OUR PRIORITIES
With rising tuition fees, stagnating maintenance loans, and an increasingly unaffordable cost of living, we want to make sure that your SU is there to support you. We heard from your feedback that one of the issues that matter the most to you is the cost of food on campus. To address this, we are currently working on two projects:
- Affordable Meal Scheme: We are lobbying the University to introduce a new meal scheme, similar to the £2 meal. While it might not be possible to reintroduce this exact initiative, there is still the need for the university to subsidize the cost of food for its students. To this end, we are working with the University to introduce a similar meal scheme at a higher price point, while still remaining affordable for the majority of students.
- Too Good To Go (TGTG): As many of you know, TGTG is an app that connects users to local businesses to buy surplus food for discounted prices. Students would be able to reserve “Magic Bags” with surplus food using the TGTG app and then pick it up during a specified collection window. Implementing this system with the food vendors on our campus would allow students to purchase food items for a substantially discounted price while at the same time minimizing waste on university venues.
Support Tool
We understand how challenging it can be for students to find the right support at the University. With various teams across both the University and the Students’ Union offering help for a wide range of issues, it’s often difficult to know where to turn. Many students report feeling passed from one service to another, which can be frustrating and, at critical moments, harmful to their wellbeing and academic progress, especially outside of standard working hours.
Our aim is to ensure students always know where to go for support and can access clear, reliable information whenever they need it. Whether facing personal challenges, academic concerns, or looking for help with less commonly recognised issues like skills development or community building, we want every student to feel supported, informed, and confident that they can access help when they need it.
To make this possible, we’re developing a new online tool that will be available to all students, anytime. It’s designed to guide students through their concerns, offer specific information, and highlight the best available support options. This tool will also highlight the vital work of our support teams and contribute to students’ growth and success throughout their time at University.
ROGUE Nights
An ambitious new event series that puts students at the heart of campus nightlife. Unlike traditional club nights, ROGUE is society led, bringing together cultural, performance, and student groups to curate themed nights filled with music, entertainment, and creativity. From unique decor to diverse performances, each event offers something fresh and student driven. Saturdays are the one day students can truly go rogue, with no 9ams waiting for them the next day.
To recognise the central role societies play, all society executives receive free tickets to ROGUE Nights, ensuring leaders are rewarded for their involvement and encouraged to take part in the experience.
By introducing ROGUE, the Students’ Union is creating a flagship legacy event with the same energy and recognition as FED Nights while giving societies ownership of creative programming and a platform to shine. It rewards involvement, diversifies campus nightlife to reflect the breadth of our community, and brings students together to celebrate, connect, and belong.
Stay for a Bit
We know that meeting new people in the first few weeks of university can be tough. For many students, trying to connect with classmates during lectures or seminars can feel overwhelming and intimidating. That’s why we’re creating relaxed, informal “hangout” sessions following department induction talks, to give students a low-pressure space to meet others and start building friendships.
These sessions will take place in department common rooms, helping students feel more connected to their academic communities from the start. Alongside the social aspect, we also want the hangouts to be useful and informative. We’ll share key information about Students’ Union services, student reps, and academic societies, so students not only meet their peers but also learn how to get involved and access support early on.
International Handbook
The International Student Handbook is a refreshed resource created to make arriving at Essex smoother and more welcoming for our global community. It brings together everything international students need to know in one place, from banking, buses, and GP registration to cultural tips, SU advice, and finding your way around Colchester.
The handbook will be available both in print and digitally. Students will receive a copy at registration during Welcome Week, while the digital version will feature interactive extras such as QR codes and short-form video content on the SU Instagram page for quick, student-friendly guidance.
This project supports our Big Plan scope of Strengthening Inclusivity by ensuring international students feel informed, supported, and part of campus life from day one. It recognises the unique challenges of studying abroad and provides the tools to make Essex a true home away from home.