FULL PAPERS May Student Assembly - Brunel Students… · Personal Development Programme – End of the year Ready Programme completed: - We will be looking to make recommendations

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FULL PAPERS

Assembly Meeting

Meeting: 08

Date: Tuesday 20th

May, 6pm

Venue: Council Chambers Time 18.00 – 20.00 hours

1. Members Present and Apologies

2. Minutes of the previous meeting (24th

April 2014)

3. Matters Arising

4. Elections

5. Emergency Motions

6. Motions to revoke or amend the Constitution and Bye-Laws

7. Motions

8. Student officer reports

• SU President

• VP Academic Representation – no report submitted

• VP Student Activities

• VP Community Welfare

9. Standing Committee reports

• Sports Federation chair

• Societies Guild chair - no report submitted

• RAG chair - no report submitted

• Media Association chair - no report submitted

10. Working Group reports

• Equality and Diversity working group chair – no report submitted

• Environmental Strategy working group chair

• Student Volunteering working group chair – report submitted late

• Campaigns working group chair - no report submitted

• World Students working group chair - no report submitted

• Postgraduate Students working group chair

11. AOB

12. Date of next meeting - Last meeting of this academic year.

Next meeting in October 2014 date to be discussed.

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UBS STUDENT ASSEMBLY MINUTES

Student Assembly meeting no. 7

Date: 24th

April 2014, 6pm

Venue: Howell Building, H004

Present:

Aanika Khan Senior Rep, Law School

Aaron Lowman Senior Rep, School of Sports and Education

Chelsea Crosson-Smith

Assembly Member School of Health and

Social Care

Grace Witherden Senior Rep Arts

Hannah Jones Sports Federation Chair

Jackson Smith Assembly Community Member

James Ward VP Community Welfare

Joseph Hogan Assembly Community Member

Juhani Mantyranta World Students Chair

Kerri-Anne Prince Assembly Community Member

Leon Evans Assembly Member School of Social Sciences

Lisa Boyles Assembly Community Member

Martin Zaranyika SU President

Matt Cahill RAG Team Chair

Michael Darlow Assembly Community Member

Nicholas Crust Assembly Community Member

Olive Barton CHAIR/Assembly Community Member

Rob Barnstone Assembly Community Member

Sonia Bhangu Senior Rep HSSC

Zein Owfar VP Academic Representation

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Apologies Sent By:

Addam Reynolds

Senior Rep School of Informations Systems,

Computing and Maths

Andrew Baker Assembly Community Member

Annemarie Fry Assembly Community Member

Ashley Roye-Banton Assembly Member School of Arts

Ben Olby-Clements Senior Rep School of Social Sciences

Cam McKirdy VP Student Activities

Jemima Khalli Volunteer Group Chair

Katy Simitzi (Aikaterini Simitzi) Assembly Member School of Law

Mark Cryer Senior Rep, School of Sports and Education

Marko Jenic Assembly Community Member

Priya Bhardwaj Assembly Community Member

Robyn Fitzharris Equality and Diversity Chair

Samuel Aylett Postgraduate Chair

Sobi Kalan Environmental Strat Group Chair

Tevin Tom Assembly Community Member

Zarar Ali Assembly Community Member

Zaryab Bijarani Senior Rep Business School

Absent/Not Signed in, no apologies:

Anthony Chilvers Senior Rep Engineering and Design

Chadley Richards Media Assoc Chair

Eloise Chiles Assembly Community Member

Gemma Townsend

Assembly Member, School of Engineering

and Design

Katie Stewart Campaigns Chair

Maria Carolina Motta-Mejia Assembly Community Member

Nicholas Wonacott Assembly Community Member

Zion Zakari Societies Guild Chair

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UBS Staff in attendance:

Rebecca Davies Democratic Support Co-ordinator

Sarah Crowner Democratic Support Administrator

Notes:

Declared inquorate at 6.15pm, meeting closed immediately, no items discussed.

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3. Matters Arising

3.1 Update on Motions passed to be given by the Chair.

3.2 Proposed dates of Student Assembly and Union Meetings for 2014/15

2014

Thursday 30th

October, 6pm

Thursday 20th

November, 6pm

Thursday 27th

November, 6pm – Autumn Term Union Meeting

Thursday 11th

December, 6pm

2015

Thursday 29th

January, 6pm

Thursday 26th

February, 6pm

Thursday 26th

March, 6pm

Thursday 23rd

April, 6pm

Thursday 14th

May, 6pm

Thursday 21st

May, 6pm – Annual Union Meeting

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SU President, Martin Zaranyika

Manifesto Aims I will: I will have achieved this when: What I have done so far: Ach.

