A very warm welcome to the January/ February edition of our newsletter. We will be in touch every month this academic year with all of the latest news and events unless you ask us to stop by unsubscribing.
We know it passed much too quickly, but we hope everyone had a safe, happy holiday and that you're raring to go for a great 2020! We are kicking off the new semester in style with Refresh. From 17th to 24th January, there's a whole week of day and evening events providing fun, freebies, entertainment, support, sports clubs, societies, wellbeing, safety, and more.
We are also getting closer than ever to Student Officer and NUS National Conference Rep Elections 2020! Even if it means a couple of us lose our jobs, we hope you will consider running for a position! Just being a candidate in the elections is a great experience, and if you're elected, you'll be doing something unique! Find out more in the article further down, and don't hesitate to drop us a line if you want to discuss the elections.
And don't forget to give us your all-important feedback this month or through Semester 2! We want ALL students to respond to our Student Opinion Counts (SOC) surveys. The surveys are short and simple but very important to the future direction of your SU, and you could win anything from £100 to £500 for your time!
Have a great first few weeks back at Uni and remember that; however things are going, your TUSU is here for you. We look forward to seeing you in our building and around campus.
Alan, George, and Sophie – Student Officers 2019/20.
We'll be welcoming all students back for Semester 2 from Fri, 17th January to Friday, 24th January, with Refresh events. There's something for everyone day and night including:
• The chance to get active and celebrate female participation in sport through TU Active and Tees Girl Can events.
• A range of freebies, offers, and discounts from commercial partners at Mini-Mega Monday.
• The chance to find out more about our clubs and societies! Still plenty of time to join and get involved during Semester 2.
• Top tips on staying safe and well while you study.
• A chance to pick up some snazzy new threads at a bargain price during the Vintage Vera clothing sale.
• All students and your children welcome at our Coffee Morning. Get a discounted drink and have a chat about student life.
• Info from Sophie Bennett (outgoing President Welfare) on the forthcoming elections, including why you should stand and how to do it!
• All the usual fun and frolics each evening, including the return of the legendary Monday Night Quiz , The Indian Society present Bollywood Night, Karaoke and Go-Ninja on Wednesday, 22nd plus another massive Bongos Bingo on Thursday, 23rd and unbeatable drinks prices plus top tunes at Fridays from Five.
Check out everything coming up through tees-su.org.uk/refresh or pick up a printed planner from the SU Building.
We had a great 2019 with national recognition, outstanding student achievement, high performing services, unforgettable events, and sporting glory amongst the highlights. You can get a full summary of all the best moments and all of the key stats by reading our Impact Report now. We've also recorded a short impact video summarising the year, which you can watch here.
Pick up a printed copy of the Impact Report from the SU Building (1st floor).
TUSU is led by three Student Officers (President Education, President Activities, President Welfare) who are elected by students just like you every Feb/ Mar. Any current student* can run for the roles, and they are a unique opportunity to lead the Students' Union, gain unrivalled experience and skills other graduates can only dream about and get paid over £21,000 per year for the privilege.
At the same time, a small group of current students are elected to represent Teesside University at the National Union of Students (NUS) National Conference. This is another incredible opportunity to gain experience and skills while making a real difference for students and having a say about some of the most significant decisions facing the national student movement, such as who leads it in 2020/21 and what policies NUS adopts.
You can stand in the elections from 24th February so, if you haven't already, it's time to start your planning and get all the key info! Check out tees-su.org.uk/elections for a wealth of handy info, then speak to current Student Officers, and chat with key support staff by e-mailing: elections@tees-su.org.uk.
*There are a few circumstances that may prevent you from being a Trustee at the Students' Union, including a criminal record and previously being declared bankrupt. If you're unsure, contact us through the elections e-mail for a confidential discussion.
Why not blow away the winter blues right here in the SU? We'll have great events and unbeatable drinks prices, including many non-alcoholic options, in our safe, inclusive venues seven nights a week.
• Mondays - DJ Matty Morgan is back with the epic Monday Night Quiz. There'll be fun-packed themes most weeks and the chance to win FREE DRINKS and CASH PRIZES.
• Wednesdays - Warm up your Wednesday night with karaoke in The Terrace, followed by the biggest, best mid-week around, Go-Ninja.
• Selected Thursdays - Eyes down, dabbers at the ready! We’ll have loads of brilliant bingo fun with Bongos Bingo in Semester 2! Forget what you think you know about bingo and experience something fresh and new! Loads of laughs from your hosts with the most, big prizes, drinks offers (including many non-alcoholic options) and more besides.
• Saturdays - We'll be providing the official pre-party for Shangri-La, the biggest Saturday night in town. Get yourself into The Terrace from 9 pm for discounted or free entry to the main event, discount drinks, and loads of rock and indie classics from Shangri-La's DJs.
Check out everything coming up in the early part of Semester 2 through , our events Facebook or our events planner.
Teesside Unleashed return with another MASSIVE Comic Con. Meet big names from TV and movies and pick up comic book/ fantasy/ super hero merchandise at bargain prices from the many exhibitors there. Click here for the latest updates and to get a ticket.
TUSU is a students' union that is committed to real-world campaigns that make a genuine difference to all students at Teesside University. We'll keep you up to date with what our Student Officers and Campaign Reps are working on in this column every month and make sure you check out our page tees-su.org.uk/campaigns for more about upcoming campaigns.
