It's been a hot minute since our last catch-up with the Sabbs. From conferences and committees to Stressbusters and support schemes, find out what's been going down.
It's been a hot minute since our last catch-up with the Sabbs. From conferences and committees to Stressbusters and support schemes, find out what's been going down.
Hannah - President
Hi everyone! Welcome back to our fortnightly updates.
On my student safety manifesto point, the 100% bag and body search trial is finished. Elise, our Research and Insight Coordinator, has written a paper which I will share with the SU Security working group and will influence what we do going forward. I’ll ensure to keep you all in the loop with this!
COMMITTES AND GENERAL MEETINGS
- Wonkhe: New Rules Event - Sharanya and I attended a strategy event organised by Wonkhe at the University of Middlesex. We discussed strategies and structures for various situations such as the absence of the Education Act. These discussions allowed us to brainstorm innovative solutions and to network and share knowledge among colleagues from different regions.
- RHSU’s Appointments and Renumerations Committee has also been busy with CEO Probation Review and External Trustees interviews. Student Trustee applications have just opened so do have a look at the role and consider applying!
- The Sabbs and I also ventured up to Blackpool for the NUS Conference. You can read more about our time here.
- I’ve also attended University committee meetings and panels including Students, Education and Research Committee, Chief Financial Officer information panel and an Estates Workshop briefing. And SU meetings including budget panels for the different SU teams, Summer Ball planning and Management Committee.
Sharanya - VP Education
Hello everyone!
Exam and deadline season is officially upon us and I just want to wish you all good luck! Check out my blog on my top tips for this period. If you’re finding it hard to find spaces in the library to study this term, check out the Library@ Scheme. This year, the library services team has identified over 1500 additional study spaces for students. Head over to the Library@ Scheme website to find out more.
I recently met with the University to discuss the guidelines and regulations for undergraduate and postgraduate taught students. In this meeting, we ensured that the regulations were as digestible and understandable for students as we could make them. It’s often tricky to understand the jargon used by the University and this work will ensure that the guidelines are as accessible for students as possible!
We recently held interviews for our external trustee members, who will sit on our board. Our external trustees are extremely important as they help direct the Union to ensure it is meeting its strategic aims and priorities. We’re currently working on a project to incorporate our Union, which ensures that our trustees are not personally liable for any financial losses or debt liabilities that the Union may incur. To find out more about the incorporation project, make sure to check out our blog which breaks it down for you!
Hannah and I have been at the library this week handing out free fruit and water to you all to provide some revision aid as part of Nisha and the Advice Centre's Stressbusters campaign. We’ll be back soon so keep an eye out for when we’ll next be in the library. ??
Nisha - VP Wellbeing & Diversity
I have been busy with the launch of Stressbusters in collaboration with the SU Advice Centre team to help you guys through this exam season! We know that exam/assessment periods can be tough so we have designed this campaign to help you navigate the stress and pressure. The campaign includes a range of exciting events, helpful articles, and engaging social media content so check out our campaign page to find out more!
It's also Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) from 13-17 May so the Advice Centre team and I have also been busy planning and creating lots of helpful resources, articles, events, and social media content. I have been focused on organising the Wellbeing Fair which will be taking place on Wednesday 15 May from 12pm-3pm in the library (Emily Wilding Davidson Building). Come along to find out about all the support available and chat with wellbeing teams from across the University. To find out more about MHAW, filter on 'Mental Health Awareness Week' on our Events Calendar and check out the Mental Health Foundation website.
Recently, all the Sabbatical Officers headed down to Blackpool to attend the National Union of Students (NUS) National Conference. NUS represents almost all students across the country and at National Conference, 800 students, and sabbatical officers decide NUS’ priorities and shape what they will lobby for over the next year!
The University's Wellbeing team, Alastair and I have been busy planning the Festival of Languages and Cultures which will be taking place on 14 May from 12pm-3pm on Founder's Square. This event aims to celebrate the diversity and culture that we have on campus so we have invited students to sign up and do a performance or have stalls displaying and celebrating their culture or language.
I also recently sat on the Society Awards panel to help decide the winner of the Saran Parker Remond Inclusion and Accessibility Award. Sarah was an African American activist, an anti-slavery lecturer and the first black student at Bedford College. Throughout her life, she promoted inclusivity, and equality and worked tirelessly to support the rights of minority groups. The Inclusion and Accessibility Award is therefore awarded to a group that has demonstrated an outstanding effort to ensure that their activities are as accessible as possible and has made a significant effort to promote an inclusive attitude within their membership and the wider campus community. I look forward to presenting the winner and Society Awards!
Finally I also recently attended a Special Service of Evensong in the Chapel to celebrate the licensing of our new Anglican Chaplain, Revd Daniel Walker. This service of music, readings and prayers happens weekly and is open to all, regardless of faith (no previous experience required!)
Alastair - VP Societies & Sport
Exams, sunny afternoons on founders field, term three as started and it’s absolutely MAYhem. What have I been up?
- I’ve been up and down the country with the Sabbs for the NUS National Conference, a platform to discuss and feed into national issues for Students.
- Nisha and I have been hard at work finalising the Festival of Languages and Cultures with the University. Make sure to come down to Founders Square on the 14 of May!
- Society Awards! We’ve been hard at working finalising everything for the day, whether that’s the panel selecting the awards, writing speeches, or getting everything dressed up and snazzy for groups.