You said: In SUBU meetings such as SMM or Summit, you have raised the issue of studying for a degree whilst carrying out childcare responsibilities.

We did: Since the start of 2022, we have held a student parent event for International Students at BGB and a Spring Fair for parents. SUBU also continues to provide a Student Parents Community (subu.org.uk).

You said: At the Student Members Meeting, you voted on a policy to improve the availability of recycling facilities in accommodation and on campus.

We did: SUBU has been working in collaboration with AUBSU on properly disposing single use vapes as they are used by many students. This includes having collection boxes on campus and in accommodation to dispose of them and finding a company to recycle them.

You said: At the Student Members Meeting, you voted on a policy to end sexual harassment, violent and misconduct on campus.

We did: SUBU Advice handed out personal safety alarms at the Freshers’ and Night Safety Fairs. Basic training on being an active bystander was provided at the C&S Committee training. SUBU's Safe Taxi Scheme is running again this year and has received positive feedback from students.

Dorset’s Sexual Trauma and Recovery Service (STARS) and The Shores attended SUBU's Sexual Health, Awareness and Guidance Week to raise awareness of sexual harassment, misconduct and violence and the services they provide to students who need their support.

You said: At the Student Members Meeting, you voted on a policy to improve inclusivity and accessibility arrangements.

We did: Training is now provided to new committee members of clubs and societies relevant to inclusivity and accessibility. SUBU is committed to raising awareness of neurodiversity and of disabilities which are hidden.

SUBU is also working with BU on making accommodation more accessible.

The Disabilities and Accessibility and Neuro-Diverse Fair was run for Disability History Month. This highlighted the services available to Disabled students at SUBU, BU and locally outside of University.

You said: At the Student Members Meeting, you voted on a policy to alter MUSE to allow students to submit end of unit feedback.

We did: Across BU, MUSE (mid-unit feedback) has now changed to My Unit Feedback and students complete this towards the end of each unit. This change was in part due to student feedback represented by SUBU.

You said: At the Student Members Meeting, you voted on a policy to create a SUBU page on Brightspace.

We did: The existing SUBU links on Brightspace are currently what is technologically possible and do link to SUBU’s website.

You said: Ahead of September, you want to know what both BU and SUBU will offer to students.

We did: SUBU’s FTOs planned with BU to ensure a smooth induction process for new and returning students. SUBU’s plans and events were shared on our website and social media. SUBU will monitor feedback from students in BU’s Students Survey and SUBU’s student feedback tool SimOn to identify areas we need to develop.

You said: At Summit, you voted on a policy to provide better support for healthcare students, including improved communication between the NHS and BU and better treatment for students on unpaid NHS contracts.

We did: Incorporated into a new policy ‘SUBU lobby for better support for healthcare students and improved course cost transparency?’.

You said: As a result of the pandemic, we understand that many students feel increasingly isolated and alone. At SUBU Summit, you voted on a policy to secure improved wellbeing support by offering more social opportunities online and working with external charities.

We did: SUBU Advice is providing support to students who are affected by the rising cost of living in collaboration with the Community Kitchen space. Our elected officers are working with SUBU and BU communications to compile and set up a cost of living webpage with resources to support all students. Our elected officers are also committed to promoting men’s mental health on campus.

You said: At SUBU Summit, you voted on a policy for SUBU to lobby BU to add more past papers to Brightspace.

We did: We raised this issue with the relevant BU staff and worked with them to promote the uploading of past papers onto Brightspace in a more consistent way where appropriate. BU also updated SUBU that the use of exams as assessment at BU was likely to reduce somewhat in line with sector best practice in assessment design. Following this work, we did not receive further feedback from students that this was a continuing issue, and on the Exec dated 28/04/2021 students voted to lapse this policy.

You said: At SUBU Summit, you voted on a policy for SUBU to implement a FGM policy. This policy also involved raising awareness for staff and students on the issues surrounding FGM, and the available support.

We did: SUBU has conducted campaigns around FGM awareness and support. SUBU hosted an educational FGM workshop that provided attendees with information and tools to support survivors of FGM.

You said: At BSM, you voted on a policy for SUBU to support accessible periods through supplying free sanitary products.

We did: SUBU has installed two menstruation stations at both Lansdowne & Talbot campus. SUBU provides free period products for students to access when they are needed. Menstrual products are also available at cost price in the Student Shop.

