eusa impact report 2014

WELCOME

SAFE SPACES CONNECTIONS VIBRANT CAMPUS

PARTNERSHIPS

Welcome to this year’s EUSA Impact Report. This is a great chance for us to reflect on last year’s successes and developments now that our new Sabbatical Team is settling in.

Over the last year we have done a huge amount of work to improve and develop the student experience. We have made big steps towards financial recovery through investment in commercial stability, sustainability and development. Over the last year we’ve opened two new retail spaces and venues. We’ve also continued to strengthen relationships with our

Festival partners, employing over 330 students. We have launched new festivals and brought in a haul of awards and industry recognition along the way.

Our student support services have also gone from strength to strength. The Advice Place secured Matrix accreditation and our recent successes in international student support were cemented this year by winning an NUS and UKCISA Award for Excellent International Student Support. Through the work of Sabbatical Officers, EUSA staff and Class

Representatives, 11 School Councils have been introduced into schools. Peer Support continues to grow and there are now over 50 School Council and Peer Support projects across 22 schools.

Through the work of passionate Sabbatical Officers and students EUSA won extended library hours for students, launched our first ever LGBT+ History Month, banned the song Blurred Lines and launched Edinburgh University’s first ever student run Housing Cooperative.

This report also gives us an opportunity to look and move forward. We will be writing our first ever strategic plan and setting our vision for how we will better engage with and represent students. We’ve carried out extensive membership research and we’re working hard to embed the feedback into our strategic plan with a view to making EUSA the best student union in the UK. We strive for an effective, sustainable, and more representative EUSA.

Briana Pegado- EUSA President

LEADERS

3

CREATING

SAFE SPACESWhether students are seeking advice, guidance through complex university procedures or a secure and environmentally friendly space to study and socialise, EUSA has succeeded in offering a support structure for thousands of students.

5

ACHIEVED MATRIX ACCREDITATION

The Advice Place has a team of professional, trained staff who support students and university staff with free, confidential and impartial advice.

This year the service has taken many great strides forward. In February The Advice Place team were successfully assessed for the Matrix award and the service is now accredited for high standards in advice giving. The service on offer to Science and Engineering students has been greatly improved by refurbishments to the King’s Buildings Advice Place, creating a waiting area and a more private space for our c:card users.

As well as offering individual advice to thousands of students, The Advice Place advisers also work to improve the services students receive from the University, the council and accommodation providers. This year they have participated in government consultation responses on topics such as private rented housing, Sharia compliant student finance and the future of work.

THE ADVICE PLACE

AMAZINGLY EFFICIENT, HARD-WORKING AND TACTFUL TEAM AT STUDENT ADVICE PLACE.

(EDINBURGH STUDENT EXPERIENCE SURVEY)

6

SERVICE FEEDBACK

197 1,347EMERGENCY LOANS

DISCRETIONARYFUND ENQUIRIES

OF STUDENTS WOULD RECOMMEND US TO A FRIEND (TAP SURVEY, 2014)

OF STUDENTS RATED THE SERVICE AS GOOD OR EXCELLENT (TAP SURVEY, 2014)

OF STUDENTS ARE SATISFIED WITH THE ADVICE PLACE - 4% INCREASE ON LAST YEAR(EDINBURGH STUDENT EXPERIENCE SURVEY)

OF STUDENTS WERE AWARE THEY CAN CONTACT THE ADVICE PLACE ON FACEBOOK(TAP SURVEY, 2014)

93% 86% 79% 93%

(TAP SURVEY, 2014)

THE ADVICE PLACE IS BRILLIANT, IT’S ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ABOUT THIS UNI.

7

The Advice Place volunteers are an integral part of the team; they answered 1,370 of our enquiries this year, gave out 1,060 safer sex products through our c:card scheme. Ten of our volunteers achieved the Edinburgh Award for Advice Place volunteering.

THE ADVICE PLACEVOLUNTEERS

1,37O 1,O6OENQUIRIES ANSWERED

BY VOLUNTEERSSAFER SEX PRODUCTS

DISTRIBUTED BY VOLUNTEERS10 EDINBURGH AWARDS

THANKS TO YOU GUYS I’VE GONE FROM NOT HAVING ANY PAID JOBS TO NOW HAVING TWO! ALL BECAUSE OF THE SKILLS I DEVELOPED IN VOLUNTEERING WITH YOU AND THE TRAINING DAYS WHICH HELPED ME PUT MY EXPERIENCE TO GOOD USE IN INTERVIEWS, ETC.

(ADVICE PLACE VOLUNTEER)

8

I have been an Advice Place Volunteer. Mainly each shift will focus on dealing with student queries. These can range from council tax questions, academic issues or financial worries.

