Newcastle University Students’ Union/ Newcastle University Partnership Committee

COUNCIL REPORT

22 May 2017

Summary

This paper summarises the discussions held between the Students’ Union and Newcastle University at the meeting of Partnership Committee on 17 March 2017.

1.  Governance – Students’ Union Code of Practice

The Committee were happy with the amendments to the Code of Practice; that affiliations will be agreed by the NUSU Council once a year, and an inclusion to Rights of Members to Vote on Affiliations, detailing that for the result of a referendum to be binding a minimum of 5% of the whole student population must vote.

2.  Students’ Union Management Accounts 2nd Quarter Update

Membership figures are coming in on budget, retail is where it should be in terms of gross profit, and Events have made a slight surplus. Despite challenges around the bar and loss of a regular Saturday, March was on target and running diverse/new events appears to be bringing the budget back on track. The bottom line surplus is currently at £59k, with the end of year forecast likely to be a surplus of £45k.

3.  Students’ Union Operational Plan 2nd Quarter Update
The majority of targets are ‘generally on track’ with some ’well ahead of target’.

A prize draw was offered to incentivise elections and the highest ever number of votes from students was recorded. The NCL+ Awards have recorded 1000 registrations which is a 200% increase on last year, and the ILM leadership programme has had a fantastic response with 118 out of 180 places available on workshops already taken.

Appointment provision needs some attention, due to staff sickness and capacity issues but is still on track to deliver the target for available appointments by end of the year.

The balance of student activities is shifting from a regular Saturday night to live music events and alternative entertainment such as darts and bingo. This has had a negative impact on the Saturday night trade and will need more attention. NUSU footfall is up due to an increase in student numbers, and widening access School visits are going really well with more students getting involved in delivering sessions.

4.  Students’ Union President’s Report

Election results have been finalised for new Officers and part time Officers with a four month hand over period. There were three names shortlisted for the renaming of Mensbar; Alias, Luther’s, and The Cross & Lion. Luther’s won the vote and rebranding will begin soon.

In terms of engagement a combination of ‘You Want it. We Got it’, and Stressed out Students campaigns as well as lecture shout outs has resulted in speaking to over 5000 students so far this year. Anecdotal feedback (particular in terms of Stressed out Students campaign) has been that it was a simple yet effective gesture which was well received. NICOT (Newcastle International: Changemakers of Tomorrow) is going ahead, thanks extended to the University for funding towards this. Jack Taylor will be going to Malaysia in April with 10-12 students.

In relation to Mental Health, a lot of work has been done with sports clubs and personal tutors since the start of term, and a paper with guidance to help staff know when to refer students has been produced.

Following the rugby disciplinary, the club’s suspension for breaching their duty of care was lifted after a week. Sophie Matthews worked closely with them, a new committee was elected for the club and they wrote and signed up to their own code of conduct. NUSU felt that the correct messages and training needed to be widespread (not just directed at sports clubs) and an alcohol awareness campaign began week commencing 20 March 2017.

5.  Subvention Proposal

The core bid is for £1.867 million (an approximate 5% uplift on last year’s figure). This figure is based on two key assumptions which remain variable until the end of May; whether or not NUSU go back in the NUS, and the potential to replace the expected loss of £30k Sport England funding. With this in mind, the bid may need to be adjusted following these outcomes.

An increase in student numbers, and general increase in engagement and work with Global Campuses was highlighted in terms of the impact on staffing requirements. Money invested in postgraduate welcome activities and inclusive sports programmes continues to be required, and the MDS Representation Support post is now viewed as a core role following its success. Student numbers have increased by 16% from 2012-2016 with over 1000 extra students playing sport in additional programmes, half the money requested under ‘sport’ is for facilities hire as a result of the current campus provision being deficient.

The Committee were in agreement that proposed activities in the bid are in alignment with the broader student experience, and every case requesting an increase is well made.

6.  Operational Group Update

An ongoing challenge in relation to space on campus has been highlighted; a workshop was held by Professor Cholerton where attendees were engaged in getting some quick wins in place.

The Chaplaincy has taken up a new temporary location in the Agriculture building due to structural issues affecting Windsor Terrace, and the TEF collaborative work between the University and NUSU has been very valuable.

Heidi Mottram

Chair of University/Students’ Union Partnership Committee

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