M1 The problem/aim: Budget cuts are threatening the student experience

Hold talks with the Vice

Chancellor and Director of

Finance

This is an on-going aim which means that

whenever there is a threat to money going to

the Union I would lobby the University

Completed

- Successfully lobbied the University to

provide the Union with £3,000 extra funding

for One World Week

M2 The problem/aim: Accommodation have been raising for the last 3 years

Lobby the University to Freeze

deposit prices

Lobby the University to Freeze

Rent Prices

19th

June 2014 This month the Union reinforced our position on the

issue of rents. I and the Vice-President Community

Welfare have made another meeting with the

protest steering group.

M3 The problem/aim: Teaching quality is 2% below the sector average

Introduce student recruitment

panels.

Encourage academic

departments to share best

practice.

Student recruitment panels have started

TxP changes will start from September 2014

Update:

- This month I, the Vice-Principal

(International) met to shortlist potential

candidates for the Director of the School of

Professional Development. Unfortunately

none of the candidates were suitable so we

have re-opened the application. In addition,

the UBS will be making recommendation to

the Job description.

- Successful in our application for the Annual

Quality Report. We are looking to finalise

the recommendation in June.

M4 The problem/aim:

There are not enough provisions for Postgrads, Mature students, Student Parents and Off-campus

students

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To introduce provisions that will

improve the student experience

of postgraduates, off-campus,

students with children and

mature students. All students

need to be properly represented.

Food preparation places should be available

by the end of the year.

Two locations have been identified; update

will be brought to the next meeting.

- Successful lobbied the University to provide

food preparation spaces. We will be

lobbying the University to place the food

prep places within the Bannerman centre.

- Successful lobbied the University to provide

more ATMs. However the company who the

University approached have come back with

somewhat demanding terms and conditions.

- Crèche discussions are on-going.

M5 The problem/aim: Ensure that the Union is financially sustainable

Protect, boost and diversify

income streams

On-going - Oversaw the Union surplus return

- Explore external trading opportunities

- Explore other opportunities to boost income

streams.

M6 The problem/aim: Ensure Brunel students are equipped with the necessary employment skills

Run a pilot employability

programme for 1 year students.

Run Union led employability

workshops and events

Ready Programme – March 2014

Personal Development Programme – End of

the year

Ready Programme completed:

- We will be looking to make

recommendations about the way forward.

PDP completed

- Run a number of events in term 1 and 2.

- The biggest event Employ-My-Ability saw a

number of companies from a range of

different sectors come to Brunel to

interview over 80 students.

M7 The problem/aim: Support innovation across campus

Explore the possibility of

introducing an innovation team

Launch of the Innovation Hub to take place

24th April 2014

Worked with the University to introduce the

innovation Hub. The launch went very well with a lot

of brunel students attending and engaging in the

opportunities this project provides.

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Organisational Policy

I will: I will have achieved this when: What I have done so far: Ach.

O1 The problem/aim: The University are planning on introducing the Transformational Change Programme

Negotiate student friendly

outcomes with the University

Working with the University to ensure that

changes are in effect from September 2014

The chief operating officer delivered a presentation

to Cabinet which outlined the progress that has been

made as well as the next steps forward.

O2 The problem/aim: Review all of our democratic structures with a view to make the necessary changes

Consult the membership Working to ensure that changes are in effect

from September 2014

Myself and the 3 Vice-Presidents have been working

on a proposal which we will help eradicate most of

the problems within our current structure as well as

complimenting how the university’s academic

structure will look like in the coming year.

Policy Mandates


P1 The problem/aim: Create accommodation steering group

Investigate accommodation

issues and lobby for the

necessary improvements

17th

June 2014 (Finance Committee meeting) The research activity has been completed.

P2 The problem/aim: Draft a communications protocol

Consult the membership End of the year Have held talks with the proposer of the motion and

chair of student assembly.

Meeting feedback

Date Meeting Feedback

25/04/2014 Student Union

Talk/Presentation

Gave a presentation to new LiBC students.

28/04/2014 Catch up meeting with PVC

Quality Affairs

The discussions were largely in relation to the upcoming year.

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30/04/2014 Democracy Presentation

(Uxbridge High School)

I and the Vice-President Academic Representation talked to Uxbridge High School’s student council about

how to use democratic structures to drive change.

01/05/2014 Student Led Teaching

Awards

Attended award ceremony with members of the student leadership team.

02/05/2014 SPD Director Shortlisting Covered above.

Meeting with the

University’s Director of

Operation

Got an agreement from the University to keep the ground floor toilets in John Crank open after hours

during the exam period.

Meeting the Library Director Pleased to announce that following discussions with Brunel University Library, the 6-seater group study

rooms have been available to book until 2am for the remainder of the exam period.