I feel I have benefited a great deal from volunteering at TAP. I now have more sound knowledge about the issues I advise on than I did before, which means if I encounter any of these problems then I know how to deal with it. I have also become more confident speaking to others and have learnt to deal with students from a variety of different backgrounds.

The experience is also really enjoyable and I have made a lot of friends along the way. I would encourage any student to get involved in working with EUSA, especially in the volunteering roles. It is an excellent opportunity to get involved in something that is really rewarding and will also give you extra skills. Volunteering is also a great enhancement to a CV and usually makes you stand out and provides a good talking point in interviews!

CLAIRE’S EXPERIENCE

IT IS AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY TO GET INVOLVED IN SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY REWARDING AND WILL ALSO GIVE YOU EXTRA SKILLS.

Advice Place Volunteer 2013-14

9

Maintain Matrix Award by continuing to develop the service in accordance with their requirements.

Expand outreach activity to other campuses to ensure breadth of awareness of services.

Develop Postgrad awareness of Advice Place services.

?WHAT’S NEXT

10

EUSA VENUESEUSA’s four venues continue to provide crucial services that prioritise the environment and student safety as much as providing opportunities for our membership to relax and enjoy themselves. EUSA service provision within its buildings has continued to secure both student and industry praise.

EUSA’s bars operations achieved industry recognition by winning Late Night Operator of the Year at the British Institute of Inn-keeping as well as securing Best Bar None Silver accreditation and NUSSL recognition as the most improved operation. These schemes focus on the safety and customer care as the cornerstones of success.

EUSA has also increased its control over security staff performance and training by taking the provision in house. EUSA now has its own team of SIA registered security staff.

In response to a recent review of the experience of sexual harassment within our venues and across Edinburgh, EUSA has formed a new promotional partnership with the Police. We hope to facilitate the sharing of good practice across the city.

SAFETY

WINNER OF LATE NIGHT OPERATOR OF THE YEAR

AT BRITISH INSTITUTE OF INNKEEPING AWARDS

OF STUDENTS ARE SATISFIED WITH EUSA BARS, CATERING, SHOPS - INCREASE OF 3%.(EDINBURGH STUDENT EXPERIENCE SURVEY)

82%

AWARDED SILVER STANDARD FOR BEST

BAR NONE

11

RESPONSIBLE RETAIL

41,6O7EUSA retail has had a busy year with the opening of a brand new outlet at King’s Buildings Campus and a refurbished Central Campus offering at David Hume Tower.

In addition to extensive changes to the layout of the shops, EUSA have also placed a heavy emphasis on Fairtrade and recycling. Over the last year we have dramatically increased our cardboard recycling rate and have introduced a free battery recycling service in our shops. We have also increased our organic ranges and recently signed up to the Worker Rights Consortium, which ensures that the garments we stock are produced by responsible manufacturers.

THE STUDENTS UNION I FIND TO BE VERY WELL RUN, AND I ALWAYS ENJOY MYSELF WHEN IN TEVIOT.

12% INCREASE IN TRADE IN FAIRTRADE PRODUCTS

FAIRTRADE PRODUCTS WERE SOLD BY OUR RETAIL OUTLETS

IN 2013/2014


EUSA RUN THE BARS, SHOPS, FACILITIES AND SOCIETIES VERY WELL AND CREATE

A GREAT STUDENT ENVIRONMENT.(EDINBURGH STUDENT EXPERIENCE SURVEY)

12

Launch a new range of real ales in the Library Bar in response to student feedback.

Collaborate with the police on responsible drinking and anti sexual harassment initiatives.

?WHAT’S NEXT POTTERROW AND TEVIOT ARE FANTASTIC.


13

As part of EUSA’s ongoing commitment to Edinburgh and wider Scottish society, as well as offering opportunities for self-development and employability, we have developed several projects to forge stronger bonds with the local community via our Volunteering Service and Students in the Community project.

Through EUSA Global’s award-winning projects we also encourage students to support international students and develop a global perspective through language classes, exchanges and events.

CREATING (LOCAL + GLOBAL)

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

15

VOLUNTEERING INTHE COMMUNITYThe Volunteering department has continued to grow in 2013-14. More organisations than ever before are working with EUSA Volunteering to offer fantastic opportunities for students to work within the community.

eVOLve have run a diverse range of one-off volunteering projects; with over 20 different events taking place this academic year the group continues to go from strength to strength.

The Chinese Language Programme began this year, with 20 Chinese student volunteers from the University teaching Mandarin and Chinese culture to children in 10 local schools.

Both eVOLve and the Chinese Language Programme are paving the way for the Volunteering Groups initiative which will be implemented on a larger scale in 2014-15. With nine new Volunteering Groups already registered for September, student volunteering is fast growing in size, impact and innovation.

