2013 Annual Survey

Student Experience Report 2013 Page 1

Student ExperienceReport 2012/13


MethodologyOver the period of one week from 1st November 2012 the Union conducted on campus and online questionnaires incentivising students with free sweets and the chance to win an iPad3. The survey contained 14 quantitative and qualitative questions to gain an insight into Portsmouth student life.

3,153 responses were received from University of Portsmouth students. Of those students 49.8% of respondents were Male, 49.4% were female, 28% were mature students, 6% were part time students, 10.7% were post graduates, 76.3% were UK students, 11.6% were EU International students, 12.1% were non EU International students, 34% were first year students, 32.6% were in the middle of their studies and 33.5% were final year students.

Respondent quotes within this report are listed with their response number in subscript - “Quote” #R2121 to identify the individual responses.

ContentsStudent Lifestyle .......... p3Finances .......... p3Time contraints .......... p3In the community .......... p3University Experience .......... p4Student experience .......... p4Teaching standards .......... p5Access to resources .......... p5Quality of facilities .......... p5Job opportunities .......... p5Social opportunities .......... p6University bus service .......... p6Lecture timetables .......... p7Communication .......... p7Contact time .......... p7Arrangement .......... p7Union Experience .......... p9The Students’ Union .......... p9Communications .......... p9Union activities .......... p9Students’ Union services .......... p12Representation .......... p13Student Satisfaction .......... p14#1 The Union building .......... p15#2 Communication .......... p16#3 Representation .......... p17#4 Student activities .......... p18#5 Commercial services .......... p19Moving Forwards .......... p21You Said We Did 2012 .......... p22


Student Lifestyle

FinancesThe average student spends £155.62 per month on their general lifestyle, of that £32.40 per month goes on eating out (whereas Postgraduate students spend 20% more than the average student), £39.94 per month goes on going out, £34.12 per month goes on clothes and £49.16 per month goes on groceries.

Time constraintsThe average student will spend less than 5 hours per week travelling, shopping and on nights out, whereas they will spend 5 to 10 hours per week doing coursework and seeing friends. Importantly the average student expects to spend between 10 and 15 hours per week in lectures. 26% of students said they would spend over 20 hours a week surfing the internet. In contrast, Part-time students said that they expect to spend just 5 to 10 hours.

In the community64.2% of the Students who completed this survey said they lived in Southsea with a further 13.1% living within the Fratton area. With such a high density of students living in just 2.5 square miles of Portsea Island there are bound to be conflicts with city life.

Safety and crime are a significant concern for Portsmouth students, especially at night, with 10% of open comments referring to either personal safety, crime levels or bike theft.

“Crime levels are high and I often feel un-safe walking around the city. This is the case even on my way home from lectures after 6

in the winter when it is already dark.” #R245

This is not just an concern isolated to

community living, those in Halls also think they are at risk, even within their flats.

“The worst thing about Portsmouth is that sometimes at night halls do not feel safe”

#R2332

In our students eyes the worst thing about Portsmouth are what they term ‘the locals’. The majority of the complaints were focussed around anti-social behaviour relating to drugs and alcohol. Students also consider Portsmouth to be quite a deprived city in areas with 3% of the open comments referring to Portsmouth being “run down”.

“Much of the city is a concrete jungle in the centre, there are social problems such as

alcoholics and drug users” #R2353

10% more respondents had positive views on the city living. The two outstanding positive influencers on Portsmouth students are the seafront location (20%), especially in the summer period with Southsea Common, along with the proximity to both local amenities and lecture theatres (15%).

Portsmouth is considered by many students as “a compact city” #R912, that’s “big enough to have an interesting social life, but small enough to get around” #R2630. Its flat topography is a real note point for students, making cycling and walking around the city easy. For many of the international students the history of Portsmouth is also important, providing a cultural insight into the city, one student commented that Portsmouth is “a city that’s not too busy and not too quiet, it has a good balance with a vast history” #R2184.

