• We have secured 1 million pounds in cost-of-living support and aid from the University through lobbying for ring fencing and allocation of withheld funds.
• We have diversified our cost of living packages to include more accessible, non-application-based support available to all, as well as tailored initiatives targeted at certain communities, including commuters and international students.
• We secured 30 thousand pounds for the popular and much-needed Activities Access grant.
• Phase 1 of the UNIPOL housing charity project has been completed, with the full Rate Your Landlord York site launching in February 2024. We will likely be able to secure funding for Phases 2 and 3, which will launch this or next academic year.
• The University has committed to prioritising affordability in its accommodation strategy and further building developments they are looking into, both on campus and in the city.
• We held a popular disability sports week and were able to provide more sports for students with disabilities on campus. Plus, we are hoping to continue the wheelchair rugby sessions!
• As part of the ¸Û²Ê¿ª½±/GSA merger, we have rethought and revamped all of our processes for better participation, representation and inclusion for postgraduate students. We will now have governing texts which facilitate an offering accessible to all course types, including and beyond just undergraduate and postgraduate-taught students.
• We have held the University accountable for its sustainability pledges continuously through the committee system. This has resulted in a significant shift, particularly in terms of public reporting and scrutiny (e.g. annual reports on sustainability strategies). We have also gone beyond this and published data demonstrating University failures in environmental and social responsibility through the Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees Report. We expect the University to take on at least a portion of our recommendations soon.
• We have introduced a "Funding Your Student Group" session that will be run throughout the year, and are working on more training surrounding independent fundraising to allow them to circumvent reliance on grants, allowing student groups to thrive regardless.Developed paid intercultural peer-assisted learning opportunities for students and expanded York Leaders in its reach of students and time commitment.
• Developed paid intercultural peer-assisted learning opportunities for students and expanded York Leaders in its reach of students and time commitment.

• We delivered the "Funding your student group" training to encourage groups to apply for external funding such as YuFund and YuStart along with budgeting - however, we are working on more accessible resources on the Student Hub surrounding finance.
• We have recruited a student researcher to look into the experience of transgender and non-binary students at all levels of sport at York. We will be writing a policy based on the research's recommendation once it is completed in the second semester.
• We have expanded training and improved the signposting to existing resources to assist student groups in making their activities more disability friendly, and through the coming development of our Student Resource Hub we will be creating better and clearer resources.
• Self certification has been expanded from the 3 last year to include a refund system. Exceptional Circumstances have been revamped to be more supportive of students experiencing difficulties, and to be more flexible with the types of evidence students can submit. A pilot for dictionaries being allowed in closed examinations is taking place in February 2024.
• We will be undertaking work to audit campus infrastructure in the new semester to create a map for sustainable travel. We will also be looking to add to University resources, including campus maps and signage, to ensure accessible travel routes are fully visible and easy to understand. We are also incorporating elements of cycle safety into a wider campaigning piece around bike lights, safe walking routes and night safety.
• We are working with departments to prioritise student groups and finding alternative storage and flat floor space across campus, in light of the University’s decision to delay the building of the new Student Centre.
• We have created a Venue Guide to increase the use of our accessible venues rather than inaccessible venues in town. Watch this space!
• Campaigning work from the Sabbs, in addition to the planning of various events, have led to an increase in visible representation for students from widening participation groups. This includes the Overseas Together campaign, lobbying for changes to the Winter Graduation timeline, IPAL, the BAME Creative Showcase and the introduction of the South Asian football league. There is still a pressing need to find ways to include underrepresented student groups across all of our Union activities, and this continues to be a key Office priority.
• Developing a shell module for working and volunteering and expanding training for student groups.

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