25O97O

4,OOO+116

STUDENTS JOINED eVOLve NEW VOLUNTEERS

IN 2013-14

STUDENTS MATCHED WITH VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES

SINCE THE SERVICE BEGAN

NEW ORGANISATIONS ADDED 2013-14

A 25% INCREASE ON LAST YEAR

70% MORE NEW ORGANISATIONS THAN LAST YEAR

16

One of the main things I did this year was eVOLve, which is a student volunteering group that works closely with EUSA Volunteering. eVOLve is one of the easiest and most accessible ways to start volunteering. The variety in our projects and the social side of working alongside 30+ students makes eVOLve one of the highlights of my university experience of Edinburgh. We have painted homeless shelters, held tea parties for elderly people and volunteered at beach clean ups to name a few of our projects. EUSA were helpful every step of the way. With regards to the future, employers are looking at what makes you different. Do what you love doing and this sense of adventure, passion and drive will be apparent to them. Edinburgh has a fantastic volunteering department based at Connect in Potterrow; it should be your first port of call if you are keen on finding an interesting volunteering project.

TIM’S EXPERIENCE

WORKING ALONGSIDE 3O+ STUDENTS MAKES eVOLve ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF MY UNIVERSITY EXPERIENCE OF EDINBURGH

President of eVOLve 2013-14

17

Launch Volunteering Groups initiative to facilitate a large increase in impactful, hands-on, student led volunteering projects.

Establish the Volunteering Impact Fund allowing any group that wants to run hands-on volunteering activities to apply for small grants.

Celebrate the hard work of both groups and individuals involved in delivering volunteering activities with an awards ceremony.

?WHAT’S NEXT I HAVE GREATLY BENEFITED FROM WORKING WITH EUSA

AS IT HELPED ME DEVELOP MANY SKILLS - SUCH AS EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATING, WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY BEING SUPPORTED AND TRAINED BY THE STAFF MEMBERS AROUND ME. NOT ONLY THAT, BUT I WAS ALSO CONSTANTLY ENCOURAGEDTO TAKE INITIATIVE AND BE CREATIVE WITH MY WORK

VOLUNTEERING DEPARTMENT STUDENT STAFF MEMBER

18

STUDENTS INTHE COMMUNITYThe fourth annual Students in the Community event was held in February and was attended by a combination of students, University representatives, community groups, the police, councillors and MSPs who took the opportunity to learn about each other’s activities.

The event also gives local groups the chance to secure funding for community projects from the £6,000 available from the South Central Neighbourhood Partnership Community Grant Fund. Five of the six projects presented originated from students and societies, demonstrating EUSA members’ eagerness to maintain strong links with the Neighbourhood Partnership and promote good community relations.

Four student-led projects won funding:

• ACT! Festival for Social Change – festival/workshops encouraging the community to engage and act on issues that they care about (£2,000).

• Estonian Society Folk Festival - culture exchange event with ceilidh, concert for community (£1,500).

• ENACTUS student group - teaching principles of economics to schools using workshops where children are designated countries and use paper money to trade/negotiate with each other (£800).

• Nightline exam packs - confidential support and information service run by students, for students - the money is for packs to help students through exams - water bottles, chocolate, de-stress materials (£1,500).

GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO MEET OTHER STUDENTS WHO ARE INVOLVED IN REALLY WONDERFUL PROJECTS IN EDINBURGH.

(NIGHTLINE)

19

Collaborate with the other Edinburgh-based student unions on plans for a tenants’ union.

Organise Students in the Community event and encourage students to take advantage of Community Grant fund.

Provide more information and guidance to students about engaging with local community organisations.

?WHAT’S NEXT THANK YOU FOR ORGANISING

SUCH A FANTASTIC EVENT! WE ARE SO THANKFUL THAT WE RECEIVED THE MONEY, AS WELL AS FOR THE CONVERSATIONS HAD AND MADE.

(ACT! FESTIVAL FOR SOCIAL CHANGE)

20

EUSA Global continues to design and deliver projects to enhance the global community on campus and beyond. With over 35 partnerships across the University and in the local community, many EUSA Global projects have expanded, been embedded within EUSA, or are now under student leadership.

This year saw the return of TEDx University of Edinburgh and the introduction of salon events to complement the main conference. Gather Festival was a new initiative which hosted 52 events over one week in March to celebrate culture, community and the ethos of global citizenship.

EUSA GLOBAL

10 STUDENTS TRAVELLED TO UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLOMBIA ON A CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMME THROUGH THE WIDENING HORIZONS PROGRAMME FOR WIDENING STUDENT PARTICIPATION

EUSA GLOBAL PRESENTED AT 6 CONFERENCES THIS YEAR INCLUDING THE U21 WORKSHOP ON GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP IN MALAYSIA

2,5OOPEOPLE WERE REACHED IN PERSON

AND 17,000 WERE ENGAGED ONLINE BY GATHER FESTIVAL

EUSA WON THE NUS UK AWARD FOR BEST INTERNATIONAL

STUDENT SUPPORT 2014

21

Expand on the success of Gather Festival.

