Mid-Term Manifesto Update...

Mid-Term Manifesto Update...

As it's come to my second term in office, I thought it was time I took a look back at that manifesto I

was elected in upon last May and give you all an update as to how I've been getting on ...

Enhance Campus atmosphere by organising varied activities such as bungee jumping and zip-wiring.

 

During freshers I organised a bungee jump that was open to all students. Having gone £1800 out of pocket to host the event, the overwhelming positive feedback and environment made it worth it. I'm also working with our RAG to see if we can host a zip-wire event in Newport in the new year (Newport bridge). We have also given free reigns to students to host their own events in our union venues.

 

Represent and be a presence on all campuses.

 

I've attended over 200 meetings so far, which have spanned across all five campuses. I have also ensured that I attend each campus at least once a week and am currently successfully managing to do this (thanks to my trusty clio!). It's proving very difficult to remain a presence on all campuses with all the travelling I need to do and the meetings I need to attend but I am doing my best.

 

To remain loyal to traditions by fighting to continue the legacy of events such as May ball, as I have done this year and opening such events to all regions.

 

I brought this up as soon as I came into office and have been analysing figures and stats for the past six months. I have also presented a case for the event at multiple Trustee Board meetings and have been contacting a number of companies for potential sponsorship. I am now looking into a variety of alternate events, where we can create a new integrated tradition under the new institution. I have been in talks with a club in Cardiff with regards to venue and am now talking through costings etc. I'm hoping to present this proposal to Trustee Board in the new year and have it passed in time for February to launch tickets.

 

Increase student consultation in Union decisions.

 

Students have been included in all Union decisions. We have student Trustees from all regions that assist in making decisions from the highest ends. We also have three quorate student councils that can pass proposals and mandate us sabbs. We have also increased our student involvement in the running of the union, having students run events, run the website, taking on volunteer positions etc. We also ensure that logo decision making are passed to the students and have been conducting multiple surveys to get student input on decisions/plans. We are also working hard with SVR's and course reps to feed up student opinion on a variety of matters. We have also launched a research platform for students to impact and organise this years SLTA's (student lead teaching awards).

 

To defend and extend the rights of all students across all campuses.

 

As I mentioned earlier, I have attended over 200 meetings on varied campuses. I have fought for various things such as facilities at Atrium II, City campus space developments, development of a Glyntaff SU space, Treforest side gate accessibility issues and the cash machines and IT issues at Caerleon. I am often fighting for things on behalf of our students and always working on mandates fed through our student representative channels. On top of this I have also been taking on casework from multiple campuses and succeeding in most cases.

 

Keep an up to date profile on decisions and things I am doing as a sabbatical officer on a regular basis.

 

We have increased our social media stream 100% this year. I launched a new Presidential Twitter and Facebook, which have had a record number of followers/friends. I've been posting updates on what I've been doing throughout the term. I've also began a blog (this one) collating everything I've done and have also included all meetings attended on which campus for reference. I've also updated the website to include a 'Sabb Corner' tab which gives students insight on who we are and what we are currently working on. I'm also in the process of launching my belonging campaign which advertises all council members in each region as well as boosting the feeling of belonging in each region.

 

To increase integration between campuses.

 

We've ran a night to Oceana on a Monday which is open to all campuses. We've also set up integrated student rep groups on facebook and integrated all social media streams and groups. I'm also in the process of running a belonging campaign as mentioned earlier, which will be lead by our SVR's. All SVR's have also met and worked together on multi-campus issues etc. I'm also in contact with students at all regions and we are currently looking at running an event for the Chinese new year in 2014. As was mentioned above, I am also looking at running a collaborated end of year event in 2014.

 

 

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow...

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow…

Finishing up before the Christmas Holidays… or so I thought, it’s been hectic to say the least!

#KeepTabsOnTheSabbs

 * We’ve been organizing a campaign for Fair Funding from the University. This has included us filming an exciting video that we hope to release soon, sending a letter to the VC, encouraging Students to petition, tweet, fb and e-mail the University. We’ve assessed and amended the Union’s finance and budgets and have set up a meeting with the directorate of the University to re-negotiate our subvention. It’s extremely exciting to see the students supporting the campaign and speaking up!! :D

 * We’ve signed off on our first ever USW tour participants heading to Saloufest in 2014.

