Disclaimer: These are personal opinions, not those of the Students’ Union.
– – –
It’s been a busy start to the year! Since starting back in June, I have been to NUS conferences, attended training, met with university staff, started working on manifesto promises, helping students, and helping to organise the Rep elections.
Meeting other officers from across the UK at NUS conferences was fantastic. Learning about NUS and SU campaigns on Brexit and the Black Attainment Gap, as well as what other SUs have done in partnership with their universities to promote more opportunities for students has given me some great ideas for the year ahead.
On Brexit, I have been working on a motion calling for a People’s Vote on the final deal for the first Student Forum of the year, as well as working with TSDSU (Trinity Saint David’s Students’ Union) to secure FREE travel to London for the People’s Vote March on the 20th October. Brexit is something I believe will have a devastating effect on us as a country, a sector, and as a university. I hope you will get involved and have your say on how we respond to Brexit.
Of course, there have been many, many e-mails and meetings with university staff, learning how things work, and starting work on my manifesto promises. I am excited to be holding a second-hand book sale taking place on the 11th October on Singleton and 12th October on Bay – hope to see you there and that you find something you want!
In addition to meeting all the Colleges and learning how they work, I have had meetings on improving mental health support for Post Grad students and improving the experiences for joint honours students. University can be challenging at times, but your mental health is of the utmost importance. If you need a hand with coping with stress, or just want a coffee and a chat pop in and see our great team in the Advice and Support Centre.
I have also taken part in meetings surrounding lecture recording and the university’s digital strategy, as well as TEF (Teaching Excellence Framework), NSS (National Students’ Survey), and am hoping to work with Advice and Support and others on extenuating circumstances and academic appeal processes.
Perhaps most importantly, I have been working hard on preparing for Rep election and College Rep training. The Reps are incredibly important to your experience as students and to my work as your Education Officer – I simply could not do it without them! If you want to make a difference to education at Swansea why not run to be a Rep? Nominations are
open from the 8th to 28th October so give it a go!
By Chloe Hutchinson
