Students submit proposals to Make a Change and the top three are presented to Student Forum.
If a proposal is passed at Forum, the details are added to this page as a track record of what students want to work on.
If a proposal is passed as a union priority, there is funding available to support a campaign to make the actions outlined in the proposal happen.
The Executive Committee (made up of sabbatical officers and student volunteers) is responsible for enacting the proposals.
Proposals passed in 2024/25
Lighting on Campus
The lane near the gym needs better lighting to protect student safety and peace of mind
Why is this relevant to Falmouth & Exeter students?
Many students use the lane near the gym regularly after long days on campus when the sun in down. Absence of lighting on this lane discourages safe access especially for those walking alone, and visibility is reduced.
This not only increases the risk of accidents but also discourages use of the lane, particularly among students who may feel vulnerable walking alone in poorly lit areas.
Ensuring proper lighting would enhance the safety and accessibility of this route, fostering a more secure environment for all students and encouraging active lifestyles by enabling safe access to and from the gym and campus facilities.
What positive impact would it have?
Enhance safety, navigation and peace of mind
Single Person Study Rooms - amended to explore provision for neurodiverse students - Union Priority
I think we need a few bookable single-person study rooms on campus.
Why is it relevant to Falmouth & Exeter students?
Some people can't work with conversations or background noise. Currently, the only options they have for studying on campus are a couple of rooms in the exchange courtyard (which are always occupied by staff) or the silent study rooms on the library. Even these, however, can hear the noise coming from outside the room and they still have multiple people in them so people who are sensitive to noise - even things as simple as keyboard clicks - are still left without suitable places to study on campus.
What positive impact would it have?
Lots of people find studying at home difficult because there are so many distractions but for some people, particularly neurodivergent students, there are no suitable spaces to work on campus either so they are often left struggling, unable to complete the work required.
Amended to explore the provision for Neurodiverse students more broadly and passed as a Union priority on Tuesday 26th November 2024
Stop Charging societies for using AMATA spaces - Union Priority
We propose that all affiliated SU societies (i.e music/drama/dance groups) should be able to book university AMATA rooms as rehearsal venues for free. Currently, societies are required to pay high rates for use of all AMATA spaces; groups pay up to thousands of pounds yearly for this hire, something not seen in practically any other university. As university societies, AMATA should be supporting its ‘home’ groups, not forcing them into relying on SU funding to simply break even.
Why is it relevant to Falmouth & Exeter Students?
- Costs of room hire necessitate high costs to enter music/drama/dance societies - this excludes membership to disadvantaged students and places the burden of costs on students, the very people AMATA is created to support.
- Much like lecture rooms being open to all, so should spaces for arts societies that support learning, collaboration, and creativity. Charging for AMATA spaces counters the university’s ethos of inclusivity, and fails to serve all students equitably. Societies should not be disadvantaged for simply attempting to bring the arts to the local student and public community.
- Quality of performances is affected as some societies are simply unable to hold extra rehearsals due to cost. - A student society on Streatham Campus pays no cost at all to use any of the campus music and performance venues, and these spaces are larger and better equipped - whilst paying the same fees, this shows the fundamental mismatch in facilities provided on this campus.
- It is currently the same price to book a mid-sized church in Truro with free parking, kitchen facilities and instrument systems as to book a mid-sized studio in AMATA. It is unclear what we are paying for - most groups rehearse on empty weekday evenings, set up and tear down their own spaces and collect all the stores themselves.
What positive impact would it have?
This could reduce society membership costs for students as the huge burden of AMATA hire would be reduced, increasing participation and removing barriers to entry. - More (and higher quality) concerts and performances can be held in the local community, bringing performing arts to families in Falmouth at low cost, promoting AMATA as a hub of education and the arts. - Societies can spend money on music purchase, gig booking, instruments, equipment and other things that would enhance member experience. - With reduced expenses, societies can hold more events, concerts, and performances. The society-organised music Christmas concert sells out every year, yet more regular concerts cannot be held due to cost.
63/63 on Make a Change - Passed as Union priority on 26th November 2024
The percentage of online events, clubs and societies should match the percentage of online students
There are currently no online events for students listed in the welcome week calendar and there are no virtual clubs or societies. There is also not an option to filter to search for online events/clubs only. Yet Falmouth has a number of online distance courses. Whatever percentage there are of online students this should be reflected in making that percentage of events, clubs and societies accessible to distance learners.
Why is it relevant to Falmouth & Exeter students?
Distance learners are students too and deserve the full uni experience including being able to attend virtual events and join virtual clubs and societies.
What positive impact would it have?
It will make distance learners feel more included and improve their experience.
14/20 on Make a Change. Voted as important on 22 October 2024.
Gender Neutral/Inclusive bathrooms - Union Priority
Gender neutral bathrooms should be available across campuses. These provide a safe space, are accessible for non-binary students, and also support child care.
Why is it relevant to Falmouth & Exeter students?
It is important to make sure that all students have the same experience on campus and feel welcome. Gender neutral bathrooms would support this by removing barriers to access.
What positive impact would it have?
Non-binary students would be able to use the bathroom without having to misgender ourselves. All parents and guardians would have access to baby changing facilities.
18/22 on Make a Change. Voted as a Union Priority on 22 October 2024.
Proposals passed in 2023/24
Better bike shelters and storage on Penryn Campus
First focus is providing shelter for the main pedestrian/bike path into campus then look at creating additional shelters.
Cash on Campus - Union Priority
Highlighted the importance of being able to pay by cash for all students, especially international students and those with accessibility needs.
Voted as a union Priority.
SU to endorse Plant-based Universities campaign and all SU events to be plant based
It is a national student-led campaign implemented at other universities calling for institutional change to reduce carbon emissions. The goal of campaign is for FXPlus to commit to having only plant-based food on campus and not to affect individual’s diets.
150/156 on Make a Change.
Declaring a Climate and Nature Emergency
The SU to commit to Mature Student Enrichment
SU endorsement for Ecosia to be used as default search engine
No to occupation! No to imperialism! Solidarity with Palestinian youth and workers!
Sleeping pods and rest places on university campuses