06/05/2014 Cabinet Discussed the following items: NUS awards, accommodation fees, motions from student assembly,

governance review, recommendations from social policy, senior management reporting structure,

handover and green impact.

07/05/2014 Catch up meeting with the

Vice-Chancellor

Discussions were centred around accommodation and block grant.

07/05/2014 TxP Update by Chief

Operating Officer

Covered above.

08/05/2014 VC’ Debate and Dinner The theme of the event was Postgraduates and how TxP aims to improve their provisions.

09/05/2014 Meeting with Vice-Principal

(International)

Had an extremely productive meeting with the VP about how new ways the University can interact with

UBS.

09/05/2014 Academic Awards working

party

Discussed retention and marking criteria.

12/05/2014 AGE UK Tech Workshop The 3 Vice-Presidents’ and I spent the afternoon teaching people how to use technology.

13/05/2014 Social Policy Discussed the following item: Access to learning fund, mid-programme scholarships and early termination

fees etc.

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Vice President, Student Activities, Cam McKirdy


M2 Green Gym Should be built and opened by the end of June - I have finished it!

M3 User friendly and easily accessible

Online documents

Using Google Documents I have put together an initial ‘Form’ that I am hoping will be used by the

activities department in the future. Its done it just needs tweaking and agreeing and perhaps a little

trial and error to get it on its feet and running races.

M5 Establish fair funding to develop

free societies.

Not a lot that one can do when we are not setting the budgets till next year… but I have had

discussions with the incoming Societies Guild chair and the New Student Activities manager and I think

its something that will be looked at and high on the agenda in September

M6 Celebrate hard work societies do

– awards evenings, financial

incentives

For the second year running, this event has

seized to kick off and really go anywhere,

why? I would say because its hard to achieve

an awards evening for a group of students

with very different interests you cant all go for

society of the year because the range of

activities societies do are so vast. It needs a re

think to work..

I have spoken to incoming officers and this will be

thought about in detail when they get into office.

M7 User friendly development plans. Done I worked with the Student Activities Development

coordinator to re think and simplify the Development

it now focuses on targets and how they are going to

achieve targets almost like the new reporting

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structure and also feeds nicely into CASES

M8 Student Led selection of RAG

charities

Students are actively involved in selecting RAG

charities

Completed early into my term of office

Strategic Objectives


O1 The problem/aim:

Looking at ways we can empower

committees and make them

more useful

N/A Working with the other 3 officers we have been

looking at governance review and we have come up

with a plan in which we can make more of standing

committee’s especially within the new university

structure.

O2 The problem/aim:

Working on the active

universities bid

On the 26th

we would have submitted the bid

and I am yet to know when we will find out

the result.

The Bid has been submitted and the university have

basically said that this is mostly a bid of the union’s

ideas and they are very happy to support it fully, we

are awaiting confirmation of if it was successful.

O3 The problem/aim:

Varsity Memorandum of

understanding

- Establishing a rules and

regulations bye law esc

agreement with st Marys

to avoid further issues

Before I leave office I have completed this document and have sent it to

director of membership engagement for feedback. It

may be a case of this piece of working being

completed by my successor.

Handover

June 13th Have begun compiling information and talking to the

incoming VPSA regarding taking over from me, I’m

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confident she will be fantastic and most of my

handover will just be giving her information to help

her flourish, I am a little cautious as I feel sometimes

an officer can inflict to much of “this is the way I

would do it” on their successor and I don’t want that

to happen because every VP deserves to do it their

way rather than be brainwashed into doing it another

way.

O4 The problem/aim:

Finding a new Student activities

manager

Before the end of this term He arrived on Monday.

O5 The problem/aim:

Impact report N/A Have put together a plan for impact report and have

now started collecting data and content. This year we

want to make the focus how we have impacted

Students with personal accounts and less data and

officers reading off of scripts.

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Vice President, Community Welfare, James Ward

Manifesto Aims I would just like to thank everyone for believing in me and what I wanted to deliver for the last two years. I hope that I have impacted the lives of Brunel

students in a positive way. Good luck for the future Brunel, always remember that our prime purpose in life is to help people, and if we can’t help them, then

we can at least not harm them!


M1

The problem/aim:

Accredited Volunteering

Experiences – rewarding those

who volunteer/join clubs and

societies, as an asset to their c.v.

Students can be accredited for being a

committee member or taking a senior position

within a club/society.

I have negotiated with Brunel Volunteers to ensure

that members of chairs working/standing groups can

get accredited for their hours.

With the introduction of the HEAR, students who are

part of a club/society will get recognised for taking up

positions. There has also been talk from societies

about getting those who volunteer as part of the

society (not in a committee position) recognised in

the HEAR. I have introduced a partnership agreement

between the Union and Brunel Volunteers, setting

the expectations and the relationship to ensure that

in the midst of any changes we commit to working

together for the future.

