On 14th June 2016 ENSA was informed that the University intends to cut ENSA’s budget by 4.4% in 2016/17 and that 15% of ENSA’s funding will now be ring-fenced for University-approved purposes.
ENSA’s Trustee Board will now review the position and determine an appropriate way forward in the context of reduced funding.
Background
Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association (ENSA) is an independent charity representing all currently matriculated, UK based, Edinburgh Napier University students. ENSA is governed by a Board of Trustees, in accordance with its constitution which outlines its vision, mission and ‘charitable objects’. As a not for profit organisation, ENSA uses all its income to fulfil its vision which is: “To enhance students’ experience continually and assist students in achieving their full potential”.
Funding
ENSA’s main source of funding is a grant from the University and the amount ENSA receives results from annual discussions with the University. ENSA’s grant has been frozen at currents levels since 2012. ENSA is usually able to generate a moderate amount of additional income through advertising, sponsorship and social events but this is variable year on year.
ENSA utilises its funding to deliver its core constitutional activities of: Representation, Sports, Societies, Advice, Communication, Student Development and Safe Social Space.
In 2014 ENSA developed a Student Engagement Strategy aimed at enhancing these core activities while offering an additional volunteering service. Concurrently ENSA entered into a Student Partnership Agreement with the University who supported ENSA’s strategic ambitions through the provision of some additional funding. The ENSA Trustee Board agreed to provide evidence of the impact of the additional funding on the student experience and there was a 9% increase in student satisfaction (through the National Student Satisfaction survey) with ENSA in 14/15 and additional impact data is contained in the ‘ENSA: Engaging Students’ published in June 2016.
In November 2015 the University invited ENSA into discussions about its funding for 2016/17 and ENSA entered into this process, attending various meetings as well as complying with requests for financial information; providing strong evidence of the positive impact ENSA is having on the student experience; and demonstrating that the core grant and strategic funding are being used to good effect and represent a sound investment for the University.
In April 2016 ENSA was advised that the University would receive a 3.7% cut in its funding from the Scottish Funding Council for 2016/17 and as a result ENSA was asked to provide more financial information, particularly in relation to the impact of potential cuts in its funding. ENSA complied with this request and informed the University that services for students would be affected.
On 14th June 2016 ENSA was informed that the University intends to cut ENSA’s budget by 4.4% in 2016/17.
ENSA’s Trustee Board, in consultation with ENSA's student members, will now review the position and determine an appropriate way forward in the context of reduced funding.