www.thestudentsunion.org.uk |1
Like everything else in the students’ union, we want to be student led. if you have anything at all you would like to see in this magazine just let us know.
Customise your magazine the easy way! Simply; pop in; There are SU offices all over, just ask at reception. phone us; 01228 400348 or email us; tom.sinclair@cumbria.ac.uk
contents welcome from the sabbs ucsu club nights ents guide becoming an academic rep getting the best from the uni volunteering lgbt at uoc your advice service how we work for you the union is going green
4 14 16 18 24 28 33 34 38 44
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www.thestudentsunion.org.uk |5
Hello and welcome to the University of
and was elected in 2010 as the Student Life
Cumbria Students’ Union (UCSU or SU for short).
sabbatical and was elected again in March
Well done for choosing a new and growing
this year as the Representation Sabbatical. I
University, which provides you with a personal,
love listening and speaking to people, playing
fun and interactive learning environment. The
sports and socialising with friends. I have been
SU is independent from the University and is led
the vice captain of the basketball team,
by students for students - such as you!
partake in hockey (as a goalkeeper!)
My name is Liam Walker, and as the elected Representation Sabbatical I am the
and play cricket. Please feel free to say hello if you see me
lead student officer of the SU. My role is to
around at the Union; whether you want to
make sure that myself, my fellow sabbaticals
become actively involved, for general advice
and the rest of the officer team are represent-
or just an informal chat as I and the Union are
ing your views, needs and interests in the most
always happy to help. You can contact me
appropriate and authentic way possible.
at liam.walker@cumbria.ac.uk.
We are here for one purpose; to represent you and every student at the University in accordance with your expressed wishes, or, as we put it, ‘working for a better education for you’. This could mean a number of things (as we encourage you to be involved in the union in whatever way you want), so whether you want to be involved in volunteering, be a course rep, stand in the SU elections, play sport or be in one of our many societies, or even if you want advice on the best places to eat or shop, we can help; not to forget we work closely with the university to ensure you are getting the best experience you can on your course and with service provision. I believe after a year of putting a new structure into practice we are now at a stage to represent you in a wide number of ways, tackle issues head on and to reach out to more groups more effectively. Along with the three other Sabbaticals, elected officers and staff team we encourage you to get involved, communicate on how we are doing and raise any concerns you may have. I graduated at the University in 2010 with a degree in Coaching and Sports Performance
Liam Walker; Representation Sabbatical
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Hi, My name is Lorri Millar and I have the
improvements and dedication will make the
great honour of representing the University of
Student Academic Representative system the
Cumbria Students on Academic issues for yet
best it can be. And thanks to a presentation
another year. I would firstly like to welcome
made by the SU to University staff the new Pro-
you to the University of Cumbria, either as
Vice Chancellor Academic made it one of her
new student or as a returning student to the
top priorities upon starting in January to make
university community.
sure tutors return assignments within the 25
A little about me, I was re-elected after
day limit specified by academic regulations.
a year of being the Academic Sabbatical for
Shockingly research done by the SU suggested
the year 2010-2011. Before this I was a student
50% of assignments were returned later than
on the Lancaster campus and completed
25 days. The students’ union will be monitoring
my degree in Primary Education with
the progress of feedback to students, so
Religious Education.
watch this space.
