EUSAImpact Report

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Edinburgh University Students’ Association is run by students, for students. Every member can get involved in shaping our vision of securing a world leading student experience at the University of Edinburgh.

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student voice

EUSA Impact Report 2009

What’s the big idea?

EUSA wants to improve the services and activities delivered to students as well as being the legitimate voice of students at university, within the Edinburgh community and at a Scottish and national level.

6500 STUDENTS VOTE ON CAMPUSIn March 2009 EUSA had the largest number of students voting in a campus election in the UK. Over 6500 students voted, hitting the set target of 25% of students voting on campus. There were 135 candidacies, 94 members stood for election and 36 seats were contested. This was the culmination of a campaign to let students know EUSA is run By Students, For Students.

2700 STUDENTS NOMINATE THEIR FAVOURITE TEACHERIn 2008 – 2009 EUSA launched the Teaching Awards, to award good teaching across the University. There were 2704 nominations from students for 621 staff, 191 courses and 60 departments and the winners were announced at a ceremony presented by Rector Ian Macwhirter.EUSA successfully campaigned for more teaching and revision hours for students with a change to the academic year and an increase from 21 to 23 weeks of teaching. 87% of Class Representatives were in support of the idea and the proposals will take effect from 2011.

EUSA CUT COST OF FOOD AND DRINK FOR STUDENTSEUSA ran a campaign to cut the cost of food and drink across campus, in both our own and Edinburgh First outlets. Campus catering should be affordable to everyone and Principal Timothy O’Shea agreed the University will price match EUSA on all catering products. EUSA will do the same.

STUDENTS DRIVE ETHICAL AGENDAFollowing pressure from students the University agreed to approve policy to force pharmaceutical firms to supply cheap medicines to the world’s poorest countries. This policy means when new medicines are discovered at the University, only companies who agree to make them affordable in developing countries will be given the licence to produce them.

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student voice

EUSA Impact Report 2009

STUDENTS LET THEIR VOICE BE KNOWNIn 2008 – 2009 we asked for student feedback from the 1100+ students with dependents on campus; over 1000 students participated in the NUS Scotland Finance Survey; 500 students were interviewed on campus on their satisfaction with EUSA; 500 students were interviewed on campus for feedback on our student services and we worked with the University on how to respond to issues raised in the National Student Survey.

800 BIG IDEAS FROM STUDENTSEUSA asked all students to submit their Big Ideas via sticky notes on large walls across campus. We received over 800 Big Ideas across three Union houses, all of which were reviewed and added to departmental plans during the summer or as part of our organisational and future strategic plans.

STUDENTS WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITYEUSA interviewed 500 non students in the community and received feedback from over 1500 students online about life in Edinburgh. The outcomes of the survey were communicated to community councils across Edinburgh and informed the beginning of our community strategy.

OUR AMBITIONS FOR THE FUTURE INCLUDE:

• A programme of activity for all stakeholders to have a better understanding of the role and place of EUSA• Share good teaching practice across the University• To lobby the university regarding Director of Study reform and 24 hour library access• Provide new information and training for Student Representatives at SRC, College and School level, plus wider

involvement with under represented groups• To improve Union feedback to students from 35 to 50% and effectivelty implement any ideas and suggestions• To implement a community strategy and improve relations between students and the local community

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student activites

EUSA Impact Report 2009

Presenting amazing opportunities & creating a vibrant campus.

EUSA wants to involve students in all aspects of life on campus and develop the activity and support we give to societies and student groups.

78% OF STUDENTS LOVE FRESHERSFreshers’ Week 2008 was the most successful yet with 4200 students purchasing a Freshers’ Pack and positive feedback from students about their introduction to the University.

SUPER SOCIETIES SUNDAY TRAININGIn 2008 we launched Super Societies Sunday training. The day provided training on Leadership, Marketing, Presenting, Negotiating, Event Management, Campaigning, Lobbying and Fundraising.

BEST SOCIETY - AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL240 people toasted the achievements and successes of our societies at the annual Society Oscars. The Best Society was Amnesty International, Best New or Revamped Society was Untapped Talent. In addition 8 students were given a Solo Award for their work for societies during their time at university.

