NSU Impact Report 2014

NORTHUMBRIASTUDENTS’ UNION

REPORT 2014

Our Values

“TO HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE LIVES OF ALL OUR STUDENTS”

our mission

DEMOCRATIC * INCLUSIVE * ETHICAL INNOVATION * QUALITY * PARTNERSHIP

3

4 MESSAGE FROM THE VICE-CHANCELLOR PROFESSOR ANDREW WATHEY

5 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT NATALIE-DAWN HODGSON

6 MAKING A BETTER UNION

7 HAVING A POSITIVE IMPACT

8 VOICE - WINNING FOR STUDENTS

9 REPRESENTING YOU

10 EMPLOYABILITY

11 GETTING INVOLVED

12 COMMUNITY

13 BUILDING SOCIAL COMMUNITIES

14 WELCOMING YOU

15 CONNECTING WITH YOU

16 INTERNATIONALISATION

17 WELLBEING

18 STUDENT CITY LIVING

19 SUSTAINABILITY

contentsour pos itive im

pact...

Our Positive Impact for 2014


Students’ Unions are at the heart of the University community. They provide a

welcoming and safe environment with opportunities for cultural enrichment

and personal development for all. Most important, the very best Unions

excel in representing the interests of their members and work constructively

with their University to enhance the quality of the student experience.

Northumbria Students’ Union is all these things and more.

Northumbria is an excellent University for teaching, research and knowledge

transfer. I know that a student’s fi rst priority is to fulfi l their academic

potential. But in a competitive job market extra-curricular activities help

students stand out from the crowd and the Union is a primary channel

through which Northumbria students can enhance their employment

prospects, through the numerous opportunities for personal development

that the Union provides. I commend the outstanding work of all Union

volunteers and the positive impact they have on the University but also the

wider community in Newcastle and beyond.

The Union has run highly eff ective campaigns in the past year engaging

many thousands of students. As a University we listen carefully to what our

students are saying and we will continue to work in partnership with the

Union on issues raised in the future.

I congratulate the Union on a year of tremendous achievement. I look forward

to working closely with you over the coming year.

Professor Andrew Wathey FRHistS FRSA FSA

Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive

Northumbria University

FROM THE VICE-CHANCELLORmessage

Our Positive Impact for 2014 5

Hello Northumbria!

2014 was a great year to be part of Northumbria Students’ Union. Together we

have really made a difference to student life and made some really positive changes

across campus. Our Mission is ‘to make a positive impact on the lives of all our

students’ and through talking to students through a variety of channels it appears

that we have come a long way in achieving this.

Every year we aim to ensure that all students at Northumbria have a great experience

at Uni, whether that be through; joining a society, volunteering, making friends, fun

and entertainment, advice and representation, or even just saving money through

ensuring we offer great value in all of our commercial outlets.

Student representation is clearly at the forefront of what we do and this year we have

successfully lobbied to achieve extended bus hours at Coach Lane, cheaper food in

our retail outlets and free water fountains on campus. We have campaigned for your

rights and our onsite lettings agency NU:LETS has gone from strength to strength,

saving students a total of £60,300 in admin fees over the last year alone.

We’ve seen a huge growth in student involvement with the amount of students

joining societies or taking part in volunteering increasing by 27% with 1 in 5

students on campus, now actively involved in the Students’ Union. Our volunteers

were even recognised on a national level with several NUS nominations and a

collection of awards – most recently the Positive Social Behaviour Order, recognising

the incredible work they do to help the elderly. On top of this, our elections also

saw a 33% increase in the number of voters with the number of candidates

applying to represent their fellow students at an all-time high.

Ultimately we have worked hard to make a real difference for YOU! I am extremely

proud to be part of Northumbria Students’ Union and I hope you enjoy reading

about the impact we have had on your student experience.

