Wednesday 15-11-2023 - 09:33

Your elected officer team and the University Executive Board have committed to a joint agreement to work together this year to shape and improve the student experience. 

Your officers presented their collective priorities at the University Executive Board Conference earlier this academic year and will now work closely with those University senior managers to make changes. This collaboration is just one of the ways that we work on making change for students. 

But what’s different this year?

Bristol SU officers and the University Executive Board have assigned lead members to each area of focus, who will be responsible for that work taking place throughout the year. University staff and the SU will take on different actions to make sure the work progresses. This is an important way to increase accountability and ensure regular reviews by the most senior team at the University, which we haven’t previously had.

We hope to make real progress for students, and we’ll be continuing to update on the work taking place in these areas throughout the year.

Evelyn Welch, University of Bristol Vice-Chancellor and President, said: “I am delighted that we are able to work with the SU in this way, building in joint accountability and making sure we create results.” 

So, what are the areas we’re working on together?

Cost of Living💷

• Maintain cheap food options from Source cafes
• Food budgeting advice
• Explore Guarantor Scheme for students that cannot otherwise access a UK guarantor
• Increase provision of warm spaces and study spaces
• Understand financial barriers to extra-curricular participation

Academic Experience📝

• Develop real-time study space availability for students
• Review options to increase study space hours at peak times, including opening hours of Senate House and use of teaching spaces
• Continue clear student communications on Industrial Action
• Improve the academic experience for International Students, with a particular focus on understanding UK academic standards 
• Exceptional Circumstances experience and personal tutoring 

Mental Health and Wellbeing🧠

• Ensure student voice is used to shape and evaluate the Student Liaison Service 
• Establish wellbeing champions in student groups 
• Collaborate to re-imagine the future of Mental Health and Wellbeing support at Bristol, exploring options for different ways of delivery 

There will be a mid-year update to the University Executive Board in March, and an end-of-year update in July.

If there’s anything else you’d like to see, let us know. You can contact us at bristolsu@bristol.ac.uk