You said: More support is needed for international students, many of whom have been left without financial support during Covid. SUBU aims to support international students by finding out more about their BU experiences, focusing on issues surrounding cultural differences, employability, financial hardship and creating an overall sense of belonging.

We did: 

SUBU is working with the BU International Students' Working group to discuss improving communication and signposting to available accommodation for International Students before they arrive in Bournemouth.

SUBU has also now launched its International Buddy Scheme which will help new international students integrate into the BU community.

You said: You voted in favour of a SUBU Summit policy that proposed the creation of an official SUBU Discord hub. This will bring more students together as they will be able to interact more informally through the hub, and interactions will not be limited to online events.

Partially Complete: Following an impact assessment, which was reviewed by the SUBU senior management team, it was decided that SUBU would continue to support the student proposer in developing the unofficial SUBU discord server that is already in place. This also provides students the ultimate flexibility in having a community-led hub. An official SUBU-owned Discord hub would involve additional risks regarding moderation and censorship, and SUBU cannot currently commit the resources required for this.

You said: Within the current national lockdown, we understand that many students are now unable to access halls that they are contractually obliged to pay for. Under the current government guidance, we understand that this could be until mid-February, but we also understand that this could continue for the rest of the semester.

We did: We have raised this issue at BU and continue to prioritise lobbying for rent reductions. This work has now been formalised into SUBU policy. Both the President and VP Welfare & Community have raised this issue with senior leaders at BU. Our FTOs have also written to all accommodation providers, including private letting agents and local MPs, to lobby these companies to offer rent rebates to students. We are monitoring the situation and tracking the providers who have offered rebates to students (currently Unite, Student Roost and BU owned housing). We also secured an accommodation support fund, enabling students without rebates to apply for financial help.

You said: Within the current national lockdown, we understand that the majority of students are continuing to experience online learning as their primary mode of delivery. Through student emails and SimOn, we understand that some students are still experiencing technical issues, with some inconsistencies across the different departments at BU. You have raised issues around Zoom software, the recording and uploading of lectures, session lengths, the availability of lecture materials and timetabling issues. 

We did: We are continuing to monitor all feedback on SimOn relating to the quality of online teaching and learning. We are breaking down all specific comments relating to teaching and learning, presenting this data to key BU staff members and raising the issue at relevant meetings. We also used Speak Week to pose a question to all students that specifically related to your views on the transition to online learning. This was also shared with BU. We are continuing to represent feedback to BU on the quality of online learning. Please see their webpage on available support for online learning. This has now moved to our routine monitoring of SimOn data on quality of teaching and learning.

You said: At SUBU Summit, you raised the issue around the lack of a No Detriment Policy for this academic year. You wanted us to share your feedback around the current academic policies in place to support student assessments, ensuring that SUBU prioritised supporting students with their assessments during the ongoing pandemic.

We did: Since the start of the pandemic, we have been collecting your feedback on the impact of Covid on your learning experience. Last year, we collected student voice that led to the creation of the No Detriment Policy for 2019/20. BU have now introduced a different policy for this academic year, which does not include the 'safety net' aspect of the previous No Detriment Policy. We have continued to collect student voice on your ongoing academic support. Last semester, we held a discussion group at SUBU Summit around student demand for BU to reintroduce their No Detriment Policy, and in January 2021 we held a forum so that you could share your views on the current support available. We also held an Officer Question Time based on BU’s current Protecting Student Outcomes policy, which this feedback then shared with BU. As a result of our ongoing lobbying, we have secured a number of adjustments to BU's policy, including uncapped reassessments and an online application system for exceptional circumstances.

You said: We received feedback asking for SUBU to offer more support with lobbying BU to improve reading list access.

We did: We provided student support to transform this idea into official SUBU Policy, which you voted on at SUBU Summit. The VP Education is continuing to raise this policy with relevant BU staff. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor is in support of this policy and has asked for library services team to prioritise work on reading list access. Improved reading list access is expected to be available from the start of the next academic year.

You said: As a result of the pandemic, we understand that many of you are frustrated with the lack of compensation for lost face to face teaching time and accommodation that you have been unable to occupy. At Summit, you voted on two policies mandating that SUBU work on lobbying both BU and the government to secure improved financial support.

