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. category. warning, to compete for the University. Healthy Body Healthy Mind Around 12 people represented During the year, AUSA organised a Scotland in the Scottish Student Disabled Student Sports Day number of events within this Sport National Teams. On March 18th 2018 AUSA initiative. Grace Otterbein was selected for organised its first Disabled Students These included: Sports Day. The aim of the event the Scotland Womens Lacrosse “Pack4Pack” which was organised was to raise awareness of disability Squad. during the Stressed Out Students sport, the difficulties that come with days. This offered help and support it, and to provide an opportunity to for those wanting to stop smoking try something fun and new including but weren’t sure how wheelchair basketball and cycling

07 development of student partnership agreement

During the year, AUSA worked with the University to develop and implement a Student Partnership Agreement which seeks to enhance the experience of students in Aberdeen while ensuring there is an inclusive and supportive environment for all. The agreement was finalised during the year and preparations were made for it to be launched at Freshers’ Week in September 2018.

Financial Support for Sports Teams

AUSA distributed £52,000 to sports teams through a combination of AUSA grants and monies from the Student Experience fund. Financial Support for Societies

AUSA distributed £29,000 to societies through a combination of AUSA grants and monies from the Student Experience fund to assist in the delivery of their 17/18 plans.

complaints

AUSA staff dealt with four official complaints during the year.

Empower: Review of 2017-18 Annual Report 2017-18

Intramural Sports Events have been further developed this year and for Key Achievement Student Groups the first time there has been a league Kings and Societies Awards Our four AUSA Student Groups - with six teams. A trophy has been Nightline, Aberdeen Student Radio introduced for the intramural football The King Awards are given to (“ASR”), The Gaudie Newspaper team as a further incentive! students in recognition of their and Granite City TV (“GCTV”) commitment to their society. In Mental Health - Students were provide an invaluable contribution 2017/18 14 Distinction Awards and encouraged to make public pledges to student life through their projects 23 Merit Awards being presented. that focused on what positive and initiatives. changes they could make to their Societies Awards are presented in 6 lives. AUSA was rated 3/5 stars for categpories and the 2017/18 Volunteering this campaign. winners were: 431 students registered through the Society of the Year Rainbow Laces for All Clubs AUSA voluntering online system RoboGals during 2017/18, giving them to Have and Show Equality access to volunteering oportunities During last year’s Granite City Most Dedicated Society in over 60 local organisations. Challenge, the Sports Union asked History Society The AUSA Volunteering Fayre all teams competing in the event to Best Event hosted over 33 local organisations wear rainbow laces in support of the attending who provided a broad LGBT+ community. 30 teams and Small Societies Winter spectrum of opportunities to around 400 athletes wore the laces. Ceilidh students. The Rainbow lace campaign has continued beyond the Granite City Big Heart Award Freshers’ Week attracted 66 Volunteers who gave a total of Challenge Event, with most of our Lawyers Without Borders teams wearing the laces to most 1,205 hours to help make all the BUCS games every Wednesday, Student Leader of the Year events a success. A very big thank showcasing the inclusivity and Kevin Mathew you goes out to all of them. equality within the Aberdeen Sports Union. AUSA won the Granite City Team of the Year Challenge in 2017/18. This was the GCTV tenth successive year.

Societies

Joining a society provides our students with an opportunity to pursue existing or new interests. Crucially in this digital age, it also provides a mechanism for genuine social interaction out with the classroom, for likeminded individuals. 15/16 16/17 17/18