Over the previous year I feel that as
The main focus for this year will be to build
a Students’ Union we have made lots of
on the work started in the previous year
progress. The Students’ Union defines its
surrounding assessment and feedback,
core purpose as being “working for a better
Student Academic Representatives as well as
education for you.” We have strived to make
establishing the first ever Student Union
advancements in the area of academic
Awards to name but a few. This is where
representation. Some of the main wins we had in 2010 included: our involvement at the heart of the first ever quality audit of the University by the independent watchdog The Quality Assurance Agency lead to the University being awarded the highest rating. Fundamental to this was the Students’ Written Submission report, authored by the Students’ Union, which turned a constructively critical eye to the full range of issues defined by our members as having a positive and negative on their student experience. The Union has also created a staff position to provide dedicated support, training and advice to Student Academic Representatives (Course Reps) and significantly improved the ability of students to have an impact on their educational experience at programme level. We have been able to employ a qualified solicitor to bring a rigorous analytical approach to this vital Student Voice activity. Hopefully these Lorri Millar; Academic Sabbatical
your experience of being a student at the University of Cumbria comes into play, to make significant positive change I need your comments and suggestions on how to make your university experience the best it can be. One of the ideal ways of doing this is by becoming a Student Academic Representative and representing the views of your programme. I have no doubt that due to national pressures on higher education that over the next few years there may well be changes within your course, faculty or even within the University as a whole that will affect your academic experience. It’s my job to make sure that these changes have the very best possible outcome for you as a student, so please get in contact with me at any time. Pop into the local SU office or email me at lorraine.millar@cumbria.ac.uk
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Rachel Garlick; Student Life Sabbatical
Hi, I’m Rachel Garlick your Student Life
what it will be doing. I would also like to know
Sabbatical for the year. This is my first year as
what you would like to see us doing or what
an elected officer, but I have been an active
you want to get involved with. We are here for
member of the Students’ Union in my four
you, so want to engage with you as much as
years at university, being part of the Freshers’
possible. Another of my aims for the year, is to
Week team for 3 years; playing basketball
promote engagement and motivation within
and regularly supporting University teams.
student groups by providing more support and
Last year, I was RAG leader, working across
the tools and resources needed to maintain
the campuses with the SU in organising and
numbers and help with recruiting new
helping others with fundraising events. And
members. I am looking forward to working with
I’ve made a start on campaigning as part of
you all and maybe creating brand new groups
the British Youth Council’s network and through
at the University Of Cumbria.
demonstrating against tuition fee rises.
The Students Union is a part of your
I was elected last year after completing my
student experience. We are here to maintain/
degree in Early Years Education at Lancaster
promote your positive experiences, to support
and am looking forward to the year ahead.
and help you as much as possible through
Part of my role is making sure you get the
any issues you may have. The SU is for you
most out of your student experience. So any
and is keen to help and encourage ideas or
issues you face that are not to do with your
opportunities. We have a positive relationship
course, e.g. accommodation, welfare, LISS,
with the University and work well with staff
campaigns etc - I am here to help. The other
throughout.
part of my role focuses on the student groups
If you have any queries, ideas,
that we provide throughout the different
opportunities, need some support or just want
campuses, be they sport or other clubs and
a friendly chat, feel free to come in and speak
societies e.g. English/drama/outdoor etc. If
to me, or any of the other sabbaticals.
you want to start a group/have issues/ideas
You can contact me at
for current groups then feel free to pop in and
rachel.garlick2@cumbria.ac.uk.
see me. I am here for you the students and available for you either by email or in person
See you soon. In the meantime,
whenever I am needed. It is my job to support
Enjoy Student Life!
you and your needs. I’m ready to improve The University performance too. This year I am hoping to work with LISS in promoting their services to you. From experience I am aware that some students aren’t conscious of all the services provided and how best to access them. I would like to communicate with you, the students, about what the SU has been doing, what it has done (achievement wise) and
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Hello! I am Tom Underwood the Union
we live and work during our time here at uni-
Community Sabbatical. I am really chuffed
versity.. I work very closely with our volunteering
to be involved in the Students’ Union for
department to promote and match student
another year. Last year we started the new
talent with the communities where you study
union structure off well and truly, running with
or live. The projects can be related to your
the fight against the raise in tuition fees. In
course or be completely different. While study-
addition, The Union undertook loads of new
ing I got involved in quite a few projects and
volunteering and community projects.
it helped me get experience of putting what I
As the Union Community Sabbatical I will
was doing on my degree, coaching children,
be travelling from campus to campus talking
into practise. Examples of community projects
and working with students in all faculties and at
which we have done this year are student lead
all sites where our courses are being delivered.
