University of Lincoln Students' Union Strategy 2013

Students’Union

Strategic Plan 201

3- 2016

contents

06Introductions

A message from the current Students‘ Union Presidentand our Chief Executive

14Satisfaction

Our members‘ satisfaction and understanding of our Union

22RepresentationWorking to be a strong,

representative Union that iseasy to access

08Vision

Our Vision, Mission and Brand Values set to achieve them

16Support

Recognising the needs of our diverse membership

24Employability

Working to provide opportunities to our members for their self-

development.

10Key Themes

Our top priorities, as chosen by our members; heading

our research

18Events/Social

Working to improve the social experience of our members

26Community

Ensuring our members value their place in Lincoln,working with

the wider community

12The Plan

Our plan based on research highlighting our perceived

weaknesses

20Academic

Working to improve the teaching and the quality of the academic

experience in Lincoln

28Messages

A message from the previous Students‘ Union Presidentand our Vice-Chancellor

Students’ Union Strategic Plan | 05

A lot of work has gone into this strategic plan to ensure that it is based on the opinions of students at the University of Lincoln, and as a result I feel it is very much based on the needs of our membership.

The success of this strategy will not be the result of any one individual but will be achieved by us working together as a team whether we are student elected officers, Union staff, members of the community, stakeholders or students.

The changes to the higher education sector, including the increases in tuition fees, have meant that both student and institutional priorities have been affected.

As a Students’ Union and the representative body of students at the University it is important that this strategy has been and will continue to be enhanced and informed by the students, ensuring that our direction, reputation and ethos remain true to the objectives of the University of Lincoln Students’ Union.

Dan Sam

Students’ Union President


The University of Lincoln is on a journey. It has had a meteoric rise through league tables and it is our goal to ensure that we are there to make sure the University, and the experience our members have whilst studying at Lincoln, is the best it can be now, and in the future.

We recognise that students at Lincoln are investing in their future, and we want to ensure that they are given every opportunity through our student-led representation and participation to reach their potential in every area of their life in Lincoln and beyond.

In July 2012, the Students’ Union became a truly independent organisation when the University gave the Union’s Board of trustees full autonomy in the running of the organisation. As a result, the position of Chief Executive was created in order to support the officers of the Union to develop a Union that was member-led and to ensure that the organisation could make decisions that would challenge the University and improve the student experience for our members.

Spanning six months, and with the help of an independent consultant, we have conducted a major conversation with both students at the University of Lincoln and our stakeholders.

This evidence has been analysed and evaluated through a series of reports and workshops and is the driving force behind this strategic plan.

‘

James BrooksChief Executive ’

As the landscape of Higher Education continues to change, so too do the needs of our members. This plan is designed to provide a clear sense of direction and purpose whilst still being flexible enough to accommodate changes in the needs and wants of our students over the coming years.

We aspire to be a Union that is member-led, and one that is respected and recognised by our members, the University, our other stakeholders and other Students’ Unions, as a Union that makes a positive and noticeable difference to the lives of our members.

A Students’ Union where every

Lincoln student has a great

experience and is encouraged and

assisted to fulfil their potential

both at University and in life.

Is to help all students have a successful,

enjoyable and memorable time at Lincoln.

We will work with our students to be an

important part of their social, academic

and working life by providing support and

representation to all that need it.

Our Vision

Our Mission

08 | Students’ Union Strategic Plan

Our values in achieving our visionand mission »

1 Quality We will make sure that everything we do is to a high standard. In everything we do, we will always aim to be the best.

2 Strong We will be a strong sustainable Union that our members can trust to make their experience at Lincoln the best it can be.

3 Approachable We will make sure that every student knows who we are, where we are and what we can do for them at any time of the day.

4 Nurturing We will make sure we offer our members opportunities and support so they can grow to be the best they can be while they are at Lincoln and beyond.

