Environment
Reduce the amount of Single-Use Plastics on Campus
Making good Progress!
| Latest Update |
Date |
| We switched to a plasticc free packaging sandwich range. |
21/01/2020 |
| Our retail venues will switch to a more eco-friendly coffee cup by the end of this academic year and will start implementing 'reverse charging' (charge more if you don't have a reusable cup). |
21/01/2020 |
| Jake Tran (VP International) and Ana Bichir (VP Community & Welfare)
attended a sustainability conference at Nottingham Trent University.
They
met with the environment group to discuss new ideas, especially around
food
and plastic use in the stores. They will also be meeting with the
council to
discuss how we can educate students living off campus about recycling
and
sustainable living. |
02/12/2019 |
-
Ran the Plastic mountain and engaged with approx 100 students
during
the listening exercise Met with UOE Climate change group to
identify
opportunities to work together.
-
1st meeting with sustainability team Sustainability plan for
University expires next year – which means we can input.
They
will set up a group that meets monthly.
-
All SU marketing stall holders held a meeting re reducing single
use
plastic. Following this they want to engage
marketing dept to advertise to customers to bring their own
reusable
bags.
-
Marketing have started to produce socials and posters. We will
sell
reusable bags from reception.
-
Hot food stalls most have gone over to biodegradable (only 1
left).
-
Reusable bags will be branded up with Big Plan branding and as
part
of the “environment” - we will distribute a number
of
these for free to saver card holders.
We removed 185k sandwiches with plastic packaging and replaced
with
HC.
|
10/10/2019 |
| Big win! We’ve switched sandwich supplier across the SU’s
shops
to Honest Crust sandwiches, which are 100% recyclable and contain zero
plastic! |
25/09/2019 |
| Project team visited UEA to look at alternatives to single use plastic.
|
06/08/2019 |
Reduce the Carbon Footprint of the Campus and influence the University's 5 year
sustainability Plan
Making Good Progress!
| Latest Update |
Date |
| Link in with Colchester Woodland project to potentially help them to plant trees. |
21/01/2020 |
| 1st meeting with sustainability team. Sustainability plan for University
expires next year – which means we can input. They will set up a
group
that meets monthly. Uni wants to hit 43% reduction and is currently at
37%.
Focus on Towers and buildings to achieve. Team will discuss with Uni
group
on how we can calculate our carbon footprint |
10/10/2019 |
| The SU attended the climate strike protest in Colchester and made
contact
with students interested in supporting the campaign. |
20/09/2019 |
| We’ve now received the Carbon foot print reduction plan from the
University so that we can start to review it. |
13/09/2019 |
| We’ve set up regular meetings with the university to work together
on
this aim. |
02/09/2019 |
Educate Students on the positive impact they can have on the Environment
Making Good Progress!
| Latest Update |
Date |
| Starting to look at ways we can implement Green Impact in our organisation. |
21/01/2020 |
| Splash event carried out and 6 students provided details. Listening
exercise
to be carried out at Splash event to look at best way to educate
students on
positive impact they can have 92% of students asked at Plastic Mountain
said
they recycled (250 students asked). |
10/10/2019 |
| We held a very positive first meeting with the University’s
Sustainability Manager, who has shared their long-term plans with us.
|
06/08/2019 |
These are the people we are working with to deliver these changes for you:
Pete Brizio - Deputy Director of
Services
Jake Tran, VP International
Sabbatical Officer working on this project, Email me
ana - Maria Bichir, VP Community & Welfare
Sabbatical Officer working on this project, Email me
Retail Manager
Manager working on this project, Email me
Mental Health
Push for better communication of the services available to students
Making good Progress!
| Latest Update |
Date |
|
As part of our commitment to push for better communications of
the services available, we have had a soft launch of our Support
Service Flowchart. The aim of the platform is to offer students a
clear service to get in contact with that is relevant to the issue
they are facing. We want to add this as a central tab for students
to click on, with an extra button named “Need support?” to be added
on our main SU website menu. You can find the flowchart
here.
|
20/02/2020 |
|
The platform is due to be finalised by the end of January, with
interest from both SU and University staff to use it in order to
signpost students to relevant services. We have been in contact
with the Student Wellbeing service and expressed our concern
that students are confused as to what exactly the service offers.
