A very warm welcome to the April/ May edition of the Teesside University Students' Union (TUSU) newsletter. We contact you every month through the academic year to keep you updated on all the latest news and events from your SU unless you ask us to stop by unsubscribing.
We want to start this edition by saying a massive well done to all the winners and nominees at our two end-of-year awards ceremonies which took place recently. It was great to hold face to face events for the first time in three years and recognise exceptional sports clubs, societies, individual members of those groups and Student Reps. There is more about this in an article further down or through tees-su.org.uk/awards.
We also have details of how the spring break affects our opening hours and the availability of our services. And we look forward to welcoming back old faces for the first of the three long-awaited Graduation ceremonies at the end of April. We hope they and their families will take some time to celebrate a really special achievement right here in the SU.
Alongside Graduation, there are plenty of other events to look forward to here at TUSU before the end of the academic year, including a fun-packed week-long end of year extravaganza! There is a full list in an article further down, on our events planner, through our Events Facebook or tees-su.org.uk/events.
We hope everyone has a safe, happy spring break with as much relaxation as possible between assignment deadlines, exam revision and other work. As always, keep your Students' Union right at the heart of your student life. Rebecca, Harriet, and Madhu - Student Officers 2021/22
Teesside University Students’ Union (TUSU) is celebrating silverware for two of our sports clubs in the first season of competitive action since 2020.
Firstly, The Cheerleading Club (also known as Teesside Wildcats) were named National Champions of University Level 1 at the Legacy Competition last month. They were first in their division and fourth in the whole level with a hugely impressive score of 89 out of 100. They overcame competition from 28 other universities, including Reading Knights, The Warwick Devils and Staffordshire Scarlettes and alongside first place in their division, they finished fourth in the running for the grand champion title. It was the only competition that the Wildcats had participated in this academic year, and the majority of the team had never represented the wildcats at such a challenging level before.
Caitlin Woodhead, Chair of Teesside Wildcats, said: “Firstly, I am very grateful for the experience and advice of our long-serving coaches; this was especially important to our success given that this was the first-ever competition of this level for most of our team. I am also incredibly proud of everyone who represented the club, we had our struggles regrouping after various lockdowns and restrictions like all student groups, but everyone more than rose to the occasion every time we faced a challenge. The success in the competition was obviously lovely, but the more important thing is that we have been there for each other through tough times and made friends for life. I must also thank the Students’ Union and Teesside Uni for their invaluable support throughout the last few years.”
“On a personal level, I have to say that joining the Wildcats remains my best decision as a Uni student, and I think all of our members would say much the same. Sports clubs and societies give students the chance to meet a wide range of people from different backgrounds, push themselves well out of their comfort zone and gain lots of new skills and experience that I am sure will be vital to their future success in the workplace and their wider lives. I hope the next committee and new members get as much from the club as I and others have.”
Meanwhile, Men's Basketball have enjoyed a fine season in their BUCS league 4B finishing first win seven wins and only 1 defeat as they strolled to promotion in the 2022/23 academic year.
Aldrich Atkinson, Chair of Teesside University Men's Basketball, said: "We started the season focussed on rebuilding the club and integrating a large number of new players so have ended it with this success and a new challenge at a higher level to look forward to next year is amazing! I am delighted with the individual technical excellence of all of our players and very proud of the superb team spirit we have built, it has been the foundation of all of our success on and off the court."
Finally, we want to say a big well done to all of the clubs who participated in a day of sport to raise funds for The Children's Society on Wed, 6th April in The Olympia Building Sports Hall. The event, organised by BUCS Club of the Year Netball, saw students pay to take part in competitive but fun badminton, netball and basketball challenges throughout the day. Watch short video highlights from the event here.
It was a thrill to honour outstanding students and student groups with our first face-to-face end-of-year awards in three years at the end of March and the start of this month.
Exceptional societies, society members and Student Reps were honoured at the TUSU Annual Awards on 31st March, with winners including:
High achieving sports clubs and teams, along with star sports people amongst our student body, were celebrated at the TUSU Sports Clubs Awards on 6th April with winners including:
Read a full report and complete list of winners plus tributes from our Student Officers, and check out video highlights/ event pics on tees-su.org.uk/awards.
Teesside University (TUSU) reverted to holiday opening hours from Sat, 9th April and these will continue until and including Mon, 2nd May. Normal service resumes from Tue, 3rd May onwards*.
*TUSU reserves the right to change any of the opening hours listed above depending on levels of use/ trade.
Teesside University Students' Union (TUSU) is THE place to be day or night, no matter how much or little time you can spare or who you are. You can keep track of everything coming up and, where required, book tickets through tees-su.org.uk/events. There is also plenty of info on our events page on Facebook and our digital events planner.
And do not forget we show loads of live sport on big screens around the first floor every week, including Six Nations Rugby plus some of the biggest Premier League and European football matches. Unless otherwise stated, all our evening events are open to non-students, so feel free to bring your family and friends in!