THEME WEEKS SUPPORT SOCIETY ACTIVITYIn 2008-2009 there were a number of themed weeks that supported society activity and encouraged use of the Union buildings or informed students about welfare campaigns on campus. They included Green Week, Sexual Awareness Week, Stars & Stripes week (celebrating the US Elections), Charities Week, the Mental Wealth Campaign, Fairtrade Fortnight and the annual Student Festival.

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student activites

EUSA Impact Report 2009

800 STUDENTS SUPPORT THEIR SOCIETYEUSA continued the Societies & Sports Fundraiser. 2008 was the biggest event ever with 800+ students piled into Potterrow, each one nominating a club or society of their choice. £2600 was given out altogether, including two main prizes of £500 going to the Boat Club and Children’s Holiday Venture. Other support for Societies included the SOC Card – 23% of students used the scheme, up from 13% the previous year.

1500 STUDENTS SIGN UP TO TANDEMTandem is the EUSA language exchange scheme. It’s about learning languages in a fun and relaxed social environment without the formality and pressure of tutors, exams or lectures. 1500 students signed up to the scheme.

EUSA LAUNCH THE VOICETo improve communication to students on campus, EUSA began producing a supplement in The Student Newspaper. This supplement (The Voice) is put together by a student editor and their student team every fortnight. To encourage excellence in independant media, EUSA also began to invest in regular advertising in on-campus student media to support their survival in the current difficult economic climate.

OVER 800 BOOKS PUT ON BOOK EXCHANGEIn January 2009 we also launched the new EUSA website. The site encourages participation and supports a number of online initiatives. Students can tell us what they think of their courses at the Course Reviewer. They can add or look for flats in the Accommodation Finder. Over 800 students added their course books to the new Book Exchange in the first week of going live. Students can also give their opinion on living in Edinburgh in the online City Guide.

OUR AMBITIONS FOR THE FUTURE ARE:

• Improve the Freshers’ Week experience by consulting members for their thoughts and suggestions on how to improve their induction to University

• Retain the space for Bedlam Theatre and upgrade the Pleasance Theatre• Increase the number of students working on student activity programming or in Union facilities• Expansion of Charities Week and the Tandem programme• Launch a Society taster scheme to help society membership and participation beyond Freshers’ Fair• Provide a Student Activities Centre for all student groups

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student services

EUSA Impact Report 2009

World class services for students in the heart of Edinburgh.

It was a year of awards. Kings Buildings House Food Court won the Healthy Living Award, our Corporate Social Responsibility was recognised and Potterrow won the Scotland and North Regional Best Bar None Award. In addition we received the prestigious gold Sound Impact award for environmental best practise and The Advice Place won the Matrix Award, a national quality award for providers of information Advice and Guidance for Learners.

UPDATING STUDENT FACILITIESNew facilities opened during the summer. At Kings Buildings House the Mayfield Bar was given a £90K facelift, the JCMB was redeveloped into a Costa Coffee outlet, Teviot had internet facilities placed on the Mezz level and the Potterrow and Pollock Shops were refurbished. The entrance way into Potterrow was redeveloped with automatic doors for improved accessibility, the Potterrow Deli Counter was expanded for greater value and choice and funding was secured from the University for development at the David Hume Tower.

LIBRARY BAR BEST IN EDINBURGH FOR STUDENTSAccording to the the EUSA commercial survey, the most popular places for a sit down lunch were Kings Buildings House, Teviot Library Bar and Senses in David Hume Tower. The EUSA Shop beat Greggs into 2nd place for the place students purchased their sandwiches. The single most popular bar amongst students was the new Teviot Library Bar with excellent ratings overall. Pleasance was cited as one of the respondents’ comedy venue of choice.

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student services

EUSA Impact Report 2009

NEW STUDENT ENTERTAINMENTSThe entertainment programme saw an increase in those participating at the EUSA quiz (particularly at Pleasance). Freshers’ Week was the most successful yet in terms of numbers attending events and the successful launch of Returners’ Week saw income into the Unions increase by 50%. Teviot is still the number one venue of choice for Halloween and the Six Nations Rugby Internationals, and EUSA had successful turn outs all year for the Big Cheese, The Obama Election Night, St Andrews Night, the Burns Ceilidh and S Club at Refreshers’ Week. 900 students purchased the Gold Card which offered free entry into most events throughout the year.