10% of students say the array of nightlife and social life opportunities open to them are a positive attraction within the city, allowing students to make friends and socially interact outside of their lecture time. Social opportunities rate highly in students top 5 most important aspects of the student experience.


University Experience

The student experienceTeaching standards are considered by Portsmouth students as the most important aspect of their student experience across all segments. However, across the segmented groups the top fi ve most important aspects of the student experience vary:

The 'average' student

1. Teaching standards (62%)2. Jobs opportunities (52%)3. Quality of facilities (51%)4. Access to resources (48%)5. Social opportunities (46%)

EU and International students

1. Teaching standards (54%)2. Jobs opportunities (51%)3. Quality of facilities (46%)4. Access to resources (42%)5. Social opportunities (42%)

Undergraduate students

1. Teaching standards (63%)2. Job opportunities (52%)3. Quality of facilities (51%)4. Social opportunities (48%)5. Access to resources (48%)

Part time students

1. Teaching standards (71%)2. Access to resources(57%)3. Quality of facilities (45%)4. Job opportunities (41%)5. Access to support (38%)

Postgraduate students

1. Teaching standards (65%)2. Access to resources (52%)3. Quality of facilities (48%)4. Job opportunities (44%)5. Access to support (34%)

Mature students

1. Teaching standards (62%)2. Access to resources (52%)3. Quality of facilities (48%)4. Job opportunities (48%)5. Access to support (35%)


Teaching standardsStudents rated the standard of teaching staff highly, commenting on the levels of interaction between students and staff, however, many students felt that the contact time between students and lecturers was not enough.

“The great relationship between staff and students, communication and atmosphere

in general to complement the excellent quality of teaching.” #R405

Access to resourcesFor those on campus, access to University resources such as the Library and Chaplaincy were rated amongst some of the ‘best things about Portsmouth’, however, distance learners and part-time students found accessing resources particularly difficult due to either distances or demands on their time from full-time employment.

When considering improvements for access to resources there are particular calls in 2 main areas. The first is online resource improvements; students want a vast amount of resources online from both the Library and their lectures, but in line with that several students felt that department staff often lacked the ability to update the online facilities.

“make sure that all staff are trained to properly use online resources as sometimes it is frustrating to see that they do not know

how to open an internet browser or oper-ate victory site” #R194

The second area for improvements is within the University Library. The main call from students is extended opening hours (preferably 24 hours a day) to allow access to a demand for an increase in the amount of up-to-date reference material.

When looking at support needs there are 3 main categories that students are calling for improvements in:

• Academic Skills and Advice• Course support from tutors• Student accommodation

Quality of facilitiesThe largest issue, for students, is not necessarily that of quality of facilities but quantity of computer and IT facilities.

“The lack of IT facilities in the library and dif-ficulty of access to the library during exam

times.” #R1474

Students often called for the University to “invest more money in new sports facilities” #R1331 and a “better swimming facilities” #R1322 along with calls to “improve the facilities in the union itself i.e. seating” #R893.

Job opportunitiesPortsmouth students are concerned about the lack of job opportunities available to them during their time in the city to help fund their living costs.

Responses around Purple Door were mixed. Some students suggest that the service is not suitable to their needs “Purple Door because they always seem to advise you to just take whatever job you can get” #R903. Whereas other students suggest that the best thing about Portsmouth is “Purple doors helping with job opportunities” #R389

There were several complaints that the University timetabling did not support the access to part-time jobs whilst studying here.

“More efficient timetabling, I’m in lectures an hour a day each day, plus it changes every week so I can’t find a job” #R1132


Furthermore, International students commented that they struggled to gain part-time employment during their time here and felt unsupported in achieving these goals.

“More international support (with regards to visa policies affecting jobs)” #R909

Social OpportunitiesFriendship and the opportunities the University brings to enhance and explore new social opportunities were one of the largest areas of feedback within the 2012-2013 student experience survey.

Considered amongst the best things about Portsmouth were both friends and social opportunities. Students are aware of the “variety of pubs, bars [and] nightlife for all music tastes” #R1177 that the city of Portsmouth is able to offer.

