Problem:

• If students fail or are unable to take an exam for various reasons during Semester 1, currently the only option they have is to re-sit the exam during Summer.
• There is currently no option for students to take their resits during the Spring Break.
• This can pose a problem to some students (such as International Students) who will have to travel back to Bournemouth to take this exam. Travelling can also mean extra costs for students, who may not be able to afford to do so.
• If Semester 1 exams could be retaken in April, it would ease the pressure on students. For example, students would not have to study for resits for both Semester 1 and 2 at the same time.
• It would also provide reassurance for prospective PGRs, given the Reassessment Board is held in the first week of September.

Solution:

• BU should allow students the option to retake Semester 1 exams in Spring Break. That the VP Education Officer lobbies the University to introduce Spring Break retakes.
• That the University Exam Board should meet at the end of each semester to accommodate this change.
• SUBU should lobby BU to allow students to retake exams during Spring Break.

Problem:

• Many social events for students are alcohol based – either by being focused on drinking or taking place at a club or bar.
• According to a survey from NUS in 2017-18, 21% of student didn't drink and 29% of students agreed that they sometimes feel pressure from their friends to drink more alcohol than they would like to.
• Clubs and societies are encouraged to run at least one non-alcoholic social a month in order to become a 5-star society, but this still means that they can run many alcohol-focused events.
• Non-drinkers can sometimes feel like they are not always welcome at events where they know people will be drinking, as they may feel that they will be judged or may feel pressured to drink.
• More should be in place to encourage students that don't drink to come to socials in societies that are not alcohol based.

Solution:

• SUBU should organise more social events outside the societies to acknowledge non-drinkers.
• More societies should hold specifically non-alcoholic events, outside of clubs and bars. SUBU should help societies find non-alcoholic venues.
• SUBU should increase the non-alcoholic drink options in Dylan’s and The Old Fire Station.
• SUBU should make sure to clearly indicate when an event is alcoholic

Problem:

• There are currently two formally recognised Officers and Groups within SUBU’s Bye-Laws which represent LGBTQ+ students.
• The Officer and Groups are inclusive spaces for the LGBTQ+ community but are separated to recognise the different issues that non-heterosexual and non-cis-gendered individuals face.
• LGB language has been co-opted by transphobic groups and does not reflect the inclusive nature of the Officers or Group.
• Intersex individuals are not currently explicitly represented by either of the Officer or Group, despite forming a part of the LGBTQ+ umbrella.

Solution:

• Change the name of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Plus (LGB+) Officer and Group to the LGBTQ+ Officer and Group
• Change the membership of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Plus Officer and Group from:
  • Current: ‘The members shall be all students who self-define as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and any other sexual minority’
  • Proposal: ‘The members shall be all students who self-define as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer, Questioning, Asexual, Pansexual, or otherwise identify as a sexual identity within the LGBTQ+ umbrella. This group is inclusive of LGBTQ+ identities and shall work closely with the Trans, Non-Binary and Gender Identity Group.’
• Change the name of the Trans and Non-Binary Officer and Group to the Trans, Non-Binary, Intersex, and Gender Identity + Officer and Group
• Change the membership of the Trans and Non-Binary Officer and Group from:
  • Current: ‘The members shall be all students who self-define as Trans and/or Non-Binary.’
  • Proposal: ‘The members shall be all students who self-define as Trans, Non-Binary, Genderqueer, Gender Non-Conforming, Gender Questioning, Intersex or otherwise identify as a gender identity within the LGBTQ+ umbrella. This group is inclusive of LGBTQ+ identities and shall work closely with the LGBTQ+ Group.’
• The changes should take effect across all of SUBU’s informal communications as soon as possible, pending formal approval in the Bye-Laws.
• The Bye-Laws, which can be found in the Appendix, should be updated to reflect the amendments. Specifically, the following clauses should be amended:
  • Bye-Law 2, Clause 8.1.a.iv
  • Bye-Law 2, Clause 8.1.a.v
  • Bye-Law 9, Clause 3.2.d
  • Bye-Law 9, Clause 3.2.d.i
  • Bye-Law 9, Clause 3.2.d.ii
  • Bye-Law 9, Clause 3.2.e
  • Bye-Law 9, Clause 3.2.e.i
  • Bye-Law 9, Clause 3.2.e.ii

Problem:

• Over the past couple of years, SUBU has worked to provide menstrual products to students in need of them for free. However, with the recent rise to the cost of living, students who menstruate may find themselves struggling to afford menstrual products.
• Menstrual products are essential items and where people are unable to access them, their lives are severely impacted.
• SUBU’s Environmenstrual Collective aims to hold events to educate and provide students with different options for menstrual products, and to destigmatise periods, particularly with those who do not menstruate.
• Currently, BU does not contribute financially to SUBU’s work with the Environmenstrual Collective, despite it providing for BU students, and some staff.
• In addition, the university should also be encouraging sustainable periods, and providing students and staff who menstruate with more sustainable options for menstrual products whenever possible.

Solution:

• SUBU to lobby BU to assist in providing free and sustainable menstrual products for students in need, where they:
  • Cannot afford products
  • Come on their period unexpectedly
  • Have forgotten products
• SUBU to lobby BU to provide free and sustainable menstrual products for their staff members.
• SUBU to continue to campaign for periods to be free of stigma via the Environmenstrual Collective.
• SUBU to stock a range of sustainable menstrual products in the student shop.
• SUBU to continue to sell menstrual products at the cost of purchase within their outlets.
• SUBU to lobby BU to stock sustainable menstrual products in the machines in toilets
• SUBU to share and communicate the collective and policy more widely to students

Ideas for implementation: TEXT

Problem:

• We have a large in-take of international students here at Bournemouth University, with large groups coming in both January and September.
• Some of these students may not have travelled abroad outside of their home country before and may not know people in Bournemouth to help them get started.
• Although there are WhatsApp and Telegram groups for international students, not everyone is aware of them, and it can be very difficult for international students to settle without help from someone who is already here.
• Some incoming students reach out to current students to get information on things like accommodation and banking, which can be stressful for those students who are not always prepared to help.
• This has been a particular issue with COVID, as some international students must self-isolate when entering the country and without support may not be able to purchase essentials such as food.

Solution:

• After giving offers of study to international students, Bournemouth University should ensure that these students have all the information they need to start living in the UK.
• Having a ‘Buddy’ assigned to students when they confirm their place at BU, and who is trained and supported by BU, would allow incoming international students to gain the essential information that they need and support the student as they arrive in the UK.
• These ‘Buddies’ would be there to answer students’ questions and help them with things like accommodation, transport, banking and more, as well as being a friendly face for incoming students new to Bournemouth and the UK.
• SUBU to discuss this issue with the University.
• SUBU to lobby the University to improve their arrivals programme for international students.
• SUBU to lobby BU to implement a Buddy system for incoming international students, as a part of their arrivals

Problem:

• Many students, especially those whose home is farther away, do not have the means or storage to bring their bikes to Bournemouth during term times, even if they would welcome the exercise.
• Beryl Bikes is an electric scooter and bike sharing app, where users can unlock scooters or bikes through an app on their phone, meaning that users have access to bicycles and scooters without having to purchase one or worry about storage. There are many bays around the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch area.
• Using Beryl Bikes is a great way to commute to and from campus and even the scooters allow for some fresh air rather than sitting on a bus.
• Beryl Bikes currently offer minute bundles between £5 to £20 and an unlimited day pass that lasts for 24 hours for £12. Beryl also provides a code to BU students and staff for 100 free minutes (usually worth £5) and gives away complimentary minutes at Beryl events.
• Especially for longer periods, these costs could be inaccessible for some students. A student who uses Beryl Bikes to travel to and from university every week in an academic year would currently have to pay around £510 for enough minutes (if cycling only an hour total 5 days a week, for 34 weeks).
• UNIBUS currently offer a 50% discount to students for an annual bus pass, with unlimited travel on UNIBUS buses to campus and in morebus Zone A, costing only £260.
• Having a student discount would make it easier for students to use Beryl Bikes and would encourage them to be more active.