Deepen collaboration with the University in supporting students’ international experiences through Third Space and the University’s Go Abroad fund.

Join forces with the International Student Centre in providing enhanced support, welcome and representation for international students.

?WHAT’S NEXT

6OO+ TICKETS WERE SOLD FOR TEDx UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH MAIN CONFERENCE AND SALON EVENTS

22

EUSA aims to ensure that every member gets the best possible experience of being a student. This commitment is demonstrated by our varied events programme that provides everything from award-winning music and entertainment to opportunities for students to engage with Scottish and local culture.

We also invest a great deal in supporting societies to help them develop the skills that allow them to work together collaboratively on their own events and projects.

CREATING A

VIBRANT CAMPUS

23

In 2013/2014 EUSA supported 250 societies with the running of their activities, ranging from membership management and marketing, to sponsorship and funding advice. Society space is severely oversubscribed in our venues so we undertook an ambitious and well received project to review the room booking process to create something that is as fair, accountable and effective as possible with the current availability.

We continued to invest in the development of societies through support from the Society Development Fund and by providing training at Super Society Sunday for new Society Office Bearers.

SUPPORTING SOCIETIES

YOUNG SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHERS ASSOCIATION - SOCIETY OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS AT NUS SCOTLAND AWARDS FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW

FRESHAIR – STUDENT MEDIA OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS AT NUS SCOTLAND AND NOMINEES FOR BEST STUDENT EVENT AT THE SCOTTISH EVENT AWARDS 2014

FEMINIST SOCIETY – NOMINATED FOR SOCIETY OF THE YEAR AT NUS SCOTLAND WOMEN’S CONFERENCE

MY INVOLVEMENT WITH SOCIETIES HAS MADE MY UNI EXPERIENCE

VERY MEANINGFUL AND INTERESTING.

WE HAVE A FANTASTIC VARIETY OF SOCIETIES AND THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING FUN GOING ON AT THE UNIONS.



24

All of our societies are autonomous bodies in their own right - the Council serves as a place for them to share ideas, find solutions to common issues and initiate programmes which make real progress for their community through collective action.

As Facilitator it has been my job to ensure that the varied voices of EUSA Societies Representatives, many of them coming to Council invested with leadership roles of their own in their respective groups, are able to work together effectively and equally. I also worked with student groups on constitutional affairs and drafting, provided training and drop-in support for society management and aided in the registration of new groups. We ended our session of Council with a hugely successful

Society Awards Ceremony, which I had the pleasure to help organise and run. I’ve seen EUSA Societies at their highs, lows and new beginnings - my work encompasses some of my fondest memories of my time at Edinburgh. I feel a real sense of having made an impact for future generations of students.

EUSA truly is the home of student life at Edinburgh – few other organisations can boast such variety and dedication, as well as a strong sense of shared purpose. The organisation thrives on the richness of experience, ideas and creative solutions of its members, participants and staff. Working with EUSA you develop a strong sense of team spirit, a professional attitude (coupled with a healthy sense of fun) and a drive to make effective change.

LAUCHLAN’S EXPERIENCE

EUSA TRULY IS THE HOME OF STUDENT LIFE AT EDINBURGH – FEW OTHER ORGANISATIONS CAN BOAST SUCH VARIETY AND DEDICATION, AS WELL AS A STRONG SENSE OF SHARED PURPOSE.

Facilitator of Societies’ Council

25

Roll Out improved block bookings service to ensure fair access to society space.

Introduce a detailed plan to provide more cohesive guidance, training, funding, recognition, accountability and support for societies.

Develop plans with the University to secure new high quality society space at Pleasance.

?WHAT’S NEXT

26

ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME + FRESHERS’ WEEKEUSA’s events programme offers an impressive and award-winning live music provision, hugely popular club nights, a sell-out Graduation Ball and a range of student programmed weekly events.

EUSA’s key entertainments activity this year focused on nourishing early evening student-led activity. Our student programmers lead on developing weekly comedy nights, literary nights, live music nights, quizzes, open mic nights and jazz nights.

In addition, our perennial event successes (Halloween, St Andrews, Burns Night, The Big Cheese) have continued to grow, develop and bring students together to celebrate in record numbers.

We’ve added a hugely popular roller disco and beer festival Och!toberfest to our roster this year. In October 2013 we piloted EUSA’s very own festival – The Pleasance Sessions. Partnering with Scottish promoters, publications and festivals we created a festival that was accessible to over 1500 audience members to enjoy some fantastic music, comedy and spoken word within the beautiful and unique Pleasance Theatre.

