This year Union President David Gilani has been working with the University of Southampton’s finances team to promote the option of bursaries. Having reached over 3000 students over Facebook, the SUSU website, the student blog site and the University website, resultantly 67% of students have realised the benefits on bursaries.

Further, the University and SUSU have made £2.2million of bursaries available for students this year, a figure which is set to double in future years. Continuing the campaign to end student poverty, staff at the University of Southampton have created an access agreement to ensure that students struggling with finances … Read the rest

The UCU (University and College Union) have voted for another strike to take place on 23 January.

The strike follows on from their demands in October for a pay rise for all staff above the yearly increase of 1% currently offered by universities.

As Union Council was unable to sit before the latest strikes, it has been decided by the Sabbatical team that Council’s previous action to not support the strikes is being maintained.

Union President, David Gilani explains, “SUSU believes that this industrial action will severely affect the student experience and therefore we cannot support it. To help lessen … Read the rest

Union President, David Gilani is looking for two new researchers to help him fight against student poverty.  The first of the two will focus on funding opportunities for Post Graduate students. This will concentrate on the different areas of financial support that are currently open to Post Graduate students so that SUSU can better lobby for improvements.  The research will also look towards introduce a Post Graduate loans system nationally.

The second position will analyse the income and expenditure of a typical student to find out what further financial support they would need. This will involve research into the current … Read the rest

Recruitment has officially started for Southampton University and SUSU’s student led project, BEES. Following on from the success of their recent intro event, BEES (Business Ethics & Environmental Students) are looking to recruit three new interns to help develop three different areas of the project. These positions include Business Engagement Assistant, Sustainability Practice Assistant and Online Presence Developer.  Each intern will play a vital role in the progression of BEES and the steps needed to take it out to local businesses and organisations.

Once completed, BEES will see students gain professional training and work experience as a business consultant whilst … Read the rest

Interested in getting out in the local community and making a difference?  BEES (Business Ethics & Environmental Students) is an exciting new student-led project starting this term.  BEES is a fantastic opportunity to gain professional training and work experience as a business consultant, auditing the business ethics of local organisations to drive positive change.

Talking about the project, Union President, David Gilani said: “Sustainability in Southampton has made some great progress over the last few years, and this BEES bid signifies another massive step forward. Although delivering a sustainability auditing tool to our local community is much more ambitious … Read the rest

Interested in getting out in the local community and making a difference?  BEES (Business Ethics & Environmental Students) is an exciting new student-led project starting this term.  BEES is a fantastic opportunity to gain professional training and work experience as a business consultant, auditing the business ethics of local organisations to drive positive change.

Talking about the project, Union President, David Gilani said: “Sustainability in Southampton has made some great progress over the last few years, and this BEES bid signifies another massive step forward. Although delivering a sustainability auditing tool to our local community is much more ambitious than … Read the rest

VP Education, David Mendoza-Wolfson and Union President, David Gilani put on a brave-face for charity after agreeing to have their legs waxed for Children in Need.

Organised by RAG, the sponsored waxing saw students either pay to watch the waxing or have ago and do it themselves.

Jenny Bortoluzzi from the RAG society explained, “The guys have the choice of getting their legs or back waxed. We’ve raised £233 so far through online sponsoring and have yet to add up the donations we’ve received today.”
No stranger to doing things for charity, David Gilani said, “RAG are amazing at finding … Read the rest

SUSU recently received a message from a student asking about their rights when it comes to open access of their property to prospective tenants.   The student was sent an email requesting a period of open access by Lettings Agency Student NO Fee.

A recent magazine sales report from the SUSU shop has revealed that  ‘lads’ mags’ are proving unpopular with students.

The figures show that FHM sales have halved since 2011/12, with just 11 copies sold in the last year. Front sales have also halved in the same period and only 2 copies of Loaded have been sold.

Unlike other unions around the country who have decided to ban the sale of ‘lads’ mags’ citing reasons that they promote lad culture, SUSU are instead questioning whether it is commercially worth stocking them.

David Gilani, Union President, commented, “The removal … Read the rest

SUSU are pleased to announce that VP Welfare, Beckie Thomas is recovering well and has returned home!  Beckie recently took a break from her post at SUSU after experiencing a climbing accident. During this time SUSU’s priority has been Beckie’s welfare and recuperation, covering her work with Sabatical officers, Claire Gilbert and Olie Coles.

Union President, David Gilani commented, “It’s fantastic that Beckie is recovering so quickly. The kind messages from staff and students all over Southampton have just been incredible. I’m also extremely proud of Oli Coles and Claire Gilbert who have stepped up to cover the workload of … Read the rest