Our Chancellor & his ace performance!

Who wouldn't find Jon Snow awesome!?

The SU Memories revived..from 1968 onwards

Your Students' Union Reunited!!! We bridged the gap between 1968-2008! Over 40 past SU officers, staff, volunteers and reps met at the SU Venue on Saturday - 19th April. Former sabbatical and non-sabbatical officers, members of SU staff, and even past safety bus volunteers exchanged ideas, shared views on politics, students movements nowadays, and looked at memories from the past !!! I have learned how our SU has made a difference..

• 5 Presidents turnover...within ONE year in 1968-9
• 1973-4 The 1st ever female SU President - Tina Seaton
• many years ago the SU won the debate over better canteen food for students, through a cleverly designed food strike (the issues with food quality never changes I guess!),
• how the 1st SU bar was established (by the SU Prez Gerald Milch in 1968)
• how 20 years ago, amongst communist and capitalist movements, an SU President was elected on an a-political platform
• and how students fought against the decision to move to semesters...we still did move to semesters however :s
• I also learned about the struggle to enhance the constitution...which lasted over 10 years..just up to this year - as we finally have our brand new constitution :)

I have met the SU President from 1967-8 (40 years ago!) and of 1987-8 (20 years ago!) as well as many others, and it was such a fantastic experience to exchange knowledge and ideas!

The current Exec welcomed the past officers and staff. Myself and Helen West (our general Manager) addressed the guests. The Reunion also celebrated 10 years since Helen joined the OBSU family!

We had an SU timeline sheet which many of the guests filled up with names they could remember, we also had a SU Memory Book where the guests could record their memories from the years working at the SU. The memory book will be engraved and put in the trophy’s cabinet for many more officers and staff to write in!

This event set the beginning of a really precious process - rebuilding the history of the Students’ Union – a history that we could all refer back to and be proud of! We will soon be building up a space online with information on our history and on our student activists and leaders

Because believe me, there is plenty to be proud of at Oxford Brookes Students' Union

Love from your Prez

Antoinette x

‘This is MY Union!’ said Jon Snow

On Wednesday afternoon – 16th April 2008, Jon Snow hosted his LAST public lecture as the Oxford Brookes University Chancellor.

His Valedictory lecture on ‘’Threat and Illusion…the best of times or the worst of times?’ was a fascinating reflection of the vulnerability of the world we live in nowadays. Jon Snow, also an exceptional worldwide known journalist and TV presenter, shared his views on the War on Terror and the threats that community faces nowadays.

Oxford Brookes Students’ Union was there, of course! We could have stayed in the lecture hall debating over 10000000 issues maybe all night long, and the questions from the audience were numerous. The audience partly satisfied our curiosity by asking variety of questions. However noone mentioned the students, or their role in building the future of our society...what would society be without the precious students?! Despite the fact that our Vice-Chancellor Janet Beer did not manage to fit our question in time at the official Q&A, we managed to talk to Chancellor Jon Snow at the post-lecture reception.

And here’s what I asked on behalf of our SU:

‘Jon you spoke about the war on terror, the vulnerability of society, and the number of Islamic students studying in the UK. You mentioned that we have to find another way of talking to one-another.

Students’ Unions are the voice of our students…this year our students’ union has made a step forward in terms of integration between students from religious backgrounds, but still there is so much unused potential, so much to talking to do… at this University and on national scale…

Do you think that this new way you referred to could be through the young minds of the 21st century – the student community? And what do you see our role to be?'

Jon Snow said that the students’ community and its role in addressing the vulnerability of our society is crucial. He also complemented us for the work we’ve done. He said that SUs across the country should strive to educate students as well as local community of tolerance, respect and shared understanding of the ideologies of the future. He was very pleased to hear about the work OBSU has done so far in relation to integration of diverse students, and requested that we e-mail him our story…so an e-mail will be going out soon :)

Jon then happily posed for a picture with us, making a loud exclamation ‘This is MY Union’.

This 4 words would be long remembered at the SU - this was more than enough for us, knowing that our work has been somehow sincerely noted! What more would a Students’ Union possibly want from its University! … Recognition?!