5 Honest We will always be honest with our members. Everything we tell them will be the truth – you can trust us!

6 Dynamic We will always respond and act quickly to any issues that affect our members, on campus, in the local community or nationally.

RepresentationRepresenting the views of students to the University 52%

EVENTS/SOCIALEvents, activities and live entertainment 46%

Help and AdviceProviding independent help and advice to students 43%

Sports and SocietiesSports clubs and societies 40%

SUPPORT FOR GRADUATESProviding support to help students into work after graduation 39%

Top Five Priority Areas

Our members told us what they feel the top five priority areas for the Union inthe next five years should be:


Our Key Themes

Based on this research we have developed six key themes that we are going to prioritise over the next three years »

- Perceived weaknesses of the Students’ Union | Stakeholder survey Nov 2012

Perceived Weaknesses of the Students’ Union

What three words would you use to describe the Union’s biggest

weaknesses?


Research & Execution of the Plan One of the issues identified through the research process was communication.

Both our members and our stakeholders told us that we could do more to communicate effectively about who we are and what we dofor our members.

Why do we exist? How can we help our members? What have we achieved? What are we doing? - These are questions that our students ask of us and we need to be able to answer.

Thinking of all the Services, Including Support, Activities and Academic Representation Provided by the Students’ Union at your Institution, to What Extent do you Agree with the Following Statement - ‘I am satisfied with the Students’ Union at the University of Lincoln’

Satisfaction The members who are involved with us, value our services and acknowledge the difference we make in their lives while they are studying.

Understanding And Involvement

Level Of Involvement with Students’ UnionUsing a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is not involved at all and 5 is very involved, how involved would you say you are with the Students’ Union? (see bottom of page)

The 28% of our members who answered neither suggests that they are not aware of the service we provide.

We have 3025 individual members (25% of the student population May 2013) involved in our Activities department.

This year however, only 10% of students at the University think that they are involved in the Students’ Union.

As a result of this research we have significantly increased our resources in our Student Voice department to allow

us to effectively communicate with our members. We will inform our members of our activities, our

successes, and the action we have taken on their behalf.

Our new Customer Relationship Management system will be sector leading and will be the centre of our organisation. It will allow us to know what our members

want to hear from us and only send information that we believe will be of interest

to them. We will become the most effective way for our stakeholders to communicate to

students at the University of Lincoln.


1 Not involved at all 2 3 Neither 4 5 Very Involved

Using a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is not involved at all and 5 is very involved, how involved would you say you are with the Students’ Union?

Support

We will provide every student with

independent, unbiased support

and guidance on all matters relating

to their student experience whilst

studying in Lincoln.

We recognise the needs of our diverse

membership, so all our support will be

personalised to the individual.

Research Showed/Discovered43% of students said we should prioritise providing independent help and advice to students.

54% of students said that they would turn to the Students’ Union for help or advice.

43% of students currently think that the Students’ Union provides an advice centre.

20% of students think about isolation, loneliness or bullying on a daily basis.

43% of students currently think that the Students’ Union provides an Advice Centre

What We Will Do

We will provide an independent advice service for all Lincoln Students, offering professional academic, housing, welfare, financial and well-being advice.

We will support our members by promoting safe and affordable student housing in Lincoln and lobby relevant stakeholders to continually improve the quality of their accommodation.

We will support and protect our members while they study in Lincoln and work to ensure that they feel part of a supportive student network.

We will campaign to ensure that our members feel safe while

they are on University of Lincoln campuses.

Provide Postgraduate and Mature student support through events, shared experience and friendship.

What Success Will Look Like

90% of our members would refer our support and advice services to their friends.

90% of our members are aware that the Union provides advice and support.

55% of our members would use our support services if they needed to for academic issues.

We will provide a student advice service which is run by a qualified advisor.

