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3

Introduction.

May Issue

This Edition: page 5

Even though Festiball 2018 has just finished, we thought this picture of a shark would bring back fond memories...

See you next year!

Sabbs' Update Your Sabbatical Officers recap the last few weeks and go through some of their plans for the year ahead.

Contributors

page 7

Ben Parmar • Lauren O'Shea • Jimi Adeyinka • Jessica Baldock Eliza Gent • Emilee Platts • Mark Sweeney • Adam Potter Chloe Kimber • George Richards • Beth Jefferys • Alana Zukas Olivia Jones • Sian Lipscomb • Greg Pike

#BucksProud Vice-President Student Involvement, Jimi Adeyinka talks about the most recent campaign he's been working on.

page 17 Want to see your name in the list above? Want to have your writing or artwork on show to thousands of people?

Get involved. Email editor@thebucksstudent.com

Advertising For all advertising and media enquiries please contact the Students’ Union Communications and Marketing department.

Simon McDowell - simon.mcdowell@bucks.ac.uk Articles in this newspaper do not necessarily represent the views of Bucks Students’ Union but are that of the specific author. View this edition online at bucksstudentsunion.org/communications.

Student Leaders Student Experience Manager, Mark Sweeney congratulates the recently elected Student Leaders and tells us which positions are still available.

page 19

Film Review: Ready Player One Regular film reviewer, Chloe Kimber takes a look at Steven Spielberg's latest cinematic adventure.

© 2018 Bucks Students’ Union

If required, this document can be made available in different formats.

Please contact Bucks Students' Union for more information.

page 23

AU Dinner Activities Coordinator (Competitive Sports), Alana Zukas sums up this year's Athletic Union Awards Dinner.

4 May Issue

A word from the Editor.

By Olivia Jones

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end."

-Seneca (Also Semisonic - Closing Time)

XXX

And I guess this is an end. The end of life in halls, the end of our mouldy student houses, the end of the academic year, the end of our sports teams as we know them, the end of the exams and for some, the end of uni altogether.

Although, as Roman philosopher Seneca said, this

year, it seems to have crept to an end too soon and I

does indeed mean we are ready for new beginnings.

feel like there is so much more I would have liked to do

Moving in with new people, new adventures over

with it. This is why I really encourage you to not lose

summer, new friends, new jobs, new ambitions, new

motivation over summer and get organised ready to

found determination, new structure and of course, new

kick things off in September, whether that’s coming back

Freshers! It might only be May and seem a bit premature

to uni, going on placement, going travelling or getting

to be talking about the end, but really, in just a few short

yourself a graduate job!

weeks, for many it will be. In addition to this, this is the last edition of the paper for the academic year, and therefore, also my last edition as student editor.

It’s also quite a scary time for many of us, it might be the first time a lot of us have experienced life outside of education, and the idea of losing the structure and

I’ve really enjoyed my role with the paper over the last

friendships it provides is daunting. We all know that from

year, and I urge any keen writers to apply for the job.

time to time we complain about life here at Bucks, and it

It’s been great to see an overview of life for all of the

tests us sometimes to our breaking point, but let’s give a

students at Bucks, but of course, as with everything this

moment to give ourselves, and the Uni, a little credit. Over

a third of us will be graduating this September, with a degree, friends for life, job prospects and new skills, when you really think about it, the person you are leaving uni as is one very different to the person that started, and for me, Bucks Students' Union has a huge part to play in that. So a massive thank you to all of the Students' Union staff and the teams and clubs along the way; if you found that you didn’t get that involved with much this year, make an effort to next, it will undoubtedly improve your uni experience.

A huge thank you to Greg who puts this paper on every edition and really makes it what it is, it’s so lovely to have it as a part of our union and it’s been a pleasure to be involved.

Liv x

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BECOMING NEXT YEAR'S EDITOR, PLEASE EMAIL SUCOMMUNICATIONS@BUCKS.AC.UK

AN UPDATE FROM YOUR SABBS BEN PARMAR PRESIDENT

LAUREN O'SHEA JIMI ADEYINKA VICE PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT EDUCATION & WELFARE STUDENT INVOLVEMENT

The last newspaper of the year has arrived, and what a rollercoaster of a year it's been! We’ve seen the University go through a variety of changes leading it towards a more prosperous future, hosted the closest day of Varsity fixtures in Roebuck history, improved multiple aspects of our representation scheme, up-scaled our Rep Conference and ran numerous campaigns throughout the year!

What a year! Here’s just a few of the events and campaigns your Sabb’s have run: #NeverOk, World Mental Health Day, It Starts With You, #BucksGirlsCan, Love Lock Bucks, Bucks Proud, International Women’s Day, Big Bucks Thank You and Bucks Students' Union Jobshop.

Welcome back, I hope you enjoyed your Easter break and are ready for the last term of the year. This means, as far as competitive sport is concerned, we only have the Cricket season still going on but Sport for Fun activities will be continuing.

I hope you’ve enjoyed your year as much as we have whether you’re a first year, just beginning your Bucks journey, a second year, starting to realise you only have one year left, or a third year just finishing your dissertation (big congratulations by the way) and about to head out into the scary world of work.

Some of you will still be getting ready for your final We’ve had students pledging to love themselves, offer exams or deadlines, but make sure you take time out to relax and enjoy yourself. If you get stuck or are feedback on their course, tell us why they’re proud struggling with the workload, remember to have to be a Bucks student and celebrate being a woman! fun. University is not just about work, but also the Hopefully there’s an event on this list that you may have been involved in or have an interest in. If not, get experience and memories you will make. Those are the things that stay with you forever. in touch to discuss your ideas on how to improve the student experience at Bucks.

