Winner: University of Surrey
Project: The University of Surrey lettings agency
A shortage of private sector accommodation in Guildford meant many students were either forced to travel long distances to university, or accept sub-standard accommodation at unreasonably high cost.
To help solve this problem, the university created a lettings agency in collaboration with the students’ union. The agency aims to raise the standards of private sector accommodation for students, lobby local politicians on issues relating to student housing, provide practical support and advice for students navigating the private lettings market and increase the proportion of rooms in Guildford available to rent for Surrey students. A closed Facebook group that has over 4,000 members also offers regular updates on the private rented sector.
Since the University of Surrey lettings agency (USL) was launched in November 2016, the number of directly managed bedrooms has more than doubled, from 140 rooms to 390 rooms. USL has also managed to secure first refusal on student properties from two of the main local estate agents, the equivalent of 500 bedrooms.
Runner up: York St John University
Project: Trans inclusive framework
York St John University worked with trans people to improve the support available to transitioning students.
Training has helped staff develop an awareness of cis-normative language and systems, while general resources have also been developed across different functions of the university. This includes a policy statement, a protocol for records and certificates, resources to help staff support students, and an action plan for trans awareness and trans visibility.
A named contact supports trans students within the wellbeing team, and students’ union sabbaticals, liberation officers and the LGBTQ+ society each provide peer support.
The initiative has been owned and applied by students themselves. Feedback was sought from students through an online survey, while students have also researched trans issues through their studies.
The outcomes of our project have already inspired others: York St John has presented its approach through AMOSHHE, the UK Student Services organisation, and Equality Challenge Unit events.
Runner up: University of Stirling
Project: An institutional strategy to tackle sexual violence
The University of Stirling’s student services and its students’ union collaborated to develop an institutional strategy to prevent sexual violence
It centred around an online campaign, #IsThisOk?, which encouraged students to challenge their own and others’ behaviours and beliefs.
The project was run in collaboration with community partners such as Police Scotland and Rape Crisis as well as students and other Scottish universities. A brand new microsite was developed to offer information and support, while training was given to more than 120 staff members. The training focused on leadership in tackling sexual violence and equipping staff to effectively and sensitively respond to disclosures of sexual violence. Additionally, the university introduced sexual violence liaison officers, supported by the head of student services.
The head of student services has since been invited to present the strategy at conferences led by Universities UK and the Scottish Funding Council as well as to other Scottish institutions.
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