TUSU IN REVIEW 2015

WELCOME TO OUR YEAR!We introduce TUSU In Review with pride, pleasure and a tinge of sadness. The sadness coming from the fact that for three of us it marks the end of our time at the SU. We’ll talk about our individual highlights of the year on pages 2/3 while the new Student Officers elected to join Manon in 2015/16 are introduced on the inside back cover. We always try to keep this review short so we can’t include everything but we hope that it captures the most memorable events of the past academic year. One of the best things about compiling this review is the chance to celebrate the contribution the SU’s services and social spaces make to student life…it’s easy to take them for granted but, as the stats in this review will show, they make an invaluable impact day in day out through the year. However, the biggest pleasure of all is celebrating students’ success. We’re thrilled to salute those who have contributed the most to the SU and reached the highest levels of excellence.

We hope you enjoy reading this review as much as we enjoyed putting it together and we wish everybody a great future whether you are due to finish your course or you still have more time left at Teesside.

Will, Ryan, Jodie and ManonEndsleigh Insurance Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. This can be checked on the Financial Services Register by visiting their website at www.fca.org.uk/register. Endsleigh Insurance Services Limited, Company No. 856706 registered in England at Shurdington Road, Cheltenham Spa, Gloucestershire GL51 4UE.

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Jodie Bird, Manon Goetschel, Ryan Marshall and Will Ridley (Student Officers 2014/15)

TUSU IN REVIEW 2014/15

PERSONAL HIGHLIGHTS FROM A PACKED YEAR...

“This is always the hardest page to put together because we each have to pick just one personal highlight from an amazing and unforgettable year leading the SU. However after much agonising here we are...“

“It’s been very well documented I know but I couldn’t resist picking the revamp/ relaunch of the SU Building! It was particularly special to share the official opening with the then former Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Henderson CBE DL who has always been so supportive of the SU and so student focussed.

I think, along with fellow Officers and Student Reps, being part of the selection process for a brand new Vice-Chancellor and Chief Exec for the University has to come a very close second.”

Will Ridley - President

“I’d have to choose the launch and continued success of new campaigns. I was really pleased with the way “Don’t Stress”…including the much talked about Tree of Positivity…was received by students. We had lots of fantastic messages and ideas attached to it.

I also loved getting my “Catching the Zzz” campaign off the ground, it’s so important for students to ensure they get sufficient rest as an aid to avoiding issues around mental health.”

Manon Goetschel - Welfare Officer

“I hate to go for the obvious but how can I look any further than winning the Tees Wear Varsity? It was an amazing day and the results were so close but I couldn’t have been prouder with the way our teams performed and I’m thrilled to be leaving with the trophy back here on Teesside where it belongs!

As a near second I’d go for the Uni agreeing to end full-time teaching at 12pm on Wednesdays. It meant more students than ever could enjoy extra-curricular activities.”

Jodie Bird - Student Activities Officer

“I’d have to go for playing a key role in the development of The Festival Of Learning. We were all keen to produce an event which really connected with both students and academics, it was great to see so many of them engage with the event and enjoy some important but fun and interactive sessions.

The external speakers were also excellent and I loved the experience of delivering a session on the National Student Survey.”

Ryan Marshall - Education Officer

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Over 28,000 visits to the Jobs section of the SU website.

Nearly 13,500 visits to the SU Welcome Desk and Activities services.

Academic and Welfare Advisers worked on over 1,400 student cases.*

The SU Link also secured AQS accreditation recognising the high quality of advice which staff provide.

Over 2,300 students involved in clubs, societies and student-led activities.

Student Officers spoke with nearly 5,000 students while out campaigning.

Nearly 6,000 visits to the SU Link for Advice and Job Services.

Over 2,400 assignments bound at the SU Welcome Desk.

Attracted over 100,000 visits to evening events in The Hub and The Terrace.

Achieved our first ever National GOLD in the Best Bar None Awards.

CENTRAL TO STUDENT LIFEIt’s sometimes difficult for us to fully explain quite what a massive impact our social spaces and support services have on thousands of students’ lives every year. Hopefully these eye catching key stats and our snazzy chart give a fuller picture of what a big role our Student Officers, Student Reps and staff play.