‘The support system needs to be massively improved. If somebody comes for help there needs to be a mechanism kicked in. If there is somebody in charge of welfare and somebody in charge of academic issues, they should continually be able to deal with students’ problems’ (Mary, 50+, 3rd year, Computing Information Systems)

‘The uni has to care for its students and the SU has a priority to help with this’ (Ryan, 20, 1st year, Business)


Events/Social

We want to make sure our

members enjoy their time in

Lincoln, meet new friends and feel

part of a special community.

We will provide events that appeal

to our wide range of students

and provide a place where our

members feel safe and welcome.

We will not toleratediscrimination

of any type.

We want to make sure that our

members can socialise in places

where they feel welcome and the

entertainment provided is student-

led and aimed at students.

Research Showed/Discovered53% of students think that the Students’ Union should run the Engine Shed and Tower Bars.

41% of students currently think that the Union runs the Engine Shed, 31% think a private company runs it and only 20% think that the University run it.

38% of students think that the Union runs the Tower Bars, 34% a private company and only 19% the University.

67% of students would like the Union to work with bars and clubs to put on more student nights in Freshers and throughout the year.

80% of students would like the Union to work with local cultural venues to provide more entertainment for students throughout the year.

For each of the following services please indicate whether it’s run by The University of Lincoln, Lincoln Students’ Union, private company or not sure (number of students)

Job Shop

Advice Centre

Engine Shed

Tower Bars

Sports Clubs and Societies

Academic Representation


What We Will Do

We will work to improve the social experience of our members whilst they are studying at the University of Lincoln.

We will provide a range of student and guest only events to ensure that all our members feel a sense of ownership over their social experience.

We will organise cultural events to celebrate the diverse student population in Lincoln and bring people from different backgrounds together.

We will create an official Students’ Union bar where only our members and their guests can socialise.

We will organise cultural and social trips within Lincolnand beyond.


0 % of our members will answer ‘very concerned’ to the question ‘How concerned are you on a daily basis about Isolation, loneliness or bullying’ in the Annual Membership Survey.

95% of our members believe that events organised by University of Lincoln Students’ Union are safe.

80% of our members have met a friend at a University of Lincoln Students’ Union activity or event.

60% of our members believe that our events are relevant and student led.

We will be providing a profitable student-led bar that is profitable to our members.

41% OF Studentsthink that the Students’ Union currently run the Engine Shed, and a further 38% think we run the Tower Bars.

ACADEMIC We will work to improve the quality of support

from both the University and the Union.

We will give our members the tools to think about

how they learn as active partners in their course.

Together we will lobby the University to overcome

any barriers which prevent our members from

fulfilling their academic potential.

Research Showed/Discovered66% of students are concerned on a daily basis about their academic achievement.

Students told us that the best way we can help is to provide independent support and advice (43%), engage more in academic skills provision (57%) and provide effective representation to the University (52%).

52% of students said they were concerned with their academic workload on a daily basis.

Only 42% of students think that the current Course Representative system is effective.

27% of students do not know how to contact their Course Representative.

Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements regarding Course Reps :

I Am Aware Of WhoMy Course Rep Is

I Know How ToContact My Course Rep

The Course RepSystem Is Effective


What We Will Do We will work to improve the teaching and the quality of the academic experience in Lincoln by highlighting best practice to academics as reported by our Reps.

We will utilise course reps as active partners to campaign and lobby on academic issues.

We will provide independent advice on course issues and academic disputes.

We will work with the University to improve the induction and transition of undergraduates.

We will also coordinate a programme of academic skill development.

We will work to close the feedback loop between our members and their lecturers by lobbying for high quality feedback on all of their assignments and developments on their courses.


70% of our members will believe the Course Representative system is effective.

90% of course reps will believe that the Course Representative training is effective.

85% of our members will know who their Course Representative is.

80% of our new members will find the information provided to them by the Union, aided their transition to University.

The institution feedback score in the NSS survey will improve to 4.2 .

of students are concerned on a

daily basis abouttheir academic workload66%

Representation We will be a strong representative Union that

is easy to access.

We will be useful to all our members no

matter who they are, where they are from,

where they study or how they study.

