Coming Clean: our Hidden Course Costs campaign Izzy John, Welfare Officer

Context of campaign Tuition fee rise and potential impact Arbitrary increases in PG and International Fees NUS “Pound in your Pocket” and “Come Clean” campaign On-going issues with SLC General increase in students working part- time whilst studying

Warwick-specific 2010/11 – wins in terms of bursaries; however failed to meet access targets Implementing maximum fee cap of £9000 University desire to focus on the “student experience” Financial costs a consistent feature of student feedback 600 responses to NUS Survey

Our priority campaign Largely “behind the scenes” – our own data gathering and research How much does it really cost to be a student at Warwick? Accommodation, course texts, transport, food on campus. 4 Union policies – Action on Access; Against Tuition Fees, Hidden Course Costs, The £ in your Pocket

NUS Week of Action Concept: a bit more hard hitting, visual campaign NUS online receipt totalizer and paper receipts “Costs cage” in central piazza Posters in SU and all halls Wrote to VC and Academic Registrar 2 AMEs

Slogans “I think the University should continue to invest in bursaries ” “I think it’s unfair that I have to pay for textbooks on top of my tuition fees” “I think there should be more means-tested support available for students whilst they’re studying” “I think the cost of travel to compulsory placements should be included in my tuition fees” “I think all departments should have a certain number of free printer credits for each student”

Pros Cons Very simple and low cost Engaging and relevant Visual (facebook) Tied into an existing campaign as well as the week of action Good feedback from some students Good way to keep the ball rolling on costs issue – can function as a longstanding campaign Timing (last week of term, everyone very tired and busy!) Difficulty with cage Hard to follow up on immediately afterwards Inconsistency with receipts (types of student, duration of costs) Some students didn’t feel it was relevant to them

Outputs To date, over 160 submissions made to our online receipt, totalling over £47, paper receipts filled out About 50 letters sent to 3 different MPs 7 MPs lobbied directly in Parliament

Next steps Inputting data (a lot of it!) and determining trends Persuading and influencing (compare to other Universities, commitment from UUK/Guild HE) “Come Clean” lobby / writing to MPs OFFA Access Agreement Anecdotal pressure points (breakfast, uni cards). Petition? Formulating recommendations Handover to new sabb team

Questions? Comments? Your campaigns / brainstorming