However, Mature and Part-time students often commented that they struggled with the social interaction opportunities at the University. One student commented, “[there is] a lack of support for mature students... ...I was informed that I would receive regular emails and be invited to social gatherings. I have never been contacted.” #R1984

University bus serviceAmongst the 1698 varying responses focussing on what students wanted the University to change to enhance their experience was a large focus on the University bus service. Students see the University bus service as more than just a mechanism for getting from home to lectures and back. They see it as a tool that has the potential to support their lifestyle. Signifi cant numbers of students want to use the bus service to get to retail areas for shopping such as Gunwharf Quays (40.9%), Commercial Road (31.5%) and Fratton Road (more likely ASDA - 29.1%).

Overwhelmingly, students living in Southsea suggest they are left without a service that other students benefi t from, without a bus service that covers both Albert Road (56.2%) and Fawcett Road (35.9%). Students rated the bus service as the 3rd worst thing about Portsmouth.

However, the biggest problem students fi nd with the current service is overcrowding at peak times. Several students commented that they waited for the bus and often it would drive straight past as it was already full resulting in them missing or arriving late for their lecture.

Portsmouth students would like a bus service that takes two routes. One service that covers


the current route with the potential addition of routing near to ASDA and Commercial Road but with additional services at peak time to cope with demand. The second service would cover Southsea areas such as Albert Road and Fawcett Road.

Lecture timetablesAlso featuring highly on student agendas is their lectures and timetabling. There were 3 main areas that were covered by the responses: communication, contact time and arrangement.

CommunicationStudents commented that they’d like to be better advised on changes to their timetable especially in times when lecturers are ill or facilities are changed at short notice with one student recommending that the University “Send a warning email/text if a timetable change is made with under 48 hours notice” #R1238

Contact timeSeveral students felt that the contact time they had with lectures both in a teaching environment and on a one-to-one level was not suffi cient enough. Students are working

out how much their course costs them to the hour and contact time is a big fi gure in this equation.

ArrangementA large amount of the lecture feedback was that the lectures were often spread widely apart with some students having 4 to 5 hours gaps. However, several students also commented that they struggled getting between lectures as they may have one on the North Campus followed immediately by a lecture in the Guildhall area.

“To make timetables more together to stop long walks. Some of these I know have to

be done but sometimes I’ll be on one side of the campus and then I have to be at the

other a few moments later!” #R557

In addition, many students commented about the confl ict of their timetable with social and sporting activities on a Wednesday, especially those playing in away fi xtures.

“Change lectures so i am able to play away matches for sports teams... This is the

reason we have wednesday afternoons free, lectures till 1 stops me from playing

matches” #R888

Student Experience Report 2013 Page 8Student Experience Report 2013 Page 8


Union Experience

How students see the Students’ UnionFor most, the Union is the building including the bar, Third Space, and in some cases the Cooperative store. The majority of students are unable to distinguish between the services offered by the charitable organisation and the building that they know as the Union.

When asked ‘if you could ask the Union to change one thing to improve... ...what would it be?’ 40% of the open comments referred to the building with just 20% referring to Union services, 20% referring to Union communications and 20% referring to other areas.

As an organisation the Union achieved a 20.9% net promoter score in 2012 compared with that of 16.6% in 2011, which shows a significant improvement.

CommunicationsOne of the biggest roadblocks for students in engaging with the Students’ Union is communications, many felt they lacked regular communication about what the Union is doing and what activities are available to them.

Students would like to see an increase in communication from the Union via a multi-channel approach. For many a single approach such as website marketing or a facebook post doesn’t work. They want relevant communication methods at an appropriate time for them, in locations where they don’t have to hunt for it.

“More advertisements in University buildings” #R1233

Students rate our communications during the Freshers period and Elections period highly,

but throughout the rest of the year struggle to engage with the Union. For many the preferred communication method would be e-mail, however they want the email to be relevant to them with distance learners wanting to know more about academic advice and campus based undergraduates wanting to know more about events and activities to be involved with.

