A group of students thaking photos in Univeristy of Exeter rock

Our vision: We are here to help all students love Exeter

We do this by shaping an excellent student experience for all students at Exeter, by empowering you to take your place in the world and to make a positive difference. You are Exeter Students’ Guild. We have been on a bit of a journey over the past two years throughout the pandemic; from the commercial transfer of the outlets to the University and changes to Guild leadership, to democracy review and development of our policies including freedom of speech- it’s been busy! We are on the right track to rebuild the Guild with exciting, bold and innovative ideas on how to improve and develop over the next 3-5 years. We know we’re not there yet and still have a way to go, but we’re really excited about this journey that will (as always) have students at the heart of everything we do.

Our purpose and why we exist:

We are here to help all students

Love Exeter

We provide a whole host of opportunities for you to get involved with like societies and volunteering, advice and support, and represent your student voice and help you make change. We pursue our purpose through:

Influencing

the Exeter student experience to ensure it is both a high quality, value for money experience for all students, and transforms their lives.

Collaborating

with students to ensure there is a supportive, inclusive, empowering, and enriching community at Exeter for every student. Students are proud of Exeter and feel they belong to the community here.

Connecting

Exeter student life to the wider world, ensuring that both whilst studying and beyond that Exeter students and graduates are skilled and networked.

our Values:

We have three core values that everyone across your Guild shares. They define the way we work and are considered in every decision we make and the behaviours we champion and celebrate.

Empowering

We speak up, and provide a platform for students to raise their voices, we help those who need support, we create opportunities for personal development, and foster greater resilience and confidence in all our people.

Radically inclusive

We celebrate diversity, champion anti-oppression and equality of opportunity, and create inclusive communities for all our students.

Collaborative

We bring a positive attitude to partnership working in all our relationships- with students, the University and external partners.

Empowering

Supporting you to thrive and have the best time at university. Students will be empowered to get involved, develop your skills, shape your own experiences and become active changes makers.

What we will do:

Deliver a toolkit of radically inclusive, empowering and collaborative democratic structures that ensure all students can get involved in change making at any level. 
Develop a student leadership development programme that provides students with the tools they need to change the world. 
Provide students with the resources, information and advice to feel supported and thrive at University. 
Create memorable key moments throughout your time as a student like Freshers and Guild Awards. 
Empower you to take an active role as change makers on issues that matter most to you, such as sustainability and mental health.

What success looks like:

70% of students feel the Guild supports and empowers them to make change. 

80% of students feel the Guild positively impacts or adds value to their University experience. 

80% of students feel supported by the Guild. 

90% of student volunteers feel the Guild supports and empowers them to deliver a diverse and engaging range of co-curricular opportunities. 

Radically Inclusive

Diverse, student-led communities will be supported, represented and celebrated. The Guild will proactively remove barriers to participation and seek to provide meaningful and relevant opportunities that reflect the diverse student community and strive to ensure a sense of belonging for all students. 

What we will do:

Deliver activities and events for all students – with greater emphasis on delivering for postgraduate, international, part-time and mature students, students with dependents, distance learners and those studying at St Luke’s. 
Adapt and deliver Guild services that meet and respond to the needs of our diverse student community. 
Celebrate and showcase the diversity of the student community through liberation and cultural events and activities. 
Proactively reduce and remove barriers to participation in student groups, volunteering, events, democracy and student leadership opportunities.  
Ensure that leadership positions such as the Full-Time Officer roles are reflective of the needs and demographics of the student community.

What success looks like:

70% of students feel the Guild is radically inclusive, delivering opportunities and services that reflect them. 

80% of students feel they belong and feel part of a community whilst at university.  

70% of students feel represented by their elected Officers.  

Collaborative

Collaboration will be at the heart of what we do, working with students on LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE AND LOVE EXETER AS WELL AS ON issues that matter most to you. YOUR student priorities WILL demonstrably BE shaping the work of YOUR Guild and OfficerS. 

What we will do:

Work collaboratively with students to deliver more varied and innovative projects, campaigns and events to enhance your student experience. 
Engage in regular conversations with our diverse student communities on how the Guild can remove barriers and be radically inclusive. 
Work with students to effect change on issues that matter most to you, such as championing sustainability or advocating for greater mental health provision. 
Complete a collaborative brand review and rebrand of the Guild, driven by student partnership at all stages. 
Establish student advisory boards for relevant Guild remits and areas of development, to ensure student partnership is embedded as best practice and shapes what we do.

What success looks like:

All Guild priorities and projects are shaped by students.  

More student-led campaigns, projects and events supported by the Guild. 

80% of students feel the Guild’s brand and communications are relevant and shaped by students. 

Enabler #1

Our Partnerships

What we will do:

Collaborate with the University on sharing student feedback and insights to ensure we’re best placed to influence change. 
Develop shared goals and distinct roles on tackling issues facing students jointly with the University.

What success looks like:

Establish a sector-leading partnership board with the University. 

90% of University partners agree that the Guild is an effective partner.

Enabler #2

Our People

What we will do:

Prioritise the development, upskilling and training of all our staff, volunteers and officers to be skilled and effective in their roles. 
Empower a culture of radical inclusivity among all staff, volunteers and officers, ensuring that our people reflect the diversity of the student community.

What success looks like:

90% of staff and student staff recommend the Guild as a good place to work.

Achieve relevant accreditation reflecting investment in diversity and inclusion.

Enabler #3

Our Platforms

What we will do:

Ensure a digital presence that is innovative, effective and delivers student satisfaction and meets the needs our members. 
Develop and implement a digital strategy whilst continually evolving and developing our expertise and knowledge.

What success looks like:

80% of students agree that our digital platforms are relevant, engaging and accessible.

Enabler #4

Our Space

What we will do:

Review our spaces to ensure they are flexible and reflect students’ needs.
Develop and improve our spaces based on our updated needs.

What success looks like:

80% of students agree that our spaces are flexible and reflect their needs.

University of Exeter Students’ Guild Strategy 2022-2025

Our vision: We are here to help all students love Exeter

Our purpose and why we exist:

Love Exeter

Empowering

Supporting you to thrive and have the best time at university. Students will be empowered to get involved, develop your skills, shape your own experiences and become active changes makers.

What we will do:

What success looks like:

Radically Inclusive

What we will do:

What success looks like:

Collaborative

Collaboration will be at the heart of what we do, working with students on LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE AND LOVE EXETER AS WELL AS ON issues that matter most to you. YOUR student priorities WILL demonstrably BE shaping the work of YOUR Guild and OfficerS.

What we will do:

What success looks like:

Enabler #1

Our Partnerships

What we will do:

What success looks like:

Enabler #2

Our People

What we will do:

What success looks like:

Enabler #3

Our Platforms

What we will do:

What success looks like:

Enabler #4

Our Space

What we will do:

What success looks like:

University of Exeter Students’ Guild  Strategy 2022-2025

Collaboration will be at the heart of what we do, working with students on LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE AND LOVE EXETER AS WELL AS ON issues that matter most to you. YOUR student priorities WILL demonstrably BE shaping the work of YOUR Guild and OfficerS. 