Natalie-Dawn Hodgson

President 2014 - 2015

86% of students said we had a positive impact on their lives

NATALIE-DAWN HODGSON PRESIDENT 2014 - 2015

33% INCREASEIN STUDENT VOTERS

1 IN 5STUDENTSNOW ACTIVELY INVOLVED

NU:LETS SAVED STUDENTS

£60,300

6 Our Positive Impact for 2014

UNION

MAKING aBETTER

AS DETAILED IN OUR MEMBER APPROVED PLAN

‘THE BIG IDEAS 2012’, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING

HARD TO ENHANCE THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE.

DELIVERING A POSITIVE IMPACT FOR YOU,

FOCUSING ON OUR KEY THEMES AND, STRIVING

TO DELIVER THESE CORE GOALS:

community BUILDING STUDENT COMMUNITIES

voice HAVE YOUR SAY AND WE WILL WORK

TOGETHER FOR IMPROVEMENT

employability THE UNION WILL DO MORE TO HELP

YOUR FUTURE JOB PROSPECTS

internationalisationAN INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR A

GLOBAL STUDENT BODY

wellbeing WE WILL SUPPORT YOU THROUGH

ALL ASPECTS OF STUDENT LIFE

sustainabilitySUSTAINING THE ORGANISATION

FOR STUDENTS FOR ALL TIME

7Our Positive Impact for 2014

IMPACT

HAVING aPOSITIVEIN 2014 WE MEASURED STUDENT

SATISFACTION, ENGAGEMENT

AND INVOLVEMENT AGAINST

OUR BIG IDEAS AND KEY

OBJECTIVES.

THIS YEAR WE SPOKE TO OVER

76% OF OUR MEMBERS THOUGH

FOCUS GROUPS, AND A NUMBER

OF SURVEYS INCLUDING

‘YOUR UNION, YOUR SAY’, THE

‘NATIONAL STUDENT SURVEY’

AND OUR FRESHER’S WEEK

SURVEY. HERE ARE SOME OF

OUR KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:

86% OF STUDENTSSAID WE HAVE A POSITIVEIMPACT ON THEIRS LIVES

68%of students agreed the Students’ Unionimproved the quality of their academic experience

2,997 STUDENTS VOTED IN OUR SABBATICAL ELECTIONS

AN INCREASE OF 33%

72% OF STUDENTSsaid the Students’ Union has helped them feel part of a community

82% OF STUDENTSagree they are kept well informed by the Students’ Union

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ SATISFACTION INCREASED TO5TH PLACE in the International studentbarometer

74% OF STUDENTSwere satisfied with the overall services, activities and opportunities we provide

68% OF VOLUNTEERSfeel more confident about their future employability as a result of volunteering

INCREASED NET SURPLUS OF

1.5 % TO 4.5% PROFIT FROM TURNOVER

IN OUR STAFF SURVEY,

79% OF STAFF ARE MOTIVATED TO WORK TO THEIR FULL POTENTIAL

53% OF STUDENTSsaid we have improved their personal wellbeing

The Students’ Union has helped me feel part of a

community

POORNIMA DEVI SHANDRA BUSCOURSE REP/RAG/VN


voice WINNING FOR STUDENTS We lobbied the

university to get extended library hours at City Campus East

JOE HOLT, VICE-PRESIDENT ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

www.mynsu.co.ukDRINKAWARE.CO.UK

EMERGENCY

TAXISCHEME

ANONYMOUSMARKING

BIGGERLIBRARY

EXTRACOACH LANE

BUS

AN

REMOVAL

HIDDEN

FEES

of

WE GOT

YOU

@NORTHUMBRIASU MYNSU WWW.MYNSU.CO.UK

A

NU LETS:

LONGEROPENING HOURS

CITY CAMPUS EAST

A T

DEFEATED PROPOSALSTO BAN STUDENT PARKING IN JESMOND

BETTER FOOD AND RECREATION SPACE IN CLAUDE GIBB

BETTER RESEARCH SPACE FOR POSTGRADUATESIN BUSINESS AND LAW

INCREASED FUNDING

BY 9.5%

FOR A BETTER SU EXPERIENCE

GOT FREE WATER fountains on campus

LETTINGS BOARD TO BE BANNED IN STUDENT AREAS

FAIRER ALLOCATION OF TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES FOR POSTGRADUATE RESEARCHERS

OUR ELECTED OFFICERS WORKED HARD TO

CAMPAIGN FOR A BETTER UNIVERSITY

EXPERIENCE. OUR CAMPAIGN YOU SAID SU DID

DELIVERED, AMONGST MANY THINGS:


REPRESENTING YOU

OUR MAIN PURPOSE AS A UNION IS TO REPRESENT, LISTEN AND CAMPAIGN TO MAKE POSITIVE CHANGE ON BEHALF OF NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS. REPRESENTATION IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE UNION AND THE SABBATICAL OFFICERS AND ADVICE & REPRESENTATION STAFF WORK TIRELESSLY TO MAKE POSITIVE CHANGE AND SUPPORT STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE STUDENT JOURNEY.

2,997 VOTES

CAST IN ELECTIONS + 33%FAIRER ASSESSMENTGUIDELINES FOR GROUP WORK

ALL-TIME RECORD OF

28 CANDIDATES IN SABBATICAL ELECTIONS

1,974 HOURS

SPENT ON ACADEMIC CASES

415

COURSE REPS TRAINED 7% INCREASE

1,216

ACADEMIC REPS IN PLACE

£13,150 AWARDED IN CAMPAIGN REP GRANTS

765 STUDENTSconsulted with on timetabling issues

68%Launched Open Knowledge Project

Accessibility improved across campus for disabled students

SPOKE TO OVER

4,000 STUDENTS THROUGH GO OUT AND

LISTEN DAYS AND HALLS VISITS

CAMPAIGNED NATIONALLY

TO PROTECT FUNDING FOR POORER STUDENTS

OF COURSE REPS HAVE MADE A POSITIVE CHANGE

411 ACADEMIC ADVICE CASES


employability

Working for the Union has improved my

loads of transferable skills to enhance my

employability

JOSH RIVERS RAG/WELCOME TEAM/IT CLASSES

68% OF VOLUNTEERS were more confi dent about

their future employability

Launched Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme

479LEADERSHIP POSITIONS MADE AVAILABLELaunched online NVQ accredited training

457 STUDENTS RECOGNISED FOR VOLUNTEERING

86 STUDENTS

NOMINATED FOR ANNUAL AWARDS

Degree accreditation for Nightline volunteers

OVER 110

student staff employed by the Union

50% of our staff recruited in 2014 were Northumbria graduates

66 BAR STAFF COMPLETED AND GAINED AN NVQ CERTIFICATION

STUDENT NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS IT CLASSES WON

1. ‘I Made A Diff erence’ Innovative

Partnership Award 2014

2. ‘Truth About Youth’s’ Positive

Social Behaviour Order Award

Dec 2014

219 STUDENTS had achievements

recognised on their Higher

Education Achievement Report

WON National Nightline

Association Volunteer of the Year

NOMINATED FOR NUS Student

of the Year 2014

961 nominations in Student Led

Teaching Awards +85%

2014 HAS SEEN STUDENT

INVOLVEMENT REACH AN ALL-TIME

HIGH WITH RECORD NUMBERS

OF STUDENTS SIGNING UP TO

VOLUNTEER OR BECOME A MEMBER

OF A SOCIETY. NOT ONLY DOES

THIS ENHANCE THEIR EXPERIENCE

AS A STUDENT BUT IT ALSO

IMPROVES THEIR EMPLOYABILITY

AFTER GRADUATING. WE AIM TO

DEVELOP OUR STUDENT STAFF IN

LINE WITH OUR INVESTORS PEOPLE

ACCREDITATION TO IMPROVE THEIR

FUTURE CAREER PROSPECTS.