“I believe the way to engage more of the student population with activities is to have

student reps who actively go out to pro-mote what the Union does” #R491

This need to be ‘targeted’ with information, relevant to the individual student is further supported by 75% of students completing the survey stating they would support the University securely sharing data with the Union to ensure ‘our communications are relevant to your time here’.

Union ActivitiesStudents consider sports, societies and the variety of opportunities available to them through the Students’ Union as some of the best things about Portsmouth. Of the activities the Students’ Union offers over 40% of students said that they weren’t aware of the Give It A Go activities or trips, Varsity and the Better Portsmouth Forums; over 60% of students said they weren’t aware of One World Week and Carnival. However, over 90% of students were aware of the Union’s Sports Clubs, Societies, Graduation Ball and Freshers Fayre.

Sports

For many of our students sport is a passionate area with a wide variety of views expressed about everything from transport to opportunities. There are 5 key improvement areas for sports:

Team TransportThe words ‘improve the team transport’


appear multiple times throughout the survey. Beyond this request students didn’t make specifi c recommendations that identify exact improvements.

Registration and costs

In an environment where fi nancial pressures are high amongst the student population it’s no surprise that students wanted to see the costs of joining sports clubs signifi cantly reduced - the word ‘cheaper’ was regularly raised.

It is evident that students struggle to fi nd information during term, after freshers events, on how to join student activities - “I think that there should be another sport signup event at the union (other than the information shared at freshers week) I don’t really know where to go, or how to get involved- prices, etc.” #R104

Non-competitive sporting opportunitiesSport at the Union predominantly encompasses competitive sporting opportunities, however students were clear in their opinions that they were not

all ‘competitive’ individuals, but enjoyed playing sport with friends and keeping active. Students commented that they felt the Union didn’t entirely cater for them in this area.

“Make sport more accessible to students who might just enjoy it recreationally.” #R1436

FacilitiesWhilst the Union does not operate facilities, students see the facilities our clubs operate in as being the responsibility of the Students’ Union. Often teams travel around the country to other venues and the University’s facilities get compare to that of the competitors and there is evidence that Portsmouth facilities may not be to similar standards.

“Better sport facilities - Some are good but others have been forgotten.” #R834

Drink CultureWhilst not a vast amount of responses

Kofi Agyemang


focussed on drinking cultures within sporting groups, there were some opinions voiced that had particular concerns over spending large amounts of money to play sport but to fi nd the focus on alcohol rather than sport.

“Having been a previous member of a sports society it concerns me that the ma-jority appear to be glorifi ed drinking clubs

with little focus/resources put into sport.” #R1503

Societies

As with sports clubs, a wide variety of responses were received from engaged students within the societies groups and the improvements focus on 3 key areas:

Joining a societyThe Students’ Union moved to a secure membership system in 2012, there have been a few responses in the survey from committee members who are struggling with the process this move has brought - “The society registration should go back to the way it was. No more online registration cause it is causing quite hassle.” #R167

There were no complaints from non-committee members about the system, but suggestions on improving the communications from the groups and from the Union promoting the variety of societies on offer - “Send out more emails regarding societies that we have joined, by emailing recommendations of other societies that are similar.” #R880

VarietyThere were many students who commented that they wanted a wider variety of societies, especially around their courses. No student went into detail about this and many of the responses read ‘more variety of societies’ - which indicates a drive for the wider variety but also publicity and streamlining of the process to start up a new society.

Operations

There was a big focus on responses from committee members on internal communications with the Union groups, one student said “communication is often last minute, particularly in notifying Societies as to what was happening at Fresher’s Fayre and of changes to policies.” #R991

Similarly students felt there was a level of additional bureaucracy or ‘red tape’ that prevented them from developing and evolving their activities as they felt the groups needed to be developed; especially in relation to the time it takes to get things done.

“As a committee member of a society, I have found the Union very slow in process-

ing forms/payment for us when we were organising a trip. In some instances this resulted in us losing reservations.” #R1438

Student Media

There was very little feedback on Student Media, beyond a few comments that suggested improved funding for the student media outlets to improve facilities.