NOMINATED FOR BEST SMALL FESTIVAL (PLEASANCE SESSIONS) AT SCOTTISH

EVENTS AWARDS 2014

PLEASANCE SESSIONS BECAME OFFICIAL PARTNERS OF HOMECOMING

SCOTLAND 2014

WON BEST LIVE MUSIC PROVISION AT ENTS FORUM AWARDS 2014

27

FRESHERS’ WEEKOur Freshers’ Week programme of events deftly balances University induction and orientation events with society-led activities and opportunities for students to connect with new friends at our evening events.

2013 saw a very successful Freshers’ Week where we continued to have a wide offering of events ranging from club nights, live music nights, see the city tours, society run events, film nights and comedy, amongst many others.

THE ACTIVITIES WERE VARIED AND THERE WERE PLENTY OF THEM, EXACTLY WHAT WAS NEEDED TO MEET EVERYONE’S LIKES. GREAT FRESHERS.

(UNDERGRADUATE UNIVERSITY INDUCTION SURVEY, 2014)

28

This year I’ve been the Freshers’ Week Student Coordinator, which has involved a lot of contacting societies, organising volunteers and programming parts of a Freshers’ Week.

It’s the best kind of student job. There’s always leeway for students with busy schedules/exams, and I get to learn new skills and improve my CV at the same time as having fun and having some free time.

If anyone is considering working with EUSA I would say DO IT! My computer skills have improved, I’m much more confident with other clients/businesses. I’ve also met some amazing people, especially other student staff (a couple of whom are actually on my course yet this is how I met them!).

KATRINA’S EXPERIENCE

IT’S THE BEST KIND OF STUDENT JOB.

Freshers’ Week Student Co-ordinator

29

Celebrate the Big Cheese turning 15 with a two night party extravaganza.

Honour Teviot turning 125 with events in conjunction with the Alumni Office.

Develop RAG week in association with the Student Activities team, ESCA and RAG.

?WHAT’S NEXT

I ENJOYED GOING ALONG TO A MIXTURE OF EVENTS RUN BY DIFFERENT SOCIETIES. IT WAS A WAY TO MEET PEOPLE ON DIFFERENT COURSES AND FROM DIFFERENT YEARS, NOT JUST FRESHERS.

(UNDERGRADUATE UNIVERSITY INDUCTION SURVEY, 2014)

30

EUSA works closely in partnership with the University on a variety of key strategic areas such as Enhancing Student Support and Student Experience projects. We have collaborated with the University on their estates planning for the future of Pleasance and other developments. We also collaborate with commercial Festival partners to ensure that we can invest in the best possible network of support and highest quality services for our student membership.

CREATING PARTNERSHIPS

31

EUSA’s representation team work with the University of Edinburgh on a variety of projects to support enhancement in learning and teaching and the student experience more broadly.

In addition to running and hosting the annual Teaching Awards, EUSA have continued to grow and embed the Peer Support scheme as a joint project with the University.

EUSA’s commercial team and Sabbatical Officers have worked closely with the University on developing the University’s estates strategy to ensure the best possible spaces and services for future students.

WORKING WITH THEUNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH

PEER SUPPORT PROJECTS RUNNING ACROSS 22 SCHOOLS

5O

PEER SUPPORT RECEIVED DISTINCTION AS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN A STUDENTS ASSOCIATION AND

A UNIVERSITY FROM NUS

EUSA PEER SUPPORT WAS RECOGNISED AS A BEST PRACTICE

CASE STUDY IN A UK HEA REPORT ON MAPPING PEER-LED STUDENT SUPPORT

STUDENTS TRAINED AS LEADERS

42OForming part of the Student Experience Project initiative Peer Support provides a safe, confidential and informal space for students to get academic advice and personal support from more experienced students. This interaction can take the form of facilitated group study sessions, befriending meetings and academic families.

The Peer Support staff team has expanded over the last year and now includes a Project Officer, three Project Assistants and six School Senior Leaders. Peer Support has released funding directly to students to administer schemes themselves and has developed a bespoke database to manage students’ data, learning and feedback.

The scale and success of the Peer Support Project at Edinburgh has achieved both national and international recognition.

PEER SUPPORT

32

AS A BUDDY I HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE FIRST-YEARS’ STUDENT EXPERIENCE BY REASSURING AND MOTIVATING THEM. THE SCHEME HAS ALLOWED SECOND-YEAR STUDENTS TO DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS AS WELL AS SUPPORTING FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS IN THEIR UNIVERSITY ENVIRONMENT.

PEER SUPPORT STUDENT LEADER

33

I was interested in the opportunity of becoming a MathsPALs Leader because I know from personal experience how difficult and stressful the transition from high school to university could be, especially while doing a Maths degree. I wanted to help the first-year students adjust quicker to the university life and the workload, and also to share my enthusiasm about Mathematics with the others so I was extremely delighted to be chosen for a MathPALS Leader.

