A very warm welcome to this month's update from Teesside University Students' Union (TUSU). We get in touch with the latest news and upcoming events and activities for students unless you ask us to stop by unsubscribing.
In this edition, we are looking ahead to next week’s TUSU Members Meeting (also known as the AGM) and hope as many of you as possible will join us to hear from us, put your questions and be in with a shot a digital code for a FREE Domino's Pizza. Find out more about this short but very important meeting in the article below. Remember to book a place at the meeting in advance to be prioritised for a code and read all of the papers for the meeting in advance through the web link above.
We are also continuing our various campaign work on academic issues, accommodation, cultural exchange, cost of living, safety, well-being and much more! Keep an eye on the TUSU website and social media for upcoming events and initiatives.
In addition, we wanted to take this opportunity to assure you that we are fully aware of the major impact that changes the University has introduced to the way international students are required to pay fees have had on some of you. We continue to talk to and work with the most senior figures at the University on possible future solutions to this issue and will keep reporting back on any progress; we welcome your ongoing feedback as well, which you can provide to us in person when you see us in the building or around campus and through links on tees-su.org.uk/officers. We remind you that advice and support are available with managing money and the criteria by which you may be able to access hardship payments by clicking here.
Finally, can we urge all eligible students to take a few minutes to complete the important and influential International Student Barometer (ISB) survey before it closes in December. It is a chance to talk about your experience at Teesside University and make it even better for future generations. And you could win an Amazon voucher for your responses.
As always, we hope you have a safe, happy month and that TUSU is right at the heart of your student life once again.
Nevin, Femi and Michael – Student Officers 2023/24
The TUSU Members Meeting (Also known as the AGM) is a once-a-year chance for current students to:
Hear from the Student Officers about their plans and priorities for the rest of the year and put your questions/ make suggestions.
Find out more about the rules and regulations by which some of the key functions of TUSU are run, including finance, the elections, and our constitution and bye-laws.
We have 200 digital codes for a FREE 7-inch Domino's Pizza with two toppings (vegetarian but not vegan options available) as a reward for attending. Please book a place at the meeting in advance to be prioritised for a code.
It takes place next Tuesday (21st November), from 5 pm in The Hub (2nd floor, TUSU Building) and should last no longer than an hour; please remember to bring along your Teesside University Student ID Card (TUSC). You can now read key papers related to the meeting through tees-su.org.uk/agm.
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 1, this includes:
Gathering feedback on student experiences of accommodation and providing support to students with this important issue.
Giving you opportunities to speak to the Student Officers and other representatives of TUSU in person or online about your student experience through Talk to TUSU and tees-su.org.uk/feedback.
Providing advice and support with the important and often misunderstood issue of academic misconduct, including dedicated support sessions where you can speak to the President Education and staff from SU Student Support (SUSS).
Giving students the chance to speak to each other and get/give mutual support at weekly Students Supporting Students sessions.
Helping students start their day the right way with FREE breakfast on selected weekdays between now and the festive break.
On 1st December, join the Student Officers, members of our health-based societies and external partners to mark World AIDS Day on the first floor of the SU building.
Much, much more besides!
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, Students' Union Building) is open seven days a week during semester time and serves delicious hot food Monday to Saturday with a wide range of non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks available. It's a welcoming, inclusive venue with high levels of customer service. You can also enjoy events like our Monday Night Quiz and Wednesday Night Karaoke in there, as well as watching a wide range of live sports throughout the week.
As part of our wider work on students' cost of living, we also offer some great savings and discounts in there; this currently includes:
Food - Homemade in our Terrace Kitchen and available to eat in or take away:
Drinks:
The SU Shop (ground floor, Students' Union Building) is open Monday to Saturday and provides unbeatable convenience on campus with snacks, drinks, meal deals, course-related materials and much more besides! There are also regular offers and discounts to help students with their cost of living.
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.
The TUSU Breakfast Club is back on Tue, Wed and Thu between 8.30 am and 10 am until the festive break in December. It's a chance for current Teesside University students to get one free bowl of cereal and one free piece of fruit to start their morning the right way! Come to the first floor of the Students' Union building and have your Teesside University Student ID (TUSC) ready to show the Officers and staff supervising the session, then get your free breakfast!
PLEASE NOTE: The Breakfast Club is only open to current Teesside University students. Please do not bring along non-student family or friends.
Hello! We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who joined us during the SACI and SSSHL drop-in sessions last week. It was an absolute pleasure to meet with you all on campus. In the weeks leading up to the winter break, we will continue to hold engagement sessions both on Teams and on campus. Stay tuned for our upcoming session dates by following our social media pages.
We are excited to announce that our TUIBS School Rep drop-in will take place on Tuesday, November 14th, on the 1st floor of the Phoenix building. Come and meet your School Rep team, share your TUIBS feedback with us, and learn more about our role. We are delighted to have trained over 240 new course reps!
We look forward to meeting with the rest of you during the upcoming training sessions over the next few weeks. If you have not yet booked your training, please email: representation@tees-su.org.uk for the link.
Do you have feedback but aren't sure who your Course Rep is? No problem! Simply email: coursereps@tees-su.org.uk to find out how to contact them. Your feedback is essential to us, so please do not hesitate to share your success stories, positive feedback, and any concerns or issues you may have. Feel free to email us, message us on Facebook or Instagram, or attend one of our drop-in sessions on campus.
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.
Our wide range of activities and societies are a great way to get more from student life, meet new people and develop your skills. And if you're pushed for time but still want to get involved in fun group activities that often give you a chance to gain new skills, then check out SUper Wednesdays! From 11 am to 3 pm on the first floor of the TUSU Building every Wednesday during semester time, we have a range of sessions, including puzzles and quizzes, chill-out crafts, Table Tennis, A Winter Workshop and festive games before we close for the festive break. There are also great value trips to Leeds Armory, York and Edinburgh Christmas Markets in the weeks to come.
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 the number of students who upgrade to the complete TOTUM package! All that money is poured back into making your SU even better!
Don’t forget to complete the 2023 International Student Barometer (ISB) survey and provide us with feedback which will help shape the future of your University. It will only take a few minutes to complete the survey, and you can do so anonymously. As a thank you for taking part, you will also be entered into a prize draw to win one of seven Amazon gift vouchers. Thank you to those of you who have already completed the survey. After it closes on 15 December, we’ll collate the data and will be in touch to let you know what we have learned from your feedback. Click here to complete it now.
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 over the freshers period and throughout semester one.
Ready to begin a career where you witness incredible results first-hand, have time for your personal goals, and make a positive impact daily? Whether teaching is just an idea or you're ready to apply, we can provide advice and guidance every step of the way.
Get started today by clicking this link.