University is a modern rite of passage. It makes you

I know there are still some assignments to finish, and exams to sit, but stay focused and keep studying hard to face the final hurdle, so that you can give yourself a wellearned pat on the back when it’s all done!

Now, it’s the final push for many of you so make the most of these last few weeks. If you need a break from revision, check out what activities, events or skills sessions we’re hosting!

mature quickly in a safe environment where you will be given second chances. Third years make the most of what's left of your time at here because these will have been the some of the best years of your life.

Get in touch: Ben: ben.parmar@bucks.ac.uk Lauren: lauren.oshea@bucks.ac.uk Jimi: jimi.adeyinka@bucks.ac.uk

Bucks SU Pres Bucks Vpew Bucks Vpsi

@BucksSUPres @BucksSUVPEW @BucksSUVPSI

May Issue

By Ben Parmar, Lauren O'Shea & Jimi Adeyinka

5

Sabbatical Officers.

6 May Issue

Thankyou cards.

SAY THANKYOU

By Lauren O'Shea

In the final term of the academic year and for some people, their final term at Bucks, why don’t we say thank you?

Thank you to the tutor who went the extra mile in supporting you over the years.

Thank you to the technician who saved you when your design went wrong. Thank you to the counsellor you visited when you needed someone to talk to.

The Big Bucks Thank You has been launched to give you the opportunity to recognise those extra special staff members. Giving a card is a small gesture, however it is a meaningful one. It gives you the chance to express your gratitude where you feel it is deserved.

This idea came from the It Starts With You representation campaign we ran back in November. We received some great feedback about members of staff, who before we informed them, were unaware that students had these strong feelings. So be sure to make staff aware when they’ve made your day by giving them a Big Bucks Thank You!

WE ARE RECRUITING BUDDIES TO SUPPORT OUR APPLICANTS FROM WHEN THEY APPLY AND THROUGHOUT THEIR FIRST TERM AT BUCKS. This is a discreet service conducted via email, so you will be set up with a Bucks Buddy email address. We are looking for students that fall in to the following categories so we can best provide assistance and advice to our broad range of members.

Mature student

A Further Education level student (ie Foundation)

Student with family responsibilities

Student from overseas

Post Graduate student

Student who commutes

Part time student

Under Graduate student

Student who hails from the local area

Any queries email: katie.smith@bucks.ac.uk For more information and to apply, please visit bucksstudentsunion.org/jobs

BUCKS PROUD IS A CAMPAIGN THAT AIMS TO FIND OUT WHAT STUDENTS LOVE ABOUT THEIR UNIVERSITY AND THEIR EXPERIENCE AT BUCKS. We offered students the chance to win one of ten Bucks bobble hats as a reward for the best postcard or interview. But what motivated me to run the campaign was not just to get students to say what they love about the university but to spark a passion and pride for Bucks. Particularly students in their final year, the second term can be one of the most challenging and university can become tedious. I know it was for me, I submitted a dissertation in February then ran my election campaign in what felt like all of March and submitted another dissertation report in April and then had the rest of the third term to complete my final design and set for the end-year show in June. In a way, the campaign was my way to remind third years of the good times they’ve had and all the things they have achieved at Bucks.

I went to both the Uxbridge and Wycombe campus, interviewing students on camera, asking them what makes them Bucks Proud. The Musical Theatre Society created a Bucks Proud video of their own and I received 100 postcard responses from students explaining their favourite aspects of both the University and the Union at Bucks and what makes them so Bucks Proud to be a student studying here.

The campaign was launched on Monday 26 March and was originally supposed to last until Friday 30 March but due to bad weather and reading week there was not much interaction with the campaign and so we decided to extend the campaign into the next week which was also the same week as the Students’ Union Elections week. This helped as

more people were on campus and therefore there was better interaction with the campaign and more entries were recieved. Then after the entry deadline had passed, Ben, Lauren and I went through all the videos and postcards I had received and picked our favourites and then narrowed it down to the ten best ones out of our favourites. It was difficult picking just ten as there were a few more postcards we really liked but we had to be strict as we only had that many Bucks bobble hats to give away.

I hope you can all find some time to remininse and have a think about what makes you Bucks Proud, whether its positive experiences you’ve had or memories you’ve made during your time as part of the Bucks community.

(SOME OF) THE WINNERS: I’M PROUD TO BE A BUCKS STUDENT BECAUSE WHEN YOU JOIN BUCKS, YOU JOIN A FAMILY. BEING ABLE TO REPRESENT THAT THROUGH SPORTS IS AN AMAZING PRIVILEGE AND OPPORTUNITY. WEARING THAT MATCH KIT MAKES ME #BUCKSPROUD!

I’M PROUD TO BE A BUCKS STUDENT BECAUSE OF THE DIVERSITY. DIFFERENT CULTURES MIXING IS GREAT TO SEE AND BE AROUND. MIKAI HAPA

I’M PROUD TO BE A BUCKS STUDENT BECAUSE BADMINTON IS FREE TO PLAY WITH AN AWESOME TEAM AND CAPTAIN. ALSO THE POLICING COURSE LECTURES ARE ALWAYS THERE TO HELP AND PROVIDE CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK CONSISTENTLY! LOVE THEM! NAOMI WHALE

JORDAN WHITESIDE

#bucksproud

May Issue

BUCKSPROUD

By Jimi Adeyinka

7

#BucksProud.

8 May Issue

STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES

Working for your Students’ Union is no ordinary part-time job and the ideal opportunity to earn on campus whilst enhancing your employability skills. As a member of the team you will be expected to be an ambassador for the Union as we continue to make life better for students at Bucks.

We value employees with ideas and personality and believe that lively, active and vibrant people shape our organisation.

We are currently recruiting for the following roles for the next academic year: Event Staff

Freshers Helper and Head Helper

A varied and interesting role, this opportunity includes stewarding responsibilities as well as that of door entry and running the cloakroom. An ideal opportunity to qualify for our Door Supervisor training sponsorship.

