Student Voice Improvements

• We have introduced Lean Library, a browser extension that makes it easier to access journals and eBooks, particularly when you are studying off-campus
• We have integrated our inter-library loan service directly into Library Search. This means it is now easier than ever to use Library Search to request and access items that the University does not hold in stock
• Following a pilot, we launched our e-Textbook scheme for all first-year undergraduates to provide access to key module texts.
• We have purchased more print books for your essential texts and increased our licences for eBooks
• We have increased the range and number of workshops that are open to our research students to develop skills and knowledge in a variety of aspects related to scholarly communications
• Develop@Derby has been enhanced to support personal skills development and help with your university studies and beyond
• We’ve extended the laptop loan service to offer both 4-hour loan and 2-week loan laptops. The service is available from Kedleston Road, Britannia Mill, Chesterfield, Buxton, and Leek libraries
• We have refreshed our spaces at Kedleston Road Library by introducing more soft seating in the Discussion Zone to support collaborative working, and by providing new desks with built-in power sockets in the Silent Zone
• We launched our 'Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging' collection to promote and encourage an understanding of issues around equality, diversity and inclusion
• We launched our 'Reading for Pleasure' collection to help you locate materials to read in your downtime

Safety

• We have implemented SafeZone, a free safety app available to all students. The mobile app can be used to alert the University Security if you ever need urgent assistance or first aid while on campus

Catering

• Heat & Eat stations have been created across all sites. The stations offer a space for you to prepare food brought in from home, providing microwaves and prep surfaces to do so
• We have a new pizza offer at Kedleston Road that provides better value for money and a wider variety of products

Sustainability enhancements

• In an effort to further promote sustainable travel, the University has installed Electric Vehicle charging points at Markeaton Street, Britannia Mill, and the Enterprise Centre. Kedleston Road will soon be furnished with a large volume of chargers as part of the 2024 Future Mobility Zone Project
• A full LED and emergency lighting replacement scheme at our Kirtley building has resulted in significant energy saving and boosting of the University’s green credentials. The intelligent lighting system also provides cost saving measures with reduced demand for labour; the savings can be directed elsewhere to support the University
• Over summer 2023 we refurbished 2 floors of our classrooms at Britannia Mill campus, with the most noticeable difference being new carpet throughout. The new carpet is long lasting and 100% recyclable. We also refreshed the main stairwell and other communal areas with new carpets, fresh paint, and more energy-efficient lighting, creating a fresher and more environmentally friendly route to our classrooms
• During the summer period we upgraded toilets across the University; we carried out full refurbishments of the 1^stand 2^nd floor T Block toilets with the aim of creating vibrant and modern WCs with sustainable materials and more energy-efficient fittings and systems
• We have announced a 12-month pilot of Kinto Join for 2023/24. Kinto Join is a lift sharing and travel buddying scheme that can help you with the cost of travelling to University and reduce single occupancy car travel and its impact on the environment. Students and staff can be rewarded and recognised for sharing their journey, saving money by sharing fuel and parking costs, helping reduce road congestion and contributing to better air quality
• Working with Derby City Council, we announced a pilot sustainable travel hub for our Kedleston Road site, offering sustainable transport choices including e-bikes and Electric Vehicle charging points and a location for Derby's new Enterprise Car Club

Campus facilities

• A secure cycle storage compound has been created at Kedleston Road near the existing Cycle Hub in the Kirtley building. The store features a service stand and tools station so individuals have the correct facilities to make any urgent repairs or adjustments
• Within the Kirtley building we also have changing facilities that include a number of showers, hairdryers, and mirrors
• We have now installed heated lockers in the Kirtley changing facilities. These lockers have been designed to allow users to have a full hanging height for trousers and jackets whilst circulating radiant heat to gently dry clothes and equipment throughout the day
• The Sports Centre changing rooms and lockers can now be used by all students, regardless of membership, to support those who wish to change out of wet clothes when opting to take active travel
• The University has recently created a brand-new Changing Places facility at our Marketon Street Campus. This large inclusive facility is fully furnished with the latest specialist equipment to ensure all individuals can have privacy and dignity whilst on site

