A very warm welcome to the latest edition of the Teesside University Students' Union (TUSU) update. We contact you every month with all the latest news and events from your Students' Union unless you ask us to stop by unsubscribing.
We hope everyone got an opportunity to relax and refresh over the spring break and you're as excited as us about the remainder of this academic year and the summer break. We also want to congratulate all the individuals and groups nominated in this year's TUSU Annual Awards. We hope to see lots of you at the event on Thursday, 18th April, it's not too late to book your place at one of the biggest TUSU events of the year whether you're involved in societies or not, find out more in the article below.
There's also plenty going on day and night in the TUSU Building (Opposite the Curve and next to Teesside Uni Library), including activities, day and evening events and campaigns right until mid-May, so make sure you get involved! And remember that we are a safe, inclusive place to socialise, study and meet, so if you haven't before, make sure you come and check out the building and our facilities soon!
We'd also urge you to ensure you have your say about the Uni and Students' Union through the important and influential National Student Survey (NSS) if you're a final-year student and the Student Opinion Counts (SOC) survey, which is open to everyone. There are great prizes to be won for taking a few minutes, and your feedback WILL make a BIG difference to student life and the facilities and resources here on campus.
Have a safe, happy and successful month and make sure TUSU is right at the heart of your student life once again!
Michael, Femi and Nevin - Student Officers 2023/24
Back in March, over 4,100 Teesside Uni students cast over 14,450 votes to decide who would lead TUSU and represent them to the most senior figures at the University, including The Board of Governors, Vice-Chancellor and his top team. In a thrilling and very close set of elections, Harshavardhan Chikatla was named President Education Elect, with Blessing Ihouma clinching President International Elect, and Ebubechi Azunna won President International Elect.
We'd also like to congratulate and wish the very best to the six students who will represent all Teesside Uni students at the NUS National Conference 2024, making sure your voices are heard while key policies and the next leaders of the national movement are decided.
The new Student Officers begin their induction in June, and we will have lots more about them between now and when they officially take office in July. You can also find out more about their backgrounds and what they hope to achieve for students through tees-su.org.uk/officerselect.
The TUSU Awards 2024, which take place on Thursday, 18th April, here in the TUSU Building, recognise the individuals from our societies and student representatives who have really gone the extra mile and excelled over the past academic year. There's also a chance to celebrate the new and continuing societies that have made the most impact and operated most effectively.
Find out more about the categories and nominees by clicking here and remember that if you are not attending you can still watch coverage live on facebook.com/teessidesu and instagram.com/teessidesu on the night with video highlights available after the event.
We have activities and events taking place most days that the TUSU building (found opposite The Curve and next to Teesside Uni Library) is open and we're not slowing down just because the end of the academic year is looming! We also give students a chance to see other parts of the UK on regular trips, which are either free or low-cost, to attend as part of our wider work on the cost of living for students!
The wide selection of daytime events includes campaign-related sessions providing support and the chance for students to give their feedback, fun and low-commitment activities at SUper Wednesday, clothing and other sales, and much more!
The programme of evening events includes the ever-popular Monday Night Quiz with a different theme every week, Wednesday Night Karaoke, socials, and the chance to watch live sports, including Champions and Premier League football. There are also equally popular events run in partnership with external promoters on a weekly or monthly basis, like Shangri-La on Saturday night, epic Bongos Bingo nights and classic emo and rock anthems at Black Parade.
Keep in touch with everything coming up through tees-su.org.uk/events and the events section of the official TUSU Facebook page.
We are a Students' Union who pride ourselves on running "real world" campaigns that focus on the issues of most importance to Teesside University students. In Semester 2, this will include:
Find out more through tees-su.org.uk/officers and keep an eye on tees-su.org.uk/events or our social media channels for details of upcoming campaign dates.
The Terrace (1st floor, TUSU Building opposite The Curve and next to Teesside Uni Library) is open seven days a week during semester time. It provides:
Find out more about The Terrace and see menus/ usual opening times through tees-su.org.uk/theterrace.
The SU Shop (ground floor, TUSU Building) is open Mon to Sat (some Sundays depending on activities/ events in the building) during semester time. It provides:
We can only keep improving if Teesside Uni students tell us how. The short, simple Student Opinion Counts (SOC) surveys are a chance for you to tell us about your student life and where you want TUSU to fit in. You can also give us your thoughts on our activities, events, services, spaces, and societies.
Best of all, we do not expect you to give up your time and feedback for nothing! There is a great range of prizes to be won for your time, including £500, £300, and £200 in cash from TUSU and great treats from a wide range of our commercial partners, including free VIP packages, a free bottomless brunch, a £50 Amazon gift voucher, a 3-month gym membership and much more!
Head to tees-su.org.uk/soc to have your say, and remember that the more surveys you complete, the more you can win!
Even though Semester 1 is well underway, we know some students will still be looking for appropriate accommodation. It is increasingly difficult to find in central Middlesbrough. You may need to widen your search area and live outside of the town. This will mean travelling to campus daily, so you must also factor in the travel costs for each site on top of your rent and living costs. We have a wealth of information and useful links on our dedicated accommodation page, tees-su.org.uk/accommodation, and there are also useful tips below.
Public Transport:
There is plenty of public transport from the surrounding areas into Middlesbrough itself. Both buses and trains run daily from most areas, and often, weekly or monthly passes can be purchased at a reduced rate.
Temporary Accommodation:
Whilst looking for accommodation, you may need somewhere to stay temporarily. Below are some options for this:
Air BnB – This is a popular website that allows you to rent a room or entire property. If you are here with friends or family members, this is a good option as you can split the rent and choose a property size to suit your needs.
Hostels - A hostel is a great option for students travelling on a budget. You can often get a bed in a shared dorm for around £20 - £30 per night.
independenthostels.co.uk/hostels-with-private-rooms/ has hundreds of hostels across the country. Find one near you, call them or book it online.
hostelworld.com/st/hostels/europe/england/ may also be a useful site to take a look at.
Hotels - If you're looking for a bit more luxury, then staying in a hotel is an option. However, this option is often more expensive, with rates starting at around 50 pounds per night. Check out the links below for more.
We know that most students are feeling the pinch right now as living costs spiral. One great way of saving on eating out, fashion, music, cinema, travel, and more is the TOTUM app and card. It is the only OFFICIAL student discount app and card, the only one offered by the National Union of Students (NUS) and the only one we recommend!
Aside from all of that, you will be helping your TUSU as we receive payments from NUS depending on how many students download the TOTUM app, how often they use it, and how many students upgrade to the complete TOTUM package! All that money is poured back into making your SU even better!
Did you know TUSU now has a podcast? Listen to the first eight episodes at tees-su.org.uk/podcasts, and check out episode 9 there or at facebook.com/teessidesu.
In the latest edition, Femi Abolade (President Wellbeing), Nevin Edwin (President International) and Michael Adewunmi (President Education) chat to Iain Clement (Academic Adviser) about:
AND...TUSU Activities Manager Nick Rodgers drops in to chat about the TUSU Awards 24 in assoc. with Stockton Globe and Everyone Active, which take place on Thu, 18th April.
TU Xtra is the official Teesside University student radio station. It has recently resumed broadcasting after a long break, and you can listen and find out more here. Any current student who is interested in volunteering as a presenter or helping out behind the scenes can email: studentradio@tuxtra.co.uk to get more info.
Your SU works closely with the University and a range of external agencies such as Cleveland Police, Cleveland Fire and the NHS to try to keep all students safe and well. It remains important to keep taking sensible precautions to minimise the risk to both yourself and other students.
Check out our tips for staying safe throughout the academic year:.
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