A policy is an idea that a student has had which they believe will make the student experience at Sheffield Hallam University better.
Current Policies
A policy is effectively an idea that a student, or a number of students, have had which they believe will make the student experience at Sheffield Hallam University better. Once passed, policies are binding for three years - and the Students' Union needs to work to make sure they happen! As a Students' Union we have a number of policies on various topics, the details of these and the person responsible for them can be found below...
Your Education Policies
Approved: 17/05/2018 Expires: 16/05/2021
Sheffield Hallam Students' Union Resolves:
"To promote and raise the awareness that anonymous marking should not just be used for exams but for all types of assessment where possible."
"To raise anonymous marking in all relevant opportunities, discussions, meetings and committees with the University."
Policy Document
Updates:
2016 - Raised the importance of anonymous marking as part of the University's Assessment Journey programme team
2017 - Secured a trial for the anonymous marking of coursework in some courses in the faculty of Development and Society.
Officer(s) Responsible: Education uuseducation@shu.ac.uk
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Approved: 17/11/2017 Expires: 16/11/2020
Sheffield Hallam Students' Union Resolves:
"To mandate both the Education Officer and Welfare & Community Officer to take forward any student concerns on this issue to the University."
"Full Time Officers should strongly oppose any future proposals from the University to incorporate attendance into disciplinary matters."
Policy Document
Officer(s) Responsible: Education uuseducation@shu.ac.uk
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Wednesday Afternoons ↓
Approved: 17/11/2017 Expires: 17/11/2020
Sheffield Hallam Students' Union Resolves:
"To lobby the University and campaign to keep Wednesday afternoons free from timetable sessions."
"To establish a protocol for students to report any Wednesday afternoon timetabling issues which can be fed straight to the University."
"To mandate full time elected Officers to make all volunteers and representatives within Sheffield Hallam Students' Union aware of this policy"
Policy Document
Updates:
2014 - The University Guiding Timetabling Principles were created and indicated "to avoid where possible the scheduling of activities on Wednesday after 13:00 for full-time undergraduate students.
2015 - The SU conducted research into barriers of taking part in Sport and found that timetabled activity on Wednesday affected belonging, academic performance, team selection and making friends.
2016 - The 2015/16 Student Voice Report recommended that the University create a strategic plan with the aim to reduce Wednesday afternoon teaching.
2017 - The 2016/17 Student Voice Report noted that there had been a 39% reduction in timetabled activity on Wednesday afternoons and recommended that there be an annual measured reduction.
2018 - The SU gathered student opinion to inform and update the University Guiding Timetabling Principles to reflect current student needs.
Officer(s) Responsible: Education uuseducation@shu.ac.uk
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Campaigns and Events Policies
Bike Covers for Owen ↓
Approved: 17/11/2017 Expires: 16/11/2020
Sheffield Hallam Students' Union Resolves:
"To mandate the Sports & Physical Activity Officer to work with the University to build bike sheds at in front of the Owen building (or cover the existent bike racks)."
Policy Document
Officer(s) Responsible: Sport uussport@shu.ac.uk
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One Race ↓
Approved: 08/11/2016 Expires: 07/11/2019
Sheffield Hallam Students' Union Resolves:
"The International Students’ Rep to take the lead on this policy and ensure that a practical programme is developed for international students to integrate."
"To lobby and work in partnership with the University to provide the Hallam International Students' (“ONE RACE”) event."
"The ONE RACE event will be an annual event held by the Students' Union and led by the International Students' Rep."
Policy Document
Updates:
May 2017 - Sheffield Hallam SU hosted it's first One Race event.
May 2018 - SHSU hosted it's second annual One Race event.
Officer(s) Responsible: International Students' Rep uusinternational@shu.ac.uk
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Memorial Artwork ↓
Approved: 10/05/2016 Expires: 09/05/2019
Sheffield Hallam Students' Union Resolves:
"To commission artworks commemorating both Rachel Corrie and Eric Garner and place them aside our existing artworks."
"To mandate the union officer team to arrange an annual event to commemorate at least one of the individuals commemorated in the common room."
Policy Document
Officer(s) Responsible: Education uuseducation@shu.ac.uk
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Solidarity With UCU ↓
Approved: 22/01/2019 Expires: 22/01/2022
Sheffield Hallam Students' Union Resolves:
"To work with UCU to ensure the best outcome for staff with minimum impact on students."
"To stand in solidarity with UCU staff, if and when they ballot to strike or go on strike, and in other matters."
"To educate students on UCU matters and encourage students not to cross the picket line on the day."
