Thursday 24-10-2024 - 14:30

Your Full Time Officers have been working hard behind the scenes, and now, after discussions with the University Executive Board (UEB), they've secured commitments for significant work on the issues that you care about. 

This new agreement with the UEB is directly aligned with the collective priorities for 2024/25 set by the SU Officers, focusing on Student Poverty, Academic Satisfaction and Collective Wellbeing.  

Here’s a breakdown of the main actions that the university and SU have committed to working on together this year, and what they mean for you ✨

1. Addressing Student Poverty 

We know managing money while at Uni can be tough. That’s why we’re focusing on areas where we can reduce costs for students. Here’s what you can look forward to over the coming year: 

Exam Bus Service Pilot: Officers have lobbied the university to explore trialling a free bus service from Senate House to Coombe Dingle during the TB2 exam season. We are pushing for this to be bookable and focused on supporting students from low-income backgrounds and disabled students.  

Support for Rent an Outfit Scheme: Ever stressed about finding something to wear for an important event or interview? 👔 

We’re looking to introduce a ‘Rent an Outfit’ scheme, designed to offer professional clothing for important events and interviews. Space will be allocated in the Careers Service and more info will be coming soon from your Postgraduate Education Officer, Gurvin.

Housing Guarantor Scheme Review: We know that Bristol is amidst a housing crisis. So, Bristol SU and the University finance team have committed to increasing support for students in the private sector rental market. 

Bristol SU, led by your Full-Time Officers Lucy and Bakhtawar, is collaborating with the University to review the guarantor scheme. This review specifically focuses on improving support for international students. Together, we’ll work with the University to fix any issues and find better ways to support students dealing with the chaos of the private rental market. Plus, your officers are still pushing for a university-run guarantor service because we know it’s important to you 🏡

Transport Contracts: To improve student travel, SU Officers will now be directly involved in shaping transport contracts, ensuring student needs are heard. Your officers are pushing for more affordable options, improved safety, and extended routes 🚍

2. Improving Collective Wellbeing 

Student wellbeing matters, and we’re committed to making it easier for you to access the support you need!  

International Student Support: We’re partnering with the University to review how international students access services and enhancing initiatives like the International Student Transition Programme. Research led by your International Students Officer, Bakhtawar, will be conducted to identify gaps in support and make sure services are accessible for students joining the university from overseas 🌎

Multilingual Wellbeing Services: Efforts to make multilingual and minority group focused wellbeing services more visible are underway. Your officer team are pushing for key resources to be translated into priority languages such as Mandarin and Arabic, ensuring more students can easily access the help they need. 

Sexual Health and Harm Reduction: We’re working to bring STI and pregnancy test vending machines to campus. Plus, we’ll be improving communication about sexual health resources that are already available, thanks to work done by your Equality, Liberation and Access Officer Linlu!  

Injury Support Group: The university has committed to the long-term support of a new Injury Support Group, led by your Sports and Student Development Officer Ella, which helps students during their injury recovery. This community will help to address the loneliness and isolation that injuries can bring, through group practical sessions and injury-friendly activities such as coffee clubs ☕

Sensory Rooms Expansion: Our Sensory Room in Senate House has benefited a huge number of students already, so we’re looking to expand this provision! We’re looking for a minimum of two new rooms to be open by the end of this academic year.  This incentive, pushed by Student Living Officer Lucy, will give more students access to these relaxing spaces, improving wellbeing 🧘

3. Improving Academic Satisfaction 

We’re making sure your academic experience is compassionate and accessible. Here's what we agreed upon with the UEB: 

Assessment Feedback Improvements: We’re working with the Uni to improve how feedback is given, making it more helpful and timely. This includes helping schools improve the way they explain marking criteria, so you know exactly what’s expected from your work. Your Undergraduate Education Officer, Mia is leading the change here, with a report coming in December alongside further actions 📢

Personal Tutoring Review: Your Officers are working with the university to ensure that the personal tutoring system better meets student needs. This includes clearer guidance on what personal tutoring offers and how it can be improved for you! 

Study Skills for Busy Students: We’re collaborating on a new time management guide for students juggling part time work alongside studies, with workshops and online resources to help you stay on track! 

What’s Next? 

This agreement represents a key step toward addressing the priorities raised by SU Officers for 2024/25. Here is what your full time Officer Team had to say about the agreement; 

"We’re here to represent you, and we won’t stop pushing for the changes that matter most. This agreement is just the start—our work continues every day to make student life better for everyone. From fighting student poverty to improving wellbeing and academic support, we’re determined to keep going until every student feels heard and supported." 

"Your feedback is what drives everything we do. So please, keep sharing your ideas with us, and we’ll keep fighting to turn them into action."  

Vice-Chancellor, Evelyn Welch was pleased to see an agreement take place between the Officers and the University of Bristol; 

“I am delighted to once again be working in partnership with the Student Union Officers, to deliver on important priorities for students.”  

This is just the beginning, and your elected Officers are committed to ensuring these projects are delivered!  

Your Full-Time Officer Team and the University Executive Board 

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