Society union membership 3409 3723 3912

Number of societies 131 142 145

08 Empower: Review of 2017-18 Annual Report 2017-18

Training for Clubs and Society massive amount of support from Committee Members both students and staff and it is hoped to continue this historic AUSA recognises that it is necessary tradition in future years. to give members of Societies and Sports Club Committees the necessary skills in order to run their individual organisations effectively. Campaigns This philosophy allows Clubs and During the year students and Societies to operate as Sabbatical Officers organised a autonomously as possible, whilst number of campaigns across ensuring that there will always be campus. Campaigns engage professional support and advice students in a multitude of different available to them within the AUSA ways, from stimulating political staff team should it be needed. debate about complex subjects, to In April 2018, AUSA overhauled the running events and demonstrations training given to Societies and supporting student victories. Sports committees, and training In February and March 2018, sessions were run covering a much Aberdeen Lecturers and support wider range of topics than last year. staff went on strike over proposed 30 sessions were attended by over changes to their pension 1000 students. All of the training arrangements. Fifteen days of material is also available on the picket line support was organised AUSA website. and over £600 was raised by students for their strike fund. charitable activities Students continued to fight for cheaper rents, divestment from fossil The AUSA Raising and Giving fuels and fairer conditions for Committee (“RAG”) raise thousands students with part-time jobs - 1,000 of pounds to be distributed to local copies of a Students Workers’ charities in the Aberdeen and Guide were distributed, and 835 Aberdeenshire area every year. In students responded to our Student the year the RAG committee raised Workers’ Survey. around £104,000 to gift through The Liberation Forums engaged with events such as a 24 Hour Hockey students across the campus, and all Match, Ceilidhs, a fashion show, our Forums had active committees jazz nights and the Annual Student which ran a multitude of events on Show at His Majesty’s Theatre. campus and beyond. Donations totalling £97,000 were Student Council voted Consent made to 32 local charities in the Awareness and Sexual Education year, with the balance being carried (”CASE”) as their priority campaign forward for distribution in 18/19. for the year, and students delivered The year also saw the return of the a large number of consent Torcher Parade for its 127th year. awareness and sexual education The event has historically been run events throughout the year. Four by students bring in the local Consent Workshops were run in the community together to support local year with more events planned for charities. Staging the event took a 2018/19.

09 Empower: Review of 2017-18 Annual Report 2017-18

volunteer recruitment programme Aurora Network abergreen project for launch at Freshers’ Week was developed. Aurora is a network of nine The student body identified that international Universities whose student-led sustainability initiatives All the five strands of the overall objective is to support its such as the Corner Food AberGreen project will enable members in pursuing their shared Cooperative, the VegBag individuals to expand their mission of matching academic Cooperative, the SwapShop, the knowledge on climate change and excellence with societal relevance Shared Planet Café, many societies’ sustainability and will carry a through the exchange of joint efforts in the Secret Gardens, legacy for sustainable behaviours international best practices in and beCyCle needed support to over a life time. learning, teaching and inter-cultural develop, so an application was competences. made by AUSA to the Scottish The Network has a student body Government Climate Challenge (Called Aurora Universities Student Fund for funding. This application Council) that represents over was successful, and the Association 230,000 students of the partnering was awarded £163,000 over a two Universities. AUSA represents years period from April 2018 to UoA‘s Students- with the current March 2020 to run AberGreen. AUSA Student President being one Student societies, clubs, groups and of the Vice presidents of the Aurora individuals will benefit from the Student Council. project while delivering an expected The AUSA Education Officer (who is carbon saving of 251.6 metric also a member of the Aurora tonnes. Universities Student Council) is During the period April to July 2018 working closely with the University the project manager and staff to of Aberdeen to create summer deliver the five strands of the project school for widening access in were recruited, strand partnerships Aurora. and working agreements were established and an events and a

10 Annual Report 2017-18

represent review of 2017-18 sabbatical class officer team representatives

In March 2017, AUSA facilitated the Over 700 class representatives were Sabbatical Officer Election process elected during the year, and AUSA to elect the Officers for the 2017/18 provided training, support and academic year. These elections guidance to these representatives to attracted ten candidates for five enable them to carry out their duties. positions with 1,746 students voting. 544 completed the online training provided by AUSA with dozens more attending in person sessions. The support provided to Class During the academic year Representatives resulted in 215 2017/2018, five elected individuals being recognised Sabbatical Officers through the Enhanced Transcript held positions: Recognition Scheme.