* Outstanding trustee positions have been filled through the USWSU website.

*We ran a poster campaign to guide students to the roles of an SVR/CR.

* We advertised and ran the tri-elections (student council elections). We managed to recruit for the Pontypridd region council, the Newport region council and the Cardiff region council.

* We’ve been working hard with the commercial team in offering alternate nights to students. We’ve decided to hand the reigns over to the students in designing their own nights.

* We’ve been lobbying students to sign a petition which lobbies the government to reject the plans to cut £65 of FE and HE funding. Sign the Petition here:

https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/jane-hutt-am-reverse-the-proposed-65million-cut-to-post-16-and-higher-education-in-wales

* We’ve delivered our third Go Out And Talk Campaign to Students at the Treforest Campus. We gave a survey out to students requiring feedback on the SU and have collated them and passed them on to the relevant departments.

* We’ve designed and prepared the Safety Campaign – alcohol awareness posters. The campaign will go live end of January.

* We’ve encouraged Student Council to engage in the recent campaigns so that we can offer more as an SU.

* We sent off our room full of gifts to the Santa Appeal and had the mayor present at the ceremony, where we had children singing carols.

#BusyBee   #LifeOnTheRoad

* Excitingly, I visited Argentina to compile research on the Territory Education System in Argentina. We had some great data and even took part in a student protest. Details of the exchange can be seen on my blog – Adventures in Buenos Aires. I’ve been working hard with a colleague in Swansea Union in collating the data.

* I launched the Research Change Agents program, advertising for our three regional positions. Applications will close on the 16^th January 2014.

* I’ve been liaising with the Newport region welsh council officer and the NUS Wales Welsh language officer to lobby the Union for a Welsh language Policy. We have passed this in the Newport region and are looking to get it passed through the two other councils.

* I’ve been working closely with the Glyntaff Campus Officer and Glyntaff Committee on various issues regarding Glyntaff. We are hoping to have the old cash machine re-installed but are awaiting feedback from the University.

* The VP Pontypridd and I have been drawing up design plans for the SU’s new social space in Glyntaff Campus. We finally have movement in camp with the fridges being removed and re-allocated and walls having been painted. We hope to open the newly vamped space in January.

* I’ve collected and distributed the SU feedback cards  and disseminated them to the relevant staff in the SU. #GOAT campaign.

* I’ve been chasing the Art Department with regards to getting a room for the AMC to use.

* I liaised with the estates team in relation to parking permit costs across Atrium, Caerleon and Treforest to develop an equal opportunity agreement. Students and Staff who have paid for membership on their primary base campus will have the option of opting in for a fixed fee to have a permit for the other campuses.

* I’ve been working with Caerleon Sports Department closely in developing a Tennis Co-Ordinator Postgraduate Scholarship. I’m discussing with staff accommodation and admission scholarship possibilities.

* I’ve advertised and recruited Student Adventure Leaders to lead a group of fundraisers to raise money for charity, working with Challenges Abroad and Student Adventures, by doing the following challenges:  Inca Trek, Kilimanjaro Trek, Mayhem To Marakesh. We’re also looking into recruitment for a London to Paris bicycle ride.

* I organized and distributed the Course Representative Hoodies.

* I’ve been looking into the finances of May Ball and looking for sponsorship opportunities that will cover the shortfall from previous years. I’ve presented this and fought for it at Trustee Board, where it was agreed that a new traditional end of year event would be allowed if found feesable. I’ve been looking into different event possibilities and venues and have a potential option to present at our next Trustee Board meeting.

* The Newport City Officer and I have been in talks with the deputy VC’s and estates to solution the accessibility issues there have been at City Campus SU. We are currently in discussion as to re-vamping the space at City SU/finding an alternate space.

* I’ve analyzed the NSS scores and highlighted hey focus areas for the year going forward. I’ve linked these in with points on the Academic Manifesto, which our change agents will carry forward into their research and implementation.

* I created council officer and Sabb contact posters and distributed them around campus informing students of where to go if they are in need of assistance, these can also be viewed on the USWSU website.

* I attended the Student Adventure annual awards where USW Rag were nominated for several awards. 

