Me :)

Me :)

Friday 28 February 2014

Short Month, Demanding Schedulle


Short Month, Demanding Schedule






 

 
Although February is the shortest month of the year, it has by far not been the least busy. Jam packed with elections, LGBT History Month, union visioning and strategy, NUS nominations, report deadlines and all the usual democratic principles. I’ve written a little about some of the main things that have happened this month below. If you’d like to know what else I’ve been working on/would like to ask a question then please do not hesitate to contact...

 
 

 
 
#Elections
Having reverted back to the usual time-frame, elections seem to have jumped upon us this year. With cuts in Union staff having affected our
abilities to publicise the elections, our sabbatical team have stepped up and tried their upmost to get the word out there. We’ve been posting on social media, disseminating posters across all campuses and have even ran an information roadshow on each campus to educate both potential nominees and voters. Campaigning is currently underway with candidates running from all regions for varied positions. It comes as a pleasant surprise to see a record number of candidates running at the Cardiff region, having more officers running than that of the other two. To view the candidates manifestos/question and answer sessions, see the links below:

Manifestos...
http://www.uswsu.com/news/index.php?page=article&news_id=384625

Questions...
http://www.uswsu.com/news/index.php?page=article&news_id=384795

Be Sure to Vote for your favourites via Unilife/Moodle come the 3rd – 6th March 2014!

 
 
#NUSGlobalResearchExchangeArgentina



We’ve finally written and submitted our report from our Research Exchange to Argentina. The report will be available on the USWSU website shortly so keep your eyes peeled :D!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

#LGBTHistoryMonth

After obtaining funding from the South Wales Police and ordering materials for all our campuses, this month our regional LGBT officers has lead their regional events. We’ve hosted movie nights, event nights, held workshops, ran campaigns, held drop in sessions and even filmed some LGBT related videos (will be available on USWSU Youtube shortly). I’ve also managed to obtain a further £100 to go towards next year’s History Month :D!.




 
#SALT’s
Don’t recognise the term SALT? Don’t worry because it’s new! Formerly known as the Student Lead Teaching Awards/Student Experience awards, The SALT awards (Students and Academics in Learning and Teaching) are the newly named USWSU awards for academics and student representatives. I’ve been working hard with members of staff, our change agents and regional VP’s to arrange and organise the awards. It’s been decided that there will be regional awards held in May amongst the faculties of each region. The awards themselves have yet to be finalised but information will be published soon along with the request for nominations so keep your eyes peeled! I’ve also been working tirelessly with our Change Agents, who are undertaking research on different topics. They are currently in the Data Collection Phase of the research :D!


 
#NSS


The National Student Survey has been running for two months now and the number of responses are streaming in. I’ve been working hard with our SVR’s and University Staff to promote the filling in of the surveys. It’s extremely important that 3rd year students fill the survey in as it gives both the University and prospective students feedback relating student courses. Those that score poorly are identified to the University and procedures are put in place to improve the courses, equally those that score well are looked at to see how that can continue and be disseminated to other courses. There is also a possible financial benefit to those filling in the survey with 5 lucky participants winning £100 just for filling it in!

 
#EndOfYearEvent

Verity and I have been working hard to gain student feedback and input regarding the End of year event. Tickets are currently on sale for £20 and we are urging students to purchase tickets as soon as possible so that the event can go ahead. Verity has also set up an end of year planning committee, where students are taking the reins with regards to organisation and running of the event. We are looking into possibilities for fundraisers to sustain and grow the event in future years. One has currently been organised for early May to raise funds for this year’s event and will go live shortly.
 
#StudentAffairs

I was asked at the last Student Affairs Committee meeting to provide information on the sort of issues students were raising and how I was progressing with my manifesto aims. I provided information on how I have been adhering to my manifesto but noted that I would give an update on student issues following the regional course rep councils. I attended each regional course rep councils and took notes on the main issues of each. I collated these and sent in three separate reports – one for each region on the main issues being discussed. I also mentioned that both SVR’s and Course Reps would be highlighting these to various departments but the University has mandated members of staff to chase the issues up to ensure that they are being resolved.

 
#NationalStudentMoneyWeek


I’ve been doing a number of things for National Student Money week :D. I organised a Supermarket sweep which was held in Tesco. Our Vice President for Cardiff went up against one of our women’s rugby team members, whilst our VP Pontypridd had the role of chief trolley pusher. You can find the video below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg5TpDecVDE

I also created a video for each day of National Student Money week on how to cook various recipes...

