Freshers Flu

Freshers Flu

With all the hussle and bussle of freshers and having returned from South Africa, it’s only right that I've come down with Freshers Flu. After many casework hearings, hangover teas, induction talks, freshers events, meetings, freshers fairs, halls leafleting, kit pickups and general student queries, we are finally half way through! This month has been key for student engagement, having relayed key information and student concerns and queries for campus re-alignment to the University. We will be continuing this work throughout the year to get the best deal for our affected students.Here’s a little detail on some of what I got up to this month. 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.










#CampaignPreparation

I've been getting ready for next year's campaigns, creating a timeline for prospective campaigns and ideas for ones our council officers could potentially run. We've launched the beginning of our Alcohol Monsters campaign and are currently prepping for december's. Keep your eyes peeled :)!

 

 

#FEColleges

I've been working hard to collaborate with our FE students in partner colleges. We currently have many from the Cardiff and Vale active with our sports teams and we are devloping links with Merthyr College and our LGBT Society. I also have schedulled plans with select colleges to run campaigns within both the University and the College.

#InductionsAndFreshersFair

We have been jam packed with Inductions this year, having delivered a record 37! For those of you who sat at the back of the ones I was delivering yes I genuinely gave the talk in a pair of underwear. As well as delivering key information to our new students we boasted a great freshers fair this year. It was so busy in fact that we had to book stalls into different areas of our campuses.

 

#StudentCouncil/SVR/CR's

We've launched the nominations period for Student Council!! Woohoo! You can now drop in and pick up an Elections pack in either Welsh or English ;). SVR applications have also gone live and will close on the 8th October. If you would like to apply to become a Council officer/Course Rep contact Glenn/your regional VP. If you'd like to apply to become an SVR you can find the application forms on UniLife.

#MediaDevelopment

If you head on over to USWSU's media channel on Youtube you'll find some new developments. We've been trying to up our media presence giving you insight into some events and Union antics. Head on over and check it out. We even did a cover of the Fresh Prince song - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puHbUCQmhDY

 

#WelshDevelopment

I've been trying to enhance the Welsh language provision and opportunities within the Union. I've updated all staff signatures, translated the part-time officer packs and am currently working on a proposal to go to Trustee Board to have a Welsh Language Union website. I will also be looking in future to develop a pack to give to all clubs and societies and staff members that will aid them in posting on social media in both language mediums.

 
 

#SU/University Review

Our report is now being circulated to the SU Trustee Board and University Executive for approval before it goes to the next Board of Governors for implementation. It's been a very long and hard process but hopefully will be welcomed by the board.

 
 

 

#Annual Report

I'm taking a different approach to the annual report this year. In the past it's been a reflection on various events and occasions that have happened in the Union. With the Union returning to its core values - Representation, Campaigning, Democracy and Welfare, I intend on developing an impact report. This will be very difficult and time consuming as we do not have a staff member looking at analytics and research, but I believe it will be one worthwhile giving an idea on what the Unions impact over the year has been in comparison to past years. I’ve now completed the report, all that’s left to wait on is the overall design aka prettiness of the report.

 

#QAA institutional Review

We will be going through an institutional review in 2015. Not only will this allow for a detailed analysis of everything in the University but it means a lot of extra work with little staff for the students' union. I will be leading the student submission element, utilising data gathered by Union staff, sabbaticals and students. I've began preparation for this having gone to some conferences, initial meetings and writing preparation documents for planning the next steps. We have also secured funding for a staff member who will oversee the student submission. We've hired this person who will be starting mid October.

 

 #Campus Review

I’ve been working hard to gather all student queries, comments and complaints in relation to the Campus review. I've been gathering student statements, protests, belonging videos and questionnaires in a bid to highlight the issues to the University. We have also set up question and answer sessions on each of our campuses and I will be attending classes with those affected to gather their direct feedback. I've also been pushing this information to the re-alignment group who are looking at various options to take back to the Board of Governors.

 


 

#TheUndieRun

Our RAG have launched a major event to raise money for charity whilst having some fun. Students are being urged to sign up to run around campus in their Underwear to raise money for Cancer Research UK. You can sign up to the event via - www.theundierun.co.uk (South Wales). The Caerleon Campus run will take place on the 24th October 2014 at 6pm and the Treforest Campus run will take place on the 25th October 2014 at 6pm.

 
 

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...

P.s.s Here's a link to the Sabbs Ice Bucket Challenge

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10204537187932020&set=vb.1302935564&type=2&theater

 

#Representation #StickItToTheMan

 

September 2014

01.09.2014-09.09.2014 Tanzania
10.09.2014 Fresh Prince Filming
11.09.2014 Meeting with the mayor, Pontypridd
11.09.2014 Film SLTA Intro, Treforest
12.09.2014 1-1 DVC and SU, Treforest

12.09.2014 SABB Briefing, Caerleon
12.09.2014 General Elections Meeting, Caerleon
12.09.2014 General Elections Meeting, Treforest
16.09.2014 QAC meeting, Treforest
17.09.2014 Casework, Treforest
18.09.2014 Key Support Staff Meeting, Treforest
18.09.2014 USW People Awards, Treforest
18.09.2014 DISAG, Treforest
18.09.2014 Tutors and key support staff, Treforest
19.09.2014 Fundraisng and Volunteering training, London
22.09.2014 Induction Talks x 6, Treforest
23.09.2014 Freshers Fair, Treforest
23.09.2014 Induction Talks x 3, Treforest/Caerleon
24.09.2014 Freshers Fair, Caerleon
24.09.2014 Induction Talks x 3, Treforest
24.09.2014 Glam Nightclub, Cardiff
25.09.2014 Induction Talks x 7, Treforest/Glyntaff
26.09.2014 Council Mini Meet, Cardiff
29.09.2014 Kit Pick up, Treforest
30.09.2014 Induction x 2, Glyntaff
30.09.2014 Casework x 3, Treforest