* I updated the student council pages on the USWSU website to include up to date officer information.

* I’ve been liaising with RAG to organize events in the 2014 term.

* I totaled the RAG totals from last year which came out at £39,582.95. We hope to raise this and the profile of RAG this year.

* I’ve been working with Cardiff and The Vale Colleges to set up an SU at their institution. Hopefully we’ll be able to set one up for the next academic year.

* I’ve set a date for the AGM. Details of which will launch in January.

* I managed to obtain £2000 from the local police to launch some LGBT campaigns in February. I will be liaising with our officers and societies in January as to what campaigns we will choose to run.

* I’ve been deriving stats and preparing for our Fair funding campaigns in the new year as well as preparing for our meeting with the University Directorate.

* I’ve been liaising with the finance department of the University and the deputy VC’s to have the University take over the cash machines. They have agreed to sign the contracts and will be taking over the one in Caerleon in the new year.

* I’ve been chasing up my side gate initiative for Treforest. Building and completion will end last week of January.

* I’ve been preparing a manuscript for our Students as Partners video, which will be utilized in the Students as Partners work strand.

* I’ve been preparing for our Belonging Campaign in January by getting all the material and posters ready.

* I’ve designed and written a diagram describing the current Union situation for students to understand.

* I’ve designed and disseminated posters and news articles describing how the Union is funded.

* I’ve co-delivered talks with the VP Pontypridd and Pontypridd Sports officer to teams of the Cardiff and Newport region with regards to the current financial state of the Union.

* I’ve agreed a question and answer session between the students, staff and the VC and myself to be held on all regions in the new year. I will be meeting with the deputy VC in the new year to set up the event.

* I’ve been looking into hosting a small event for the Chinese new year and am currently liaising with the Chinese community on what we can afford to do.

* I’ve looked through the AMCAS survey and derived key figures from similar institutions in preparation for our meetings in January.

* I launched the GOAT poster indicating where to go to offer student suggestions/feedback.

* I started preparations for the 2014/2015 annual report.

* I arranged and set up a Trustee away day in January where trustees will receive training and go through Union sustainability plans.

  

Apart from that I’ve fought a number of student cases, replied to millions of e-mails and attended millions of conferences, talks and events even over the Christmas Period.

Keep Peeled for more developments and the next update :).

For more frequent updates, follow me on twitter @USWSU_Pres and add me on Facebook - Carys Rhiannon USWSU.

Carys Rhiannon Thomas :D xx

P.s. A list of meetings I've attended since the last blogg...

 -

#Representation #StickItToTheMan

December 2013

03.12.2013                           Cause and Effect Funding Campaign Voice Over, Atrium Campus

03.12.2013                           Trustee Board Meeting, Atrium Campus
04.12.2013                           Academic Board Meeting, Caerleon Campus
04.12.2013                           USW Alumni Book Launch Event, Treforest Campus
04.12.2013                           LRC Steering Group Committee Meeting, Treforest Campus
05.12.2013                           Nursing Induction Talk, Glyntaff Campus
05.12.2013                           DISAG, Treforest Campus
05.12.2013                           CBI Wales Dinner, Cardiff
06.12.2013                           Leadership Foundation Annual Conference, London
07.12.2013                           Students as Partners, Bristol
09.12.2013                           Students as Partners, Caerleon Campus
09.12.2013                           Student Opportunities Meeting, City Campus
09.12.2013                           Student Council Newport Region, City Campus
10.12.2013                           Staff and Student Moral Meeting with VC, Treforest Campus
10.12.2013                           Cardiff Youth Council, Llanover Cardiff
10.12.2013                           Deputy VC meeting – Newport opportunities, Treforest Campus
11.12.2013                           Security across campus review, Treforest Campus
11.12.2013                           USWSU Pontypridd Womens rugby Christmas dinner, Pontypridd
11.12.2013                           Score, Treforest Campus
12.12.2013                           QAA Review, Treforest Campus
12.12.2013                           Glyntaff Belladonnas room review, Glyntaff Campus
12.12.2013                           The Longest Day, Treforest Campus
13.12.2013                           Movie Marathon, Meeting house Treforest Campus
13.12.2013                           Radio societies meeting, Atrium Campus
17.12.2013                           Graduation Ceremony, Treforest Campus
17.12.2013                           End of year event venue meeting, Cardiff
18.12.2013                           Allegation of misconduct meeting, Treforest Campus
19.12.2013                           Student Union Staff Christmas lunch, Treforest Campus
19.12.2013                           LGBT meeting with South Wales Police, Treforest Campus
24.12.2013                           Christmas eve Dinner @ the meeting house, Treforest Campus