We will be respected by the University and

the local community for being the voice of

students working hard to constantly improve

the reputation of Lincoln and the University.

Research Showed/DiscoveredStudents told us that they want us to represent them to the University and in the community.

Only 40% of our Students felt that they could influence our decision (2013).

60% of students felt that the Union represented the views of students effectively to the University (2013).

51% of students felt that the Union was excellent at involving students (2013).

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the Students’ Union?

The Students‘ Union supports a wide range of sports, sports clubs and societies that I can get involved in

The Students‘ Union offers a great range of activities and events for students

The Students‘ Union provides employment and volunteer opportunities that can help with my future career

The Students‘ Union represents the views of students to the university effectively

The Students’ Union represents the views of students through national campaigns

I would turn to the Student‘s Union if I needed help or advice

The Students‘ Union is excellent at involving students

I know exactly who the Students’ Union are and what they do

I can influence what the Students‘ Union does and the decisions it makes

What We Will Do

We will involve more students in our decision making by improving election turnout, running more referenda and holding more general meetings.

We will be the Student Voice for the Lincoln experience and represent our members’ views to make effective and sustained change.

We will work to ensure that all students and staff at the University are aware of the Course Representative System, its effectiveness and the power of the Union in delivering positive change on campus.

We will be aware of and understand the issues our members are facing while they study at Lincoln, and we will provide effective support to help members overcome them.


75% of our members feel that they could influence our decisions.

85% of our members felt that the Union represents the views of students effectively to the University.

90% of our members know that they are members of the Students’ Union.

The main Sabbatical Election turnout will be 45%.

80% of our members will answer positively to the question ‘I am satisfied with the Students’ Union at my institution’ in the National Student Survey.


Employability Employability is not just about getting a job. To us

employability means working in partnership to provide

opportunities to our members for their self-development.

Helping our members understand the skills they have and

need, and provide guidance on how to utilise them to

achieve their personal ambitions in work and in life. Our

approach will be individualised...

Research Showed/Discovered57% of our students are concerned daily with their employability. The evidence is clear that our members want us to continue providing quality student led opportunities and work in partnership to create new opportunities and provide guidance.

Students said that we should be prioritising providing support to help them into employment after graduation.

‘Provide unique and highly respected opportunities, giving Lincoln students qualities that will shine on CVs. Learning and developing new skills, being involved with communities, projects and experiences will provide the confidence that is essential for life after university. With these experiences students are more likely to succeed and prosper in future careers.’ Jo Porter (University of Lincoln Student – Social media feedback campaign 2013).

What We Will Do We will work to provide a programme of training, in partnership with University departments that will empower our members to understand their employability potential.

We will work in partnership with the Careers Service to promote employability, employment and volunteering opportunities.

We will work to reward and recognise our members for the skills acquired while volunteering during their time at the University of Lincoln.

We will work to improve the access to and experience of Enterprise, albeit social or commercial for our members to develop their skills.

We will ensure that first year members understand the value and importance of starting their career pathway in the first year at University.


3000 of our members complete the volunteer log books.

90% of our members involved in the Union know their involvement is of benefit to them (club & society committees, reps, community volunteers, etc)

90% of our members know how to access employability opportunities that the Union supports and provides.

90% of members will consider the employability events we provide to be of value by a qualified advisor.

We should - ‘Hold speeches from renowned people and hold personal development work shops which would work alongside the job shop.’ (Sami – 3rd Year Student –Social Media Feedback Campaign 2013)


CommunityWe want to make sure that every

student feels part of the University of

Lincoln experience, that they feel part of

something much larger; an experience

where they are supported and made to

feel welcome on a friendly campus.

We recognise that there is a local

community on campus as well as the local

community of Lincoln. We will work to

ensure that students value their place in

Lincoln and work in partnership with the

wider community to create a sense of civic

pride in Lincoln amongst our students.

