Your Sabbatical Officers have written to the Vice-Chancellor of the University to request the University’s partnership in tackling the impact of the cost of living crisis on Surrey students.
Your Union has listened to your concerns and has produced a Cost of Living Manifesto; a list of potential initiatives and actions for both the University and Students’ Union to take to improve your student experience this year and help you through this difficult time. We hope that working closely with the University to achieve as many aims of this Manifesto as possible will make a positive impact on all Surrey students.
Click on the link below to read the full manifesto and the letter to the Vice-Chancellor.
Manifesto updates
| MANIFESTO POINT | STATUS |
| Establish a voluntary walking bus scheme between Manor Park and Stag Hill | 🔴 Not Started |
| Increase the frequency of subsidised and free events across all campuses | 🟢 In Place |
| Add accurate cost estimation to club and society web pages before membership purchases | 🔴 Not Started |
| Establish an access fund for extra-curricular activities such as Union trips and group socials | 🟢 In Place |
| Encourage groups to offer free events via STARS inclusion | 🔴 Not Started |
| Encourage community food initiatives such as a student allotment and Harvest Festival | 🟢 In Place |
| Develop relationships with local food banks | 🟡 In Progress |
| Set up a community Swap Shop on campus UoS & USSU | 🔴 Not Started |
| Establish a volunteering and personal development reward scheme | 🟡 In Progress |
| Ensure all core texts are available digitally | 🟡 In Progress |
| Offer all students free black & white printing | 🟡 In Progress |
| Establish a process to accept technology grant applications from students without sufficient technology to participate in hybrid learning | 🟡 In Progress |
| Repurpose outdated IT equipment to loan for use outside the library | 🔴 Not Started |
| Include cost of required course materials and any optional trips in module descriptor | 🟡 In Progress |
| Add unexpected financial hardship as accepted grounds for ECs, including increased workload in part-time jobs taken on to avoid unexpected financial hardship | 🟡 In Progress |
| Increase reimbursement rate for travel to compulsory placements (FHMS) | 🟡 In Progress |
| Review University of Surrey open bursary eligibility criteria | 🟡 In Progress |
| Staff access to parking permit scheme, season ticket loans, and on-site nursery to be extended to PGRs who support teaching (as defined by the relevant Code of Practice) | 🟡 In Progress |
| Re-introduce PGR free breakfasts | 🟢 In Place |
| Offer Head Rep benefits to PGR Engagement Forum Chairs | 🟡 In Progress |
| Increase PGR stipend as per the PGR Stipend Increase Proposal | 🟡 In Progress |
| Install additional microwaves and hot water in common areas across campuses | 🟡 In Progress |
| Decrease overnight room rate and offer use of vacant rooms over vacation periods for affordable storage | 🟡 In Progress |
| Prohibit the application of all disciplinary fines | 🟡 In Progress |
| Reintroduce free swimming in UoS & USSU. Increase the provision of evening catering options | 🟡 In Progress |
| Increase budget and loyalty options across campus catering services | 🔴 Not Started |
| Campus catering outlets join Too Good To Go food wastage scheme | 🟡 In Progress |
| Offer free sanitary products and free sexual health products | 🟡 In Progress |
| Introduce an affordable basic well-being membership plan for SSP, to include mind and body classes and limited gym access | 🟡 In Progress |
| Write to Universities Minister about concerns around cost of education in collaboration with the Southern Union’s Network | 🟢 In Place |
| Write to Local MP about London weighting for maintenance loans and concerns around cost of education | 🟡 In Progress |
| Challenge value for money from monopolies on campus such as laundry services and Graduation robes | 🔴 Not Started |
| Lobby for discounted bus season tickets (term-time only) | 🔴 Not Started |
| Develop a Student Jobs Strategy to increase the number of part-time jobs on offer at the University, and introduce the Living Wage for all part-time student jobs | 🔴 Not Started |
| Create a Cost of Living Task Force to progress these goals, chaired by the Union President | 🟢 In Place |