2014

THE BIGGEST MOMENTS...MONTH BY MONTHTHE BIGGEST MOMENTS...MONTH BY MONTH

septemberNew look SU Building, with over £1.2m of improvements, launches.

New Student Officer team gets to work after a summer of planning and training.

octoberOver 10,000 students enjoy day and evening events during Freshers 2014.

november

decemberTUSU had worked with the Uni to give out over 1,500 free NUS Extra Cards to 1st year students.

SU Officers had spoken to over 2,000 students in Term 1 during SU On Tour.

january4th annual “I Love TUSU Week” welcomes students back with events on welfare, learning and housing.

februaryStudents from a range of backgrounds stand in elections for Officer and NUS Conference Rep roles.

TUSU receives £5k to campaign on student voter registration.

mayOutstanding students were honoured at the Annual Awards Dinner.

Inspirational and dedicated staff are celebrated at the 2nd annual STAR Awards.

aprilSU social spaces secure our first ever gold in the national Best Bar None Awards.

marchNearly 2,000 students vote in Student Officer and NUS Conference Rep elections.

Our sports clubs win 3 BUCS league and cups inside 10 days! (page 8-9)

TUSU is at the heart of Graduation Week 2014 with thousands of graduates celebrating in our venue and at our Grad Ball.

2015

Our sports clubs and teams have enjoyed a glittering year with a British Universities and Colleges (BUCS) league and cup double for Men’s Basketball the biggest highlight of a fine season. Women’s Basketball, Women’s Hockey and Men’s Tennis also enjoyed BUCS league title success while members of the Powerlifting Club picked up best team and 6 first places at the Northern Universities Powerlifting Championships.

We completed a superb sporting year by retaining the coveted Tees Wear Varsity trophy on 29th April. The annual competition sees teams from various sports clubs at the SU take on their rivals from the University of Sunderland with points for winning each individual match. Teesside emerged overall winners by 11.5 points to 10.5 points after a day of incredible drama and sensational performances. www.tees-su.org.uk/varsity

A SEASON OF SILVERWARE!

Volleyball in action at VarsityOur medal winning powerlifters

Tees Wear Varsity Winners

Our league and cup winning clubs

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Tees Wear Varsity Winners

THE BEST OF THE BEST!The Annual Awards Dinner, held on Wednesday 13th May 2015, was a glittering evening at Wynyard Hall where we celebrated and recognised the very best individuals and groups from student sport, societies, representation and volunteering. You can view the full list of winners plus pictures and video at www.tees-su.org.uk/awardsdinner...A massive well done to all the winners and nominees.

Student Rep of the Year - Darren Winter (far right)

Sportsman/woman of the YearAndrew Richardson - Joanna Brown

Most Improved Society of the Year - Nigerian Society

Club of the Year - Women’s Hockey Society of the Year - NursingVolunteer of the Year - Tom Salmon

(far right)

Society Committee Member of the Year -

Meg Featherstone (centre)

Team of the Year - Men’s BasketballStudent Rep Team of the Year - School of Computing

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Student Representatives’ Rep of the Year -

Ashley Mehnert Honorary Lifetime Membership Award - Professor Graham Henderson

Best New Society of the Year - Food Co-Op

Most Improved Club of the Year -

Women’s Basketball

Sports Personality of the Year - Georgina Arksey (Women’s Football)

Societies Personality of the Year - Ashley Mehnert (Nursing)

Society of the Year - Nursing Club Committee Membet of the Year - Stacey Warcup (Pole Fitness)

STAFF WITH STAR QUALITYThe 2nd Annual STAR Awards, held on Thursday 21st May 2015, were a welcome chance for students, Student Reps and Elected Officers to celebrate inspiring, dedicated and innovative staff. You can see more pictures and watch video highlights at www.tees-su.org.uk/starawards. Our congratulations, one final time, to all the winners and nominees.