Moustaches Abroad

Moustaches Abroad…

 

These last two months have been extremely exciting; I’ve even been busily undergoing preparation and completion of a collaborative Research project in Argentina. I had to move quickly in getting some USWSU work up to date and completed so that I could focus my time and efforts into the once in a lifetime Project.…

 

 

#KeepTabsOnTheSabbs

* We’ve been organizing a campaign for Fair Funding from the University. This has included us filming an exciting video that we hope to release soon, sending a letter to the VC, encouraging Students to petition, tweet, fb and e-mail the University. We’ve assessed and amended the Union’s finance and budgets and are awaiting a meeting with the directorate of the University to re-negotiate our subvention. It’s extremely exciting to see the students supporting the campaign and speaking up!! :D

* We’ve given information talks and sent out details to teams on how they can sign up for Saloufest – USW’s first ever tour.

* Outstanding trustee positions were advertised through the USWSU website. We recruited for the remaining three positions.

*We ran a poster campaign to guide students to the roles of an SVR/CR.

* We advertised and ran the tri-elections (student council elections). We managed to recruit for the Pontypridd region council, the Newport region council and the Cardiff region council.

* We’ve been working hard with the commercial team in offering alternate nights to students. We’ve decided to hand the reigns over to the students in designing their own nights.

* We’ve been lobbying students to sign a petition which lobbies the government to reject the plans to cut £65 of FE and HE funding. Sign the Petition here:

https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/jane-hutt-am-reverse-the-proposed-65million-cut-to-post-16-and-higher-education-in-wales

* We’ve delivered our second Go Out And Talk Campaign to Students at the Treforest Campus. We gave a survey out to students requiring feedback on the SU and have collated them and passed them on to the relevant departments.

* We’ve designed and prepared the Safety Campaign – alcohol awareness posters. The campaign will go live in January.

* We’ve encouraged Student Council to engage in the recent campaigns so that we can offer more as an SU.

  

#BusyBee   #LifeOnTheRoad

 

* Excitingly, I visited Argentina to compile research on the Territory Education System in Argentina. We had some great data and even took part in a student protest. Details of the exchange can be seen on my blog – Adventures in Buenos Aires. Keep your eyes peeled for the unraveling of our findings.

* I visited NUS London HQ to work on what we will do for the SLTA’s this year. We have decided to recruit 3 Research Change Agents who will carry forward the manifestations of our ‘University Students Want’ academic manifesto. We will look to be recruiting these in January.

* I’ve been liaising with the Newport region welsh council officer and the NUS Wales Welsh language officer to lobby the Union for a Welsh language Policy. We are currently working on this.

* I’ve been working closely with the Glyntaff Campus Officer and Glyntaff Committee on various issues regarding Glyntaff.

* The VP Pontypridd and I have been drawing up design plans for the SU’s new social space in Glyntaff Campus. We finally have movement in camp with the fridges being removed and re-allocated.

* I’ve collected and distributed the SU feedback cards  and disseminated them to the relevant staff in the SU. #GOAT campaign.

* I’ve been chasing the Art Department with regards to getting a room for the AMC to use.

* I liaised with both sports departments across Caerleon and Treforest to develop an equal opportunity agreement. Students and Staff who have paid for membership on their primary base campus can now use the same membership on the other campus.

* I’ve been working with Caerleon Sports Department closely in developing a Tennis Co-Ordinator Postgraduate Scholarship. I’m currently looking into funding opportunities for this initiative.

* I’ve advertised and recruited Student Adventure Leaders to lead a group of fundraisers to raise money for charity, working with Challenges Abroad and Student Adventures, by doing the following challenges:  Inca Trek, Kilimanjaro Trek, Mayhem To Marakesh. We’re also looking into recruitment for a London to Paris bicycle ride.

