Problem:

• The current coffee sold in SUBU is Starbucks and they have been challenged in the past on their approach to coffee growers, US staffing and corporation tax. Other similar organisations (Costa etc) have had similar challenges.
• SUBU chose a coffee supplier based on student popularity, quality, competitive price and sustainability (at the time Fairtrade).
• SUBU has not fully reviewed its coffee supply agreements against these criteria, it has only considered aspects of them subsequently.

Solution:

• SUBU to carry out an assessment for coffee supply options that considers the supplying companies performance on price, quality, popularity and in particular the ethics & sustainability.

Problem:

• Currently only the U3 bus runs on weekends meaning students travelling from different locations, such as Lansdowne Campus must rely on public bus transport which is often unreliable and runs at inconsistent timings.
• This also presents a cost implication to students as they must pay for a more expensive bus ticket on weekends to access campus, whilst running a U1 bus service on weekends would allow students to save more money.
• Students wanting to access services such as libraries, gyms and other facilities on either campus are limited in doing so due to accessible transport.

Solution:

• SUBU to lobby BU to explore introducing a U1 bus service on weekends for students to access.
• U1 bus service to run one or two busses per hour on weekends to accommodate students but factor in lower levels of usage between the hours of 9am and 5pm.
• Explore the introduction of a shorted U1 route from BGB to Talbot Campus
• BU to possibly explore expanding the U3 bus route to include Lansdowne Campus if the introduction of the U1 bus route on weekends is unachievable or work with local bus providers to accept student rates on weekends.

Problem:

• BU has not currently adopted a clear definition of Islamophobia, including how Islamophobia manifests on campus. BU has adopted an established working definition of antisemitism, the process of which included consultation with the student community affected. This situation means there is a disparity in the support and recognition for students who experience anti-Islamic discrimination and hate.
• The Friends of Palestine Society and the Islamic Society have received anti-Muslim hatred emails using Islamophobic and discriminatory language, reinforcing stereotypes about Muslim people.
• There is no clear guidance from BU on how Islamophobic attacks have been and should be approached and addressed.

Solution:

• SUBU to lobby BU to clearly define Islamophobia, including how it might manifest on campus, after consultation with the relevant student community.
• SUBU to lobby BU to consult Muslim students and Islamic Student Communities before making any policy changes or implementations to the prayer room.
• SUBU to lobby BU to clarify their disciplinary processes to indicate how Islamophobic incidents are dealt with.

Problem:

• Many students experience feelings of being overwhelmed, stemming from factors such as Additional Learning Needs (ALN), anxiety, other mental health conditions, or simply feeling overstimulated.
• The library has a designated quiet area that is often unmonitored, lacks privacy and does not provide the level of isolation needed for students who require a distraction-free space.
• Conducted research shows that certain individuals benefit greatly from private learning environments free from external sounds or distractions. This is particularly relevant to the 25% of students at BU that have declared ALN, which is higher than the national average.
• Students would benefit from individual, private spaces where they can retreat to avoid distractions or overstimulation which has a significant impact on a student’s ability to focus and thrive.

Solution:

• SUBU to support the implementation of individual, private spaces known as ‘Zen Pods’ on campus.
• SUBU to explore and consider financial contribution to the implementation of Zen Pods

Problem:

• Not all courses have a recognised reading week period in the academic year whilst some courses do giving certain students an advantage over others in their studies.

• Reading weeks provide an opportunity for students to read up on crucial information around their course.

• Many students have commitments outside of regular timetabled hours such as care duties or part-time work and the lack of reading weeks puts further strain on them. 

Solution:

• SUBU to lobby BU to allow al lcourses and departments to have a formally recognised reading week in the academic year.. 

• SUBU to lobby BU to introduce a reading week in Semester One and Semester Two, with one being in graduation week and another in Semester Two to allow students with exams or dissertations focused time to study.. 

• SUBU to lobby BU to communicate reading weeks to students clearly in advance of them happening and to state why courses may not be able to hold reading weeks (due to course regulations) and to provide assistance/direct students on current support available. 

Problem:

• Currently there are a number of students with concerns and anxieties about travelling at night, which includes coming to and from campus during darker hours of the day. 

• There is increased concern about coming too and from the Lansdowne campus, specifically BGB due to the proximity of the homeless shelter. Focus is put on safety in the building with little concern seemingly shown for students once they depart the building. 

• There is a lack of campaigns and information available to students regarding student safety and how to remain safe, particularly at night. 

Solution:

• SUBU to explore work and campaign options to promote strategies on student safety and to implement specific guidance to further protect Students. 

• SUBU to work with BU to increase their focus on Student Safety and the promotion of this across their staff/lectures/social media. 

• SUBU to lobby BU to implement strategies around student accommodation and BGB to make travel and the areas safer for students. 

• SUBU to work with BU to lobby purpose-built student accommodation providers to review and update resident security processes. 

Problem:

• Currently there are a number of transgender students at BU who experience feelings of dysphoria around the use of their deadnames. 

• The BU Student ID card only includes a student’s legal name, which in the case of transgender students, means that they have to carry a card advertising their deadname each time they come onto campus. 

• There is no option or pathway for these students to have the name on the card changed to reflect their preferred name instead of their deadname. 

Solution:

• SUBU to lobby BU to allow for the option for students to update the names on their ID cards to be reflective of their preferred names and not their deadnames. 

• SUBU to lobby BU to allow these changes to be made and for new cards to be requested without any cost being placed on the student. 

Problem:

• Currently there is a lack of Gluten Free food options at Fusion canteen, resulting in students requiring this for their diet being left discouraged to eat from this venue. 

• The only consistent gluten free option provided at the Fusion Building canteen is a Baked potato which is often lacking in flavour, nutrition and appeal. 

• There is also a lack of consistency and range of gluten free sandwiches and other food and snack items available provided by Chartwells via their sandwich fridge or hot counter, ensuring that students with a gluten free diet are left with little to no option on what to eat. This displays an inequality between students with a gluten free diet and other students who often have the entire range of food to choose from. 

Solution:

• SUBU to lobby BU and Chartwells to increase the range and consideration of gluten free food options, the same as they do with other dietary requirements. This should include vegan and vegetarian gluten free options. 

• SUBU to lobby BU and Chartwells to introduce or enhance food safety techniques to ensure gluten free food is not cross contaminated. 

• SUBU to lobby BU and to commit to themselves to increase the pre-packaged range of gluten free items available in fridges or shops on campus. 