ONE-STOP-SHOP ACCOMMODATION FAIRIn February 2009 EUSA held a one stop shop Accommodation Fair in Teviot Debating Hall. EUSA invited a number of accommodation welfare organisations, letting agents, university accommodation, storage companies, removal companies and insurance companies to give help, advice and details on all aspects of moving flat. This was a well attended and useful event for students and helped to promote the new Accommodation Finder web page at www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/accommodationfinder.

OUR AMBITIONS FOR THE FUTURE ARE:

• Making sure students are aware we sort academic problems as part of our Advice Place service• Enhance the quality of the Advice Place service at Kings Buildings House and Holyrood• To improve our services for international, postgraduate and mature students on campus• To open a letting agency• Improve operational and customer service standards across campus and provide effective training,

development and support for all staff to achieve this• To develop the Pleasance Theatre, KB Gym, David Hume Tower catering and the Teviot Redevelopment Programme

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EUSA Impact Report 2009

INCOME

Incoming resources from generated funds Activities for generating income Investment IncomeIncoming resources from charitable activities Annual Grant receivable

Other Incoming Resources

Total Incoming Resoures

EXPENDITURE

Costs of generating funds:Fundraising TradingCharitable ActivitiesCost of operation of: University Union Students’ Representative Council Student SocietiesGovernance Costs

Total Resources Expended

Net Movements in funds

Balances brought forward at 1 August 2008

Balances carried forward at 31 July 2009

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS

6,451,59510,930

1,806,900

105,548

8,374,973

6,137,852

1,192,094509,366206,85854,583

8,100,753

274,220

187,867

462,087

2008

6,264,99114,458

1,743,000

110,292

8,132,741

6,210,229

1,161,392435,416206,29054,900

8,068,227

64,514

123,353

187,867

2009

The above financial information is intended to provide a summary of the net movement in funds for the year ended 31 July 2009. This Statement of Financial Activities has been extracted from the audited annual accounts, full copies of which are available from the EUSA Offices in King’s Buildings, Potterrow, Teviot, Societies’ Centre, Holyrood and www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/agm.

• Summary of consolidated statement of financial activities for the year ended 31 July 2009• All amounts derive from continuing activities• All gains and losses recognised in the year are included in the Statement of Financial Activities• Governance costs are those which are incurred to meet statutory requirements and those allocated to meet

Association strategic objectives. Other general Management and Administrative costs are allocated to categories within Charitable Activities on a percentage based on directly attributable costs

Facts & figures

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81% of students think EUSA is doing a good job – up 10% on last year59% of students agree EUSA is run by students, for students – up from 33% last year51% of students are members of a society spending 2.99 hours a week on their activity42% of students would like online referendums to engage on EUSA policy decision making68% of students know who their Class Rep is51% of students think the main purpose of the Association is to provide individual advice and support 95% of you are satisfied with answers you received at EUSA Reception Points52% of students are aware profits go back into student surveys – up from 32% last year30% of students have used the Advice Place – 92% would recommend it to a friendQuality of teaching is students’ number one issue on campus

EUSA Impact Report 2009

FINANCIAL CHARTSChart 1How we spend the University Grant Money This chart gives a breakdown of how we spent the University’s Block Grant. The University gives us a grant every year to cover costs such as the Advice Place and the Students’ Representative Council. Union Operations covers the staffing and property costs (including power, heat & light) of maintaining EUSA’s union buildings. Last year’s grant was 3% up on the previous year. The percentages below are calculated after apportionment of general administration and support costs.

Chart 2Income from Trading ActivitiesThis chart examines the income received from our commercial activities. This includes the Festival operation, shops, bars and catering outlets.

Union Operations60.7%

Management & Administration

0.7%

SRC25.9%

Governance Costs 2.1%

Societies 10.6%

EUSACO, eg Festival income30.2%

Catering20.6%

Bars &Entertainments

19.5%

GamesMachines

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General Activities

4.7%Shops22.4%

Transition2.1%

Facts & figures

In academic year 2008-2009 EUSA had five organisational objectives. The objectives covered quality services, member participation, strong staff base, quality representation and welfare and financial recovery. There were 91 objectives in total. 72 were completed. Find out more at:www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/eusadid

EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION THE POTTERROW, 5/2 BRISTO SQUARE, EDINBURGH, EH8 9Al 0131 650 2656

www.eusa.ed.ac.ukEdinburgh University Students Association is a Registered Scottish Charity (No.SCO15800)