Help students integrate into Bucks New Uni and the local community and provide a friendly welcome to new students during the first two weeks of term. As part of a team, organise trips and activities for students, provide information about Bucks Students’ Union and local services and socialise with Freshers.

You must be available for the entire Welcome Week.

Event Security You will be responsible for ensuring the safety and security of our students and Venue and work closely with other security and venue staff ensuring the delivery of our duty of care to all customers. Formal training allowing applications for an SIA licence can be provided free of charge subject to qualifying criteria.

Event Technicians This opportunity includes running the entire production for all events held by the Students’ Union - including but not limited to FOH & monitor engineering, lighting operating, tech set-up and décor. Positions are available at various levels and in various roles an ideal opportunity to build on your technical experience.

Visit bucksstudentsunion.org/jobs for more information or to apply.

Bar Staff and Bar Team Leaders You will be the face of Bucks Students’ Union at our events.

This role is an enjoyable and rewarding opportunity, working in an extremely sociable environment. We expect a high level of commitment and a real passion to be part of a dedicated working team. You will need to be hard-working, fun and always ready to work with a smile on your face.

Creating a part-time jobs forum for students was on my manifesto when running in the Sabbatical Election last year.

For many students, especially those away from home, having a part-time job is essential to live independently. We’ve been in touch with local companies so that we can offer a range of different part-time opportunities. From a Go-Ape Instructor to a Football Coach or hospitality staff to care assistants, we’re promoting various roles suiting different student’s skills. Aside from the earning potential, the transferable skills you can gain from a part-time job will be a great start to your chosen career, whatever that is, and provide essential detailed experience for your CV. We only advertise opportunities that meet the criteria of all our Students’ Union policies and values. A full-time degree means full-time hours, therefore it’s important that students only work part-time with contracts, we’d suggest, up to 18 hours per week. We are receiving many emails from companies wanting to advertise jobs through us since we’ve launched and once we’re sure they’ve met the criteria they will be uploaded onto the webpage.

As the online Jobshop is new, if you have any feedback on the process of applying for the jobs it would be great to hear from you. Currently we are promoting: National Citizen Service: Phase Leader and Delivery Worker The National Citizen Service is a youth programme for 16 and 17 year olds launched nationwide in 2013.

Participants experience residential activities away from home and team-based skill building sessions, before developing their own Social Action Project (SAP) designed to benefit their local communities. NCS aims to create a more cohesive, engaged and responsible society.

Wycombe Rye Lido: Customer Service Advisors Our Customer Relations Advisors are the first Fusion team members that customers will meet so are responsible for providing a warm welcome, driving membership sales, providing accurate information, swiftly processing transactions, dealing with complaints and ensuring reception is managed effectively and efficiently.

Vocosa Music: Music Teachers Offering flexible hours, competitive pay and training opportunities, Vocosa are looking for instrumental teachers in the Marlow and Wycombe areas to teach during the day, after school and at weekends and music teachers to teach primary classroom music (plans provided).

Highland Care Agency: Care Assistants We are now recruiting Care Assistants to join our existing team and would love to hear from you.

Variable hours throughout the week include mornings, evenings, nights and weekends.

Duties may Include: communication with patients, relatives and carers; assisting with clinical duties; personal care including infection prevention and control, food, personal hygiene and overall reassurance, comfort and safety; promoting positive mental/physical/nutritional health with patients.

Remember to check the Jobshop regularly so you don’t miss out on any opportunities that might suit you! And don’t forget your Students’ Union also has part time work available that can be flexible around your studies.

For information on all the opportunities available to you visit: bucksstudentsunion.org/jobshop.

May Issue

ONE STOP JOB SHOP

By Lauren O'Shea

9

Job shop.

10 May Issue

Student kitchen.

By Jessica Baldock

HOT STUFF Give yourself a kick up the butt into exam season while also replenishing some of the nutrients you undoubtedly lost over the Festiball weekend with this breakfast smoothie. Taking almost no time at all, it's a great way to start the day and fuel these long days ahead.

Breakfast Smoothie: This recipe makes one smoothie.

What you need to have: −−1 small banana −−140g of berries (mixed or whatever your preference is)

−−Apple Juice or water −−Runny honey (if needed)

What you need to do: 1. Chop all of the ingredients into manageable chunks.

2. Pop into a blender and blend until smooth.

3. Add honey here if you find that the berries are too tart for your liking.

4. At this point, if you're not a fan of the seeds you can sieve the mixture, leaving you with a deliciously smooth consistency.

11

Film Review.

May Issue

12

8 May - 14 May

16 May - 21 May

May Issue

Tuesday 8

Ame

ric

Wednesday 9

BEER PONG

an

the

med

Saturday 12 par

ty

Thursday 17

FRAT PUNCH

THE VENUE | WEDNESDAY 9 MAY | 10PM ‘TIL LATE

free ENTRY for bucks students · £5 for guests

Sunday 13

Monday 14

Sunday 20

PLUS

SUNDAY 13 MAY THE LOUNGE |

8PM

Brand new weekly q uiz, incorporating knowledge and speed for the chance to win big cash prize s just foranswering a few questions!

13

Wednesday 16

27 May - 2 Jun Saturday 26

May Issue

Sunday 27

Saturday 19 Friday 1

Wednesday 30

Monday 13

Monday 21

Saturday 2

Drinks Promotions Snakebite: £2 ‘til midnight Frat Punch: £2 Pint of soft drink: £1 VK: 2 for £5 or 5 for £10 Snakebite: £2 ‘til midnight Bombs: £2 Becks Blue: £2 VK: 2 for £5 or 5 for £10 Pitchers: £9 Wine: £8 Rekorderlig: £3 Pint of Juice: £1 Red Stag and mixer: £2 Staropramen: £2 Can of Red Bull: £2 Bulmers: £3 Disaronno and mixer: £2 Bud Light: £2 Hooch: £3 Can of Rubicon: 80p

May Issue

14

15

Rusty recommends.

