Wednesday 25-06-2014 - 12:02

Library Opening Hours

The Students’ Association lobbied and was successful in the University for increasing the library opening hours and additional study facilities during course work submission and the exam period. Trimester 2 highlighted that the change to exam diet saw demand for studying facilities at an all-time high.

Caledonian Court Crossing

The Students’ Association, working with GCU Facilities Management, have been lobbying Glasgow City Council for an additional crossing between Caledonian Court and the University. The University carried out a Traffic Audit and the Students’ Association continues to pressure the local councillors and Leader of the City Council.

GCU 2020 Strategy

The Students’ Association held a second engagement day in Trimester 2 to ensure that students were consulted on the development of the GCU 2020 Strategy. This second day focused on shaping the proposed values and goals within the strategy. The Students’ Association have held discussions with GCU Policy and Planning to ensure that the Students’ Association is prominent within the strategy, for example as strategic partners.

Heart of Campus Project

The Full Time Officers have been involved in the Heart of Campus project to ensure that the student voice is heard and considered at all times. The Students’ Association have pressed for effective communications to existing students on the disruption. The Students’ Association co-hosted a Student Engagement Day to highlight the timeline, disruptions and outcomes of the Heart of Campus Project. A total of 120 students were involved in this event within the Student Bistro.

National Student Survey

The Students’ Association, through positive collaboration with the University, has worked to ensure that final year students complete the National Student Survey. We have helped contributed to the highest ever completion rate of 66%.

Broaden Your Horizons Campaign

A Broaden Your Horizons Day was organised to encourage and inspire more students to take part in various opportunities that can take them around the globe – working, studying and volunteering.

GCU New York/GCU London

The Students’ Association have been working with the University on the opening of GCU New York and lobbying to ensure a high quality student experience and student representation. The Student President also attended the opening of the GCU New York campus. In addition the Students’ Association are in discussions with the university on the possible introduction of undergraduate provision at GCU London and any impacts of this decision.

Independence Referendum: Voter Registration and Education Campaign

The Students’ Association has focused on voter registration and education campaigns for the Independence Referendum. In Trimester 2 this has involved a debate attended by Patrick Harvie MSP, Angela Constance MSP, Willie Rennie MSP and Councillor Stephen Curran and hosted by Professor Valerie Webster, Executive Dean of School of Health and Life Sciences and PVC External Relations (Communications and Marketing). In total 100 students were in attendance.

The Students’ Association invited Bite the Ballot on National Voter Registration Day, which resulted in 100 students registering to vote on the day and have hosted stalls by Yes Scotland and Better Together.

Education Week

The Students’ Association held school specific events to raise students’ awareness of the different aspects of their learning experience. This work will be built upon in future years with the academic schools to ensure that students are partners in the development of the curriculum, as opposed to passive learners.
Portfolio Refresh

The Students’ Association has continued to lobby for student consultation and engagement in the Portfolio Refresh. We have worked, for example, with SEBE to ensure students were involved in programme approval and re-approval events and ensured student involvement in shaping the future direction of the Social Sciences Programme.

Industrial Action

The Students’ Association sought feedback from our members on the proposed industrial action in Trimester 2 by Trade Unions. This was sought from Student Voice and a referendum of all students. The Students’ Association took the stance of supporting the principles behind the industrial action and working with the institution and campus trade unions on minimising the disruption on students’ learning experience.

Equality and Diversity

Following the Equality and Diversity research carried out last year, the Students’ Association has been actively campaigning for Gender Neutral Toilets on campus, to allow GCU to become a more inclusive environment for transgender students. The University have now agreed to implement them.

Student Crisis Funding

The Students’ Association have been lobbying the University on the allocation of the industrial action money, which is going to be put into student hardship. This will help students who experience financial difficultly whilst at university.

Go Green Week

The Students’ Association worked with the University in delivering Go Green Week. The Students’ Association submitted a bid to Scottish Water for shower timers to help in the shorter water campaign, which aimed to encourage students living in Caledonian Court to take shorter showers. They supplied 86 shower timers.