Before we start on our brand-new manifestos and Top 10 – I wanted to update y’all on the progress from Top 10 last year, making it super short and sweet. If you want to see the progress of all Top 10s, including everything reported on these to Council, you can check out Jiji's post here :)

“Increase the range of inclusive study spaces that meet the needs of all students”

Easily my favourite of last year thanks to a super proactive Uni Exec Board lead.

We had a whole lot of progress in this area:

• The launch of the sensory space in the library – with a special shout-out to DAG!
• The opening up of Polden Commons as a universal study space
• A massive review of study spaces on campus by the Library – which is leading to changes within the library you’ll see already (such as the new mural, easier navigation, PG specific study room, Library Spark competition), but also is leading into the possible decant of the computer space
• The refurbishment of the Virgil Building (currently ongoing!) so that we have even more study spaces in the city

Wins thanks to you!

• The thermal comfort policy rolled out by the university in a bid to save money and their carbon footprint was buoyed by our amazing reps. Originally looking to block out whole floors of the library with no heat or lighting and only keeping level 2 functional past a certain hour, your feedback kept the building lit and warm 24/7.

“Ensure that all students can easily access recordings of all their lectures throughout the year”

Lecture recordings make it on to the Top 10 most years, and while we KNOW there is not universal coverage, we still garnered some wins. Laser pointers, camera quality, and everything that makes your recordings illegible was passed onto DDAT (they’re like IT but fancier) – meaning that recording equipment is being updated where you request it.

Ensure that students receive constructive assessment feedback that helps them improve

This one got devolved to an SSLC level, relying on students reporting bad feedback that could then be built on. There is still a massive project going on under ‘business as usual’ for working out what makes feedback good and constructive. A major shift has been made over to the use of AI by both staff and students, and you can find out more about current AI guidance here.