SU Elections

SU Elections.

As most of you probably know, nominations for the SU elections close at 1pm on Thursday 26th Feb. These are the roles that are up for grabs…

 

I’m sure in the coming weeks you will be bombarded with corny posters and cheesy tag lines encouraging you to vote for certain people which often become tedious, leaving you thinking"why should I vote at all?" Here are a few points that will hopefully highlight why voting in your SU elections is important. 

They represent you. 

The SU Officers that are chosen by you will act and speak on your behalf for the whole year. This means that it is important you choose a candidate who wants to change and improve things that will affect you, as each candidate will have different ideas about what they want to change. 

The SU officers work hard to make improvements for students at USW.

SU Officers are influential in ensuring that you and your opinions are represented within the University and Union. This helps to ensure that the changes that you want to see are implemented. They also work hard to campaign for things that will improve the lives of students, on a range of issues including academic, housing, welfare & extracurricular activity. Voting for someone who has clear ideas on what is right for the student body could improve your student experience. 

Have your say. 

Even if your preferred candidate does not win, having your say in how you want things to be run is very important. It is a small, but significant way to bring about change within your University. 

Ensure that your SU is a fair and democratic organisation. 

The more students who vote in the SU elections, the greater the authority those elected officers will have. If we, as students, vote en masse in these elections, the University will know that we’re serious about the changes we want to make. It will mean that we know that as many students as possible are happy with their new officers.

Your vote can decide the result. 

Every candidate works very hard to secure the votes of as many people as possible. Usually the result is very close, so every vote really does count.

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In the SU elections we use an electoral system called STV (Single Transferable Vote). STV allows you to rank candidates in order of preference. This means, if your most preferred candidate can’t win you can still vote for your second favourite candidate. Unlike First Past the Post, STV means your vote will never be wasted. Here is a video explaining a lot better/cooler than I could ever do. 

Want to know how to vote? Voting goes live onwww.USWSU.comon the Monday 9th March @ 9am and closes Thursday 12th march @ 6pm. 

suelections stv

Jumping into January

Jumping into January

Campus Realignment      

I’ve been to one campus realignment group meeting in the new year. We’re still pushing for equal or better especially in relation to the SU provision in City campus.

Fundraising and Volunteering

I’ve been developing a training folder for who takes on student activities volunteering and fundraising next year. It will contain information on how to organise the group in terms of recruitment, contacts and general running, will include healthy and safety forms and risk assessments, fundraising amounts since USW was formed and training documents given by charities.

Partner Colleges

I’m still waiting on a response from four of the five colleges I have been trying to meet with. I will be meeting with Coleg Gwent in the meantime to discuss how to strengthen our partnership.

Welfare and Academic Advice

I’ve had a number of cases relating to academic issues and infringements. I’ve been offering these

students advice and guidance in relation to their individual cases. (3 in total this month)

AGM

I’ve set a date for the AGM. It will follow the Queeree conference on the 12th February. Elections nominations will open at the close of AGM. I’ve resorted to designing and editing the report myself having waited over 6 months for it.

Handover

I’ve been preparing handover for the person who will take over from me as President. This will take up much of my time over the next 6 months as I want to make the role as easy to fall into as possible for whoever takes over it.

QAA

I’ve been getting ready for the QAA review, attending meetings with QAA staff and University staff in relation to the Union and University reports. I’m currently working on the schedule for the visit.

Honorary Membership

I’ve been testing out the machinery to see if we can print University of South Wales Students’ Union Honorary and Life membership cards as oppose to pocket folders. I’ve ran some testers on some old cards and am waiting for some blank ones to come in to see if it works :)!

Training

I’ve been on a Leadership and Management course which I intend to deliver sections to the other sabbaticals over the upcoming months. I’m looking into working with NUS and the University to use the course for student leaders / management staff as it was very informative and beneficial.

May Ball Proposal

I’ve been reviewing and editing the may ball proposal for submission to Trustee Board.

Other

We have a duck race going on in March and will be doing sweepstakes for all Welsh games in the 6 nations. Duck race is £2 a duck & Sweepstakes are £1 a pick. Let me know if you want to be put down for either :). There’s also a trip to Oakwood on the 11th April for £22 leaving Caerleon and Treforest.

