Your academic experience is one of the main reasons why you came to University and at NUSU we want to make sure we represent your Academic Interests during your time studying here.

This year, we will be campaigning to ensure the quality of your teaching and support both online and on-campus, as your academic experience is disrupted by Coronavirus.

We will be pushing for more study spaces, educating you so that you know your rights, and will provide and promote the opportunities to have your voice heard, ensuring you get the most value from your academic experience.

We know how important your Mental Health and Wellbeing is, and this year, more than ever, we know it is going to be put to the test as we experience a time like no other.

To support you, we will be campaigning throughout the year to create opportunities to improve your mindfulness and positivity. In addition, we will make sure that you are aware of the services that are there to support you and create opportunities to help you support your and mental health. We will also continue to promote good physical and sexual health.

This year we will campaign continue to improve Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). From accessibility both online and on-campus to raising awareness of the issues affecting marginalised and underrepresented student groups we want you to know that we are here for you and that our priority is to keep this at the top of the University’s agenda when planning for this academic year.

To support this priority we will be focusing on working with the different student groups we support, from clubs and societies to our Liberation Officers and EDI Reps to make sure that EDI is considered throughout your student experience.

Staying safe has never been a more pressing issue. Whether you are studying on campus or not, this year we will continue to campaign to keep you safe during your time at University.

In addition to campaigning for a Covid-safe experience, whether it is the effects of Drug and Alcohol, the impact of sexual harassment, violence or hate crimes, we want to make sure that we are tackling the issues and that you know where the support is available should you ever need it.

We will also be working with external organisations such as the local council, so that you know your rights from everything from a night out to living in student accommodation.

Financial pressure has always been a key issue for students, but this year more than ever we want to make sure you feel supported. Therefore, throughout 2020/21 we will be campaigning to ensure that you are aware of how to support your finances and we will signpost you to the services that can offer support.

We will also help you to know your rights when it comes to finance, looking for ways to ensure that you get good value for money out of your degree and continue to find you discounts and money-saving tips during your time at University.

The future has never been more uncertain for graduates. Therefore, this year at NUSU we will be campaigning to improve your opportunities to develop graduate skills, the right experience, while promoting opportunities to earn while you learn.

We also want to empower you during your time at Newcastle, providing with the volunteering opportunities to make a difference both at University and out in the local community.

Finally, we want to make sure that you get the recognition your actions and achievements deserve so that you can stand out from the others when applying for your future.

This year, we want to put Decolonising NCL on the University’s agenda. We seek commitments and assurances from the University to move beyond the mere touch up of reading lists and demand to see the practice of decolonisation embedded, at every level of the decision making at the University.

At NUSU we understand Decolonising NCL as the fundamental reconsideration of who is teaching, what the subject matter is, and how it’s being taught. This effort will actively recognise and include the voices of those previously omitted on account of the racist, ableist, transphobic, homophobic and sexist structures of knowledge production and systems of education, shaped by the legacy of colonialism.

From meeting people on your course, to your living arrangements, we want you to feel that you belong at Newcastle University, wherever you are studying.

We will be campaigning to ensure you have the opportunity to makes friends both through the University and through NUSU. We will help you make informed decisions and support you during your time at Newcastle University.

Then, we will work with you and local community to create a sense of belonging and community cohesion between you and your neighbours.

To support the Environment and to help tackle the climate emergency, this year we will be developing and campaigning for environment initiatives across the University that show an active desire to become a more sustainable campus.

We will be promoting awareness of and engagement in sustainability-related issues on campus and promoting reducing waste, changing habits and improving ethical behaviour and actions.