I was adamant that there is more support and information they
could offer students around the path they may take to obtain
professional support, and there was mention of a flyer to be
given to students that are referred to local services that
will summarise the steps they may have to take in order to
receive professional support from the NHS.
|
14/01/2020
|
| VP Welfare met with the University to create a flow chart of mental
health
services available on campus. Once finalised, this will be shared
with
students and staff to enable better access to the services. Referral
slips
are also being created. |
02/12/2019 |
| VP Welfare met with students to collect feedback and stories, in
order to
show what real feedback looks like. Members are encouraged to
contact
vpwelfare@essex.ac.uk , as are the members of their communities,
with any
feedback, questions etc. |
02/12/2019 |
| A communication sub-group has been set up and met with
representatives from
the University’s Student Wellbeing And inclusivity team.
Together they
are looking at developing flow charts for respective websites to
explain
where to go if individuals are facing specific mental health issues
and
developing a clearer referall slip between the Uni and SU Advice, so
students understand why they are being referred. |
25/09/2019 |
| We are looking at more training with SWIS and SU Advice staff, so
each side
would train the other on what each service does. |
18/09/2019 |
| We are looking to develop some insta stories, virtual tours and
researching
digital ways to access services. |
18/09/2019 |
Actively represent students’ honest views on the services
Making good Progress!
| Latest Update |
Date |
|
We have decided to run a survey for students. The survey will seek
feedback around both campus and local support services, in order to
better understand what are some of the blockages our students face
when trying to access support. This feedback will be collected in a
central place, which will make it easier for us as an SU to write a
report followed by recommendations which will then be shared with
both campus services and local services (via a petition given to
the local MP).
|
20/02/2020 |
|
We are considering the best option of collecting student feedback
on both campus and local Mental Health support services.
This will probably be in the form of a survey for both students
and staff, with the information collected being further used as
a list of recommendations and a petition for the local MP. We are
in touch with local services that have any links to Mental
Health support to collect more information about existing
petitions and demands regarding appropriate funding of the
NHS. Hopefully this campaign will gain traction and will
involve other Higher Education Institutions in the East of
England.
|
14/01/2020 |
| We are working with various networks where services don’t meet
individual needs so we can highlight and feed this back to the
University.
|
25/09/2019 |
| We are attending regular meetings with the University to feedback
any views
that students present to us. |
25/09/2019 |
Use SU services to help tackle stress and loneliness amongst students
Making good Progress!
| Latest Update |
Date |
|
We have successfully supported events put on by Just Play,
Societies and VTeam such as the Wellness Walks and Love
Yourself Day. The feedback has been very positive and we
will continue to support events which help tackle stress
and loneliness.
|
20/02/2020 |
| We have fully trained 25 Wellbeing Ambassadors in Bystander,
Signposting and Mental Health Awareness. Their role is to
attend events set up by the Students’ Union and to ensure
that if any students are struggling with loneliness and
stress, to signpost them to the relevant services. Equally,
we’ve encouraged them to have open conversations about the
struggles everyone may face as a student and helpful coping
mechanisms.
|
14/01/2020 |
| We are setting up an interactive project for the start of term,
which
features an emphasis on mental health and we hope will help students
and the
campus community start to talk about mental health. |
25/09/2019 |
These are the people we are working with to deliver these changes for you:
Fiona Harvey - Deputy Director of
Activities & Support
Michael Banahene, VP Student Experience
Sabb working on this project, Email me
Ana - Maria Bichir, VP Community & Welfare
Sabb working on this project, Email me
SU Advice Manager
Manager working on this project, Email me
Transport
Lobby First Bus to provide more reliable bus services to campus
Making good Progress!
| Latest Update |
Date |
The Transport group met with First Bus on February 20th to discuss some of the issues brought forward by students. We were joined by:
- Jon Smith (co-chair for Citizens UK)
- Andrea Newlyn (Sustainability (Travel and Transport) Officer for the University)
and from the Students’ Union we had:
- Molly Purcell (VP Services and Engagement)
- Harrison Andrews (Facilities Manager)
Our first request was to reimburse the bus passes purchased by users of the 97/98, which has now been overtaken by Hedingham Bus Company.
