20th July 2026

Previous Meeting’s Actions

MB – scan copies of exam papers, asked Deba, no update yet but plans to follow up. JM informed group that system has been changed to provide students with this.

Strategy Meeting Findings

GM asked if there was a report to strategy meeting Action: Sabbs to circulate strategy report with liaisons

Elections

Nominations are currently underway for new sabbatical officers, faculty liaisons and network leads for 2027. Encouragement to all to approach those who are believed to be good candidates for the roles. Having a conversation with somebody goes a long way.

SU President Updates

Scholarship updates – discount back in place for September entry, GM asked about the sibling discount, this has been removed but not returning

Strategic away days took place over break, future direction of the university

A new VC has been appointed and will start in autumn term

SU VP Student Voice Updates

The move to 3 term year = changes to exam structure, discussions on if currently over-examining students and if there should be a reduction in exam durations

All present disagreed with a reduction in time - students will still be given the same amount of questions even with lesser time. It was discussed that there are often changes to structure etc – less time but still given the same grading and exam questions.

SU VP Student Communities Updates

Since last meeting has had a very successful culture fest last term with week-long event, also had a new take on destress fest this exam period with ‘destress bags’. This term has Girls and Guys Night In taking place on 5th + 12th August – please support where available. A reminder to network leads to have a quick chat with me about any events for this term if have not done so already. All previous meeting notes from this year have been added to the SU website.

Liaison Officer Updates

BB - absent

GM – Discussed positive NSS scores in FCLP: law students response improved from 54% to 92% to the question “how well does the students union represent the students academic interest?” which is very positive, all other student voice categories were up. Psychology and computing were comparable to 2025, very positive results overall for FCLP. Not had anybody approach about FCLP exams, believed 1 small issue with ‘pat downs’ but no formal complaints

JM – It was raised that there was an invigilator who had a watch that beeped every 15 minutes, but other invigilators couldn’t hear it – belief that they were not as well trained as before, and that quality has gone down since the last exam period

SL - absent

Network Lead Updates

CN – ran an art competition last term which was good, planning to do a roundtable style event in wk7 of term, discussion of interest from females in the university.

MG – no updates, but has had a discussion with a potential candidate for elections

SEA - absent

TDK - absent

AS - absent

AOB

• The condition of the bathrooms in the Franciscan building was raised
• It was noted that student fees are increasing, but have not yet had communication from the university, only from SFE
• The possibility of inviting the new VC to a future meeting was discussed