Our brand new online ideas for change toolkit has been live for a few weeks now, with 13 ideas submitted and hundreds of votes cast since the tool was launched at the end of November.
 

Shane Gonesh's idea for the university to cut the cost of graduation by providing free graduation gowns received a massive reponse, with 182 votes in favour so far - with 3 days remaining for further votes - as well as comments of support both on our website and on Facebook.
 

At present, hiring a graduation gown for the day costs approximately £50 per student, with all gowns being hired from national company Ede & Ravenscroft.
 

Other expenses include tickets for up to two guests at £30 each, plus optional purchases such as professional graduation photos - costing between £10 for an individual photo to £145 for a full package - and commemorative DVDs of the day.
 

Comments on the idea focused on the considerable financial costs of studying at university in general, leaving most students with large loans to repay after they graduate. Students felt unhappy that further expenditure was expected at this very final university experience, especially given that graduation is intended to be a day of celebration and reward - cost should not prohibit or deter anyone from attending.
 

So what's next? As with all ideas for change submitted on our website, once an idea has received over 30 votes in favour (which may increase in the new year once the toolkit has become established), the Students' Union is mandated to work on making the idea a reality.
 

Given the massive support for Shane's idea for change, it will be key on the agenda at the next MDXSU Executive Team meeting. The Exec is made up of our four full-time elected Student Officers and six School Voice Leaders, who are responsible for leading the direction of the MDXSU and our work. They will decide how to work on the idea and the next course of action.

Have an idea which would improve Middlesex for the better? Or is there a problem that students face that you know how to solve? Click here to submit an idea for change or to vote on existing ideas.