M2

Cycle Hire Scheme – helping

health and fitness and reducing

traffic congestion. Also money

saving (transport costs).

We have a tangible and operational cycle hire

scheme operating on campus. The measure of

success will be the amount of usage it

receives.

I have taken the idea to the Hillingdon/Uxbridge

Travel Partnership, chaired by Brunel and passed on

the idea to some of the Transport Planners for the

London Borough of Hillingdon. Subsequently, I

worked with the university operations department to

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deliver the Travel Survey with a question on Cycle

Hire. However, at the time of writing, I am still

awaiting the results of the Travel Survey, which is

intended to determine how we take the cycle hire

scheme forward.

Unfortunately, any further developments are still

unknown, due to various unforeseen circumstances.

Whilst this might still happen, I have been led to

believe that it might not happen because there is not

enough demand for it. However, this is something

that needs to be picked up with the university

operations department. I will be recommending that

my successor follows this up and works toward

encouraging the university to develop a scheme

similar to this, I feel there is real mileage in a cycle

hire scheme.

M3

Community Engagement-

Involvement and recognition in

the community, good PR for the

university students.

When the local authority says so, our funding

is tied into Hillingdon Council and we have to

report our progress to them.

So far we have done a number of community projects

and events, fitting under brands of civic engagement

and people engagement. Under the brand of civic

engagement we have worked with the Mayor,

attending the parlour and getting a history lesson.

Most recently, the Community Development

Coordinator and I delivered a presentation to the

External Services Scrutiny Committee to discuss our

progress and provide suggestions. The councillors on

the board were suitably pleased at what had been

achieved so far.

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Be Brunel occurred as part of One World Week,

engaging 90 schoolchildren in the local community.

Be Brunel occurred during One World Week, with all

children taking part in activities on campus. The

community coordinator and I are working on a plan

for an end of term project which includes cleaning

and removing large items of unnecessary goods that

students and residents no longer need. Items will be

redistributed to charities and those who need it the

most before the general public.

Additionally, we are working on a plan for FACE week,

which attracts a lot of attention from the locals.

Many of the community stakeholders feel that Brunel

students make too much noise and cause disruption

around the time of FACE Week and so we will work

toward a response and minimising disruptions. The

Community Development Coordinator is preparing a

proposal for consideration for a night-bus service,

and the Chief Operating Officer has mentioned that

this is something the university needs to consider.

Branding has been agreed for the bus and stickers will

be placed on for FACE Week. A permanent solution

will be found during the summer. Letters have gone

out to residents in the local area, signed by both the

President and the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Strategy and

External Affairs) informing residents of what is going

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on and how they can get involved. An article/news

story will be up online reminding students of their

commitments as residents in the local area, providing

permanent residents with peace of mind.



O1 The problem/aim:

Silver Level – Green Impact. We

have been mandated by Student

Assembly, in which authority was

delegated to Cabinet, where it is

now managed.

In April, at the NUSSL convention, at the

Awards ceremony

Chaired Green Team meetings with representatives

from each department, and helped to set

departmental action plans, going through the

workbooks, answering any questions and thoughts

that any of the staff team might have.

We were only 2 criteria away from achieving the Gold

level award, but we await the audit and the results.

We have received confirmation of a silver award from

NUS. We have maintained the silver award, but

increased how many points that we have achieved.

We were only one criterion away from achieving the

gold and it’s something that I hope will be achievable

in the future.

O2 The problem/aim:

Elections – charged with heading

up the Elections and Referenda

Committee (ERC)

Elections are over and (hopefully) there are no

serious incidents.

Had various meetings to discuss the period and what

we can do to increase turnout and make voting more

accessible. Ruling on conduct and regulations in

meetings and deciding on how things are going to

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pan out. We also looked at options for publicity and

where students can put up posters. We are engaging

with the university and heads of schools to ensure

that they’re kept updated and help to encourage

voter turnout.

O3 The problem/aim:

Governance Review, helping to

decide the roles of officers/chairs

and our new constitution

We have a constitution that is approved by the

students

I attended a Governance session with the CEO,

officers and the Director of Membership

Engagement. Since then, we have discussed various

options and models. We will be bringing our options

and models to a meeting to discuss the

implementation of them.

We have since discussed options for styles of

governance and work on this will resume after the

elections. I presented my case for a style of

governance that I deem beneficial for the students.

Other officers have also had this opportunity but we

are some way off determining how we will move

forward.

O4 The problem/aim:

Prayer Space on campus,

ensuring that our Muslim

students have sufficient prayer

space on campus

When we have no issues with the prayer

spaces, and the Isambard Amenities is fully

usable.