Problem:

• Currently BU has decommissioned the Laptop Loaning scheme due to perceived low usage of this scheme alongside the growing cost to purchase newer laptops as the laptops that were in use were seven years old. 

• This means students without laptops, who may benefit from this scheme, no longer can, and may be disadvantaged academically. 

Solution:

• SUBU to work with BU to identify students most impacted by the removal of this scheme or without easy technological access and lobby BU to support them. 

• SUBU to lobby BU to reintroduce the scheme to make access to learning more accessible for those without laptops or electronic equipment. 

• SUBU to lobby BU to either distribute old laptops to students most affected by this schemes removal or recycle sustainably. 

• SUBU to pilot a scheme to assess demand on a small scale. To implement them in both libraries at Talbot and Lansdowne. 

• SUBU to promote the scheme to raise awareness. 

Problem:

• Currently the cost of ordering a sunflower lanyard online is not cost-friendly to students and works out at roughly £10, which is not suitable for students who may need one but also need to consider budgeting. 
• Currently lanyards are not sold anywhere on campus either by SUBU or BU which removes a degree of accessibility for students who may want this. 
• Currently many students are not aware of what a sunflower lanyard is, what it means or where they could obtain one if they felt that they need one indicating there is a lack of awareness around the item. 

Solution:

• SUBU to lobby BU to make lanyards available either for free or at a greatly reduced cost through the Additional Learning Support (ALS) services. 
• SUBU to explore providing sunflower lanyards either through the Union shop, SUBU website or another location including SUBU Advice, either for free or at the cost of purchase. 
• SUBU to conduct work around raising awareness and highlighting the importance and meaning of the sunflower lanyard scheme. 

Problem:

• BU’s approach to student conduct and breaches of such and the way BU tackles student disciplinary matters is outdated and not supportive of all parties involved, particularly where police may need to be involved. 
• BU do not have a clear approach or process to how they deal with reported incidents of stalking, harassment or other criminal matters, that supports all parties involved. 
• BU’s student conduct and disciplinary procedures does not have any definitions for the terms used, ensuring a lack of clarity to students who may need to use or rely on these policies. 

Solution:

• SUBU to lobby BU to update their Student Disciplinary procedure, Student Agreement and Student Code of Conduct to be clearer and more concise, particularly on definitions and the process the university takes when dealing with reported breaches. 
• SUBU to lobby BU to revise processes for supporting students and upholding a duty of care when a student reports another student for wrongful behaviour.
• SUBU to lobby BU to introduce a code of conduct style session that every incoming student must attend as part of their induction to the University. This would cover topics such as stalking, harassment, code of conduct, bullying, consent and how to report and receive support if you experience any of this. In line with OfS guidelines, this will also require a yearly refresher.
• To be included in Programme Seminars as a reminder for people. They often remind people of the advice and support available so could it be included in that.

Problem:

• Lansdowne campus is not currently viewed as a separate campus and instead more as a faculty building, leading to many students having vastly different experiences depending on whether they study at Talbot or Lansdowne. 

• There is minimal Student Union presence on the Lansdowne Campus with their social space being small and not able to accommodate many students at once and no presence of a shop or other facilities due to lack of provided space from BU. 

• Food on Lansdowne campus is not subsidised and external food providers offer cheaper alternatives, again leading students to be hesitant to make full use of the space. 

• Overall, many students based at Lansdowne feel isolated and receiving a poorer student experience than those based on Talbot Campus. 

• With no social spaces to relax between classes, students are ending up heading into town instead which is unideal due to the already limited finances many students experience. 

• Lansdowne presents as very clinical and uncomfortable due to a lack of social areas. Whilst there is seating, there aren’t many spaces to be social between classes and poses challenges for students not local to Lansdowne who have nothing to do socially between classes in this space. 

Solution:

• SUBU to lobby BU to adjust their view of Lansdowne to see it as a campus and focus on improving the student experience there to ensure it is comparable to the experience received on Talbot. 

  • This to also include the expansion of SUBU provision and space across the Lansdowne space. 

  •  This to include a reconsideration of food services, pricing and diversity of food and drink options to cater for our students’ diverse cultural and religious dietary requirements. 

• SUBU to lobby BU to rename café to be more inclusive and create a more comfortable and appealing space. 

• SUBU to explore opening The Old Fire Station during the day to create more social spaces for students to make use of between classes and to explore use of Executive Business Centre kitchen space. 

• SUBU to improve the marketing and communication of events and activities available at the Lansdowne Campus (e.g. posters and increased social media presence) and lobby for a notice board outside of BG-301, promoting SUBU events on Lansdowne. 

Problem:

• Currently BU students repeating a year of academic study are not eligible to receive bursaries from BU even if they received such previously. 

• Students who repeat a year of academic study likely have the same or similar bills and expenses to pay and the lack of accessible bursary presents further financial and general stress as they repeat a year. 

• Whilst there are additional loans and grants to apply for, not all students may outright meet the criteria for this, and it would be simpler to continue the bursary they were previously receiving. 

• Students rejected for this bursary during their repeat year are not provided any explanation as to why they will now not receive the bursary they may have previously received. For students who have had challenging personal circumstances, or a situation outside of their control that has led to them repeating a year, not receiving a bursary puts them at a disadvantage and this does not seem equitable. 

Solution:

• SUBU to lobby BU to review bursary terms and conditions regarding students’ accessibility to such when retaking a year of study. 

• SUBU to lobby BU to allow students repeating a year to be granted bursaries to support their extended studies. SUBU to propose to BU that potentially the students who benefit from this should be the students whose requirement to repeat the year has arisen through circumstances like those that BU would consider to be covered by exceptional circumstances. 

• SUBU to lobby BU to consider wider financial impacts on students repeating a year and amend policies to better support these students where applicable. 

Problem:

• There is currently a lack of accessible gender-neutral bathrooms which currently means students are resorting to using disabled toilets which deprives disabled students of their space. 

• Bathrooms in the Cobham Library currently alternate gendered toilets by floor which creates undue hassle for gender non-conforming students. 

• There is a significant lack of signposting and availability of gender-neutral toilets across campus, meaning many students are often unaware of where they can go. 

Solution:

• SUBU to lobby BU to increase signposting and visibility on maps as to where gender neutral toilets are. 

• SUBU to lobby BU to greatly increase the number of gender-neutral toilets across Talbot and Lansdowne campus, with a look to convert existing gendered toilets to gender neutral facilities. 

• SUBU to lobby BU to removed gendered flooring layout of library and introduce a more accessible plan and the inclusion of gender-neutral spaces in the library. 

