Interim Campaign Evaluation
As we near the end of 2006 we have taken the time to evaluate and review the demo and the campaign so far. Surveys were mailed out to Student unions and were available to complete online. We thought we would publish a summary of the interim results to demonstrate how we are using the feedback and to share the views that we have collected so far.
Demo
Overall: the assembly at ULU, the march and the rally of Trafalgar Square were rated by the majority of those who filled in the survey as either good or very good.
An overwhelming 97.5% of those who filled in the survey would recommend that future students and officers attend NUS demo.
Poor by 5.2% or 2 respondents who answered this question
Fair by 20%
Good by 48.6%
And Very good by 25.7 %
The Campaign toolkit CD and the materials provided before the demo were all deemed to be good and fair as was the information on the Admission: Impossible website. Popular improvements suggested included more access to forums for debate and discussion. Ideas, comments and suggestions about how to improve the website are still being welcomed. We hope to make some amendments to the site to improve the usability.
Very poor by 20% or 7 people who participated in this question
Poor by 14.3%
Fair by 17.1%
Good by 37.1%
Very good by 11.4%
It was noted that though some SUs experienced problems with receiving materials, this process was a marked improvement on previous years. A number of procedures were noted in our evaluation that will enable us to make the process more efficient next year.
Fair by 13.8% or 4 respondents
Good by 3.4%
Very good by 17.2%
Don’t know by 65.5%
21 skipped this question
Those who attended the days found them useful and worthwhile. These results were mirrored in the ratings for the roadshow visits.
“Joint union work really helps people to feel like they are part of something important. It’s good for unions to hang out and work together”
The comments that we have received and the number of unions who didn’t attend a regional planning day or received an NEC visit has lead to us putting more resources into co-ordinating regional planning days and events. This will come into effect for the campaign activities in term-two.
On the day facilities and information were deemed to be fair and the route taken was deemed very good by 60% of respondents.
Very poor by 31.4% or 11 respondents
Poor by 37.1%
Fair by 17.1%
Good by 14.3%
Very good by 2.9%
Allowing for the fact that most of the coverage was on the day when people were at the demo, in response to these figures to illustrate the amount and variety of coverage we received the full listing of press coverage was published on our website.
As for the Rally, most people were happy with the time and visibility awarded to the campaign convenors but would, if anything, have liked to see more speakers, more supporters and more entertainment.
Monday by 5.9% or 2 respondents
Tuesday by 5.9%
Wednesday by 29.4%
Thursday 11.8%
Friday 11.8%
Saturday 38.2%
Sunday 50%
Your comments on this question were varied and interesting, some supporting weekend demo’s as it enables unions in the North to take part and it causes maximum publicity. Some thought Saturday was a better day for getting more publicity due to greater disruption where as others thought Sundays were better as these precede traditionally slow news days. It was noted that many students have to work on a weekend and for them Wednesday afternoons were best though this may have the effect of excluding sports teams. Many unions recognised that it is hard to please everyone but the first Sunday NUS demo was popular.
Next steps
Organising national action (e.g. lobby other forms of demonstration) 61.8% 0r 21 respondents
Providing more resources (e.g. posters, campaign materials) 32.4%
Supporting local days of action / grass roots support 61.8%
Using e-campaigning on a wider scale 41.2%
Collecting evidence to support our arguments ahead of the 2009 review 73.5%
Other 17.6%
The activities for next term have been influenced in part by these preferences as well as strategic considerations for the duration of the top-up fees campaign.
“I hope the way forward is now to give the impetus to the individual student unions. To support them in a local and regional action. Hopefully this is the best way to keep individual members in touch with the campaign.”
Nationally local lobbying will take place at the constituency office of MPs focused around the week 12th February.
The Great Higher Education Funding Debate, a national event to be held close to Westminster with MPs and education sector panels, will provide many opportunities for Q&As and a plenary debate on the issue of fess. This will include an opportunity to feedback and share lobbying experiences as well as discuss and explore the future of the sector.
A coalition event later on in the year is to be held to engage specific groups in the campaign.
A database is being built to make it easier for students to find out more about their MP using information from Theyworkforyou.com and information collected by our Press and Public Affairs team. The hope is that SUs will be able to feedback information from their MP and VC meetings into the database to provide intelligence for the campaigning ahead.
Research relevant to the campaign that NUS has collected will be collated into an online searchable database that SUs will be able to access. This will be an ongoing project and will last until the review in 2009.
Some of the activities SUs have already planned include
If you have any further comments on the Admission: Impossible campaign please do not hesitate to get in touch – email campaigns@nus.org.uk or call 0207 380 6600.
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