SU ON TOUR 2014

Over the past few weeks the Students' Union President, Arthur, has been out and about talking to students about their experience at the University and asking if there are any issues or experiences both positive and negative they would like to share with him.

On the basis of this feedback, Arthur then endeavoured to resolve problems and pass on positive comments to the appropriate staff members. 

 Here is a quote from your President.

“SU ON TOUR has been a great success. As your Bolton SU President I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the students I have spoken to over the past 2 months, and let you know that we managed to resolve some of the issues you told us about and pass on the positive feedback you gave about your student experience to the relevant staff.  I would also like to thank the University for their support. Look out for me tomorrow; SU ON TOUR is back again.”

Set out below is a selection of Students’ Union Success Stories:

OCTOBER 2014:

• Arthur successfully negotiated a £1000 bursary for a student.  The student was entitled to the bursary, but as a consequence of an admin error, was unable to claim it.  Arthur worked with the University to ensure the student got his bursary. 
• Arthur had a lot of complaints from students regarding low temperatures in some of the classrooms.  After Arthur’s intervention, the temperature of the classrooms was increased and thermometers were installed so temperatures can now be accurately monitored. 

At the Halls of Residence, Arthur:

• Secured a new oven for a student living in the Hollins Halls of Residence.
•  Met with the University to organise a makeover of the common room at Orlando Village.  The common room is now a much warmer and welcoming place to socialise.

NOVEMBER 2014:

The Union:

• Held an event in the SU Café Bar to raise money for Children in Need.  The theme was Karaoke and Pyjamas.
• Got a student’s housing benefit started again.
• Successfully got over 500 students to complete an NUS survey on behalf of the Students’ Union and University.  The results of this survey will help influence the future direction of the Students’ Union.
• The University Ladies Football team won a football match against Burnley Football College, with an amazing final score of 16-0!   Well done to the Ladies Football team.
• Fully trained the Course Reps so they can better represent students. We currently have 292 Student Representatives, representing the views and opinions of their fellow peers.
• The SU, in conjunction with the University, has initiated a mentoring project.  There are 8 student mentors who are working in and around the university engaging with students.  Look out for the mentors who wear purple hoodies with the words ‘Student Mentor’ on the back.
• A student was withdrawn by the University from the course he was on.  Arthur was informed by the Course Rep of the situation and spoke to the student’s lecturer and successfully convinced the lecturer to reinstate the student and give him extra support.
• Students on the ’Introduction To Programming (Computing) Program’ had not had adequate lectures for over 2 weeks as lectures had been continuously cancelled.  Arthur informed the University’s senior management, and this issue was resolved with the added bonus that students are getting more lecture time than scheduled in their timetable.  
• A disabled student called into the SU office informing us that he could not park in any of the designated disabled car parking bays on the student carpark as non-disabled students had taken the spaces.  After speaking to staff at the University, SU staff advised the student that he would be allowed to park on the University staff carpark in one of the designated disabled car parking bays, provided spaces were available, ​

DECEMBER 2014:

These extracts are taken from competition entries submitted to the Union to win the fully paid week long trip to the University’s RAK campus in Dubai.   The question posed to students was: “What has Bolton Students’ Union been best at so far this academic year?”

 “So far this academic year, Bolton Students’ Union has gone to exceptional heights to enhance the student experience such as organising extracurricular activities within the welcome week. For example the BBQ, Alton Towers and Go ape plus many more. Involving societies in projects such as fund raising activities and listening to the voice of students (SU on Tour).“

 “Bolton Students’ Union has excelled with its informative communication with students. The social media sites are used regularly to post events, activities and other points of interests including articles and inspirational quotes. The SU office is more approachable, with the open door leading into a colourful room. There is also a regularly rotated collection of news and leaflets about upcoming events. The biggest change I have noticed to previous years is the speed of communication with students”

Another student mentioned the Students' Union Advice Unit:

“The Students’ Union team has been very helpful and informative with all the benefits and facilities the University has to offer the students and has supported me a lot with any problems I have been facing at the University, they have either solved them single handedly or they have helped me in finding the best solutions”.

“Bolton SU has been very proactive in listening to the ideas and suggestions of students. As a first year student they have been helpful in answering questions whether university-based or course rep orientated. The president, Arthur, is always on campus walking around and speaking to as many students as he possibly can, either to have a quick chat or just to give a listening ear”.

One student pointed out that the Students’ Union has not only been kind to her but also to those she surrounds herself with:

“Since arriving at Bolton University the Students’ Union has been nothing but kind to my friends and I. I feel that the team have a relaxed, easy-going atmosphere, and are very friendly and well organised. “

“It feels like this year the SU is caring about students as there are more societies than any other year I have been at the University. This means wider range of student is involved in the SU and most people’s interests are being explored”

MARCH 2015:

SPECIAL EFFECTS AND VFX STUDENTS CONCERNS BEING RESOLVED  

The SU President can confirm that ‘Mr Simon Wiggins (Head of the School) and Dr Kondal Kandadi (Assistant Vice Chancellor Academic Operations) had a detailed and productive meeting on Tuesday 31^st March 2015 with me and the students affected, to address their concerns. The University has immediately resolved the issues including confirmation of alternative teaching arrangements for the small number of affected modules, some student dissertation supervisions & support, extensions for assessments submission, personal tutoring, and extension of stay in the Halls.  Further the Academic Group Co-ordinator, Bren Tighe, has written to all relevant students about these arrangements.

 

It is good news that students were also reassured about the long term commitment of the University to further develop the programmes in the Creative Technologies area and a further meeting will take place after the Easter break to provide any further support they may require.

 

 

If you have not yet had a chance to share your student experience with the President, feel free to call into the office at anytime or speak to him as he is walking around campus.   You can also write to us, using our feedback form.

Remember the Students' Union is for all students and is led by the student body. Your opinion matters!