Problem:

• Currently there are several student’s victim to the current system in place by the finance team of the university, where students make payment and confirmation may take days. 

• This can result in actions and decisions being made in the period between payment and confirmation that greatly impact students place at university. 

• Previously, this has resulted in several international students being withdrawn from their studies due to lack of visible payment, when in fact payment was made but did not show by the time the decision to withdraw them was made. 

• This has long term effects for these students both mentally and academically and would often likely result in the students having to return home due to their student visa no longer being valid. 

Solution:

• SUBU will lobby BU to make a provision or a tab to show respective fee status on my HUB. This would allow students to monitor and manage all of their financial obligations. 

• SUBU will lobby BU to review their current student payment system and identify any delays or difficulties that may negatively impact student. 

• SUBU will lobby BU to consult with students through the implementation and review process to identify ways of making the process more obtainable to the relevant students. 

Problem:

• Currently several postgraduate students don’t feel like their specific student experience is captured in the current make up of the SUBU Executive Team. 

• Whilst elements of the postgraduate student experience is represented within many of the existing officer roles and networks, there is a feeling amongst postgraduate students that there is no direct focus on representing postgraduates as a whole or their student experience 

• This is reflected by the lack of Postgraduate officer in the SUBU Executive Team. 

Solution:

• SUBU to introduce the role of a Part-Time Postgraduate Officer to the SUBU Executive Team. 

• SUBU to speak with Postgraduate students to inform the scope of responsibilities for this new role. 

• SUBU Board of Trustees to amend the By-Laws to include the Postgraduate Officer Role. 

Problem:

• Students, should they want to protest on or around campus, do not find it easy to know what they can do and are concerned they may face sanctions should they engage in this which contradicts the universities progressive approach to student voice. The process they are expected to follow to notify BU is complex and lengthy when compared to other universities.
• Students have attempted to exercise their right to freedom of expression in a peaceful manner on campus and were challenged by university security and were eventually escorted from campus by the police. Student was threatened with physical removal from campus security before police involvement.
• Students are concerned there may be a threat of visa and scholarship revocation for attempting to express their views, even in a peaceful manner.
• BU have implemented an unclear risk assessment process for students to follow before being permitted to express their views on campus in the form of protest or speech etc.

Solution:

• SUBU to lobby BU to update disciplinary processes to outlined steps taken in the breach of student code of conduct regarding expression of free speech.
• SUBU to lobby BU to clarify views and definitions of protests, demonstrations, speeches, peaceful and what they consider harmful, unlawful, provocative, or dangerous.
• SUBU to lobby BU to clarify their policies on student freedom of expression and right to protest peacefully and increase visibility of these policies for students.
• SUBU to lobby BU to examine campus security training on handling protests and expressions of views to ensure students still feel protected and not physically or academically threatened.
• SUBU to lobby BU to introduce notice of speech/event/protest/demonstration system as like [BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY] for students to make public knowledge of their intentions.
• SUBU to lobby BU to explore introduction of safe space for demonstration, placement of artwork and space to safely express views.
• SUBU to consult with OfS to remain updated on current guidance and rulings for students and freedom of expression and actively inform and educate student on these.

Problem:

• Currently there are many students across campus with dietary requirements such as Halal that are currently unfulfilled in the food options available at commercial services across campus.
• Many other universities provide a variety of food options for students of all backgrounds and faiths.
• This lack of diversity is present in both BU and SUBU food providers on campus.
• This lack of diversity often means many students requiring such are unable to locate suitable food on campus

Solution:

• SUBU and BU to collect data from student that indicates the need for change and shows the relationship between food options on campus and footfall.
• To set up meetings with representatives with Chartwells to explore expanding the range of dietary friendly foods available.
• To meet with student representatives affected by the lack of diverse food options.
• To introduce a more diverse range of food options that accommodate the dietary requirements of all students.
• Investigate and propose which animal welfare standards are applicable to the improvement in food provision in BU and SUBU outlets. 

Problem:

• The University has limited support for students seeking financial grants to aid in receiving a diagnosis of Additional Learning Needs and has made the criteria to achieve this more stringent resulting in a lesser rate of accessibility.

• To access any element of support for ALS and disabilities, you require evidence of a diagnosis which is often time-consuming and restrictive in how to obtain. 

• BU’s DSA support fund currently is inaccessible to non-UK national students and there is also significant financial barrier due to the fact it required evidence of household income for consideration as well as proof of “little to no funds available” which often does not account for true financial circumstances (especially considering that diagnosis can cost £400).

• Due to limiting circumstances and accessibility to financial support from the University in obtaining a diagnosis, many students are feeling as though their specific learning needs are not being met and are unable to seek a path to help remedy this.

Solution:

• SUBU and BU to research the support other universities provide and use this to review their own support processes.
• SUBU to lobby BU to introduce self-diagnosis (dyslexia) with regard providing evidence required for support or in the application for the professional diagnosis.
• SUBU to lobby BU to remove the household income and financial insecurity aspect of the application process for BU’s DSA fund.
• Implement the support before certificate is received. 
• SUBU to lobby BU to explore student cost-friendly methods of providing ALS support to international and non-UK national students.
• SUBU to lobby BU to consider prior diagnosis when providing additional support across studies. E.g. diagnosis obtaining during early schooling years as there is no expiry on ALS.

Problem:

• SUBU clubs and societies require 3 mandatory committee positions to run: President, Treasurer and Sectary.
• These Committee members can be elected at the following times: in May (ahead of the next academic year), in September (a by-election for anyone not elected in May), and a further by-election in January (to fill any positions that may have become vacant during Semester one).
• Societies with one or more unfulfilled Committee positions are prevented from operating until the next By-Election.
• The current process has meant that several societies have been deemed inactive.
• Many of these clubs and societies have members happy to temporarily fill vacant positions until the next by-election but are unable to due to the current processes in place.
• Length of time between elections can mean a long time before societies can start running again.

Solution:

• SUBU to explore the feasibility of permitting students to step forward and assume a committee role temporarily until next by-election, where a maximum of one position is vacant.
• SUBU to explore adding more exceptional circumstances to the elections process.
• SUBU to explore the feasibility of an additional by-election in Semester One.
• SUBU to explore amendments to constitution that may be needed to allow for flexibility for clubs and societies without a fully elected committee.
• SUBU to communicate with clubs and societies members with Committee election information, to ensure information goes beyond Committee members to increase awareness and engagement with elections.

Problem:

• BU do not currently have a hard deadline for timetable release, and this often means timetables can be released last minute as semester starts.
• This has significant implications for students with other commitments such as student parents, commuting students, students involved in sports and students with medical conditions.
• Students with prior arrangements or commitments experience difficulties in rearranging last minute due to the current release of timetables and the short notice before the commencement of lectures and seminars.