Trips and Activities

“Give it a go Trips?? What is that? I wanna go!!!” #R795 summarises the majority of responses around trips and activities. Students are keen to be involved in student trips to different places and to do different things, especially if related to their courses, however students simply aren’t aware of what’s on offer to them through the Give It A Go programme.

Events

Bearing in mind the majority of the students consider the Union to include all the functions within the building (Thirdspace and the Waterhole Bar) it’s unsurprising that when students were asked what the Union could


change to improve their experience a large chunk of the responses were around events within the building, students asked the Union “to hold events at the SU where students would be able to socialise with each other” #R161, to “Open 3rd space for night events.” #R62, and to expand into doing more ‘big events’ incorporating Ravelin Park.

Students’ Union ServicesAt least 8 in 10 students are aware of our key services including the Union shop, academic advice service, course representatives and student volunteering services.

When considering the Union shop students felt it needed longer opening hours and to be expanded in size “...not just a kubby hole” #R55 “a proper Union shop where I can walk into and browse” #R416. Additionally, students want to see an expanded range of products and stationery available for purchase.

Very few students had comments surrounding the Union’s academic advice service. Those that did comment showed a desire for increased communication around those services and a lack of understanding around who ran the service - the Union or the University.

“Set up a mentoring scheme if possible where anyone having academic problems

can contact a person in the year above etc on their course” #R161

The profi le of Course Representatives is an area that could be improved; both in training and raising awareness amongst their peers. Whilst some students are aware that Course Reps exist, others don’t and would not know how to get in touch with their representative.

“Having been a course rep I found it to be a slightly unproductive service; students are highly unaware of who their rep is and how

they can be contacted.” #R1347

It is clear that during their time studying at Portsmouth, students want to be involved with volunteering opportunities and there are 3 key areas that students would like to see improved:

Volunteering abroadThere is a demand for opportunities guided by the Students’ Union as safe and appropriate for Portsmouth students to get opportunities abroads.

AccreditationStudents would like to see all the hard work they put into volunteering accredited and offi cially acknowledged by the University.

Awareness of opportunitiesStudents would like the Union to provide clearly advertised volunteering opportunities for students with 23% of students suggesting a volunteering bureau would be a good service for the Union to provide.

“Emphasising on their volunteering as I wasn’t aware they had so much volunteer-ing opportunity until i was in my fi nal year.”

#R1171

Commercial ServicesThe top 5 services students consider the Union should provide to enhance their student experience are:

1. 2nd hand bookshop (64.3%), 2. Shuttle bus at night (58.6%), 3. PC repair service (46.5%), 4. Bar or venue (43.9%) 5. Quick snack shop (35.8%).


RepresentationIn terms of representation there is variance between the individual demographics with international students (non EU) being the least represented during their time here (54%) with female students being the most represented (71%) by the Union. In all demographics the students felt the University represented them better than the Students’ Union. There is, however, a consistency with whether students believe they are represented; throughout the full period of study there is just a 1% fl uctuation in their recognition of representation by the Union and 2% fl uctuation with the University.

Demographic UPSU UoP

Mature Students 63% 69%Part Time Students 60% 62%EU International Students 70% 78%Non-EU International Students 54% 67%1st Year Students 69% 71%Middle of Study Students 70% 70%Final Year Students 69% 71%Male Students 67% 69%Female Students 71% 72%

Daniel Chesterton


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Student SatisfactionIn the last academic year the National Student Survey introduced ‘Question 23’ which looks at satisfaction amongst students with their Students’ Union. It is vital for the Union to understand students satisfaction ratings to ensure we not only develop for their benefi t but develop our national position as an organisation to benefi t the University’s recruitment.

The indicative satisfaction rating provided by students this year is 81.5% amongst all students (78.9% for fi nal year students), which is an increase of 8% on this time last year.

