Students' Union satisfaction success

Cardiff University's Students' Union is officially one of the best in Britain. 82% of students said they were satisfied with the Students' Union in the 2013 National Student Survey (NSS) and reported in The Telegraph this week, placing it in the top 10 in the UK.

President of the Students' Union, Elliot Howells, reflects on this result and looks ahead at what new developments Cardiff students can look forward to.

How do you feel about the Students' Union being ranked in the top 10 in the UK for student satisfaction?

It's really great news and is a credit to the huge team of people here that work so hard to improve the student experience for Cardiff University students. We're about to publish the Students' Union's new strategy for the next three years and our vision statement is 'Working with every Cardiff student to enhance their university experience' and being recognised as a leading Students' Union really epitomises this. I'm really proud to be President of the Union and it's great that others get to hear about what we do.

Why do you think Cardiff students are so happy with their union?

I think it's a combination of things. The organisation is entirely student-led which ensures we are always in touch with the student population. We are continuously responding to the real needs of students and every student will have a unique relationship with us. The huge range of services and support we offer ensures we can have a positive impact on every student; whether that be by giving them advice on academic issues, finding them a job, letting them a house, supporting their society or serving them a pint!

What can new students expect from the Students' Union when they start in September?

This is probably most exciting period of change for the Students' Union since the building first opened 40 years ago. We're just coming to the end of a multi-million pound redevelopment on the second floor. From September, we'll have a brand new nightclub with two brand new club nights. We've installed a mezzanine floor and a glass roof which allows lots of natural light so the space can be used by day too. It has a giant video wall and lots of meeting pods and furniture to allow versatile use. We've also got a brand new food court with four food outlets for students and staff to eat at. Our pub, The Taf, and reception have also both had a facelift!

On top of building developments, we have a whole new programme of activities called Give It A Go which allows students to try something new; everything from trips around Europe to learning a new skill or language. This is a really great time to be a student here.

What plans are there in the future to further improve the Students' Union?

We're continuously looking to improve what we do and that's one of the main benefits of having a new team of Elected Officers every year. It is likely that we'll undergo further building developments on the ground and first floors of the building. We're also looking to hugely expand our services and facilities on our Heath Park campus.

Find out more or stay in touch with the Union @CardiffStudents on Twitter or visit www.cardiffstudents.com. To find out what Elliot is up to, follow him @PresidentCSU.