Change It!

You can be the reason for meaningful change for students, making the University experience here at Sunderland better for everyone.

Submit an idea, and if it gets enough support from your fellow students, we’ll help you to make that change, be that through a campaign or SU policy. Or you can support an idea that’s already out there!

Person with dark hair holding a microphone

  1. Log in to the Students' Union website and submit your idea for approval.
  2. Once approved, your idea will be live on the website for 1 month. 
  3. Promote your idea to friends, peers, and groups through social media, word of mouth, clubs and societies, student events etc. SU staff will send you updates and advice on how to build support.
  4. If your idea receives 30 votes in favour (‘thumbs up’), it will proceed to the next stage to implement it. 
    • You will firstly meet with an SU staff member to discuss the change you want to make and what you need to do to achieve it.
    • This will lead to a staff-supported listening campaign on campus. This will involve going around campus to talk to students about the change you want to make, building student support and insights.
    • If your idea would have impact university-wide, listening activity will take place in both London and Sunderland campuses.
    • Resources and staff will be provided by Your SU for this, but you (and your key supporters/campaign team) will be integral to leading this work.
  5. Your SU will support you with the required actions to take your campaign forwards, or to introduce a new Union policy.

After approval, your idea will be categorised based on its stage in the process.

  • New Ideas/Petitions: Approved ideas for consideration by other students.
  • Changing It: Ideas Your SU is actively working to implement.
  • Changed It: Implemented ideas and change achieved.
  1. Does your idea resolve an issue?
  2. What information/research do you already have to support your idea?
  3. How does your idea impact students’ university experience? 
  4. How will your idea improve students’ academic achievements?
  5. What would you like to see as a result?
  • Microwaves for students on campus
  • Remove and replace all circuit laundry washers and dryers at student accommodation
  • Set Ecosia as the default search engine on all University computers
  • Free water in Murray Library
  • Your SU’s stance on solidarity with Palestine

Things to Consider

  1. Does your idea resolve an issue?
  2. What information/research do you already have to support your idea?
  3. How does your idea impact student experience? 
  4. How will your idea improve your experience academically?
  5. What would you like to see as a result?

Some successful past ideas

  • Set Ecosia as the default search engine on all University computers
  • Remove and replace all circuit laundry washers and dryers at student accommodation
  • Microwaves for Students on Campus
  • Free water in Murray library