IT session for elderly local residents, a student
As students you can join us and tell me want
lead allotment, charity fundraisers through our
you like or dislike about your course or cam-
RAG Society, and a lot more. This year we will
puses, to highlight good practice and/or bring
be continuing these existing projects as well
about change. There are a lot of examples
as starting new initiatives such as off-campus
across the campuses of where the students
street reps and student lead art sessions with
have worked with the union representatives
groups of retired local residents. There are
to bring about change. For example last year,
also opportunities for you to sit on panels and
the students at our Tower Hamlets site didn’t
boards to influence and help the university and
have any study space to undertake group
local councils to make big decisions by putting
and individual assignments and projects. Alex
yourself forward to be an elected officer in the
Walker, London Campus Rep, lobbied the Uni
union. All hours undertaken through volunteer-
to get study space for students and there is
ing, 1 hour to 1000 hours, can be recorded and
now a designated space for the students to
be officially recognised by the University.
use thanks to the work of Alex and the students who got involved. Meanwhile, at Ambleside, students were limited to set hours in which they could access library facilities. We worked with the students based at the campus and lobbied the University to invest in a self service machine which allows students to take out and return library resources over much longer hours. It is vital that as a collective student body we all really
The union is your chance to take ownership
get involved in shaping the student experience
over your experience on your course! So I
to make it the best it can be, and the Union
hope you enjoy your time at Cumbria whether
exists solely to work towards that end.
it’s a part time top up or a full time undergrad-
My role also links you as a student with
uate. Remember the more you get involved
the local communities that we live in and the
the greater the benefit for you!! Please con-
‘communities on campus’ that surround us as
tact me at tom.underwood@cumbria.ac.uk.
Tom Underwood; Community Sabbatical
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Whether studying in Carlisle or Lancaster the
Carlisle Student Nights
Students’ Union works with venues in each city to offer students two official nights per week.
Tuesday night @ Walkabout
If you are heading to Lancaster to study then
You are going to love Tuesday nights at Walk-
Mondays at Dalton Rooms and Wednesdays
about they have so much to offer and are
at Sugarhouse are where it’s happening and
always up for a great party especially where
if Carlisle is your chosen place of study then
students are concerned. So if you are up for a
Tuesday nights at Walkabout and Thursdays at
crazy fun filled night then get yourself to
Concrete are the places to be.
Walkabout on Tuesdays and let’s get this party started.
Lancaster Student Nights
Thursday Night @ Concrete Concrete is coming at you with a brand new
Monday night @ Dalton Rooms
night this year on the Official Student Thursday,
Monday at Dalton Rooms promises to be a
FAUX FUR’SDAY is going to be an un-missable
weekly night that you don’t want to miss. With
weekly night offering you plenty of surprises,
themed parties and fancy dress events you will
so make sure you are there every week so you
be kept on your toes wondering what else they
are not the one that missed out.
could possibly come up with. Not only will you have a fab night but you can also take advan-
If you have any questions about your official
tage of their treble your money offer so you are
University of Cumbria Students Union nights
getting great value for money.
or student events please email the Students Union Ents & Sales Coordinator on
Wednesday Night @ The Sugarhouse
Jeanne.gate@cumbria.ac.uk.
I don’t know where to start with Sugarhouse, we have been working with them for the last
Join us on Facebook for the most up-to-date
few years and they always offer a fantastic
information on ents taking place during
night. If you ask any of the 2nd and 3rd years
Welcome Week and the rest of the year.
they will tell you Sugarhouse is the place to be on a Wednesday. I don’t think I need to
For information on Carlisle ents find us in your
say much more, once you have experienced
official Carlisle UCSU Ents Guide.
Sugarhouse during your Welcome Ents you will
For information on Lancaster ents find us in
be hooked!
your official Lancaster UCSU Ents Guide.
