20 universities pledge new action to tackle problems caused by the pandemic
London South Bank University (LSBU) has joined 19 other universities in a pledge to develop a Student Futures Manifesto which will set out joint action by the University and its students to tackle the problems caused by the pandemic. LSBU and South Bank Students’ Union will work together to set out joint action in six areas where the pandemic has caused problems for students, by June 2023:
- Support for students before they reach university
- An induction into university life for each year of study
- Support for mental health and wellbeing
- A clear outline of the teaching students will receive and the necessary tools to access it
- Activities inside and outside the curriculum that build skills, networks and communities
- A clear pathway towards graduate outcomes.
Developing a Student Futures Manifesto is the key recommendation from the UPP Foundation’s Student Futures Commission. At a House of Commons evening reception on 30 March 2022 which formally launched the final report of the UPP Foundation’s Student Futures Commission, 20 universities, including LSBU pledged to develop a Student Futures Manifesto.
Deborah Johnston, LSBU’s Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic Framework) said, ”This call from the Student Futures Commission to develop a Student Futures Manifesto really resonated as an important opportunity for LSBU. By giving a clear roadmap for co-created work with South Bank Students’ Union, it brings together our work to ensure LSBU students are at the heart of creating the Student Futures Manifesto which reflects their needs and tackles the problems caused by the pandemic.”
Amy Eden, Chief Executive of South Bank Students’ Union said, “South Bank SU are delighted that LSBU have pledged to develop a Student Futures Manifesto and are excited to be co-creating this in partnership with them. We believe genuine collaboration and co-creation between the University and our students is crucial for ensuring student success.”
Chair of the UPP Foundation Student Futures Commission, Mary Curnock Cook CBE said, “A Student Futures Manifesto, co-created and co-owned by students and their university, will be a powerful expression of intent about what students need to support successful lives and careers. They will help to rebuild the full student experience through a partnership between universities and their students. It is a testament to LSBU and the wider HE sector’s commitment to successful student futures that 20 universities have already taken on this challenge.”
List of the 20 universities to make the Student Futures Manifesto pledge: Buckinghamshire New University, Canterbury Christ Church University, De Montfort University, Edge Hill University, University of Essex, University of Hertfordshire, University of Huddersfield, University of Hull, Lancaster University, University of Lincoln, Liverpool John Moores University, London South Bank University, Manchester Metropolitan University, Northumbria University, Newman University, Birmingham, University of Salford, Sheffield Hallam University, University of the West of England Bristol, University of West London and University of Worcester.