Solution:

• SUBU to lobby BU to guarantee that timetables are released at least 10 working days prior to the scheduled start of term for all faculties.
• BU to ensure timetables across all faculties and courses are released no less than 10 working days before the start of semester.
• BU to send a notification via Brightspace when changes are made to timetables.

Problem:

• Currently any strengths or weaknesses surrounding ALS potentially go unheard and are at risk of being underrepresented.
• The lack of ALS student representatives means students of this background have no specific representative who accommodates their ALS needs and issues.
• The lack of ALS student representative provides students no point of contact for feedback on these issues.

Solution:

• SUBU to explore developing Student ALS Champions (Similar to reps) to support ALS students within faculties to support other students who have Additional Learning Support needs.
• Support offered by Student ALS Champions could include signposting, liaising between ALS students and faculty staff to help students who have issues, and working closely with SUBU’s PTO DAND Officer.
• SUBU to explore introduction of more official ALS role to work alongside reps, officers and department leads.

Problem:

• Despite the efforts of Toluwa Atilade, VP Welfare and Community and SUBU, Allyship is not pushed within the university as much as it should.
• It is on everyone to learn how to be an active ally. It is not a choice to sit on the side-lines and be silent.
• We need to set out practical steps and actions for student facing work.
• Allies have an important role in society - to show solidarity to people from marginalised communities and to unlearn their own unconscious biases and encourage others to do so as well.
• Showing that the union and the university is an authentic ally will show students that they are accepted for who they are. As university is the first step into adult life for many students, experiencing this acceptance will ensure that they carry that with them through their adult lives.

Solution:

• SUBU should continue to champion allyship through different campaigns – this includes, but not limited to:
  • Providing financial support to trans students in need who are beginning their transition
  • Ensuring SUBU does not use gendered language when discussing menstruation
  • Improving the accessibility of events, including events run by our clubs and societies
• To encourage staff and students in SUBU and the University to become allies for marginalised communities via the SUBU website.
• Ensure that students are clear on SUBU’s stance regarding allyship.
• Ensure that Bournemouth University learn to be active allies.
• For the Students’ Union and the University to acknowledge their lack of diversity and to acknowledge the necessity for allies,
• For SUBU to:
  • host an annual Allyship Fair
  • create a Live-Experience Liberation Panel where students will get renumerated for their time
  • pledge and adopt the Allyship Commitments and Strategy
  • encourage students to register as allies on the SUBU website
  • promote the Allyship Hub and related projects through BU/SUBU welcome comms
  • infuse allyship within the Liberation Campaigns structure. This includes, but is not limited to, each Liberation Campaign having a minimum of one allied event each year.
  • organise and facilitate allyship training for student leaders
  • keep the Allyship Hub up to date
• For SUBU to lobby Bournemouth University to:
  • pledge and adopt the Allyship Commitments and Strategy
  • ensure that correct language is used in lectures around marginalised communities, particularly for terms relating to LGBTQ+ and disabled communities.
  • allow an option for BU staff and students to include pronouns on ID badges
  • support SUBU with their allyship events and campaigns where possible

Problem:

• Barclays has been Europe’s biggest investor in fossil fuels since the Paris Agreement, according to the Banking on Climate Change report, providing 36% more finance than the next worst European banker (HSBC).
• Barclays Bank is currently the largest funder of fossil fuels in Europe, having invested $85 billion in the industry in the last three years. Given that the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) warns that we have 11 years to limit catastrophic climate change, the University should be proactively examining its investments to make sure that it is not contributing to the problem.
• Funding Bangladesh’s coal expansion: Barclays has provided $USD 300 million for NTPC, the key initiator behind the Rampal Power Plant in Bangladesh, through bond underwriting. The power plant threatens the world’s largest mangrove forest, Sundarbans, a vital carbon sink and has seen extensive protests in the country and around the world.
• Until now, only 2.8% of Bangladesh’s energy has come from coal. Yet, the government plans to increase dependence on coal up to 37% over the next decade by establishing 29 new coal power plants.
• According to Tonny Nowshin, a researcher at environmental and human rights organisation Urgewald and a degrowth activist from Bangladesh, the pollution from the power plant would cause low birth weight for 24,000 babies and premature death for 6,000 people.
• Barclays is supporting the Rampal Coal Power Plant in Bangladesh which threatens the world’s largest mangrove forest, Sundarbans, a vital carbon sink.
• Without the financial support of Barclays the Rampal project could not go ahead. We can all see how climate change impacts are rapidly unfolding: it is not justifiable for any company to keep channelling money to such projects.
• The University has a Policy that covers what they should and should not invest in. Barclays breaks this in numerous ways.
• BU’s Ethical Investment Policy and Procedures Policy states : “Companies which are perceived to be engaged in any other controversial activities.”
• I would think that the destruction of whole villages populated by local indigenous and Afro-Colombian people is a controversial activity.

Solution:

• The Union should seek to move all banking to a more ethical banking supplier. Triodos is recommended as the most ethical and viable choice. Co-Op and Nationwide are other viable options, though Triodos should be explored first.
• The Union should cut future ties with Barclays such as but not limited to: sponsorship, corporate partnerships, advertising, careers fair.
• SUBU will lobby the university to cut other ties such as but not limited to banking, sponsorship, corporate partnerships, advertising, careers fairs, ATMs and branches on campus. This lobbying should be done by the President of SUBU.
• To divest any shares that they may have with Barclays.

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 campus.
• The signs highlighting that smoking is not allowed within 5 metres of university buildings are also not always adhered to by students and staff, leading to many people gathering around sheltered areas close to buildings to smoke in bad weather. Students and staff will then have to walk past them, which is a particular problem for those with respiratory conditions such as asthma.
• There are currently no designated smoking areas on campus.

Solution:

• Create designated smoking areas on campus. They should be a physical structure however this is subject to financial approval from BU and could take a long time.
• Smoking should be banned around entrances and exits to buildings as well as within 5 metres of buildings
• Ban smoking and vaping on campus outside of designated smoking areas
• Ensure that the signage around smoking is more visible and is adhered to e.g ensuring the signs are well lit
• Better placing “stubb it” bins around campus away from exits, entrances and buildings.
• Ensure staff are adhering to the policy so that students also follow the rules on smoking on campus.

