Aldwych goes to Sheffield

Fabian and I spent Friday and Saturday in Sheffield, at this year's second Aldych Group meeting. The Aldwhych Group is formed of the students' unions of the Russell Group of elite (or elitist?) research intensive instituions and was created as a reaction to the Russell Group in 1994.

So why come together? Well, there are a variety of mission groups operating withing the UK University Sector, such as the 1994 group. These are self formed groups of similar universities, which collaborate and lobby the government. The thing that amuses me about the Russell Group is that its members are actually not the top twenty universities in the UK, but that having declared themselves to be special gives them a collective air of importance that it's easy to buy into.

So, this weekend we talked about the future direction of the Aldwych group and looked at the things we had in common, identified problems and issues particular to RG institutions and looked at ways we could solve them together. We talked about the upcoming fee reviews for Undergrads and Postgrads and how we could best react to that and how we could play our part in shaping them. We looked at the great things we were already doing individually and how we could adapt them to work in our own institutions.

The point of a Union is to come together for the common interest and purpose, and unions that opt out of the NUS are sorely missing out. This was evidenced to me from meeting officers from non affiliated unions at Aldwych; they operated very much on their own, with little scope of the bigger picture. I cannot stress how much seeing how other unions operate and how other officers work has helped me in my job so far; there is no point is us sitting in our isolated unions reinventing the wheel constantly, and there are issues we cannot solve on our own and must come together and fight together. Our Universities sure as hell are, and we are only weaker if we don't mirror them and come together ourselves.

But I digress; it's time for me to go back to my wonderfully relaxing weekend and go cook fajitas with my housemates...

National tragedy, or what you always wanted?

50 000 potential students missed out on a place at University this year, despite having the necessary qualifications.

So why is the right-wing press so upset? They hate the target of 50% going to University! They want children to grow up to be plumbers and builders, not to study Micky Mouse courses and incur massive debts in doing so! Why does the press, which has for so long decried the need for people to go to University now mourn that so many are not getting in?

It's the same old story; it's because it's their kids and their reader's kids that may not be getting a place this year. The hypocrisy on the news stands is making me sick.

How many reps did you say?!

Last year the Guild started a mapping exercise, to find out exactly how many Student Reps we have operating across the University.

It turns out we have 900.

Last week a fair bit of my time was spent on looking at online Student Rep training, and the development of online discussion forums so students and reps can get talking. It's all looking rather snazzy, we'll be trialling the forums next year and hoping for a full roll out the year after. These will be facilitated by the University but be a strictly confidential, private space where you and your coursemates can talk about all the things that affect you on your course, so that the reps can take the issues forward. A lucky few will get to try it out from November, I'm keen to know what you think about it...

Week with the Nus

I've spent the week away in Sheffield on NUS training with Fab and Tom. It's been fantastic meeting so many people and the insight into the student movement and and leadership and organisational skills we've picked up will prove invaluable. More info with pictures when I get back to my laptop!

Right to Appeal

One of the most important things the Guild does is to support students through their academic appeals. This week the officer team have spent a lot of time doing just that.

The ARC has dedicated advisers who help students to put their appeals together. If the appeal goes to a hearing, you can elect to take a sabbatical officer with you, to provide support, make sure you get the hearing you deserve and to help you make the best possible case you can. Some of the team have spent their week helping students in this way, and it's proving to be one of the most difficult and most rewarding parts of the job.

For more information, drop int the ARC or look them up on the Guild website.

Getting Started

Well, me and the rest of the Sabbatical team have spent the last month in training and officially took over on the 1st August. Only 360 days left to make a difference!

I've spent my first few days in office getting up to speed on what's going on. I've been planning action on HE funding, following up casework Student Reps have raised with me, analysing their feedback on the big issues of last year, preparing for student appeals and planning my first steps. I've also been trying to coax back to life the rather dry plant in the corner of my office.

That's all for now- I'll be back soon...