To understand what affects our students satisfaction ratings we asked students how we could improve our score. These comments have been broken into both themes that trend throughout the recommendations and divided into progression sections.

To improve the organisation’s NSS score we must focus on moving from not satisfi ed and neutrally opinionated students to at least mostly satisfi ed rating.

Those that are not satisfi ed with the Union predominantly are either highly engaged

with the organisation and have become disappointed with the diffi culties with running a student led activity or are so disengaged with the organisation that they consider the Union to be a venue, nightclub or bar as they see on the television.

Those that have a neutral opinion predominantly are hard-to-reach students, those who want to see a focus around educational experiences rather than social and those who feel the Union lacks communication with them about the activities, events and services on offer to them as well as seeing any evidence of what the Union has actually done for them.

Those that are mostly satisfi ed with the Union for the bulk of the ‘average’ Portsmouth students, they have an idea of what the Union does, generally engaged with the activities offered, but aren’t always involved in the day-to-day goings on of the organisation.

Many of those that are satisfi ed with the Union feel that the Union needs no further improvement, but have some areas that would put the cherry on top of their ice cream.

Richard Glover


Theme 1: The Union Building

Progression Student Recommendations

Not satisfi ed to neutral, mostly satisfi ed, or satisfi ed.

Nightclub: Students want to see the nightclub re-opened as they feel there is no ‘proper SU’ bar or club.Facilities: Students are disappointed with the facilities in the Union, especially the state of the toilets. They feel the building needs a makeover to make clean and cosy.

Neutral opinion to mostly satisfi ed, or satisfi ed.

The Waterhole Bar: Students want to see a more entertainment in the bar in the evening bar during the day the music turned down to enjoy a conversational level atmosphere.Facilities: Students want to see an increase in the amount of student spaces available in the building.Catering: The comments around catering identify the need for cheaper food for students as they feel it’s “cheaper for students to go to Greggs” #R952

3rd Space: The main complaint was that students wanted tables and furniture that weren’t broken or damaged.

Mostly satisfi ed to satisfi ed.

The Waterhole Bar: Students want to see the bar improved and become a cheap, student friendly place to chill out.

“A better, more welcome Students’ Union bar, a space you can chill in with sofas, not the hard surfaced drinking/society focused bar that have

at the moment.” #R1551

Catering: Students see the catering outlets as somewhere to get cheap but good quality food, many of the comments focussed on making the food cheaper along with increasing both the quality and variety of food on offer and raising the awareness of the Halal options.Facilities: Students wanted to see the Union space being utilised better, with many comments relating to making the student spaces bigger especially relating to the amount of meeting rooms available to students and comfortable seating areas.

“Make the Union a more relevant place to be rather than only just drink-ing there, need more chill out sofas rather than just wooden stools and tables. Need big comfy sofas like the ones in costa where people can

relax.” #R612

3rd Space: There were many comments relating to the use of third space within the evening - “The Union should regularly open up 3rd space so students can have a good night and keep away from the trouble and violence that the locals cause at the weekend.” #R943

Keeping satisfi ed students satisfi ed.

Outside: Students want more tables and heating outsideThe Waterhole Bar: Students want less restrictions on visiting guests and more bar staff to cater for demand on busy nights.Catering: Students would like a longer food service in the WaterholeFacilities: Students would like a lounge area and more things to do in the Union when they are relaxing.

The Union’s interperationof qualitative responses.


Theme 2: Communications


Not satisfied to neutral, mostly satisfied, or satisfied.

Engagement: Students want to see a regular presence across campus from the Union engaging students in what the Union offers.

“The presence of the Student Union and it’s activities should be easily accessible and as well engaging to students from all backgrounds

and works of life. I’m interested in the student union and it’s activities but seem the student union engage with student more during election

period, and afterwards it’s presence is felt in a very reduced scale.. a lot students are aware of the students union building but are not well informed of what the student union is about, what it does,and how it

could be of benefit to them.. that should be looked into.” #R856

Promotion: Students want to see the Union activities promoted more online so that they can receive more information when they want to find it.