The First Bus representatives confirmed that they would refund pro-rata from January. We are waiting for confirmation on who specifically
is to be contacted regarding this.
We asked for the bus app to provide more reliable data as out key issues were ‘Phantom Buses’ and inaccurate information. First bus will
be looking at reworking the app to deal with the phantom bus problem, and it has been suggested that buses should show as cancelled on
the app. We will be bringing more data to them to help fix the problem.
First bus have said that they will not be reinstating the 75b, and will be creating a guide for people to find alternative routes for
their journey. We have also been in discussion with Hedingham bus company to look into the possibility of them taking over the route.
We will be gathering more information at the request of First Bus about the problems we have about the services with a particular
focus on the 62 and 64 routes.
Another meeting will be arranged at a later date with First Bus.
In addition to this meeting, we have been discussing with Hedingham the possibility of a student discount for bus passes,
and have met with the University to discuss how we can collaborate on solving this issue.
|
25/02/2020 |
| Social media post about changes to First Bus service has been circulated
to
SU members. |
07/01/2020 |
| Still liasing with First Bus management RE challenging them with the
help of
Citizens UK. |
07/01/2020 |
| A splash event was held to collect feedback. The SU will now meet with
FirstBus to discuss the findings, but currently due to internal business
issues at their end, no date has been set. There will be service changes
commencing 6th January, including the cancellation of the 75 bus. The SU
is
aware of how this will affect students and is taking this into
consideration. The new bus service changes will be published by the SU
to
help students adapt. |
02/12/2019 |
| We have met with Citizens UK to discuss next steps forward. Splash
day/listening exercise planned for Tuesday 15th October. |
11/10/2019 |
| We’ve arranged a meeting for October 3rd with Colchester Citizens
UK
leaders to gain wider community support for our buses campaign. |
25/09/2019 |
| We are organising a listening exercise for the start of term to look at
how
the new First Bus app is working and how many people are late because of
the
buses. |
15/09/2019 |
| We met with the University’s Transport Manager to discuss our
plans as
the issue of buses affects staff as well as students. |
13/09/2019 |
Find ways to introduce improvements to parking in this academic year
Making good Progress!
| Latest Update |
Date |
We have met with the Sustainability (Energy and Transport) Manager and the Head of Sustainability
and Grounds to discuss what we are able to do in regards to parking.
As it currently stands, the university is adamant that there is enough parking currently available
on campus, and has said that they will not be building any more parking in the near future. They
will be focusing on more holistic approaches, such as improving cycle routes and encouraging public
transport usage. We will continue pushing back against this, and finding alternative ways to improve
the parking on campus.
The university have also told us that they plan to encourage car sharing, and potentially introducing
reserved spaces for those who car share. They are also looking to introduce a new car share system in
the form of an app.
|
25/02/2020 |
| Parking splash event (listening exercise) scheduled for next Monday 13th
|
07/01/2020 |
| The SU also met with the estates manager to discuss parking. Long term,
there may be a potential reshuffle of the North Tower car park but this
would not be soon. There will be a listening exercise held to look into
the
parking issue further. |
02/12/2019 |
| We have met with Rob Davey – Head of sustainability |
11/10/2019 |
| We have met with the University to discuss their future plans for
parking
and have agreed to further meetings to make sure that students’
voices
are included in the plans |
25/09/2019 |
| We’ve been looking at the feasibility of a live signage system
that
highlights how many spaces are available in each car park, avoiding
students
driving around for ages looking for spaces.. |
10/09/2019 |
| We are looking at how we can promote alternative forms of transport and
car
sharing to and from campus. |
05/09/2019 |
These are the people we are working with to deliver these changes for you:
Fiona Harvey - Deputy Director of
Activities & Support
Laura Robinson, VP Education
Sabb working on this project, Email me
Molly Purcell, VP Services & Engagement
Sabb working on this project, Email me
Facilities and Health & Safety Manager
Manager working on this project, Email me
Cost Of Living
Challenge the current laundry contract
Making good Progress!
