Christmas do's...or simply more reasons to #%£$...have fun :)

Xmas is just around the corner...I can't believe it! Did time fly so quickly??? SU staff, students' end of year gatherings kicked off and your President worked behind the bar!!!

How important it is for a Student Union to keep the team ethos, hmm?? To make sure that the fun element of working at OBSU is always kept to the highest level we had a...

Christmas Lunch
The SU staff had their Xmas lunch on the 10th Dec, the officers and staff members were involved in OBSCAS the Union yearly nominations. The lunch was an important part

Staff Party
On 16th the SU staff celebrated Xmas. Helen West, Jason Manning and myself worked behind the bar. This was the 1st time I have ever worked behind the bar. This time those who normally serve the drinks for the whole year were finally enjoying a well deserved break, while us, who are normaly being served, have done the hard work! Apart from my lack of knowledge on all the drink options and the obvious struggle when dealing with the till, it was a great and certainly memorable experience!

Our students had final parties too :)
Similarly to the Xmas staff parties the union had a week of MASSIVE final parties for our students, co-ordinated by VP CDC Jason Manning and the commerc

ial services department. Peachy and Pleasuredome were both successful compared to last year performance and turnout. The SU Entz Crew enlightened me about the world of club night entz management and how hi-tech equipment operates, and I totally enjoyed playing with...ermm hm hm operating the Pleasuredome laser and the clubnight lights!

Sqeese the balls...and destress before Exams...and other SU stuff!

• Your SU exec managed to destress apprx 400 students...
• The SU's volunteers helped the local community on Cowley Road
• Let's do a MASSIVE Spring Clean in Oxford!!!
• Xmas parties for everyone
• I went piloting with NUS ;p
• Our SU Exec board is now under review and reconstruction

Stress Balls
VP Welfare and Equal Opps Lou Golden and myself went out giving stress balls and wishing Good luck at your Exams last week. We covered approximately 210 people on the 1st day...follow up initiatives added up to apprx 400 students. Students loved the stress balls! Hope that helped you guys!

Cowley Road Community Funday
Attended the event on Sat 9th. The Lord Mayor officially opened the event, organised by the Christian Union. 10 SU Stax volunteers, myself Naz and Gareth, both working in Stax helped out on the day. This even aimed at making a positive impact on the local community living in this area, and despite the heavy rain it certainly cheered up the children and parents, as well as the rest of the residents who attended.

* STAX is the volunteer organisation at OBSU and stands for Students Taking Action For Community Change

Spring Clean Project
Worked with Louise Golden VP Welfare and Equal Opps to outline a proposal for involvement in the Spring Clean Initiative undertaken by the local community and the County Council. The Spring Clean campaign is taking place on the 14, 15, 16th March and will cover Wheatley, Headington and Cowley Road and Harcourt Hill respectively for 2h each day. The proposal aims to make a positive impact on the local community and environment, and to improve the relationship between students and the rest of the local citizens. Following the proposal and approval of the Exec Board, I have spoken with Robin McSorley: Membership Services Manager and Jon Biggs STAX manager, for involvement of STAX and creating a marketing plan to support the promotion and support of the campaign. As a result a working group is created: Spring Clean Group, consists of President, VP Welfare and Equal Opportunities, Mature Students’ Officer: Takao Noguchi, Students with Disabilities Officer: Gwen James, Robin McSorley: Membership Services Manager and Jon Biggs STAX manager. The group is meeting in Jan to outline the action plans for the proposal and

Union Council
VP Welfare and Equal Opportunities seconded by myself have put a motion forward to loby the Council for better lighting on Pullens lane,


Refreshers Week
Met with Helen Burton to discuss the Freshers week arrangements. The SU promotion has been agreed: the SU will be present both in HKSC (Helena Kennedy Student Centre) and the Main Campus on 2 stalls. There will also be student talks and events. For further information contact me.

