How Can We Help Survey 2016/2017 – Jubilee campus
Survey was taken by 233 students from the Jubilee campus. The responses to the relevant questions are summarised below and compared to the responses of all University of Nottingham students from across all the campuses.
Q3. What stage of study are you currently in?
Compared to all students, a much higher proportion of Postgraduate Taught students completed the survey (43.78% vs. 13.64%). Fewer undergraduate first year Jubilee students did the survey (20.60% vs. 30.80%).
Q9. How can the Students' Union enhance its offer to Jubilee based students?
(a). What are the main barriers getting in the way of you engaging with Students' Union services/events currently?
Out of 151 responses, the majority (21%) mentioned that the lack of on-campus events at Jubilee and lack of an SU office at Jubilee, as well as the events being too far are the main barriers getting in their way of engaging with the SU events and services. Many responses described that lack of SU presence at Jubilee and lack of information about the events and services. Some mentioned that emails are not a suitable way to advertise events, complaining about the high volume of advertisement they receive via email, whilst others said that the advertisement was biased towards social media users. Majority of people also mentioned that the events are hard to access for those living in Nottingham, Lenton or Leicester, and better transport information and services on all days of the week should be provided. Nonetheless, 18% of responders saw no barriers.
(b). What Students' Union services / events would you particularly like to access at Jubilee campus?
Out of 137 responses, the majority (18%) of responders did not want access any further services or events at Jubilee. The most common service that responders would like to access is the SU itself, through a Jubilee-based office, drop in sessions and officer presence. This should enable students to access event information, buy tickets and access career advisors just the way it is possible at UP. The second most common suggestion was to have more society or club events being hosted at Jubilee, including some relaxed social events aimed at international students. Additionally, many responders would like to see more fairs (internships, society, post-university job, Christmas) being organised at Jubilee. Several responses suggested improvement of amenities such as opening of a bank, a shop/print shop, library, sports centre or a bar.
(c). When should these services be made available to fit around your studies?
168 Jubilee students answered this question. Most responses suggested that the services should be available in the evenings. Other common responses were weekdays, weekends or all the time. Some students recommended that the services are open before the academic year and after January exams when students are less busy. There was one suggestion that support should be available online.
Q12. Are you satisfied/ unsatisfied with the performance of your Students' Union? (1 = Extremely unsatisfied; 10 = Extremely satisfied)
A quarter of 185 responders were pretty satisfied with the SU rating it 8, whilst over 91% of responders rated SU’s performance above 5. The average satisfaction score for Jubilee is 6.9, which is the same as the satisfaction score for all students (7).
25 students also provided written responses to this question. Many mentioned not being aware with the exact role of the SU and not being sure how to engage, aside from the Fresher’s week and the Spar shop. Some suggested the events to be more varied and inclusive or non-drinking or mature students. Nonetheless, several have praised the student union for being helpful, the careers service being excellent and meaning well.
Figure 1. 1 = extremely unsatisfied, 10 = extremely satisfied
Q16. On average, how often do you engage with the Students' Union during term time?
171 Jubilee campus students answered this question. Compared to all UoN students, Jubilee students engage less frequently with the SU through physically visiting the SU, browsing SU social media, or attending clubs or societies. They engage in volunteering or work for SU the same amount as the rest of the students. In general, most Jubilee students never visited the SU, attended clubs or societies, or volunteered/worked for the SU. About a third of student from Jubilee engage in SU social media or website once or twice a month.
Once a week or more (1) / Once or twice a month (2) / Once a term (3) / Once a year (4) / Never (5) / AveragePhysically visit Students' Union space / 12% / 26% / 27% / 5% / 30% / 3.16
Browse Students' Union social media or their website / 10% / 33% / 23% / 5% / 30% / 3.12
Volunteer, fundraise or work for the Students' Union (this includes student run services) / 4% / 7% / 12% / 9% / 68% / 4.3
Attend a session or meeting for clubs / societies that you are a member of / 20% / 18% / 13% / 6% / 42% / 3.32
Q17. What does the Students' Union (SU) do and how does it operate? Which of the following statements are true/ false?
