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5TH SEP 2008
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 Student Debt Reduction Solution (SDRS) Finds It Hard Going At NUS Conference
The SDRS were campaigning outside this years NUS conference over a number of days, handing out leaflets and talking-to any of the delegates that would listen.
It is hoped that the SDRS concept will become part of the existing NUS Extra card and aims to harness the spending power of students friends and family to reduce their student debt on graduation by 50% or more.
This is achieved in much the same way as existing loyalty cards scheme work but rather than gaining points on production of a card a percentage of the value of the transaction will be debited to a trust account for the student held at one of the major financial institutions such as HSBC or Barclays.
More detailed info on the process can be found @ www.thestudentzone.com/sdrs
The decision to go to the conference this year was taken despite being turned down for a stall in the conference venue its self due to a misunderstanding of the aims and objectives of the SDRS.
Mike Harding marketing manager of www.thestudentzone.comthe student website that put the SDRS together as a concept over 5 years ago commented
“Unfortunately it was all a bit rushed this year, having only met with Joe 3 weeks previous to the conference. We decided even though we were not going to get a stall that we still needed to have a presence as we feel that this is an issue very much in the minds of students and the conference offered the opportunity to get the SDRS out there even if it did mean a lot of standing around and in my case making myself look like bit of an idiot. Those that were at the conference may remember me most for standing around with a big red and white umbrella even though it wasn’t forecast for rain.“
The “Joe” that Mike makes reference to in his comment is none other than Joe Rukin National Treasurer of the NUS who has stepped down this year.
Joe has been keeping his eye on the development of the SDRS for some time but was sadly unavailable for comment at time of going to press.
It is hoped that, with Joe’s help and the determination of the guys behind the SDRS, there will be a real step forward in becoming a reality as part of the NUS extra card in the future and importantly, deal with some of the opposition to NUS extra which usually is voiced as the discount card costs students £10 and if the SDRS was adopted as part of NUS Extra the cost could be underwritten by revenue generated and become a free card for NUS members.
The revenue would be generated from the financial institutions and high street banks who want to become part of the SDRS system and therefore not effect the students wallet at all.
The people from the SDRS even went to the lengths of staging a free prize draw at a local bar just round the corner from the conference to get delegates to listen to the concept, they even put up a bottle of Champagne as first prize with an array of DVD’s, T shirts and other neat stuff as further prizes. Unfortunately not even Mike’s efforts with his umbrella and the promise of free prizes could lure the delegates with disappointing turn out of just 3 students from Aston university and one other.
The chaps from Aston walked away with the first prize and it was commented looked like they enjoyed it, as the next day they turned up to conference with what looked like a substantial hangover.
Chris Barendt from the SDRS said of the disappointing turn out
“the delegates had lots on their minds but student debt can never be too far from them. This was our first step in introducing the Student Debt Reduction Solution direct to the NUS as a real alternative reducing debt instead of adding to it. Understandably there was a lot of suspicion from the delegates but the SDRS does really offer students a way of reversing spiralling debt and could fit in well with a revamped free NUS extra card.”
The presence of the SDRS at conference was however viewed as a success on many levels with Mike Harding commenting
“We now know what we are in for next time round and more than ever committed to pushing the SDRS forward over the next 12 months”
The message the guys from SDRS left me with was that if NUS members want both an NUS Extra card that not only offers great discounts, but also a proven way to reduce their debt at no cost to themselves, then they need to get behind the SDRS as part of NUS Extra.
I for one will be taking a keen interest in the developments and if you wish to do the same keep an eye on www.thestudentzone.com/sdrs where all the latest info will be updated as it happens.
For more information please see www.thestudentzone.com/sdrs
For photo opportunities please contact the office on 01271 344738
Related Links
Student Debt Reduction Solution News
Student News
University News
Provided by The Student Zone (United Kingdom) |
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