Another incentive for my desire to be part of the Peer Support scheme was the opportunity to develop key transferable skills such as presentation, communication, and leadership skills. It was a great chance for me to be able to improve these skills because the focus in a Maths degree is usually on the analytical and problem-solving skills and we are not given enough opportunities to develop creative skills.

At the beginning of the sessions, the students attending were not talkative and did not ask many questions about the University or the courses. We planned our sessions so that we could help them develop a variety of skills and work on a more complicated problem. As soon as the students started finding out the benefits of the sessions, they trusted us more and asked us for help and even for advice before their first university exams. We even had the same group of students coming to most of our sessions which is a clear indication how successful the scheme was!

ILIANA’S EXPERIENCE

I WANTED TO HELP THE FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS ADJUST QUICKER TO THE UNIVERSITY LIFE AND THE WORKLOAD, AND ALSO TO SHARE MY ENTHUSIASM ABOUT MATHEMATICS.

MathsPALs Leader

34

?WHAT’S NEXT

BECAUSE ALL THE BUDDIES HAD PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH SOLVING SUCH PROBLEMS, IT WAS VERY HELPFUL TO RECEIVE EFFICIENT, WELL-EXPLAINED SOLUTIONS, WHILE I MYSELF WAS STRUGGLING WITH CHOOSING THE APPROPRIATE APPROACH.

(PEER SUPPORT RECIPIENT STUDENT) Host the UK National Student Leader conference in November 2014.

Develop specific provision for Online Distance Learners and postgraduate students.

Explore the potential to provide schemes where there are high failure rates or below average retention of students.

35

TEACHING AWARDS The Teaching Awards recognise innovative and inspiring teaching and highlight the many individual success stories across the University.

Established in 2009, the awards are part of an ongoing commitment to highlight the importance of excellence in teaching alongside the University’s research activity.

The Awards recognise the teachers, support staff and students who have made a positive impact on students’ learning experiences.

Awards in 13 categories, including Best Personal Tutor, Best Feedback and Best School or Subject Area, were presented at a ceremony held at Teviot Row House.

OVER 2,55O NOMINATIONS FOR TEACHING AWARDS6% INCREASE ON LAST YEAR

36

Open the scheme for nominations during the summer to capture feedback about good teaching and support of postgraduate students and those undertaking summer courses.

Encourage and enable students to provide more information about why they value the work of specific teaching staff, and provide clearer criteria for the judging process.

?WHAT’S NEXT

THE EUSA TEACHING AWARDS ARE A WONDERFUL INITIATIVE ON THE PART OF OUR STUDENTS AND ARE NOW FIRMLY ESTABLISHED AS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENTS IN OUR ACADEMIC YEAR. I KNOW THAT COLLEAGUES TAKE GREAT MOTIVATION FROM HAVING THEIR EFFORTS RECOGNISED IN THIS WAY.

PROFESSOR SIR TIMOTHY O’SHEAPRINCIPAL AND VICE-CHANCELLOR, THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH

37

Every August EUSA participates in the world’s largest arts festival by working in partnership with Edinburgh Festival Fringe producers Gilded Balloon and Pleasance London. By sharing our venue with these programmers we create a multitude of performance spaces for up and coming as well as established artists, as well as generating profits from our bars and catering provision that get channelled directly back into EUSA to support our services to students through the year.

DURING THE 2014 FESTIVAL FRINGE EUSA’S OUTLETS SERVED OVER A MILLION CUSTOMERS AND CARRIED OUT 447,889 TRANSACTIONS.

THIS YEAR’S EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE SAW 49,497 PERFORMANCES OF 3,193 SHOWS. OVER 2 MILLION TICKETS WERE ISSUED IN TOTAL.

Secure an ongoing strong relationship with Festival partners through renewed contractual agreements.

?WHAT’S NEXT

WORKING WITH OUR EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE PARTNERS

38

EUSA prides itself in creating many opportunities for students to develop personal effectiveness and leadership skills that will leave them well equipped to participate in the workplace and community after graduation.

Our commitment to student leadership is most clearly seen in our Sabbatical team, with four elected students heading up the organisation and democratic structures, but is also represented in our investment in training our Society Office Bearers, Class Reps and student staff members to enable them to flourish.

CREATING

LEADERS

39

SABBATICAL TEAM

The team led on a student campaign to encourage the University to invest more ethically. As a result this year the University and EUSA ran a consultation asking students and staff how they think the University should invest its money. The University’s Social Responsibility and Sustainability Department have formulated a new policy that will go to the Central Management Group. EUSA is continuing to lobby to impact the procurement process.