Ideas for implementation:

• For SUBU to lobby BU to create suitable and sheltered smoking areas around campus
• For SUBU to lobby BU to ban smoking and vaping on campus other than in designated sheltered smoking areas
• For SUBU to lobby BU to improve signage around the smoking rules.

Problem:

• Some teaching days can be long, with few breaks in between teaching sessions (for e.g. lasting from 9am-7pm). The requirement for continuous concentration and engagement related to this can present accessibility challenges for some students with disabilities.
• Other teaching days can be short with students coming for a few hours several times a week, travelling far to come to lectures that don’t last long (1 hour)
• Single teaching sessions that last for 2-3 hours and do not have breaks within them also present concentration and engagement challenges for some students.
• Long breaks between teaching sessions can cause issues for students too.
• Teaching days that continue beyond 5pm can present attendance challenges for students with caring responsibilities and part time work that is essential for them to help fund their degrees. Students may be penalised for not attending lectures due to, for e.g. childcare issues.
• Teaching days that end later can also present safety issues for students when travelling back home later and in the dark. This can be especially the case where students are not living in areas heavily populated by other students (e.g. halls). There is also an issue with transport availability after lectures, meaning students may not be able to get back home.
• Overall, this could be contributing to students not wanting to come to lectures on campus.

Solution:

• SUBU should lobby BU to ensure the potential concentration and engagement issues with long continuous teaching days are addressed by the use of appropriate breaks throughout these days. This might currently be addressed through lectures starting and finishing 5 minutes early, so SUBU should track any changes to this guidance for academic staff as it may only apply during the current Pandemic situation.
• SUBU should lobby BU to ensure that all longer teaching sessions (those of 2-3 hours) include appropriate breaks within them for students.
• SUBU should lobby BU to ensure all short teaching sessions spread across different days can be compressed into one teaching day.
• SUBU should lobby BU to ensure there is flexibility for students who have challenges in attending teaching beyond 5pm that are due to caring responsibilities or essential part-time work, and that these students are not penalised or disadvantaged for not being able to attend. Flexibility for students could include being provided with a lecture recording or having the option to attend online. This would be in addition to being provided with the lecture slides and resources in advance.
• SUBU should work with BU to better promote local transport links to students
• SUBU should work with BU to review the safety of the wider Bournemouth community for students not living in areas heavily populated by other students (e.g.halls)

Ideas for implementation:

• SU VP Education to identify current guidance provided to academic staff relating to relevant breaks in long teaching sessions and the approach for students who find it challenging to attend lectures after 5pm for childcare and part-time work reasons.
• SU VP Education and SU VP Welfare and Community to discuss changes required to this guidance with SUBU’s relevant Liberation Campaigns, Student Communities and to track issues coming through SUBU’s online Rep feedback tool (SimOn)
• SU VP Education to prepare a report on the outcomes of the above points to share with BU’s Academic Standards and Education Committee
• SU VP Welfare and Community to work with BU on promoting local transport links to students and to review the safety of the wider Bournemouth community for students.
• SU VP Education to explore the idea of dual-delivery (in physical lectures and online) with BU, without being detrimental for students’ attendance records.

Problem:

• Students who report a disability have lower degree results and lower rates of employment when compared with non-disabled peers site
• Disabled students at BU currently face a range of issues, including a lack of information, barriers (including financial) to accessing support, a lack of effective wellbeing support, a lack of social opportunities for those with diverse needs, and a range of physical and online accessibility issues
• Disabled students also face barriers to academic work, with a lack of consistency around the application of Reasonable Adjustments, insufficient staff training and a general lack of information on how to support students’ learning

Solution:

• Bournemouth University should adopt a whole institution approach to provide inclusive access and wellbeing support in a flexible manner
• Students should be made aware of the support services available, with all barriers to access removed
• All discriminatory policies at BU should be reviewed by staff
• All courses should be audited for inclusivity and accessibility and use of the Brightspace/other software’s Accessibility Checkers should be mandatory
• Improved support and training for lecturers on disability, for example on the use of non-spatial language. This is also needed where a disability might intersect with other characteristics
• All staff to receive training on how to make all learning material accessible and how to mark work against ALS marking guidance
• Reasonable Adjustments for coursework across all units should be automatic, in line with what is already in place for exams
• All staff should receive advice, guidance and training on digital accessibility
• All course materials and delivery should be Web Content and Accessibility Guidelines compliant, ensuring that content is adaptable, distinguishable, keyboard accessible and compatible
• Ongoing considerations should be made to ensure that the learning environment remains accessible, including the availability of tactile information, and adjustments made when designing new buildings.

Ideas for implementation:

• SUBU to lobby BU to review their training for all staff on supporting students with a disability, both academically and pastorally
• SUBU to lobby BU to audit all courses to identify best practice and areas for improvement
• SUBU to lobby BU to review policies around Reasonable Adjustments
• SUBU to lobby BU to ensure that all students, regardless of whether they have disclosed a disability/additional learning need, are contacted with a list of services and support options
• SUBU to lobby BU to remove the need to provide medical evidence to access additional support
• SUBU to lobby BU to end their discriminatory fitness to study procedure
• SUBU to lobby BU Estates to ensure that accessibility arrangements are included in building design, including the addition of dropped curbs and providing spaces for students with allergies to study without risk
• SUBU to lobby BU to pay disabled students to undertake an accessibility assessment of campus
• SUBU and BU to improve the communication between relevant services by taking a multi-agency approach to student support, with student consent
• SUBU and BU to ensure that captions/subtitles are included in all events and communication. Where auto captioning/subtitling is not possible, dedicated captioning support should be provided
• SUBU to incorporate dedicated student voice activities, through paid focus groups, a regular accessibility forum and an anonymous online form
• SUBU to make all clubs and societies inclusive, through mandatory accessibility training and dedicated funding for specialist equipment
• SUBU to commit to ongoing campaign work around addressing ableism, disability justice, the social model of disability, invisible illnesses and endorsing/promoting DSA (Disabled Students’ Allowance) reform

Problem:

• According to HEPI (Higher Education Policy Institute) only “(59%) [of students] are ‘very confident’ about ‘what constitutes sexual consent’ but only half as many (30%) are ‘very confident’ about how to navigate sexual consent after alcohol has been consumed”
• In January 2020, the OfS,(Office for Students) announced a ‘Statement of Expectations’ on sexual harassment and misconduct, providing guidance for university providers including working together with students’ unions to deliver a clear and consistent message
• In March 2021, the Instagram account ‘Everyone's Invited’ was launched, documenting victim testimonies from schools and universities. Nearly 16,000 testimonies were submitted by the end of April 2021, with the majority from UK based universities
• Universities across the UK still use non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to silence victims of sexual violence, with the BBC finding that in 2020 nearly one third of universities had used an NDA in a student grievance dispute between 2016-19
• Sexual violence is a global issue with a report by the All Party Parliamentary Group for UN Women finding that 71% of women of all ages had experienced sexual harassment in public spaces