May Issue

The venue is open seven days a week and sometimes it is difficult to decide which nights to go to - you may end up missing out on something amazing! Here are my recommendations for the next few weeks for those of you who like to experience something a bit different!

The first Saturday of every month means it’s time to adorn the Devil Horns and rock out at Bucks’ biggest Rock and Alt club night!

If you like your music loud, heavy, sweaty and ultimately sing-a-long-able, then look no further, as our monthly club night dedicated to all things Metal, Rock, Pop-Punk, Indie and everything in between is here for you. The rest of term will be about gearing you up for a Summer of Festivals, so whether you’re visiting giants at Donnington Park in June, or over to the likes of 2000 Trees or ATG in July/August to catch those on the rise, you lucky lot have two more massive rock nights ahead to spark those pre-festival (figurative) camp fires!

Starting from humble beginnings, Crash has gone from strength to strength, and now features the hottest

resident Rock and Alt DJs around, some of the best Tribute acts from around the UK and Europe, as well as a special guest DJ slots, which in the past have included the likes of: You Me at Six, BBC Radio 1’s Dan P Carter, Rolo Tomassi, Twin Atlantic, Bullet for My Valentine and many more!

Twinned with our Rock Society, they regularly organise socials before the event in the Venue, organising dress-up themes, competitions on the Guitar Hero set up in the Foyer, and even Djing on the Main Stage before the Guest appearances and performances. If you want to know more about the Rock Soc, then visit their Facebook page, searching ‘BucksRockSoc’.

Coming up for the rest of this term, we have special guest DJ sets from Bloom DJs on Saturday 12 May, and we’re rounding the entire academic year off with a not one, but TWO of the finest tribute acts in The Machine Rages On (RATM tribute) & Deftones UK (obviously a Deftones tribute!), as well as your Crash Rock Club residents on Saturday 2 June, kick starting those Download Festival butterflies and your summer break in style. *Also, for those who missed out on the

opportunity to catch Guns Or Roses earlier this year, see the below rescheduled date in November!

Crash is totally open to non-students, so you can invite as many pals as you like without having to sign anyone in; and it prides itself on its open arms attitude to newcomers as well, so if you’re new to Rock clubbing, then get yourself a pair of giant foam Crash Rock Club hands and get down to it! And if you are a veteran of the scene, welcome back.

Tickets can be bought in advance (always cheaper than on the door!) by searching for ‘Crash Rock Club – High Wycombe’ on SeeTickets.

We’ll see you in the pit…

Upcoming events: Sat 12 May – Bloom DJs Sat 2 June – The Machine Rages On + Deftones UK Sat 3 Nov – Guns or Roses FB: facebook.com/crashrockclub Twitter: @crashrockclub

16 May Issue

Representation.

By Eliza Gent & Emilee Platts

REPRESENTATION I was fortunate enough to go with Ben

Reflection Changes within the representation

Parmar and Emily Nurden, my two new

department have been beneficial to get

favourite people who just happened

the best out of our student reps and

to know the best vegan places to eat

encourage them to be the best they can.

in Glasgow. The conference opened

Coffee sessions have been introduced

with a brilliant speech made by Christy

throughout the year, in which reps

Mearns where they welcomed all the

meet with their lecturers to ask certain questions and discuss any changes

delegates to a “city of friendliness,

for their course. These sessions allow

tolerance, multiculturalism and

the reps to have a one-on-one with

international outlook”, which was a

lecturers which also builds relationships.

great way to kick things off.

The ‘Meet the Rep Team’ sessions have

Throughout the conference, we heard

been developed further from their

many inspiring speeches but the one I

ELIZA GENT

know will stay in everyone’s head was the

Back in March, I was elected as an NUS

made by the exceptional Ali Milani. If you

Delegate and the Executive Women’s

outstandingly fantastic campaign speech don’t know who Ali is then firstly where

EMILEE PLATTS Representation has been only part

of my involvement in the Students’ have you been? But secondly, go and find Union over the past three years. It has definitely a moment I’ll never forget. The out about all the great work they’re doing been one of the most rewarding and and be sure to check out what they have process of putting myself forward and gratifying experiences I’ve had whilst Officer which was such an honour and

campaigning was incredibly exciting but to tell the truth, it wasn’t the easiest of times. As a woman who a few years ago struggled to order in a restaurant and speak in social situations, I was absolutely terrified! When I was growing up there was a quote which always stayed close to my heart – “If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything”, and it was time I stood up for something I believed in.

After the Union announced the results of the elections I hugged my best friend, called my mum, downed a glass of prosecco (maybe three) and started my journey into making the world a

achieved so far.

being here. I’ve been the student rep

On the second day, I decided to run in

for my class each year, a senior rep in

the elections for Democratic Procedure Committee, which involved making a speech to nearly two thousand people.

I have no idea how I went from making my mum book doctor’s appointments for me at the age of twenty to addressing almost two thousand

my second year and Faculty Officer in my third year. I think it’s safe to say that I’ve definitely worked my way through the representation system! A few other leadership positions I currently hold within the Students' Union are: Student Trustee, Chair of the Yoga Society and

introduction last year and I believe they will continue to be a real success.

Students from each department are able to come together to support and discuss course specific issues.