| Latest Update |
Date |
| A meeting will be set to discuss the laundry contract. Other
providers are
being considered, although it appears that Circuit offers the best
deal. The
SU and University are in discussion about the different laundry
prices in
different accommodations and this is being looked into. |
02/12/2019 |
| WIN: Members of the SU have met with the University who have agreed
that we
will be part of the negotiating team for the renewal of the laundry
contract! |
25/09/2019 |
| Data gathering and information day is being planned for early part
of term.
|
25/09/2019 |
| We’ve conducted research on laundry costs at 10 other
Universities
that use Circuit Laundry as their provider. |
25/09/2019 |
| We’ve gathered the costs of laundry from each launderette on
campus.
|
31/08/2019 |
Challenge the cost of student accommodation
Making good Progress!
| Latest Update |
Date |
| The prices for accommodation have been set for next year next and prices
have increased only in line with RPI, except South Courts. RPI is used
rather than CPI because it was written into the original contract. |
02/12/2019 |
| We have a seat at the table when the University is discussing changes in
rent prices/contracts. This years rent increases are broadly in line
with
RPI. |
25/09/2019 |
| We’ve set up meetings to find out more about how all decisions
regarding accommodation are made. |
25/09/2019 |
| We’ve decided to undertake an accommodation audit to look at
oncampus
and offcampus costs in order to be able to highlight them to students.
|
25/09/2019 |
Continue to challenge the cost of sport
Making good Progress!
| Latest Update |
Date |
| Working with Just Play to
increase the amount of free non-competitive sporting/active
opportunities.
Such as Archery Tag. |
09/01/2020 |
| Emails and social media posts sent out to all 18/19 Essex Blades members
and
Executive Club Committees informing them of the removal of £20
Essex
Blades Pass |
25/09/2019 |
| Budgets have been submitted to sports clubs highlighting the removal of
£20 fees and highlighting the opportunity to maximise club income
for
activities that suit members. |
18/09/2019 |
| WIN!: We’ve reached agreement with the University for the removal
of
the £20 Essex Blades Pass for the coming year that’s a
saving of
£20 per Essex Blades member!! |
01/09/2019 |
Increase access to free outdoor equipment
Making good Progress!
| Latest Update |
Date |
| The implementation of external equipment, eg basketball hoops, is
planned.
Currently we are waiting for permission and funding. |
02/12/2019 |
| A member of the group has attended a meeting to discuss this and will
update
at our next meeting. |
25/09/2019 |
These are the people we are working with to deliver these changes for you:
Fiona Harvey - Deputy Director of
Activities & Support
Jake Tran, VP International
Sabb working on this project, Email me
Michael Banahene, VP Student Experience
Sabb working on this project, Email me
Sports Development Manager
Manager working on this project, Email me
Food On Campus
Find ways to increase the diversity of food available
Proving Challenging!
| Latest Update |
Date |
| Specific wins from Splash event feedback: desserts available in SU Bar
Food
from term 2. |
04/12/2019 |
| Conversations around expansion of Thursday market, awaiting feedback
from
Black & Asian community officers for this to be implemented. |
04/12/2019 |
| Find You Food webpage design underway with marketing for publication in
term
2 – to include allergens, dietary requirements and where to find
specific cuisines throughout all outlets on campus & Thursday
Market.
