Strategic
Plan 2018-21

Introduction

Okay, So here's the plan

Brighton Students’ Union has been through a few challenging years, but after 12 months of stabilising we are now very proud to be presenting our new Strategic Plan. This will direct our work over the next 3 years and lead us positively forwards.


We have spent 6 months carrying out extensive research with our stakeholders, and hearing clear messages about the issues that are relevant to them. It is very apparent that the needs and expectations of the student experience is shifting, with an ever increasing pressure on academic achievement since the introduction of tuition fees.


We are honoured to represent an increasingly diverse demographic of students spread across multiple sites and schools; so it is vital that we adapt our services to meet these changing and differing needs.

Our Strategic Plan will be supported annually by operating statements that will focus our work. While still allowing for the additional priorities of our annually elected officers, and to respond to the ever changing landscape of Higher Education.


The need for a strong and thriving students’ union has never been greater. We have the passion and dedication to be the union our students need us to be, with a clear mission to ensure that we are always “making student life better”.


Tomi Ibukun
Union President & Chair of Trustee Board 2018/19

Laura Greenwood-Pearsons
Chief Executive

Our Vision

ALL OUR STUDENTS HAVE
THE BEST EXPERIENCE
IMAGINABLE

Our Mission

Making Student
Life Better

Our Values

Supportive

Transparent

Approachable

Dynamic

Inclusive

STRATEGIC THEME

#1

EDucation

Challenge the University to provide our students with the best education possible

How:

  1. Ensure course reps are
    well trained, supported and
    empowered to make a
    difference in their schools.

  2. Raise awareness of our education support service

  3. Provide an accessible education
    support service that is responsive
    to evolving student needs.

  1. Challenge the university to ensure
    they meet their own strategic
    objective to put our students at
    the heart of everything they do..

  2. Support and empower our
    students to make change.

What Success looks Like

At least

0%

OF ALL COURSE REPS STATE THEY FEEL THAT THEY HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE

 

At least

0%

OF STUDENTS WILL KNOW WHERE TO GO TO GET EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT

At least

0%

NSS SATISFACTION ON STUDENT VOICE

At least

0%

OF OUR STUDENTS AGREE WE HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEIR EDUCATION

STRATEGIC THEME

#2

Employability

Help our students stand out

How:

  1. Help our students to identify and articulate the skills they develop when being a union volunteer or student staff member.

  2. Continue to provide student staff opportunities throughout our organisation..

  1. Challenge the University's Careers Service to ensure they provide the services that our students want and need.

  2. Ensure the production of an employability skills award scheme.

What Success looks Like

ALL VOLUNTEERS & STUDENT STAFF WILL HAVE EASILY IDENTIFIED
TRANSFERABLE
SKILLS
FOR THE FUTURE

SU VOLUNTEERS AND STUDENT STAFF MEMBERS ARE
0%
MORE LIKELY TO GET A GRADUATE LEVEL JOB

Employability
Award
Scheme
INTRODUCED AND BEING UTILISED BY STUDENTS

STRATEGIC THEME

#3

INCLUSIVE

CREATE A UNION THAT IS WELCOMING AND RELEVANT TO ALL OUR STUDENTS

How:

  1. Create and deliver engagement plans to reach students who are currently less engaged with the union.

  2. Provide opportunities, societies, communities and events to suit all of our students’ backgrounds, hobbies and lifestyles.

  1. Get to know our students better in order to understand their needs.

  2. Create welcoming student spaces on all campuses, and continue to campaign to the university to do the same.

What Success looks Like

At least
0%
NSS SATISFACTION LEVEL

0%

BSS SATISFACTION LEVEL

At least
0
OF OUR STUDENTS ARE REGISTERED MEMBERS OF OUR SOCIETIES

At least
0%
OF OUR STUDENTS KNOW HOW TO GET INVOLVED IN THE UNION

At least
0%
INCREASE IN PARTICIPATION FROM CURRENTLY UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS

STRATEGIC THEME

#4

WELFARE

SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS WITH THEIR MENTAL HEALTH AND GENERAL WELLBEING

How:

  1. Continually improve awareness of and access to resources, support and partner services.

  2. Challenge the university to provide appropriate services to support our students with mental health concerns.

  1. Actively campaign for the rights of our students, inside and outside of the university community.

What Success looks Like

 

At least
0%
of our students know where to go for su support

At least
0%
Of our students agree that their health and wellbeing has been positively impacted by the services and events we provide

 

STRATEGIC THEME

#5

COMMUNICATION

be clear and transparent about who we are and what we do

How:

  1. Develop a clear brand identity
    so our students recognise our
    activities and services, and the
    quality of experience that we
    provide.

  2. Produce targeted and relevant
    communications to our students.

  1. Increase our staffing and
    officer presence across all
    our campuses.

  2. Invest in digital communications
    to adapt to the evolving needs of
    our students.

What Success looks Like


ALL
Union Spaces and activities will have clear and consistent branding

At Least
0%
of our students will say that our communications are relevant and informative

At least
0%
of our students will know who we are and what we do

 

 

our Foundations

 

None of the strategic theme actions will be possible without ensuring that the following foundations are strong.

OUR
PEOPLE

Our people are our most valuable asset and key to a successful and operationally sustainable Union. We will...

  • Create and implement a People Plan to develop and support our team.
  • Be an employer of choice and an organisation people are proud to work for.
  • Ensure our people have up to date knowledge, skills, and support to carry out their roles.
  • Create a culture that embodies our values and recognises outstanding work.
  • Provide meaningful employment for students.

Responsible
Union

We must operate responsibly to ensure our future. We will...

  • Have a decisive, diverse and engaged Trustee Board.
  • Develop robust and transparent governance systems.
  • Spend our money effectively to achieve our Strategic Plan.
  • Focus on commercial services to ensure that they provide value for money for all.
  • Utilise all appropriate opportunities to increase our funds to support our core objectives.

Relationship
with University

A mutually respectful partnership is essential in achieving the joint aims of both organisations. We will...

  • Work in collaboration to maintain and strengthen the relationship with the university.
  • Improve our mutual understanding of each other.
  • Develop an operational agreement with the university.

Let us know what you think about the direction we're heading in at Brighton SU by emailing us or contacting us on social media.

 

 
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@SUbrighton
@SUbrighton
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