SU Communication Channels
Met with VP CDC: Jason Manning to discuss the communication channels of the SU following the Communications List produced by Robin McSorley. There were further comms channels identified. The proposal is to monitor the news that are being communicated to the membership and see whether the Union communicates with diverse groups of students, what types of messages are being sent, how frequently and whether there is a balance between the messages types: welfare, representation, commercial. For that purpose the proposal would require the production of a 3 months report to list and assess these, to be presented to Exec in March. The list and the proposal will be brought to Exec for further input and to clarify how communications will be co-ordinated

UNIVERSITY

Executive Board:
The University Exec board has agreed to exchange information between the SU Exec board on monthly basis. From now on we’ll have a much more regular communication with the University and will be aware of the decisions that are being made and that affect us – the students!


SU GOVERNANCE

The following:

1. NCVO Governance and Trustees Pilot
2. Open Exec Committee effectiveness review
3. Next Steps…

1. I went piloting...almost :)
I am continuing learning, research and work on SU Governance: attended an NUS pilot scheme: NCVO Governance and Trustees pilot program, that covered in detail the purpose of trustee boards, their role, responsibilities, tips on recruitment, safeguarding and viability, applying good governance in practice: governance documents, meeting roles: chair, secretary, treasurers, organisations structures, legal requirements ect.

This pilot scheme involves only 5 SUs from the whole country, each participant is required to create a portfolio to meet the assessment criteria, and at the end receives an Accreditation Level 2 (equals GCSE) on Organisational Governance and Trustees Management

Oxford Brookes SU has a unique chance to be part of the pilot scheme. I am in a process of creating the portfolio to meet the accreditation criteria.

More Governance:

Open Exec Committee Effectiveness review

The review resulted in changes within the following:a. Officers reportsb. holidays, TOIL, declarations of interestc. meeting frequency Since the new constitution was approved on the 22nd Nov, the 5th Dec Open Exec board has been reviewing its effectiveness. The review lasts until end of December. The members of the board proposed new ways of working more effectively: officers will report in writing on progress of objectives as well as outcomes of committee meetings they are chairing. Verbal reports will not be accepted unless written reports have been submitted prior to the meeting, or unless prior notice is given from an officer. These will all be sent to Exec board. The committee will no longer be discussing holidays, toil or declarations of interest, these will be reported in writing as well. The Exec board will be meeting on Fortnightly basis starting from the 16th Jan 2008.

NB! Closed Exec meetings remain as frequent as previously: on weekly basis.

Xmas Carols at our SU :)

Dating, talking to MPs, and sweet talks about governance...what more would you possibly want in a week!

• Your Exec Officers went on a date...
• We are actively sharing information with university now
• Oxford Brookes Campus redevelopment now considers students' input
• Your SU is to be governed a bit better

Speed dating with the University SMT The University Senior Managemnet Team and the SU Executive Committee had their first date! The Speed dating event was organise as a bonding exercise for both teams to meet and get to know one another better. This types of events are usually held at the beginning of the academic year, however having had the New VC Inauguration, Graduation ceremonies, and bi-elections, it meant that the event could only happen at a later stage. The event highlighted the need for more communication between the SU and the University – both on formal and informal basis. Both parties are now a lot more ken on collaborating and exchanging information and more specific action points will be recommended to inprove the work of the two. In summary, the top tip that each member recommended in order to improve our work and the student experience was the need to exchange information and update on progress.


Information Sharing Meetings:Our VC Janet Beer has initiated Information Sharing meetings happening every forthnight for subject heads, directors and the SU to meet and exchange information. This has proven very useful. Since the meetings much more information is available for the SU, numerous opportunities have occurred for collaboration: alumni, societies, postgrad, events, and other initiatives of which the SU is now much more aware.

Campus Redevelopment Update: Following the 22 Nov meeting, the governance structure for the campus redevelopment has been agreed. The University has now agreed to have student reps sitting on every level of the decision making structures! Student Consulation on the Masterplanning is currently being looked at.