Policy Document
Officer(s) Responsible: President uuspresident@shu.ac.uk
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Supporting the decriminalisation of abortion in solidarity with Northern Ireland ↓
Approved: 06/11/2018 Expires: 06/11/2021
Sheffield Hallam Students' Union Resolves:
"Campaign for reproductive justice and the removal of barriers to abortion access in Northern Ireland."
"Support the NUS-USI “Trust Us” campaign for the decriminalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland."
"Advocate for abortion reform in a manner which is inclusive of women, trans men, non-binary and gender fluid people."
"Campaign for the decriminalisation of abortion throughout the UK."
"Engage with non-student groups such as BPAS to support the campaign for the decriminalisation of abortion throughout the UK."
"Support the campaign for reproductive justice and decriminalisation of abortion worldwide."
Policy Document
Officer(s) Responsible: Welfare uuswelfare@shu.ac.uk
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Sport and Activities Welcome Party ↓
Approved: 17/11/2017 Expires: 17/11/2020
Sheffield Hallam Students' Union Resolves:
"Welcome Parties and other social and sporting events are not forced, exclusive, alcohol dependent and should not create an environment of fear."
"It should be noted that by indulging in any form of conduct which may bring the University into disrepute, this may also constitute a breach of the university's regulations so therefore University may choose to take appropriate action in accordance with the University regulations."
"The decision to participate in a welcome party and or social event shall be the decision of the individual student, and under no circumstances shall the Sports & Physical Activities Officer and/or the staff of the SHSU to be held to account for the decision."
Policy Document
Officer(s) Responsible: Sports uussport@shu.ac.uk Activities uusactivities@shu.ac.uk
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Student Sport Activities Tour ↓
Approved: 17/11/2017 Expires: 17/11/2020
Sheffield Hallam Students' Union Resolves:
"To allow students' to attend tour at their own risk, no member of staff or officer team shall be held to account for the decision to attend tour."
"To insist that students prioritize any academic work/BUCS/Championship fixtures that could take place during the time frame of tour."
"To only allow students who have signed the tour code of conduct and paid their relevant membership to be able to sign up for tour."
"The choice of tour shall be left to the majority vote of students, and under no circumstances shall the Sports & Physical Activities Officer and/or the staff of the Sheffield Hallam Students' Union to be held to account for the decision."
Policy Document
Officer(s) Responsible: Sports uussport@shu.ac.uk Activities uusactivities@shu.ac.uk
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Support Arrested Student Protestors ↓
Approved: 10/05/2016 Expires: 09/05/2019
Sheffield Hallam Students' Union Resolves:
"To provide “bust cards,” for all Sheffield Hallam students attending demonstrations with information on as to what to do if arrested."
"To provide legal advice in safety briefings."
"To liaise with demonstration organisers for details of legal firms willing to offer legal support, to be distributed in advance."
"To provide financial support to arrestees covering the cost of return travel to Sheffield."
"Never to hand over the names of any arrestees, whether to the press, the University, or the public at large."
"To explore the option of hosting ‘Know Your Rights’ and ‘Legal Observer’ training workshop before all demonstrations which should be made available for all students."
Policy Document
Officer(s) Responsible: Welfare uuswelfare@shu.ac.uk
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Sustainability Policies
Bottled Water ↓
Approved: 10/11/2015 Expires: 09/11/2018
Sheffield Hallam Students' Union Resolves:
"Explore the possibility of removing bottled water from sale and replacing these with long lasting, affordable and reusable bottles as well as lobbying the university to do the same"
"Explore the possibility of implementing more accessible water fountains/coolers so that reusable bottles can be filled easily."
"To ensure any cups provided around water coolers are recyclable."
"To make students aware of the environmental and economic impacts of bottled water."
"Provide education on environmental preservation and sustainability, to ensure the Union keeps its Green Impact gold standard environmental accreditation."
Policy Document
Updates:
2019 - The SU published SHUstainability: Promoting Green Thinking which highlights student opinion and suggests recommendations to improve sustainability practices of SHU students.
Officer(s) Responsible: President uuspresident@shu.ac.uk
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Disposable Packaging ↓
Approved: 17/11/2017 Expires: 16/11/2020
Sheffield Hallam Students' Union Resolves:
"To run a marketing campaign on the lifecycle of disposable packaging such as coffee cups."
"To push that at our Coffee Union outlet we offer discounts to those that re-use their paper coffee cups/bring their own."
"To discuss the issue with the University, and lobby where possible that they implement and commit to a similar catering outlet discount scheme for coffee cups."
