An Update from your Sabbatical Officer, Festus! 🌟

Hi everyone, ✨

It’s almost time for VARSITY - and yes Salford is hosting varsity this year! Fingers crossed the trophy will return to Salford where it belongs.

While we eagerly wait in anticipation for varsity, it's Elections… the time of the year when we elect new leaders for the organisation ahead of the next academic year.

Look out for activities happening around campus and happy voting! 🗳️

It's always exciting to WIN for students, knowing that an achieved goal would result in better university experience for students. I have always been keen on making sure students get the value for their tuition fee and have a memorable university experience here at Salford.

I have recently been working on the following...

Cost of living

Earlier this year, you informed of us that you were worried paying for food, transportation, bills and accommodation. This has been our focus and I am collaborating with university colleagues to provide every student with £50 through Inspire funds – these funds are still available for those who haven’t claimed theirs. Other incentives offered through these included the free food on campus, £1 jacket potatoes and so forth. Visit the student hub more details of this.

I am currently lobbying the university on the eligibility of some of the incentives such as the Transport bursary; from feedback received from students, the aim is to make this available to all students travelling to the university. I am also collaborating with the university on our hardship funds and international crisis fund; feedbacks have highlighted the stringent eligibility criteria which makes these funds inaccessible.

This year has also seen the Greater Manchester Student Assembly (GMSA) gain more traction lobbying Andy (GM mayor) on reduced costs and introduction of transportation schemes and housing quality/provision for Higher Education students in Greater Manchester.

Freedom of speech bill and the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill

I have lead conversations with our chair of council, Lord Bradley who has been very supportive in lobbying the House of Lords on the impacts of the Freedom of speech bill, and the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill.

Reasonable Adjustment Plans (RAPs)

I am collaborating with the university on the revamp of RAPs, I am quite pleased with the roadmap and activities being carried out to ensure students get their RAP approval on time, are provided with essential equipment, and that Academics are aware of RAPs in place for students.

Accommodation

We have had little but tangible WINs on accommodation including a Pilot with the council, however, we are still progressing our continued push for more accommodation. I Co-chaired our PSG group with the university to discuss accommodation provisions for students, with more focus on students with family. We lobbied for timely clarity to incoming students on the housing situations in GM. Additionally, we are continuing collaboration with the university and Salford council to provide suitable accommodation to students.

Strikes

We are collaborating with the university to ensure funds saved through Academic strikes are used to enhance students experience, and have made propositions to the university on this. We are ensuring students' learning is not impacted by the industrial actions taking place. Please feel free to get in touch via Get in Touch @ University of Salford Students' Union if you have any complains on these industrial actions.

NUS Antisemitism report

We are taking a firm stand against any form of racism on campus, and we have taken the lead and continuing conversations with the university following the NUS antisemitism report. I strongly urge students to use the Report and support channel to raise any form of discrimination.

Car Parking

In conversation with the university on the cost/availability of car parks for students following concerns from students. I am hoping to get a much more favourable outcome for students as we aim to create a more accessible and commuter-friendly campus.

These are just a few of the things that I am currently working on, wishing you the best in the academic year!  😄

As always, feel free to get in touch via f.robert@salford.ac.uk