Students’ Union Governance

I have spent a lot of last week going on conferences, discussing governance with leaders in the volunteering sector, listening to The vice-chancellor of the University of Exeter, Steve Smith, debating with NUS over governance - Wes Stering and Gemma Tumelty, talking to Phil Hope MP Corby and East Northamptonshire (for those internationals who have no clue - a British politician - member of parliament). It was interesting to hear so many progressive universities supporting their SUs widely.

Circle of Organisational Effectiveness
The team spent a day looking at the effectiveness of the organisation. The SU mission, vision and values were reviewed, the current difficulties each department is facing were taken into account. The day was particularly useful with regards to Masterplanning. The teams looked at how would the new campus look like when it is being redeveloped, and it was clear that it is in the best interest of the SU that it preserves and strengthens its identity and image, makes the brand coherent and visible across campuses. As a follow up there are more organisational effectiveness review sessions scheduled with myself and Helen West – General Manager, to build on the foundations. The exercise was also a good way of thinking about the new governance of the SU.



NUS Presidents residential event
The residential covered NUS Governance and the major changes of the governance structure proposed in the new constitution. There was ‘trouble shooting’ activity, many problematic areas were covered – from managing relationships with teams, staff and university, to dealing with campus redevelopments. The event offered an opportunity to look at the course fees – employability ratio, some detailed analysis were discussed regarding the current structure of tuition fees, and improvements were suggested.


Acevo National Annual Conference
The Annual Conference was attended by myself and Helen West – GM OBSU. The conference addressed the future of third sector governance: the volunteering sector. From across the UK I was the only SU President who attended the event, and felt that this sorts of events ought to be attended by more SUs - there was plenty to learn. The conference was very useful in terms of offering further insight into the professional governance practice within this sector. It included an afternoon keynote speech from Phil Hope MP Third Sector. Examined trends in 3rd sector governance from Boards Count, and discussed the role of Trustees. I have attended the workshop on recruitment of Trustees where many useful tips and advice on recruiting trustees were offered. As this is something that directly affects OBSU I have initiated a contact with consultants at the conference, and directly spoken to Phil Hope regarding the support provided for SUs across the coutry. He has confirmed that SUs will be taken into consideration, and has mentioned Bill Rammell. Organisations that have undertaken a governance review, have shared useful tips with the delegates, where all the do’s and don’t-s were listed .


Enhancing the Students’ Experience National Annual Conference
Wednesday 28th November 2007, Central London, Sponsored by: 1994 Group, In partnership with: National Union of Students.
Speakers include:
· Professor Steve Smith, Vice-Chancellor, University of Exeter and Chair, 1994 Group
· Miles Templeman, Director-General, Institute of Directors (IoD)
· Wes Streeting, Vice-President for Education, National Union of Students (NUS)
· Dr. Brian Lang, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of St Andrews
· Professor Brenda Smith, Assistant Director, The Higher Education Academy
· Professor Robert Burgess, Chair, HE Academy and Vice-Chancellor, University of Leicester
· Chaired by: Donald MacLeod, Editor, EducationGuardian.co.uk

Delegates considered how to define the student experience, how to exceed student expectations, and how to capitalise on the student experience to secure the future of the university. Students’ Union role in enhancing the student experience was widely highlighted and supported by every speaker. The message about SUs playing a key role in building an image of excellence was re-iterated by Prof Steven Smith – VC Exeter, as well as many other members of senior management team across the country. Miles Templeman also made a presentation on employers expectations from the education sector, highlighting the need for a closer liaison between the skills aquired at uni and those needed in practice at work. I have made a point to the delegates and the panel that the point regarding the lower importance UK Employers place on laguage skills is not in line with the universities’ strive for better internationalisation. Wes Steering has acknoledged the importance of the point and added how important learning foreign languages is.

The conference was very useful, on a national level it was recognised how invaluable well resourced SUs are for every modern university. Some SMTs have pointed out that they are increasing the support offered to their Sus - recepntly increased Block grants to SUs, and investment not only in membership services but also in commercial activities, as well as invested in Student experience research undertaken by SU presidents of the 1994 group.