171 students from Jubilee answered this question. Compared to all students, a lower percentage of Jubilee students answered this questions correctly and a higher percentage of students answered “not sure”. Similarly to other students, the highest proportion of Jubilee students knew that you do not have to register and pay to be a member of the SU and that the income raised by the SU is reinvested into enhancing student experience. Students were mostly unsure whether the SU is a university department or a charity.
Table 1. Green indicates the correct answer.
TRUE / FALSE / NOT SUREThe SU is a University department / 33% / 45% / 22%
The SU is a charity / 28% / 42% / 30%
Income raised by the SU is reinvested into enhancing student experience / 85% / 2% / 12%
You have to register and pay to be a member of the SU / 9% / 74% / 16%
The SU represents students on local and national issues / 78% / 5% / 18%
Q18. Below are seven statements describing the Students' Union. To what extent do you agree or disagree that your current Students' Union is acting in the way that each statement describes?
This question was answered by 178 Jubilee students. The scores are very similar to those from all UoN students.
Table 2. Score is out of 5, where 5 = strongly agree.
ScoreThe Students' Union is... 'a student led community,independent from the University. We're33,000 connected peoplethat share, support and inspire each other' / 3.4
The Students' Union purpose is... 'to make student life at the University of Nottingham the best that it can be' / 3.8
The Students' Union will be... 'A place for everyone. We will share, support and inspire each other to create awelcoming community, which every student feels a part of' / 3.6
The Students' Union is... 'Welcoming, supportive, straight-talking and vibrant' / 3.5
The Students' Union helps to... 'drive opportunities, learning and development' / 3.4
The Students' Union helps to... 'voice and effect changes we want to see' / 3.3
The Students' Union... 'Champions every community students belong to' / 3.2
Q19. Here are lots of words/terms that have been used by students to describe the Students' Union. Please choose the three that you most agree with right now.
180 students from Jubilee answered this question. In green are words/terms that were more commonly used to describe the SU by Jubilee students than all UoN students, whereas the red presents that a smaller proportion of Jubilee students chose that word/term to describe the SU. In general, fewer Jubilee students chose terms associated with active representation, events or engagement to describe SU.
Table 3. Responses ordered from the most commonly chosen words/terms to the least often chosen words/terms.
Societies and sports / 51.11%Events and activities / 38.89%
Social / 27.22%
Mooch bar / 21.67%
Welfare / Support / 21.11%
Extra-curricular / 17.22%
Collaborative - students working together / 13.89%
Vague / 13.33%
For undergraduates / 13.33%
Active representation - student voice / 12.22%
Democracy and voting / 10.00%
Fundraising and volunteering / 10.00%
Inclusive / for everyone / 8.89%
Approachable and welcoming / 8.33%
Discounts and shops / 7.78%
Vibrant / 5.56%
For postgraduates / 4.44%
Empowering / 3.33%
Other / 2.22%
Straight Talking / 1.11%
Progression / 0.56%
Q20. Who coordinates the following student services?
178 students from Jubilee answered this question. Fewer students from the Jubilee campus correctly identified that SU coordinates volunteering, societies, and student advice centre. Also, a higher proportion of Jubilee students answered “not sure” or “haven’t heard of this service” for each service.
Table 4. Green colour indicates the correct answer.
Haven't heard of this service / University / Student's Union / Both Uni and SU / Neither Uni or SU / Not sureVolunteering / 6% / 4% / 27% / 40% / 1% / 21%
Societies / 1% / 6% / 52% / 30% / 1% / 10%
Course reps / 5% / 33% / 17% / 30% / 1% / 15%
Student Advice Centre / 3% / 31% / 13% / 33% / 1% / 19%
Q21. Are you a member of/involved in any sports clubs, societies or volunteering opportunities at the University of Nottingham?
