The changing face of Surrey
...the demographic of the University has changed over the years, and will continue to change. The structure of the Union is often criticised for focussing on home undergraduates who are in societies, like to go out and might play sport. Some people may regard this as the archetypal student ; however the demographic of the University has changed over the years, and will continue to change. Although we now have proportionally more undergrads, and an increase in those studying undergraduate degrees part time, as well as proportionally fewer postgrads, and far fewer part time postgraduates. Everyone deserves the best University experience... This does not mean we have fewer postgraduates, it simply means we have fewer in proportion and this is why we have to work harder than ever to make sure that our Union does not become a provider to the majority demographic. The annual satisfaction survey you know as Shape your Surrey has shown how Surrey students have got more satisfied over time, and that is no accident. Increasing satisfaction comes from putting the effort where you have said it should be made. The big question that was asked last year was Does 9k fees affect satisfaction? the answer was unsurprisingly no. Everyone deserves the best University experience regardless of it being free at the point of delivery, 3,000, 9,000 or 15,000 per year. A great deal of emphasis has been put on fees at 9,000, but it is worth pointing out that in the three years prior to the introduction of 9k fees, Surrey students still had to borrow over 50m for tuition and another 50m for maintenance leaving them with great debt. That does not mean the new regime has not had an effect; with the entrance tariff rising at Surrey and the competition for the graduate market intensifying, students are working harder. Not just academically, but working to support themselves financially as well...students are working harder. Not just academically, but working to support themselves financially as well. 6
Campus Catering In all recent survey work, including our own survey on the future of the Union, price has been the most important issue for you when discussing commercial services. Price emerges as a contentious issue across Union services, and is frequently ranked far-and-away the most important issue to address. Though it is usual among student populations for individuals to believe services should be cheaper, it is important to acknowledge that students believe they are being overcharged even if the amount that can be done to reduce prices is limited. - RedBrick Student Survey 2014 Here is the question we asked you in the all student survey: The catering services on campus have evolved from a much different time, when students had more money in their pocket, and when it really mattered to them who operated the service. They have also evolved from a time when students consumed more alcohol in bars than today. The volume of alcohol sales in the Union is about 1/3rd of what they were 15 years ago, even though the number of students at Surrey is about double. It is not just alcohol sales which have changed, the very nature of eating out is different today. The volume of alcohol sales in the Union is about 1/3rd of what they were 15 years ago... Eating in a campus restaurant was seen as convenient at one time, then it became a treat now it is neither. The campus has too many outlets serving too few customers in poor surroundings and poor quality. Over the years, as income has fallen, costs have been cut in order to maintain low pricing. However service has now reached a point, with lack of investment and infrastructure that it is no longer sustainable for the campus to continue with the same amount of separate outlets. Chancellors bar is forecast to make a loss in 2014/15 and the entire Chancellors operation is forecast to be loss making from 2015 onwards. 7
The story since 2005 has been one of decline -...it is no longer possible to cut back any further. This graph on its own does not take into account the effect of inflation, which at between 2% and 4% each year makes the problem worse. The Union as a whole requires around 120,000 of funding in addition to the annual subvention grant (which comes from your tuition fees, accommodation rents, etc.) awarded by the University to carry out the activities and provide the services that you use. As it becomes harder to generate this money, then we have to cut back on the other work we do. It is not a coincidence that as commercial income has been under pressure this year, we have been unable to recruit staff support for volunteering. The commercial success of the Union has a direct impact on the work it can do. In order to continue to deliver at the best price, overheads and costs have been cut year on year to counter the decline in income. There does come a point where it is no longer possible to cut back any further. There are no funds for refurbishment, for long term maintenance or development of the commercial services the Union runs. To run viable commercial services (the Union currently runs Rubix, Living Room, Chancellors, Youngs Kitchen, Union Shop) there has to be a critical mass within the portfolio to support the infrastructure. When that critical mass fails then it is no longer possible to offer such a wide range of outlets...a new management board with Student Union representatives will provide a strong voice for the student. 8
In order to provide the service that students have been asking for, the University and the Students Union have agreed upon a three year plan to transform commercial services on campus. The Union catering outlets will close over a phased period, beginning with Chancellors & Youngs Kitchen in the summer of 2015, and the Union Shop in summer 2017. Rubix and the Living Room will remain operated by the Union. The University will take sole responsibility for catering on campus, and a new management board with Student Union representatives will provide a strong voice for the student in the services provided. The University will invest in the remaining outlets (Starbucks, Hillside & Wates). The new management board will be responsible for directing the services, so the style and operation of catering services will be guided by what you want and feedback to your Union representatives. For the Students Union this means more space more resource, and an opportunity to reshape the Union fit for the future. 9