In Term Three last year we shared our list of recommendations from the Commuter Student Policy Inquiry with University stakeholders and students. We want to let you know how some of these recommendations were actioned over the summer.
In Term Three last year we shared our list of recommendations from the Commuter Student Policy Inquiry with University stakeholders and students. We want to let you know how some of these recommendations were actioned over the summer.
>>The Project
Last year, the Students’ Union undertook a year-long Policy Inquiry which examined the commuter student experience at Royal Holloway. We ran surveys in Term One and Two and shared results with students. We additionally hosted a paid focus group and coordinated a paid week-long journaling activity for students.
The project concluded with a list of recommendations shaped around key areas of commuter life and were shared with University stakeholders and current students in Term Three. Many of these issues raised in the Policy Inquiry are in line with work the Students’ Union is undertaking this year with our Priority 8.
>>what is the Priority 8?
During the 2025 Leadership Elections, we got rid of Officer Manifestos and handed the power to students to vote on the top issues they would like to see their Sabbatical Officers focus on. We gave students a list of 20 Priorities pulled from student insight we have gathered over the last few years, and the top 8 became the key workstreams the Sabbatical Officers will focus on during the 2025-26 academic year. Each Sabbatical Officer has been paired with both a Students' Union and University Staff Lead for their two assigned priorities.
>>actioned recommendations
Over the summer, the University and the Students’ Union worked hard to implement several of the Commuter Policy Inquiry recommendations before the start of the 2025-26 academic year. Here’s what has been achieved so far:
- The University created an online Commuter Hub on the Student Intranet. It explains all the different transport options to get to campus, has information on social and study spaces, and ways commuters can get more involved on campus through our Commuter Student Community. Check it out now!
- Matthew, VP Education, has worked closely with University stakeholders to increase social and study spaces on the Egham campus. The University opened two new student lounges in Wettons and Shillings, and there is potential for more student lounges to open later this academic year. Matthew is leading this priority, and you can read about his work over the summer on increasing social and study spaces over summer, and view the action tracker for this priority on the Students’ Union website.
- Clearer communication about staying occasionally on campus at the Hub Guesthouse is now on the Student Intranet. This is a great option for commuters who want to attend late-night events, take a break from commuting or stay close to campus when you have assessments. Royal Holloway students get a discount using the code RHUL10 at checkout. You can find out more information about The Hub Guesthouse here.
- A lack of knowledge about available facilities on campus was raised during the Policy Inquiry. Over the summer, the University increased the number of lockers on campus and updated the Egham Campus map to better signpost where students can find certain facilities like student lounges, lockers, microwaves, free period products, gender neutral bathrooms and bike racks. If you want to learn more about what is available to you as a student, go look at the map now!
- Olivia, SU President, is leading the Improve Parking on the Egham Campus priority, and has worked closely with the University to improve communication about available parking on the Egham campus. You can see the new University parking map here and watch Olivia’s video explaining what’s available at each of the different Royal Holloway carparks. You can read more about progress on this priority in her summer blog and view the action tracker on the Students’ Union website.
- The University and Students’ Union collaborated on a commercial review during the 2023-24 academic year, and we learned that students felt coffee prices were too expensive on campus. Commuter students face additional financial barriers with purchasing food and drink on campus due to the high cost of travel. The Students’ Union has now added a self-serve coffee machine on campus and the University has lowered prices at Café on the Square / Social Bite. The Students’ Union has additionally introduced more deals at the Union Shop:
- Breakfast deal (large coffee and £1 bakery product until 11.30)
- Bake deal (any two bakes for £4.50)
- Sausage Roll Deal (Two sausage rolls for £3)
- Coffee and Sweet treat deal (large coffee and sweet treat for £4).
- Vaishnavi, VP Wellbeing & Diversity, is leading on the priority More Affordable Food Option on Campus. Have a look at her summer blog to learn more about her work over the summer and check out the action tracker to see what work is coming up this year.
- More students have joined the Commuter Student Inclusion Community this year! Delilah Ferry-Swainson is this year’s Commuter Community Officer, and she will be running events and sharing opportunities for commuters to get involved more at Royal Holloway. Learn more about the Commuter Student Inclusion Community on our website and sign up today if you would like to become a member of this Student Inclusion Community at Royal Holloway! You can check out Delilah’s Instagram account here.
>>longer term work
Longer term work on timetables, cheaper and improved transport links and parking are ongoing workstreams between the University and Students’ Union.
David, VP Societies & Sport is leading on the Student Friendly Timetables priority, and you can check out his summer blog and action plan for more information.
Vaishnavi is currently lobbying the University to align the RHUL Diamond Bus with Egham station train arrival times. You can check on the progress of this action on our website.
We are excited to see what unfolds in the coming months to make student life better at Royal Holloway.
>>next steps
We’ll keep you updated on further actions from the Commuter Student Policy Inquiry throughout the academic year. Keep an eye out for upcoming Priority 8 updates in the meantime!