Dating, talking to MPs, and sweet talks about governance...what more would you possibly want in a week!

• Your Exec Officers went on a date...
• We are actively sharing information with university now
• Oxford Brookes Campus redevelopment now considers students' input
• Your SU is to be governed a bit better

Speed dating with the University SMT The University Senior Managemnet Team and the SU Executive Committee had their first date! The Speed dating event was organise as a bonding exercise for both teams to meet and get to know one another better. This types of events are usually held at the beginning of the academic year, however having had the New VC Inauguration, Graduation ceremonies, and bi-elections, it meant that the event could only happen at a later stage. The event highlighted the need for more communication between the SU and the University – both on formal and informal basis. Both parties are now a lot more ken on collaborating and exchanging information and more specific action points will be recommended to inprove the work of the two. In summary, the top tip that each member recommended in order to improve our work and the student experience was the need to exchange information and update on progress.


Information Sharing Meetings:Our VC Janet Beer has initiated Information Sharing meetings happening every forthnight for subject heads, directors and the SU to meet and exchange information. This has proven very useful. Since the meetings much more information is available for the SU, numerous opportunities have occurred for collaboration: alumni, societies, postgrad, events, and other initiatives of which the SU is now much more aware.

Campus Redevelopment Update: Following the 22 Nov meeting, the governance structure for the campus redevelopment has been agreed. The University has now agreed to have student reps sitting on every level of the decision making structures! Student Consulation on the Masterplanning is currently being looked at.



Students’ Union Governance

I have spent a lot of last week going on conferences, discussing governance with leaders in the volunteering sector, listening to The vice-chancellor of the University of Exeter, Steve Smith, debating with NUS over governance - Wes Stering and Gemma Tumelty, talking to Phil Hope MP Corby and East Northamptonshire (for those internationals who have no clue - a British politician - member of parliament). It was interesting to hear so many progressive universities supporting their SUs widely.

Circle of Organisational Effectiveness
The team spent a day looking at the effectiveness of the organisation. The SU mission, vision and values were reviewed, the current difficulties each department is facing were taken into account. The day was particularly useful with regards to Masterplanning. The teams looked at how would the new campus look like when it is being redeveloped, and it was clear that it is in the best interest of the SU that it preserves and strengthens its identity and image, makes the brand coherent and visible across campuses. As a follow up there are more organisational effectiveness review sessions scheduled with myself and Helen West – General Manager, to build on the foundations. The exercise was also a good way of thinking about the new governance of the SU.



NUS Presidents residential event
The residential covered NUS Governance and the major changes of the governance structure proposed in the new constitution. There was ‘trouble shooting’ activity, many problematic areas were covered – from managing relationships with teams, staff and university, to dealing with campus redevelopments. The event offered an opportunity to look at the course fees – employability ratio, some detailed analysis were discussed regarding the current structure of tuition fees, and improvements were suggested.


Acevo National Annual Conference
The Annual Conference was attended by myself and Helen West – GM OBSU. The conference addressed the future of third sector governance: the volunteering sector. From across the UK I was the only SU President who attended the event, and felt that this sorts of events ought to be attended by more SUs - there was plenty to learn. The conference was very useful in terms of offering further insight into the professional governance practice within this sector. It included an afternoon keynote speech from Phil Hope MP Third Sector. Examined trends in 3rd sector governance from Boards Count, and discussed the role of Trustees. I have attended the workshop on recruitment of Trustees where many useful tips and advice on recruiting trustees were offered. As this is something that directly affects OBSU I have initiated a contact with consultants at the conference, and directly spoken to Phil Hope regarding the support provided for SUs across the coutry. He has confirmed that SUs will be taken into consideration, and has mentioned Bill Rammell. Organisations that have undertaken a governance review, have shared useful tips with the delegates, where all the do’s and don’t-s were listed .


Enhancing the Students’ Experience National Annual Conference
Wednesday 28th November 2007, Central London, Sponsored by: 1994 Group, In partnership with: National Union of Students.
Speakers include:
· Professor Steve Smith, Vice-Chancellor, University of Exeter and Chair, 1994 Group
· Miles Templeman, Director-General, Institute of Directors (IoD)
· Wes Streeting, Vice-President for Education, National Union of Students (NUS)
· Dr. Brian Lang, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of St Andrews
· Professor Brenda Smith, Assistant Director, The Higher Education Academy
· Professor Robert Burgess, Chair, HE Academy and Vice-Chancellor, University of Leicester
· Chaired by: Donald MacLeod, Editor, EducationGuardian.co.uk

Delegates considered how to define the student experience, how to exceed student expectations, and how to capitalise on the student experience to secure the future of the university. Students’ Union role in enhancing the student experience was widely highlighted and supported by every speaker. The message about SUs playing a key role in building an image of excellence was re-iterated by Prof Steven Smith – VC Exeter, as well as many other members of senior management team across the country. Miles Templeman also made a presentation on employers expectations from the education sector, highlighting the need for a closer liaison between the skills aquired at uni and those needed in practice at work. I have made a point to the delegates and the panel that the point regarding the lower importance UK Employers place on laguage skills is not in line with the universities’ strive for better internationalisation. Wes Steering has acknoledged the importance of the point and added how important learning foreign languages is.

The conference was very useful, on a national level it was recognised how invaluable well resourced SUs are for every modern university. Some SMTs have pointed out that they are increasing the support offered to their Sus - recepntly increased Block grants to SUs, and investment not only in membership services but also in commercial activities, as well as invested in Student experience research undertaken by SU presidents of the 1994 group.

The delegates were primarily Vice Chancellors, deputy and Pro VCs, Deans and Directors. Oxford Brookes University attendence compared to other universities was weak – Clive Robertson – Head of Student Learning Experience only attended. I felt there was a need for more University representatives on a senior level, especially since the National Conference discussed a theme so central to Oxford Brookes University mission.