Enchiladas:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVCxwFyLPt0

Pasta Bake:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMwhvg-GGuM

Pancakes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS5SUEoVZk0

Chilli and Coconut Chicken Curry:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YotqSTVlMY

Omelette:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz2rv-muHnw

Keep your eyes peeled for the bonus Home Made Banana Milkshake video...

 
#CampusDevelopments



#Caerleon

I’ve been tirelessly chasing the CashPoint issue with the finance department of the University. At current as the previous contract for the cash machine has been lost and we as a Union are currently contracted for a further 3-4 years, there are difficulties in processes to get it up and running again. The University are currently looking into cash filling services for the short term but are having difficulties finding a provider that will just fill the machine. I’ve pressed this as an urgent matter and they have promised to return to me with information as soon as there are further developments. We are awaiting responses from the cash machine companies to be able to proceed.
 


#Cardiff 
We’ve successfully won the fight to have catering and beer on tap at Atrium II :D!! We have also under the influence of the student movement, convinced the University to extend the opening hours at the Atrium. I am currently working with both the VP for Cardiff and University staff to see if we can run a volunteer scheme so that both the Atlantic and Cromwell House opening hours can also be extended. I’ve also fed back all of the information derived from the most recent Course Rep Assembly to the University Executive, who has appointed a member of staff to solely look at and address the issues. I have forwarded a motion to the student affairs committee to have a shuttle bus service going from Atrium to Atlantic House to Cromwell house on a rotational basis, whilst the bridge is closed. I have also requested that a microwave, kettle and fridge be provided for Atlantic and Cromwell House students due to the lack of food provision. I am also currently writing up a proposal to be carried forward by whoever is elected as officers next year to have an SU feedback wall in Atlantic and Cromwell House, so that our officer team can provide weekly advice and assistance to students studying there. It will also act as a consistent feedback portal in addition to our Course Rep Assemblies and Student Council meetings. We've also had the sudden unfortunate news that Atrium SU is closing earlier! This has come with little consultation between the regional VP and I and I intend on highlighting this to Trustee board and working with both future and current officers to address the issue.

 

#City 

It’s proven difficult to find a re-location solution to the City Campus SU space. Estates have assured me that access to the room has been approved and that students are now able to access the space. I’m currently working with a number of University departments to see how we can best move departments to provide a better area for the SU. As an aside I have obtained a lock in notice board for the space and we are awaiting a pool table to be placed in the area. Due to destructions to equipment and materials previously, the space and equipment put in will be monitored carefully when looking at future possibilities.
 


#Glyntaff


It’s pleasing to see so many people using the Glyntaff SU Social Space, we fought so hard to obtain!! Since we obtained the space, it’s been painted, re-furnished, re-floored and re-newed. It now offers spaces to work, to sit comfortably and to eat. We have recently also added a pool table!! Plans are in place for networking to go in the area and for computers to be allocated to our bar desktop. We have also ordered pens for our feedback wall and have ordered further comfy seating! This week both SU and open notice boards are due to be put in so that both students and sabbs can be made aware of what’s going on SU wise. I’m looking forward to working with the VP for Pontypridd and campus officer to see what else we can do in addition to the turn-around.

 
 
#Treforest 


The side gate was due to be updated and opened as a 24/7 access point at the end of February. Due to the staffing cuts in the Estates department, the work got pushed under the radar. I have highlighted this to both estates and the University Directorate who are looking into it as a matter of urgency. The side gate will be transformed into a turn style gate with card access points (much like the one in cathays). Students will have access to the gates through their enrolment cards. Those that cause disruption to the community will have their access revoked, which will not affect those students who do not. This will also prevent non-student/staff members walking onto campus at night and will reduce crime opportunities when the gates become available 24/7.

