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Effecting Measurable Change forStudents: Putting Theory into
PracticeOllie Kasper
Campaigns and Democracy CoordinatorUniversity of Nottingham Students’ Union
NUS Campaigns Staff Network
Session Content
Our set up
Our approach to campaigning
Some recent examples putting theory into practice
UoNSU Set Up“Campaigns and Democracy” sits in Communication Department, central department
Department set up after 2010 Big Review Survey outlined communications as a key priority
Elected officers requiring more operational support in terms of development and delivery of campaigns.
Resulting in campaigning and democracy being centralised and not compartmentalised
UoNSU Set Up
Campaigns and Democracy Coordinator
Support from two different internships over the last twelve months:
• Campaigns and Policy Intern
New role of Research Coordinator working from January, campaigns need to continue to be informed by research.
UoNSU Set UpDirect access to SU’s social media:
• 1,762 Twitter followers
• 10,191 “likes” on our official Facebook Page
• YouTube channel 9,671 views since summer 2011
UoNSU ApproachNew Website and MSL Mailing Database
Admin of the website
Access to all student email if for priority campaigns
Access to faculty/school/halls/societies/clubs and more mailing lists
UoNSU Approach
The Demand
• All campaigns are based on a “need” or “demand”
• Evidence from surveys, focus groups, petitions, representative structures
• Basing the “background” for a campaign on a demand
UoNSU Approach
UoNSU ApproachRan at the start of the academic year
Response rate of 13% (4,193)
Surveying students on:
• Community
• Education
• Health and Wellbeing
UoNSU Approach
Clear direction for ongoing campaigns
Identifying needs for new campaigns
Specific and measurable with “awareness” campaigns
UoNSU Approach
UoNSU Approach: Design and Delivery
Peer to peer activist campaigns group:
Carry out research / promote surveys
Plan campaigns
Deliver campaigns /canvass students
Peer to peer campaigns group:
X5 CAtCH Organisers (Coordinate Teams)
Dormant now after January exams
Will be working on measurable money and mental health campaigns
UoNSU Approach: Design and Delivery
UoNSU Approach: Design and Delivery
“Campaigns Toolkit” and“Campaigns
Collaboration Pack”
Only if measurable change is to be achieved
http://www.su.nottingham.ac.uk/news/article/10448/2928/
Applying Theory in Practice: Campaigns so far...
Week One: Easy Tiger and WLGTGB
Long standing Alcohol and Sexual Health “awareness” campaign:
Research (Week One Survey 2010, website polls and focus groups) showed that the message was blurred
Summer 2011 change to just sexual health
Separate alcohol campaign in line with NUS and Drinkaware “Why Let Good Times Go Bad?”.
Very specific – water and scones!
Week One: Easy Tiger and WLGTGB
Outcomes:More students signing up to C-Card scheme
Less students being sent to hospital in Week One with drinking related injuries. From 4.5 per evening to 2 throughout the whole week
Our Week One Survey measured the use of the initiatives – wrote up a full review for NUS
Applying Theory in Practice
Applying Theory in Practice
Campaigning in the Community
Car Parking Permits
Article Four Direction and the “Local Plan” City’s local Planning Strategy
Last academic year – Article Four went out to consultation.
Nearly 4,000 people signed a petition against the measures.
Nottingham City Council effectively ignored the 4,000 signatures
Applying Theory in Practice
Campaigning in the Community
Local Plan outlined plans to encourage the provision of Purpose Built Accommodation (like Halls) in favour of HMOs in areas close to campus.
Our research showed that 93% of students wanted the choice of what type of accommodation to live in. Whilst 51% preferred HMOs in the community and 25% preferred purpose built.
Location (83%) and Price (81%) most important factors to students when House Hunting. Council’s plans diametrically opposite to students’ wishes.
Applying Theory in Practice
Article Four and Local Plan: Background
Vote to Council Executive on 22nd November
Widely Felt? Yes – petition and results from aforementioned “How Can We Help?” Survey
Deeply Felt? Measured through the number of comments on the petition and the results of the survey
Winnable? To stop Article Four? No... To get a seat around the table in the implementation.
Applying Theory in Practice
Objective
Campaign against Article Four with the ultimate objective of :
Gaining access to Council Executive
Seats around the table on implementation discussions
Targets
City Council
Other local politicians
Local Press
Applying Theory in Practice
Article Four and Local Plan: Allies
Nottingham Trent Students Union
Nottingham Trent University
University of Nottingham
NUS
EMPO (Local Landlords)
Local Press
Applying Theory in Practice
Activities and Membership Involvement
Feeling that students not being considered
NCC legislating for stereotypical student
No appropriate platform to voice the views
Create a video outlining these views
Ask Councillors to respond
Aim for 1,500 views before the vote goes to Council Executive
Activities and Member Involvement
UoNstudentsUnion
Applying Theory in PracticeActivities and Membership Involvement
Applying Theory in PracticeOrganising Plan for Student Groups
JCRs
Education Network
Applying Theory in PracticeActivities
Local Media Interest:
Had numerous articles in Evening Post
Officers appearing on BBC Radio Nottingham
Result
Response from Councillors
Commitment from Local Councillor that Article Four and the Local Plan will not be used to direct students from local areas
Over 2,000 views before Article Four went to the vote
Article Four Passed (as expected)
Applying Theory in Practice
Result
Officers having direct access to Leader of the Council
Commitment in the coming months to be involved in meetings around criteria and planning concerning students. Awaiting those meetings
Effecting Measurable Change forStudents: Putting Theory into
PracticeOllie Kasper Questions?
