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.