 

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

 

February 2014
01.02.2014                           Charity Bucket Collection, Cardiff
03.02.2014                           Student Appeals, complaints and Conduct, Treforest

03.02.2014                           Student Success Group, Treforest
03.02.2014                           Captains meeting, Treforest

04.02.2014                           Sabb Team Meeting, Glyntaff
04.02.2014                           Elections Roadshow, Glyntaff

04.02.2014                           Go Out and Talk, Glyntaff
04.02.2014                           Executive Committee meeting, Caerleon

04.02.2014                           Student Council meeting, Caerleon
05.02.2014                           FCF meeting, Treforest

05.02.2014                           Student opportunities in marketing meeting, Treforest
05.02.2014                           RAG meeting, Treforest

05.02.2014                           Student Council meeting, Cardiff
06.02.2014                           LGBT meeting, Treforest

06.02.2014                           SLTA training, Treforest
06.02.2014                           Duke of Edinburgh meeting, Pontypridd

06.02.2014                           Student Council meeting, Newport
07.02.2014                           Elections Roadshow, Cardiff

07.02.2014                           Global Day meeting, Treforest
07.02.2014                           Argentina Research meeting, Treforest

10.02.2014                           Global Day meeting, Treforest
10.02.2014                           Review of Effectiveness of Academic board, Treforest

10.02.2014                           Student Affairs Committee, Treforest
10.02.2014                           Filming SuperMarket Sweep video, Treforest

11.02.2014                           Elections Roadshow, Caerleon
11.02.2014                           Elections Roadshow, City

11.02.2014                           Global Day meeting, City Campus
12.02.2014                           SU media, Treforest

12.02.2014                           Library tour, Treforest
13.02.2014                           DISAG, Treforest

13.02.2014                           February intake induction talk, Atrium
13.02.2014                           Global Day meeting, Atrium

13.02.2014                           Equality and Diversity Steering group meeting, Caerleon
13.02.2014                           YMCA meeting, Pontypridd

17.02.2014                           End of year fundraising opportunities meeting, Cardiff
18.02.2014                           Executive committee meeting, Treforest

18.02.2014                           Elections roadshow, Treforest
18.02.2014                           Elections roadshow, Glyntaff

18.02.2014                           International intake induction talk, Glyntaff
19.02.2014                           FCF meeting, Treforest

19.02.2014                           Course Rep Assembly, Cardiff
20.02.2014                           Directorate-SU student experience meeting, Treforest

20.02.2014                           Course Rep Assembly, Pontypridd
20.02.2014                           Welcome event for February intake, Treforest

21.02.2014                           SU developments at Glyntaff and City, Treforest
21.02.2014                           GradEdge development meeting, Treforest

24.02.2014                           SLTA Training, Treforest
25.02.2014                           Course Rep Assembly, Caerleon

26.02.2014                           Score, Treforest
27.02.2014                           Reflection and Observation of Teaching, City

27.02.2014                           Welcome buffet, Treforest
27.02.2014                           Tequilla radio fundraiser, Porters

28.02.2014                           Student opportunities in sport, Treforest

Friday 21 February 2014

My working hours and locations July-date (excluding overtime worked during June 2013)

Month Feb 2014  
   
   
   
Brought Forward 305.00
Day Start Finish Comments Hours Worked  
  Time Time        
1
2    
3 9am 6pm 8 Treforest Atrium
4 9am 9pm Student Council 11 Treforest Caerleon Glyntaff
5 9am 9pm Student Council 11 Treforest Cardiff Merthyr
6 9am 9pm Student Council 11 Treforest Glyntaff
7 9am 6pm 8 Treforest Atrium
8    
9    
10 9am 6pm 8 Treforest Atrium Atlantic House
11 9am 9.30pm 11 Treforest Caerleon City
12 9am 6pm 8 Treforest Glyntaff Caerleon
13 9am 7pm 9 Treforest Caerleon Atrium Pontypridd
14     Annual Leave        
15    
16    
17 9am 5pm 7 Treforest Atrium Atlantic House
18 9am 9pm LGBT committee meeting 11 Treforest Glyntaff
19 9am 5pm 7 Treforest Atrium Atlantic House
20 9am 8pm International Welcome Week 10 Treforest Glyntaff
21    
22    
23    
24    
25    
26    
27    
28    
29    
30    
31    
120.00 185.00 (how many hours left that I'm contracted to)

Month JAN 2014  
   
   
   
