Housing

Student housing is one of the most important parts of the university experience, and one of the biggest expenses. By providing better resources associated with housing, students can feel more comfortable in choosing a provider; find people to share with more easily and even save some money because of where they decide live. I will also be looking into different services that will allow students to take control of the market and influence it to improve standards.

Update on this objective

Currently, I am encouraging the use of a feedback system to ensure students have control over the housing market. So far for this I have identified the website landlordsreviewed.com. Here students can review landlords they have had and check up on landlords they might sign with. The site is currently pretty bare as it is new, so if anyone wants to review their landlords then get on it!

I also campaigned to create a dedicated housemate finder- the one that was originally on the Students’ Union website was removed due to various reasons, so I have made sure the previous one (from ages ago) was put up in its place. However, we still need a better system and it is something welfare committee have talked about. I am planning a new and amazing one now!

This year I intend to improve the reputation of students to minimise harmful legislation such as article 4 directions. This is essentially rules put in place by the local council last year meaning that any Houses of Multiple Occupation (those with 3 or more unrelated individuals) must obtain planning permission before they can be created. In the long term, this could limit the provision of student housing in certain areas and push up prices, as well as having negative effects on the communities the rules are imposed on. I have met with a number of local residents groups, recruited new community reps and I am looking at other ways in which students can engage with the local community and ways in which we can get the local community engaged with the students’ union (events etc). I have also met several local councillors, and other people who are running to be local councillors, and talked about the improtance of students in Sheffield so hopefully when it comes to granting planning permission, a house full of students will be seen for the benefits they bring to any community.

On university accommodation, I am meeting soon to discuss rent levels for the next academic year, and I am hoping to keep rises as low as possible (or even prevent them!). I will also be pushing for a review of the changes to residential mentors.

Finally, I am investigating the possibility of a Students Union run estate agents (or something similar). I am still working on this, planning on visiting other students union and see where propertywithus could potentially fit in if this was to go ahead.

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Safety, Care and Awareness around Campus

As a Students' Union we can facilitate greater levels of safety and comfort for students in and around campus, to help lower crime, noise and distress. Although crime is low in Sheffield compared to other cities, any crime is unacceptable. As a Students' Union there are measures we can take to help improve the safety of our students and their experiences. This objective Aims to improve aspects of safety, feeling vulnerable, noise and awareness during nights out.

Update on this objective

I am setting up a taxi scheme, where students can pay for a taxi with their ucard when they are without money and feel unsafe to walk home. Students can then collect their ucard from the students union (usually within 24 hours) and pay the price of the taxi fare. This is just being finalised, City Taxis are training their staff and we are devleloping publicity.

The fabulous Women's Officer, Sarah Charlesworth, is working on a campaign around street lighting, to bring it up to an adequate level across Sheffield. If you know of a road or area that you think should have more lighting, please email Sarah on womens.officer@sheffield.ac.uk

Something I also campaigned for is making the Students' Union cloakroom free. We are currently looking at how pop passes (used to get into population) affect the use of the cloakroom, as a pop pass grants the user the use of the cloakroom for free. If it is clear that making the cloakroom free increases usage, then I will be looking at ways I can trial a free cloakroom.

I have recruited and trained community reps for the city, and we are starting work on improving community relations, with a number of measure including the staying up? Keep it down! Campaign.

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Community

In Sheffield, students represent 10% of the population, but are rarely considered or consulted in major decisions. This has led to local policy being passed that could have a negative effect on students, which could have been prevented if the student was valued and their voices heard. We should work towards the recognition and representation that we deserve. This objective aims to increase the perceived value of students and the students'.

Update on this objective

I, with other members of the officer team, am looking at meeting with individual councillors and MPs to raise the profile of students on the political landscape. I have already met with the labour councillor Geoff Smith, and will be meeting with the green party leader Gillian Creasy. I am also meeting MP Paul Blomfield this week with the rest of the team. I plan to meet with a number of councillors and MPs throughout the year and really keep the needs of students in the forefront of their minds.

I have been on BBC radio Sheffield twice talking about the importance of students to the city and why it is important to listen to us. The officer team has featured in the media frequently over the past few months, and we are keeping student issues in the public eye and encouraging people to take action.

I am planning on a campaign to encourage students to vote in local elections in May, and we have included in some of the Students’ Unions publicity the importance of registering to vote.

I have been to community meetings, explaining how important students are in the city and what the students’ union and university does to minimise any potentially negative impacts.