A hug from Jon Snow and that’s all we need!!! We’ll dearly miss you Jon!!!!!

Antoinette
OBSU Prez

PS
You can find out more about the event..and how Jon Snow..’detonated’ the old image of OBU, by lighting up the night – just follow this link https://www.brookes.ac.uk/spacetothink/news/lights

Awards Night - Oxford Brookes SU

The Students' Union just had its annual Awards Ceremony 08. This is our way of saying 'thank you' and 'well done' for all the hard work of so many talented student leaders who are part of the Oxford Broookes Students' community! Societies, Reps, Ambassadors and generally individual students have been given awards for their remarkable effort this year in relation to their Union and the welfare, representation or entertainment of their fellow students! For creating a real sense of community at Brookes, and bringing the fun, smiles and care to our students!

Our special guest for the night was Pro Chancellor Danby Bloch http://www.brookes.ac.uk/about/structure/management/danby_bloch

VP Activities and Development - Mared Evans was a key figure on presenting the whole night, but also on the organisational side of the event, alongside SU staff members like Clara, Tamsin and Jon. They have all been fantastic at making sure that the night is enjoyable and well delivered! Thank you team!

List of all winners wil be available shortly!

NUS Annual Conference 2008 - Blackpool

The Annual Conference of NUS has been controversial and challenging for the supporters of the Governance Review. Since the Extraordinary Conference earlier this year OBSU has taken a supportive stance on the review. Despite the fact that the Governance Review fell short of votes in order to be passed through, range of positive motions have been put forward, incluing the contribution of Oxford Brookes on the Welfare Zone. The Housing motion submitted by us has passed with no opposition.

You can find out information on the conference at the following sources
http://www.officeronline.co.uk/news/275327.aspx

Read the full report here
http://www.officeronline.co.uk/events/nationalevents/274295.aspx

So what next?

As stated by many of the NUS representatives, NUS is willing to change and reforms in governance would happen, maybe more gradually than expected. SUs across the country have been urged to continue their support for NUS reform. Certainly OBSU will be continuing its support as demonstrated by the current Executive team.

The following members have been elected as representatives at NUS:

Wes Streeting has been elected as the incoming President of NUS. Dave Lewis has been re-elected as national treasurer, Richard Budden has been elected as national secretary and the vice-presidents for welfare, higher education and further education are Ama Uzowuru, Aaron Porter and Beth Walker respectively.

Twelve executive members (Block of 12)
Joel Braunold, Hind Hassan, Yemi Makinde, Ed Marsh, Susan Nash, Rob Owen, Sam Rozati, Elizabeth Somerville, Tom Stubbs, Nasir Tarmann, Ben Whittaker, Hollie Williams

Committees: Finance Committee
Graham Gaskell

Steering committee
Rob Park (1 year place); Stephen Aitken (2 year place) ; Nicola Heaton (2 year place) ; Kathy Wylde (2 year place) ; Mark Foster (2 year place)

Oxford brookes Went Cleaning!!!

More than 50 Brookes students, many residents' associations, youth groups, colleges, restaurants and pubs all took part in two hour litter picks across the city just before the Easter Break!

Brookes students and members of staff worked in Wheatley, John Garne Way, Cheney Lane, Divinity Road, Cowley Road, Morrell Avenue, Warnford and Gipsy Lane. We managed to find all sorts of bizzare litter, from gold balls, a safe, condoms, jewelry, handbags, and have almost gathered all the necessary parts for a decent car...while we've found an engine & a registration plate, I think we were missing a few doors!

We brought so much energy, smiles and enthusiasm, that Oxford feels greener, happier and ready to embrace the Spring. The volunteers made a small, but significant difference to the local community we live in! I hope that we have sent a positive message to the community - we've shown that Brookes students are responsible and caring for the environment. This is a core value that Oxford Brookes Students' Union has at heart!

P.S. All volunteers received a T-shirt, and a certificate signed by the Lord Mayor - John Tanner, the Vice Chancellor - Janet Beer, and myself :)