Promoting Employability - Paul Bailey (centre)

Outstanding Teaching - Samantha Gooneratne (left)

SU Staff Member - Chris Walton (centre)

Support Staff Unsung Hero -

Callum Anderson (centre)21st Century Teaching -

Fred Hutchinson (left)

Most Inspirational Staff Member -Stephen Murray (left),

Fantastic Feedback - Mark Freary (right)SU On Tour Student Voice -

Elaine Fryett (right) Most Nominated School - SOHSC

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ACHIEVING OUR AMBITIONSAs an organisation we are committed to delivering the very best services, facilities and events for students. Our long term strategy and annual targets play a key role in helping to achieve these aims. We set ourselves 3 special goals for 2014/15, here’s how we delivered on them.

1) Secure at least 10% turnout in this year’s Exec and NUS Conference Rep Elections!

ACHIEVED... 10.5% of active students voted in the elections! That’s a total of 1,857 votes.

2) Retain gold in the Green Impact Awards recognising our efforts to make the SU a greener and more sustainable place as well as our campaigns to raise student awareness of environmental issues.

PENDING...We’ll have confirmation in July but we are optimistic of retaining gold and securing commendations for our work in the SU building and around campus on energy efficiency and recycling.

3) Secure Best Bar None accreditation once again in recognition of the excellent standards of staff training and focus on customer safety in our venues The Terrace and The Hub.

ACHIEVED... Picked up gold for our venue, the 6th year in a row we’ve collected gold or silver.

READ MORE ABOUT THE SU STRATEGY AND INDIVIDUAL TARGETS AT WWW.TEES-SU.ORG.UK/ORGANISATION

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MAKING OUR MONEY WORKIt remains a challenging time for any organisation which is trying to maintain the highest standards for the people it serves whilst balancing budgets and sticking to sensible spending. However, TUSU has enjoyed another year of financial stability and continued to invest in new and exciting initiatives for students. You can view a full report at www.tees-su.org.uk/organisation but below we’ve produced a simple summary of how we spend an average fiver.

£0.19 (making sure the SU is properly run and stays accountable to students)

£1.48(keeping all our clubs, societies, volunteers & social spaces in good shape!)

£2.08(representing, supporting and advising students)

£1.25 (making sure the student voice is heard by the University and at other external bodies)

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Adam HoweAshley MehnertPresident Elect Education Officer Elect Welfare Officer Re-elect Student Activities Officer Elect

Brian KeoghManon Goetschel

As is often the way each summer, we’re about to say goodbye to most of our current Student Officer team and welcome in new leaders for 2015/16. Will Ridley (President), Ryan Marshall (Education Officer) and Jodie Bird (Student Activities Officer) will leave their positions at the end of June. Will and Ryan have each served one term after being elected in March 2014 while Jodie is about to complete her 2nd term after winning elections in both March 2013 and 2014.

Ashley Mehnert (President Elect), Adam Howe (Education Officer Elect) and Brian Keogh (Student Activities Officer Elect) join re-elected Manon Goetschel (Welfare Officer) in the new look Student Officer team for 2015/16. They officially take office at the start of July and you can find out more about all four Officers at www.tees-su.org.uk/officerselect.

FOND FAREWELLS...WARM WELCOMES

Ashley said:

“Will, Ryan and Jodie have made an incredible contribution to the SU both before being elected and of course as superb Student Officers. They’ve all set a great example of the hard work, innovation and passion that is required for myself and the other new Officers. We’re inheriting an SU in great shape with a brilliant future ahead thanks to their efforts.”

TUSU IN REVIEW 2014/15

Teesside University Students’ Union, Borough Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 3BATelephone: 01642 342234, E-mail: enquiries@tees-su.org.ukwww.tees-su.org.uk

Written and compiled by Martin John, Designed by Andrea Kinni

Pictures courtesy of: Jon Berg, Lauren Close, Adam Cotterill, Gazette Media PLC, Teesside University

Thanks to the TUSU Proofing Team

Teesside University Students’ Union

@teessidesu

tees-su.org.uk/tusutv

/TeessideUniSU * All stats correct as of 22nd May 2015. Charts included are for illustration and do not fully represent the proportion of the stats quoted.