What you missed at Better Staffs!

Here's a quick catch up of the ideas we discussed with students at the #BetterStaffsForum

The first point brought up through the ‘Big Ideas Module’ was texting services for campus control.

Idea – “Some people have social anxiety and can't handle making a phone call. Due to this they are put off contacting campus control with issues. Implement a text service linked to campus control to help those people feel more comfortable to contact them please.”

Discussion – Vice-President Scott William-Smith gave an update on this, there is a landline number for Campus Control that is available to be sent texts to. The reason we have a phone number for calls instead of a texting service or email is so hat no complaint or concern is lost, with a direct phone call, the caller gets an immediate response and reassurance that something will be done. Will an email, they could get lost or missed and that’s the same for a text message.

Resolution – The landline number given out does receive text messages but the response may not be as immediate as the phone call but it is there when needed to be texted.

The next point brought up was the idea for a Kettle access in the Library.

Idea – “A kettle or hot water dispenser in the library would be greatly beneficial”

Discussion – We believe there is a kitchen accessible in the library building that has access to a sink, kettle and microwave. We also discussed with students, if they new about the service and if we needed to publicise this better.

Resolution – The accessibility and publicity of this kitchen will be increased through the Union Communications and the University Student Services.

Next on the agenda was the access to Specialised Printers in the Library.

Idea - “If you’re on a creative course and you need to print on high quality photo papers, there is only daytime access to this outside of the library. It would be a great help if there was access to specialised printers. The Ricoh printers in the library are often unreliable and leave costly streaks.”

Discussion and Resolution – Vice president Steph Cairncross gave an update of this, there have been new printers bought for the library but unfortunately, they will not be installed for use in time for this academic year.

With the idea of access to specialised printers for creative courses such as at the Print Bureau, there has been no update on this as it needs to be discussed further due to the need for a technician to keep the printers working, such as changing ink and the cost associated with the printers.

Following that idea there was another specialised equipment idea brought forward.

Idea – “The animation students only have access to a single Cintiq lab with software on during the week 9-5 and there are only 7 Cintiqs. It would be very beneficial to be able to use the Cintiqs in the library as they are available 24/7 however, they do not have some software (Toon Boom and Maya). Adding this software would aid so many Animation students.”

Discussion – There is the Alfred Bolton Room in the Library that has the Cintiqs and the Software needed. This then developed into a discussion of gaining 24/7 access to specialised rooms across campus.

Resolution – Vice-President Scott as taken Action and Responsibility to finding out more about the possibility of gaining 24/7 access and will be updated by the next Better Staffs Forum.

Idea #5 brought up in this forum was an issue a student faced in one of the Venues.

Idea – “I went into LRV on Thursday to see their offer for the day was listed from 4pm till 9pm. Despite it being a fairly busy evening, the kitchen was shut by 8pm, which was disappointing as I was about to make my food order, and had to go elsewhere for dinner. If a deal is active from 4pm to 9pm, the food should be available to order from 4pm to 9pm” 

Discussion – There is a small print at the bottom of the menu of Verve, that states ‘All our offers and timings are subject to change without prior notice.’ This allows the venue to close their kitchens without notice to students in order to not lose out on money that, due to the nature of the union being a non-profit organisation, goes back into the union to organise events for the students.

Resolution – The venues will look into making sure the ‘small print’ is larger and more prominent on the offers and online with any social media promotions, instead of at the bottom of the menu, this way when the students/guests look at the offers the small print is clear to avoid disappointment.

An idea that was discussed next was the potential for an on-campus study café.

Idea – “A cafe where students can go in and study and pay for top up coffee so, they don't need to keep getting up and walking away from their work to grab a top up. Servers can also promote snacks and things for students who have been studying for a while and might need a break. It'll allow students to stay focused on a task rather than getting distracted from keep standing up and doing other things.” 

Discussion – The main points of discussion were the location of this study café and how it would work. Some students thought the library would be a good place for it but alongside the idea of the library would be staffing the library with people to go around giving out coffee. Another point brought up was the effect this could have on people’s health, Vice-President Steph, mentioned that it promotes an unhealthy lifestyle to the body and the brain to stay sat down for that long without getting away from your computer. It is a good idea to have a small break and to stretch your legs, whether it is to get a cup of coffee or not.  

Resolution – The actions being taken following these discussions were to better promote and advertise the free services such as kitchens in the library and the study space in the Union above the Ember Lounge which has a kitchen free to use by students with coffee and tea in there. In the union, there is also study space tables that are fully free to use for students whenever they want.

The final Idea that was discussed within this #BetterStaffsForum was brought forward from Vice-President Steph, The ‘Responsible Futures’ campaign.

Idea – To include and introduce ideas of sustainability into curriculum, adding volunteering opportunities to help students get involved with their community and helping preserve the environment they live in.  

Discussion and Resolution – This idea had a lot of positive feedback from the students and Steph had a lot of great ideas given to her through the Forum. These will all be looked at and will be passed on through future meetings. The ideas include, Reusable smoothie cups, better recycling services in halls, the fruit stand at the produce market, allotment advertisements and so much more!

If you have any ideas you want to be brought up at the next #BetterStaffsForum, let us know with the Big Ideas Module!