Neutral opinion to mostly satisfied, or satisfied.

Promotion: Students want the Union to advertise the trips and activities better and increase communications with distance learners, part-time students and those in the community rather than halls. Additionally they want to see the welfare and advice services further promoted.Digital Comms: Students want to receive more emails from the Union - “Email me more information about activities on offer and how to get involved” #R189

Research: Students want the Union to understand them as individuals better through more research and face-to-face contact.Internal Comms: Several of these students complained about the lack of response to emails sent to the Union.

Mostly satisfied to satisfied.

Promotion: Students want to see more promotion of events offline and through street teams of student representatives.Digital Comms: Students want to see the website updated more regularly and designed so that it is easier to find sports clubs and societies.

Keeping satisfied students satisfied.

Promotion: Students want an increase in print media available to them through posters and leaflets.

The Union's interperation of qualitative responses.


Theme 3: Representation



Student Voice: Students want to know how their voice can be heard but also shown how their voices truly make a difference with tangible evidence. As elected officers students also want to know regularly what the Sabbatical team is doing for them.


Student Voice: Students said they wanted the Union to actually be about the students with more requests to demonstrate how the organisation is meeting the needs of our students.Advice: A big concern amongst these students was that of housing and wanting an increased portfolio of housing services as well as welfare advice.Hard-to-reach: Students wanted more consideration for off campus students and students at external colleges e.g. Chichester as well as a focus on engaging and empowering Postgraduates.


Hard-to-reach: Students would like to see a student council rep for distance learners, as well as more events and support for mature students.Student Voice: Students would like an anonymous comment box for those who might be shy about voicing their opinions. Additionally they want the Union to be “more representative of students and less representative of socialist ideals” #R1124

Advice: Students want the sabbatical officers to be more vocal in their opinions on student welfare and to ensure the academic and welfare advice services are well sign-posted.Community: Students want the Union to ensure that students are not used as ‘cash-cows’ by landlords and help students be more aware of their rights as tenants.


Advice: Students want more staff available to help them when they have problems.Student Voice: Students want the Union to help improve connections between students and lecturers and to see more interaction from course reps with their peers.

The Union’s interperation of qualitative responses.


Theme 4: Student Activities



Societies: Students wanted to see the Union taking two strands of action with societies, firstly, ensuring the societies are caring for their members and informing them of upcoming events and secondly increasing the support for societies whilst reducing restrictions on setting up societies and accessing information.Sport: Students saw sport as poorly run and under-financed with committee members wanting ‘minibuses that work’ and having difficulties getting forms signed.Events: Students want non-alcohol related trips and events.Media: Students felt that the student media featured very little about what the Union can offer students to benefit their experience.


Sports: Students want more non-competitive sports events, improvements in sports facilities, and an increase in support for minority sports.Events: Students wanted more international student events and activities run by the Union.Societies: Students wanted it to be easier to manage their accounts.Hard-to-reach: Part-time students want the Union to increase the accessibility of activities to those who have to work full-time, study and wish to take part in the activities.


Registration: Students want to see an improvement to the registration system.GIAG: Students want to see more course specific trips.Societies: Students want the Union to find processes to speed up processing payments and form completion, to increase the support for activities and provide easier access to budgets.Sports: Students want the Union to challenge and coordinate with academic tutors and the University around Wednesday lectures to ensure everyone can play sport, if they wish. Additionally, students want more recreational and interdepartmental activities.


Registration: Students want more information on how to sign up to clubs and societies after Freshers Fayre.GIAG: Students want to see more advertising of trips.



Theme 5: Commercial Services



- - -


Shop: Students want to see the shop as a shop not a cupboard with longer opening hours and the Ikon opening hours improved too. In relation to products they wanted a clothing range more attractive to female and older students as well as providing stationery and more gifts whilst making the clothing cheaper.Events: Students wanted more nightclub events at the Union that united Portsmouth students as a group, additionally, there was call for Job Fairs at the end of academic years.


