UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX
UNIVERSITY/STUDENTS’ UNION CONSULTATIVE GROUP
30.01.07
MINUTES
Chair
Present
Tony Rich, Registrar (AHR)
Andrew Nightingale, Director of Estate Management
(AN), Vivien Insull, Director of Residential Services (VI),
Rachel Fletcher, Director of Student Support (RF), Paula
Rothero, Assistant Director of Student Support (PR),
Darren Baker, Customer Services & Marketing Manager
(DB), Hannah McFaull, SU President (HMF), Gareth
Barrett, SU VP Finance & Services (GB), Dave Savage,
SU VP Sports & Societies, (DS), Phill Pearson, SU VP
Student Development (PP), Nike Akinde, SU VP
Academic & Welfare (NA), Antony Blackshaw, SU
General Manager (AB), John Gilfillan, SU Membership
Services Manager.
In attendance Zoe Kent, SU Administrator (PA to GM)
1) Introductions
The group introduced themselves.
Init. Ref.
2) Apologies for Absence
There were no apologies
3) Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as a true and accurate record.
4) Matters Arising
122/2006
Centre.
– Sporting Provision - DS thanked the Sports
DS informed that at present they are not in need of the
Garrisons help but students are playing basketball on half size courts which are under the regulated size. This will become even more difficult next year as more clubs have just been ratified.

Need dry sports to pay for wet sports activities. A second
Sports Hall is seen as the priority at the moment.
112/2006 – Drugs – RF said an email to residents has gone out on the new policy which Greg helped to formulate. NA informed she is revamping the welfare page on the SU website with links. AN to remind the patrol officers of the policy. AB to approach the subject with Greg at their next meeting.
133/2006 – Multi Faith Chaplaincy Centre – It was noted the approved method for appointing Chaplains has been followed. There is now a new Chaplain for the CCF.
145/2006 – Neighbourhood Action Panels – The question was raised as to whether a resident student should sit on the Neighbourhood Action Panels as a representative. It was noted this is still being debated.
147/2006
– National Blood Service on Campus –
It was noted they had attended Freshers Fair and a lot of students had signed up.
Progress is being made to see whether Sub Zero is suitable. NA to feed back when this has been confirmed.
150/2006 – Smoking in Residences – HMF informed that a survey had taken place and out of the 621 students that took part 39% said they w ould like a total ban, 15% didn’t mind either way and 46% did not want a ban so the results were inconclusive. HMF said this could be followed up if required.
155/2006
– East 15 –
AN informed 2 planning applications had been approved and an appeal had been launched against the 1 st refusal.
A decision is being made as to whether to do the same with the second refusal. Two classes are being taught in a local hall at the moment and two classes are still taking place in the temporary buildings. AN said negotiations are taking place to attempt to purchase another unit but there is no money for it.
It was noted this is being taken to Finance and Services
Committee to see if any money can be found but AHR said this is far from Guaranteed. The new Direcor at E15 is
Leon Rubin who seems very good.
149/2006 – South Campus Laundrette – It was noted the laundrette is still not ready but should be open on Monday.
DB to let the SU know when it is actually open before notification is sent round to students.
NA
DB
AN
AB

153/2006 – Avon Way – AN informed that Avon Way has still not been sold but there should not be any problems with the new purchaser. It will however be approx 8-10 weeks minimum until it is sold. It was noted the price is not as good as the previous offer but is still good.
Family Accommodation
– VI said no decisions would be made until Avon Way had been sold as it may stay as student accommodation and it needs to be proved there is a demand.
158/2006 – Contract renewal dates for catering at E15
–
AB to chase Keith Mason.
5) Feedback From Meetings a) Welfare Forum (22.01.07) b)
HMF was disappointed with the result of the NHS Appeal and asked whether there was a back up plan or if we can appeal again? It was noted this would not be possible.
RF said they are attempting to give out medication on a name by name basis to help vulnerable students such as those with mental health. It was agreed the Health Centre should be involved.
RF to speak to Maureen to see what can be done from here.
AHR noted that the University were also disappointed with the result.
Sports Advisory Group (17.10.06 & 15.12.06)
It was agreed that DS would point 7a (We Want Facilities) DS
RF
AB c) Multi Faith Chaplaincy Centre (No Minutes Available)
6) Accommodation Proposals
It was noted that room allocations will work in a very similar way to last year but there will be a slightly bigger ballot.
HMF enquired as to why there is a drop in RSN’s from 40 to 34? VI explained the reasons.
VI asked which of the following proposals the SU would prefer:
A) Straight increase in rent
B)3 rd rate band in the towers

C) Increase differentials on en suites etc.
The SU agreed Option C would be most preferable. It was agreed to keep the rent lower at South Towers.
GB asked to be informed of when the proposal is approved/not approved and to be given the LTM programme when a decision has been made.
AB agreed that Essex has one of the lowest rents of any in the country but that our average let is also longer than most.
DB to bring accurate information to the next meeting.
Insurance options – It was noted that the insurance at present is optional but Endsleigh would agree to lower the cost if the scheme was made compulsory. (to 21p a week)
AB informed that the SU would formally ratify this at the next Exec. meeting. GB to phone DB on Thursday to tell him the decision.
7) Religious Celebrations and Accommodation
Regulations
HMF informed the group that she had received an email from a Jewish student the day before Hanukah re: lighting candles. He was under the impression he had gone through the correct channels but his request was declined.
HMF asked why this was the case when this was agreed at a previous USUCON Meeting.
It was noted that the website link the student provided informed that if candles were not permitted at that establishment electric alternatives could be used and this was the reason.
AHR to speak to John Donaldson in the Safety Office.
8&9 Large Reading Room/ Non-Alcoholic Social Space &
Informal Study Space
NA informed that she had received some complaints about the reading room being used as a social space rather than a quiet study area. NA pointed out that students and staff would like a non-alcoholic social space on campus.
AN said that if people are feeling disturbed they should report it to the patrol staff who will endeavour to sort the problem.
AHR suggested there is a need to reinforce the message of what the room is actually there for. AN to speak to Moira to see if they can work with NA to improve the situation. To report back at the next meeting.
VI
DB
GB
AN
AHR

AHR reminded the limited room for provision of a non alcoholic social space at the present time. It was noted the
SU will be able to sell coffee in Sub Zero in about a year’s time but can’t at the moment for tax reasons. There will then be a provision for study groups too.
10) Saturday Exams
It was noted the SU had received a question re: Saturday exams from a member of Union Council and hadn’t received any information to be able to answer the question. HMF asked what was going to happen this year?
AHR suggested speaking to Nicola Billam and compiling a report to bring to the next meeting. HMF to email AHR.
11) Unspent Bursary Monies
HMF informed that the deadline for Bursaries is the 29 th
May. Early indications show that a substantial number of students have not taken up this offer and HMF stressed the need to encourage students to take up the bursaries.
GB asked whether any money that is not claimed could be spent on welfare issues. AHR noted the request.
AHR also said encouragement should be bounced towards the bursary group that was set up. RF to speak to
Tom. It was agreed to publicise on our website and on the
Student Support website.
AHR said that he expected spare money would go into the general pot but future money is expected to be ploughed back into wider support issues.
12) Any Other Business
There was no other business.
13) Date and Time of Next Meeting
The Date and Time of the Next Meeting is 22 nd
1.30pm in the VC’s boardroom.
March at
RF
HMF