The document provides the agenda and background information for a Guild Council meeting at the University of Exeter. The agenda covers governance issues, student ideas proposals, and officer reports. Under student ideas, several proposals are classified and recommendations are made to automatically pass or fail certain ideas based on vote ratings in order to lighten the council's workload. Votes are also held to decide on closing the student ideas forum over the Christmas break and changing the process for handling student ideas.

1. Buffer

2. Guild Council
Agenda: 28-Oct-15
Amory B106 – 2:30pm to 3:30pm
Amory B105 – 3:30pm to 4:00pm

3. Agenda
• 5 minutes (arrival buffer)
• Governance
– Introductions / Apologies
– Student Ideas Context
– Process Decision
– Christmas break
• Student Ideas
– Change Agents
– Automatic Passes
– Automatic Fails
– Neutral (2 pass of 3)
– Neutral (1 pass of 3)
• 5 minute break
• Reports
– Reports – 60 Seconds
– Guild President,
– VP Activities,
– VP Education,
– VP Welfare & Diversity
• Any Other Business

4. Student Ideas - Context
• 2014-15 Year
– 60 Ideas in Term One
– 114 Ideas in total all year
– 91 Proposers in total
– 8,392 votes cast in total
• Week Six, Term One, 2015-16 Year
– 61 Ideas currently live
– 147 Ideas in total so far
– 110 Proposers in total so far
– 8,580 votes cast in total so far
• This is a four-fold increase year-on-year

5. Process Decision (1 of 4)
• Student Ideas is very active!
– This is positive in terms of engagement and
participation, however:
– It is high impacting on Guild Council itself.
– To cope with the number of Ideas, Council is not
taking the time that some of you would like to take on
each Idea.
– This is leading to a high number of neutral Ideas
being failed at Council which will erode trust, both in
Ideas and in Council itself.

6. Process Decision (2 of 4)
• ‘Volume’ Problem
– At Handover we warned that Council might not be able to cope
with an increase in numbers, which the existing Councillors felt
was not a problem
– Last year’s Council barely coped with the number that came
through all year.
– This year’s Council now faces that same number, all finishing
before week 9 of term one.
– Without permanently extending Council’s working hours (which
we should not do since you were not elected to do that number
of hours)…
– Council needs to revisit a couple of decisions to lighten your own
workload and allow you to take difficult decisions on the
‘problem’ Ideas

7. Process Decision (3 of 4)
• Classifying Ideas:
– Change Agent Projects – a new addition, and not something that was
intended to be a part of Council’s workload at all except in the case of
failing projects.
– Automatic Fails – we advised Council to just let these fail – we can
assist students with becoming Change Agents should they wish to,
without Council needing to reserve time for projects that won’t happen
otherwise.
– Neutral (1 pass / 3) – these Ideas are likely to fail, but Council may
decide some are important; and needs time to discuss them properly.
– Neutral (2 pass / 3) – these Ideas are more likely to pass, but Council
still needs time to discuss them properly.
– Automatic Pass – these Ideas shouldn’t be failed unless they are
impossible to do – the Sabbatical Officers would be as able to discern
that in practice as readily as Council can at the time of debate. Sabbs
would then have to justify the failure to Council anyway.

8. Process Decision (4 of 4)
• Proposal
– Change Agent Projects – not on the Agenda unless failing.
– Automatic Fails (0 pass / 3) – not on the Agenda.
– Neutral (1 pass / 3) – Council decision – on the Agenda.
– Neutral (2 pass / 3) – Council decision – on the Agenda.
– Automatic Pass (3 pass / 3) – these Ideas shouldn’t be failed
unless they are impossible to do – the Sabbatical Officers would
be as able to discern that in practice as Council can at the time
of debate. Not on the Agenda unless failing.
– Councillors can still become Change Agents for any Idea by
putting themselves forward when it’s being voted on – for
the very small number where this might happen Council’s
time should be cleared.

9. Process Decision (VOTE)
• Vote
– GREEN: Immediately implement this change to focus
on Neutral Ideas in Council.
– YELLOW: Abstain.
– RED: Keep status quo arrangements, and extend
Council times permanently.

10. Christmas Break
• Last year Ideas was open throughout
December
– Council had an existing backlog, and needed two
emergency meetings to clear Idea that had been
waiting longer than a month to be processed.
– Some Ideas had been waiting for 6 weeks to be voted
on. The communication point is now 21 days – this
would force a communication stating Council hadn’t
met to discuss an Idea for all Ideas over this period.
– This can be avoided in the same way problems with
Term 3 were – by closing Ideas at the right times.

