0562,331,624

537,142581,065

2,210,093161,363

2,191,30740,148

550,663253,649

EXPENDITURE

£5,407,223 £5,407,223

:Accommodation

:Final word2013/14 has been a year of extraordinary achievements for UPSU and as my first year as Chief Executive, I am very proud of what our fantastic staff team and officers have achieved for our members, ensuring that they have the very highest student experience whilst here at Plymouth University .

A key factor this year was the implementation of our new Strategic Plan and the subsequent staffing restructure and we have been working hard to achieve our new Strategic Goals and embed the changes. As you will have read in this report we have had so many successes, are maintaining our financial stability, won several key awards and have progressed significantly with our full Governance Review.

We intend to continue to build on these successes in the coming year and have a very exciting year planned! We are working in partnership with the University on a major building refurbishment ready for when the students return in September and we also have significant digital developments planned aiming to increase our member’s engagement and participation. Also, quite importantly, we will be working hard to embed our new Governance structures to ensure they are accessible and relevant to all of our members.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supports UPSU, including our staff, officers, trustees, the University, commercial partners, funders and most importantly our members.

Gina ConnellyChief Executive

Images by James Stoner, student photographer

upsu.com/ouryear