• As part of a consultation, over 3,500 students shared their opinions and ideas on how to make the UDo student platform more accessible, easier to navigate and create a clear and modern feel. From this, a new interface design was voted on by the student body and then implemented. We continue to make further improvements to the platform based on the valuable feedback received
• We have introduced LinkedIn Learning, which offers access to over 18,000 professional development courses taught by industry experts for free
• We have enhanced our support for developing digital skills, as part of Develop@Derby, including a wide range of new guides for Blackboard and digital learning
• Feedback from students is shaping the development of our Blackboard VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) with a full move to Blackboard ULTRA in 2024. This will deliver a simplified, mobile-friendly user experience which supports connectivity, collaboration and inclusion

• We launched a new Airport Transfers scheme in partnership with National Express. This scheme supports more new international students to travel from their destination airports to Derby flexibly and free of charge
• We have created a ‘Welcome’ event for early starter students on our Healthcare and Nursing programmes. This provides students with the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the University and the support available ahead of starting their studies
• Based on feedback from international students, year-round Global Cafés are now hosted in partnership with the Union of Students to support international students to build communities with each other and mix with those from different cultures
• In collaboration with the Union of Students, a Settling into University Fair has been established to introduce all students to the wide variety of provision and support available at the University

• To help students keep track of attendance, we have introduced a system called MyAttendance. It allows you to view your attendance for timetabled modules, log absences on the day, and update and review previous absences, meaning there is no longer a need to email the Attendance team if a session is missed
• We made improvements to enrolment and confirmation, such as by having a dedicated area for students to enrol at our WelcomeFest event
• We introduced a text message service to advise students when action is needed, which has included Enrolment and Confirmation.
• You can now access self-service letters for student status in the student portal (UDo)
• We introduced the option of Virtual Appointments for students so you can have a meeting with a Personal College Advisor (PCA) via Microsoft Teams or phone at a time that is convenient to you
• There has been a development of FAQs and self-service materials on UDo and QR codes have been introduced to direct you to the information you need
• We have introduced self-serve 7-day extensions without evidence and 14-day extension requests with evidence

• To further support our students’ mental health we introduced TalkCampus, an online global mental health support network, which allows students access to instant online support at any time of the day. TalkCampus utilises student peer support and provides resources, including mood mapping, private journaling, and wellness centre resources. It also signposts key services and materials to support the management of mental wellbeing

In response to student feedback, the Careers and Employment Service has implemented the following improvements

• At the Derby Talent Fair (Careers Fair), we have introduced a ‘quiet hour’ at the start of the event. This is for students who want to attend the event in a less busy environment
• We have introduced pre-recorded panels so students can access employer talks on demand. This is a great opportunity for students to hear from employers in their own time

The following improvements to the On Campus Internships Scheme (OCIS) (which allows students in 1^st and 2^nd year to apply for a paid internship at the University) have been made as a result of student feedback

• Students can now view all internships available and apply for the roles which are most suited to them (rather than having a role allocated to them)
• The system has been updated to allow for different application processes for different roles and more clarity has been given around the requirements of each application

University of Derby Graduate Scheme

• We were able to bring together the appetite some of our students had shown for continuing to shape the University after they graduated with our need for highly skilled Future Leaders by creating a Graduate Scheme right here at the University. Our scheme has been designed to compete for talent with the very best employers, and in its first year we were able to secure 10 of our outstanding students across Finance, Digital Solutions and Services, Marketing, People Experience and Culture, The Registry, and the Careers and Employability Service. Those students started with us in September 2023 and embarked on 2 years of challenging work, accelerated development, and the opportunity to apply for permanent roles at the end of the 2-year term