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Past Campaigns

See campaigns we've supported in recent years.

Past Campaign Results

End to Zero Marks Campaign (2018)

Issue: a university-wide zero marks penalty for late submissions was causing significant stress and unfairly impacting students' grades

Key figures: Strath Union President, Vice Presidents, HaSS Faculty Reps, HaSS Students who completed the survey and made complaints, University Assessment Committee members

Success: Yes

Highlights: the campaign not only successfully achieved an end to the zero marks policy in the HaSS department, but expanded it to be implemented university-wide. The zero-mark penalty was replaced with a sliding scale deduction for late submissions, with deductions capped at the 40% pass mark to prevent indiscriminate fails.

This campaign demonstrated an effective strategy by starting small and building on wins, and utilising meetings with key decision-makers to amplify student voices!

Tactics

  • conducted research through the students' union on the impact of the penalty on students
  • targeted lobbying within the university
  • meetings with university committees and key decision-makers to amplify student voices and complaints
  • advocated and negotiated for change

Trans & Non-Binary Swim (2023)

Issue: Trans and N-B students often feel unsafe accessing sport facilities due to transphobia and discrimination

Key figures: Strath Union LGBT+ Rep, the LGBT+ Society, Vice President Inclusion & Sport, LEAP Sports, Strathclyde Sport staff, University Equality & Diversity Office

Success: Yes

Highlights: successfully stablished a weekly one-hour swimming session for trans & N-B folks, the first of its kind in Glasgow.

In this campaign, perseverance was the key! Students continuously asked to meet with decision makers, and had a flexible strategy where they were prepared to use different tactics if their demands weren't met.

Tactics

  • Organised a free swim session for trans & N‐B people during LGBT+ History Month and collected feedback to demonstrate the demand for regular sessions
  • Conducted in‐depth research into existing sessions, the benefits of swimming for the community, and combined all this information in a report submitted to the sport centre team
  • Met with Strathclyde Sport staff regularly to persuade them of the need for the session, presented the report to them, and sent many follow up emails
  • Asked for support from LEAP Sports and the Equality & Diversity office to provide expert training and opinions on the need for the swim and how to adapt the changing rooms and sports centre to be more trans and N‐B friendly

Fight for the Night (1991 ‐ present)

Issue: Gender-Based Violence is widespread on UK campuses

Key figures: Strath Union Exec team, feminist society, Women's Rep, Strath Union staff, GBV charities inclusing Rape Crisis Scotland, Strathclyde Telegraph

Tactics used:

  • annual marches through Glasgow to raise awareness and combat GBV

This campaign shows us the impact of sustained, ongoing, campaigning. It's the collective power of students that has made these changes possible!

Highlights

The list of successes of the campaign against GBV since 1991 is long, and includes:

  • Establishment of on-campus Rape Crisis support services
  • Participation in the EmilyTest Charter as requested by students
  • Strathclyde becoming the first signatory of the non-disclosure agreement pledge
  • Mandatory GBV 'consent' pre-matriculation module for all student
  • Continued advocacy at the national level with the equally safe initiative
  • Countless students empowered to attend demonstrations and speak up against GBV
  • Annual consent workshops with Split Banana
  • Introduction of Ask Angela in the Union

Palestine Solidarity Campaign (2023-present)

Issue: Strathclyde University's complicity in the genocide and occupation of Palestine through unethical investments and partnerships

Key figures: Palestine Solidarity Society, sympathetic student societies, Exec team

Highlights:

  • Successfully mobilised a large number of students
  • BDS policy was passed in student parliament and a working group to enforce the BDS policy has been set up
  • Raised £6000+ for Medical Aid for Palestinians in the space of a few months
  • Co-organised a National Day of Action for Palestine with other student and staff groups

Tactics

  • fundraising and awareness raising events including weekly stalls in the union
  • a sponsored walk
  • film screenings
  • banner making sessions
  • submitting a motion in student parliament demanding BDS compliance in the Union
  • direct action such as flyering, postering and demonstrations at George Square
  • meetings with university management

This campaign shows us the impact of sustained, ongoing, campaigning. It's the collective power of students that has made these changes possible!

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign is ongoing and welcomes new students to join the society.

How to join