The delegates were primarily Vice Chancellors, deputy and Pro VCs, Deans and Directors. Oxford Brookes University attendence compared to other universities was weak – Clive Robertson – Head of Student Learning Experience only attended. I felt there was a need for more University representatives on a senior level, especially since the National Conference discussed a theme so central to Oxford Brookes University mission.

New Constitution!!!!

OBSU now has a brand new Constitution, which was now officially approved by University Board of Governors on 22 Nov! Ok, before you go on saying 'hold on a sec, we have approved the Constitution in Oct at OBSU AGM' yes yes, you are right! But until we have an independent charitable status, by law, our final decision making body is the University. In a year or so it would be us - OBSU! Now we can start implementing it gradually on phases, and becoming much more up-to-date with contemporary governance as opposed to the old old old Constitution that we had! These implementation stages will be discuss at Executive Board (Wednesdays) and Union Council on 8th Dec! So come along!!!

Memories from the Vice Chancellor's Inauguration Sept 2007

For first day today I stopped and thought about the couple of months just gone...and clearly remembered this day:

It was a day full of excitement for everyone at Oxford Brookes - a new start of the year, a new SU Exec team, and a new Vice Chancellor!

Here's my speech http://www.brookes.ac.uk/about/structure/management/inauguration/antoinette

Good Morning Ladies and Gentleman.

It is an honour to be here today and on behalf of all Oxford Brookes’ students, past and present, I would like to welcome our new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Janet Beer.

Professor Beer is joining a university of which I am exceptionally proud to be a part. It is a university in the truest sense; a place in which we are free to explore the joy of learning for learning’s sake, to become enlightened individuals with a sense of our place in the world. It is a fusion of ideas, people and experiences. It is, I believe, a university that leaves its mark on the world.

I am delighted that Professor Beer’s academic journey has brought her to Brookes, and I know that she will find us to be both inspiring and ready to be inspired.

My own educational journey has brought me from my home country of Bulgaria to studying here at Oxford Brookes. Along the way, the experience has changed me more than I could ever have imagined. When I am asked what it’s really like to study here, I cannot help but talk about the truly remarkable internationalism of our university.

This vitality will be on show in all its splendour over the next week, as we celebrate this year’s graduations – a perfect welcome for our new Vice-Chancellor.

The graduates will all have enjoyed and benefited from Brookes’ diversity. They will also have succeeded because of the dedication of their lecturers, because of teaching which is exciting and outward-looking, and because of the enabling and supportive environment at Oxford Brookes. Brookes’ approach to learning has, at its core, a belief that practical experience should not be an afterthought, but should be a vital part of degrees that also demand intellectual rigour and creative thinking.

It is no accident or stroke of luck that this is a university in the ascendant, challenging the very best universities in areas like graduate employment and student satisfaction.

Brookes students are encouraged to seize every opportunity that opens up for us, to transform our lives while we are here and to be passionate about our work and our futures. Like every student who comes here, Brookes has changed my life. It has led to possibilities I would never have thought of, and prepared me to meet the future with confidence.

For me, the greatest of these opportunities has been to play a part in the way the university is run. As a student Ambassador, Academic Rep and now an elected officer of the Students’ Union, I have had the chance not only to find out why things work the way they do, but to challenge the university – and myself - to make them work better.

I now know how important it is that students do have a say, not just for the sake of the university but for our own personal development. Brookes has always striven to include students in the decisions that affect them and I’m confident that Professor Beer understands and values this student involvement.

Oxford Brookes has exceeded my aspirations, and I am sure that Professor Beer will find that it does the same for her. Students here are rightly proud of Brookes’ reputation, and we are delighted today to entrust that reputation to our new Vice-Chancellor.

Professor Beer, on behalf of the student body, welcome to Oxford Brookes University!

if you are looking for reasons to smile - then read this :)

I have 5 awesome news about your SU and Uni to announce:

1. One of the most influential political figures in the UK - Higher Education Minister, Bill Rammell, is our special Students’ Union guest speaker!!!! So get your place booked before it’s too late! OBSU is delighted to announce that Bill Rammell is delivering our annual Students' Union lecture, as part of Oxford Brookes' public lecture series!! The topic is ... well why don't you find our HERE...
   