11. Christmas Break (VOTE)
• Info
– Final guild Council is 9 December.
– Last Idea for this Council would close 8 December.
• Vote
– GREEN: Close Student Ideas on 24 November.
– YELLOW: Close Student Ideas on final day of term,
and extend voting period to exam week.
– RED: Keep status quo arrangements, Council to have
emergency meetings to handle any backlog.

12. Change Agents
• Change Agent “Data” projects
– Costa Terrace to be No Smoking

13. Student Ideas
69
17
03
17 0
A plan for the terrace of Costa on Streatham
campus forum to become a no-smoking area.
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Confused
No Vote:
Change Agents project.
 Votes: 106
 Positive: 81.1%
 Mean Rating: 4.11
Pass / Fail Ratings
Notes:
Polarising idea (no neutral
votes) but strongly in
favour of the plan.
Democratic evidence for a
Change Agents project.

14. Automatic Passes
• Print Credits – to VP Education
• Foodbank in the Forum

15. Student Ideas
96
20
5261
Print Credits. We spend 9 grand a year and
the Uni. can't even give us £10 to spend on
crucial printing? Ridiculous.
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Confused
Votes:
RED: Fail Idea – Automatic Pass, should not be failed.
AMBER: Pass to VP Education for evidence to implement.
 Votes: 130
 Positive: 89.2%
 Mean Rating: 4.50
Pass / Fail Ratings
Notes:
Automatic Pass.
VP Education – similar
manifesto point where
this evidence would be
useful.

16. Student Ideas
126
17
0131
Set up a collection point for Exeter Foodbank
in the Forum.
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Confused
Votes:
RED: Fail Idea – Automatic Pass. Should not be failed.
AMBER: Pass to Guild President to agree implementation with relevant
University groups
 Votes: 148
 Positive: 96.6%
 Mean Rating: 4.67
Pass / Fail Ratings
Notes:
Automatic Pass
All comments in
agreement.

17. Automatic Fails
• Smaller portions of fruit and individual vegetables in the
marketplace.
• Idle PC's on campus should be utilised for crowd
computing assisted research into diseases
• More Pastries in the Morning
• No time-limit on Heater
• On the iExeter app there should be a forum option as
this is an underused resource
• Have Security Guards watch over the queues in the
Lemmy to stop people pushing in
• Our timetable should have links to the relevant resources
when you click on each section

18. Student Ideas
15
7
5
10
6
3
Smaller portions of fruit and individual
vegetables in the marketplace.
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Confused
Votes:
RED: Fail Idea – Automatic Fail
AMBER: Individual Change Agent present to rescue…
There is a similar project ongoing which might provide a solution if successful.
 Votes: 46
 Positive: 47.8%
 Mean Rating: 3.13
Pass / Fail Ratings
Notes:
Automatic Fail unless
rescued by individual
Change Agent.

19. Student Ideas
15
15
6
3
3
9
Idle PC's on campus should be utilised for
crowd computing assisted research into
diseases
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Confused
No Vote:
Change Agent Project
 Votes: 51
 Positive: 58.8%
 Mean Rating: 3.18
Pass / Fail Ratings
Notes:
Change Agent Project –
data is for development
purposes only.

20. Student Ideas
10
4
5
4
0
3
Our timetable should have links to the
relevant resources when you click on each
section
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Confused
Votes:
RED: Fail Idea – Automatic Fail
AMBER: Potential Change Agents project – data as evidence.
 Votes: 26
 Positive: 53.9%
 Mean Rating: 3.42
Pass / Fail Ratings
Notes:
Automatic Fail, unless
rescued by individual
Change Agent.

21. Student Ideas
21
2
9
3
3
3
The Marketplace should make/sell more
pastries in the morning
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Confused
Votes:
RED: Fail Idea – Automatic Fail
AMBER: Individual Change Agent rescue.
 Votes: 41
 Positive: 56.1%
 Mean Rating: 3.63
Pass / Fail Ratings
Notes:
Automatic Fail.