Facilitated a meeting with Estates, Student Services

and the Muslim students to reassess the situation.

Student Services have agreed to keep a closer eye on

bookings and agree nothing on Friday’s (there were

bookings on a few Fridays in March) and Estates are

dealing with the sound system.

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The last update I received from the President of the

Isoc suggested that things were on track to deliver

the correct requirements for the Isambard Amenities

Building.

O5 The problem/aim:

Vote Campaign/Voter

Registration Campaign

When I have delivered a campaign on voting in

local elections.

An online campaign is in progress detailing the

students who are running, reasons to vote, and a

statement from a current councillor. Another article

will go up explaining where and when to vote as a

final reminder.

O6 The problem/aim:

To support with the recruitment

of the Deans of College

When the panels are over and we have given

our suggestions to the university

Alongside our Dean of Students, I co-chaired student

panels to help select the Deans of college for the new

colleges. I got together with the students to discuss

questions and brief them on what needs to be

delivered for interviews.

Interviews were held on 24th

March, 27th

March and

3rd

April 2014. The feedback I have received

suggested the student panel was one of the most

difficult panels and the students were fantastic. I

would like to thank those whom engaged with the

process. The candidates have been evaluated by the

Vice Principals and Vice Chancellor and will come

back for second interviews soon.

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Policy Mandates


P1 The problem/aim:

Motion to Lobby the University to

increase the cycle rack provision

outside the Bannerman Centre

There are extra bike racks outside the

Bannerman Centre

I took the proposal to the Environmental Strategy

Group, whom approved the idea. However, I am still

awaiting the move to happen, the university have

committed in time for the next academic year. I

would again recommend that my successor continues

pushing the university on ensuring they deliver on

what they promised.

P2 The problem/aim:

UBS to sign the Time to Change

pledge

An action plan has been submitted and the

pledge has been signed

Agreed the actions with the university, delivered the

action plan and the pledge was successfully signed on

the 19th

February, University Mental Health and

Wellbeing Day.

P3 The problem/aim:

Accommodation Steering Group

The group has been set up and we achieve

what we agree to achieve – which is a

negotiation to accept only inflationary

increases with a freeze for year 1

We have been round to halls of residence to discuss

how students feel about their halls of residences. We

have set up regular meetings with the university to

discuss how things should run, and attempt to make

minor changes, so for example, in the last meeting;

we agreed to research the introduction of change

machines on campus as a short term measure. We

also discussed a timeline to bring in card access for

washing machines, to reduce the problems of access

to laundry.

We set up the survey, which we consulted with the

NUS VP Welfare and the ARC manager. Pilot

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questions were distributed to students to test the

effectiveness of the questions.

I am currently in the process of planning the protest,

with a group of keen students and the President.

Following the finance committee, which the

president and I prepared for thoroughly, we need to

ensure that students are fully abreast of the things

that are happening. We intend to take a stand on the

accommodation. We have decided that we need a

common goal, and while we are generally opposed to

any increase, we resolve that an inflationary increase

may be acceptable. We have been recommended to

meet with the Dean of Students to take this forward;

a meeting has been convened and we will be entering

negotiations.

Using the Accommodation Group with the university,

we are lobbying for better laundry machines, and the

suppliers are going out to tender. In the meantime,

options are being looked at for change machines. The

contract is going out to tender and the university are

looking at the options.

P4 The problem/aim:

Zero Tolerance towards Sexual

Harassment

Our equality and diversity policy deals with

Sexual Harassment

I have not yet conducted the survey, but I have met

with the University Equality and Diversity Manager to

discuss changes to the policy. The policy will be

reviewed and taken to Trustee Board, where it will be

reviewed annually. The Equality and Diversity Chair

has agreed to help me survey some of the women on

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campus to find out some of their views. I aim to have

the review of the policy done and redrafted within

the next month.

Started writing up a new policy with a view of

bringing to May student assembly/AUM. I intend to

consult with the Equality and Diversity Chair after

exams and fit some of the governance ideas we have

into the policy, as well as looking at the complaints

procedure to ensure that it is clear what happens

when sexual harassment may occur. Additionally, I

will be advising my successor on campaigns that

could be run to ensure this is dealt with effectively.

Meeting feedback


Council Discussed university and estates related business

Elections Debrief

Regular Meeting

with the Pro-Vice

Chancellor (Quality

Affairs)

Discussed mitigating circumstances and the

Regular Meeting

with the VC

Discussed key things such as Accommodation, retention and the Transition Week. The VC has acknowledged

some of the failures and has agreed to push the finance dept. to provide breakdowns of where the money goes.

Social Policy Dealing with confidential personal student issues, e.g. homelessness and mental health. Seeking resolutions for

individual students and looking to ways in which we can change policy.

