The Students’ Union is run by students for students – that means we’re completely dedicated to representing students at Staffs and helping provide what they want from their student experience. That covers everything from advice and support, great venues and events to representation, sports clubs, activities and even a dedicated student media service.
We’re constantly striving to ensure the best possible experience for all students at Staffs and free membership of the Students’ Union is automatic on enrolling at Staffordshire University. That means our students get to have their say in what we do and how we do it.
Staffordshire University Students’ Union is a democratic organisation, working entirely for the benefit of students.
The Students' Union sponsors and supports a diverse range of student-run groups. These include both competitive and recreational sports groups, special interest groups, academic societies and some that we are unable to categorise! You can find out contact details and any info the groups have posted by following the links below.
The Student Advice Centre (SAC) offers confidential and impartial advice on a variety of issues, such as: student finance, academic affairs, student housing, debt management etc. In addition, there are a number of online self help materials which you can access from the Advice Guide.Find out more...
Academic Reps can raise issues when something is wrong or tell the University what works for you and your student experience. If you need advice regarding your course then contact your Academic Rep.Find out more...
Money Doctors is part of the Students’ Union Student Advice Centre. It is free, independent, impartial and confidential. Click on the logo to see how we can help you keep your finances healthy and make your money achieve what you want it to.Find out more...
You can feel safe in the knowledge that the University has a Cop Shop with a friendly campus police officer who is around to answer any questions. You can speak to him about anything from the security of your property, your personal safety or to report a crime.Find out more...
LRV is the Stoke Campus nightclub and holds our regular clubnights such as the ever popular Gobble on a Wednesday night and Super Friday. LRV is the Union’s largest venue with 1300 capacity.Find out more...
Legends and The Lounge are the Union's Beaconside campus venues. The Lounge is a recently refurbished, stylish bar serving great food and coffee as well as the traditional bar refreshments seven days a week. Legends is the Stafford Campus's nightclub and holds our weekly clubnight Mukky Duck as well as regular live music performances. Find out more...
The Ember Lounge is Staffordshire University Students' Union second Stoke Venue. Winner of Best Late Night Venue Midlands and Wales and a Best Bar None award, the Ember Lounge offers something for everybody. Whether it's an early morning espresso to get you ready for the day, a great value lunch or a night of cocktails and entertainment, we aim to deliver. Find out more...
The Squeeze Box has a delicious menu for both breakfast and lunch. For those wanting something healthy, yet tasty, Squeeze Box caters for all with options big and small. There is also a wide variety of hot drinks, with Fairtrade products being used where possible. Find out more...
Verve is Stoke’s newest venue offering students a funky place to relax and enjoy a tasty burger and the creamiest milkshakes. Open all day, students can pop in for food and drink, listen to some music, catch up on the latest magazines and just take a break from the world outside. Find out more...
The Students’ Union is a student-led organisation, and in that spirit endeavours to hire students and harness their skills where possible.
The latest video updates from the officer team about their work on behalf of the students at staffordshire University
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What is plagiarism? What is academic dishonesty? How to cheat: the idiot’s guide How you’ll get caught Avoid being a plagiarist Further advice Workshops
Defined as: “The representation of another person’s work, without acknowledgement of the source, as the student’s own for the purposes of satisfying formal assessment requirements.”
Here are some examples:
• Use of more than a single phrase without use of quotation marks. • Summarising work by changing words, and making no acknowledgement. • Copying work of another person. • Submission of work which has been obtained from the internet. • Submission of work with significant use of unattributed digital images, e.g. graphs, tables photographs, etc. • Submission of work which has previously been assessed for another module or at a different institution as if it were new work.
Some definitions (not all) • Aiding and abetting a student in any form of dishonest practice. • Bribery – paying or offering inducements. • Collusion – when two or more students collaborate and submit work as though it was individual. • Commissioning someone else to complete an assignment for you.
• Type the essay title into a search engine and you will be presented with a multitude of websites. • Many of these will contain complete or partial coverage of the subject, written by more learned people than yourself and probably in better grammar than your usual style. • Cut and paste one or more of the best into a WORD document. • Possibly change some fonts etc. to make it look like one piece of work rather than a patchwork quilt. • Add title and name etc. • Hand in as your own work.
It’s easy to spot a cheat and your tutors and lecturers here at Staffs University have the facilities to detect if you’ve been plagiarising...so beware!
They can use:
• Online services such as JISC – Turnitin software allows them to see what percentage of a piece of work has been taken from websites or from work that has previously been submitted. • Google – By far and away the easiest way to cheat – and the easiest way to catch people who cheat!
• Learn to use references correctly • Guidelines are available on key skills website (www.staffs.ac.uk/keyskills) • All material used MUST have a clear reference
• Academic dishonesty is taken very seriously • If you’re caught - your degree classification could suffer • Learn how to avoid the common pitfalls – reference correctly, and you’ll get better marks!
If you want to find out more about plagiarism and how to avoid it, as well as help with using references in your own work visit the Key Skills website: www.staffs.ac.uk/keyskills, or go directly to www.plagiarism.org.
Students’ Union Advisors are available to help with any issues that require confidentiality.
Or contact the University’s Appeals and Complaints Department:
Kim Hargreaves Education and Welfare Officer Tel: 01782 294359 Email: k.hargreaves@staffs.ac.uk