Solution:

• To reduce survivor stigma surrounding sexual harassment, misconduct and violence
• To ensure that Bournemouth University is a safe space free from sexual harassment, misconduct and violence.
• To ensure that there are appropriate mechanisms in place for survivors to disclose
• To ensure greater transparency around issues and incidents at Bournemouth University
• For students to be clear on the process for how to report sexual harassment, misconduct and violence
• To ensure greater support and targeted communications for groups of students who feel unable to report incidents or who feel marginalised by existing legislation
• To secure dedicated support services for survivors

Ideas for implementation:

• For SUBU to launch ‘Ask Angela’ in all SUBU spaces ensuring staff are appropriately trained to handle disclosures. This should include bar staff within Dylan’s and The Old Fire Station
• For SUBU to promote the #NeverOK campaign and run events and workshops around consent and sexual assault as a part of this campaign.
• For SUBU to provide safety care package at freshers' fair
• For SUBU to partner with local organisations to provide students with support accessible in their local area, including those not based in Bournemouth
• For SUBU to lobby BU to work with SUBU and the student body to launch a review into their sexual misconduct and harassment policies by the summer, as recommended by the OfS.
• For SUBU to send a Freedom of Information Request to Bournemouth University to understand the use of ‘Non-Disclosure Agreements’ at Bournemouth University
• For SUBU to lobby BU to make the processes for disclosing sexual harassment, misconduct and violence more visible
• For SUBU to lobby BU to employ dedicated staff members to support survivors of sexual violence to ensure that survivors have a consistent and specialised point of contact.
• For SUBU to lobby BU to be transparent around instances of sexual harassment, misconduct and violence on campus by publishing case numbers and outcomes.
• For SUBU to lobby BU to employ trauma informed decision-making practices into their complaints processes.
• For SUBU to lobby BU to introduce workshops on consent and sexual violence that go beyond awareness raising and focus on bystander initiatives, reporting incidents, myth debunking, intersectionality and handling disclosures.

Problem:

• Increased numbers of students declaring mental health issues growing from 270 in 2015/16 to 524 in 2018/191 Report Here
• Up to 6 weeks waiting lists to be seen by Student Wellbeing
• Increased isolation due to COVID.
• Students feel a desire to speak to someone.
• 34% of students report having psychological difficulties for which they needed professional help. Report Here

Solution:

• To make students feel less isolated by providing an additional wellbeing support through a ‘befriending’ service.
• To provide further opportunities for students to support their mental health.
• To lobby for wellbeing information to be readily available for students from the beginning of their university journey.

Ideas for implementation:

• Work with external organisations to provide befriending support to students, potentially through Dorset Mind, who already run a befriending scheme.
• The befriending scheme should match Bournemouth University students with other students who have received appropriate training to undertake the role, including safeguarding. They would only be befrienders for other students, not for people outside of the university.
• Befriending would take place in prearranged meetings, either on the phone, via video call or in person where safe to do so.
• Have a specified staff member who would oversee the befriending process.
• The befriending volunteers would not replace frontline mental health services or provide crisis support.
• To provide workshops on topical mental health issues facing students
• To provide further opportunities for peer support in relation to mental health. For example, volunteering with Dorset Mind or other external wellbeing organisations.
• Lobby for a specific member of staff to reach out to Bournemouth University students about wellbeing topics.
• Supply wellbeing signposting as part of introductory lectures.

Problem:

• Potential student sex workers at Bournemouth University who are opted-in at SUBU are not protected/supported.
• Neither SUBU nor BU have a policy in place to support student sex workers.

Solution:

• The Union should create policy to support student sex workers through destigmatising sex work and making students aware of the safety measures that are in place.
• This should include no threat of disciplinary action due to the nature of their work, and for clear guidance of repercussions against others distributing a student’s content without consent.

Ideas for implementation:

• To ensure sex workers do not get discriminated against for their line of work.
• Ensure there are financial advice for those involving themselves in sex work (as some students get involved in this line of work due to financial struggles).
• Safety advice. Including – safety measures to ensure student sex workers are safe and are comfortable. This would include students who were seeking guidance before participating in sex work.
• Support students who are being outed/bullied/trolled, by both students and staff, for their line of work.
• Regardless of why someone got into sex work, sex workers of all backgrounds should be and have the right to be protected.
• Lobby BU in the instance that a student is threatened with an academic offence due to their nature of work.
• Clear guidance on the repercussions of distributing another’s content without permission. This would include disciplinary actions such as suspension or criminal charges brought forward.
• Develop a peer support network for student sex workers. This would be anonymised and would allow students to seek confidential advice.
• Signpost students to organisations who can support them for topics such as sex worker advocacy and emotional support. This support would be online or in person, to support students who wish to anonymously access information.
• A document showcasing the reasonings for people going into sex work (including disabilities) and why it should be equal to other job roles.
• To develop an inclusive definition for a sex worker as someone who provides sexual services for money or goods, including those who engage in digital sex work and ‘sugaring’. This will reflect the increased popularity of platforms like Only Fans and the sale of non-nude material that is sex related.

Problem:

• UK/EU Undergraduate students pay £9250 annually in fees to attend university.
• At Bournemouth University this fee does not cover additional course costs.
• Bournemouth University estimates that it will cost between £210 and £630 per year for additional course costs, including printing.
• It costs 3p to print a single page of black and white and 18p for a colour page.
• Printing is a necessary part of some courses.
• The University and Union does not provide free printing or any free printing credit.
• This results in students having to pay out of pocket to complete necessary parts of their courses.
• Universities such as Aston, Hull and Nottingham Trent provide either free printing, or provide a certain amount of free printing credits to students each year and therefore it could be possible for Bournemouth University to do so as well.

Solution:

• The Union should research the costs of printing during a student’s time at Bournemouth University.
• The Union should lobby the University to ensure that efforts are made to make sure that work can be completed digitally and without the need for printing. Thus, benefitting students and the environment.
• The Union should lobby the university to ensure that where students are required to print material as compulsory part of their course, this cost should be subsidised by the university. This should be done through either eliminating printing charges, or by providing a printing stipend for every student. The Union should look into options for providing free printing to students as part of their facilities.