"To ask the University to explore the possibility of schemes which do properly recycle these disposable items."
"To look at the viability of selling branded plastic re-usable containers, and lobby the University to do the same."
Policy Document
Updates:
2019 - The SU published SHUstainability: Promoting Green Thinking which highlights student opinion and suggests recommendations to improve sustainability practices of SHU students.
Officer(s) Responsible: President uuspresident@shu.ac.uk Welfare and Community Officer uuswelfare@shu.ac.uk
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Welfare Policies
Caring for Carers ↓
Approved: 17/05/2018 Expires: 16/05/2021
Sheffield Hallam Students' Union Resolves:
"To seek support from national organisations such as NUS and the Carer's trust 'Going higher' campaign and local organisations such as Carers in Sheffield."
"To work collaboratively with the university to explore what steps can be taken to best support student carers."
"To undertake research into how the union can support student carers."
Policy Document
Officer(s) Responsible: Welfare and Community uuswelfare@shu.ac.uk
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Consent Workshops ↓
Approved: 08/11/2016 Expires: 07/11/2019
Sheffield Hallam Students' Union Resolves:
"That the Students' Union supports consent workshops."
"That the Students' Union has the short term aim of delivering these workshops as regularly as is feasible."
"That the Students' Union has the long term aim of lobbying the university to implement them as a part of the induction week for new students."
Policy Document
Updates:
November 2016 - Sheffield Hallam SU hosted it's first consent workshop.
Officer(s) Responsible: Women's Rep uuswomens@shu.ac.uk
Request an update on this policy
Content Warnings ↓
Approved: 08/11/2016 Expires: 07/11/2019
Sheffield Hallam Students' Union Resolves:
"Mandate full time elected officers to support this policy and implement content warnings on relevant Students' Union content."
"Lobby the University and petition for content warnings to be put in place before lectures."
Policy Document
Officer(s) Responsible: Welfare and Community Officer uuswelfare@shu.ac.uk Education Officer uuseducation@shu.ac.uk
Request an update on this policy
Equality and Diversity Training ↓
Approved: 17/05/2018 Expires: 17/05/2021
Sheffield Hallam Students' Union Resolves:
"To mandate at least one committee member on either committees of sports clubs or societies to attend diversity and welfare training."
"For the Union to develop welfare support training in their Diversity and Equal Opportunities training programme"
"To work with liberation Reps and respective groups in developing content for the committee training."
"To ensure staff are given the correct training in order to understand and implement the policy."
Policy Document
Updates:
2016 - Training was provided for society committees on equality and diversity, with more than 20 societies attending the training on equality and diversity.
2016 - Training has also been provided to Sports clubs, facilitated by the Sports and Physical Activities Officer and the Welfare and Community Officer.
Officer(s) Responsible: Welfare and Community Officer uuswelfare@shu.ac.uk
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Fair Fares ↓
Approved: 17/05/2018 Expires: 17/05/2021
Sheffield Hallam Students' Union Resolves:
"To lobby transport providers to embed a sustainable single student and apprentice fare system across all operators."
"To Support Sheffield College SU in the efforts to Institute South Yorkshire-wide apprenticeships fare on all forms of public transport."
"To continue to provide representation when decisions affecting students are made by companies, South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive or local authorities."
Policy Document
Updates:
2014 - Secured a freeze on student bus fares at £1 for a single in the 2014/15 academic year.
2015 - Provided research on the impact of transport costs on students within the 2015 Student Voice Report.
2016 - Introduced discounted bus tickets when a SHU Card is presented in the HUBS from 2016.
Officer(s) Responsible: Welfare and Community Officer uuswelfare@shu.ac.uk
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Gender Neutral Toilets ↓
Approved: 06/11/2018 Expires: 06/11/2021
Sheffield Hallam Students' Union Resolves:
"To ensure that Gender Neutral Toilet’s are incorporated in any future development projects within the existing SU building (HUBS)"
"To mandate the student officers to explore the possibility with the trustee board of installing gender neutral toilets in the HUBS building."
"Lobby Sheffield Hallam University to implement a Gender Neutral Toilet/Facilities Policy to ensure Gender Neutral Toilets are incorporated in any future development projects within the existing University buildings/facilities and any building/facilities purchased or developed in the future by Sheffield Hallam University."
"Work alongside organisations such as Around the Toilet (Lead by Dr Slater - SHU), Action for Trans Health and the NUS LGBT+ Campaign to campaign for Gender Neutral Toilets."