Brought Forward 465.50
Day Start Finish Comments Hours Worked  
  Time Time        
1
2
3
4
5 12pm 4pm 4 Treforest
6
7
8 9am 5pm 8 Treforest Glyntaff
9 11am 6pm 7 Treforest Atrium
10 8.30am 6pm TB Away Day 10 Treforest
11
12
13 10am 5pm 7 Treforest  Atrium
14 10am 9pm LGBT Meeting, CR Training 11 Treforest  Glyntaff
15 9am 5pm 6 Treforest Atrium
16 3pm 6pm 3 Treforest Caerleon City
17 8am 6pm 9 Treforest Glyntaff Atrium
18
19
20 9am 7pm 10 Treforest Atrium
21 9am 11pm Trustee Board/LGBT meeting 13 Treforest City Glyntaff
22 9.30am 5pm 7.5 Treforest Glyntaff
23 9am 6pm 9 Treforest Caerleon City
24 9am 7pm LGBT Filming 10 Treforest Atrium
25 Treforest Atrium
26
27 8.30am 7pm 11 Treforest Glyntaff
28 9am 8pm LGBT Filming 11 Treforest City Swansea
29           Treforest Atrium City
30 9am 9pm AGM/LGBT prep 12 Treforest Atrium
31 9am 9pm 12 Treforest Atrium
160.50 305.00



Month Dec 2013  
   
   
   
Brought Forward 570.00
Day Start Finish Comments Hours Worked  
  Time Time        
1
2 9am 5pm 7 Treforest
3 2pm 9pm Trustee Board 6 Treforest Atrium
4 9am 5pm 7 Caerleon Treforest
5 9am 9pm 11 Atrium Treforest
6 9am 6pm 8 Treforest
7
8
9 9am 9pm Student Council Newport 11 City Caerleon
10 9am 9pm Student Council Pontypridd 11 Treforest Atrium
11 9am 4pm 6 Glyntaff Treforest
12 10am 8pm 9 Treforest Glyntaff
13 9am 6pm 8 Treforest Atrium
14
15
16
17 8am 4pm 7 Treforest  Atrium
18 12pm 4pm 4 Treforest Atrium
19 9am 4pm 6 Treforest Atrium
20 12pm 3.30pm 4 Treforest Atrium
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
104.50 465.50


Month Nov 2013  
   
   
   
Brought Forward 722.00
Day Start Finish Comments Hours Worked  
  Time Time        
1    
2 9am 9pm 11
3 8.30am 8pm student council 11
4     Leave
5 9am 5pm 7 Treforest Atrium City  Caerleon
6     Leave
7 9am 8pm Student Council 10 Treforest Atrium
8     Argentina
9 9am 9pm Research 11 Treforest Atrium
10 9am 9pm Research 11
11 9am 9pm Research 11
12 9am 9pm Research 11
13 9am 9pm Research 11
14 9am 9pm Research 11
15 9am 9pm Research 11
16     Argentina
17     Argentina
18     Argentina
19     Argentina
20     Argentina
21    
22 9am 5pm 7 Treforest
23    
24 9am 5pm 7 Treforest
25 7am 5pm SLTA's 9 Treforest
26 9am 8pm SA awards/confr 8 Treforest Caerleon
27 9am 3pm SA awards/confr 5 Treforest Glyntaff Atrium
28
29
30
31
152.00 570.00


Month Oct 2013  
   
   
   
Brought Forward 996.00
Day Start Finish Comments Hours Worked  
  Time Time        
1 8.30am 8.30pm Hospital with sports individual 12 Treforest
2 9.30am 6.30pm Induction greeting events 8 Treforest
3 8.30am 6pm 9 Treforest
4 7.30am 6pm Paintball event 4 Treforest Cardiff
5 9am 6pm 9 Treforest
6 8.30am 8pm LGBT meeting 11.5 Treforest
7 8.30am 7pm 10.5 Treforest
8 8.30am 8pm 11.5 Treforest Atrium
9 8am 9pm RAG confrence 11 Telford
10 8.30am 9pm RAG confrence 11.5 Telford
11 8.30am 6pm RAG confrence 10 Telford
12 8am 6pm 10 Treforest
13 9am 7pm 10 Treforest
14 9am 5pm 8 Treforest City Caerleon
15 9am 4.30pm 8 Treforest City
16 9am 6pm SVR Training 9 Treforest Atrium
17 9am 4pm 7 Treforest Atrium
18 9.30am 6pm 9 Treforest Merthyr
19      
20 9am 6pm open day 9 Treforest Atrium
21 9am 6pm 9 Treforest
22 9am 7pm 10 Treforest
23 9am 6pm 9 Treforest Caerleon City
24 9am 6pm 9 Treforest Atrium
25 9am 5pm 8 Treforest Atrium
26 9am 7pm 10 Treforest
27 9am 7pm 10 Treforest
28 9am 6pm 9 Treforest
29 9am 8pm 11 Treforest City
30 9am 3pm 6 Treforest Atrium
31 10.30am 5pm 6 Treforest Atrium
274.00 722.00