ETHICAL INVESTMENT

HOUSING CO-OP

BLURRED LINES

Following a referendum vote in February 2013, the Student Officers supported a project with the University to establish a housing co-operative in the City. The Co-op has already had hundreds of applications from potential tenants and will launch in September 2014.

EUSA was the first of over 20 university unions to ban controversial popular music song ‘Blurred Lines’ in a bid to open a dialogue about degradation and objectification of women in modern culture. The decision instigated a national media debate, including an appearance by EUSA President Hugh Murdoch on Newsnight.

40

STUDENT COUNCIL During the six Student Council meetings that were held over the last year our representatives passed policy on issues such as student carers, voter registration, industrial action and credit unions; and funded several student-led projects including the Edinburgh Housing Co-op, the ACT! Festival for Social Change and Nightline. Our students have also been represented at National Union of Students UK and Scotland Conferences ensuring that the voice of Edinburgh students contributes to national NUS policy and campaigns.

Following feedback from students the Sabbatical Team worked with the University of Edinburgh to secure extended library opening hours. Thanks to their work the library is now open for 21 hours every day during term time and until midnight over the summer to support Postgraduate students.

The Student Officers also led on the creation of EUSA’s first ever LGBT+ History Month in partnership with the University. A series of very well received activities were held to celebrate the lives, sacrifices and achievements of the LGBT+ community.

EXTENDED LIBRARY HOURS

LGBT+ HISTORY MONTH

41

SCHOOL COUNCILS

SCHOOL COUNCILS HAVE BEEN SET UP

(EXCEEDING THE ORIGINAL TARGET OF 6)

STUDENTS HAVE ATTENDED A SCHOOL

COUNCIL EVENT

STUDENTS STOOD IN EUSA ELECTIONS FOR SCHOOL COUNCIL

POSITIONS

9 3OO+ 39

EUSA has managed the introduction of School Councils with the aim of empowering students to effect positive change at a local level. The pilot has seen positive attendance figures and student engagement. Highlights from School Council meetings have included two ‘Informatics Conversations’ events with more than 100 students and staff attending to discuss a wide variety of topics.

THE BEST THING ABOUT THE SCHOOL COUNCIL IS THAT IT HAS BROUGHT TOGETHER STUDENTS FROM THREE VERY DIVERSE SUBJECT AREAS AND GIVEN THEM A VOICE AS PART OF A WIDER COMMUNITY.

ABIE ALFREY PPLS CONVENER

42

CLASS REP TRAINING EUSA supports Class Reps with regular lunches and ongoing training and development, ensuring that they are well-equipped to effectively represent the interests of their classmates to the University.

STUDENTS SIGNED UP FOR CLASS REP TRAINING OF CLASS REPS FELT THEY HAD

SUFFICIENT SUPPORT FOR THEIR ROLE(EUSA CLASS REP SURVEY, 2014)

446 87%

MY SUGGESTIONS WERE VALUED AND I FEEL I CAN CONTRIBUTE TO IMPROVING STUDENTS’ UNIVERSITY LIFE

EUSA CLASS REP SURVEY, 2014

43

The work associated with the above roles was interesting and varied and I got to meet many interesting people, both students as well as staff, whilst standing up for the concerns of Edinburgh University’s almost 9,000 strong PG student body.

I wholeheartedly recommend to any Edinburgh University student wishing to experience the academia from behind the scenes, fight for the student causes and influence the decisions about our University, to get involved in EUSA Representation.

You will be supported by an excellent EUSA team which will enable you to give something back by making a lasting difference for the students and leaving your mark on the University.

MATJAZ’S EXPERIENCE

GIVE SOMETHING BACK BY MAKING A LASTING DIFFERENCE FOR THE STUDENTS.

Class Representative, Student Member of University Senate, Student member of two College committees in the College of Humanities and Social Science

44

As PG Convener, I was the face and the voice of the PG community in the University. I attempted to reach out to and enliven the PG community whilst participating actively to the internal life of EUSA and the University so that the PG students’ opinions would be taken into account in the decision-making process.

I immensely benefited from working with EUSA and being involved in the running of such a vast and complex institution. In terms of skills, the experience was highly beneficial and definitely enhanced my employability but it was, before everything else, a rich personal experience. This is why I believe that working with EUSA is an incredible opportunity to engage with the University and change it for the best, whilst being supported by a wonderful team. It’s about being an active member of the community.

THIBAUT’S EXPERIENCE

THE EXPERIENCE WAS HIGHLY BENEFICIAL AND DEFINITELY ENHANCED MY EMPLOYABILITY BUT IT WAS, BEFORE EVERYTHING ELSE, A RICH PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.

Post Graduate Convenor

45

4O5STUDENT STAFF

EMPLOYED DURING TERM TIME.

