How our SU makes change happen
Our SU Officer team are in the unique position of being able to influence University decisions at the highest level. We’ve negotiated, lobbied, and proudly worked together with the University to affect positive change for students one win at a time.
Although the lobbying work we undertake is often behind the scenes, being in the room with key decision makers, and having insight into how things work at the Uni means we’ve been able to influence some crucial decisions.
Here are just a few of the changes that have been made by amplifying the student voice and using our influence as SU Officers:
- Your Liberation Officer and part time Disabled Students’ Officer 2021/22 have been influencing the direction of the University’s new Disability Inclusion Strategy in order to improve life for disabled staff and students at the University of Sheffield.
- It was your SU President in 2020/21 who negotiated over £6 million in rent refunds for students in halls during the pandemic, and a £3 million Covid support fund. It was only through continuously evidencing student hardship and relaying student concerns during the pandemic that these generous sums of money were released by the University.
- Your Education Officer 2020/21 secured some of the most extensive academic protections ahead of other Russell Group universities to mitigate against the effects of covid-19. By listening to student parents and carers, they were also able to have unique protections put in place for this student community.
- Over the past few years SU Officers continuously advocated for the completion of the University Sustainability Strategy which states clear commitments for the institution to become a carbon net-zero campus by 2030. This persistent campaign and input into the strategy resulted in its far-reaching goals.
These are just some recent examples, but our SU wins go back through history. Some of our Officer’s years ago worked with the University to achieve the following:
- It was an SU President who campaigned for free health checks for all students in the 1930s, many years before the establishment of the NHS.
- It was SU Officers who led the campaign for all exams to be marked anonymously, a policy which was implemented universally by the university.
We also organise events to affect change, like our annual Reclaim the Night march, our Walk Out/Teach In during the industrial action in 2022, or our Climate Strike in 2020.
As well as working to represent students by amplifying your voice to the University, we’re also committed to empowering you to make the change you want to see on campus and in the world.
If you have a campaign you’re passionate about, then use our campaigns toolkit, or get in touch with us (SU Officer team) to see how we can support you.
Evie Croxford, SU President 2021–22