2. School of Social Science and Law has just received a trully prestigious world-wide level award for excellence - Queen's Anniversary Prize (find out more about it here)
   (there are only handful of universities around the UK hwo have received the award - Brooks has been awarded the prize TWICE!!!)
   


3. For the second time your SU is hosting the annual South-East region NUS event -Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Trangendered Activists Training Day on Wed 21st Nov!
   


4. Don’t forget your first ever SU International Forum on 21st - this coming Wed 12pm- 1pm at Gipsy Lane Main Hall. It is organised by Orla and is open for ANY international student to attend! So come along, want to hear from you!
   


5. The International Welcome Event hosted by your SU and organised by the International Office has gained popularity, attracted over 60 students where SU stalls, societies, welfare services like our SU Advice Centre and our volunteers project STAX exchibited information and spoke to international students. VC: Janet Beer and myself made a small speech to welcome the students. The evnt was attended by VP Activities and development – Mared, International officer Orla, Mature Students’ Officer Takao, Halls Rep Hazey and many others (sorry of I missed many of you guys, the list will be really long). But thank you for making this event lively, colourful and so welcoming for our international newcomers!

We need to be hearing more of the good news around! The above 5 is what I call a confidence booster!!! :) well done Uni, well done SU!

What's on the horizon at the SU

Apart from the entertainments: clubnights, social events and get-togethers that we are providing every week, here's what else is on:

• Announcing Hall Elections Results on Monday 12th Nov...mmmm this year we had candidates and nominations from every hall :) Talk to Louise Golden or Hazey to find out more!
  
• Mature Students' Society Launch on Mon 19th Nov
  /Takao - Mature Students' Officer is working closely with the society/
  
• To all international students: the 1st SU International Forum! Held at lunchtime Wed 21st Nov week 9. Woo hoo! you are WELCOME to join /Organised by Orla - International Students' Officer/
  
• GI JOnny campaign organised by Andi Whiting - LGBT Officer on 23rd Nov
  http://www.gijonny.co.uk/events.shtml
  
• Don't forget the Self Defence Classes run every Thursday - organised by Anna our Women's Officer
  
• Student Reps continue their meetings, see Bryony's Blog
  
• Societies keep on being affiliated, every forthnight on Thursdays, if interested don't forget to talk to Mared!
  
• News items, safety bus, environmental issues or clubs, bars, commercial stuff- talk to Jason!

And as for some more curious facts: I am meeting with Subject Heads on Monday 12th to discuss progress of work at University, presenting the new aproved constitution to Board of Governors on 22nd Nov, review of the SU organisational effectiveness is coming up on the 19th, oh AND

The Lightsabres of change for North UK..hm-hm-hm I mean NORTHUMBRIA SU, headed by Martin Farr, are coming to visit us on MOn 12th!!!

Update on progress

Well, I haven't been posting anything too detailed here for a while, and I feel I really should enlighten those who took their time to visit my blog...so there is some progress on

1. Internationalisation


2. Relationship with the local community


3. Postgraduate students integration


4. Hall Elections - a real epic story now :)


5. Anti-SU feelings recently made the Exec officers work even harder


6. Student Employability talks


7. NUS - review of its governance is finally

International Event
The SU was the host of the 1st International Event of the year, organised by the International Office. The event was successful – approximately 50-60 students attended. The following societies took part of the event and exhibited there:
Rock Soc, Philippine Soc, French Soc, Jazz Soc: well done guys!!! There was general students’ union information available as well: including SU Advice Centre and SU Stax . The Chapliancy was also present there. The students find out a lot more about their SU and made contacts with their International Students’ Officer: Orla , Mature Students’ Officer : Takao, VP: Activities and Development: Mared and myself.