92%OF FESTIVAL STAFF THIS

YEAR ARE STUDENTS

STUDENT STAFFEUSA is a major employer of students in Edinburgh and we have offered significant support in terms of training, development and flexible working hours to fit in with study.

Student staff are given opportunities to take part in training to develop their skills, including leadership development programmes relevant to their roles which include sessions on leading and developing teams, team working, communicating effectively, initiative and creativity, delivering results and customer focus. Our student staff also have opportunities for career progression, particularly in our commercial areas where they can progress from team member, through team leader, senior team leader, up to shift manager level whilst studying.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND WORKING WITH EUSA. WORKING WITHIN A COMMUNITY THAT IS UNDERSTANDING OF YOUR ACADEMIC COMMITMENTS BUT THAT ALSO CHALLENGES YOU AND PUSHES YOU TO IMPROVE IS AN INVALUABLE EXPERIENCE

LIAN SELBY (STUDENT STAFF MEMBER)

WON HER REGIONAL AWARD FOR ‘STEPPING UP TO LEADERSHIP’ IN THE STUDENT EMPLOYEE

OF THE YEAR AWARDS

STUDENT STAFF MEMBER

46

74GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP

PARTICIPANTS

5OSTUDENT VOLUNTEERING

AND ACTIVITIES VOLUNTEERS

5OPEER SUPPORT

STUDENT LEADERS

36MEMBERS OF EUSA STAFF

1O ADVICE PLACEVOLUNTEERS

9 TEDx UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH

VOLUNTEERS

EDINBURGH AWARD AND HEAREUSA has encouraged multiple students across the organisation to participate in the Edinburgh Award, which recognises students on their Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR) for their involvement in activities outside of their university work.

Whether a student is a Class Rep, a Society Office Bearer, a volunteer or a member of our bar staff, they have been supported through the Edinburgh Award or HEAR recognition process by EUSA. Student Representatives in particular became more confident in objectively representing the views of other students, and participating in the Edinburgh Award motivated reps to work harder and gain more results for students.

EDINBURGH AWARD ACHIEVED BY:

35CLASS REPS

47

THE

MONEY BITThe Association has had a successful year, turning out a surplus which has helped to make good the losses made over the previous years.

This has been through a continued focus on our student members: providing well run services across all areas of the organisation that our students want to use. We’ve demonstrated improved cost control measures and the Commercial Team have made great strides in developing supplementary income streams such as developing retail rental agreements in Teviot and Potterrow, increased events bookings and private hire bookings during student holidays.

We continue to work towards running the Association at an overall surplus position every year, which will give us the financial backbone required to let us deliver a first class experience for our members.

49

WE SPENT OVER £667,OOO DIRECTLY ON STUDENT SUPPORT ACTIVITY SUCH AS THE ADVICE PLACE, THE VOLUNTEERING SERVICE, AND SOCIETIES

THE SURPLUS MADE BY EUSA’S BARS AND CATERING OUTLETS LAST YEAR IS EQUIVALENT TO PAYING FOR 65 STUDENTS TO WORK FULL TIME DURING TERM TIME

THE ADVICE PLACE COST

£133,OOO A YEAR TO RUN IN 2013/14

EUSA INVESTED NEARLY

£1.5 MILLION IN STUDENT STAFF WAGES IN 2013/14

13/14 NUMBERS

WH

ERE

OU

R IN

CO

ME

IS F

RO

MEUSA’S BUILDINGS COST OVER

£1 MILLION A YEAR TO CLEAN, MAINTAIN, HEAT AND LIGHT

(YEAR END 31ST MARCH 2014)

SALES FROM BARS, CAFES, SHOPS AND THE FESTIVAL

COST OF RUNNING EUSA’S BARS, CAFES, SHOPS AND THE FESTIVAL

UNIVERSITY MAIN GRANT

ADVERTISING, SPONSORSHIP & TICKET SALES

OTHER INCOME

OTHER GRANTSMANAGING THE BUSINESS

DIRECT SUPPORT TO STUDENTS

REPRESENTING STUDENTS’ INTERESTS

INVOLVEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY

MAINTAINING, CLEANING, HEATING AND LIGHTING OUR BUILDINGS

PUTTING ON SHOWS & EVENTS (INCL FRESHERS’ WEEK)

FEES FOR HIRING OUT OUR FACILITIES

£7,378,OOO

£153,OOO

£177,OOO

£241,OOO

£249,OOO

£734,OOO

£1,O5O,OOO

£1,6O7,OOO

£6,47O,OOO

£178,OOO

£237,OOO

£597,OOO

£2,264,OOO

£1O,8O7,OOO

£1O,528,OOO

WH

AT W

E SPEN

T IT ON

50

EUSA CREATES

LEADERSPARTNERSHIPS

VIBRANT CAMPUS

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

SAFE SPACES

eusa impact report 2014

Documents