You are a member of Anglia Ruskin Students' Union. Have Change, Your Way.
For the first time ever, Anglia Ruskin Students’ Union will be holding an opinion poll just after Freshers week to ask you what you think should be our main priority campaign for the year ahead. In this opinion poll you will be able to vote on a choice of motions, which are based around issues currently affecting all our students. You will be able to vote by putting the motions in order of priority, meaning the motion you think effects you most could be your main priority. The motion that gets the most votes at the end of the poll will get produced as a policy and then discussed at Union Council; the Sabbatical Officers will then be mandated to act on the chosen motion as their priority campaign for the year.
Motion 1: Higher Education Funding
Summary
In 2006 the government decided to introduce university top-up fees meaning University students currently pay up to £3000 per year for their tuition. In 2009 the government will review this and may look to lift the £3000 cap meaning fees could cost up to £7000 per year, possibly more. This motion resolves to join the NUS ‘Broke and Broken’ campaign which seeks to find an alternative funding model and to lobby for a better higher education funding system.
Motion 2: Free Choice on Scholarship Spending
Summary
Students commencing their studies before 2008 received their Scholarship for Academic Achievement as cash. Students commencing their studies from 2008 will receive choice on whether they receive their scholarship as cash or in the form of an ‘Aspire Card’. Students commencing their studies from 2009 onwards will have no choice on how they receive their scholarship and will receive only an ‘Aspire Card’. The ‘Aspire Card’ can only be spent in John Smiths bookshop, on University accommodation or childcare. This motion resolves to lobby for permanent choice as we believe students have the right to decide what they spend their money on.
Motion 3: Cheaper Travel for Students
Summary
At present local bus services, train companies, and park and ride facilities offer no discount specifically designed for students. Many students have to travel in to or between University campuses and this can put a great deal of strain on student budget. This motion resolves to lobby for a fair and comprehensive student discount, which is not based on age, for all local public transport.
Motion 4: Better Safety Around Our Cities
Summary
Whilst the Students’ Union and the University does it utmost to ensure students are safe on campus we believe that in close proximity to the campuses and around certain areas of our cities safety measures could be improved with better lighting, better CCTV and more visual policing; particularly as winter approaches and it can become dark very early. This motion resolves to lobby councils for greater community safety funding and to investigate how else we can improve student safety.
Motion 5: Better Recreational Facilities
Summary
We believe that the facilities available to our clubs and societies could be greatly improved across the board and that providing quality facilities is not only valuable to students but also the University. This motion resolves to lobby for better gym facilities in Cambridge, outdoor sports provisions in Chelmsford, provisions in Peterborough and Fulbourn and a review of the room booking regulations for societies.
Over the past year the Students’ Union has had great successes with gaining the 24 hour Library in Cambridge, and now a trial run in Chelmsford, along with influencing a University U-turn – the first of it’s kind – with regards to moving Graduation to London. The sole reason the Students’ Union exists is to represent, serve and support you to enhance your university experience. The executive of the Students’ Union believe this opinion poll will give you as students, and members of the Union, the choice on how your Students’ Union works for you this year. This will be your first chance this year to get involved and make a difference to your future in higher education. It’s simple, you tell them what you want, and they do it for you!
The opinion poll will be available for all four campuses to take part and it will be in the first couple of weeks of term.