Student Life Zone (3rd May 2016)

Night line officer

• The committee went to a conference that engrossed on specific training for Nightline officers.
• Luke mentioned they have a full committee, where more people than ever before ran and all position were contested.
• 24 calls since Easter which has resulted in over 700 of the year.
• Call volumes are up by 200%
• Service delivery has hit 90%.

Housing Officer

• Louise is meeting up with the MP from Portswood to discuss agency fees.
• Louise is looking at publishing an article on Student housing in the Debrief magazine.

Hannah mentions talking to Alan Whitehead as he has similar ideas in regards to agency fees.

Wellbeing Officer

Not  present to comment.

VP Welfare Update

• Sam mentions crisis support and tutors are encountering these problems.
• Sam suggests that we need to ensure we create links within the city and try to improve cultural barriers.
• Need to assess the enhancement theme that focuses on student support (student success). This may be through student monitoring where personal tutors are consistent in all faculties.

Sam questions the room about student group/ student life how the union can enhance their chances of employability.

Luke mentioned that Nightline help other students and have been on a training session that will enhance the CV.

Kerry suggests self-reflection sessions and whether that would attract students to attend the session.

Louise emphasises that external recruitment agencies may help as it is an external speaker who can tell students what they expect on a CV and covering letter. This would have to be more generic and away from specific experience as it would attract a greater deal of students.

Louise also suggests obtaining proof (certificate) from the Union on the activities and skills that students have gained in student groups and societies. A reference format was recommended by the room.

• There is an event on Thursday, ‘Meet the Guide Dog’ at WSA.
• WSA in Janurary – some things went well/ some not so.
• Student feedback was acquired from the January ‘You are more than’ to ensure the event is always improving.  
• The event has other sessions in the future such as hand massages, Yoga and many more.
• Always looking to improve so feedback would be much appreciated.

Alex had discussions with a variety of people before coming up with the PREVENT policy document.

Kerry mentions that the policy needs to be fully researched before going to the university. The students must understand the policy before making a fully committed decision.

Sam emphasised that the policy with only improve the communication but believes it does need to be reviewed.

Kerry highlighted that point 10 sums up what should be done. ‘That before active steps to oppose PREVENT duty and Channel Duty are planned, proposed and implemented, the relevant officers must undertake research and consult with students and relevant managers at Southampton University.’

Sam stated that the committee should get the points together and it will set up the policy for next year.

 The committee discussed and recommended the following amendments to the policy:

• All of the ‘Union Notes’ Section will be kept as they are.
• Point 4 and 5 in the ‘Union Believes’ section to be removed. 
• Point 6 of the ‘Union Believes’ section will be reworded
• Part of Point 8 from ‘Union Believes’ section will be removed.
• Point 9C will from ‘Union Believes’ section to be removed.
• Point 7 will become Point 5 in ‘This Union Resolves’ Section
• Point 6, 7 of ‘This Union Resolves’ to be removed
• A Point is add to ‘This Mandates Section’

Sam questions whether everyone from the Student Life Committee is happy for the policy to go to Student Council.

Everyone is happy for it to go to Student Council.

• George informs everyone that the campaign is starting Wednesday – it will start at the stags where information will be provided on body confidence. Students will be offered free condoms and can ask any questions they may have.
• People who have recent finished a PHD study on sexual transmitted diseases are attending.
• Later on in the week there will be an expedition on body confidence.
• A local theatre group are performing a play on harassment.

Sam spoke to a variety of societies. They would like training on practical aspects E.g. Room booking. Sam states that they would like training on Prevent, ask the university what safeguards are in place and how they train staff.

Sam highlights that the zone needs to have a better representation and proposed using other channels within the city. Sam mentioned having a discussion with the City Council or local police and taking that information to Student Forum.

Sam emphasises that students need to be educated on a variety of issues in regards to housing. They should be provided with information on moving out rights, deposits and little aspects like when Bin day is.

Hannah stated that she may be able to get some additional housing information from WSA.