Each year, SUBU holds two Speak Weeks – a week where we ask for your views on key topics and urge you to tell us what you’d like to keep at BU and what you’d like to change.
During our most recent Speak Week, over 840 of you shared your views on how the cost-of-living crisis is affecting you, whether you have access to the learning and resources you need, and how your experience on campus has been so far.
Here’s a round-up of what YOU said, and how we’re working to improve your experience based on your feedback.
How the rising cost of living is affecting you
Almost ALL of you (97%) said that you’re worried about the current climate and how this is affecting you personally. Many of you are avoiding switching on your heating to help save costs, or cutting down your spending on essentials including food.
Your Full-Time Officers are actively lobbying the university to provide additional support for those of you who may be struggling financially. If you find yourself in a situation where you’re unable to afford food or other essential items, SUBU has launched a Community Kitchen on the second floorof the Student Centre. It’s an open space where you can take whatever you need without the stigma of visiting a food bank.
Many of you expressed that you’re looking for advice on budgeting, saving, discounts and cooking, so we’ve launched a dedicated web page with tons of handy information on how you can access support on campus. Make the most of what’s on offer by visiting subu.org.uk/CostOfLiving
How you feel about your access to learning
We asked if you’re able to easily access learning and resources at BU and whether your specific learning needs are sufficiently addressed. Whilst most of you (93%) said that your resources are accessible, 1 in 10 of you felt your specific learning needs are not being met.
Many students expressed a need for more resources to be shared online, including consistent lecture recordings and digital library books. Your Full-Time Officers are lobbying the university to ensure that all lectures are recorded and that digital resources are fit for purpose. They are alsoinvestigating the options to enhance the Additional Learning Support (ALS) available to help those students who need it.
If you have any feedback you’d like to share about to course, make sure you speak to your Student Rep. They provide valuable feedback to both BU and SUBU, so that we can make better decisions and ensure all students are supported and empowered during their time here.
Your experience on campus so far
With 92% of you satisfied with your campus experience so far, you said that you wanted even more opportunities to meet friends, have fun, enjoy stalls, explore cultures, and learn life skills.
When asked about your ideas to make campus more vibrant and inclusive, you asked to see more diverse events, showing us there’s still work to be done to ensure that each one of you feels part of the BU community.
In response, your SU President is championing the ‘Be a Buddy’ scheme for international students and is developing a programme of events focusing on careers and life skills.
Our clubs and societies are at the heart of your student experience, where any BU or AUB student can sign up to meet new people, step out of their comfort zone and learn new skills. Your Full-Time Officers are championing our Clubs & Societies Hardship Fund, our Sports Bursary Scheme and have recently launched a free bus shuttle service to enable you to access the sports facilities at Chapel Gate.
For those of you based at Lansdowne, you said that you’d like to see more events and better facilities. SUBU is currently working on plans to improve your campus experience and create a space where you feel welcome and can relax, work together and take advantage of our services.
As your Students’ Union, we’re always working hard to deliver an exciting programme of events for everyone. To find out what’s happening, visit subu.org.uk/WhatsOn
Is there anything you’d like to change at BU?
Your Student Reps are there to gather your feedback, so if you feel that something needs to change, make sure you talk to them! Or you can fill in our online feedback tool, SimOn, at subu.org.uk/Simon
Our next Speak Week will take place in March, where we’ll be asking for more feedback on a range of different topics – you’ll also have the chance towin some incredible prizes! Follow us on Instagram @sububournemouth where we’ll be announcing the date soon!