Meetings

01.12.2014   QAA Steering Group

01.12.2014   DVC Meeting

02.12.2014   Firestation meeting

03.12.2014   Academic Board

04.12.2014   PVC Candidates Interviews

04.12.2014   DISAG

05.12.2014   Team Sabb Huddle

05.12.2014   RAG fundraising meeting

08.12.2014   IT Governance session

08.12.2014   Student Council Pontypridd

09.12.2014   Student Council Newport

15.12.2014   QAA meeting

15.12.2014    Graduation Ceremonies

16.12.2014   Graduation Ceremonies

17.12.2014    Race, religion and equality sub group

18.12.2014   UCU meeting

03.01.2015   BHF meeting

05.01.2015   Casework

06.01.2015   Casework

09.01.2015   Team Sabb Huddle

09.01.2015   Fortnightly Campus realignment meeting

09.01.2015   Casework x2

12.01.2015   Fees and Scholarships Group

12.01.2015    QAA Steering group

13.01.2015    Partnership Quality Sub-Group Committee

14.01.2015    Preparatory meeting with the QAA

14.01.2015    Health and Safety Committee

15.01.2015    Partnership Quality Sub-Group Committee

17.01.2015—18.01.2015  Leadership & Management Training

20.01.2015    Directorate meeting

20.01.2015    Quality Assurance Committee meeting

22.01.2015    Casework

23.01.2015     Wales HE Briefing Day

Deck The Halls December

Deck The Halls December

Campus Realignment      

I wrote up all the questions asked at the last Q and A sessions and forwarded them to the realignment group to note. We've had more meetings in relation to campus realignment.  My request to have an analysis of what it would cost to keep students on campus has been considered and we have won the fight to have students currently studying on a set Campus to remain there until 2016. This allows us to continue our campaign for equal or better provision at the campuses students will be moving to/enrolling onto in 2016.

Community Partnership 

I’ve been working hard with the community in relation to the promotion of the upcoming general

elections. I’ve had meeting with constituents in the Gwent and Pontypridd areas and am awaiting a

response from the Cardiff region representative. Together we've put notices up around the community and put them up around the University.

Distance online Delivery 

I have been working with the University on delivery of online courses and inputting into how these

processes would work. It’s still in it’s early stages but an exciting project to be a part of.

Fundraising and Volunteering

We’ve launched this year’s USW challenges through Challenges Abroad. There are spaces for students to volunteer and fundraise for the Machu Picchu Challenge, Kilimanjaro Challenge and the Thailand Experience. I’ve also been looking at how we can oversee fundraising done across our regions and monitor them to know how much we have raised both as a unit, regionally and as individuals. We raised around £100 for children in need last month, an estimated £40 for the Future Sense Foundation and over £1000 for Movember.

National BACS Conference

I’ve been working with the Chiropractic students to arrange and manage the National BACS conference that will take place next year. The conference will play host to Universities across the UK and will include 8 guest speakers from the Chiropractic and Research industry.

NUS Partnership and Lobbying/The Welsh Language

I’ve been lobbying NUS  to provide  a server that allows for Welsh translation. I’ve had a meeting with NUS Wales President Beth Button to voice my concerns and am in the process of drafting a complaint to NUS. I’ve also been in touch with BBC Wales regarding it. I’ve also been promoting  the feedback forum produced by the government which is gathering feedback on giving 16 year olds the opportunity to vote.

Partner Colleges

We’ve had a lot of problems with one of our partner colleges in terms of disparity of course and equipment provision in comparison to courses taught on the USW campus. I’ve been assessing the situation and drafting a report to feedback to the Universities Partnership forum. I’ve also had a meeting with the link officer in USW to voice the concerns of these students and am in regular communication with the course Representative to communicate these findings.  I will be creating a feedback form to gather individual responses from the affected classes to feed back to the University.

SMook’s

I’ve been testing the Universities new free online courses and giving feedback on them. sMooks’s are short courses that develop your skills. You can complete them in your own time by logging onto an online platform. I’ve been feeding back on the Welsh translation portion of the website and inputting specific SU data to improve their content.

SU Governance

I’ve taken a number of items to Trustee Board to discuss including amendments to the Standing Orders and questions on decisions relating to the current budget. These can be seen in the Trustee Board report.

The QAA

We held a focus group with one of our partner colleges  and we are attempting  to  outreach to more collaborative partner colleges through the USW link officers. We have had a number of meetings with the University and we’ve began work on writing up the student statement.