22. Student Ideas
13
7
212
16
1
No time limit on heater.
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Confused
Votes:
RED: Fail Idea – Automatic Fail
AMBER: Change Agent rescue.
 Votes: 51
 Positive: 39.2%
 Mean Rating: 2.73
Pass / Fail Ratings
Notes:
Automatic Fail.
No comments made, but
it is likely that
sustainability and energy
use was a consideration
against the Idea.

23. Student Ideas
7
118
2
2
4
On the iExeter app there should be a forum
option as this is an underused resource.
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Confused
Votes:
RED: Fail Idea – Automatic Fail
AMBER: Individual Change Agents rescue
 Votes: 34
 Positive: 53%
 Mean Rating: 3.21
Pass / Fail Ratings
Notes:
Automatic Fail.
Popularity of the iExeter
app questioned.

24. Student Ideas
14
9
11
7
10
3
Have security guards watch over the queues
in the Lemmy to stop people pushing in
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Confused
Votes:
RED: Fail Idea – Automatic Fail
AMBER: Pass to Guild President
 Votes: 54
 Positive: 42.6%
 Mean Rating: 3.02
Pass / Fail Ratings
Notes:
Automatic Fail.
No Comments.

25. Neutral (1 out of 3)
• University of Exeter House Hunt Facebook page
• Career Zone needs an online booking page
• Try to decongest the corridors before and after lectures, maybe with a
better in/out system
• Book Swap. Or second hand book shop.
• Paper recycling at the University and in the Halls
• Nice trash bins in the outdoor areas
• Replace the Student Room Booking system with one similar to the one
used to book Music Practice Rooms
• Better online access to accounts by Societies
• Move the non-smoking areas further away
• Each College/Department should have it’s own library or study space
• Make Estate Patrol a Freephone number

26. Student Ideas
15
10
4
2
0
5
Create a University of Exeter House Hunt
Facebook group
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Confused
Votes:
RED: Fail Idea – Neutral (1 of 3 passed)
AMBER: Pass to VP Welfare & Diversity (PG issue)
 Votes: 36
 Positive: 69.5%
 Mean Rating: 3.64
Pass / Fail Ratings
Notes:
The old PG Facebook
page served some of this
function, and was the
most used part.
University curated page
would be most useful for
students who are not yet
arrived.

27. Student Ideas
23
11
5
3
1
9
Career Zone needs an online booking page
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Confused
Votes:
RED: Fail Idea – Neutral (1 of 3 passed)
AMBER: Pass to VP Activities
GREEN: Pass to Employability & Careers Working Group
 Votes: 52
 Positive: 65.4%
 Mean Rating: 3.48
Pass / Fail Ratings
Notes:
Need factual information
on whether Careers
consultant bookings are
available online.
Website is pitched to
physical visits, email or
phone.

28. Student Ideas
18
11
5
2
1 3
Try to decongest the corridors before and
after lectures, maybe with a better in/out
system. Newman gets particularly bad
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Confused
Votes:
RED: Fail Idea – Neutral (1 of 3 passed)
AMBER: Pass to VP Education to ask about switch-over times and see if
there’s an easy solution which can be implemented.
 Votes: 40
 Positive: 72.5%
 Mean Rating: 3.85
Pass / Fail Ratings
Notes:
No comments.

29. Student Ideas
21
7
2
5
1
5
Book Swap. Or second hand book shop. Either
an on campus site or online message board
where students can swap or sell unneeded
course books to other students.
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Confused
Votes:
RED: Fail Idea – Neutral (1 of 3 passed)
AMBER: Pass to Guild President re: Advertising/Awareness
 Votes: 41
 Positive: 68.3%
 Mean Rating: 3.66
Pass / Fail Ratings
Notes:
Existing service from the
Guild Print Room.
Potentially indicates a
communication problem
in raising awareness of
the facility.

30. Student Ideas
28
12
002 1
Paper recycling at the University and in the
Halls (esp. St. David’s)
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Confused
Votes:
RED: Fail Idea – Neutral (1 of 3 passed)
AMBER: Pass to Guild President to collate all evidence and present to
University.
GREEN: Pass to Environment & Ethics Working Group
 Votes: 43
 Positive: 93%
 Mean Rating: 4.42
Pass / Fail Ratings
Notes:
The number of Ideas
relating to rubbish
disposal (and recycling)
indicates a major
problem, and most are
positive on voting.