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Carlisle
Sunday 18th Sept Welcome Party @ Concrete
Monday 19th Sept Film Night
Tuesday 20th Sept Pub Tour round Carlisle hot spots
Wednesday 21st Sept Foam Party @ Academy
Thursday 22nd Sept FAUX FUR’SDAY Warm Up party @ Concrete
Friday 23rd Sept Masquerade Freshers Ball @ Walkabout
Saturday 24th Sept Crazy night @ Calva
Thursday 29th Sept FAUX FUR’SDAY Official Launch @ Concrete
Sunday 25th Sept £100 Big Quiz
Tuesday 27th Sept School Disco @ Walkabout
Lancaster
Sunday 18th Sept Welcome Party @ The Lounge
Monday 19th Sept Pub Tour round Lancaster hot spots
Tuesday 20th Sept Fun & Games @ Yates’s
Wednesday 21st Sept Silent Disco @ Sugarhouse
Thursday 22nd Sept School Disco @ Yates’s
Friday 23rd Sept Film Night
Saturday 24th Sept Masquerade Freshers Ball @ Dalton Rooms
Sunday 25th Sept £100 Big Quiz
Monday 26th Sept Your Official Student Night @ Dalton Rooms
Wednesday 28th Sept Your Official Student Night @ Sugarhouse
Don’t forget the Welcome Fairs that will be held throughout the day on Tuesday 27th September in Carlisle and on Wednesday 28th September in Lancaster. This is your chance to meet current student groups and sign up for groups of interest to you. You will also meet companies from the local area and see what they have to offer students. The best bit is you will get some great freebies. Check out the Ents Guide enclosed in the mailing and Facebook for more information about these events and how you can buy your Welcome Wristband. For information on Carlisle ents find us on Facebook at Your Official Carlisle UCSU Ents Guide. For information on Lancaster ents find us on Facebook at Your Official Lancaster UCSU Ents Guide.
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Are you an opinionated, bright, individual who loves expressing their views? The University of Cumbria needs you to help create a better academic experience for everyone!
The System The Student Academic Representation (SAR) system is in place across all courses at the University of Cumbria. The main purpose is to create a platform so all students’ voices can be heard.
As a Student Academic Rep, you will be required to attend meetings throughout the year where you can raise any course issues with staff and academics and try to work together to form solutions. You can then go and feedback to your fellow students!
At the beginning of the academic year you will be given the opportunity to take part in an
The SAR system is fundamental to maintaining
election to become the Student Academic
the quality of your education and is an excel-
Representative for the year group of your
lent opportunity for anyone wanting to make
course. If you’re successful the Students’ Union
a difference.
will provide you with year long training in numerous skills including advocacy and meeting etiquette so you will be fully prepared to take
The Benefits of becoming a Student Academic Representative.
part in the meetings that will follow. The obvious main benefit of becoming a SAR is Your role then will be to advertise yourself and
that you are helping shape a better educa-
make sure everyone knows that if they have
tion for you and the future students of the
any comments (positive or negative), com-
University of Cumbria.
plaints or suggestions to come to you and that
You can attend meetings and meet equal
you can take them to the next level.
minded students who share your enthusiasm
We need students, committed to positive change.
sound like you?
www.thestudentsunion.org.uk |19
and passion for change, as well as networking and speaking with academics about issues which are affecting you and your course mates. The current financial climate means that it is now more difficult than ever for students to find employment after graduating. Candidates now need to demonstrate that they have transferable skills as well as academic qualifications and here are some of the ways that being a Student Academic Rep can help put you ahead of the crowd:
Motivation – you motivate yourself to find the time to enhance the student experience. Confidence and Assertiveness – to put yourself forward and raise issues with staff. Organisation and Time Management – to fit the responsibility of being a rep around your studies. Resilience – by remaining positive even if a resolution to your feedback is not possible. Team working skills – by working with staff and other reps. Interpersonal skills – by listening and communicating in a variety of different scenarios. Initiative– by taking on issues and deciding how best to resolve them.
Representation Facilitator; Debra Robinson
How to get involved If you think that this is the role for you, please do not hesitate to contact either the Representation Facilitator or the Academic Sabbatical for more information: Representation Facilitator; debra.robinson@cumbria.ac.uk Academic Sabbatical; lorraine.millar@cumbria.ac.uk
Unisex Hoodies £24.00 or £21.60 with an nus extra card!
Ladies Hoodies £28.00 or £25.20 with an nus extra card!