11Our Positive Impact for 2014

Volunteering in the community is not only

incredibly rewarding but a great way of

meeting new people and learning new skills

KARLA PRIME NSU MEDIA/VNgetting

INVOLVED116 SOCIETIES

+ 56%

2,402 STUDENTS SIGNED UP TO VOLUNTEER

32,851 HOURS101 STUDENTS

GAVE 935 HOURS IN STUDENT VOLUNTEERING WEEK

£63,000 INVESTEDIN STUDENT ACTIVITIES + 50%

£15,121 RAISED FOR CHARITYTHROUGH RAG

157 RAG TEAM MEMBERS

2,500 MEMBERS

OF THE COMMUNITY BENEFITTED FROM VOLUNTEERING

375 STUDENTS

TOOK PART IN FAST FRIENDS TRIPS


community

BUILDING SOCIALCOMMUNITIESOUR KEY AIM IS TO BUILD STUDENT COMMUNITIES

ON CAMPUS BY PROVIDING EXCELLENT VENUES AND

FACILITIES OFFERING ALL DAY GOOD VALUE AND A

GREAT ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME. WE HOPE TO

PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET FRIENDS BUILD

SOCIAL CONNECTIONS AND CREATE LIFE LONG

MEMORIES. HABITA CONTINUES TO BE THE MAIN

SOCIAL HUB ON CAMPUS.

SERVED OVER 200,000FOOD AND BEVERAGESIN HABITAHOSTED THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PADDY’S DAY WITH1,700 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE

INCREASED FACILITY STUDENT SOCIAL USAGE

BY 44%

SOLD OUTLONDON GRAMMAR GIG AND HOSTED 50 LIVE MUSIC EVENTS

AWARDED VENUE OF THE WEEKfor National Coff ee House Sessions

GAVE 10KAWAY IN FRESHER’S PRIZES

HOSTED OVER 30 STUDENT LED EVENTS


The Students Union is a safe place to

socialise and meet friends

DEAN WILSON LAY STUDENT COUNCILLORHOSTED

6,329 HOURS’ WORTH OF STUDENT LED EVENTS

SERVED 71,455 Starbucks coffees

POURED 170,111PINTS HOSTED HOSPITALITYFOR OVER 22,000 STUDENTSAND THEIR GUESTS AFTER GRADUATION CEREMONIES

COACH LANECAMPUS

THE NEW SHOP

FULL TIME STUDENT ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

FAMILY FUN DAYS AND PARTIES

COSTA COFFEES AT COACH LANE


Being part of the Welcome Team was such a laugh and really rewarding

KEELEY EDMONDSON WELCOME TEAM/NSU/MEDIA

NORTHUMBRIA IS

RENOWNED FOR THE

INCREDIBLE WELCOME

WE PROVIDE. FROM

THE EXCITING DAYTIME

ACTIVITIES PROGRAMME TO

THE LIVE ACTS AND CLUB

NIGHTS, NORTHUMBRIA

FRESHERS’ WEEK HAS IT ALL.