Ideas for implementation:

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

Problem:

• The SportBU gym at Talbot is mixed-gender, with no hours allocated for single-gender use. This is important because some students may not be comfortable exercising around the opposite sex for various reasons: such as religion, anxiety, sexual trauma, or having been previously harassed by the opposite sex in a gym setting. There are no gyms in Dorset that offer same-gender services, so students who struggle with those issues currently have no options.  
• Exercise is important for physical health, and especially so for mental health. It's important for students who struggle with those issues to have access to a same-gender gym, as it might help them overcome their anxiety and trauma.  
• This is especially important for Muslim students. While their faith does not prohibit them from exercising in mixed gyms, they must keep modesty in a gym setting. For this reason, they might feel more comfortable in a female-only setting as they can better focus on exercising without worry. This also applies for any other religions that also instil modesty in gym settings, such as some Christian sects and Hindu. 
• There are other university gyms that have introduced women only hours – Bloombury Fitness at UCL is an example, which has women only hours on Wednesday mornings and Sunday evenings. 

Solution:

• SUBU to lobby SportBU to: 
  • Establish at least one “women-only” hour a week where only women are allowed to use the gym and the same for men. 
  • Ensure that these hours are trans-inclusive 
  • Establish gender specific offerings for popular gym classes (such as yoga and circuits) to ensure that these classes are accessible. 
• SUBU to work with SportBU and organisations like This Girl Can to ensure that the gym is an accessible place for all but especially underrepresented groups. 
• SUBU to work with SportBU and other relevant organisations to ensure that the gym is inclusive for all marginalised genders, including non-binary people. 

Problem:

• A vast amount of students get the minimal loans due to their parents income but have no or little financial support from family. As a result, they are forced to work throughout university to be able to afford the bare minimum such as basic living bills. 
• According to the Office for National Statistics, 50% of students felt that they had financial difficulties, with 15% saying they had major financial difficulties. One in four students have taken on new debt in response to the cost of living crisis, with 66% of these students saying their reason was because their student loan did not cover their living costs. 
• This is an issue faced by all students, including home students and international students. 
• There is some academic support available, but this often isn’t enough for the student to be able to pay their basic bills. This can significantly affect the students work both due to mental deterioration due to stress and physical effects such as tiredness.  
• The support that is available for students is not very well-advertised, so many students who would need the support go without, and have to find another way. This could be through excessive hours and shifts, or through applying for private loans. 
• As a result, this can massively negatively affect the students’ academic work and overall grades, as well as mental and physical health. This could lead to an increase of students dropping out of their course. 
• If the university provided more support for students who need to work, it would take a lot of strain away from the current support that is in place, such as SUBU Advice. 

Solution:

• SUBU to lobby BU to allow part-time work to be included as a reason for exceptional circumstances. 
• SUBU to lobby BU to provide more support for students who have to work to afford to study, and ensure that this support is well advertised. 
• SUBU to lobby BU to ensure that adequate support is provided for international students who require to work to study in the UK. 

Problem:

• Many students of marginalised groups do not feel comfortable around police, have had bad experiences with the police, or know someone who has. As a result, the involvement of police on campus can often make these groups feel less safe and supported than is necessary. Not only this, but the reliance on police to handle issues increases the likelihood of escalation within incidents, especially including BIPOC and other minority groups.  
• Additionally, as a result of the university's reliance on the police force, onsite security are not prioritised for handling incidents where they could be the first point of call, being nearer them, and what we are encouraged to contact first through the university's 222 emergency line. One such example of the dramatic issue with the police involvement nationally, is that Black people are eight times more likely to be stopped and searched than white people, while making up only 3% of our national population[1].  
• In Dorset, stats from 2021 show that here this is especially a problem with the rate being such that Black people are nearly 20 times more likely to be stop and searched[2], 11 times more likely to be arrested[3], and these are some of the worst in the country. It is also incredibly important to note that reports of issues with the police affecting Women, Disabled people and other marginalised groups are also commonplace, many stats also showing for example that Asian and/or Black people typically get longer sentences[4].  
• The plethora of statistics available all show that the police as they currently stand are not protecting members of the public from all backgrounds equally, something important to consider, especially considering the large international community at BU. These disparities show that the active reliance on the police to keep our campus safe is not something with an equal impact. The insurgence of movements such as "Don't Call the Police" also show that by reinvesting our needs in local organisations we can fight these issues.  
• Furthermore, onsite security are much better situated to handle issues on campus with understanding of students needs and being much closer to likely incidents. There was no on-campus security until very recently, meaning that anything security was no able to handle had no other option but being escalated to the police. 
• Some sources for stats mentioned in this proposal from UK GOV (links in footnotes) 

Solution:

• This proposal would be to prioritise the usage of the facilities we have on campus and the staff who run security over the police, not inviting external police to events where they effectively are present for show and not actively handling an issue, and pushing for staff and students to be given more information on the impacts of calling the police, and the situations where this is not necessary. Some of the things that should be done are as follows, and continue to be the case:  
  • Onsite security to be trained in De-escalation and Conflict Resolution, being prioritised as the port of call for minor incidents  
  • Student facing staff, including security to be trained in Unconscious Bias Awareness  
  • Police and Police-adjacent organisations not to be invited as guests to any "vanity" events such as Freshers and Refreshers, also including organisations aiming to improve the police's public perception.  
  • The SU and its staff to be required not to call police on protesters/strikers/students unless there is a direct threat to people, and seek to resolve incidents with onsite security wherever possible  
  • SUBU Advice to be given training to help give support to those students who are affected by police incidents, or help students access external organisations where necessary  
  • SUBU to use current connections with Dorset Police to lobby for reform 
• What this does not mean:  
  • Banning police from responding to emergency incidents/crimes - these are a necessary interaction, in any situation where things cannot be deescalated.  
  • Doing away with campus security - this policy encourages greater campus security so the police are no longer necessary.  
  • Emergency services prevented from accessing campus - in any case it is determined that external emergency services are necessary, they should remain able to act. 
• To summarise, this proposal will utilise existing security staff to ensure that they are trained to protect students, minimising the need for police involvement 

Problem:

• Currently there are no Uni buses which go to these destinations. The issue is that a student is forced to take multiple buses to get to and from Talbot campus.

• Walking 10 to 20 minutes in between bus stops is also a common issue.

• Students have to pay multiple bus fairs to get to and from campus from the aforementioned locations which is not budget friendly to most students.

• There is also a risk of lateness to lectures. Often if the first bus is late then this can affect punctuality, which it out the students control

• It is also challenge for students with disability/access issues as two separate buses means extra complications.