Solution:

• SUBU to lobby BU/Beryl to do the following:
  • Making cycling more financially and physically accessible to students. More maintenance on campus.
  • To encourage students to be more active through cycling (which can have a positive impact on both mental and physical health). More beryl bikes/general cycling events happening on campus.
  • For Beryl Bikes to improve accessibility for their bikes for BU students.
  • Beryl Bikes to provide an annual (or other long term, such as termly) pass for students, in line with the cost of an annual pass from UNIBUS. One-off discounted annual payment or per semester payment.
  • Beryl Bikes to provide a student discount of at least 25% on their minute bundles.
  • To develop suitable infrastructure to manage the demand of Beryl Bikes
  • To develop safety campaigns to ensure that students are using the resources safely and responsibly
• SUBU to meet with Beryl to discuss the issue and prospect of introducing a student discount. Using a student number/ID.
• SUBU to research the usage of Beryl Bikes among students, as well as cycling trends amongst students.

Problem:

• Access to Higher Education is a fundamental right.
• Since the introduction of tuition fees in 1997 students have increasingly been seen as consumers.
• Students deserve more than this and the NUS’ New Vision For Education Campaign seeks to improve the conditions for students within higher education by fighting for the following:
  • ‘Fully funded: higher and further education to be funded by governments - free at the point of use for students - with proper pay, pensions and conditions for staff across education and beyond
  • Accessible: creating safe and inclusive spaces – built for students here and now - and uprooting disablism in our education
  • Lifelong: there to support us from cradle to grave - think less restrictive, more fluid and flexible
  • Democratised: giving students more power and agency over our own learning’
• On the 2nd of March the NUS has organised the Student Strike in Central London.
• This will be an opportunity for officers and activists across the country to gather and celebrate the collective power of the student movement.
• This strike is not a demonstration and there will be no marching. The strikes focus on radically reimagining what education should look like with speakers, performances, workshops, and opportunities to build a community and learn from one another.

Solution:

• For SUBU to support NUS’s New Vision for Education Campaign and integrate the campaigns principles into its work, while prioritising current students.
• For SUBU to support the Student Strike. This shall include providing transport at no cost for students, a small deposit may be required. . This shall also include promoting the strike via their communication channels.

Problem:

• In some exams at the university, it may be permitted for students to bring some additional items such as stationery and paper for working-out problems, or a print-out of important information for use within the exam.
• These items are extremely useful and it puts students who didn’t bring the items at an unfair disadvantage as opposed to students who did.
• here are many reasons why students may not be able to bring these items:
  • The items stopped working during the exam by no fault of the student.
  • The items were damaged in transport to the exam, or the student forgot to bring the items.
  • The student made a reasonable attempt to source these supplies but was unable to due to a technical failure, such as a printer not working, Brightspace not opening correctly.
  • The student wasn’t adequately informed about the option to bring the items or the student forgot.
  • The student did not have the funds to sources the supplies, such as purchasing a scientific calculator, or use the on-site printers.
• Supplying students with these supplies decreases the risk of academic offenses, as not every sheet of paper brought into an exam can be easily checked for information which would give the student an unfair advantage.

Solution:

• For BU to provide basic stationery supplies, paper, print-outs, calculators, and any other items that students may bring to exams for students to use.
• For BU to ensure that no student may be disadvantaged before, or during an exam for reasons such as lack of necessary supplies or technical failure.

Ideas for implementation:

• For SUBU to lobby BU to provide students with basic items that are needed to complete their exams.

Problem:

• All clubs and societies currently charge students to become members.
• Not all students can afford this, so this means that not all students can join in.
• Often students will have to pay for additional items (such as equipment) in order to actively be a part of a society.
• Although the minimum amount a society can charge is £1, many societies charge much more than this, and this is inaccessible for some students.

Solution:

• For SUBU to allow the creation of free clubs/societies.
• For SUBU to review the price of club and society membership fees to ensure that the membership fee is line with their core activities
• These free clubs and societies could be in a virtual form
• SUBU has networks in existence which are an alternative to paying for clubs and societies. Promote this to students more and allow more to be created.
• SUBU should encourage clubs and societies to split their membership fees up to be paid termly/ semesterly to support students to pay for membership fees
• Expand the clubs and societies hardship fund to cover the costs of being an active member of a society
• Increase the promotion of the clubs and societies hardship fund

Ideas for implementation:

• SUBU to meet with Club and Society Presidents to discuss this issue.

Problem:

• Industrial meat is the single biggest cause of deforestation globally(1)
• The Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to “well below” 2°C, ideally 1.5°C. However, at current emission outputs we are risking a 2.7°C rise(2), which would have catastrophic results. By 2030, livestock farming could use up 37% - 49% of the emissions budget available to keep within target temperatures.(3)
• BU’s Climate and Ecological Crisis Action Plan (CECAP)(4) is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030/31, but not enough is being done to decarbonise food options
• There is a lack of plant-based options via on campus catering outlets and where there are options these typically run out quickly often leaving students without access to food
• There are not enough options for individuals with multiple dietary requirements, such as vegan and gluten-free
• The lack of plant-based options affects those who consume a plant-based diet for religious, cultural, lifestyle or allergy reasons
• Where there are plant-based options there is typically poor signage
• Despite plant-based options being more sustainable and ethical students are often faced with a surcharge when accessing these items
• Many of the plant-based options contain palm oil which is unsustainable
• There appears to be a reduction in plant-based options on campus following the pandemic


• *₁ www.greenpeace.org.uk
• *₂ www.nature.com
• *₃ www.researchgate.net
• *₄ www.bournemouth.ac.uk

Solution:

• Research on farming and agriculture by Oxford University(5), shows that a plant based diet is better for the environment and contributes significantly less global emissions than a non-plant-based diet therefore SUBU and other outlets on BU campus should commit to improving plant-based options
• Increase the quantity and variety and reduce the cost of plant-based food on campus in order to be more inclusive of those who do not consume animals/animal products due to religious, lifestyle or allergy reasons
• Make plant-based options more visible
• Commit to decarbonising on campus catering outlets
• *₅ www.science.org

Ideas for implementation:

• Increased plant-based and gluten free options across campus, these should include breakfast items, snacks, treats, sandwiches and hot meals
• Improve the promotion and signage of plant-based options everywhere on campus, such as clear areas within the SUBU Shop, signage outside outlets
• providing signage comparing environmental impacts of dairy and various plant milks so that informed choices can be made
• Rotate the plant-based options regularly to ensure that there is a variety of options
• Ensure that plant-based and non-plant-based items are similar in pricing
• Consider implementing a surcharge for dairy milks in line with environmental impacts
• For all on campus food outlets to take part in Veganuary annually as part of BU's environmental initiatives this should include promotional materials and concepts such as meat free Mondays
• Consider implementing meat free Mondays across the year
• Bournemouth University to provide funding if necessary to scope and implement a carbon neutral campus
• Provide items that cater to multiple dietary requirements such as plant-based and gluten free

Problem:

• The student ID card is imperative to access buildings, as well as other important areas of student life such as printing and student discounts.
• It is inevitable that students will misplace or lose something over the course of their studies, and if that happens to be their student ID card, then they will have to get a replacement.
• New students in particular may not be used to carrying an ID card and so may be particularly prone to losing or misplacing it.
• Currently the university charges £10 to replace a lost or misplaced student ID card, which can be a lot of money for a student.
• Where an ID card is stolen a free replacement is given where a crime reference number is provided
• Damaged ID cards are currently replaced for free
• If students are not certain that their ID card has been stolen they may not want to report this to the police, but they will still incur a charge
• Even where students are certain that their ID card was stolen they may still be hesitant to report this to the police for a number of reasons

Solution:

• BU to provide at least one free replacement ID card to students. For students in financial difficulty to have further free replacements or replacement loans.

Ideas for implementation:

• SUBU to lobby BU to provide students with at least one free replacement ID card.
• SUBU to lobby BU to provide opportunities for students who are in financial difficulty to gain further replacement cards.
• Lanyards to be provided to all students to prevent student ID’s being lost or misplaced
• If it is not possible to entirely remove the replacement fee, it should be reduced

Problem:

• The name for the Students with Disabilities Officer is not fully reflective of the students it represents
• Students are unaware that the Students with Disabilities Officer also represents those with access needs and who have access needs and are neuro-diverse

Solution:

• Change the name of the Disabled Students’ Officer to Disabilities, Accessibility and Neuro-Diverse Officer
• Change the name of the Disabled Students’ Campaign to Disabilities, Accessibility and Neuro-Diverse Campaign
• Amend the following references in the Bye-Laws to reflect these changes
  • Bye-Law 2, Clause 8.1.a.iii
  • Bye-Law 9, Clause 3.2.c
  • Bye-Law 9, Clause 3.2.c.i
  • Bye-Law 9, Clause 3.2.c.ii
• The proposed Bye-Laws can be viewed in the appendix
• Change the logo to a more inclusive design

Ideas for implementation:

• None required

Problem:

• Disabled students and those otherwise exempt are frequently asked to wear masks on campus.
• Often people demand confidential medical information such as the nature of their disability as proof of exemption.
• Even if not directly challenged, individuals feel ostracised for not being able to wear masks. People glance at them or treat them differently at the shops, on the bus, in halls, and now in university where they are supposed to be treated equally.
• All students are aware of the university's policies on wearing face coverings and need not be constantly reminded.
• Starting with the Student Centre, all new buildings within BU are fitted with gender-neutral toilets. However, older buildings may not have these facilities. Trans, non-binary and other gender non-conforming students currently have less options and have to travel much further in order to access a safe bathroom than their cisgender peers.
• The disabled toilets aren’t inclusive enough and don’t represent or accommodate the spectrum of disabilities.
• Students with neurodivergence have no safe place to go to on campus to calm down or relax in times of overwhelming situations. Neurodivergent students also expend more energy to be able to access university, go to, and interact with lectures, and need a safe space during the day to regain this energy to be well enough and focused enough to do well in these lectures.
• The stools in the labs are not inclusive for disabled people as it is not supportive and can induce pain because of this.
• Stools without backs also are not supportive for the general student population, and 3-4 hour labs without any support can be tiring and painful.

Solution:

• For inequalities on campus to be addressed
• SUBU to fight the targeting of students with hidden disabilities who cannot wear face masks.
• For staff and students to be tolerant and respectful of those who cannot wear masks instead of making them feel uncomfortable and different.
• Increase the quantity of gender-neutral bathrooms so students do not need to leave their current building to find one
• To change the signage on disabled toilets to reduce stigma
• To increase the calming measures within the disabled toilets
• To replace stools with backed chairs for the comfort, health and physical support of all students who use the lab
• Creation of a sensory space on campus

Ideas for implementation:

• The immediate removal or amendment of "No Mask, No Entry" signs from the campus as these signs discriminate against individuals who are not able to wear face masks. If the signs are to remain there should be a clear and explicit message that this does not apply to those who are exempt whether they choose to wear sunflower lanyards or badges or not.
• SUBU and BU to work together for staff training on Hidden Disabilities, accessibility, and language around disabilities
• SUBU to provide Hidden Disability lanyards and badges for those in need. Lobby BU to adopt the same policy with lanyards and badges.
• Ensure that there is at least one gender neutral toilet on the ground floor of each building to ensure that there is somewhere for queer students to access without having to leave the building.
• Work to ensure that all disabled toilets are clearly marked as gender neutral and accessible.
• Add an additional sunflower logo to represent hidden disabilities or SUBU campaign logo on signage across campus, thus reducing stigma when accessing facilities.
• Lobby for BU staff to be aware that alarm cords in Disabled toilets should not ever be tied up
• Change the colour in the toilets for calming measures rather than harsh white walls and lights which can be overwhelming for neurodivergent individuals. As well as adding a photo wall for calming measures for neurodivergent individuals.
• Provide a sensory space on campus with dim lights, bean bags, sensory items. For example, sensory walls/bubble lamps, no noise or noise-cancelling headphones, nap/sleeping pods, weighted blankets to be inclusive to students who need this.
• VP Welfare & Community and Disabled Students Officer to create clear signage for the sensory space and make it clear who it is for

Problem:

• The University and College Union (UCU) has launched national ballots at 152 universities across the UK in relation to the USS pension scheme and pay and conditions.
• Bournemouth University UCU branch is one of 78 institutions balloting regarding the ‘Four Fights’- pay, workload, casualisation and equality.
• If the industrial action is successful, then it is likely that industrial action shall be taken before Christmas
• Nationally the UCU state that:
  • Pay for university staff fell by 17.6% relative to inflation between 2009 and 2019, despite university income from tuition fees growing by a third in the last five years
  • The gender pay gap sits at 16% and the most recent Higher Education Statistics Agency figures reveal that, of 22,810 professors in the UK, under a third (27%) were women and only 155 (1%) were Black. The pay gap between black and white staff stands at 17% and the disability pay gap is 9%.
• SUBU recognises that should UCU members decide to take industrial, this follows a period of negotiations where little if no progress has been made.
• Bournemouth University and other universities nationally have it within their power to work with UCU to avoid industrial action by reducing workload, casualisation, equity pay and real world pay.
• SUBU believes that staff’s working conditions is students learning conditions, therefore improving the student experience is contingent on Bournemouth University and other universities improving the staff experience.
• The potential industrial action follows two strikes in 2019/20 over the four fights and a period of two years where the student experience has been dramatically impacted as a result of COVID-19.
• Typically information around industrial action is scarce making it difficult for students to understand why academic staff undertake such action.