Hoodies and much more available in The Shop on Lancaster campus.You can also purchase hoodies from your local Students’ Union office or online at www.thestudentsunion.org.uk/shop.
Toilets Smarties Lounge
The old SU Building Entrance www.thestudentsunion.org.uk |21
www.thestudentsunion.org.uk |23
You’ve packed your bags and decided to
to make sure that students are instrumental
spend the next few years here at the Univer-
in driving developments in courses improve-
sity of Cumbria, a commitment to education
ments, estates planning and generally fighting
to help get a foot up on the ladder of your
to make sure that there are quality services
chosen future career. As the Students’ Union is
and academic provision to make sure you
led by your fellow students we understand the
can achieve everything you hoped for from
pressures, opportunities and challenges that
your course.
face you and are uniquely positioned to help you make the most of your time at University.
This is an ongoing process and one that relies on each individual student contributing to
Over recent years the Union has positioned
protect the investment of time and resources
itself at the heart of the decision making
they have made, especially with the cost of a
process at the University of Cumbria, striving
university education ever increasing. There are
various ways that individually and collectively
than anyone else, you only loose your voice
we can make sure that we get the best out of
when you don’t participate in the decision
the University.
making process.
Speak out
As a member you have the right to drive action, scrutinise results and make sure your
At the simplest level make sure you are express-
interests are represented, and this process is
ing your opinions about the good and bad
central to the democratic values of the Union.
elements of your University experience. We
However, like all democracies you only have
are not only always open to your feedback
the power if you use it, so to make the most
we positively encourage it, as from this ground
of the Union you have to stand up and make
level input we can build cases for improve-
your views count!
ments or recognise excellence and take these to the University. There are loads of ways to
For more information on how to make sure
feed your views into the Union, you can come
your voice drives our work read the article on
in and talk to us, communicate through your
page 38 about how the Union
Course Rep or email the SU officers, join a
works for you.
SU-led focus group or even take that next step and become an official Union activist working on a issue that particularly effects you. We run regular feedback sessions, ranging from surgeries with elected officers, lecture shout-outs and regular ipad polling around campus, and we urge you to make sure you have your say on the issue we are gathering student opinion on. We’re stronger when we use our collective voice.
Stand up! The Union is a body led by students for students, and with 13,500 members spread over 200+ courses of study at 10 sites the only way we can fairly decide the best course of action is through open meetings, debate and voting. We are a democratic organisation, and as every student is automatically a member anyone can contribute and play a part in deciding outcomes – no one person has more power
www.thestudentsunion.org.uk |25
Being a champion for your course
Keep in touch
Every course has a number of Course
The Union sends out a weekly email update
Representatives (sometimes called Student
every Monday morning as part of the
Academic Reps) who act as program-level
University’s Global Email (it goes to your
leaders for their fellow students. This is a vital
student email address) where we keep you
role in making sure that collectively you are
up to date with what we’re doing, ways you
highlighting the good and reporting the bad
can get involved and upcoming events, so
aspects of your learning experience on a
remember to check your inbox and read the
day to day level. Recognised and valued
global! We also have our own website, soon
by both the University and Union, good
to be overhauled and made more accessible,
Course Reps are constructively critical open
plus we often send out communications
communicators who can gather feedback
using Facebook, Twitter and the University’s
from all of their fellows and make a strong
Blackboard online learning tool.
case to their Course Leaders and also liaise with the Union. If this sounds like you read
You can follow what we’re up to using these
more about being a Course Rep on page 18.
communication methods, but we’re more interested in getting messages back from you so we can make sure what we’re doing is in line with what you need. So sign up to our Facebook and Twitter accounts now following the links below!
