UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX
UNIVERSITY/STUDENTS’ UNION CONSULTATIVE GROUP
25 MARCH 2004
(2.15pm – 3.10pm)
MINUTES
Chair / Professor Jim Richmond, Chair (JR)
Present / Tony Rich, Registrar (AHR); Antony Blackshaw, General Manager (AB); Rachel Fletcher, Director of Student Support (RF); John Gilfillan, Membership Services Manager (JG); Hassan Karim, VP Sports & Societies (HK); Ria West, VP Student Development (RW); Rae Blannin, VP Academic & Welfare
1.  Apologies / Moira Collett, Academic Registrar; Vivien Insull, Director of Residential Services; Andrew Nightingale, Director of Estate Management; Darren Jones, Students’ Union President; Chia Shamsaddini, Students’ Union VP Finance & Services
In attendance / Sophie Seear, Students’ Union Personnel Assistant (taking minutes)
2.  / Minutes of previous meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as a true and accurate record.
3.  / Matters Arising
59/2003 / AB reported that he and CS had met with Andrew Connolly and Lee Burton and they agreed that the surcharge would be phased out completely by 2006.
85/2003 / AHR reported that he had had talks with AB regarding bus routes but had not yet approached bus companies as he was aware that two large employers in Colchester were looking to introduce travel plans. He hopes to work collaboratively with these organisations to put pressure on the bus companies.
64/2003 / AHR reported that no further progress had been made and that there were some legal details to tie up before the university could offer a lease to Bar 33. AHR said that he would follow up.
87/2003 / AHR reported that the Union would receive half of the money they had requested for the Advice Centre
89/2003 / AB reported that details of the Quality Audit had been forwarded to AHR and that Catering and Top Bar were keen to be involved.
90/2003 / AB reported that despite efforts nothing had been organised and that he would revisit
02/2004 / JR reported that the Mobile Police Unit had been on Campus and had proved successful. As RF was made aware of when they would be calling she was able to communicate this information to students.
03/2004 / AHR reported that he had forwarded information regarding the Student Associate Scheme to Julie to publicise.
04/2004 / JR reported that he had passed the item on to the health centre and that he together with RF and RH had arranged a meeting to speak to them next week. JR said that he would issue more information in due course. With regard to the Law Department JR was happy that the situation had improved.
4.  / a) / Welfare Forum
RB reported that the Union had run a student safety campaign and she had managed to negotiate a good price for personal attack alarms which were distributed to students. It was reported that there had been a number of attacks in recent weeks and in view of this JR would be meeting Syd Kent, RF and MC next week to discuss what could be done. RB reported that the USG wanted to organise an agency meeting. JR said that if RB wanted to know the details of any of these incidents that they were all reported to the Advice Centre. RB gave praise to the owner of Greenstead House for installing additional lighting to make the house safer for students.
b) / International Forum
It was reported that Michael Anatolitis (International Officer) had been handing over to the officer elect and that the meeting had happened and was very successful. The website went live on 14th March but was currently inaccessible. JR suggested that RF contacted web support for advice. / RF
5.  / a) / SENDA Compliance
7/2004
It was reported that the university had undertaken a review to see what work needed to be done to comply with current legislation. AB remarked that Estate Management did not appear in the review; it was explained that the estate had been the subject of a separate and intensive audit by external consultants enabling Estates Section to prioritise work that needed to be done. The Lakeside Theatre was currently a priority two project. AB asked how the Union could keep track of the progress that had been made. AHR said that there was a line in their long term maintenance budget for such work but no reports were currently produced. This would need to be done through Development Committee Council which AHR said he would see to. / AHR
b) / Equal Opportunities Steering Group
RB remarked that the membership of the group didn’t include a full time officer. It was suggested that the Union submitted a proposal to the committee chair Nicola Colston. / RB
6.  / Service Provision - Launderette
8/2004
It was reported that the Exec had received a number of complaints regarding the launderette. It was suggested these points be put in writing and submitted to Vivien to action. AB said that current provision was insufficient bearing in mind the number of students on campus. The launderette at Quays is bigger than the one serving the rest of the campus. AHR said that the universities wish list included the sum of 450k for a new launderette at south courts which would include a café and social space. To improve current quality of service it was suggested that service washes be introduced. AHR said that if the Union had any suggestions for improvements to services that they talk directly to the service manager concerned. AB said that would meet with Vivien to see what could be done. / AB
7.  / Any other business
8/2004 / Term Dates
RB reported that at senate term dates had been discussed and that dates for 2004/05 had been approved. The term dates could prove problematic to both students and staff as the last day of the spring term is Good Friday. AHR said that it would be impossible to change the term dates for 2004/5 but there maybe a possibility of reconsidering 2007/8 if the Union were to submit a paper to him expressing their concerns. / AB
It was reported that the Union together with Syd Kent were putting a paper together regarding issues with Avon Way and AB thought that it would be appropriate for Syd to attend the next meeting. JR would see if Sid was available for the next meeting. / JR
8.  / Date of next meeting (13/05/04)
It was noted that AB would not be present.