Union structure and Understanding

I have found that students are unaware of the processes in place and where they can go with different issues and so I’ve  started designing some posters that explain where students can go. I’ve forwarded these to our SVR’s to put up around campus in hope that it will aid students. I’m also trying to get hold of someone to work on an animation video to explain where students need to go for help or information. Once I've found someone, I’ll be looking at making these bilingual.

Welfare and Academic Advice

I’ve had a number of cases relating to academic infringements or hearings. I’ve been offering these students advice and guidance in relation to their individual cases. This month alone I have helped over 10 students with academic discrepancies.

#USWonTour

We’ve been pushing Tour massively this year and have more students registered than we had in the first USW tour year. Next Easter we will be touring over to Saloufest for a week of fun and sport.

Nooooovember

Noooooovember

Campus Realignment      

I wrote up all the questions asked at the last Q and A sessions and forwarded them to the realignment group to note. We've had more meetings in relation to campus realignment.  My request to have an analysis of what it would cost to keep students on campus has been considered and we have won the fight to have students currently studying on a set Campus to remain there until 2016. This allows us to continue our campaign for equal or better provision at the campuses students will be moving to/enrolling onto in 2016.

Community Partnership 

I’ve been working hard with the community in relation to the promotion of the upcoming general

elections. I’ve had meeting with constituents in the Gwent and Pontypridd areas and am awaiting a

response from the Cardiff region representative. Together we've put notices up around the community and put them up around the University.

Distance online Delivery 

I have been working with the University on delivery of online courses and inputting into how these

processes would work. It’s still in it’s early stages but an exciting project to be a part of.

Fundraising and Volunteering

We’ve launched this year’s USW challenges through Challenges Abroad. There are spaces for students to volunteer and fundraise for the Machu Picchu Challenge, Kilimanjaro Challenge and the ThailandExperience. I’ve also been looking at how we can oversee fundraising done across our regions and monitor them to know how much we have raised both as a unit, regionally and as individuals. We raised around £100 for children in need last month, an estimated £40 for the Future Sense Foundation and over £1000 for Movember.

National BACS Conference

I’ve been working with the Chiropractic students to arrange and manage the National BACS conference that will take place next year. The conference will play host to Universities across the UK and will include 8 guest speakers from the Chiropractic and Research industry.

NUS Partnership and Lobbying/The Welsh Language

I’ve been lobbying NUS  to provide  a server that allows for Welsh translation. I’ve had a meeting with NUS Wales President Beth Button to voice my concerns and am in the process of drafting a complaint to NUS. I’ve also been in touch with BBC Wales regarding it. I’ve also been promoting  the feedback forum produced by the government which is gathering feedback on giving 16 year olds the opportunity to vote.

Partner Colleges

We’ve had a lot of problems with one of our partner colleges in terms of disparity of course and equipment provision in comparison to courses taught on the USW campus. I’ve been assessing the situation and drafting a report to feedback to the Universities Partnership forum. I’ve also had a meeting with the link officer in USW to voice the concerns of these students and am in regular communication with the course Representative to communicate these findings.  I will be creating a feedback form to gather individual responses from the affected classes to feed back to the University.

SMook’s

I’ve been testing the Universities new free online courses and giving feedback on them. sMooks’s are short courses that develop your skills. You can complete them in your own time by logging onto an online platform. I’ve been feeding back on the Welsh translation portion of the website and inputting specific SU data to improve their content.

SU Governance

I’ve taken a number of items to Trustee Board to discuss including amendments to the Standing Orders and questions on decisions relating to the current budget. These can be seen in the Trustee Board report.

The QAA

We held a focus group with one of our partner colleges  and we are attempting  to  outreach to more collaborative partner colleges through the USW link officers. We have had a number of meetings with the University and we’ve began work on writing up the student statement.

Union structure and Understanding

I have found that students are unaware of the processes in place and where they can go with different issues and so I’ve  started designing some posters that explain where students can go. I’ve forwarded these to our SVR’s to put up around campus in hope that it will aid students. I’m also trying to get hold of someone to work on an animation video to explain where students need to go for help or information. Once I've found someone, I’ll be looking at making these bilingual.

Welfare and Academic Advice

I’ve had a number of cases relating to academic infringements or hearings. I’ve been offering these students advice and guidance in relation to their individual cases. This month alone I have helped over 10 students with academic discrepancies.