The Official UCSU website: www.thestudentsunion.org.uk Facebook search for your main campus of study as follows: University of Cumbria Students Union Lancaster University of Cumbria Students Union Carlisle University of Cumbria Students Union Penrith University of Cumbria Students Union Lancaster Twitter: Follow SU tweets on the official UCSU Twitter account: twitter.com/#!/CumbriaSU
Get involved The Union needs to collect the opinions and views from all of our 13,500 members. But then we need exceptional individuals to take that feedback forward in our formal and informal meetings with the University decision-makers. The role of being a primary spokesperson falls to those few elected representatives, who by virtue of the fact they volunteered and received a vote of confidence from their fellow students sit on the most senior committees of the University structure. There they can make a real difference, speaking out for positive change, representing and fighting for the rights of all students. The vast majority of these elected officers are, like you, continuing on courses of study, volunteering their time often alongside work and family commitments – not to mention their study time! To remain effective and relevant the Students’ Union relies on a constant circulation of people taking roles and responsibilities in the organisation, which could mean standing for one of the elected positions, being a leader of a particular student group or a course rep, or even just volunteering to help out or participate in a particular campaign activity. Not only do you directly influence something that benefits your university experience you can also gain real and relevant skills and experience about working in a dynamic and professional organisation with clear goals and ambitions.
If you want to know more get in touch with your local SU office, elected representative or contact one of the Sabbatical Officers listed on pages 22-23. You are the lifeblood of the Union, and our collective efforts can make our time at University some of the most valuable years of our lives – so let’s get together and make it happen!
www.thestudentsunion.org.uk |27
Make friends. Gain skills. Have fun. Help your local community. Support your favourite charity. Make a real difference.
Join the UCSU Volunteering facebook group for regular mailings and updates on what we’re doing, where, when we’re doing it and who we’re doing it with. Your community needs you!
Maybe you’re looking to apply the learning from your course, want to try something new or perhaps you like helping other people… We’re here to show you how you can get involved – You tell us your interests, skills and aspirations and we’ll match them to opportunities so you can choose the right one for you!
Here are some of our projects that you might like to consider getting involved in… Raise And Give (RAG) We’re looking for motivated, fun loving and organised Volunteers to join our RAG Student Group and raise funds for the charities of your choice. These events can be run on any campus – let us know if you’d like to get involved!
You can opt for a regular commitment weekly, fortnightly or monthly or get involved on an ad hoc basis by coming along to one or more of our project days throughout the year. No matter how much time you have on your hands, we’ll help you find the right opportunity! If you want to know more about how to give some of your valuable time to a range of great projects, please contact Kati Brown on 01228 616164 or email her at
Why not share or learn gardening skills? This is your chance to get some fresh air, plant new crops, harvest the produce and maybe even make some chutney! It’s a great way to promote healthy living, be environmentally friendly and perhaps provide easy recipe ideas to students. Allotments are currently located in Carlisle and Lancaster. Check out the Lancaster Allotment Blog at http://corkroad.wordpress.com/
kati.brown@cumbria.ac.uk Make sure you register with us online www. thestudentsunion.org/volunteering and we’ll send you our handbook and an ‘hours’ sheet to record all the time you spend volunteering, while you’re a student here at the University of Cumbria. Check out our blog at http://ucsuvolunteering.wordpress.com/ - you’ll find regular reports, photos and maybe even video from all the projects volunteers have been involved in.
www.thestudentsunion.org.uk |29
Student Run Self Help Group (SRSH) for students with Eating Disorders Student Run Self Help (SRSH) is an innovative project working to involve students in peer-topeer support for students and young people with eating disorders. SRSH recruits dedicated volunteers who are passionate and enthusiastic about helping their peers, developing their own CV and getting really stuck into the volunteering ethos.
Carlisle, patient, friendly and keen to make a difference in your community, please get in touch! This is a great opportunity to gain some transferable skills and enhance your CV!
SRSH provides training and ongoing advice
Boccia/Multidiscipline club Working in partnership with the University Sports Complex in Lancaster, we are recruiting volunteers to train as Boccia Coaches to run sessions at a new multi-discipline club for children with disabilities. Local children will have
and mentoring for students willing to work with
the opportunity to take part in boccia, curling,
a student led project. Volunteers receive train-
trampolining, multi-skills and more! Boccia
ing to help them maintain a self help group.
training starts in October ready for when the
We run follow up workshops and conferences
club opens its doors in January.