Student President class rep Lawson Ogubie conference

Education Officer AUSA hosted a class rep conference on the 22nd February 2018 in the Donna Connelly Sir Duncan Rice Library with a fantastic turnout. The event was Welfare Officer aimed at starting discussions around Kendall Ann Smith the latest in the education sector, what’s happening at Aberdeen University and provide an Sports Officer opportunity for students to network Emma Lister and participate in dynamic workshops. Keynote speakers included Professor Peter McGeorge Communities Officer Vice Principal for Teaching and Lewis MacLeod Learning at University of Aberdeen, Jodie Waite Vice-President for Education at NUS and Simon Varwell sparqs developmental consultant. Class reps could choose to participate in two different workshops; the first was AUSA

11 Represent: Review of 2017-18 Annual Report 2017-18 facilitated Student Minds’ 'Look after your mate’ which equips foresterhill participants with tools for active During 2017/18 the Foresterhill listening and helping class reps spot Committee worked on a range of the signs of fellow students issues pertinent to students based at struggling. The other workshop on the Foresterhill Campus. The most offer was developed specifically for prominent of these issues was the this conference to help students 9U bus service and surveying reflect on their learning experience students on how effective students in their role and enhance their skills found this service. The Committee and knowledge of student also worked on ideas for better representation. Feedback from communication with students at students was overwhelmingly Foresterhill. positive with many suggesting that similar events should be held more often in order to create a platform qatar campus for class reps to brainstorm ideas, socialise and enhance their skills. In October 2017 the University officially opened a campus in Doha, Qatar offering both undergraduate student council and postgraduate degrees. During 2017/18 AUSA began working There was a total of 122 Student with staff and students to identify Councillors Elected during the year. ways in which AUSA can support In addition to the work done by the student representation and student standing committees, there were 6 activities based in Doha. meetings of Student Council held with 3 byelaw changes, 2 policy updates, and 11 motions passed.

Votes Cast in Sabbatical Officer Elections 1769 1746

2016/17 2017/18

12 Annual Report 2017-18 financial performance

Introduction Overall Financial Result for the Year These accounts have been audited by our external auditors, and as Unrestricted Restricted Total AUSA is registered as a Scottish £’000 £’000 £’000 Charity, then they have also been lodged with the Office of the Income 1,015 515 1,530 Scottish Charity Regulator. As AUSA is a registered charity, Expenditure -945 -527 -1472 then there are special rules for Surplus/Deficit for year 70 - 12 58 Charity accounting. Any income received needs to be classified Transfers -2 2 0 either as Unrestricted or Restricted. Unrestricted income may be spent Reserves at start of year 170 82 252 on anything the Trustees agree on, however restricted income may only be spent for the purpose that it was Reserves at end of year 238 72 310 received; for example AUSA gets a specific grant from the University of Aberdeen solely to fund the positon, as the previous Finance Reserves Position purchase of sports facilities at Officer left the organisation in At 31 July 2018, AUSA had reserves Aberdeen Sports Village. October 2017, and was only of £310k to be carried forward. Of replaced in January 2018 by a new Restricted income and expenditure this amount, £72k can only be spent Finance Manager. needs to be accounted for for the specific purpose that these separately. Considerable work has since been monies were donated (restricted undertaken on financial reporting reserves), with the balance of £238k Reasons for Surplus and internal control improvements, being able to be spent more Following on from the financial which enabled the audit fee for the generally should it be decided to do control issues which AUSA faced in review of these accounts to fall to so. Of this the figure, the Trustees 2015/16 and 2016/17, there £4,850, compared to around have agreed that there should remained very tight control over £12,000 for each of the two always be a minimum of £160k kept expenditure in the early part of previous years. in reserves “for a rainy day” – 2017/18, and a number of staff The small deficit within the restricted equivalent to approximately 3 positions were unfilled in the early income and expenditure component months operating costs. part of the year pending was absorbed by restricted funds clarification of the current financial carried forward from previous years.

*The full formal Trustees’ Report and Accounts for the year to 31 July 2018 is publically available on the AUSA website at www.ausa.org.uk/resources/6049/AUSA-Annual-Accounts-2017-2018 for anyone who wishes more detailed information.

13 Financial Performance Annual Report 2017-18

sources of ausa income

22% STUDENT ACTIVITIES 3% COMMERCIAL 75% UOA MAIN GRANT

31% donation in kind from uoa for premises 40% other restricted income

29% uoa for sports provision at asv

14 Financial Performance AnnualAnnual Report Report 2017-18 2017-18 what was spent in the year

10% non-staff costs: admin

33% non-staff costs: 57% student support staff costs

30% uoa for premises 39% other restricted expenditure

31% sports provision

15