WELCOMING YOU

7,398 ATTENDEDATTENDED SOCIETIES AND PROJECTS FAIRS

LAUNCHED A BRAND NEW FRESHERS’ WEEK PROGRAMME AND

SOLD 1,781 TICKETS

305 WELCOME TEAM moved

5,000 STUDENTSINTO HALLS

OVER 1,300 STUDENTS WORLDWIDE RECEIVED THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT WELCOME PACK

6,275 WELCOME PACKS MAILED TO STUDENTS AHEAD OF FRESHERS’ WEEK

8,359 ATTENDEDCOMPANY FAIRSREDUCED THE PRICE OF FRESHERS’ ENTERTAINMENT

SAVING STUDENTS 36K

1,152 STUDENTSATTENDED DAYTIME ACTIVITIES


CONNECTING WITH YOU

82% OF STUDENTS

FEEL WELL INFORMED

+ 8% ON LAST YEAR

OVER 76% OF STUDENTS

surveyed in market research and focus groups

397% INCREASE

IN INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS

LAUNCHED 13 HALLSFACEBOOK GROUPS

20% INCREASE ON TWITTER FOLLOWERS TO 6.2K

WWW.MYNSU.CO.UK

714KVISITS

I was able to make friends before I

even arrived through joining the Halls Facebook group

CALLUM WATT FACULTY REP

DISTRIBUTED35,000COPIES OF NSU/LIFE MAGAZINE

28,307 NSU/TV YOUTUBE HITS

NEW STUDENTRADIO STATION LAUNCHED

COMMUNICATION AND ENGAGEMENT

HAS BEEN A HUGE FOCUS AND

PRIORITY FOR THE STUDENTS’ UNION

IN 2014. THIS YEAR WE HAVE WORKED

TIRELESSLY TO GET OUR MESSAGE

OUT TO STUDENTS IN THE RIGHT

PLACE IN THE RIGHT WAY AND THE

RIGHT TIME. WE HAVE DEVELOPED

OUR DIGITAL PLATFORMS, AND

INCREASED LINKS WITH STUDENTS

IN HALLS.

DIRECT SUMMER MAIL SHOT TO

25,270STUDENTS554,264

E-COMMUNICATIONS SENT


internationalisationWITH AN INCREASINGLY DIVERSE

STUDENT POPULATION, NORTHUMBRIA

HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE AN

EXCELLENT WELCOME TO STUDENTS

COMING FROM OVERSEAS AND WE HAVE

PROVED TO BE INTEGRAL IN PROVIDING

A PLACE FOR INTERNATIONAL

STUDENTS TO MAKE FRIENDS AND

MEET LIKEMINDED PEOPLE.

Through forming a society I was

able to meet likeminded people

SANDEAN FERNANDEZRAG/ VOLUNTEER NORTHUMBRIA

RANKED 5TH in the UK for international student satisfaction

OVER 1,300 STUDENTSWORLDWIDE RECEIVED THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT WELCOME PACK

WITH 18 DEDICATEDINTERNATIONAL SOCIETIES

OVER 656

INTERNATIONALSOCIETY MEMBERS

7500 INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ATTENDED EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

LAUNCHED INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE

311 STUDENTS ATTENDED GLOBAL FOOD FAIRS

SOCIAL AND DIGITAL MEDIA ACCESSED FROM 70 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

wellbeing AS A STUDENTS’ UNION WE HAVE A

RESPONSIBILITY TO OUR STUDENTS NOT ONLY

TO SUPPORT THEM ACADEMICALLY BUT ALSO

TO ENSURE THEY REMAIN SAFE, HAPPY AND

HEALTHY. WE WORK ALONGSIDE STUDENT

SUPPORT & WELLBEING, LOCAL COUNCILS,

POLICE AND NHS SERVICES TO MAKE SURE WE

PROVIDE AN ALL-ROUND SUPPORT NETWORK

FOR ALL STUDENTS AT NORTHUMBRIA.

There is always someone there

to listen

CAMERON GILESLAY STUDENT COUNCILLOR


LAUNCHED MENTAL HEALTHINITIATIVEHANDED OUT 3,000 FREE CONDOMS

HANDED OUT 2,000 FREE DRINK UNIT CALCULATORS

40% INCREASE IN CALLS TO NIGHTLINESTUDENTS VOLUNTEERED 5,502 HOURSFOR NIGHTLINE

LAUNCHED GETTING SETTLED PROJECT AND SEXUAL HEALTH AWARENESS INITIATIVE

LAUNCHED FREE MASSAGE SERVICE FOR STRESSED STUDENTS

FREE STI SCREENING FOR 18-24 YR OLDS


AFTER LISTENING TO OUR STUDENTS WHO INFORMED

US OF THE ISSUES THEY ENCOUNTERED FROM

LETTING AGENCIES AND LANDLORDS. NU:LETS WAS

LAUNCHED IN 2012 AND HAS GONE FROM STRENGTH

TO STRENGTH, SEEING A HUGE GROWTH IN 2013/14.

WE ARE WORKING HARD TO IMPROVE LIVING

STANDARDS IN THE CITY AND PROVIDE

BETTER ACCOMMODATION FOR STUDENTS.