Protest Meetings Met with keen students to map out where we see the protest heading and to provide some direction. Discussed

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core elements such as media, the actual activity.

Followed that up with a meeting with the Heads of Security to discuss how things will pan out and lay out some

common ground, i.e. making sure our plans do not get out of hand.

BV Dinner Planning

Meetings

Continued with the planning for the dinner, due on the 19th

May.

Cabinet Discussed a variety of things, including responses to things that have happened, e.g. accommodation. Discussed

the finances, operations and events that will take place in the future.

Student Welfare

Committee

Changes to student funding, ALF, DSA, and accommodation

Town and Gown FACE week and actions to maintain neighbourly relations

Brunel Buddy

Scheme

Discussed the training schedule

Governance Review

meeting w/NUS

Looked at options for the governance review

VCs Dinner and

Debate

Discussed txp and changes in modern education

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Sports Federation Chair, Hannah Jones


M1 The problem/aim:

Make the Sports Federation

Committee more well-known

across Brunel’s Sports Clubs so

students are able to come to

them more freely for help and

ideas to improve their club.

I feel as though I have achieved this manifesto point, as more people are aware of Sports Federation

Committee and my role, more people elected themselves to be on my committee this year and I feel

this is down to increasing awareness, therefore, I can say this point has been achieved.

M2 The problem/aim:

Work to drive down the price of

Sports Federation ball tickets, by

organising fundraising events and

more.

By the time Sports Federation Ball tickets went

on sale (term 2), this has been achieved as the

tickets are cheaper

I originally put down that I would do fundraising

events to help decrease this price; however this was

not the right approach. Instead my committee and I,

along with the events department, reviewed each

aspect of the event and cut costs that way resulting in

a cheaper ticket. Therefore, this manifesto aim has

been achieved as they are now £6 cheaper than last

year and in the January sale they were £15 cheaper

than last year

M3 The problem/aim:

Encourage greater involvement

of the Sports Federation

Committee and Club Committees

in the running of their clubs;

helping them with promotion for

hosted Academy nights and other

fundraising events to raise money

for their clubs. To look to

I have engaged with the clubs more this year than previous years along with also engaging my

committee a lot more, a lot of this point relies on clubs informing me of when their nights in academy

are/what they are doing and when clubs do let me know/when I do find out I do promote and help

them out. I’ve promoted fundraising events as best I could and attended some myself so, have helped

out that way. With regards to membership, I have promoted Give it a Go week every time as that is a

great way for clubs to get more members, similarly I have worked with Active Brunel to increase the

engagement of people participating in sport at a social level. Therefore, I feel this point is basically

complete although it is still ongoing throughout the year.

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increase membership

engagement and participation at

both a social and competitive

level

Same as above ^

M4 The problem/aim:

Working with clubs to ensure

they can handle their budget

correctly and advise them on

ways to raise money for

themselves

Training in FACE week (18th

and 19th

May) I have engaged with those clubs deemed in debt,

because no clubs are in debt as such it is more what

clubs owe in terms of their function account, at the

training for the new club committees I will highlight

to them the appropriate ways to handle and manage

their budget and advise them on the appropriate

procedures when taking out money and also raising

money for their club as this is something I want to see

every club doing for not only their club but for RAG as

well etc



O1 The problem/aim:

As Sports Federation Chair the

main role is to support sport

clubs

Continually do this all year I have regular contact with sport clubs and supporting

them on issues they raise with me

O2 The problem/aim:

To oversee planning of Sports

Federation Ball

Friday 25th

April 2014 Sports Federation Ball was an amazing night and a

great success, everyone enjoyed themselves and

everything went to plan!

O3 The problem/aim:

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Policy Mandates


P1 The problem/aim:

Motion to Eject Ineffective

Committee Members

The Standing Committee Chairs

will keep a record of attendance

& make aware to their

committee the roles they need to

fulfil as volunteers.

This point continually happens as I have

committee meetings weekly.

All of my committee so far tell me when they cannot

make it so I can say that my committee are doing the

required work and are not being ineffective.

P2 The problem/aim:

The problem/aim:

Achieved this year:

This year I have thoroughly enjoyed being Sports Federation Chair and I am proud to say that I have achieved all my manifesto points and have also raised

awareness of the Union to the Sports Clubs. Sports Federation Ball was a success and everyone I have spoken to has said that they had a really good night.

Sports Fed Chair has prepared me well for my role next year as VPSA and I know Michael, the new Sports Fed Chair will build upon what I have done this

year and do an even better job.