Solution:

• For SUBU to support all UCU demands in relation to the four fights.
• For SUBU to prioritise transparent information and education surrounding why UCU industrial action is occurring
• For SUBU to not support industrial action that would lead to significantly more disruption to our members.

Ideas for implementation:

• For SUBU to encourage Bournemouth University and universities nationally to meet the demands of the UCU during negotiations in relation to the four fights
• For SUBU to provide students with accessible and transparent information regarding UCU industrial action
• For SUBU to write an open letter to the University’s Senior Leadership Team and make this available to students to sign
• For SUBU to organise events to promote the UCU and the reasons why they are undertaking industrial action

Problem:

• Students feel there are too many different places to access information relating to SUBU
• Some students do not always have access to social media channels and cannot rely on this to obtain information
• Whilst Brightspace is currently an academic platform, it is the main webpage students use to find information

Solution:

• As students check Brightspace on a daily basis, there should be a central SUBU page or hub
• This page would contain information including announcements about events, reminders about financial deadlines and progress on current policies
• This page could also include a discussions board to allow students to contact reps or officers
• As learning becomes more digitalised, this platform could be used as a central location for students to engage with SUBU’s services
• This would help to streamline student queries and would relieve some strain on student services
• This would also allow students to fully engage with SUBU and improve the overall student experience

Ideas for implementation:

• SUBU should collaborate with BU to develop a Brightspace webpage
• BU would allow SUBU to manage this webpage to allow updates to be made frequently

Problem:

• MUSE feedback is a brilliant tool to ensure students can have their voice heard regarding their experiences with units
• However, the quality of teaching and support for assignments, and exam preparation, has reduced across the semester
• For many students there is a difference in student experience mid-unit and at the end of a unit
• Students need better feedback opportunities closer to end of unit assessments
• Departments need to be aware of any changes to the learning experience for students
• Currently, it is optional for staff to use other methods of feedback alongside MUSE

Solution:

• MUSE should be redesigned to allow students to submit feedback both mid-unit and at the end of the unit
• This feedback should be gathered after the final assignment deadline to allow students to comment on their entire unit experience
• Staff should use this end of unit feedback to support their development and improve the experience of future students taking their units

Ideas for implementation:

• SUBU should lobby BU to change how unit feedback is gathered, making it mandatory for staff to collect and act on end of unit feedback

Problem:

• The University has excellent recycling options for people on campus, but for some students, the positive impact of this is negated by their accommodation not offering recycling options for household waste.
• There is a distinct lack of recycling points available at student halls accommodation and private student rentals, where waste is not always managed by the council
• First year students living in halls of residence are more likely to need additional support to achieve improvements in recycling behaviour, and are known to recycle less than other year groups (NUS)
• The NUS Report also states that students are less likely to recycle as they think nobody else in their accommodation also recycles
• All accommodation has recycling bins available for students, often kept alongside their traditional rubbish bins
• Presently, Bailey Point, owned by the Student Housing Company, have a kitchen-based recycling system in their accommodation
• A food waste recycling system is currently in place across households in Bournemouth, however it is uncertain how many students engage with this

Solution:

• Create more accessible recycling points at student halls that will release pressure on accommodation-based recycling centres
• Establish recycling centres on both Talbot and Lansdowne campuses
• For halls to provide clear signposting and recycling information around the accommodation and near-by recycling facilities
• To gain a better understanding of student recycling behaviours and experiences

Ideas for implementation:

• For SUBU to lobby BU to provide a bottle bank on both campuses
• For SUBU to work with the local council in order to promote local recycling guidelines
• For SUBU to lobby private and BU owned halls to provide more recycling points that are clearly signposted
• For SUBU to lobby private and BU owned halls to provide a full range of recycling options, including food waste
• For SUBU to develop and run a survey in order to understand student attitudes and experiences towards recycling
• For SUBU to run an awareness campaign directed at students in accommodation about recycling, including the various types and best ways of doing it
• For SUBU to create an updated webpage with details on recycling, including rules, tips and external resources
• For SUBU to provide accessible recycling options for all students, through corresponding with private accommodation providers
• For SUBU to work with BU to create a clear map identifying where recycling points are, including in accommodation, on campus and around the local area

Problem:

• There has not been any change made to the current reassessment policies which determine the reassessment limit for students
• The current policy allows resubmission and resit if you have failed up to 60 credits for Level 4 and up to 40 credits for Levels 5 & 6. There is some flexibility around this for exceptional circumstances and for students who choose to ‘carry credit’
• This year has been hard on so many students causing them not to perform as usual
• Currently, Level 5 and Level 6 students have to repeat the whole academic year if they fail 40 credits or more

Solution:

• Students should receive the same reassessment allowance at all levels of study
• All students should be able to resit or resubmit work if they fail up to 60 credits, as part of BU’s Protecting Student Outcomes
• Once this has been secured, there should be a long-term discussion around supporting students academically beyond Covid
• Students at all levels should be academically supported throughout the ongoing pandemic and beyond

Ideas for implementation:

• SUBU to lobby BU for changes to the resubmission policy
• SUBU to raise this issue with NUS or other relevant bodies such as the QAA

Problem:

• Under the current 6C policy every single unit across BU, regardless of which degree course, must adhere to the 6C policy
• One aspect of this policy is that no one unit can exceed 3000 words of assessed work. If a unit has an exam and coursework component, the word count is split 50/50 between the assignments. This is classed as ‘best practice’ across the sector
• Whilst this word count is sufficient in some cases, for many it means that students are unable to demonstrate additional knowledge and reading in so few words
• This curtails a student’s ability to show their interest in a topic and results in students feeling unmotivated to research above and beyond a topic they find interesting
• In addition, this policy prevents unit leaders from being able to conduct regular small pieces of assessed work, something which would be really valuable for many units
• The process to make amendments to assessments for a unit is also inefficient, as implementing any changes based on student feedback takes a long time
• Course leaders often don’t meet coursework result/feedback deadlines however students must submit on time. It is seen as unfair on the students to receive late feedback. Within the policy it states that communication must come 48 hours prior if the deadline is not met by the course leader

Solution:

• The 6C policy should be amended to allow a unit leader more freedom and flexibility in how to assess their own unit- The policy contains the word ‘normally’ when referring to the word count which does provide some flexibility. To reflect the differences in course disciplines, changes should be made to the policy to be less ridged. Courses differ greatly and have different assessment needs. Eg Nursing and Computing
• Student feedback should be implemented by BU in a timely manner and they should be made aware of where proposals have made a positive impact. Currently, changes are made the next academic year however changes could be implemented within the same academic year with a specific cut off date
• Students should be able to achieve high quality academic work, without the restrictions of a word count
• Students should be better prepared for final year projects or post-graduate study
• Students should have a greater number of opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge, through varied assessment methods
• More rigorous penalties for late feedback from course leaders

Ideas for implementation:

• FTOs to lobby BU to amend 6C by increasing flexibility around the assessment process
• SUBU to support reps to gather feedback specifically on assessments
• Ensure that any conversations had with Academic Quality reference that BU are operating this policy as ‘best practice’ however there are students that would like to go above and beyond
• Reps can look into issues with late feedback from course leaders

Problem:

• Students have lost contact hours outside of lectures and teaching time that they would normally receive from unit leads
• Biochemistry has not had the amount of contact hours that are normally assigned to each module
• Within the second year of the Forensic Science Degree in which Biochemistry sits, 310 hours are marked as scheduled learning and teaching time. Biochemistry also sits within other courses across different years, predominantly second and third year
• Conversations are continuing within faculties about the drop-in contact time, and how this will be improved when students return to campus

Solution:

• Unit leads should be available for 40 hours unless external circumstances prevent them
• All Unit leads to maintain contact hours by having drop-in sessions available
• Students are made aware of the contact hours they have available to them at the beginning of the year, and how these can be used
• A minimum number of compulsory lectures to be set per unit to be carried out throughout the year

Ideas for implementation:

• Lobby BU to make sure all departments have shared how they will be making up for lost contact time throughout the year
• Lobbying for an increase in drop-in sessions and office hours throughout the year to make up for lost contact time, and have these relayed to students at the beginning of each new term
• Confirm a specific time during every week for students to be able to informally drop-in with their lecturers across all units

Problem:

• Due to COVID-19, a significant portion of teaching has been moved online for students across the UK.
• Some students do not feel that the online learning is equal to face-to-face learning.
• Some students are missing out on essential resources, such as practicals, and access to materials and software
• Neither the UK government, nor universities, currently support blanket refunds.
• Students are presently eligible for partial refunds through contacting the OIA (Office of the Independent Adjudicator).
• The OfS (Office for Students) has stated that refunds will not be granted on the grounds of online learning only.
• Refunds presently come out of pocket from universities who still have significant overheads, even whilst students are not on campus.
• It is the government and not individual universities who should be responsible for national student refunds, as this is a national issue.
• Currently, the UK government argues that fee refunds will only immediately benefit the small proportion of students who pay their fees up front.
• The UK government has recently announced an additional £50 million in hardship fund to be distributed across England, however this is not nearly enough.

Solution:

• For all students not to be liable to pay full tuitions fees due to not having access to in person teaching or access to resources. Students on courses with a large proportion of practical teaching, or those with cancelled components, should be prioritised.
• To lobby the government to secure tuition fee rebates.
• BU to continue to focus on improving academic provisions, for example through an extension of booking times for on campus facilities.

Ideas for implementation:

• For SUBU to publicly state that students deserve partial refunds/a loan amnesty/a freeze on interest rates.
• For SUBU to write to local MPs and lobby the UK government on this matter.
• For SUBU to work with other students' unions and the NUS to demand an increased national bailout of £700m, as recommended by the APPG for students (All Party Parliamentary Group) and NUS.
• For SUBU to lobby the university to call for national student refunds to be paid for by the UK government.

Problem:

• Students are currently liable to pay for accommodation that they are unable to live in due to COVID.
• The Minister of State of Universities (Michelle Donelan) has called for all large-scale private companies to offer refunds or other financial compensation.
• Around 80% of Bournemouth University students living in halls are living in privately owned halls.
• Several privately owned halls providers have provided some form of financial compensation. These include Student Roost and Unite.
• Students living in Bournemouth University owned halls are entitled to 50% financial compensation for the period of time that they are unable to live in their halls, due to the 2021 national lockdown.
• Presently, the following private halls in Bournemouth are not providing any form of financial compensation: The Student Housing Company, Fresh Student Living and Campus Living Villages.
• Students whose provider did not provide a rent rebate/credit are entitled to access Bournemouth University’s Accommodation Support Fund with a one off payment of £300, but this does not go far enough. Furthermore, there is limited funding available and BU are unable to guarantee and award, even where a student meets the criteria.
• Where students have been present in halls, they have experienced reduced services despite paying full rent.
• Where students have made complaints regarding financial support to their accommodation providers, there have been several instances of providers not responding in an appropriate manner.

Solution:

• For halls providers to provide financial compensation, of at least 50%, between January and March that was unused by tenants following government guidance to remain at their non term-time address.
• For halls providers to provide financial support to students who have experienced reduced services due to the closure of facilities
• For hall providers to allow students to leave their contracts early without financial penalty

Ideas for implementation:

• For SUBU to lobby remaining private halls providers to provide financial compensation for accommodation that was unused by students due to COVID.
• For SUBU to lobby BU to end formal partnerships with halls providers that do not offer any financial compensation for unused accommodation due to COVID.
• For SUBU to lobby BU to end formal partnerships with halls providers that do not offer any financial compensation for students whose accommodation has otherwise been affected by the implications of COVID.
• For SUBU to provide transparent information about rent strikes.
• For SUBU to support students’ right to take action.
• For Student Reps to be provided with information about financial support packages to inform their cohorts.
• For SUBU to further promote financial support packages and encourage BU to do the same.
• For SUBU to lobby halls providers to provide discounted rent where services have been limited.

Problem:

• SUBU recognises that waste plastics pose a global threat to the marine environment
• A clear policy is needed in order to raise awareness of the issue to students, staff, visitors and suppliers

Solution:

• Measure our use of single-use plastics and set targets for reduction as the ‘worst offenders’
• Develop an assessment of the environmental impact of plastics we buy and use to inform the purchase of goods and services
• Where the use of plastics is unavoidable, aim to buy only those plastic products that can be easily reused or recycled
• Seek and encourage innovative recycling opportunities for the plastic waste we and our supply chain partners produce in our buildings, cafés and daily operations
• Promote behaviours that reduce reliance on plastics, particularly encouraging the use of tap water over bottled water and the reduction of plastic packaging waste
• Support and encourage student and community initiatives to remove plastic waste and litter from the environment
• SUBU will have processes that ensure visiting organisations see this policy and submit their own plan prior to visits outlining how they intend to comply with the policy. Particular attention will be given to preventing ‘give aways’ that are not intended for any reasonable future use (i.e. they are just disposable)
• SUBU will encourage BU to consider research into the sustainability of plastics, use of alternatives and protection of the marine environment from plastic waste. SUBU should also expect BU to encourage the sustainability use of plastic and protection of the oceans to be included in academic programmes
• Nothing in this policy should negatively impact any student, staff member or visitor. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring people with disabilities are not disadvantaged

Ideas for implementation:

• VP Community to take ownership and provide updates at the next BSM
• Work in partnership with NUS, BU, suppliers, and other stakeholders to meet these policy objectives
• Work with our supply chain to develop capability and capacity for recycled plastic products (not just recyclable products)
• Work with students, staff and suppliers to encourage them to take practical steps to reduce the use of plastic and the production of plastic waste
• SUBU should apply this policy across all aspects of its activities including commercial services, activities, visitors, freshers fair, campaigns, media

Problem:

• Students on unpaid healthcare placements are currently not covered by life assurance. In the event of death in service, their families will not be eligible for financial support.
• Healthcare students on placements place themselves at risk on a daily basis. Unlike their NHS colleagues, who are working in the same environment, they are not covered by life assurance in the event of their death
• As unpaid students, FHSS students do not feel like their lives and skills matter as much as their paid colleagues
• There is no information on BU’s website to state that students are expected to pay for their own life assurance as an additional course cost

Solution:

• BU should state all additional course costs on their website, including books, field trips, travel and life assurance
• BU should provide clear information on how students can obtain funding for these additional costs
• BU should provide clear guidance on the additional work students are able to take on to financially support their studies
• BU should amend their policy for courses that require undertaking unpaid NHS contracts, covering life assurance for all students
• For the University and NHS trust to split the cost to cover the life assurance for students if neither side will cover it in it’s entirety

Ideas for implementation:

• Lobby BU to include all contractual information for courses that involve placements, bringing BU in line with similar courses from different providers, allowing students to make a fair decision when applying
• Lobby BU to protect the status and welfare of all students on placement, including those employed in potentially dangerous environments such as hospitals
• Lobby BU to engage with PSRBs and the government to secure life assurance cover for unpaid students on NHS placements
• SUBU to raise the issue with NUS, in order to raise the issue around the treatment of healthcare students to a national level and lobby for change in the government’s legislation

Problem:

• You cannot add sml and your own entries to organise your time.
• Students are currently provided with two versions of their timetable, one that exists within the centralised timetable and one which exists on Zoom. This has created issues with accessing relevant lectures and seminars.
• Previously some students had been able to view additional lectures taking place within their department on their timetable, but this is no longer possible.