• The difficultly with bus travels from these locations discourages attendance on campus, and excludes students from campus opportunities and events.

• There is a potential safety risk, especially with changeover buses later in the evening. Element of safeguarding could be improved.

Solution:

• For BU to explore how many students live or are on placement in the suburban areas listed in the proposal

• Combined Uni bus route for both East and West Parley, passing through Ferndown as well.

• Additional route for Wimborne that could be combined with the others.

• The buses could run every 30 minutes to an hour.

   

Problem:

• There is a lack of space in both the sports hall and gym which means less people can train or play sport at one time.

• If there are no facilities for a sport which needs specific requirements, then it is less likely to be picked up by students.

• Without investment to sport, people are less likely participate and BU are less likely develop a large sporting community.

• There is untapped potential in students to be successful sports people which could open a lot of doors for students.

• General health and wellbeing could be improved with more involvement with sport. Teaching mental strength and resilience through sport can then translate into other areas of life.

• Cost of Living crisis means that students may not have the funds for sports outside of uni.

Solution:

• To expand the current gym facilities including, more bench stations.

• Increase range of sporting facilities to including; a running track, additional Sports Hall and 3G pitch at Talbot campus to increase participation across of variety of sports  

• Increased communication from SportBU around availability of existing facilities and campus sport opportunities, including facilities at Chapel Gate

Problem:

• Lecture and seminar resources are being uploaded late 1 day before or even on the day. This does not allow students enough time to access resources and go through them due to other responsibilities, such as work and families.

• 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

• Furthermore, it is required from students to make lecture notes before lecture to become familiar with the topic. This is not possible when some lecturers are posting lecture slides on the day, sometimes less than an hour before the actual lecture.

Solution:

• For SUBU to lobby BU to upload lecture and seminar resources to Brightspace one week in advance. 

Problem:

• On 21 October 2022, following ongoing disputes over unsafe workloads, casual contracts and equality failings, strike action has been balloted at UK universities and UCU members secured a mandate for both Strike and Action Short of Strike (ASOS). 

• As a result, staff at 150 universities, including the BU UCU branch, commenced a continuous period of ASOS from Wednesday 23 November 2022 and three full days of Strike on: 24th, 25th and 30th November.

• The BU UCU branch has issued a statement to students, detailing the actions they are taking and why. In brief, UCU’s demands include action to address excessive workloads and unpaid work, a pay rise to deal with the cost-of-living crisis, action to end the use of insecure contracts and close the gender, ethnic and disability pay gaps.

• The Students’ Union will always support better and more equal pay and working conditions for all staff and understands that staff wellbeing affects student experience. SUBU also has an important role to play in helping students to understand why strikes are taking place and has issued frequently asked questions for students.

• The Students’ Unions decision whether to support the strikes should be made by our members.  A previous policy was passed at the SUBU Summit in November 2021 was under the then condition of ASOS (and not strike), and agreed:

  • For SUBU to support all UCU demands in relation to the four fights; pay, workload, casualisation, and equality  

  • 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 

• As the ongoing national dispute means the industrial action is likely to continue and UCU’s approach now includes strike, as well as ASOS, it is important to review SUBU’s position by putting it to our members to decide whether they want SUBU to support UCU’s industrial actions, including strike actions.

Solution:

• The Students' Union to support UCU’s industrial actions, demonstrations and teach outs to the students.  

• The Students' Union to release a statement declaring its intention to support industrial actions including strikes. 

• The Students’ Union to ensure students are informed (including on why strikes are taking place and support available), run digital campaigns and student-led initiatives. 

Problem:

• Python is a widely used general-purpose programming language used in machine learning, web development, desktop applications, artificial intelligence and many other fields.

• On some Bournemouth University programmes within the Faculty of Science and Technology, Python is one of the main languages used for coding.

• When starting a BU Programme, students come with different levels of knowledge and experience using Python.  This means that some students that already know the framework are at an advantage to those that do not.

• There are currently no workshops offered to support students with Python coding.

• Offering workshops on the topic would boost the learning experience of students and make them more confident in applying these skills in class and on assignments. It is also vital for students to have these skills for work placements and work opportunities following graduation.

Solution:

• For SUBU to lobby BU to hold Python coding workshops for beginners to help them learn the language

• To have the sessions run through the Faculty of Science and Technology and open to all students regardless of their faculty.

• In person sessions preferred – Hybrid option as well.

• Workshops suitable for all levels.

• Available for all students including PGR students.

Problem:

• Green spaces have been proved to increase social interactions, encourage physical exercise and provide stress relief, as well as encourage local wildlife into the area.
• While students do have quiet areas (e.g. the library) and social areas (e.g. the Student Centre and Dylan’s), there is no secluded outdoors area on Talbot Campus to sit in when you need a break from a computer screen.
• A small area with space for a nature or wildlife garden and some benches would be a place for students to relax and reflect away from the hubbub of the larger university building. This would be especially beneficial to students’ mental health, particularly during the summer exam season.

Solution:

• SUBU to lobby the university to create a sheltered greenspace on Talbot Campus and Lansdowne Campus that are wheelchair accessible.
• The spaces should have designated smoking/ vaping areas or further work should be done to improve the sheltered smoking areas on both campuses.
• The mental health green spaces should be varied to accommodate a range of student needs.
• The spaces could include a sensory garden.
• SUBU should explore the possibilities of having mental health green spaces away from campus as well as on campus.

Problem:

• There are no crossings around the university that currently produce sounds to indicate when it is safe to cross.
• Around campus, there are Zebra crossings and some Toucan crossings that do not produce a sound (particularly around Boundary Roundabout near the Poole Gateway Building).
• Especially for visually impaired students, this could be a problem and could lead to serious accidents (especially in the winter months).
• Having crossings that produce sounds (such as Pelican and Toucan crossings with sounds) would make the roads safer for students and the wider community of pedestrians around Talbot.
• The council will usually consider the impact crossings may have on traffic and how dangerous the road is to cross without crossings when deciding which crossing to use. There will therefore be a reason that the current crossings have been used, but work should be done to make them safer.
• With many students coming to university on foot, and the University encouraging students to travel more sustainably, it is important that the University works with SUBU to make walking to and around campus safer.

Solution:

• SUBU to lobby BCP Council to add sounds to the existing Toucan crossings to ensure they are safer for pedestrians.
• SUBU to lobby BCP Council and the University to provide safer crossings around campus.
• SUBU to lobby the University to support the above lobbying with BCP Council.
• SUBU to lobby the University to promote road safety amongst students, particularly international students and disabled students.

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