A new ‘Rewards & Recognition Scheme’ has now been implemented by the University of Sussex Students’ Union in order to acknowledge continued efforts and development from student-led groups at the university.
Joshua McLaughlin | Staff Writer
A new ‘Rewards & Recognition Scheme’ has now been implemented by the University of Sussex Students’ Union in order to acknowledge continued efforts and development from student-led groups at the university.
Societies and sports clubs recognised by the Students’ Union, after meeting specified criteria, can now reap the benefits of the scheme through its multi-layered rewards tiers; ‘bronze,’ ‘silver’ and ‘gold’ – replacing the preexisting ‘Leaf Scheme’.
Operating on a £1,000 budget, this system will work on a first-come basis where student-led groups will be encouraged to reach specific goals in development, inclusivity, welfare-based training, collaboration and sustainability that will aim at having a lasting impact on the student community.
In recognition of surpassing these goals, any of the 300+ societies and sports clubs at Sussex can submit evidence of their engagement and, once approved by the Societies, Student Media Administrator or Sports Assistant, will be granted either £30 for reaching the silver tier and/or £40 for gaining the gold tier, respectively.
To get groups started, examples of requirements in achieving the first tier, ‘bronze,’ include evidencing; hosting 5 events or socials (with one needing to be alcohol-free in an alcohol-free space), tagging the Students’ Union social media in a story or post, meeting the group’s elected sport or society rep, ensuring that the group’s Welfare rep has completed their training, collaborating with another student-led group (either another group at Sussex, a student-led organisation at the University of Brighton, a local charity or a community group) and fundraising over £50 for the group or a selected charity.
According to the Students’ Union, “groups may use their status on publicity and marketing materials to show students they are taking proactive steps to include members, act sustainably, contribute to the community and/or develop as a society or sports club.”
Additionally, it has been promoted that participation in this new scheme may enhance the chances of clubs or societies in being nominated for an award at the annual ‘Student Awards,’ or in successfully receiving funding from the Sports Reps Fund or Societies Fund following an application, as the scheme encourages proactivity and continual commitment from a society’s or club’s committee towards their members and Sussex’s wider student community, as well as demonstrates continued development.
With the scheme aiming to be symbolic of a group’s achievements over the academic year, it has been scheduled to run until May 31, 2020; by which point it may be potentially renewed.
For more information on the ‘Reward & Recognition Scheme,’ visit the Students’ Union website at www.sussexstudent.com, or contact societies@sussexstudent.com or sport@sussexstudent.com.
