Along came April
April’s been an odd one, having only been
in the office for 5 days and having dislocated my shoulder. It’s been tough
having to balance a dissertation deadline, finishing off on preparations for
May and going through the students’ union review. It’s also the period for
reporting to most boards and meetings, so managing those five days wasn’t easy!
Nevertheless here’s a little of what I got up to this very brief but busy
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.
#JUSTFEEDME
The company Just Eat have offered to come
to the University of South Wales on the 15th May 2014. In order to
have a delivery of free pizza students need to click attending on the following
event and share the image (posted on the event) with their reason, venue and
hashtag #justfeedme. Everyone loves free stuff right?!
https://www.facebook.com/messages/#!/events/627299897338101/?notif_t=plan_user_joined
#BratislavaorBust
I held and ran two Bratislava or bust Information
evenings in Caerleon and Treforest. Bratislava or bust is an organised car rally
for charity. Want to sign up/find out more, take a look at the video via t
he event link or click on the link to the website below:
#Elections
After the second round of elections our Newport
region now has an elected VP. Congra
tulations Drew Burman on becoming USWSU’s second ever VP Newport.
#GoldenSTAR’s
Following the development of the SALT
awards, we managed to obtain funding for two student placements. The IT
placement will be responsible for developing a data capture macro, which will
automatically collate nomination data. The second placement will be responsible
for the publicity of the nomination process and events. They will also be
responsible collectively for the design of the nomination process. Keep an eye
out for notifications as to how you can nominate for your lecturers/peers.
Nominations will open on the 7th May 2014 for a two week period.
#SVR’s
I’ve been working hard along with
University staff on portfolio planning and input into the Universities’
academic plan. We’ve designed training that took place yesterday. The input
given will aid the University in guiding it’s academic plan.
#ReviewofAcademicBoard
I’ve been involved with a group responsible
for the review of Academic Board. I’ve held a number of interviews with
sabbatical officers, council officers and students to collect data that will go
into the report. The report will be presented to the board of governors when completed
and will provide the basis to implement changes to the board.
#EndofYearEvent
We’re still working hard with our newly
formed student committee to develop the end of year events. Reps have been
pushing hard and we are almost at the needed ticket sale amount in our Newport
Region.
#OfficersElect’Induction
Induction in the past has compromised of a
very un-organized brief hand over, a talk-through of different representative
groups and the signing of contracts and forms. I’ve been working on a
transformation of inductions. Each officer elect’ will be provided with a
folder containing all the information needed to carry out the role effectively.
Each contains regional details and useful contacts within the union, university
and the sector. I am also organizing individual induction meets with each
member of staff to go through their roles and responsibilities and how they can
help. The folders will form the basis of
induction week, with campus specific handovers happening in each of the roles
in their respective regions. We are also currently planning group handover,
trustee training and officer training ready for the new academic year.
#ElectionsOverview
Following the low voter turn-out, we have
planned an away day to produce a report based on the elections. The report will
contain information on elections turn out, voter demographic, usw specific
elections overview, past statistics, comparative data, why people vote/don’t
vote and provide recommendations for future. This is currently being written up
by both the VP Newport and the VP Cardiff.
#FundingforSportsTeams,ClubsandSocieties
Following request from a number of students in
varied societies, I presented a proposal for adequate funding to be given to
our sports teams, clubs and societies. Student council have requested for
further information on what is wanted/needed. The
societies officer and I am looking at how things are done with budgeting etc
but I need all of your assistance with the other bit. They have asked for what
societies/clubs would like to be amended and the reasoning for numeric values.
I’m collating a brief report/ mini statement outlining what the societies think
they should receive, what is received now, what the money will go on if they
were given a contribution and the cost of expenditure and what the reprucutions
of funding clubs and societies will mean. I’m hoping to have something by the
next student council meeting. So far I’ve only had a response from JAMS.
#StrategicPlanning/SUReview
I’ve been working hard with the CEO in developing
our Strategic Plan. The SU review group are looking at both the review of the
Union and the University Stakeholder submission and I have been working on
collating data for the Student Stakeholder submission. I’ve developed a
questionnaire that has gone to members of the executive for comment. This will
then go to Student council for comment before being passed to student
representatives to promote. We had our first meeting and will be looking at our
next come May. I’m currently reviewing the Sports funding element and Welfare
element to feed back.
#StudentAffairs
I’ve been working with the University to
review the effectiveness of the student affairs committee. It has currently
been put on pause by the Board of Governors. As the sabbaticals rappor with
staff is generally good, we tend to approach them individually for specific
needs. A lot of the papers which was raised at the meeting was also repetitive,
so the meeting served little to no purpose. An individual has been placed
within the University to consult with the Union on various issues. Each VP will
report discussions at their monthly course representative assemblies to the
individual to take forward to the relevant individuals if needed.
#CampusDevelopments
#Caerleon
I’ve been fighting Caerleon’s corner in
relation to course closures and courses moving to other locations. I’ve raised
these at both academic board and mentioned it in the report given to the individual
appointed to feed information to specific areas.
#Cardiff
We’ve had a number of wins in Cardiff again.
There’s been a promise to look into catering providion in Atlantic House, we’ve
seen developments with Atrium IIa and opening hours have been extended.
#City
We seem to be hitting a brick wall with the
developments at City Campus SU. I’ve been chasing the situation and have been
re-assured that this will be looked at over the summer. There is however scope
to have a student advice service at City, which has not been previously
provided.
We’ve had much a positive response from
students regarding our newly obtained Glyntaff SU space. Computers have now
been placed in the area and our notice boards have been put up.
24/7 access to the side gate is underway and
will be available to students through swipe card as of the end of May! I’m also
working with the University with regards to making the library 24/7 and am discussing
computer access during the holiday periods.
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 :).
Carys Rhiannon Thomas :D xx
P.s. A list
of meetings I've attended since the last blogg...
#Representation #StickItToTheMan
April
2014
01.04.2014 Graduation Committee,
Treforest01.04.2014 Sychronous Web Testing, Treforest
01.04.2014 Course Rep Assembly, City
02.04.2014 USWSU Tour, Treforest
02.04.2014 FCF, Treforest
02.04.2014 Atrium IIa meeting, Treforest
03.04.2014 Review of Effectiveness of Academic Board, Treforest
03.04.2014 Bratislava or Bust, Treofrest
03.04.2014 Bratislava or Bust, Caerleon
04.04.2014 SU Review Group Meeting, Treforest
04.04.2014 Facilities and Services meeting, Treforest
14.04.2014 Installation of the Chancellor, RWCMD
15.04.2014 Board of Governors, Treforest
28.04.2014 Sport at USW, Treforest
29.04.2014 Choir Practice, Treforest
29.04.2014 Meet the Casework Team, Treforest
30.04.2014 FCF, Treforest
30.04.2014 Regulations meeting, Treforest
30.04.2014 SVR Portfolio meeting, Treforest
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