WSU-Strategic-Plan-2013-2016

WSU Strategic Plan – 2013 to 2016Our Strategic FocusThe Waikato Students’ Union (WSU) strategic plan will be our guiding document aswe strive for excellence in representation and the delivery of a world-class studentexperience at the University of Waikato. Our four focus areas are designed to meetthe needs of current students, while ensuring our services are responsibly managedto ensure they are available for future generations.Focus 1–Sustainability and GrowthThe WSU will ensure it maintains its current funding and develops new revenuestreams to enable it to continue to operate effectively and efficiently into the future.Goal: To maintain and grow funding and resources1. Ensure that contracted services for students are delivered to the highest possible standard, while looking to identify other ways to diversify and attract funding for specific purposes.2. Ensure that all trading achieves strict financial targets.3. Work with the University to confirm access to, and occupancy of, spaces for the WSU and the activities we run.4. Avoid incurring any significant increases in costs or liabilities to return to surplus as soon as practicable.Goal: To upgrade our technology to become a modern andmobile workforce.1. Ensure that the organization has access to the technology required to perform tasks to expected standards in an effective and efficient way.Focus 2 – InvolvementThe WSU will be involved in enhancing the student experience through the provisionof welfare, activities and other support services.

Goal: To play an active role in ensuring student welfareThe WSU will continue to provide and develop our existing independent advocacyservice as resources allow. We will seek to extend the range of support services weoffer to better meet student needs.1. Provide high quality advocacy and support services for students.2. Carry out research to identify the needs of students.3. Investigate and work towards reducing the problems of student study costs e.g. through collective purchasing deals.4. Develop a food bank for emergency student welfare situations.5. Work to identify reoccurring issues and seek long-term solutions.Goal: To deliver high quality student activitiesA diverse range of sporting, cultural and recreational activities are important for thepersonal development and social wellbeing of students. The WSU will seek to createand promote opportunities to engage and actively encourage increased participation.1. To deliver a full calendar of cultural, sporting and recreational activities2. Improve relationships with, and support for, affiliated societies and clubs and simplify administrative processes.3. Support and develop student media to ensure we are delivering a high quality product relevant to our market.4. Proactively use and market all WSU spaces.Goal: To enhance the student experienceRecreational and retail facilities on campus add value to the student experience, andenhance the social and physical wellbeing of students. The provision of cafes, shopsand entertainment on campus provide an opportunity for students to socialize,network and relax.1. The WSU will campaign to improve the student experience for all students, paying particular attention to those with special requirements such as students with disabilities and adult learners.2. Investigate the requirements of students whose needs are not currently being met and develop new activities if necessary.

3. Provide and improve opportunities for students to have input into their campus by working collaboratively with the University to regularly assess student needs.4. Expand WSU involvement on campus to provide better value and variety of services. We will achieve economies of scale where possible.Goal: To deliver effective and democratic governanceIncreased participation by students will lead to the WSU having a greater impact. TheWSU will continue to provide opportunities to set the direction of the organization,consult, and participate in elections. Our governance will have a strong emphasis onoutcomes and efficiently delivering what students want.1. We will increase membership of the organization.2. We will increase participation in elections and encourage students into leadership roles.3. Make informed research-based decisions through consultation and engagement with students.4. Simplify processes to obtain student views e.g. hold “issue-based” meetings that allow students to voice concerns.5. Maintain charitable status and comply with reporting requirements.Focus 3 – PartnershipThe WSU will ensure it maintains its valuable partnerships and work to effectivelyimprove service delivery. We will also look to develop new partnerships that willenhance the student experience.Goal: To ensure all partners in the delivery of the studentexperience are effective.The student experience at Waikato is delivered by the WSU in collaboration withvarious groups such as clubs, the University and Uleisure. It is in the best interests ofall students to have these parties delivering the best possible service. The WSU willwork with these parties to ensure high quality provision, and seek to clarify respectiveorganizations roles to students.1. Deliver an integrated student experience impact report examining the extensive range of support and activities available at the University of Waikato.2. Encourage the University to formally recognize extra-curricular and voluntary work undertaken by students in their university transcript.

3. Work with the University to improve student employability through their careers service and Student Job Search.4. Actively lobby for better community services for students e.g. Student bus fares.Focus 4 – ImpactThe WSU will have a significant impact on both the student experience and individualstudent lives. This impact will be measurable so we can evaluate outcomes andremain relevant to our membership.Goal: To impact upon students’ livesIn order to meet the needs of the full diversity of our membership the WSU will focuson assessing our impact by measuring outcomes across all of our services andactivities. We will invest in research and analysis in these areas to better understandstudents’ lives, experiences and needs and use this research to set future strategiesand priorities.1. Develop and deliver a comprehensive Student Experience Survey and Impact Report.2. Effectively utilize research data in order to influence policy and decisions.Goal: To further develop student representationDeveloping student representation is a major priority for the WSU. We will engagewith students and communicate our role clearly.1. The WSU will nominate the President as a candidate for the position of student representative on university council each year. Directors will seek election to class representative positions and other university committees.2. Portfolios will be regularly reviewed to ensure they remain relevant.3. The WSU will regularly review our membership of NZUSA and other national bodies to ensure they continue to provide value for money.4. Enhance the role and impact of class representatives to identify and track issues and problems and drive university responsiveness to student needs.5. Develop and improve feedback mechanisms for students.