Solution:

• The solution would be that students were able to edit them so it was treated more like a calendar, this would mean that you could put in times to organise when to do SMLs and other work. This could help students plan out times for sml times for assignments, and revision as well as breaks to ensure a good school free time balance.
• To improve timetable function.
• To enable students to access other lectures.
• Be able to add BU calendar to existing calendar. Calendar centre does this but doesn’t allow to re-upload it to BU timetable.

Ideas for implementation:

• The student wouldn't be able to change what's already there, but be able to add extra boxes to be able to organise when they will do certain tasks and assignments.
• To continue working with BU on resolving timetabling issues.
• To enable students to access lectures within their department that they have an interest in attending, by including them on students timetables.
• To lobby BU to provide webinars or short videos on how to access timetables.
• For Seminar Leads to give an approximate time to how long the prework/sml would take.
• Notification to students if there are changes to timetable.
• Be able to add voluntary classes onto BU timetable.
• Match BU Timetable to Zoom timetable for individual lectures for ease. Zoom ID instead of class location as a potential solution.

Problem:

• Not all academic staff are providing teaching materials in advance of teaching sessions
• For some students, having access to teaching materials in advance is critical in providing them with equity of learning opportunity in relation to Additional Learning Requirements (ALN) and reasonable adjustments
• Providing teaching materials in advance is also important for students who do not have ALN requirements; it supports pre-reading and allows for reflection and thinking ahead regarding questions to ask, potentially making the teaching session more useful overall.

Solution:

• SUBU should lobby BU to ensure that it becomes compulsory for academic staff to provide learning materials in at least 48 hours advance of teaching sessions

Ideas for implementation:

• VP Education to take ownership and deliver updates at the next BSM

Problem:

• Although BU have generously provided the BU Accommodation Support Fund, not all students have heard back from their accommodation providers
• Subsequently, the deadline (5th March 2021) does not provide all student with appropriate time to apply
• The possibility of a rent rebate is not in the power of students, many of whom have not heard from their providers despite attempts made to get in contact
• It remains uncertain when students will be able to return to their term-time accommodation, therefore the deadline should be extended accordingly
• The Government's financial support package had to be used by the end of March. However, some students will still be unable to access their accommodation after this time and as such the fund must be extended
• Not all students feel that the distribution of the fund has been transparent

Solution:

• Students should be able to apply for funding after the deadline if they have still not received an offer from their provider
• As the Government are yet to announce when students can return to term-time accommodation, any deadline should be removed or moved to the end of academic year
• This deadline extension should be effectively communicated to all students
• For transparency to be increased

Ideas for implementation:

• SUBU to lobby BU to extend the Accommodation Support Fund deadline. This should be line with when students can return to their term-time accommodation
• SUBU, Bournemouth University and partnered accomodation providers to share any new deadlines or updated information from providers with all students. This information should be clear and on the homepage relevant websites and on social media
• Announcements in relation to accommodation funds should be stated on Brightspace and iBU app
• For BU to provide transparent information about how the fund has been distributed and why students have been unable to access this information
• Language used should be transparent and not misleading, which would help students understand their eligibility
• Responses should be detailed and specific and not generic which would help support students when accessing the fund

Problem:

• Whilst past papers are presently on Brightspace, it is currently difficult to access them as they are located under the faculty tab.
• Many students do not know that past papers are available on Brightspace.
• There are no solutions to the questions on the past exam papers.

Solution:

• To move past papers from the faculty tab, or ensure they are clearly signposted from within the relevant unit.
• Ensure that at least 3 years of of past assessments are included.
• Provide exemplar answers to the past papers.

Ideas for implementation:

• For the VP Education to take this feedback to the University.
• For lecturers and seminar leaders to promote the past papers resource, or provide reasonable explanation as to why it may not be accessible.
• For academic societies to promote the past papers resource.
• For all programmes to engage with this via Reps and Programme Leaders.

Problem:

• SUBU has a 5-year vision, a strategic plan and operational plans but does not have s process for sabbatical year and campaign planning
• SUBUs work is sometime disjointed and should be more joined up and strategic
• There is no process for linking up the manifestos of those elected and ensuring an agreed political or strategic vision for sabbaticals work over the term of office of one year

Solution:

• Departments need to work together more coherently around sabbatical manifestos and instead of working to one, each department should be trying to consider all the manifestos of those elected
• To ensure all departments have all the sabbatical officers’ manifestos incorporated into their departmental plans
• All sabbaticals must work together after their election on a joint priority campaign document to guide all departments, setting out a coherent plan for policy, ironing out any inconsistencies across manifestos and setting out a clear work agenda for staff and students

Ideas for implementation:

• All FTOs to take ownership and provide an update at the next BSM

Problem:

• As it stands, social activity is low during the current climate of COVID.
• There are lots of events that SUBU hold to boost social interaction online using Zoom. This is great, but the use of Zoom feels clinical and formal. Students can't truly socialise this way.

Solution:

• For SUBU to establish an official SUBU Discord Hub.
• For SUBU to create an online version of the SUBU building on Discord with different threads allowing students to find information.
• For SUBU to use Discord to provide an informal and friendly social space which doesn’t have set start and end times meaning students can chat whenever they want.

Ideas for implementation:

• To get a vanity URL for SUBU on discord e.g. discord.gg/SUBU. – The recognition of SUBU would allow this to happen. Currently students cannot search solely for Bournemouth University or SUBU
• To create an official SUBU Discord Hub, or recognise the existing unofficial SUBU Discord Hub which has already brought together over 200 students or start from scratch and build the Discord from the ground up with SUBU.
• Enable students to be able to communicate with others within their faculty or those attending events by establishing relevant ‘tags’ which would be displayed on students' profiles.
• Promote Clubs and Societies by creating a thread, enabling them to link to their own discord servers which in turn would increase social interaction.
• To promote the SUBU Discord Server via other SUBU social media channels.
• To establish relevant student ‘helpers’ and ‘moderators’to ensure that spam is limited.
• SUBU can use the server to run their own events and discussions
• Individual servers for smaller groups of people e.g. per course
• Set of rules issued by SUBU so students know the code of conduct on using the server. However, these may not fit with Discord’s community standards or for a club or society. For example, anyone can join the server for a particular course even if they aren’t on that course.