It’s been hard to balance my university work, my dancing and all of the other things I do in the SU. At times, it’s been stressful and I’ve been rushed off my feet, but what’s really helped is being organised and planned so that I can fit everything in that I want to do. I prioritise my time by filling gaps between classes with university work first and then my Faculty Officer and Student Ambassador work. It’s really important to relax too so I enjoy

strangers and convincing them to vote

Secretary of the Ballet Society.

for me, even just thinking about it gives

As a Faculty Officer, I have dealt with

evenings and at weekends.

me butterflies! The conference was a

the Management and Professional

place where young politicians can make

Studies School to lead their student reps

I highly recommend my role as Faculty

positive change and I am so incredibly

smoothly through their roles. We’ve

grateful to have had the opportunity to

met to discuss feedback and suggest

attend. In my speech I mentioned how I

changes for their course as well as

spending time with my friends in the

Officer to anyone who’s interested in the student rep scheme or anyone who would like to help make changes to a whole

My first official job was to attend The

but standing on that stage I knew I

range of courses or services across the guiding them through meetings with their University. Due to the recent restructure lecturers and how to feedback to their at the University, School Officers will

National Union of Students Conference

belonged. I don’t think I’ve said anything

peers. It’s been such a pleasure to work

take the place of Faculty Officers from

in Glasgow. The conference was an

so true in my life! At sixteen if someone

with these individuals, to help them build

September and will look after the reps in

event where delegates vote on motions

told me I would be where I am now,

on their skills and improve their course.

their school; rather than departments and

which will affect current and future

I would’ve laughed at them but this

Some of these students are the most

faculties. If you’d like more information

students. It is also a place where an

experience has taught me that believing

passionate from their course, so it’s

about applying for a School Officer

election is held to decide who the next

in yourself can be the most powerful

been a worthwhile experience in helping

or student rep next year, please email

President and Vice-Presidents will be.

thing that you can do.

them be a student rep.

surepresentation@bucks.ac.uk.

better place.

never really felt like I fitted in anywhere

PART-TIME STUDENT

LEADERSHIP POSITIONS Back in March we hosted our annual student elections. During this time, a new Sabbatical Team of Lauren O’Shea, Georgia Nosal and Charlie Cotton was elected.

In addition to this, we also held elections for a number of our voluntary, part-time student leadership positions. These included; Executive Officers, Student Trustees, NUS Delegates and Ambassadors.

We had eight Executive Officer positions up for election, formerly known as PartTime Officers and six of these positions were filled during this year’s elections. Your new Executive Officer team for the 18/19 academic year is:

With regard to our Student Trustee Election, we had a total of nine candidates stand for the four available positions. This is the most contested Student Trustee election we have ever held at the Students’ Union, which in turn led to the highest amount of votes ever cast for this election reaching a total of 220. Your newly elected Student Trustee’s for the 18/19 academic year are: Holly Wheeler

Lauren Robinson Tom Mepham

Disabilities – Shakir Razak

Mature - Darren Hannay

Christina Demetriou

International - Patricia Feiteria

Postgraduate - Jack Wardzala

LGBT+ - Tom Mepham

Women's Officer - Eliza Gent

For our NUS Delegate election, we have two positions available and a total of six candidates stood for these positions. As part of their roles, the elected NUS Delegates attend the NUS National Conference along with the current President of Bucks Students’ Union and represent us on the national stage. This year’s elected delegates were Emily Nurden and Eliza Gent.

We do still have two vacancies and these are for the BME and Part-Time Executive Officer posts. We will be holding by-elections for these in October 2018 and anyone interested in these roles should email surepresentation@bucks.ac.uk. In order to Lastly, we held an election for our ambassadors in which there were a variety of stand in the BME Executive Officer position, you must self-define as a BME student positions available. These included RAG Ambassador, Green Ambassador and and for the Part-Time Executive Officer position you must be studying on a partFairtrade Ambassador. Two students stood for the RAG Ambassador position and time course at the University.

Claudia Waghorne was duly elected for the 18/19 academic year. Robert Alexander was duly elected as Green Ambassador for the 18/19 academic year. We do still have a vacancy for the Fairtrade Ambassador position and a by-election will be held for this in October 2018. Anybody interested in this role should email kat.frei@bucks.ac.uk.

Praise must go to everyone who put themselves forward for one of our available Student Leadership positions as it can sometimes be a daunting experience but a great one nonetheless. Congratulations to those students that were elected for the next academic year, we wish you the best of luck in your roles.

If you’d like to find out more information about any of the roles mentioned above or would like to touch base with some of our elected Student Leaders, please email surepresentation@bucks.ac.uk and we will more than happily put you in touch with them.

May Issue

By Mark Sweeney

17

Student Leadership positions.

18 May Issue

Film review: The Shape of Water.

By Adam Potter

Guillermo Del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth, Hellboy) has just won an Oscar for Best Director and Best Picture for having delivered an enchanting, visually beautiful fable that is essentially Creature from the Black Lagoon if it were a more genuine romance than a monster movie.

Sally Hawkins (Paddington) delivers a wonderfully understated

Shack) lends comic relief and human sensitivity as Eliza’s co-worker and

performance as Eliza, an isolated mute custodian who discovers a captive

only best friend.

sea creature at the high-security government lab where she works. From there the two develop a kinship due to neither being able to communicate verbally and eventually love is in the air…or rather in the water...

