To argue that the Students' Union is a positive force for the university, we need to ensure that the University sees that we are adding value to their strategy, helping them manage risks, and contributing to their business. We can do this through a variety of methods- we need to be thinking of making these arguments in the round: - Emotionally - Intellectually - Logically At USSU we're probably not as good at the emotional stuff. We probably need more quotes from students, videos of students participating, case studies, etc etc. ## Pillars - [[Importance of Extracurricular activities on retention, graduate outcomes, and connectiveness]] benefits retention, student satisfaction, completion, employability. - Also benefits education in general- for example exposure to different ideas. - Advocacy on behalf of students keeps students satisfied and makes a better offer to students, especially when it is co-produced and delivered in partnership. - ULT and Students can be conspirators to get things done together across the board. - It is also part of the University keeping up with student demands and expectations, and helping them to see things coming down the road - It also helps them to ensure they're meeting the standards and regulatory framework set out by the govt/ office for students. Good Uni staff members and leaders get this/ are not threatened by it. - Advice is essential to the concept of natural justice, keeping students on the course, explaining processes and managing student expectations through those processes - Our wellbeing department is essential for addressing sub-clinical mental health concerns in the student population, including loneliness, and stopping them from accessing the mental health services that the university provides. - Our approach is beneficial overall. We can get things done quicker, cheaper and easier. - Lower regulatory burden (HR, staff costs etc) - Approach to using volunteers - Organisation design (flat structure, less managerialist approach, happy with experimentation culture). ## See also - [[What are the arguments that Salford SU needs to make and win?]]