Policy Document
Officer(s) Responsible: Welfare and Community Officer uuswelfare@shu.ac.uk
Request an update on this policy
Gender Self-Definition ↓
Approved: 06/11/2018 Expires: 06/11/2021
Sheffield Hallam Students' Union Resolves:
"To provide the option for individuals to specify their own non-binary gender identity on all Students' Union documentation where gender identity is asked."
"To provide the option ‘prefer not to select’ where possible in all Students' Union documentation where gender identity is asked."
"The Students' Union should ensure any documentation from external parties/affiliated organisations adhere to this policy if a gender identity question/question regarding demographic information is requested."
Policy Document
Updates:
2016 - All Students' Union documentation and surveys provide the option to self-identify gender.
Officer(s) Responsible: Welfare and Community Officer uuswelfare@shu.ac.uk
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LGBT+ Inclusivity ↓
Approved: 17/05/2018 Expires: 17/05/2021
Sheffield Hallam Students' Union Resolves:
"To change the use of ‘LGBT’ to ‘LGBT+’ in all SHSU documents, literature, posts and any other use of the term."
"Update any online resources and literature to ‘LGBT+’ where this is not already the case."
"Urge Sheffield Hallam University to adopt the use of ‘LGBT+’ in all forms of literature, information resources, communications and any other form of media."
"Promote the reasoning behind the change and educate staff and students of SHU and SHSU about identities covered by the ‘+’ and why it is important to identify these in the LGBT+ umbrella name."
Policy Document
Updates:
2016 - All Sheffield Hallam Students' Union documentation, including the Articles of Governance uses the term LGBT+.
Officer(s) Responsible: LGBT+ Rep uuslgbtplus@shu.ac.uk
Request an update on this policy
MSM Blood Donation Ban ↓
#Periodpositive Union ↓
Approved: 06/11/2018 Expires: 06/11/2021
Sheffield Hallam Students' Union Resolves:
"To create a committee (of student volunteer PeriodPositive Champions via a student volunteer project, who will liaise with the Women’s and LGBT+ reps) to initiate the charter process and participate in workshops to learn more about menstruation and menstrual taboo basics, to support union-based discussions around periods will always be positive and free of stigma."
"To include all students and staff in education regardless of their gender, including making sure our discussions of periods are trans-inclusive."
"Implement broader workshops to educate and raise awareness of menstrual taboo issues amongst staff, officers, reps, and society committees."
"Propose a motion at the NUS conference for the NUS to join the #periodpositive charter."
"Campaign for the awareness and use of reusable menstrual products, keep a supply of display samples from different brands of cups, cloth pads and period pants, and look into subsidising the purchase of or offering workshops on making or switching to reusables, to support environmental initiatives around reducing single-use plastics"
"Improve signage reminding students and visitors not to flush disposable menstrual products and wipes and ensure that we share information about plastic-free disposables, and will ensure our printed language use avoids terms like ‘sanitary’, ‘feminine hygiene’ or other stigmatising language."
"Continue to provide free emergency menstrual products for anyone who is caught by surprise and in need, will ensure there are a variety of types and brands available, and will distribute a resource explaining reusables for future reference to those needing emergency disposables."
"Refer to the charter and our self-assessment targets (see below) to uphold improved practice and atmosphere to support people dealing with period poverty."
"Become the first union to gain the #periodpositive Charter Mark, and eventually lobby the university to become the first #periodpositive university."
"Appoint #periodpositive champions through a volunteering project, supported by the volunteering advisors and the Hubs staff team."
Policy Document
Officer(s) Responsible: Women's Rep uuswomens@shu.ac.uk
Request an update on this policy
Sex Worker Rights ↓
Approved: 06/11/2018 Expires: 06/11/2021
Sheffield Hallam Students' Union Resolves:
"To support and campaign for the full decriminalisation of sex work."
"To support sex worker led organisations, who work to improve the lives of sex workers across the UK and beyond."
"To campaign against any attempted to introduce the Nordic Model in the UK"
Policy Document
Updates:
May 2019 - Sheffield Hallam SU Women's Rep wrote a letter to the chief licensing officer of Sheffield City Council to voice our support of spearmint rhino's license renewal.
Officer(s) Responsible: Welfare uuswelfare@shu.ac.uk
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Sexual Health ↓
Approved: 17/05/2018 Expires: 17/05/2021
Sheffield Hallam Students' Union Resolves:
"Work with the University to improve awareness of sexual health issues and the services available to Sheffield Hallam students."
"Work with student health at SHU as well as other outside agencies (NHS Choices and Gay Sheffield .etc) to provide sexual health services/drop in sessions within the Students' Union."