The cinematography and camerawork is gorgeous, there are some shots in this that make me think of older, more classical films, in fact there are times when Shannon’s character is lit to look like an old-fashioned federal

Del Toro’s fascination with monsters has paid off with this movie, in parts

agent/gentleman from the golden age of cinema, which makes it more

it it’s own fairy tale in other parts a loving homage to the movies and

interesting when he turns out to be more malevolent and aggressive as the

fiction that the writer/director has been influenced by, from tragic monster

story progresses. Del Toro usually employs clockwork-like or insectile

movies and classic musicals to screwball comedies and the odd religious

imagery in his horror/fantasy films and more than once you’d often see

epic. One of those influences is reflected in a fantasy sequence in the

an orange-y tinge in the cinematography. The Shape of Water provides a

mind of our silent heroine, Eliza, and it’s one of the biggest surprises this

cooler colour palette, connecting to the theme of water as well as a visual

movie has to offer.

language involving water and raindrops in place of insects and clockwork

This is also a well-acted movie, every actor brings different comedic and

creations and it’s very refreshing.

dramatic layers to their characters; Hawkins conveys so much emotion

With a lovely Oscar-winning music score, a range of compelling,

with so little while Michael Shannon (Boardwalk Empire, Man of Steel) is

eccentric performances, dazzling images and the vision of a distinct artist

very human and increasingly scary as the Colonel who captured the sea

giving 100% to entertain and touch our hearts, The Shape of Water may

creature; Richard Jenkins is comical and tragic, in some way, as Eliza’s

not be a masterpiece but it’s one fo the most interesting and beautiful

next-door neighbour, a closeted gay man and Octavia Spencer (The

cinematic works of 2018.

The year is 2045. In a bid to escape reality and its chaos, people have found salvation in OASIS, an expansive virtual reality world created by James Halliday (Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies).

After his tragic death, he leaves one final challenge - an Easter Egg hidden in the OASIS, the player who finds it will become sole owner of Halliday’s empire and the OASIS itself. It left to Wade Watts (Tye Sheridan, X-Men: Apocalypse) and his crew to find egg before the evil corporation NIOI does.

Based on the novel Ready Player One, by Ernst Cline, the film is captivating, completely immersing you in the visual marvel of the OASIS. Spielberg manages to mix the perfect amount of nostalgia and futuristic technology, littering the film with pop culture references from all decades. Even the movie posters themselves mimic well-known films such as The Breakfast Club and The Matrix.

Now, if I’m honest I saw Ready Player One, purely by accident, it just so happened to be the only film on at the IMAX. However, this film is practically made for a big screen. It is an epic spectacle, enhanced by the 3D. Although, sometimes with the scale of the screen, it was hard to know where to look in the action sequences, what with so much happening. However, pushing this aside, what truly made this film was its take on virtual reality and our future. Sure, we won’t all be living in caravan stacks soon, but then don’t some people already have virtual

realities they escape to? When looking at technology today, it is not hard to believe that places like the OASIS will one day exist. Even just looking at video games and their advancement, the graphic being more like a movie than a game.

The only downside to this film is the relationship between Art3mis (Olivia Cooke, Bates Motel) and Wade. It is overplayed, and in some place cringey and unnecessary, although it is easy to overlook. Actually, aside from this, the characters we fully engaging and did a great job in bringing the characters to life. Moreover, the book itself has received quite a bit of backlash, for being sexiest and badly written. Not having read the book myself, I cannot comment. What I will say is, the film doesn’t reflect this, and it seems as though Ready Player One, is better as a film, something which you rarely find.

Overall, the film is an immersive action blockbuster, which keeps you captivated from start to finish. Although I won’t be reading the book anytime soon, I would recommend Ready Player One to anyone who loves a well-made action movie. Although it is more than that, making you reflect upon the future for several hours afterwards, although hopefully not so much it ensues an existential crisis.

May Issue

By Chloe Kimber

19

Film review: Ready Player One.

20 May Issue

LGBT+ Society.

LGBT+ SOC

By George Richards

Glitterbomb, dressed to the 9s and getting their 10s On Saturday 14 April, Shea Coulee from season 9 of Rupaul’s drag race, came to Glitterbomb, and she didn’t come to play, she came to slay. As always, the night started with the Glitterbomb girls being incredible, they all turned out amazing looks, and did stunning performances, and they were the perfect warm up for the main event. Shea Coulee hit the stage and did two amazing performances, then spent the next half an hour on the mic, and she was hilarious. She spilled some t about season 9, and touring, she did some shots of tequila, the crowd introduced her to the ‘we like to drink with Shea, cause Shea is our mate…etc’ chant, which really confused her. After she finished on stage, she did a quick costume change, and started the meet and greet. She was so sweet to talk to, and she took the time with everyone to ask their name, take loads of photos, and have at least a short conversation before moving onto the next person. Overall, I would give the night a solid 10/10.

Speaking of 10’s, on May 19th, the elephant queen herself, Eureka O’Hara from Drag Race season 9, and currently season 10, will be performing at the SU. She is a fierce entertainer and I know she will do some incredible performances.

Eureka was on season 9 and was slaying all the challenges, but in the second episode she damaged her knee during a cheerleading stunt gone wrong and after performing in Kardashian the musical, then walking the runway on rhinestone crutches, had to leave the competition at the end of episode 5 due to doctor’s orders. Since the show, she has had lots of surgery and physical therapy, before coming back a year later for season 10 to show the world what they were missing. She started season 10 as a phoenix rising out of the ashes, coming back with a bang, but she started to get in

her head about the expectations of herself, causing her to have a rocky start to the season, resulting in having to lipsync for her life in episode 2. But that was the wakeup call she needed, because she started giving 110% on the following episodes leading her to winning episode 5, giving her a full circle moment since that as the episode last season that she went home. She is now a fan favourite and most people are predicting she will make it to the top 3 and potentially win the season.

I’m sure the night will be an amazing success, with lots of splits, death drops, glitter, and camp, and even if you’re not normally a fan of drag culture, you should come down anyway to take a break and relax during exam season, make some new friends, start Summer early, and potentially meet the next winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

FASHION Summer! Just hearing the word makes me sigh with longing. For many people the prospect of sunshine is enough to spur on a shopping spree, and with deadlines fast approaching I think we’re all in need of some retail therapy.