Highlights between now and the end of the academic year in May include:
Eby Eldho (President Education Elect), Nigil Narayanan Thathron (President Activities Elect), and Femi Abolade (President Welfare Elect) will succeed our current Student Officer team in July 2022 after winning their respective elections back in March.
Read and watch more about why they ran for the roles, how it feels to have been elected and what they hope to achieve through tees-su.org.uk/officerselect.
We are absolutely delighted to welcome back Teesside Uni Graduates from Mon, 22nd to Fri, 26th April for the first of three Graduation Week events taking place this summer. We know many of them and their families will have waited a long time for this very special moment, and, as always, TUSU will be right at the heart of it all.
The SU building is open from 8.30 am from 7 pm* each day for:
We will also be out and about talking to Graduates and their families for TUSU TV. All videos will be posted on our main Facebook and Instagram accounts along with tees-su.org.uk/graduation.
*TUSU reserves the right to change the opening hours listed above based on levels of trade.
We are a students' union that is committed to "real world" campaigns that address the key issues facing Teesside Uni students and truly make a difference. We focus on housing, safety, physical and mental health, and course/ campus-related issues, to name a few.
Alongside the ongoing campaigns, which you can read more about through tees-su.org.uk/officers, we have recognised the growing current concern over many incidents of drink spiking in venues up and down the country. This, we are very sad to say, has included some here in this area. Drink spiking is a very serious crime, and the perpetrators are ALWAYS the ones at fault, but we want to do what we can to encourage students to keep themselves and others safe on nights out here in the SU or at other venues. You can get information, advice, and useful links through tees-su.org.uk/spikeaware and keep an eye on our social media and website for forthcoming details of campaign events around this very important issue. You will be able to get support and pick up free anti-spiking kits.
Meanwhile, Harriet Dryden (President Activities) wants to know why some students do not currently participate in sports clubs at the university. Please take a minute to complete her short, simple survey as part of the Get Into It campaign.
And Madhu Bethina (President Welfare) is keen to improve awareness and understanding of the hidden disabilities that some students at the University may be living with. Find out why some people wear the very familiar sunflower lanyard and what it might mean for them and for you.
* TUSU reserves the right to change all opening hours/ service availability based on levels of trade.
Student Opinion Counts (SOC)
This is the biggest and most influential piece of research we carry out at the Students' Union. Every other year, we ask you about:
You could win: £100 for completing one survey £250 for completing two surveys £400 for completing three surveys £500 for completing all four surveys The surveys will close at the end of April, so do not delay! Check out tees-su.org.uk/soc NOW!!!
The National Student Survey (NSS)
This hugely influential and nationally recognised survey is a chance for most final year students at the Uni to reflect on their whole time here at Teesside. It is also an important opportunity to tell the University and your SU what has gone well and what we need to improve on for the next generation. The survey covers teaching, feedback, facilities, resources and, of course, the Students' Union. The findings play a key role in decision making by the most senior figures at the University and help Student Officers to identify campaign priorities and issues they need to work with the Uni on. There are great prizes to be won for taking the time to complete the survey, too, including a reception for you and your coursemates during forthcoming graduation weeks. Find out more and complete the survey by clicking here.
Course and School Representatives represent your academic interests and other issues and ensure that you have a positive experience whilst studying here at Teesside University. Ensuring that you have your voice heard, whether you have an educational issue or have some positive feedback about your course, is really important to us. The reps are here to ensure that the right people in the university hear your feedback so that positive changes can be made together!
At the start of each academic year, Course Representatives are elected by their cohorts to deal with any issues that may arise at the course level or communicate any positive feedback to staff members. They are SU volunteers and will work closely with Students’ Union Student Support (SUSS) and the SU Officers.
Course Representatives will work closely with the School Representatives who are appointed by the SU. School Representatives deal with any feedback that Course Representatives pass on, which may need raising at a higher level, and any issues or positive feedback arising at a school level by liaising with senior academic staff. To see the differences between the School Representatives and Course Representatives please click here.
Fancy bagging incredible savings and discounts on food, drink, fashion, travel, digital, music and more throughout your time at Uni? 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 out your TUSU as we receive payments from NUS depending on how many students download the TOTUM app, how often they use it and the number of students who upgrade to the complete TOTUM package! All that money is poured back into making your SU even better!
TUSU works closely with the University and a range of key external agencies such as Cleveland Police, Cleveland Fire and the NHS to try to keep students safe while they study and live here in Teesside. This month we want to take a moment to remind you about staying safe and limiting your chances of being affected by crime over the spring break whether you are remaining in Teesside or travelling elsewhere for some or all of the break. Can we also remind all students that COVID-19 rates remain high and that the risk of being infected has NOT gone away...please continue to take all the sensible precautions you can, especially when socialising and if you think you may be suffering from the infection.
If you are going to be away rented accommodation over the holiday period:
If you are going to be socialising over the holiday period:
We know spring break can be a busy period for catching up with friends and family or meeting new people, we hope you have a great time and here are a few suggestions on how to make sure you stay safe.
Your experiences and life skills are what the classroom needs. Guide and support your pupils as they discover their passions and every day you'll be making a positive impact. Bring it!
