BNU and Bucks SU reiterates affordability commitment to students
Measures offered by BNU include the adoption of the Real Living Wage for student employees and catering run by the students’ union to provide low-cost food
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Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) and Bucks Students’ Union have renewed their joint pledge to address students’ financial needs in light of a new national report on the cost of living in higher education.
The Higher Education Policy Institute’s report, A Minimum Income Standard for Students, published on 12 August, calls for significant reform of the student maintenance support system to meet minimum budget requirements for UK students.
BNU vice-chancellor Professor Damien Page said: “Today’s report is a stark reminder to the UK higher education sector and policymakers about the critical importance of student maintenance support. It’s important to us that our learners can both survive and thrive at BNU, particularly as many of our students are first in family to go to university and don’t have access to financial support from their families. Ahead of the Autumn Budget, we call on the Government to strongly consider whether the student maintenance support system is meeting students’ needs.
“We work closely with Bucks Students’ Union to look for new ways to make student life more affordable. Our award-winning work together demonstrates a commitment to lead from the front in helping students make the very most of their university experience.”
Measures already in place at BNU, in partnership with the students’ union, include:
- free access to recreation, sports and skills development through the Big Deal scheme, offering monthly savings of up to £200;
- adoption of the Real Living Wage for student employees;
- free breakfasts, lunches and evening meals targeted by campus;
- free student parking;
- catering run by the students’ union to provide low-cost food;
- free inter-campus travel;
- free products to address period and hygiene poverty.
Bucks SU chief executive Tristan Tipping added: “We read the HEPI report with great interest. Some of the findings and figures were eye watering, but not entirely unexpected. At Bucks SU, we’re proud that our institution works so hard to make university life more affordable. They understand the realities of the student journey and invest heavily in the welfare of our members, and I don’t know many universities who are doing more to relieve the burden of modern life for today’s learners.”