Now, as a fashion student, I spend quite a bit of time online – scrolling through page after page of overpriced fashion trends that in my opinion are rather questionable. I mean… the crazy cropped, mini, tiny, ‘not even a hoodie’ hoodie… Really? I know summer is coming but there’s no need to cut your jumpers to the length of a choker necklace!

Each to their own I guess. Anyways, the one trend I will 100% be backing this season is the ohh so fashionable basket bag.

In the 1970s, Jane Birkin and her well loved basket bag were completely and utterly inseparable, a bit like me and a Cadburys chocolate bar. In fact, the two were such fast friends that you can’t talk about the woven wicker gems without name dropping the gorgeous French actress. The straw or wicker pieces seen in so many shops today, spruce up any outfit within seconds and instantly add those summery vibes we’re all searching for. Their sandy tones and picnic connotations make this chic accessory a compulsory staple to this year’s summer wardrobe – and don’t forget, they are endlessly Instagrammable.

So, to help you lovely people out in your search for the perfect Birkin basket – I have complied a list of my top 5 high street step-ins (don’t worry, I’ve kept them all under £30.00, student budget and all!): 5) Bring the seaside with you wherever you go with this gorgeous circled shaped straw bag. The multicoloured details make this bag different from the rest of the bags on my list and is the perfect outfit pick me up. Get your own from Accessorize for just £27.00.

3) This large Raffia basket bag from Zara is a classic. I’m sure many of you have seen these in the shops or passed them on the beach last summer. The fact that this typical round shape is still fashionable a year later means it’s a must have wardrobe staple for summer 2018. The detachable tassel, bow fastening, wooden handle and shoulder strap make this bag one of my favourites on the market. Grab yours from Zara for just £29.99.

1) And Finally, The ultimate Birkin Basket. The shape and style of this classic woven bag oozes summer chic.

For those of you still searching for a statement accessory – your prayers have been answered by this bucket sized wicker dream. I know for sure I’ll be heading into Topshop to nab the ‘Shelly Straw Basket Bag’ for a mere £26.00. BARGAIN!

4) This ‘South Beach Half Moon Contrast Stripe Straw Beach’ is the perfect sea time accessory. Whether you walking the golden sands in Italy or the pebbled shores of home, everyone needs this ASOS special – especially when its only £25.00!

2) In my opinion, you can’t beat a bit of embroidery! Palm leaves are always a must for the sunny season – so what better way to jazz up an outfit than with a palm covered basket.

Snap up this ‘Monkey Embroidered Straw Tote Bag’ from Topshop for just £28.00

And so that concludes my list! All of the brands above have an awesome array of basket bags this season, it’s a shame I couldn’t include them all!

Stay Snazzy!

May Issue

A Passion for

By Beth Jefferys

21

Fashion.

22 May Issue

Union Awards.

UNION AWARDS

By Mark Sweeney

The ninth annual Union Awards is fast approaching and we thought we’d take this opportunity to share with you exactly what it is!

Our Union Awards take place on an annual basis and have now reached their ninth outing. This year’s Union Awards is taking place on Thursday 17 May and they are a chance for us to formally recognise the achievements of our active members and staff who have inspired us all throughout the course of the academic year and beyond.

The categories and the shortlist for this year can be found at: bucksstudentsunion.org/unionawards.

In order to make the shortlist, nominees for these awards must meet one or more of the following criteria: 1. Through their work have had a demonstrable impact on the student experience of their peers.

2. Have enhanced the reputation of the Students’ Union through their commitment, dedication and professionalism.

3. Enabled the Students’ Union to achieve or exceed one of more of its strategic objectives.

4. Demonstrated innovation in extending the range of opportunities and services available through the Students’ Union.

We also have the Excellence in Learning and Teaching Awards which form part of our Union Awards.

The categories and the shortlist for this year can be found at: bucksstudentsunion.org/eltawards.

In order to be nominated in these awards, individuals must meet the following criteria: 1. Enhancing the student learning experience. For example: by arousing curiosity to stimulate and inspire learning, organising and presenting resources cogently and imaginatively, recognising and supporting diversity of student learning needs, drawing on relevant research, scholarship and professional practice and engaging with and contributing to established literature or building your own evidence base for future publication.

2. Raising the profile of excellence and support for student learning within the University and beyond if appropriate. For example: by contributing to the development and leadership of colleagues in promoting student learning contribution to departmental/faculty/University/national initiatives to facilitate student learning, and/or support towards meaningful and positive change with respect to pedagogic practice, policy and/or procedure.

5. Created positive change within the Students’ Union, University or local community. 3. Developing excellence - the nominees’ commitment to their ongoing professional development with regard to teaching and learning and/or learning support. For Shortlisting for all of the categories awarded at the event is conducted by the Union example evidence of the ongoing review and enhancement of individual practice, Awards Panel, which is made up of: Nigel Copperwheat, External Trustee; Ben engagement in scholarly activity and professional development activities, the review Parmar, President; Jimi Adeyinka, Vice President Student Involvement; Georgia and enhancement of individual practice and contribution to improvements in the Nosal, Vice President Education and Welfare Elect; Mark Sweeney, Student student learning, teaching and assessment experience.

Experience Manager; Tristan Tipping, Chief Executive Officer; and Matthew Kitching, Congratulations to all of this year’s nominees. It’s set to be another fantastic event Membership Services Manager. In cases where a member of the judging panel is and we are thoroughly looking forward to recognising the exceptional contribution shortlisted for an award, the judge will be asked to leave the room so all candidates can be considered fairly. these individuals and more have made.

AU DINNER Yet again, on Wednesday 25 April, the yearly AU Dinner was a great success. Nearly every AU sports team turned out in their numbers, dressed to impress. The Wycombe Swan Town Hall provided a delicious two course meal before we went on to have the main events of the evening.

