Monday 11-02-2019 - 15:25

Last year following the UCU strikes, the University placed £679,000 of unpaid staff wages into a fund to be spent for ‘direct student benefit’. Since then, we have been speaking to both the University and to students to determine how this money should be best spent to maximise the positive impact on students in Durham. 

So far, £179,000 has been allocated to the University hardship fund, increasing the money available for students facing financial pressures whilst at Durham. We were also recently made aware that an additional £82,000 will be available for the fund, meaning there is £432,000 which can still be spent on initiatives this year. 

Last term, we conducted a survey of all students setting out a number of options for how the money could be spent. We received 1131 responses to the survey, with strong support shown for many of the initiatives proposed. Some of the most popular options were: more widespread mental health first aid training, the creation of more quality study space in Dunelm House and more resources for the University Counselling service. Now we are confident that we know how students would like the money to be spent, the Officer team are working with the University to deliver these initiatives and ensure that students benefit accordingly.

We’ll continue to provide updates on these exciting projects as they progress and if you have any questions, please feel free to email su.president@durham.ac.uk! 

 

SURVEY RESULTS: TOP THREE CHOICES

383 students voted for A as top priority Providing Mental Health First Aid training for student leaders and a greater number of academics to promote better mental wellbeing and greater access to support across our University community

252 students voted for C as top priority To renovate Dunelm House to increase the amount of space that can comfortably and effectively be used as study space during busy study periods (i.e. more plug sockets, improved toilet facilities, keeping it warmer in winter etc.). This work would be in tandem with the University's work to improve its stairlifts in the building, to ensure these extra study spaces can be used by everyone.

200 students voted for F as top priority Employ another mental health adviser within the counselling service for a two year period, to improve the support and accessibility of the service for all students.