INCREASED OUR PROPERTY PORTFOLIO BY

133% TO 156 PROPERTIES£60,300

SAVED IN ADMIN FEES

HOUSED 402 STUDENTS

COMPLETED 131TENANCIESHOSTED FIRST EVER HOUSING WEEKLAUNCHED STUDENT CITY LIVING @ NORTHUMBRIA MAGAZINE AND

DISTRIBUTED7,000 COPIESGENERATED

£40,200INCOME

564STUDENTSconsulted with on housing issues in the city

DEALT WITH

600 STUDENT PROPERTY ENQUIRIES

STUDENTCITY LIVING

After a really bad

experience with my

previous landlord

I’m so glad I have

peace of mind

using NU:LETS

TALLY KERRNSU/MEDIA/MUSIC SOCIETY

www.nu-lets.co.ukThe ONLY official and approved student letting agency of Northumbria

STUDENTCITY LIVING

FREETO A GOOD HOME

At Northumbria

Student Housing Survival Guide

Your Guide to the Best Student Areas

Find Your Perfect Pad


£14,405SURPLUS OF

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

UNIVERSITY GRANT FUNDING INCREASED BY

9.5%FOR 2014 - 2015

STRENGTHENED NET CURRENT ASSETS BY

£85,330INCREASED NET SURPLUS OF PROFIT TO

4.5% SECURED FUNDING TO ESTABLISH STAFF POSTS TO SUPPORT STUDENTS ON THE COACH LANE AND LONDON CAMPUSES AND TO IMPROVE ENGAGEMENT WITH STUDENTS LIVING IN HALLS OF RESIDENCES.

Governance £7,684

Affi liations Including NUS £43,331

NU:LETS £14,345

Depreciation £88,644

Costs Of Sales £533,670

Support Costs £488,464

Rent £800,000

Salaries & Wages £1,303,241

University Grants £1,851,500

Self-Generated Income £1,422,284

INCOME

EXPENDITURE

All the money we make is recycled into making better facilities for you

TOM BROMWICHVICE PRESIDENT COMMUNICATIONS & DEMOCRACY (VPCD)

sustainability A BRIGHTER FUTURE

The Students’ Union continues to successfully

manage its costs effi ciently and increase income.

Commercially we seek to diversify our income base

and our in-house letting company NU:Lets continues

to grow with turnover increasing by 661% to £30,399.

The Union made an overall surplus of £14,405 in 2014

an improvement of £49,452.

With net current assets of £246,419 the Union is in a

stable position to build for the future. The University’s

continuing confi dence in the Students’ Union’s

ability to manage its aff airs in a prudent manner was

rewarded with an increase grant funding of 8.5%

to £2,025,000 for the fi nancial year 2014-2015. This

increase in funding allowed us to grow the quality

of the Union’s representation services and the

increase the breadth of student activity and personal

development opportunities for our members.

Due to good fi nancial management and additional

support and increased funding from the University we

have reinvested even more into the Students’ Union.

This has led to better facilities, enhancing our activities

and enabling us to represent students more eff ectively

with better staff support.

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 2013-2014

SELF-GENERATED INCOME INCREASED BY

3% TO £1.442KINCREASED GRANTS FOR STUDENT GROUPS BY

50% TO £48,200

CONFERENCINGHOSTED OVER 1,000 UK and international conference delegates

GAINED RECOGNITION through the attendance of high profi le guest

speakers including Haile Gebrselassie, Sir Jonathon Ive and Sir Chris Hoy

WWW.MYNSU.CO.UK

NATALIE-DAWN HODGSON NICOLE PEGG MIKE POTTER

JAMIE THOMPSON SARAH PRICE AMY WEALLEANS WILLIAM DOWNEY

KATE KENNEDY DAVID INMAN TIM MALLENDER KAREN INGRAM

TIM HILL QUINCY RAYMOND DIANE REDDELL CHRISTINE SIMONS

LAURA NELSON JOE HOLT TOM BROMWICH NICHOLA MCKENZIE

TRUSTEES & LEADERSof

NORTHUMBRIA STUDENTS’ UNION2014

@NORTHUMBRIASTUDENTSUNION @NORTHUMBRIASU MYNSU

Documents

NSU Impact Report 2014