The Priority:

Reducing financial barriers and increasing transparency around students' fees.

Context:

When I campaigned for a second time, I was elected for my priority of reducing financial barriers and increasing transparency around students’ fees. Throughout the academic year, I have worked collaboratively with Falmouth University, FX Plus, the SU and students to ensure that there is a greater clarity over costs, improved access to essential support and a stronger understanding of how tuition fees are spent. These achievements wouldn’t have been possible without the commitment and support of colleagues across the partnership.

What we've achieved

Key Outcomes:

The following are my top three key achievements: 

“How your tuition fees are spent” publication 

I worked with the University to develop and publish a transparent publication that breaks down how student fees are allocated across the university, FX Plus and the SU, giving students a clearer understanding of where their money is spent.  

To ensure the publication reached as many students as possible, I organised and delivered a series of pop ups across both campuses to launch the publication. Alongside promoting this, I distributed free mini hygiene products, including deodorants, soaps, toilet rolls and other everyday essentials. These pop ups helped attract students and created an environment for honest conversation around student fees. Through these conversations, students were able to gain a better understanding of how different services are funded, while also sharing their opinions on spending across the partnership. The combination of accessible information and fae-to-face engagement helped increase awareness of the publication and reinforced the importance of transparency and accountability in decision making.  

Transparency regarding costs on course websites 

I collaborated with Academic Reps and staff across a range of departments to review course information on course sites, with the aim of improving transparency around costs associated with studying. This work focused on ensuring that both current and perspective students had access to clear, accurate and easily accessible information about any expenses that might be expected to incur throughout their studies. This included equipment, field trips, printing, software licences, materials, and other course specific requirements.  

The point of this work was the importance of being open and honest with students. Students should be able to make informed decisions about their education without encountering unexpected financial pressures later. By improving transparency, we helped ensure that prospective students could better understand costs outside tuition fees before committing, while allowing students to plan and budget more effectively.  

The project also provided a valuable opportunity to work with Academic Reps, whose direct insight into the student experience was instrumental in identifying areas where information could be clearer and more comprehensive. Through discussions with Reps, we were able to draw on real student experiences and feedback to understand which costs students felt had not been communicated effectively in the course information. 

Working alongside academic staff on this allowed us to make practical improvements. This collaborative approach ensured that changes were informed by both student perspectives and academic experience, helping to create a more transparent and student-centred experience across the university. 

Hygiene Station 

I also continued the hygiene station that I originally established during my first year as President Falmouth, across both campuses. This initiative was created in response to the increasing cost of living pressures and aimed to ensure that students had access to essential everyday items, regardless of their financial circumstances. The stations provided a range of free refillable products, including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, laundry detergent and cleaning products; all things that can often place additional strains on student budgets.  

Maintaining the hygiene station throughout the year helped to remove some of the financial barriers that students face and provide practical support for those experiencing financial hardship. Importantly, the initiative was designed to be accessible, discreet and stigma-free, allowing students to access products whenever they needed them without having to explain circumstances to anyone or seek additional support. This approach recognised that financial challenges can affect students and that basic hygiene and cleaning products should never be a barrier to wellbeing, academic success or participation in university life.  

The continued success of the hygiene station demonstrated the ongoing need for practical cost of living support on campus. Feedback from students consistently highlighted how valuable the initiative was in helping them manage day-to-day expenses, particularly during periods of increased financial pressures. By continuing the hygiene station in my second year, I was able to ensure that support remained available to students while reinforcing the Students’ Union’s commitment to improving student wellbeing and reducing the impact of financial hardship that students face. Please note, the hygiene station will not continue past my term as it was through my personal priority. 

What's next?

As my two years as President Falmouth comes to an end, I want to thank every Falmouth student who put their trust in me, not one, but twice. Being elected to represent the student you has been one of the greatest achievements of my life, and I am completely grateful for the opportunity. Having been part of the Falmouth community for six years, first as a student then as your President, I have had the opportunity to experience the university from different perspectives. Falmouth has been a place where I’ve been able to grow so much and being able to give back to the student community has meant so much to me! 

When I first stood for election in 2024, I really believed that students deserved a strong voice and meaningful support during challenging times. Everything that I’ve achieved over the two years has only been possible because students were so willing to support my work; I’m proud to say that I’ve been able to follow through on what I campaigned on. 

I’m so excited to handover to the next Officer team and to have the opportunity to share work that’s been done, lessons learnt and what could be done next around our union priorities. The next team are so passionate about making a positive difference, and I am so excited to see how they build on the work that we’ve done this year.  

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a leader, to represent you in senior spaces across the university. Falmouth will always hold a special place after years in this community.   

Want to get involved? Here's how:  

1. Stay Updated: Instagram  

1. Make a change: Submit a proposal on Make A Change  

1. Take Action: Vote on proposals through Make A Change or make your own proposal! Talk to your reps, whether that be reps from your course or your SU Presidents - Find My Rep , Presidents. Come to Student Forum, where we discuss ongoing priority work and vote in proposals to either be actively worked on with allocated budget or worked on amongst other issues! If you want to see something changed, why not come have your say?   

Questions or ideas? Get in touch via email at presidents@thesu.org.uk or drop us a message on Instagram - we'd love to hear from you!