Self Help groups offer a safe atmosphere for discussion. They hope to support people living with eating disorders and allow individuals to realise that they are not suffering alone.
as well as operating online work space to support a vibrant community of volunteers and offer you as much support as possible.
IT Sessions for the Elderly Following the success of last year’s project, we are recruiting student volunteers to help run IT sessions for local elderly residents who have little or no experience of using a computer.
READ International READ International Book Project is a national award winning, student founded and entirely student volunteer-led project. Volunteers will collect books from secondary schools & colleges during the academic year, sort them and send the most relevant & best quality to school kids in Tanzania, in summer
If you can switch on a computer, type a word
2012. You’ll run fundraising events to raise
document, set up an email account, save
£7,500 by summer 2012, deliver school
digital photos, surf the net, then we’d like to
workshops and presentations to schools.
hear from you!
You need to be outgoing, fun, driven & motivated.
The IT sessions run weekly at Lancaster campus and are designed to be friendly and focussed on individual’s needs rather than following a syllabus. We’re also looking to set them up in Carlisle. So if you’re located in Lancaster or
Welcome Week Fair Look out for our Volunteering Stands at the Welcome Week Fair and sign up to our projects!
www.thestudentsunion.org.uk |31
Football, Forestry, Netball, Paddling, Men’s Rugby Union & Wildlife Photography. We will be holding Welcome/Activities Fairs where you can come along and sign up to
Student Groups & Sport
your chosen Student Group(s). These Fairs will be held on Tuesday 27th September 2011 in
Hi, I’m Allan Stavert, the Student Group
the Gateway building of the Fusehill Street,
Support & Development Facilitator and I am
Carlisle campus and on Wednesday 28th
the person you need to contact if you need
September 2011 in the ‘Old Dining Room’ on
information about representing this University’s
the Lancaster Campus.
Sports teams participating in the British Universities & Colleges Sports League (BUCS)
If you have an interest that is not listed above
or if you want to join one of our many Student
and want to start up a new Student Group
Groups.
then please log onto our website, www. thestudentsunion.org.uk, go to the Student
I work from the Lancaster Campus but have
Groups section and view ‘How do I start
responsibility for all campuses and can be email at allan.stavert@cumbria.ac.uk.
a Student Group?’. Please also view the handbook available ‘How to run a Student Group’ in the Student Group Section.
On the Lancaster Campus in 2011-12, we will
I am also the person to contact if your
have Men’s Badminton & Basketball, Men’s &
Student or Academic Group fancy ordering
Women’s Football, Men’s & Women’s Hockey,
personalised Hoodies or Polos. Further details
Netball and Men’s & Women’s Rugby Union
about cost and ordering can be found on the
teams competing in BUCS. In addition we
same website as above in the Student Group
also have Student Groups who take part
Section under the Polo/Hoody/Kit Orders.
contacted in the Students’ Union Offices or via
in Cheerleading, Dance, English, Karate, Outdoor Activities, Salsa, Special Educational Needs, Swimming & Water Polo, Trampolining & Volleyball. On the Carlisle campus, we will have Men’s Football & Netball playing in BUCS Leagues and also Student Groups taking part in Men’s Basketball, Gaelic Football, Pool, and Occupational Therapy & Psychology. On the Penrith Campus, we have student Groups who do Caving, Conservation, Men’s
Spectrum - LGBT at the University of Cumbria! Gay? Lesbian? Bisexual? Unsure? Speak to like-minded people in complete confidence. Students can join our LGBT group ‘Spectrum’ on BlackBoard and chat to others or discuss issues in complete anonymity, yet still be kept up-to-date with all the LGBT happenings in the Uni. Members can also contact us directly to ask questions they want answers to. Spectrum is also on Facebook! Join our group and hear about events planned inside and out of Uni or simply just to chat to new people openly!
www.thestudentsunion.org.uk |33
The UCSU Advice Service is part of the Information and Advocacy Team here at the Students’ Union. We provide free, friendly, impartial and confidential advice on a range of issues from academic welfare and educational issues, to personal health and wellbeing, sexual health, housing and money issues. Nothing you can ask is to big or too small so please don’t hesitate to get in touch with any worries that you may have. Our team of professional staff are primarily based at the Lancaster and Carlisle campuses but we support all students regardless of their location and course or mode of study and can be contacted in person, via telephone, email, video conferencing and drop-ins on selected days. An advisor will endeavour to meet up with a student if requested and hourly appointments are available. You can find lots of information about the service and what we offer on our website at www.thestudentsunion.org.uk/advice. Wishing you all the best as you begin your learning journey!