Problem:

• Currently, students do not get their reading lists until the start of the semester in which the unit is taught.
• This is a problem because students are unable to budget effectively, as the cost of their materials are unknown.
• This also creates increased pressures on PAL leaders who are asked to provide this information to aid students, despite not knowing themselves.
• When reading lists are given at the start of the unit, this creates a problem if the resource is needed quickly. Students do not have enough time to get the resources and complete the required reading.
• This can also result in students having to purchase a more expensive item to ensure that they have it in time.
• Reading lists often do not include chapter details which impedes students' ability to effectively complete pre-reads.

Solution:

• For students to have access to their reading lists following assessment board decisions for level 5,level 6 and level 7.
• For level 4 students to have access to their reading list prior to the start of the academic year.
• For readings lists to be appropriately detailed.
• To ensure that all students are aware that reading lists are on the relevant reading list area of Brightspace.
• All students to have access to reading materials at application stage (with the understanding that they will not be fully detailed)

Ideas for implementation:

• For reading lists to be emailed to students and uploaded to Brightspace during the summer.
• For reading lists to be effectively communicated with PAL leaders at the start of the academic year, to enable them to provide appropriate information.
• To include chapter references in reading lists.

Problem:

• Lack of awareness regarding FGM amongst students & staff in HE.
• There is a huge stigma around FGM and a lack of knowledge surrounding the subject in the education sector.
• Survivors of FGM (whether it is known to them or not) do not have the proper support and resources available to them.

Solution:

• To create a policy that centres its actions on supporting students who have gone through FGM.
• This includes educating staff and peers on what FGM is, lasting effects and how to aid an FGM survivor. This policy will also work on de-stigmatising FGM.

Ideas for implementation:

• To lobby BU to raise more awareness for staff on FGM.
• To lobby BU to provide additional training for staff members on how to interact and support FGM survivors.
• To create a safe space for survivors to feel comfortable and supported throughout their time at BU and within SUBU.
• To lobby BU to ensure that there is a designated staff member for survivors of FGM to talk to.
• To ensure that mandatory reporting is not in place within BU or SUBU where students are over 18, and that all disclosures are kept confidential, enabling students to disclose FGM without repercussions or fear of stigmatisation.
• To create a campaign to inform and educate students on what FGM is, how they can support survivors, and reduce misconceptions around the topic and make it a less taboo subject.

Problem:

• It is likely that in the coming years EU students will have to pay the higher fees that currently apply to those outside of the EU.
• If the UK withdraws from existing agreements on freedom of movement, future EU students may need to apply for a Tier 4 student visa or a short term study-visa in order to study in the UK.
• It is likely that in the future, UK students will face higher fees in many European countries, as they will no longer be eligible for domestic rates.
• British students will also presumably no longer be eligible for funding via the Erasmus exchange program - or not to the current extent; this calls for the university to strive for maintaining strong partnerships with other universities within and beyond Europe.
• Important information to be considered: If you arrive in the UK before 1 January 2021, you will not need a visa. If you plan to stay in the UK longer than 1 January 2021 (for example, to complete your full course), you’ll need to apply online for the EU Settlement Scheme. The scheme is free of charge. You should apply as soon as possible after you’ve arrived in the UK, and by 30 June 2021. If you plan to arrive in the UK from 1 January 2021 onwards, you will need to apply for a student visa if you are studying a course which is longer than six months in length. You will need to complete an application and have it accepted before you arrive in the UK.

Solution:

• Offer extensive support with visa applications as well as any other advice which may be needed to help student’s applications.
• Actively reach out to other Universities across Europe to discuss the partnership our University has with them and how we can support each other.

Ideas for implementation:

• Lobby BU to implement financial support which can apply to EU students (perhaps based on merit) and even home students who may be looking to study abroad.
• To provide information stating how Brexit will affect the Erasmus program and to what extent students can make use of the program.
• To provide information stating how Brexit will affect placements and to what extent students can seek European placements.
• SUBU to offer extensive information on how Brexit will affect our students (both EU and home) once the country has officially left in December 2020.
• SUBU to lobby BU to continue support after graduation regarding VISA and employment in Europe.

Problem:

• The UN Millennium Development Goals (where the focus had been on “the global south and developing countries”) were updated in 2015 to become global Sustainable Development Goals up to 2030
• SUBU supports these goals in principle but needs to find ways of enacting them meaningfully

Solution:

• SUBU to conduct a review and conversation around how it’s activities, structures, societies, and stakeholders, can help deliver SDGs meaningfully
• SUBU should prioritise information and action around the UN Sustainable Development Goals up to 2030

Ideas for implementation:

• All FTOs to include updates in their reports

Problem:

• More than a quarter of women have been forced to miss work or school because they cannot afford menstrual products
• It is estimated that the average spend for people who menstruate is £4,800
• In March 2019, the governments announced free sanitary product to be provided to secondary schools and colleges. This does not apply to students studying at University
• 1 in 10 women aged between 14 and 21 are unable to afford menstrual products
• Periods continue to be stigmatised
• Period products are essential items and where people are unable to access them their lives are severely impacted.
• The Union, from time to time, does provide free menstrual products to those in need, but they are not mandated to do so.
• Menstrual products are available at the Union shop, although sustainable products are not

Solution:

• The Union to have free supplies of sanitary products for those in need where they have:
• (a) Forgotten products
• (b) Cannot afford product
• (c) Come on their period unexpectedly
• The Union to campaign for period to be free from stigma
• The Union to stock sustainable menstrual products in the shop
• The Union to sell menstrual products at the cost of purchase within their outlets

Ideas for implementation:

• VP Welfare to take ownership and provide an update at the next BSM

Problem:

• Smoking causes health issues for both the person smoking and for others around them through second hand smoke
• Whilst smoking is not allowed within 5 metres of all our university buildings, it is allowed on other places of the campus
• Signs are also not always adhered to by students and staff

Solution:

• SUBU should lobby the university to ban smoking and vaping on campus other than in designated sheltered smoking areas

Ideas for implementation:

• VP Welfare to take ownership and provide an update at the next BSM

Problem:

• Funding requests have been denied on the basis that training for 3rd year students does not benefit the university
• This training could benefit students beyond university, improving employability

Solution:

• SUBU should consult students when arranging the new funding structure

Ideas for implementation:

• VP Activities to take ownership and provide updates at the next BSM

Problem:

• Currently some students have teaching days which can run from 9am-7pm
• This is both challenging for students and the teaching staff
• Further to this, some sessions can be 2-3 hours long without breaks which are difficult to concentrate in

Solution:

• SUBU should lobby BU to ensure that the length of teaching days and sessions are time appropriate, with consultation from students
• SUBU should lobby BU to provide 5 minute breaks

Ideas for implementation:

• VP Education to take ownership and provides an update at the next BSM

Problem:

• Currently on Brightspace, you have to open a completely new page to access SUBU
• A new page might increase awareness and lead to more student involvement within SUBU

Solution:

• SUBU should press Bournemouth University to have a link from Brightspace to SUBU under the ‘Useful link’- ‘log-in services’

Ideas for implementation:

• VP Education should take ownership and provide an update at the next BSM

Problem:

• Societies lack the funding necessary to operate fully
• More money will provide societies with:
• (a) More exposure for SUBU, more trips to new and exciting places
• (b) More chances for clubs to get members involved
• (c) Can also help with travel costs involved

Solution:

• SUBU should change the process of how society funding is distributed
• BU should pay for BU associated costs of sports

