November has been a milestone month for Cardiff Met Students’ Union and myself as Vice president Education, marked by major achievements in student engagement, democratic participation, and shaping the future of our student experience.
November has been a milestone month for Cardiff Met Students’ Union and myself as Vice president Education, marked by major achievements in student engagement, democratic participation, and shaping the future of our student experience.
AGM Success
For the first time since 2012, we delivered a fully quorate AGM — a huge achievement for the SU.
162 students attended in person, with 125 proxy votes submitted, demonstrating an exceptional level of engagement. Students passed several important motions, including:
- Reintroducing dogs on campus to support wellbeing
- Addressing high food prices on campus
- Amending SU Byelaws to clarify the number of full-time officers
- Bringing back lockers on campus
- Establishing a dedicated SU space on Llandaff campus
- Referanda with NUS to ensure access to key training and support
Speak Week 25/26
This month we delivered Speak Week, asking students: “If you ran the university, what would you change or keep the same?”
We received a high volume of feedback, with full reporting to follow. Early insights show:
What Students Value
- Clean, well-maintained facilities and accessible period products
- Strong campus interiors including Nexus, library, IT suite, commuter kitchen and i-Zone
- Sporting experience, free gym membership, and wide support services
- Positive relationships with personal tutors
- Active representation from student reps and SU Forum
What Needs Improvement
- Food provision and pricing, especially the lack of hot food after 2pm
- Timetabling issues, delays, and evening teaching that impacts safety and work-life balance
- Parking and transport, including concerns about council restrictions and M1 reliability
- Need for an SU venue on Llandaff, matching what Cyncoed has with Centro
Vice President Educaiton – Forward Actions Update
Following November’s feedback and emerging themes from Speak Week 25/26, here is what I will be taking forward.
Accessibility & Communication
Work with schools through SSLCs to address accessibility concerns in buildings, bathrooms and workshops.
Push for clearer, more consistent communication on timetables, workshops, course content and enrolment.
Request school-level action plans with measurable improvements.
Timetabling & Course Delivery
Collaborate with Programme Teams to review timetabling structure — ensuring breaks, reducing long gaps, and improving scheduling clarity.
Follow up on delays in enrolment responses and inconsistent early teaching quality.
Support schools to improve the sequencing and relevance of early-year content.
Assessment Timelines & International Student Support
Monitor exam board timelines with relevant schools to reduce delays.
Ensure international students affected by late results receive appropriate support around progression and visa impact.
Raise systemic issues through quality and academic governance channels.
SU Forum Policy – “Materials Matter”
Continue working with CSAD to progress the motion calling for reduced material costs.
Advocate for:
- More workshop access
- Shared resources
- Funding or grants for essential materials
- Push for a university-wide review of course-related costs.
Transport, Safety & Campus Experience
Work with the University to explore improved transport provision between campuses and increased reliability.
Raise concerns around evening teaching and student safety, especially on Llandaff campus.
Advocate for expanded food provision, better pricing structures and extended hot-food availability.
Long-Term Campus Development
Continue discussions on establishing an SU venue on the Llandaff campus to ensure parity with Cyncoed.
Feed Speak Week insights directly into estates planning and future strategic discussions.
Strengthening Student Voice in Governance
Ensure student feedback is more strongly embedded into timetabling, estates decisions and academic planning.