We did: We are continuing to raise the issues at a senior level with BU and with our local MP. Whilst we secured additional funding from the government, we maintain that this was not nearly enough and a higher amount needs to be offered to universities to support widespread rebates. We have also developed a webpage containing resources and information on how you can take action and support our lobbying process. Our NUS delegates also attended National Conference at the start of April, collaborating with other SUs on how to continue effectively lobbying for tuition refunds. SUBU supported the Students United Against Fees Digital Day of Action by lobbying the Government to offer refunds to students.

You said: At Summit, you voted on a policy to improve online timetables, including being able to add extra entries and better support from BU on how to access timetables.

We did: The VP Education has raised the issue at BU's Digitalised University IT Committee. BU have confirmed that software is available for students to edit their timetables, and this will be shared with students in due course.

You said: At Summit and through SimOn, many of you have raised the issue of delays in receiving marked work. We also received comments relating to the quality of feedback, with some students sharing that they did not find that their feedback demonstrated how they could improve their work.

We did: We are now tracking this issue on SimOn, analysing all recent feedback relating to exams, assessments and feedback. We have shared some of this feedback with BU and will continue to monitor the issue. This has now moved to our routine monitoring of SimOn data on feedback.

You said: SUBU’s VP Opportunities identified the financial barrier to clubs and societies that prevents many students from signing up. As part of their manifesto, they were committed to establishing a hardship fund to allow students to access financial support for joining and club or society.

We did: Our staff worked alongside the VP Opportunities to establish the fund, securing £1500 for students to access. Find out more about the scheme and how to apply here.

You said: Some of you would be staying in Bournemouth over the Christmas break. We worked with BU to support you through this period.

We did: We delivered a programme of online events to keep you entertained over the break. Please find the details here. BU also had their own support in place, including social activities and any welfare help.

You said: In SimOn feedback, you asked for more transparency over how your FTOs work for you and how their daily work translates into action.

We did: This semester, we introduced Officer Question Time, giving you the opportunity to hear what your officers have been up to and ask them any questions. We also created this page so you can see what is currently being worked on by your officers.

Ahead of students arriving at or returning to BU for 2020/21, SUBU sought feedback to find out the information, opportunities, support and events students would most like. We now have the results from both of these surveys and here is how we've responded to the key feedback:
 

You said: Making friends and joining a club or society were what you were most looking forward to about BU.

We did: We planned a host of in-person and online events. Joining a club or society is also a great way to meet new people, and many are still running activities you can safely take part in. We also ran a 'Meet your clubs and societies' event. You can find a full list of our clubs and societies with details on how to get involved here.
 

You said: Social events and clear information would support the best start possible for you at BU.

We did: Where possible, we are running in person events safely, in-line with government restrictions. Dylan’s bar and The Old Fire Station are open and are also running events, including the Dylan’s quiz every Tuesday from 6.30pm. All events are available on SUBU What’s On page, and you’ll also find a new calendar version on the SUBU homepage.
 

You said: Food festivals, volunteering opportunities, and bingo nights were listed as events you were most interested in.

We did: We have organised a variety of in-person, online and pre-recorded events for you to take part in. These include food tutorials like our 'SUBU Fake Off', cook-alongs run by our societies and our Bonfire Bingo Night at TOFS. Whatever you’re interested in, there should be something for you to get involved with.
 

You said: Events, clubs and societies, and competitions were the online content you’d like to see from SUBU.

We did: The SUBU calendar of events that’s been put together for term one combines a variety of online events, including introductory sessions and 'Fitness Fridays' offered by our clubs and societies. We also have competitions running including an upcycling competition; all you have to do is upcycle something, give it a new lease of life and submit the end product. The winners will receive a sustainable night in hamper! There’s a variety of online content to get involved with, simply check the SUBU website.
 

You said: One of your biggest concerns for the new term was money.

We did: SUBU ran a financial literacy workshop as part of Black History Month. We also worked with BU to host an online part-time job fair in order to help you secure work around your studies. Please remember that our Advice team are there to help you with budgeting advice and provide you with signposting for financial support.

You said: At BSM, you voted on a policy demanding a better system for funding clubs and societies.

We did: We have now developed a more transparent system for how funding is allocated across clubs and societies. You can find the details of the new system here.

You said: Students were concerned about the availability of laptops on campus. The scheme was thought to be on pause for hygeine reasons during the Pandemic.

We did: We contacted BU to lobby for the availability of laptops. The scheme will now continue in the library (only) and student can books PCs through the myPC app.