#USWonTour

We’ve been pushing Tour massively this year and have more students registered than we had in the first USW tour year. Next Easter we will be touring over to Saloufest for a week of fun and sport.

Meetings

October 2014

01.10.2014  Cardiff Blues Cassadian Cup, Cardiff

02.10.2014  SU/DVC/CEO meeting, Treforest

02.10.2014  People & Planet & Green League, Treforest

02.10.2014  Kit drop off, Cardiff

02.10.2014  Welcome event for new students, Treforest

03.10.2014  Campus Re-alignment SU meeting, Treforest

06.10.2014  Early years and education talk, Treforest

06.10.2014  BACS meeting, Treforest

06.10.2014  Unison meeting, Treforest

06.10.2014  General Elections meeting, Treforest

07.10.2014  British heart foundation meeting, Cardiff

07.10.2014  Captains talk, Treforest

07.10.2014  I love tour presentation, Treforest

08.10.2014  Flares meeting, GSP

09.10.2014  ESSG, Treforest

10.10.2014  Race, Religion & Belief equality sub group, Treforest

13.10.2014  SVR Interviews, Treforest

13.10.2014  Valleys kids, Treforest

13.10.2014  Distance learning group, Treforest

13.10.2014  Student panel meeting—campus realignment, Caerleon

16.10.2014  Early years talk x 2, Treforest

16.10.2014  Partnership forum, Treforest

17.10.2014  Campus Realignment SU meeting, Treforest

20.10.2014  Team photos, Treforest

20.10.2014  Early years talk, Treforest

21.10.2014  SU Executive & University directorate meeting, Treforest

22.10.2014  Sport centre viewing, City

22.10.2014  Health & Safety committee, Treforest

23.10.2014  Early years talk, Treforest

24.10.2014  The Undie run, Caerleon

25.10.2014  The Undie run, Treforest

27.10.2014  Hope not hate meeting, Cardiff

27.10.2014  Board of Governors meeting, Treforest

28.10.2014  Student Panel meeting - Campus Realignment, City

30.10.2014  Assessment Infringement, Treforest

30.10.2014  Challenges Abroad Information evening, Treforest

31.10.2014  Campus re-alignment SU meeting, Treforest

31.10.2014  Appeal Board, Treforest

November 2014

03.11.2014  Cyfarfod Cangen, Cardiff

03.11.2014  Q and A session DVC and Students, Pontypridd

06.11.2014  Student Welfare meeting, Treforest

06.11.2014  Cyfarfod Ehangi Chwaraeon a’r Gymraeg, Treforest

06.11.2014  Equality and Diversity Steering Group Meeting, Treforest

06.11.2014  Ebola update meeting, Treforest

06.11.2014  Pontypridd Student council, Treforest

10.11.2014  Newport Student Council, Caerleon

11.11.2014  Trustee Board meeting, Cardiff

13.11.2014  Partner Colleges Focus Group, Cardiff

13.11.2014  Cardiff Student Council, Atrium

13.11.2014  Glyntaff opportunities with the SU, Glyntaff

13.11.2014  Graduation committee, Treforest

14.11.2014  Campus realignment meeting, Treforest

14.11.2014  GradEdge meeting, Treforest

14.11.2014  LTEC, Cardiff

17.11.2014  Conferments Board, Treforest

18.11.2014  CR Training, Treforest

20.11.2014  Heart Start Course, Treforest

21.11.2014  Partner Colleges meeting, Treforest

21.11.2014  Chiropractic meeting, Treforest

24.11.2014  Campus realignment meeting, Treforest

24.11.2014  Board of Governors, City

25.11.2014  White ribbon Day, National Centre of Excellence Wales

25.11.2014  Executive meeting, Caerleon

27.11.2014  Finance and Estates VCEB Subgroup, Treforest

27.11.2014  City campus discussion, Treforest

28.11.2014  Partner Colleges update, Treforest

28.11.2014  Team Sabb Huddle, Treforest

28.11.2014  Campus Realignment meeting, Treforest

28.11.2014  Assessment infringement committee, Treforest

29.11.2014  Challenge leader training, London

December 2014

01.12.2014  QAA Steering Group, Treforest

01.12.2014  Executive meeting, Treforest

02.12.2014  Fundraising meeting, Merthyr

03.12.2014  Academic Board, Treforest

03.12.2014  Long listing PVC candidates, Treforest

03.12.2014 DISAG, Treforest

04.12.2014  Student Council Cardiff