Residents Association
My 1st RA was real fun :) he-he Attended the brief and the meeting itself with SU General Manager: Helen West, the meeting covered the following idems:

• Facebook use to promote parties: local residents were not happy with students promoting parties openly online, however the union and university have made it clear that there is almost nothing that can be done as students are free to organise parties and promote them on the virtual space on any social network, and neither organisations has authority over these networks


• Students behaviour, complaints procedure: the university and the union is taking anti-social behaviour very seriously and is ensuring that students are made aware of their responsibility to the local society


• Transport and parking: it was noted parking has improved at most residential areas


• Volunteers: ack of volunteers to help with Leage of Friends has been highlighted. STAX will be informed, so that students willing to take part in the project can be sent to volunteer at the JR hospital.


• Recycling was discussed, SU will be passing a clearer message incuringing students to recycle


• No Mince Pies: the event is co-hosted by the SU and the University at the SU venue and will be held on 29th Nov. The SU needs to make an effort in presenting itself in its best light for all local authorities.

Postgraduate event
This was the second PG event. The organisation of the vent involved the circulation of promo materials as well as the production of sign-up sheets for postgraduate students to sign up to support the creation of a postgraduate society, so that such can be created and students can be represented better.

Despite the low turnout on 31st Oct at the PG event – 35 students – I have managed to take down 25 students’ details and a better foundation for future relationship was established. Most of the students felt very supportive of reviving the postgraduate students activities, being better represented and creating a postgraduate society. The problem was commitment, the Graduate school have offered to assist the society by having a member of staff: Judith Powell, to assist if enough society members are gathered.

The event was also attended by VP Academic Affairs: Bryony France, VP Activitie sand Development: Mared Evans, Mature Students’ Officer: Takao and myself. David Evans: Head of Graduate School, and Judith Powell have both attended. Students met the team and the University guests.

Halls Elections
This has been a real effort, late night work and persistence by the whole team! ELECTIONS ARE STILL ONGOING THOUGH! All Hall managers and their line manager Peter Toomer, have been e-mailed on numerous occasions to inform them on the dates, times and locations of the elections. Posters have also been circulated to all halls. Information to all students has been also via website, face-to-face, GOAL days, message of the day and visits to campuses. Generally the issue raised so far was that few students knew what the halls president and treasurer responsibilities were. Information on this are available on www.thesu.com for students to read, however it was acknowledged that better awareness should be raised. The feedback is passed on to VP Welfare and Equal Opportunities as well as Halls Rep: Matt Hayes.

Facebook anti-su groups
The Exec officers have been made aware of several groups that have been recently created, who are quite negative about the work of OBSU. Active measures have been taken to make the SU work is transparent and visible to those students as possible. While no Exec officer has direct influence over the management of these groups, it was ensured that the areas of the union work that were under question have been explained in detail, and reasons behind SU decisions have been clarified as well. As a result one of these groups has sent apologies for misinterpreting the work of the union, and has agreed to send further feedback constructively so that the SU can improve its performance. The creator of the group informed me that the group will be closed around the 20th Nov, but any points so far have been copied in my electronic file of students’ comments and will be actioned upon.

Wheatley GOAL --/11/07
During Go Out and Listen at WHE theer were several points raised by students:

• Wi-fi on campus: this will be actioned by Jason Manning


• Hall Elections questions


• Canteen Food


• Buses/ transport


• Too much coursework

Degree for Life Conference
Attended the conference held by the university – career centre. VC Janet Beer, as well as other university members attended. There were 5 guests speakers:

1. Christina – Price Waterhouse Cooper


2. Tony Watts – Association of Grad. Carrer Services


3. Graeme Roberts


4. Angela Maher


5. Abby – student talk

All talks were on student employability, from various perspectives, with interesting information, statistics and general information on how employability can be improved. The information seems to be quite useful especially for Academic Affairs VP: Bryony France and Mature Students’ Officer who has recently mentioned he was keen on researching this topic. Copy of the presentations will be soon available on intranet by Carrers Centre.