Month Sept 2013  
   
   
   
Brought Forward 1249.50
Day Start Finish Comments Hours Worked  
  Time Time        
1 9am 4.30pm 7 Caerleon
2 9am 4.30pm 7 Caerleon
3 6.20am 10pm 15 Treforest Pontypridd
4 9am 4.30pm 7 Treforest Atrium
5 9am 4.30pm 7 London
6 9am 5pm 7 Treforest Caerleon
7 9am 5pm 7 Treforest Caerleon
8 8am 8pm Freshers 11 Treforest Caerleon
9 8.30pm 8.30pm Freshers 12 Treforest Glyntaff
10 8am 5pm Freshers 8 Treforest Caerleon
11 10am 10pm Freshers 11 Atrium Caerleon
12 10am 10pm Freshers 11 Atrium Caerleon
13 8am 11pm Freshers 14 Glyntaff City Caerleon
14 9am 7pm Freshers 9 Glyntaff City Caerleon
15 8am 12pm Freshers 15 Caerleon
16 8am 11.30pm Freshers 14.5 Treforest Atrium
17 12pm 8pm Freshers 7 Treforest Caerleon Atrium
18 9am 12pm Freshers 14 Treforest Caerleon
19 2pm 10pm Freshers 7 Treforest Caerleon
20 10.30am 9.30pm Freshers 10 Treforest Cardiff
21 8am 10pm Freshers 14 Treforest Cardiff
22 7.30am 6.30pm Freshers 10 Treforest Cardiff
23 8.30am 4pm Freshers 8 Treforest Cardiff
24 8.30am 4pm Freshers 8 Treforest Cardiff
25 10am 12pm Freshers 2 Treforest Caerleon City
26
27 8am 7pm 11 Treforest Glyntaff City Caerleon
28
29
30
253.50 996.00


Month August 2013  
   
   
   
Brought Forward 1352.00
Day Start Finish Comments Hours Worked  
  Time Time        
1 Annual Leave
2 Annual Leave
3 Annual Leave
4 Annual Leave
5 Annual Leave
6 Annual Leave
7 Annual Leave
8 5.30am 8.30pm 14 Treforest
9 9am 8.30pm 5.5 Treforest
10 9am 8.30pm 5.5 Treforest
11 9am 8.30pm 5.5 Treforest
12 9am 4.30pm 7 Treforest
13 9am 4.30pm 7 Lancaster
14 9am 4.30pm 7 Lancaster
15 9am 6.30pm 9.5 Lancaster
16 8.30am 4.30pm 7.5 Lancaster
17    
18 9am 4.30pm 7 Atrium City
19 8.30am 10pm 13 Treforest
20 9am 4.30pm 7 Treforest
21 9am 4.30pm 7 Caerleon
22    
23    
24    
25    
26    
27    
28    
29    
30    
31    
102.50 1249.50


July 2013
Carried Forward 0
Opening Balance 1820
Holiday Entitlement -175
Shutdown + Bank Holidays -119
    1526.00
Day Start Finish Comments Hours Worked    
  Time Time        
1 9am 6pm 8.5 Treforest
2 9.15am 4.45pm 7 Treforest
3 9.15am 4.30pm 7 Treforest Atrium
4 8.30am 4.30pm 9 Treforest
5 9.15am 4.30pm 7 Treforest
6 10am 4.30pm Open Day 5.5 Treforest Atrium
7 9am 9.30pm Board of Governors 9 Treforest
8 9.30am 5.30pm 8 Treforest
9 9am 4.30pm 7 Treforest Caerleon
10 9am 4.30pm 7 Treforest
11 8.30am 4.30pm 7.5 Treforest Caerleon
12 8.30am 5pm 9 Treforest
13 9.30am 4.30pm 7 Treforest
14 9am 4.30pm 7 Treforest
15 9am 4.30pm 7 Treforest
16 8am 7pm Y Talwrn Confrence 10 Trinity
17 9am 4.30pm 7 Treforest
18 9am 4.30pm 7 Treforest
19 9am 5pm 7.5 Treforest Atrium
20 9am 5pm 7.5 Treforest Atrium
21 9am 5pm 7.5 Treforest Atrium
22 9am 4.30pm 7 Treforest Caerleon
23 8.30am 5pm 8 Treforest
24 Annual Leave
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
174.00 1352.00