Our year-round Student Opinion Counts (SOC) campaign is your chance to tell us about your student experience and win BIG CASH PRIZES for taking the time to do so! The more surveys you complete the more money you can win…complete all four to be in with a shot of winning £500!!!
SOC is divided into four short, simple surveys that launch at different points in the academic year and cover…
• The challenges you face in your everyday student life and your opinion of how well the University helps you meet them.
• Your opinion on how well-led and run the Students’ Union is and how aware you are of everything we offer.
• Your opinion of our opportunities for you to get more from student life and become more employable through clubs, societies, and other activities.
• Your opinion on the support, advice, and representation we provide.
• Your opinion on the evening events and venues we provide.
Find out more and complete them through tees-su.org.uk/soc.
The SU Shop (ground floor, SU Building) and The Terrace (first floor, SU Building) are open seven days a week from early to late with top quality products and service for your convenience! Non-students are more than welcome to use both of them!
Get yourself great value meal deals, snacks, drinks, stationery, course materials, Teesside Uni clothing, and more in the shop! There's also great offers and discounts, including this month:
• Tubes of pringles for just £1
• Vegan, Vegetarian, and Gluten-Free products from only £2
• 2 Cadburys Creme Eggs for only £1
• New range of pastries included in our great value meal deal.
There's also another reason to head into the SU Shop all of this academic year! You can now charge up your phone or other devices while you enjoy a hot drink and a chat and check out some great offers from big names at our brand new power tables!
Meanwhile, you can enjoy a wide range of delicious hot food, quality beverages, non-alcoholic, and alcoholic drinks in The Terrace. It's a great place to spend time with course mates and friends between lectures and seminars or when you're done for the day. Check out the 2019/20 menu by clicking here.
And, during Refresh, they have offers every day including:
• Flavoured Latte/ Hot Chocolate for only £1.70
• A pint of pop from only £1.60
• Milkshakes and Frappes for £2.50 each
• Mocktails for £2 a glass or £4 a pitcher.
The National Student Survey (NSS) is a chance for most final year students to tell the University and your SU about the good and bad parts of your entire time here. It's one of the biggest and most influential student surveys around, and the feedback has a significant impact on the decisions that the University takes and the issues we run campaigns on and work with the Uni to improve.
We're both so keen for you to complete it that there are some incredible prizes to be won including:
• £1,500 off further study at Teesside Uni for one lucky student.
• A VIP Graduation Reception in July 2020 for whichever cohort achieves the highest response rate.
Find out more and complete the survey through thestudentsurvey.com
Not sorted your TOTUM card and app yet? Why not start 2020 with serious savings and discounts from the best and only OFFICIAL student discount card around. The card, provided by The National Union of Students, is just £12 and valid for 12 months from whatever date you purchase it. That and the app give you great savings on food, drink, fashion, cinema and much more. You'll also be helping your SU out as we get a cut of each sale and payments based on how often you use the TOTUM app. That money goes back into improving YOUR TUSU.
>>> Click here to order yours NOW!
Drop into a free pizza night and chat with the accommodation team to find out why it's a great idea to stay in Teesside University accommodation this semester.
You can sign up to stay as a group of friends, or on your own. On-campus living for the duration of your course has so many benefits, including:
• good value rents • fast Wi-Fi • warden network • 24-hour security on campus • bills included • close to your classes.
Pop in for pizza and a chat. No need to book.
• Wednesday 22 January 2020 5.00 pm - 7.00 pm Student Life Building
• Monday 27 January 2020 5.00pm - 7.00pm Student Life Building
• Tuesday 3 March 2020 5.00pm - 7.00pm Student Life Building
• Monday 9 March 2020 5.00pm - 7.00pm Student Life Building
OPEN TO ALL FULL-TIME STUDENTS
The annual Rate Your Landlord survey is any student's chance to tell us about your experiences of living in rented accommodation. What went well? What do we need to work with landlords and letting agents to improve? You can win £100 in Amazon vouchers for completing the short, simple survey and your feedback will help us decide the winners of the prestigious Housing Awards 2020.
TUSU 5 year plan From your responses to the Student Opinion Count survey (please keep them coming!) and the trends in education at universities we are looking at six broad areas of work in the years ahead:
You can sign up to stay as a group of friends or on your own. On-campus living for the duration of your course has so many benefits, including:
1. Inspiring and supporting student-led opportunities
2. Improving the student experience
3. Mental health and disability support for students
4. Helping students’ money go further
5. Designing an SU Building for next 50 years!
6. Determining our role in the Tees Valley for students
We’ll always be working to represent your academic and other interests so thinking about the longer term helps the SU to adapt and be the best we can for our members now and in future. We’ll be discussing the Strategic Review at our democratic forums and elsewhere so please get involved. You can write to strategic.review@tees-su.org.uk to find out more.
Teesside is, generally speaking, a great place for students to live where you’ll find you’re made very welcome! However, it’s always important to think about your personal safety/ wellbeing and the ways that you can minimise the risk of being affected by crime. Here’s a few handy tips from the Students’ Union.
Teesside is, generally speaking, a great place for students to live where you’ll find you’re made very welcome! However, it’s always important to think about your personal safety/ wellbeing and the ways that you can minimise the risk of being affected by crime. Here’s a few handy tips from the Students’ Union.