55 Jubilee students answered this question. A much higher proportion (14% more) of Jubilee students have no intention of joining a society. Also, a higher proportion of Jubilee students are not members of societies, sport clubs or don’t engage in volunteering despite considering to do so in the past, whereas as smaller proportion of Jubilee students engage in societies (-26%), sport clubs (-12%) or volunteering opportunities (-10%).
No, I have no intention to become a member/get involved / No, but I have considered it / No, but I have identified a group/opportunity I'm interested in / No, but I will join/get involved in the near future / Yes, I've recently joined/got involved / Yes, I've been a member for longer than 6 monthsSociety / 24% / 33% / 4% / 7% / 22% / 11%
Sports Club / 27% / 35% / 11% / 5% / 16% / 5%
Volunteering opportunity / 28% / 50% / 7% / 11% / 2% / 2%
Q24. To what degree do you feel...
This question was answered by 168 students from the Jubilee campus. The average score for each feeling if lower for Jubilee students compared with all UoN students. The biggest difference in at “feeling at home” (6.64 vs. 7.35).
There were 39 comments in response to this question. 9 of the responses suggested that there should be more events out of the UP and at Jubilee, and further 7 responses suggested more inclusive events or societies for postgraduate, international or distant-learner students. Also, 12 responses commented on the lack of transparency, poor communication or lack of advertisement, specifying that the SU needs to provide more one-to-one contact with the students. There were 2 positive responses.
Table 5.Score out of 10, where 10 = very much so.
Average score"At home" at the UoN / 6.64
A sense of belonging or involvement with the SU / 4.49
That the SU effectively represents students academic interests / 5.4
Q25. How has the Students' Union impacted upon your University experience so far?
171 students from the Jubilee campus answered this question. The SU has made a positive impact on the experience of 14% fewer students from the Jubilee in comparison to all UoN students, whilst having a negative impact on 3% more Jubilee students.
There were also 13 comments in response to this question. 7 of these responses were highly positive, praising the SU for its hard work and commenting on the huge support it has been. Other comments suggested more events to be held at Jubilee, the minority groups to be adequately represented and better advertisement of events and societies outside of the Freshers’ fair. Two comments criticised the SU for not being very visible.
PercentagePositive impact (+1 to +5) / 56.1%
No impact / 33.9%
Negative impact (-1 to -5) / 6.4%
Q27. We noticed that you answered with a negative number. Please share with us what has contributed to you feeling this way so that we can improve services for you in the future.
6 students provided comments. Shared theme was that the SU needs to be more accessible, introduce itself to all students and be quicker at replying to students.
Q28. How has the Students' Union impacted upon your wellbeing so far?
169 students answered this question. The SU has made a positive impact on the welfare of 12% fewer students from the Jubilee in comparison to all UoN students, whilst having a negative impact on 2% more Jubilee students.
11 comments were also provided. 6 comments were positive describing the ways in which the SU had a positive impact on students. 2 students expressed that they don’t have enough information about the SU and that the SU is not present at Jubilee.
PercentagePositive impact (+1 to +5) / 41.4%
No impact / 52.1%
Negative impact (-1 to -5) / 4.1%
Q29. We noticed that you answered with a negative number. Please share with us what has contributed to you feeling this way so that we can improve services for you in the future.
There were 2 responses to this question but neither were constructive.
Q31. The Students' Union aims to enhance your wellbeing, course satisfaction, university experience, sense of belonging, and your overall satisfaction with the Students' Union.We'd like to know which of these focus areas you value the most.
This question was answered by 48 Jubilee students. In green are factors rated as more important by students from the Jubilee, and in red are factors that are less important to Jubilee students. Also, the impact that the SU has on one’s overall University experience was ranked as most important by both groups of students but scored more highly among Jubilee students (6.41 vs. 5.75).
Table 6. Score of importance that these factors have on students. Higher number indicate higher importance.
Average scoreThe impact that the Students' Union has on youroverall University experience / 6.41
The impact that the Students' Union has on your wellbeing / 5.20
The degree to which you're satisfied with your course/PhD studies / 5.02
The degree to which the Students' Union represents your academic interests / 4.98
Your sense of belonging with Nottingham overall / 4.50
The degree to which the Students' Union represents your non-academic interests / 3.82
Your sense of belonging with the Students' Union / 3.53
The degree to which you're satisfied with your Students' Union overall / 2.74
Q37. During the Autumn term (September to December), have you experienced any difficulties / challenges in relation to the following aspects of University life?