Visit by NUS regional Officer: Chris Shelly
Chris has visited us at the SU. We discussed the role of NUS for SUs generally and OBSU in particular. He urged us to actively participate in the governance review so that we can pass any comments for improvement of NUS. Agreed to arrange a half-day meeting with Chris and the Exec for more detailed and effective discussion. Also agreed to look into calling of Extraordinary Conference. The Exec Committee is looking at it.

OBSU Mission Vision and Values

After the success at the AGM the students have approved the Union MVVs (Mission, Vision, Values)... so here they are (I am particularly keen on the last line of the values by the way ;)

MISSION
Oxford Brookes Students’ Union exists to provide representation, support and inspiration for all its members throughout their
student experience.

VISION

• We will support students’ personal and academic development with increased opportunities for involvement.
• We will ensure that students have ownership of the direction and success of their Union and University.
• We will extend and protect the rights of our students.
• We will reflect the diversity of the student body through effective democratic representation.
• We will enhance the social and cultural engagement of students within the community.
• We will always put students first.
• We will rock you.

VALUES
In all of its dealings, the Union will be professional. It will be accountable to its members. It will be democratic and forward thinking and will seek to add value in all of its transactions. These values will be at the heart of the organisation.

Randomness

This week there wasn't much progress on any of my objectives...why?...well, the President is ill :s and while fighting with the mumps, a friend reminded me of the lyrics of a favourite song, and thought, good it's not just me that wants to rule the world :) ....

Enjoy:

Tears for Fears

Welcome to your life,
There’s no turning back
Even while we sleep We will find you
Acting on your best behaviour
Turn your back on mother nature

Everybody wants to rule the world
It’s my own design, It’s my own remorse
Help me to decide, Help me make the most Of freedom and of pleasure
Nothing ever lasts forever
Everybody wants to rule the world

There’s a room where the light won’t find you
Holding hands while the walls come tumbling down
When they do I’ll be right behind you

So glad we’ve almost made it
So sad they had to fade it

Everybody wants to rule the world
I can’t stand this indecision
Married with a lack of vision
Everybody wants to rule the world
Say that you’ll never never never never need it
One headline why believe it ?

Everybody wants to rule the world
All for freedom and for pleasure
Nothing ever lasts forever
Everybody wants to rule the world

The AGM was quorate!!!

Good news, actually a historical breakthrough - the AGM on 11-10-07 was QUORATE!!! That was the 1st major success since taking up office :)) There were more than 160 people at the meeting, the budgets were passed on, the guestspeakers did a fantastic job, and both speeches were absolutely inspirational, and the students have voted in favour of the motion for adopting the new constitution!!!

We can finally move the Union forward now. I will soon post a more detailed update on the meeting itself, plus pics and videos as well :)

Weeks 1, 2, 3....

Time passes quickly these days :s Just like someone once wrote in a ...business textbook 'time flies like a banana'

Well, while time is flying like a banana, I have managed to make a progress towards my objectives. Here are some highlights:

SU Visibility, Image and Diversity

• Postgraduate Students

Created the foundation for effective relationship with the Graduate School, which would hopefully mean that we can be more inclusive of the Postgraduate Students studying here at Brookes. We had the Postgraduates' 1st Social at The Mez on 2/10/07, the event was hosted by myself and David Evans (Head of Graduate School) and supported by Hazey, Jamie, Paul and other eager beavers. For 1st time PGs had a chance to collectively storm into the Union, see what the Union is like, and most importantly meet new people. I must have been extremely lucky because I accidently met Jamie (Ents crew) who rescued me from needing to again lose my voice - instead he and his friends arranged for a mike to be plugged in so I did a little welcome intro with David Evans!

Look at the pic on the left up and you can see moi, Hayzey and David Evans, surrounded by the lovely PGs. The pic on the right: that's Jamie and me with more posgraduate students!

So what's next for Postgraduate students at the SU?

