Change It!

Help us help you make the University experience here at Sunderland better for everyone. Submit an idea, get it voted on by your peers, and if it gets 35 votes with a majority of supporters, we’ll be in touch talking about how we can help you make the change happen. 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, you’ll receive updates and tips from the Voice team during the one-month active period.
  3. Promote your idea to friends, peers, and groups through social media and course/sports/societies groups.
  4. If your idea receives 35 interactions, with the majority being 'likes', Union staff will assess if it needs to go to Union Council.
    • If no, we’ll contact you to work with you to try and make it happen.
    • If yes, an Elected Officer will reach out to discuss and prepare your idea for Union Council.
  5. Present your idea at Union Council.
  6. If your idea is approved at the Union Council vote, we’ll work with you to action and implement it.

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

  • New ideas: Approved ideas for consideration by other students.
  • Second chance: Ideas that didn't achieve an overall positive amount of likes, but were discussed and agreed upon, getting another chance for success.
  • Maybe one day: Ideas that didn't gain sufficient support from students, Elected Officers, or Union Council. (The same idea can't be taken to Union Council twice in a single academic year).
  • Sent to Union Council: Ideas with required support levels are taken to Union Council for discussion and voting.
  • We are working on it: Ideas the Union is actively working to implement.
  • We changed it: Implemented ideas and the achieved changes.

Things to Consider

  • Does your idea resolve an issue?
  • What information/research do you already have to support your idea?
  • How does your idea impact student experience? 
  • How will your idea improve your experience academically?
  • 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