This question was answered by 147 students. The highest amount of difficulties/challenges experiences by Jubilee students was with academic pressures/procedures, followed by finance and then wellbeing and welfare. This order is very similar to all UoN students. However, Jubilee students experienced more difficulties with finance (+3%), social life (+3%), employability (+5%) and activities, sport, or societies (+3%).
Table 7. Comments ordered from the most commonly mentioned reasons.
YES / NO / CommentsFinance / 33% / 67% / First term is more expensive as need to purchase books and memberships, many comments about problems with money lasting all semester and balancing all demands, student loan only covering the tuition costs and not maintenance, wanting to find a job but it being difficult, loan/bursary coming in after accommodation deadline. hard to get support for European students.
Wellbeing and welfare / 23% / 77% / Depression and high stress levels, finding it hard to eat and experiencing anxiety due to work and/or home sickness, family problems/bereavement and not offered help from student services, oriental students being targeted by thieves and not accepted by English students, finding it hard to keep active or sleep, being exhausted.
Academic pressure/procedures / 42% / 58% / High work load or many exams, short or overlapping deadline so hard to keep up with work, poor time management, lack of time to join societies, hard to find out when deadlines for applications or coursework as courses/websites are disorganised, lost coursework by Student Centre, not sure what is expected of students
Accommodation and travel / 15% / 85% / late/unreliable buses and 903 Hopper Bus being full, hall not catering for vegetarian/kosher diet and offering a poor variety of food, bad landlord or repair service, moving house, placements far away, Jubilee is very dark at night, cannot cancel a contract to move to a quieter place,
Social life / 11% / 89% / Hard to make friends and fit in, discrimination toward international students, older students or those living further away.
Employability / 18% / 82% / Most comments mentions that it is very hard for international students to find jobs as applications rejected quickly (inc. Unitemps) and not enough opportunities, no time for a job or lack of part-time jobs.
Activities, sport and societies / 15% / 85% / Lack of time was the most common comment, societies not keeping up to date with students and having late meetings, lack of information at Jubilee, Nightline didn’t reply to a potential volunteer, hopper bus not running on Sundays,
Anything else? / 5% / 95% / All named once: No water fountains, a SU office should be located at Jubilee, food supplied by university is too expensive, not being able to access library during October half-term.
Q54. Do you follow any of the below University of Nottingham Students' Union (UoNSU) social media channels? If so, which do you visit most regularly?
This question was answered by 101 students. Facebook is the most commonly followed SU channel across Jubilee students and all UoN students (58% and 56.8% respectively). 3.5% more Jubilee students do not follow any SU channels. 4% fewer Jubilee students follow Twitter, 6% fewer follow Instagram, 5% fewer follow Snapchat, 10% fewer follow their Hall Facebook groups but 4% more follow the SU YouTube channel.
% of students that follow it / % of students that follow this option the mostUoNSU Twitter / 35.00% / 18.00%
UoNSU Facebook / 58.00% / 31.00%
UoNSU Instagram / 18.00% / 8.00%
UonSU YouTube / 10.00% / 1.00%
UoNSU Tumblr / 3.00% / 1.00%
UoNSU Snapchat / 6.00% / 3.00%
UoNSU Wechat / 1.00% / 1.00%
Your Hall's Facebook group / 27.00% / 11.00%
None of the above / 25.00% / 19.00%
Q56. Do you perceive the Students' Union to be open and transparent or closed in its decision making and processes?
47 students answered this question. Jubilee students rated the SU 5.34/10 for transparency. This is lower compared to the score from all UoN students (6.1).
Table 8. 1 = extremely closed, 10 = extremely open.
Percentage1-4 (closed) / 8.52%
5 (neutral) / 21.28%
6-10 (open) / 70.21%