31. Student Ideas
2013
2 2 00
Nice trash bins in the outdoor areas
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Confused
Votes:
RED: Fail Idea – Neutral (1 of 3 passed)
AMBER: Pass to Guild President to collate all evidence and present to
University.
GREEN: Pass to Environment & Ethics Working Group
 Votes: 37
 Positive: 89.2%
 Mean Rating: 4.38
Pass / Fail Ratings
Notes:
The number of Ideas
relating to rubbish
disposal (and recycling)
indicates a major
problem, and most are
positive on voting.

32. Student Ideas
30
6
210 3
Replace the Student Room Booking system
with one similar to the one used to book
Music Practice Rooms
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Confused
Votes:
RED: Fail Idea – Neutral (1 of 3 passed)
AMBER: Pass to VP Activities to investigate/unify Guild systems.
GREEN: Pass to VP Education to investigate University systems. It seems
likely that the proposer had the University systems in mind.
 Votes: 42
 Positive: 75.7%
 Mean Rating: 4.36
Pass / Fail Ratings
Notes:
If this refers to the Guild
systems, then both are
under Guild control.
If this refers to the
University booking
systems that requires
more work.

33. Student Ideas
27
12
3
102
Better online access to accounts for societies
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Confused
Votes:
RED: Fail Idea – Neutral (1 of 3 passed)
AMBER: Pass to VP Activities to work with SocExec on ‘want list’ with an
intention to scope delivery of improved service which fits student
requirements.
 Votes: 45
 Positive: 86.7%
 Mean Rating: 4.31
Pass / Fail Ratings
Notes:
There have been a few
manifesto promises or
ideas around this topic –
project scope needs to be
determined.

34. Student Ideas
467
1
4
12
2
Move the non-smoking areas further away
from buildings
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Confused
Votes:
RED: Fail Idea – Neutral (1 out of 3 passed)
AMBER: Pass to VP Activities to liaise with Campus
Services
 Votes: 72
 Positive: 73.6%
 Mean Rating: 3.90
Pass / Fail Ratings
Notes:
There are no official
‘smoking areas.’
The non-smoking area in
front of/near buildings is
meant to be 5m but is not
fully enforced or marked.
Enforcement requires
salaried personnel.

35. Student Ideas
24
20
10
7
21
Each college/department should have its own
library or study space area in addition to the
University Library (esp. Washington Singer)
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Confused
Votes:
RED: Fail Idea – Neutral (1 out of 3 passed)
AMBER: Pass to VP Education to start talks with SSLC and
College Officers
 Votes: 64
 Positive: 68.8%
 Mean Rating: 3.84
Pass / Fail Ratings
Notes:
No Comments
Most study spaces have
been centralised –
Colleges are required to
budget for them (pay
rental)

36. Student Ideas
39
11
3
5
10
6
Make Estate Patrol a free phone number.
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Confused
Votes:
RED: Fail Idea – Neutral (1 out of 3 passed)
AMBER: Pass to Guild President to liaise with University at
appropriate level.
 Votes: 74
 Positive: 67.6%
 Mean Rating: 3.62
Pass / Fail Ratings
Notes:
The Ofcom notes on 0800
and 0808 numbers state
that consumer landlines
and mobile phones can
access these services free
of charge.
Call costs are recharged
to the recipient.

37. Neutral (2 out of 3)
• More bike parking rails
• Curly Fries in the Grove Diner post-Lemmy
• Stop the Ram using Plastic Cups
• The Guild should remain neutral on the EU Referendum
• Put more bins around campus as there are not enough
• Extend the £20 food and drink voucher to all with 8:30
starts
• Library Due dates on Calendar
• Lafrowda Cashpoint
• Lecture Starts on the Hour

38. Student Ideas
33
14
3 000
More bike parking rails
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Confused
Votes:
RED: Fail Idea – Neutral (2 of 3 passed)
AMBER: Pass to VP Activities to work with AU President on implementation
GREEN: Pass to Environment & Ethics working group
 Votes: 50
 Positive: 94%
 Mean Rating: 4.60
Pass / Fail Ratings
Notes:
The University cycling
account has been posting
images of the unfilled
racks.
A comment notes that
many racks are in ‘bizarre’
places.

39. Student Ideas
40
13
10
10
6 0
Grove Diner should serve curly fries
(especially post Lemmy); optional cheese
would be a bonus!
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Confused
Votes:
RED: Fail Idea – Neutral (2 out of 3 passed)
AMBER: Pass to Guild President
 Votes: 79
 Positive: 67.1%
 Mean Rating: 3.90
Pass / Fail Ratings
Notes:
No notes or comments.
President role liaises with
trading.