Meeting feedback


Sports Federation Committee meetings with

Student Activities Development Coordinator,

VPSA, Mark Cryer (Senior Rep for the School

of Sport and Education and Athletics

member), Rachel Keitch (Netball), Michael

Darlow (Basketball), Gemma O’Connor (UK

Taekwondo), Rebecca O’Connor (Hockey),

I cannot remember the dates well, I know I have not met my committee in April and

May, instead we have been communicating via facebook and text to promote the

upcoming elections for the committee next week and I plan to have a goodbye

social/round up of the year with them soon ☺

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Aaron Lowman (Athletics), Nick Wonacott,

and Joe Hogan (Lacrosse

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Environmental Strategy Chair, Sobi Kalan


M1 The problem/aim: Improve representation and participation in environmental issues by being available as much as possible in

order to enable students to raise their concerns directly to me.

I spend time talking to students/staff about

their concerns on environmental issues.

I have been talking to number of students as well as

chairs and staff about their concerns. Have been

taking their ideas and issues to EWG meetings in

order to solve or suggest further improvements.

100

M2 The problem/aim: Having heat saving curtains installed for use in the evenings and on gloomy days when no passive solar

radiation can be used.

100

Identified staff responsible for resources and

had an initial meeting to outline issues.

Have outlined the issue to Director of operations,

some obstacles were mentioned such as Health and

Safety issues and maintenance. Other means of

better air-conditioning and saving energy should be

probed

M3 The problem/aim: Introduce methods to help everyone improve their green knowledge

100

Engagement and awareness raising activities

are in place.

I have introduced new activities such as Rubbish

Basketball. This has been successful with engaging

and increasing awareness on recycling matters. Seed

Sensation, Fishing from commons and re-usable

workshop are other examples of activities introduced

to help increase green knowledge of students.

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O1 The problem/aim: Black out 50

A good, well- coordinated Black out with

desirable results are achieved.

Numerous meetings been attended with Derek M.

Healy. On-line sign-up sheet is available on union

website. Event is being publicised and

O2 Bicentenary Gardens rehabilitation (grow your own project) 100

First step of Project is done and further

support and funding from university is

required.

Had a meeting with Derek M. Healy and visited the

site. Clearing up was started with Derek M. Healy,

Gardening staff, BEST and EWG members.

O4 The problem/aim: Food waste on campus 25

Either the amount of food waste decreased

or the excess food is passed on to local

charities or homeless.

Had a meeting with Campaigns-Chair. Talked to

interested students. Contacted Sodexo, as the

catering body on campus. There has been no

response back yet. Director of operations is

following up.

O5 The problem/aim: Reduced cost on Double-printing 100

Either the desired goal has achieved or initial

discussions have taken place with

responsible staff/department.

This was discussed in ESG on 26th

March and

reaction was positive. The implementation will be

discussed further. This will be done as a part of

Black Out data analysis.

O6 The problem/aim: Green impact 100

At least Silver award is achieved, now waiting

for audits to take place.

Silver award is successfully achieved with a

significant higher score than last year.

O7 The problem/aim: Computers Automatic Shutdown 100

When required software is installed or

installation is being planned

I discussed the plan with Director of operation as

well as Derek H. Mealy. UBS has offered to do trail

period on union’s computers. This will be done as a

part of Black Out data analysis.

29

O8 The problem/aim Fix it Off web page 25

When it is either running or work on the

webpage is started

It will be discussed with Derek H. Mealy. 25

O9 The problem/aim Recycling bin stickers 100

Decisions are made and initial action plan is

set.

Bins along the concourse are being replaced (fund is

granted by university) with more clearly marked

stickers, which clearly conveys the message of

recycling. Scope of project will be widened, so to

cover all halls and premises on campus.

Meeting feedback


March-May Derek H. Mealy Blackout and grow your own project and their implementation were discussed.

January-May VPCW and

Director of

Operation

Numerous meetings were held formally and informally to discuss ideas and actions ned to be taken regarding above

discussed projects.

May Laura Stevenson Black Out sign up sheet was requested.

30

Student Volunteering Chair, Jemima Khalli

Manifesto Aims


M1

The problem/aim:

Improve recognition and

representation of volunteers

To be achieved when term ends so it may be

implemented at the start of the new academic

year.

UPDATE: I have had a ‘blue-sky’ thinking session with

Brunel Volunteers into creating a new reward scheme

rather than a gold, silver or bronze recognition

system.

Thanks to the HEAR award students who volunteer

and take part in extra-curriculum activities such as

RAG and committee members will have that they

have volunteered on their transcripts once they

graduate from university.

For wider representation, I started the first

Volunteers Working Group committee. This will now

be carried on for 2014/15 with the newly elected

Volunteer Chair.

UPDATE: The planning for the Brunel Volunteers

Dinner is going well and hopes to be a wonderful

evening which recognising the amazing work of our

volunteers. We are hoping for this dinner to be the

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best yet with a sophisticated masquerade theme.