"Where possible offer free contraception or where appropriate signpost students to other services offering free contraception."
Policy Document
Officer(s) Responsible: Welfare uuswelfare@shu.ac.uk
Request an update on this policy
Trans* Representation ↓
Approved: 08/11/2016 Expires: 07/11/2019
Sheffield Hallam Students' Union Resolves:
"To look to introduce a Trans* Rep onto Union Council as soon as possible."
"To continue our work to lobby the university for the introduction of gender neutral bathrooms in all new buildings."
"Work with the Trans* Rep to organise events around Trans Day of Remembrance and Trans Visibility Day."
"To provide confidential support to students who might want to access hormone or surgical treatment, changes to legal identity documents or any other relevant services."
"To run awareness campaigns targeted at students around the use of gendered facilities, and provide explanatory signs in those facilities."
"Ensure all staff are trained to deal sensitively and competently with trans* identities and issues."
"To work with LGBT Committee to promoting both the LGBT+ rep and Trans* rep position."
Policy Document
Updates:
March 2019 - The referendum, which proposed the introduction of a new Trans Students' Rep, passed with a total of 1557 votes.
Officer(s) Responsible: President uuspresident@shu.ac.uk LGBT+ Students' Rep uuslgbtplus@shu.ac.uk
Request an update on this policy
Your SU Policies
No Platform ↓
Approved: 17/11/2017 Expires: 17/11/2020
Sheffield Hallam Students' Union Resolves:
"Not to allow any individual who is known to hold racist or fascist, to speak at a union event in accordance with the External Speakers Policy"
"Not to allow any individual who is known to hold racist or fascist from distributing any written or recorded material in the union which expresses those views."
"That no elected officer of the union will speak on a platform with an individual who is known to hold racist or fascist views and may be likely to express those views."
Policy Document
Officer(s) Responsible: President uuspresident@shu.ac.uk
Request an update on this policy
Officer and Reps Accountability ↓
Approved: 06/02/2018 Expires: 06/02/2021
Sheffield Hallam Students' Union Resolves:
"To mandate all elected individuals on Students Union Council (not including Zone Chairs, Zone Vice-Chairs, Union Council Chair or Open Space Council positions) to be required to fill out and submit the "Accountability Report" and submit this at least 8 working days before every union council." "All individuals that can be held accountable to report on every manifesto point that the individual was elected on and that these cannot be removed or replaced. This is the baseline minimum required of all these elected individuals." "To mandate the Union Council Chair to ensure these Accountability Reports are sent out to council members at least 5 working days before the Union Council meeting to ensure proper scrutiny. "
Policy Document
Updates:
March 2019 - The referendum, which proposed the introduction of Officer Accountability Panels, passed with a total of 1557 votes.
Officer(s) Responsible: President uuspresident@shu.ac.uk
Request an update on this policy
Zero Tolerance ↓
Approved: 17/11/2017 Expires: 17/11/2020
Sheffield Hallam Students' Union Resolves:
"To take a zero tolerance approach to sexual harassment in the Union in accordance to NUS’s definition of sexual harassment."
"To promote the Union’s stance on sexual harassment through a publicity campaign in consultation with the Community & Welfare and Women’s Rep."
"To call upon the University for an updated sexual harassment policy in light of the hidden marks report."
"To not display images in the Union which objectify, fetishize or stereotype people."
Policy Document
Officer(s) Responsible: Welfare uuswelfare@shu.ac.uk
Request an update on this policy
Council Transparency ↓
Approved: 12/02/2019 Expires: 12/02/2022
Sheffield Hallam Students' Union Resolves:
"To ensure that all Union Council meetings are at the very minimum sound recorded, and all members of Union Council to sign documentation agreeing to this."
"To ensure a published agenda for each upcoming Council session is uploaded to the Students' Union website - along with the date, time and location of the session"
"To ensure minutes from Union Council meetings are added to the Students' Union website, starting from the 22/01/2019 and continuing until such time as this policy is reviewed."
"To make all audio/video footage of the meetings available to all students via social media as well as keeping a copy for the archive."
Policy Document
Updates:
April 2019 - Details of each Union Council can now be found on the SHSU website.
Officer(s) Responsible: President uuspresident@shu.ac.uk
Request an update on this policy
If you have feedback or opinions on any of the above policies, you can contact electedrepsupport@shu.ac.uk with your comments. Let us know you would like your comments forwarded on to any specific reps/officers (see list below) - if not they will be provided to the Council as a whole.