Research Showed/DiscoveredStudents were asked what their main concerns regarding isolation were: - Meeting new people, being away from home and lack of Community feel when at University

There should be a general initiative to make university more of a community, not just somewhere you live for three years, and everyone should have the chance to come together - (18, 2nd year Psychology)

A lot of Lincoln has been built around student lifestyle. I think older locals don’t like the students. Some of the trouble can be between locals and students as locals have a negative opinion about us. The locals are not happy being built around student living - (21, male, 2nd year, International Business Management)

We need better links with external organisations –Stakeholder Survey 2012

‘Some courses don’t encourage a sense of Community. When starting out at University, you

need to meet people in the first week. I think if you miss the

window, others can be hostile to a new member at a later date’

- 18-21, Female, 2nd Year Psychology

What We Will Do Campus CommunityWe will work to build a campus for all our members focussing on creating a safe and welcoming community of students regardless of age, nationality, gender and method of study.

We will recognise that our diverse range of members have different needs and priorities whilst they are on campus.

We will work to understand and then ensure that the needs of all different groups are met.

We will work with the University to help integrate international students into the wider campus and local community.

We will be recognised by the student community as being there for them and recognising their needs whilst on campus.

Local CommunityWe are proud to be part of the Lincoln community and we want the community to be proud of the students who choose to call Lincoln home for the duration of their studies.

We hope to improve opportunities for both students and local residents by working in partnership with stakeholders to raise standards of all activities that take place.

We will encourage our members to be good considerate neighbours who are valuedby local residents.

We will provide opportunities for our members to volunteer to make a difference in the Community.

We will develop and support a network of Community Representatives who are the conduit for linking the local community withthe student body.


We will provide guidance and support to a minimum of two student-led projects working in the community. We will organise at least one event/activity that brings the local community and students together.

We will produce three community newsletters produced each year and distributed to local residents in student areas.

35 news stories in the local newspapers highlighting Student Union activity.

20% of our Students think about Loneliness, Isolation or Bullying on a Daily Basis


A Message from the President 2012-13, Jennine Fox This strategy has been informed by a thorough research programme and developed through a series of working groups that have enabled us to clearly identify what our students want and need during their time at Lincoln.

The entire team here at the Students’ Union has worked hard to ensure that we can look positively towards the future and provide the best possible services for our members.

I am delighted with the outcome and know that Dan Sam, our future President, will do a fantastic job in taking this strategic plan forward and ensuring its delivery.

The future looks very exciting for Lincoln, not only with what we can offer to the students but also to the wider community.

Jennine FoxStudents’ Union President 2012-13

‘

’

A Message from Vice Chancellor, University of Lincoln , Mary StuartThe University has long been proud of its relationship with the Students’ Union and the contact between individual staff and students has been emphasised as crucial by our Student as Producer ethos. I am excited to build on this even further as the Students’ Union implements its new strategic plan over the coming years with a view to being the strongest advocate for our students possible.

We have increased the number of seats on committees to allow the Students’ Union a more effective platform to represent students’ opinions and we are working to introduce new innovative methods for student engagement through our Student Engagement Strategy. This has already seen us work together to train and include students as full

members on staff interview panels, quality review and approval panels, and it will continue to produce exciting results that empower students as producers of their University.

Similar partnership efforts can be seen, to name just a few of many, across our sports, employability and public engagement work.

The Students’ Union’s new strategic plan gives extra impetus to building on this partnership approach and helpfully focuses all our minds on our common goal of collaboratively developing an excellent, personal student experience.

Professor Mary StuartVice-Chancellor

contact us

University of LincolnStudents’ UnionBrayford PoolLincoln, LN6 7TS

Phone: 01522 886006

Email: [email protected]

Web: lincolnsu.com

Twitter: @lincolnSU

Facebook: facebook.com/lincolnsu

University of Lincoln Students' Union Strategy 2013

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Transcript of University of Lincoln Students' Union Strategy 2013