* I organized and distributed the Course Representative Hoodies.

* I have been working with the local schools engagement University staff member to develop an engagement initiative, which will see Union staff and local school students working together on a project.

* I’ve been looking into the finances of May Ball and looking for sponsorship opportunities that will cover the shortfall from previous years. I’ve analysed the datasheets and am currently waiting on the supporting documents to go through those and to cross-reference. I’ve also been looking at alternative events if the financial situation deems the event impossible to host.

* I set up the Movember University of South Wales Network. I also raised over £100 for charity and as promised will be getting a moustache tattooed to my finger over the Christmas period.

* The Newport VP and I have been in talks with the deputy VC’s and estates to solution the accessibility issues there have been at City Campus SU.

* I’ve analyzed the NSS scores and highlighted hey focus areas for the year going forward. I’ve linked these in with points on the Academic Manifesto, which our change agents will carry forward into their research and implementation.

* I created a diagram informing students of where to go if they are in need of assistance, this can be viewed on the USWSU website.

* I wrote a news article for USW Rag informing students of the opportunities to fundraise and raise money for charity by going on a Trek to Inca.

* I totaled the RAG totals from last year which came out at £39,582.95. We hope to raise this and the profile of RAG this year.

* I’ve been working with Cardiff and The Vale Colleges to set up an SU at their institution. Hopefully we’ll be able to set one up for the next academic year.

* I've uploaded and updated the meeting minutes on the USWSU website from previous years. 

 

Apart from that I’ve fought a number of student cases, replied to millions of e-mails and attended millions of conferences, talks and events (slight exaggeration, but you get the picture).

Keep Peeled for more developments and the next update :).

For more frequent updates, follow me on twitter @USWSU_Pres and add me on Facebook - Carys Rhiannon USWSU.

Carys Rhiannon Thomas :D xx

P.s. A list of meetings I've attended since the last blogg...

 

#Representation #StickItToTheMan

 

OCTOBER 2013

23.10.2013 SU Site Visits, Caerleon & City Campus

23.10.2013 Health and Safety Committee Meeting, Treforest Campus
24.10.2013 Trustee Board Meeting, Treforest Campus
24.10.2013 Graduation Operational Committee Meeting, Treforest Campus
24.10.2013 Student Opportunities and Developments Meeting, Glyntaff Campus
25.10.2013 Argentina Research Meeting, Atrium Campus
28.10.2013 Review of Academic Practice and Peer Observation Schemes, Treforest Campus
28.10.2013 Belladonna’s SU Refurbishment Meeting, Glyntaff Campus
29.10.2013 Course Representative Training, City Campus
29.10.2013 Dakar Ralley Opportunities Meeting, Treforest Campus
30.10.2013 OIA Network Forum, Cardiff Met
31.10.2013 Emergency Planning Meeting, Atrium Campus
31.10.2013 Trustee Sub-Group Meeting, Atrium Campus

November 2013

04.11.2013                           Merthyr Tydfil College Board, Merthyr Tydfil
05.11.2013                           Team Sabb Meeting, Atrium Campus
05.11.2013                           Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama Board, RWCMD
05.11.2013                           Student Council Meeting Newport Region, Caerleon Campus
07.11.2013                           Equality Diversity and Sub-group Committee meeting, Treforest Campus
07.11.2013                           Student Council Meeting Pontypridd Region, Treforest Campus
09.11.2013-24.11.2013     Argentina NUS Territory Education Research Project
09.11.2013-24.11.2013     UBA School of Law, Teatro Colon, FUBA Faculty of Economics & Faculty of
Medicine, Faculdad De Derrecho Meetings/Interviews, Argentina
26.11.2013                           Cause and Effect Fair Funding Campaign Filming, Eglwys Ilan
27.11.2013                           Images Design, Print and Embroidery CR Hoodie Meeting, Pontypridd
27.11.2013                           Score, Treforest Campus
28.11.2013                           NUS Wales 40^th Celebration Awards Dinner, Cardiff
29.11.2013                           SLTA NUS Away Day, London
30.11.2013                           Student Adventure Awards, London

December 2013

01.11.2013                           Student Adventure Awards, London