Shop: Beyond the previously mentioned items students want to see increased customer care from shop staff and for the Union to sort out Ikon sports service making order times shorter, and bringing down costs.Events: Students are aware of the successes of the Graduation Ball and want more big Ravelin Park sized events.New Services: Students recommended additional new services for the organisation including a second hand bookshop, cash point at Richmond and a rent-a-car service.


New Services: Students want student focussed services such as PC repairs.




Moving forwardsOn 11th December 2012, the Union’s Leadership Team reviewed the survey results as presented throughout this report. It was agreed that in order to move forward with making change and ultimately ensuring a positive impact with every Portsmouth student is achieved the organisation would assign strategic champions to generate recommendations and ensure that actions are transferred to any incoming officers, if not already actioned within the academic year.

University Experience

Many elements within this report focus around the student experience within the University environment. The Sabbatical Officer team will deal with the main issues that appear throughout this report at committee level directly with the University.

If you would like to know how they are progressing please email [email protected]

Union Experience

Also, much of the feedback related to students’ experience of the Students’ Union. The Union has appointed a Senior Manager and a Sabbatical Officer for each of the 5 key areas that prominently appear throughout this report.

Union BuildingDaniel Palmer, Chief Executive - [email protected] Atuahene Jnr, President - [email protected]

CommunicationsTom Worman, Business and Marketing Manager - [email protected] Clarke, VP Activities - [email protected]

RepresentationLorna Reavley, Representation and Volunteering Manager - [email protected] Rossi, VP Education and Democracy - [email protected]

Student ActivitiesJoanne Hodgson, Student Activities Manager - [email protected] Redding, VP Sport - [email protected]

Commercial ActivitiesTom Worman, Business and Marketing Manager - [email protected] Taylor, VP Welfare and Community - [email protected]


In 2011-2012 the Union ran a similar survey with similar numbers of respondants. We wanted to tell you how we’ve worked towards some of the targets you set us through your feedback.

Here’s some of the things you said, and we (the Union) did:

You wanted the Union to do more to challenge discrimination and harassment at University.

UPSU has introduced a Zero Tolerance policy, tackling all instances of discrimination and harassment in the Union building and at Union run events.

You said there needs to be baby change facilities at the Union

The Union worked to install a baby change facility in Cafe Coco thanks to the University Catering department.

You wanted the chance to volunteer abroad

UPSU is setting up its first ever volunteering opportunity abroad next year, hopefully working alongside Soft Power Education in Uganda.

You said sports clubs need more recognition

The Union introduced Bucks for BUCS to reward sports clubs who won Leagues, Cups or individual championships in BUCS and other equivalent sporting bodies.

You wanted a chance to be more involved in the Union while you're living in Halls

The Union is setting up a Halls Executive Council to work alongside Halls Support Managers next year.

You wanted the Library open longer

Secured more regular periods where the

Library will be open 24 hours 7 days a week.

You said the Union building needs to be updated

The Union worked with the University to invest £40,000 into redecorating the Students’ Union building, with more work planned for the year ahead.

You told us the MSc Crisis and Disaster management were trying to charge benchmark fees

We worked with the students to get the benchmark fees erased, saving students £22,000

What you said previously, and what we’ve done about it!


What you said previously, and what we’ve done about it!

You said that student parents were under-represented within the Union

We established the Mama’ and Papa’s Association to engage with student parents and hear your views.

You said you'd heard the standard of Graduation Ball was slipping

Brought Graduation Ball in house so it is run solely by the Union, to ensure the quality is always high and to reinvest any profit back into student activities.

You complained about the standard of housing in Portsmouth

The Union has undertaken its first ever survey

of student Housing in Portsmouth, with over 550 giving your views on house hunting, landlords and letting agencies.

You told us it is unfair to expect societies to charge if they don't need any financial support to run

The Union President passed a proposal to allow societies to choose whether they charge membership.

You said the University bus service needs to be improved

Passed a proposal to increase the bus service during peak times. From September a shuttle service will run during the evening rush hour.


Documents

2013 Annual Survey