Our guest speaker was a little different this year. Award winning comedian Nathan Caton took to the stage and provided quality entertainment for the crowd, he worked the room and interacted with everyone leaving people nearly crying with laughter.

After Nathan’s performance we went on to the most anticipated part of the evening, the awards! There were many awards up for grabs with a total of 36 nominees.

The first award given was for RAG Contributor of the Year. This is a new award added this year to recognise an individual/ club who has gone above and beyond for our two RAG charities. The much deserved winners of this award were BNU Dance for raising a staggering £1,500 for RAG this year.

The next award is to recognise an individual that has shown massive improvement over the last year, taking into consideration commitment and dedication to improve their sport. The Most Improved Player of the Year award.

The winner was Badminton’s Abi Dudman. Abi has improved amazingly over the past two years, constantly trying to improve her fitness which shows on the court.

Next up was the award for fresher of the year. This year, the award went to American Football’s Lewis Taylor.

Lewis, although being in his first year, stepped up into the fundraiser position when the club’s committee collapsed.

When the American Football team was removed from Bucks, Lewis helped to continue the club as Flag Football.

He was selected as Chair for next season and we expect he’ll do a fantastic job.

Next, we had the award for Coach of the Year. The winner was Alan Lane, the men’s rugby coach that helped turn around the team alongside Matt Gilbert. Unfortunately, Alan couldn’t be there to collect his award. He and Gilbert have helped rugby become one of the stand out male teams of 17/18.

The award for Captain of the Year was next. This award went to Emily Harris for her commitment and dedication to BNU Dance. Emily is always the first to arrive and the last to leave, she also does a fantastic job of choreographing the advanced jazz team.

After a short interval, we continued with the awards onto Committee member of the year. Julie Botwood from Bucks Ladies FC claimed the prize. Julie has at one point this year fulfilled every position of the committee. She managed to get the rest of women’s football to pull their socks up, nearly win the league and achieve accreditation.

Team of the year recognises the most successful team based purely on performance. For the third year running, Women’s basketball received the award. They have had a fantastic year, winning their league and

achieving promotion as well as reaching the final of the Conference Cup. Club of the Year was next, recognising an entire club based on their overall success and achievements throughout the year. This went to Men’s Rugby, who have got involved in nearly everything this year. They reached accreditation, secured sponsors for the year and have also helped Wycombe RFC throughout the year.

Sportsman and Sportswoman of the year honours the best male and female athlete whose performance most embodies the spirit of sportsmanship and achievement.

Sportsman of the Year went to Charlie Cotton, who’s a brilliant leader of the Men’s Rugby club. He has great knowledge of the game both as a player and a coach and displays fantastic speed and coordination on the pitch.

Sportswoman of the year went to Georgia Read, the captain and founder of the Women’s Rugby team. She led the Women’s Rugby team to win their first ever Varsity game and the first point for Bucks. She also plays for the women’s Football Team where, although not her chosen sport, she continues to grow and improve.

After leaving Bucks last year, Lewis took on the role of Coach for the boys. Sadly, Lewis is leaving us and moving home, he will be sorely missed and we wish him luck in where life takes him next.

The final announcement of the evening was a surprising one. The Hall of Fame is reserved for individuals who truly excel on the field. This system see’s us frame the playing shirt of each recipient and hang it, along with a short biography, in the Gateway Building. This award is not given out each year, but only given when an athlete truly deserves it. This year, we did have a recipient. The newly framed shirt belongs to Andrea Gomez from Women’s Basketball. Andrea is consistently one of our best Basketball players and statistically one of the top 4 players in the Country. Andrea’s commitment and dedication to the sport and the team saw her number 22 shirt pinned and framed. This special award brought the evening to a close and staff and students headed to the SU for one of the best after parties of the year.

Every year there are individuals who have worked very Next up, came the Outstanding Contribution to University hard and would have been shortlisted if we could have five nominees. Although this isn’t possible, we’d like to say Sport. Vice President Education and Welfare, Lauren that the efforts of the following individuals have not gone O’Shea took to the stage to announce the first award unnoticed; Christina Demetriou, Tao Warburton, Callum in this category. This award went to four girls that have Skinner, Susu Sawer, Belen Lanzas Friere, Regan Cook, had a huge impact on Sport at Bucks. Over the last Luke Robertson, Riadh Bouzida, Hannah Peacock, Kwame three years they have been the backbone of Women’s Basketball and have helped the team achieve two Yeboah, Chloe Kimber, Sean Wright and Marie Vodickova. promotions, two gold medals and one silver medal in the There are a few more thanks that the students’ union Cup. They have made Women’s Basketball the best team would like to make. These are to Sean Wright who has Bucks has ever seen and they fully deserved this award.

Well done, Belen Lanzas, Andrea Gomez, Paloma Abreu been brilliant all year at taking photos of all the teams, and for all our excellent videos. The other person is Alix Todd, and Sara San Millan. who has stepped in and helped at every turn this year.

The award for Outstanding Contribution to University If someone has earned their outstanding contribution to Sport had another winner, Student Activities Manager, sport award it has been Alix.

Catherine Lymer delivered the speech for Lewis Newton.

We look forward to next year’s AU Dinner where we Lewis has been an imminent member of Bucks FC since his arrival. In his second year, he was given the position of will hopefully be celebrating another fantastic year of Secretary and in his final year, became the Club’s Chair. sporting success.

May Issue

By Alana Zukas

23

AU Dinner.

REUSABLE

COFFEE MUG £4.49

PRICE INCLUDES ONE HOT DRINK OF YOUR CHOICE. ALL HOT DRINK REFILLS WILL BE CHARGED AT THE PRICE OF A SMALL. AVAILABLE FROM BEATS, RUSTY’S AND PULSE.