Based on feedback from the Black Student Experience Panel, NSU have been working hard to increase widening participation and diversity within its leadership roles. In 2020/21, the General Manager sourced funding from Future Finance - an independent finance company in Higher Education - to sponsor a Widening Participation Bursary. Elected Officers could be entitled to a £300 Bursary from our partners Future Finance, who have funded the Bursary.
In 2021/22, Newman Students' Union has now included "LGBTQ" to the criteria for the Bursary. Following feedback from students, we want to ensure and encourage more students from under-represented groups stand for our leadership positions. While the sponsorship with Future Finance ended, the Union made a commitment to continue to support this initiative to continue its work in equality, diversity and inclusion.
WHAT IS WIDENING PARTICIPATION?
"Widening Participation" refers to raising the aspirations and attainment of students from backgrounds that are under-represented at University, and in this case, the Students' Union.
WHO WILL GET THE BURSARY AND HOW MUCH IS IT?
The £300 per-year Bursary is available to Part-Time Officers of the Students' Union to assist with their costs such as travel and childcare while they are fulfilling their elected role of supporting other students.
It will only be available to students who meet at least ONE of the following criteria:
WHY ARE PEOPLE FROM THE ABOVE CRITERIA GIVEN THESE FUNDS?
The idea behind this Bursary is to support the under-represented groups that exist within Newman and encourage them to to apply for our Leadership roles. This is a direct response to the lack of diversity that has existed within the Students' Union, where we have taken action to try and make change.
HOW DO I APPLY?
You don't need to apply! Simply self-nominate in our elections, and, once elected, with your permission and as part of our data sharing agreement, we will ask the University to confirm if you fall into one of the criteria (not disclosing which one).
WHEN IS THE MONEY PAID?
The Bursary is paid in two £150.00 instalments in October and January.
You can read the full and original blog post from the General Manager here.
In 2021/22, Newman Students' Union has now included "LGBTQ" to the criteria for the Bursary. Following feedback from students, we want to ensure and encourage more students from under-represented groups stand for our leadership positions. While the sponsorship with Future Finance ended, the Union made a commitment to continue to support this initiative to continue its work in equality, diversity and inclusion.
WHAT IS WIDENING PARTICIPATION?
"Widening Participation" refers to raising the aspirations and attainment of students from backgrounds that are under-represented at University, and in this case, the Students' Union.
WHO WILL GET THE BURSARY AND HOW MUCH IS IT?
The £300 per-year Bursary is available to Part-Time Officers of the Students' Union to assist with their costs such as travel and childcare while they are fulfilling their elected role of supporting other students.
It will only be available to students who meet at least ONE of the following criteria:
- BAME
- Mature Student
- Dependents in Education living with them under the age of 18
- Care Leaver
- Disabled or have a long-term illness
- Young Carer
- Refugee
- Estranged Student
- From a neighbourhood with a low progression rate to HE
- Combined home time address household income of less than £50,000.00
- Students from the LGBTQ+ Community
WHY ARE PEOPLE FROM THE ABOVE CRITERIA GIVEN THESE FUNDS?
The idea behind this Bursary is to support the under-represented groups that exist within Newman and encourage them to to apply for our Leadership roles. This is a direct response to the lack of diversity that has existed within the Students' Union, where we have taken action to try and make change.
HOW DO I APPLY?
You don't need to apply! Simply self-nominate in our elections, and, once elected, with your permission and as part of our data sharing agreement, we will ask the University to confirm if you fall into one of the criteria (not disclosing which one).
WHEN IS THE MONEY PAID?
The Bursary is paid in two £150.00 instalments in October and January.
You can read the full and original blog post from the General Manager here.