M2

The problem/aim:

To maintain strong engagement

and recognition in the

community through volunteering.

We have a strong relationship with the

community and will maintain this with a

community outreach project during F.A.C.E.

UPDATE: A one-off community project will take place

on the second day of F.A.C.E in Cobden Close, which

is a sheltered housing scheme in Hillingdon. The

residence would like their communal green to be

tidied; this includes planting flowers and painting

garden furniture. I am currently recruiting for up to

20 volunteers. All will be transported there and back

and lunch will be provided.

UPDATE: We have a good amount of sign ups for the

volunteering project during FACE at Cobden close.

UPDATE: Due to the time of the year the debate

society have decided to implement their ‘debate

class’ with primary school children in September. All

the information will be handed over to the next

Volunteer Chair elect and the next VP Community

Welfare. This is good as it will allow both new

members of Student Leadership to start on a project

straight away.

Projects such as Good Deed Day have been a success

and clearly demonstrated engagement in the

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32

community as well as Be Brunel.

M3

The problem/aim:

To volunteer abroad through

Brunel Volunteers

March 2014 Invite ICS to campus to meet with previous

volunteers. Research the company to avoid issues

such as ‘voluntourism’.

100

Meeting feedback


06/05/14 BV Dinner Planning Continued with the planning for the dinner, due on the 19th

May.

33

Postgraduate Chair, Samuel Aylett


M1 The problem/aim:

Ensure that postgraduate

students are fully represented

Sufficient changes have been made within the

university to postgraduate study and for the

postgraduate community for all postgraduate

students to flourish

- Andrew George has spoken with the

University Lawyers and unfortunately there is

nothing more that can be done to resolve this

issue.

- Met with Andrew George to discuss different

and more intelligent ways of funding

postgraduate study at Brunel University.

Several ways have been identified. However

there is much more work to be done and I

will need to, when we have decided which

are the best options, feed them back to the

postgraduate community. I WILL ENSURE

THAT ALL OF THIS WORK IS PASSED ON TO

THE NEW PG CHAIR.

M2 The problem/aim:

Work with campaigns to raise

issues in regards to fees and

funding and that they are

addressed

When the university have started to work

towards better financial support for

postgraduate students and that there is a

freeze on postgraduate tuition fees

- I have spoken to Andrew George to discuss

these matters further. Unfortunately the

university will not move to freeze tuition fees

where they are at the moment. They do have

their reasons, the main one being that some

subjects that recruit better have the cross-

subsidise other subjects that are more

expensive to run i.e. STEM subjects that

34

involves bench costs.

M3 The problem/aim:

Create a larger and more

cohesive postgraduate

community.

The Graduate School is no longer fit for

purpose, there needs to be both a collegiate

and central postgraduate space on campus for

the postgraduate community to flourish, and a

governing structure to underpin that. Ideally

the creation of a Postgraduate Students

Association

- I have had a meeting with Professor James

Knowles, Head of Research for the School of

Arts who is particularly interested in seeing

change happen. We spoke at length in

regards to campaigning for a postgraduate

centre within BEEC and to amalgamate the

space already available for students across

campus.

Our PISS (Postgraduate & International

Students Sub-committee) group had a

meeting with Andrew George to discuss a

number of issues one of which was new

space for postgraduates. It would also seem

that there is a great deal of space on campus

that is not used to its full potential, which

needs to be addressed during the TxP phase.

I AM YET TO REVISIT THIS ISSUE WITH AG

SINCE OUR LAST MEETING

Meeting feedback


Working via

email (meeting

planned for

June)

English

Language for

PGR Students

meeting with

All the members of the working group have now received the appropriate data from SITS which details the impact of

various levels of English Language and its impact on PGR attrition rates. We are currently working through the data

electronically and will convene in June to further discuss our findings and what is to be done.

35

Sally Trevor

(IPLC) (offshoot

of the PGR

Working Party)

13th

March 2014 Final PGR

Working Group

Party

Feeding in from the English Language Requirements for PGR Students Working Party we finalised the PGR report,

incorporating feedback from Senate (March).

13th

– 14th

March

2014

NUS

Postgraduate

Students

Conference

See previous report

27th

March 2014 Meeting with

Vice-Principal of

Education and

International

In this meeting we discussed the possibility of putting a freeze on postgraduate tuitions fees. As mentioned above

this is not possible at the moment. The universities main reason is due to cross-subsidisation of other courses that

are more expensive to run.

27th

March 2014

& 3rd

April 2014

Deans of

Colleges

Interviews

The new Deans of Colleges will be announced hopefully by the end of the week. I was part of a panel that

interviewed applicants for the Dean of College role within the new University structure. During the interviews we

questioned the applicants on a number of issues that concerned the student body.