|
04/12/2019 |
| Liaised with Essex Food for them to send over their allergen matrixes
– currently being formatted for the webpage. |
04/12/2019 |
| A lot of the suggestions were for things that are already available, so
there will be a push in marketing to promote these things. |
02/12/2019 |
| Desserts have now been added to SU Bar menu. |
02/12/2019 |
| A splash event was held that garnered lots of responses, focused around
food
diversity, quality and pricing. The data collected will be used to
create
change. VP Services will be meeting with the Black and Asian officers to
look at expanding the Thursday market to increase the diversity of food
available. |
02/12/2019 |
| Allergen and menus from SU outlets collated into a basic landing page
called
‘Findyourfood’. |
25/09/2019 |
| Collected all menus and allergen information from SU catering outlets
– waiting for the same info from University outlets. |
18/09/2019 |
Challenge the cost and quality of food on campus
Proving Challenging!
| Latest Update |
Date |
| We’re working on a package of food discounts and offers as part of
the
SU Saver card, which will launch on Arrivals Sunday |
21/09/2019 |
These are the people we are working with to deliver these changes for you:
Pete Brizio - Deputy Director of
Services
Molly Purcell, VP Services & Engagement
Sabb working on this project, Email me
Bar and Catering Operations Manager
Manager working on this project, Email me
My Course
Work with Students and Departments to challenge how deadlines are set and influence the
University’s Education strategy on this point
Making good Progress!
| Latest Update |
Date |
We want to say a huge thank you to the Sociology department who have been doing some incredible work in ensuring students have less deadline clashes this year.
Where Sociology students have multiple clashes in a week and assessments have a weighting of 20% or more than students can have a 7 day extension for one of
the assignments. This is having a really positive impact on our members.
In the long term Sociology have committed to spacing deadlines far more evenly at the start of term to ensure minimal clashes.
|
25/02/2020 |
| A Splash event spoke to over 100 students about their deadlines, which
was
used to work with departments on setting better deadlines within their
courses. A project team sat and reviewed every deadline from last year
to
identify where the issues are. They have also checked that department
deadlines are online to help students prepare better. |
02/12/2019 |
| An extenuating circumstances trial is also being looked into. |
02/12/2019 |
| Talis(Online book repository) is currently at about 80% of resources
being
available online. |
02/12/2019 |
| SU attended the Directors of Education network meeting. PVC Education
(ME)
directed all departments to review the setting of deadlines as part of
their
away days. She has also asked this to be on agendas for the first
student
voice groups of the new term. Faculty Coordinators to ensure this occur.
|
04/10/2019 |
| The University’s PVC Education is meeting with departments to
propose
a student centered review of deadlines. |
25/09/2019 |
| The SU Education team is reviewing whether deadlines were all uploaded
on
Enrol by the deadline provided by University. |
16/09/2019 |
Fix The Paternoster
Making good Progress!
| Latest Update |
Date |
| The paternoster will be fixed for the 20/21 academic year. This was
challenged but it is not possible to do this any quicker. However, the
temporary sign has finally been removed after 16 months. A communication
plan will be developed with the library to help keep people updated.
|
02/12/2019 |
| Works timetable has been provided by university for paternoster - we are
reviewing |
04/10/2019 |
| The University have given us a provisional timetable for repair works
that
we are reviewing. |
23/09/2019 |
| We’ve established a connection with Sheffield University to find
out
more about their paternoster repair works. |
23/09/2019 |
These are the people we are working with to deliver these changes for you:
Pete Brizio - Deputy Director of
Services
Laura Robinson, VP Education
Sabb working on this project, Email me
Education Manager
Manager working on this project, Email me
ALL OF THE WORK AND PROGRESS FROM OUR BIG PlAN COMMITTEES FEEDS INTO STUDENT PARLIAMENT
Extinction Rebellion
Extinction Rebellion
Extinction Rebellion
Extinction Rebellion
Extinction Rebellion
Plastic Mountain
Plastic Mountain
Better Transport
.jpg)
Circuit
Sociology
*If you'd like to share your own ideas or join in on the discussion just click on one of the Big
Plan topics. We'll also share more details about how the group is doing and when we have updates
they’ll be posted on here.The more students involved in these projects, the more we can
achieve
together. You can join in the conversation anytime and power this project forward- just click on one
of
the links above.
**We're a group of over 15,000 students on a mission, an adventure to become the
world’s most student-centred organisation. It’s ambitious and
challenging,
yet short enough to fit in a tweet.