Issue 157

Students' Union set to relaunch SSHH Campaign

08th October 2007

The Students' Union is set to re-launch the 'Silent Students for Happy Homes' campaign this week; a campaign aimed at reducing late night disturbances that a minority of students are involved in, particularly excessive noise in residential areas.

The sabbatical officers together with Uplands councillor Peter May will run the campaign throughout the academic year; a campaign originally launched in 2004.

This year the campaign will focus on encouraging students to keep noise levels to a minimum as they are leaving clubs and pubs in Swansea at the end of a night out.

Students will notice Student Union officers outside DV8 on Friday between 12am and 2am as well as on other student nights throughout the year. They will be handing out lollipops to keep students' mouths busy and wearing 'SSHH' badges to remind them of the importance of not making too much noise on their journey home, and also once they have returned to their houses.

In addition, there will be posters around campus and e-mails sent out giving reminders and tips on how to show consideration for the local community at night.

The Students' Union will be encouraging students to say goodbye to friends when they are stood next to them, instead of shouting goodbye down the street, and avoid slamming doors at night when they get home.

It is hoped that this initiative, along with the 'Kerb It!' campaign, encouraging students to put bins out on the correct day, will go towards promoting community-friendly behaviour amongst students.

Nick Morgan, Welfare Officer with the Students' Union, commented, "I think the campaign is of great benefit for lowering low- level anti-social behaviour on student nights as it's a polite reminder to students to be aware of the communities in which they live. Though the majority of students are well behaved, a small minority can become over exuberant from time to time".

Upland's Councillor Peter May fully supports the campaign, which he says is "a brilliantly proactive initiative" and commented, "I myself will be with the officers from the Students' Union on nights out, distributing some lollipops and helping push the 'SSHH' message".

The 'SSHH' campaign also has the support of Safer Swansea who work closely with the Students'Union in getting community messages to students. Daniel Jones, Project Officer at Safer Swansea commented, "The Safer Swansea Partnership applauds the Student Union for relaunching this campaign. It is vital that students living in residential communities respect those around them".

Students can get more information from the Students' Union, Level 3, Fulton House.

Vicki Owen