We have AGM Elections tomorrow, followed by another PG Society Inaugural Social on the 31st Oct. and finally - Monday Acoustic Nights at Harts bar at the SU will have a PG spin, with a happy postgrad hour at 10pm!

Lets see if we can increase PG representation :)

• It's a date! Afternoon Tea with the VC: Prof. Janet Beer

The meeting went well, in a more relaxed and informal manner the VC and myself have covered ways of working better together throughout the year. As a result we agreed the SU President attendance to forthnightly meetings with the VC and heads of schools as well as other members, which will cover highlights of the weeks/ success stories/ reports on progress from across the board at university and the SU. This was a very considerable step forward regarding the relationship with the University, and would hopefully strenghetn the SU image.

Additionally, the VC has agreed for the President and the Sabbatical Officers to attend 2 Executive Board meetings and report on progress there - that was a pretty happy news :)

We also have a Speed Dating Event with the SMT confirmed, now arranging the actual date.

• AGM Guest Speakers
  

We have 2 guest speakers at the AGM: Naomi Green - the Afro- caribbean Society President and Caroline O'Connor: Islamic Society Executive Member, they are all ready to do their inspirational speech. Hopefully that would refresh the atmosphere at these meetings, as they are often quite formal and not 100% enjoyable! But once we get the Constitution aproved, then we can move onto a more pleasant format of AGMs!

The last meeting with the Islamic Society Guest Speaker proved to be very successful, plans about how the SU can better integrate this society were discussed and members expressed that these groups will be happy to get more involved with the SU if a ‘safe space’ was provided.

Freshers' week has just gone

...oh yes, it was busy beyond the normal business that you can imagine! I had the pleasure of meeting hundreds of new faces, and generally enjoying the great atmosphere of the 1st days since students were back to Uni! I also had the great pleasure of completely losing my voice ...

I run out of my business cards (I had around 500), which is always a good sign to show that I haven't been wasting my time. The team did a nice little video played at every induction, so for those who still haven't met us - hopefully you've seen our faces on the DVD.

Now that Freshers' week is over, we are moving on to new adventures: WEEK 1 and our 1st GOAL days (Go Out And Listen). Check out the dates I have included on my blog, to see when and where you can find me ! :)

My Objectives

Before I move on summing up the work I have been doing since I officially started in July, let me outline briefly the objectives that I will be working towards this year.

PS. All of those below include consistent work with
- my team
- Brookes students
- the university
- the local community


Objective 1

1) Enhance the Students’ Union visibility and image so that:

• Students and University staff know what the Students’ Union stands for50% of all students recognise the Students’ Union logo by the end of the year75% of university senior management staff recognise the Students’ Union mission and values
  
• The Students' Union knows who our students areBuild a Students’ Union contact database to include 7,000 students by the end of the year
  
• The Sabbatical Officers work together effectivelyOversee that the Annual Planner is kept up-to-date and communicated to students on monthly basisAttend 5 weekly supportive meetings, and 1 monthly one-to-one with each sabbatical Officer
  
• Achieve a silver Students' Unions Evaluation Initiative SUEi award this year
  
  Objective 2

2) Involve diverse students in the Students’ Union across all campuses through:

Accessible democratic structures

• Members of Union Council are representative of the Oxford Brookes demographic and 200 students are present at the Annual General Meetings for the constitution review to be agreed
  
• Students’ Union elections candidates increase to 35 for Sabbatical and Non-Sabbatical positions.
  
• A Students’ Union Annual Report & Mission, Vision, Values booklet is produced

Focus on all campuses and their development

• Have one Go Out and Listen day per month at each campus during semesters
  
• Establish the Campus Redevelopment Students’ Union strategy and seek feedback from and communicate back to the membership monthly

Focus on diverse students

• Work in co-operation with the Graduate School to establish at least 1 monthly academic, cultural or social meeting with postgraduate students
  
• Work with the International officer and ICELTS to organise an International event attended by at least 200 diverse students
  
• Ensure that al least 5 of the Students’ Union promotional activities this year is also available in at least 1 international language.