40. Student Ideas
50
23
2 3 4 1
Stop The Ram using plastic cups
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Confused
Votes:
RED: Fail Idea – Neutral (2 of 3 passed)
AMBER: Pass to Guild President to look at more glasses
and the use of plastic in future.
 Votes: 83
 Positive: 87.9%
 Mean Rating: 4.31
Pass / Fail Ratings
Notes:
More glasses suggested.
Smashing glasses as a
problem.
Temporary measure for
Freshers’ Week and
Rugby World Cup? (to be
confirmed)

41. Student Ideas
50
8
9
4
10 1
The Guild should remain neutral on the topic
of the European Union referendum
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Confused
Votes (if not Change Agent):
RED: Fail Idea – Neutral (2 out of 3 passed)
AMBER: Pass to VP Activities (democracy remit)
 Votes: 75
 Positive: 70.8%
 Mean Rating: 3.99
Pass / Fail Ratings
Notes:
Potential Change Agent.
Guild is obliged as a
Charity to remain neutral
on all political issues as an
organisation.
Purgatory will apply to all
activities once it falls
during the 6-week period.

42. Student Ideas
50
16
2100
Put more bins around campus as there are not
enough
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Confused
Votes:
RED: Fail Idea – Neutral (2 of 3 passed)
AMBER: Pass to VP Activities to work with Campus
Services.
GREEN: Pass to Environment & Ethics Working Group.
 Votes: 69
 Positive: 95.7%
 Mean Rating: 4.67
Pass / Fail Ratings
Notes:
Most common topic for
Student Ideas.
University response
relates to campus as a
Botanical Garden.
The Royal Botanical
Gardens (RBGE) have
numerous recycling
points.

43. Student Ideas
41
15
6
5
10
4
Extend the £20 food and drink voucher to
those with any 8:30 lectures, not just those
with 3-plus a week
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Confused
Votes:
RED: Fail Idea – Neutral (2 of 3 passed)
AMBER: Pass to Guild President to work on with other
mitigation for teaching day changes.
 Votes: 81
 Positive: 69.1%
 Mean Rating: 3.74
Pass / Fail Ratings
Notes:
Comments relate to a
student who had not
received their voucher.
Figures affected are not
known at this stage.

44. Student Ideas
51
20
7
2 31
Library due dates to appear on our timetables
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Confused
Votes:
RED: Fail Idea – Neutral (2 out of 3 passed)
AMBER: Pass to VP Education on this point.
GREEN: Pass to VP Education to begin a ‘unification of service’ strategy
at least for calendar access to more important information.
 Votes: 84
 Positive: 84.5%
 Mean Rating: 4.32
Pass / Fail Ratings
Notes:
No Comments
There have been other
Ideas which relate to
multiple access / log-ins
being required for
different services.

45. Student Ideas
41
14
4
3 20
To have a cashpoint somewhere near the
Exeter halls/ Lafrowda/ Business centre side
of campus, e.g. by the smaller marketplace
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Confused
Votes:
RED: Fail Idea – Neutral (2 out of 3 passed)
AMBER: Pass to VP Activities to liaise with Campus Services
GREEN: Pass to Campaigns Working Group to work with banks
 Votes: 64
 Positive: 86%
 Mean Rating: 4.39
Pass / Fail Ratings
Notes:
Notes that walking up the
hill is an unnecessary trek
when shopping at the
small marketplace.
The next cash-point
available would be in
town.

46. Student Ideas
56
16
11
3
13 0
Revert back to lecture starts on the hour
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Confused
Votes:
RED: Fail Idea – Neutral (2 of 3 passed)
AMBER: Pass to VP Education to find a solution – i.e. moving other
activity to match new schedules.
GREEN: Pass to Campaigns Working Group to campaign for change
 Votes: 104
 Positive: 69.2%
 Mean Rating: 3.90
Pass / Fail Ratings
Notes:
Most other campus
activity is still scheduled
for the hour – meaning
training and sports are
more likely to conflict
with lectures.

47. Break

48. Sabb Reports
• 60 second Sabb Reports
– Guild President
– VP Activities
– VP Education
– VP Welfare & Diversity

49. Any Other Business
• Correcting failure
– No current failing Ideas or projects which
require Council votes.
• Guild President
– Question to Council.
• Anything else from the floor?