Ideas for implementation:

• VP Activities to take ownership and provide updates at the next BSM

Problem:

• SUBU voted to affiliate to the People’s Vote campaign at the previous Big Student Meeting
• Students’ participation and involvement in this critical debate should be encouraged and facilitated by SUBU wherever possible as per the Union’s position on People’s Vote. Students would find it costly and difficult to attend the event without this help from the Union

Solution:

• Further to its affiliation to the People’s Vote campaign, SUBU should provide a coach to the People’s Vote March on March 23rd 2019 for students, free of charge
• Students will be expected to pay a refundable £5 reservation fee
• The presence of a coach load of students would provide a safer, less intimidating environment for those who have not been to such a march before

Ideas for implementation:

• President to take ownership and update at the next BSM

Problem:

• Brexit is a decision that will have huge implications for home, international and EU students
• Many students at BU were unable to have their say in the referendum

Solution:

• The Peoples’ Vote are calling for the right for the UK public to vote to either leave with the deal given to us by the EU or remain in the EU
• The vote would allow BU students to have their say on what outcome and deal is best for them
• SUBU should affiliate to the Peoples Vote campaign and work with other SUs across the UK to include students in a final say on the deal
• SUBU should support The People’s Vote Campaign

Ideas for implementation:

• President to take ownership and update students at the next BSM

Problem:

• Thousands of students across the country consensually engage in some form of sex work: be it live cam shows, amateur pornography, or full-service sex work. Some of these thousands of students are likely students at Bournemouth University
• Universities currently hold the power to expel students and eject them from university accommodation upon the discovery that they are sex workers
• Bournemouth University has no official stance on student sex workers, nor does SUBU, however, we are unable to access any data or statistics to tell us whether Bournemouth University has or has not expelled student sex workers in the past

Solution:

• SUBU should adopt a policy in support of student sex workers and lobby BU to also adopt a policy in support of student sex workers that explicitly rules out the punishment and ostracization of sex workers
• Sex workers studying at Bournemouth University would not be at risk of being expelled for their line of work, would feel infinitely safer existing in Bournemouth University as a student, and would not need to hide their status as a student sex worker

Ideas for implementation:

• VP Welfare to take ownership and provide updates at the next BSM

Problem:

• SUBU Housing Fair features internal stakeholders and Bournemouth Council only
• SUBU does not have a formal policy on Housing
• Corfe House and Home Park are advertising to returning students and individual private BU Lets have started disappearing
• Changes to the laws around HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation) may have a significant effect on the availability of choice in housing for BU students

Solution:

• SUBU should invite independent letting agents (beyond BU Lets) to the up and coming Housing Fair as a way of improving the range of information and advice available
• Students will have all the information they’ll need when making housing decisions

Ideas for implementation:

• VP Community to take ownership and provide updates at the next BSM

Problem:

• Currently not all lectures are recorded
• Students who have missed lectures are unable to keep up with work independently
• Students who are unable to attend lectures due to medical needs are more likely to full behind

Solution:

• There will be less pressure for students on note taking during lectures as they can look back on recordings as part of independent studies
• This system will prevent students from falling behind with work and limit the amount of anxiety and stress experienced by students
• SUBU should lobby Bournemouth University to implement lecture recordings by making it necessary and potentially mandatory for lecturers to do so

Ideas for implementation:

• VP Education to take ownership and provide updates at the next BSM

Problem:

• There have recently been some incidents of assault around Glenmoor Road
• The pedestrian routes along White Farm Close, Glenmoor Road and the pedestrian walk ways that run alongside Boundary Road are incredibly dark and conducive not only to assault but other incidents such as muggings and general accidents
• Currently there is no street lighting in pedestrian routes around Talbot Campus and no street lighting in the Slades Park forest
• For students with evening labs and lectures, they do not feel safe walking back to their houses at night

Solution:

• Opening up the car park to more students will benefit their safety and those who drive will be able to drive friends so that they are safe too
• This should decrease the number of incidents happening to our students near campus
• SUBU should tell BU to lobby Bournemouth Council to put more street lights up in pedestrian routes around Talbot Campus and to put street lights in the Slades park farm forest and open up the car park to any students

Ideas for implementation:

• VP Welfare to take ownership and provide updates at the next BSM

Problem:

• All staff are not currently mandated to have Mental Health training. At present there are no mental health places in BU accommodation
• This has an impact on all students, regardless of their mental health

Solution:

• With this training in place, BU students would be able to expect a higher level of understanding from their lecturers and other staff
• Staff will be able to use the right language to ensure students feel heard and that their mental health is being considered
• It would also ensure that staff know how to respond to emergency/crisis situations, potentially saving lives
• SUBU should lobby the University to include training on student mental health in the induction process for all forward-facing staff and Mental Health spaces in every BU accommodation

Ideas for implementation:

• VP Welfare to take ownership and provide updates at the next BSM

Problem:

• A university that strives to have good ethics should not be partnered with companies that do not care to pay taxes
• As students that pays £9,000 in tuition fees per year – potentially more in the future – we would rather our University supports local, independent coffee organisations in future partnerships, rather than multi-million corporations that act with impunity

Solution:

• SUBU should lobby BU to partner with local coffee shops instead of Starbucks when the current contract is up for renewal and SUBU should do the same when their contract with Starbucks expires

Ideas for implementation:

• VP Community to take ownership and report on updates at the next BSM

Problem:

• The Union does sell environmentally friendly products

Solution:

• The student shop should do more to promote an eco-friendly lifestyle. Products that are there, which are eco-friendly, should be promoted
• Mooncup and Natracare, two eco-friendly menstruation companies have given permission for SUBU to stock their products and there has been interest across the student body
• SUBU should lobby BU to increase the range of environmentally friendly products available across both campuses, and in student shops including those run by SUBU

Ideas for implementation:

• VP Welfare to take ownership, involving relevant leaders from Liberations group and societies interested in providing student voice
• Work with relevant people to ensure that options are cost effective, affordable and environmentally friendly
• Updates to be delivered at next BSM

Problem:

• There has been a renewed call by students to make Full-time Officers more accountable for their actions and promises
• Whilst there are systems in place that allow this, transparent updates are rarely delivered directly to students

Solution:

• Accountability is important, it is an important aspect to show students what officers have been doing and making sure they are doing it correctly
• Make sure there is space and understanding for officers to know students are paying attention to what officers do, making sure students know what they are doing
• Full-time Officers should do regular transparent updates on their work and be held to account more regularly

Ideas for implementation:

• The format that these updates will take is as yet undecided, but this should be accessible to all students
• President to take ownership and updates to be delivered at next BSM

Problem:

• Students at Lansdowne have been asking for sporting facilities such as the gym to be available at Lansdowne as well
• It is hard for students studying at Lansdowne to be always traveling to Talbot
• There are no sporting facilities at Lansdowne

Solution:

• SUBU to lobby BU for an active/social space for more of a student presence and for all students to feel together rather than segregation between Talbot and Lansdowne students
• This would be two gyms and one membership, joining Talbot and Lansdowne gyms together, making it so there is a safe space for students to work out and feel comfortable across the entire community, making it fairer.

Ideas for implementation:

• VP Activities to take ownership, with the support of any clubs and societies willing to offer support
• Update to be given at next BSM