Friday 16-04-2021 - 17:27

Following the recent referendum, we wanted to inform students about next steps.

During March 2021, a referendum passed with 89% in favour of the question ‘We have no confidence in the Vice Chancellor and a number of senior members of staff.’ A number of these referendums have been held around the country during this unprecedented year of challenge for students. We believe the result reflects a wider dissatisfaction of how students have been repeatedly ignored, under-supported and under-funded by the Government and Higher Education sector. We have repeatedly called on authorities to properly fund student support for tuition and living costs which are being unfairly burdened on individual students.

The referendum itself is a demonstration of our students’ general dissatisfaction. We have communicated the results of the referendum and have reiterated the burning issues that were raised in the referendum, at our meetings with the University Senior Leadership team and the Board of Governors. We shall be following up and advocating for actions to be taken on them. However, the decision ultimately lies with the University's Board of Governors. 

We are also working cordially with the student campaign group on the other policy aims and objectives around governance and representation. We are also working closely with the other students’ unions in the sector on advocacy around tuition fee refunds, rent rebates, students’ contractual rights, definition of “Quality” in education and the marketisation of higher education.

In our advocacy for students’ interests and we have had some recent successes:

1. A commitment to establish a specific financial support scheme for students who have incurred extra costs while studying within this period of COVID-19 pandemic (Will be launched very soon).
2. Secured funding to resource the Students’ Union Emergency Fund 
3. Secured an agreement to create outdoor social spaces for students in May 2021.
4. Rent Rebates for students staying in university halls and some private accommodations.
5. Additional financial resources into the University’s counselling and mental health services.
6. Funding for additional scholarships, student-led sustainability funding and some inclusivity projects under the banner of the SU impact projects.
7. The setting and monitoring of an assessment pledge, which will be reactive to changing circumstances and needs as the restrictions change. This includes a commitment to maintaining self-certification for mitigating circumstances.