A mixed methods contribution analysis of UK students’ unions’ internal communications response to addressing staff motivation during the Covid-19 pandemic

This macro-level, mixed methods contribution analysis evaluates the influence of students’ unions internal communication response to the Covid-19 pandemic on staff motivation. Recognising the role individual interpretation and perception play in the receipt of such messages, this paper seeks to understand which motivating factors union managers sought to address through their communications, whether these efforts were recognised by staff and whether there is evidence they may have helped to alleviate employee concerns. The evaluation findings will be of interest to student union managers and professionals looking to enhance communications and improve employee motivation. Received: 14 September 2021Accepted: 27 October 2021

Organizational technics for developing the leadership potential of students in self-government

Organizational technics for developing the leadership potential of students in self-government has been a topic of debate in recent times. The article aims to describe ways to allow students to develop creative initiatives in self-government, responsibility and professionalism, independence and social activity. Trends have been defined for improving pedagogical forms and methods of work with students. Develop leadership potential in student self-governance. Improvement of research, cultural, educational, athletic, information and communication skills within student union, which allows young people to develop their professional competencies. Leadership skills require active and professional self-management and self-improvement. A communication culture develops as a result of student autonomy and the manifestation of leadership potential. The authors argue that students, as active participants in the university’s public life, develop their leadership potential by participating in the formation of traditions. Quality preparation of students for a future professional career is possible only if the leadership potential of professional responsibility is developed. Keywords: communication culture; free will; leadership potential; self-government; self-improvement; оrganisational technics

Watching participatory budgeting events or attending them produce different distributive outcomes

PurposeThe study examines the impact of presence, synchronicity of exposure and other variables on allocative decisions reached following a participatory budgeting event.Design/methodology/approachThe study analyzes the distributive decisions reached following a participatory budgeting event, which took place in an academic institution, and students were asked to determine the distribution of a portion of the student union budget. Some students viewed the event live (physically or remotely), while others watched it in delay.FindingsThe main variable affecting allocative decisions was whether decision-makers were exposed to the event physically or remotely. There was a significant and large difference between allocation decisions of participants who were physically present at the event and those who were exposed to it remotely.Practical implicationsThe discussion elaborates on the implications of the findings for the importance of presence and media selection in public engagement events.Originality/valuePublic engagement events are becoming widespread, with the Internet being a major tool in their administration. This study demonstrates that using the Internet to make such events accessible to the non-physically present can create significant changes in decisions reached by participants.

Pengaruh Lingkungan Kewirausahaan terhadap Kinerja Organisasi dengan Intrapreneurial Competency sebagai Variabel Mediasi pada Student Union Universitas Ciputra

The purpose of this research is to determine the effect of the entrepreneurial environment on organizational performance with Intrapreneurial competency as a mediating variable at the IBM Student Union, Ciputra University. Respondents of this study were all 47 IBM student union Ciputra University with saturated sample method. The results of this study indicate that the organizational environment affects intrapreneurial competency, organizational environment affects organizational performance, and intrapreneurial competency affects organizational performance and partially mediates the relationship between entrepreneurial environment and organizational performance. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh lingkungan kewirausahaan terhadap kinerja organisasi dengan Intrapreneurial competency sebagai variabel mediasi pada IBM Student Union Universitas Ciputra. Responden dari penelitian ini adalah seluruh 47 orang IBM student union Universitas Ciputra dengan metode sampel jenuh. Hasil dari penelitian menunjukkan bahwa lingkungan organisasi mempengaruhi intrapreneurial competency, lingkungan organisasi mempengaruhi kinerja organisasi, dan intrapreneurial competency mempengaruhi kinerja organisasi serta memediasi secara parsial hubungan antara lingkungan kewirausahaan dengan kinerja organisasi.

The Creation of a Mental Health Policy in Higher Education

The mental wellness of university students can be critical for their success. In an attempt to minimize stress for students, many universities have implemented a policy for a fall break with limited evidence to support its intended outcomes. This case study offers a critical appraisal of the formation of the fall break policy at one medium sized comprehensive university using qualitative and quantitative forms of evidence triangulated from (1) University Student Union survey, (2) document analysis and; (3) informant interview. The lack of uniformity on how the fall break is labelled, the timing of the break and its evaluation emerged as design flaws in the creation stage that perhaps, could have been mitigated if faculty and student voices were included in policy creation decisions.

Jordanian graduate students’ complaints on Facebook: Semantic formulas and politeness

This study examines Jordanian graduate students' complaints posted on a Facebook closed group and directed to the representatives of Student Union at Jordan University of Science and Technology to be transferred to the officials concerned. In line with Boxer (1993b), the study considers the students' complaints to be indirect speech acts, as the addressee(s) are not the source of the offense. Using a sample of 60 institutional complaining posts, the researchers have analysed the complaints in terms of their semantic formulas, politeness functions and correlations with the gender of the complainers. The students’ complaints are classified into six semantic formulas of which the act statement element is indispensable as the complaint is stated in it. The other five formulas, ordered according to their frequency, are opener, remedy, appreciative closing, justification and others. Despite the negative affect typically involved in the complaining act, the semantic formulas identified in this study are found to signal politeness and fit into Brown and Levinson’s (1987) pool of face-saving strategies rather than face-threatening acts. Specifically, when the graduate students direct their Facebook complaints to the students' representatives, they tend to offer camaraderie with them to be encouraged to pursue the problems specified in the complainers’ posts.

Marian Zdziechowski and the Russian students at the Stefan Batory University in Wilno

The purpose of this study is to describe the relationship between Professor Marian Zdziechowski and the students of Russian nationality at the Polish University of Stefan Batory. This scientist and thinker was the curator of the Russian Student Union and the student corporation “Ruthenia Vilnensis”. Zdziechowski’s participation in the activities of Russian student organizations and involvement in the fate of individual students is explored in the context of the scholar’s attention to Russian religious philosophy and his goodwill towards the Russian emigrates and minorities in Poland, and the rejection of communism. The main research material consisted of archival documents and publications in Vilnius interwar periodical press in Polish and Russian. The study showed that Zdziechowski was an ideological leader, a highest authority and a role model for Russian students in Wilno.

“We Already Do Enough Around Equality and Diversity”: Action Taken by Student Union Officers to Promote LGBT+ Inclusion in University Sport

Sport is often considered an important part of United Kingdom (U.K.) university life. However, a limited amount of research has explored inclusion in university sport, particularly considering student union officers’ perceptions. As part of a wider study on LGBT+ sport, a U.K.-wide survey was conducted with officers, alongside focus groups at four institutions. Findings suggest further action can be taken to increase sports’ accessibility. Despite evidence of discrimination toward LGBT+ students, accessible practices were not prioritized at all institutions. For instance, equality policies and trans* inclusion policies had not always been created or embedded into the running of the student unions. The findings may be useful for student unions and others in control of sport provision to increase inclusion for all.