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Aberdeen University Students’ Association Annual Report 2017-18 Contents 03 Message from Chair of Trustees 04 Introduction from The CEO 05 About Us 06 Review of 2017-18 06 Support 07 Empower 11 Represent 13 Financial Performance 02 Annual Report 2017-18 Message from chair of trustees It gives me absolute pleasure Climate Challenge Fund, to present this Annual Report. implementing a robust I first had the privilege in mechanism for finance 2017 when I got elected as management, and much more Student President, so for me that is captured in this this second report is special annual report. because it celebrates The truth is, we will not rest but students’ achievements and will continue to support, shows the positive impact empower and represent the AUSA has. diverse community of our Chairing the Board of students. We will continue to Trustees for two years now work to address student has exposed me to the experience issues (such as different challenges AUSA as rent, transport, mental health, a charitable organisation sexual harassment, bespoke faces and the opportunities student union building etc); alike. Challenges such as improve relationship with finance, University vs Student University, increase student body relationship, voice within and outside the engagement, physical University and continue to be presence of AUSA, a union of the students, by the Transnational Campus students and for the students. representation as well as other international Lawson Ogubie partnerships that the Student President & University has for student Chair AUSA Trustee Board experience. January 2019 Despite these challenges, AUSA made significant achievements in 2017/18 such as securing the ground floor of the Union building, successfully securing funding from the Scottish government 03 Annual Report 2017-18 Introduction from THE CEO I am delighted to present my third Annual Report covering Plans for 2018-19 our achievements in the year •We will continue to focus to 31 July 2018. The journey on delivering our mission: taken by AUSA since I joined Support, Empower, Represent in 2016 has been •We have established the challenging and busy and internal measures and this continues to be the path processes that we required to we follow. secure our financial position In an organisation as diverse and improve our relationship and complex as AUSA it is with the university. We will not possible to provide a full continue to embed these and comprehensive account within the culture of the of all that we have done and organisation to ensure long all we have achieved. term sustainability. However, I hope that this •We will continue to improve report highlights the wide the physical space AUSA can range of successes and offer to students in line with achievements we have had wants and needs in pursuing our mission •We will review our statement of “Support, democratic structures in line Empower and Represent”, with byelaw requirements. and will provide you with a •We will continue to develop flavour of the impact of the and innovate so that our skills and talents of all those activities are relevant and who have engaged with us engaging during the year. AUSA will continue to Margaret Paterson change and develop in Chief Executive Officer line with the needs and AUSA January 2019 requirements of the students of the University of Aberdeen. Their voice will always be at the heart of all we do. 04 Annual Report 2017-18 About US Aberdeen University Students’ facilitate participation of groups Association (AUSA) is a discriminated against by society OUR registered charity that is devoted to the educational AUSA’s purpose as outlined interests and welfare of its in the constitution is: VISION To be an organisation that members. All students the prevention and relief of poverty engages students to have a voice, enrolled at the University of of students, the advancement of fulfil their potential and get the Aberdeen are automatically citizenship and community most out of their University development, the advancement of members of AUSA. experience. education, the advancement of the arts, heritage, culture and science, AUSA seeks to: the advancement of health among students, the organisation of ensure that the diversity of its recreational activities for students membership is recognised and that who have need of them by reason OUR equal access is available to all of financial hardship or other members of whatever origin or disadvantage, the promotion of orientation. religious and racial harmony, the MISSION Pursue its aims and objectives which promotion of equality and diversity, Support, Empower, Represent are independent of any political and the promotion of charitable party or religious group. fundraising activities. Pursue equal opportunities by taking positive action within the law to In addition to our constitution, AUSA’s work is guided by our vision, mission and values. OUR VALUES The way we do things is as important as what we achieve. As an organisation we will be: Democratic Transparent ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS Inclusive Supportive Approachable Friendly 05 Annual Report 2017-18 support review of 2017-18 largely due to the change in venue ausa advice team moving from the Johnston Building to development of split venues between King’s Pavilion The AUSA Advice team experienced student partnership and AUSA’s Hillhead space. a busy year and supported 139 agreement In 2017/18, AUSA Advice also academic cases, attending 57 added a Therapy Pony event to the meetings along with students. This During the year, AUSA worked with calendar which provided 222 figure reflects a new way of the University to develop and students with another opportunity recording cases following the implement a Student Partnership to destress. introduction of a new casework Agreement which seeks to enhance software. The team also dealt with the experience of students in 120 housing support enquiries and securing additional Aberdeen while ensuring there is an supported 12 health and wellbeing student space inclusive and supportive cases. AUSA Advice also provide environment for all. The agreement was finalised during the year and free condoms to students to AUSA worked with the University to preparations were made for it to be encourage safe sex and handed out secure a significant investment in the launched at Freshers’ Week in almost 14,000 throughout the year, ground floor of the Student Union September 2018. which represents an increase of Building. Work began in July 2018 approximately 16%. During to transform the space into an area 2017/18, the team handled 547 which better suited student need. It accommodation adverts, a drop of was also agreed that AUSA would Financial Support almost 200 compared to the take over the running of the Union for Sports Teams previous year, which can in part be Brew Bar & Café during the attributed to a positive change in following academic year. AUSA distributed £52,000 to the Aberdeen rental market. sports teams through a combination In recognition of the need for more of AUSA grants and monies from space for society activities on the Student Experience fund. Stressed out campus the University made the students campaign Kings Pavilion (previously occupied by Music) available to AUSA for Financial Support For a number of years AUSA Advice our Student Activities. A dedicated for Societies has arranged a program of events Dance Studio has provided the aimed at alleviating stress and Dance Society with the opportunity AUSA distributed £29,000 to helping make the exam period a to host over 20 hours of classes societies through a combination of little easier for students. Stressed Out each week. AUSA grants and monies from the Students continues to prove a AUSA also took ownership of its Student Experience fund to assist in popular campaign, with over 3,000 own dedicated space up at Hillhead the delivery of their 17/18 plans. products provided free from AUSA Halls of Residence, where students to students in 2017/18 which can hold meetings or social events. maintains 2016/17 levels. 543 This space is multifunctional with complaints students attended a “Dogs and furniture that can be cleared away Dominos” event, which represents if necessary, and there are also AUSA staff dealt with four official a drop of around 150 participants, kitchen facilities available. complaints during the year. 06 Annual Report 2017-18 empower review of 2017-18 at Aberdeen Sports Village. The Sport event attracted 12 participants, and feedback from the day was very Sport continues to be hugely popular with students positive. 15/16 16/17 17/18 Key Achievement Union membership 2783 2879 274 6 Blues and Colours Awards The Blues Committee awarded 26 Number of sports clubs 55 55 56 Blues Awards to students at the annual Sports Ball in February 2018 Union membership gives students access to facilities for competetive level in recognition of performance. In sport as well as recreational sport facilities at Aberdeen Sports Village. recognition of commitment to Sports, 150 students received Colours Awards at the end of academic year National Success New Policy for Academic ceremony in May 2018. Flexibility for Elite/High AUSA had 4 rowers represent Community Involvement with Scotland at the Home International Performance Sports Regatta. the Active Schools Aberdeen During the year, AUSA worked with Programme Academic staff to introduce a new Netball 1s got to the final of the policy for Academic Flexibility for A number of our athletes have been Scottish Conference Plate. Elite/High Performance Sports, engaging with the local community which allows any students who have and local schools by volunteering Thomas Dalgarno from Road compulsory classes timetabled on their services as coaches in sports Cycling represted GB in the World Wednesday afternoons to be such as Triathlon, Volleyball, and Championships, finishing 8th in U19 excused from class, with prior Football.