What has the UCSU Advice Service been up to this year? As well as supporting students from across the University, the Advice Service has been proactive in its campaigns; ensuring University of Cumbria Students’ welfare. Our Rules and Regulations Awareness campaign which we have very cleverly named RARA! Is one to keep an eye out for whilst on your campus and using BlackBoard. RARA can be found in the form of screensavers, bookmarks and posters and is intended to inform you of any university Policy that may be changing or snippets of the Code of Conduct that students may not be aware of. Keep an eye out for them this year… they could apply to you! Our latest RARA release can be seen on our website in the advice section… We held Money Matters week in conjunction with the university, where Money Doctors were out in force and lots of freebies were to be had, aiming to show students how to manage their money, put budgets together and generally see that you don’t have to spend a
The UCSU Information and Advocacy Team
fortune to have a good time. The clothes swap in Carlisle went down a treat, and we are aiming to run a much larger Money Matters week this coming year!
Mike
Hayley
Chloé
Our LATE campaign is ongoing and has been introduced to monitor that you are
mike.taylor@cumbria.ac.uk,
receiving the best academic experience
hayley.mccowan@cumbria.ac.uk
whilst at university by encouraging you to
suadvice@cumbria.ac.uk
report late or cancelled lectures to the union.
www.thestudentsunion.org.uk |35
TOUCH The touch project is managed by the Students’ Union Advice Service and UCSU Volunteering and recruits and trains student volunteers to provide an outreach service at Students’ Union social events across all Campuses to promote information about sexual health, relationships, drugs, alcohol, personal safety and security. The project provides on-going support and campaigning on health topics throughout the academic year. The ‘touch’ project aims to recruit, train and support University of Cumbria students to become volunteer workers: To produce and disseminate information on
If you are struggling in any way and would like
key health issues, such as relationships, sexual
to have a chat with somebody in confidence,
health, alcohol, safety and drugs.
the University of Cumbria Students’ Union is
To work with students at evening events, an-
extremely proud to be offering our brand
swering questions, refer on, offering informa-
new counselling service which is completely
tion [not providing counselling or advice].
impartial to the University. The service is
What do the volunteers do?
offered by trainee counselling students from
Volunteers operate on an event by event
the University in their final year of study and is
basis, with a team of 4-6 being active on a
completely free.
‘Touch’ day or night. The Co-ordinators brief the volunteers and
At present, the Counselling Service is available
often a theme is chosen to be promoted,
at the Lancaster Campus and appointments
e.g. emergency contraception, drink spiking.
can be made through Mike Taylor.
They hand out a mix of condoms, ice-pops, sweets, stickers, interactive cards, ‘lucky dip’ bags, drop cards. They talk to students and look out for people who need help or support. If you feel that you would like to be involved in ‘touch’ please contact Mike or Hayley and they will be happy to give you further information.
primary logo full clour print
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www.thestudentsunion.org.uk |37
The Union has a lot of members. Each has the
out in our Constitution and Policies) which
right to raise their own issues and potential
enshrine the right of students to make the
solutions, direct the work of the SU and its
major decisions. This is done through a series of
elected leaders and hold us to account on
open meetings where anyone can raise issues,
our progress. With 13,500 individual voices
debate potential solutions and direct us to act
each potentially calling for a different course
accordingly.
of action without some rules and structures things would rapidly descend into chaos!
To make it easier and more accessible to ensure you are feeding into a meeting that
Our work and the priorities we set are
is relevant to your interests we have a few
governed by a series of regulations (laid
different ‘flavours’ as follows:
Inclusion Inclusion meetings are for raising and tasking the Union to resolve issues which prevent certain sections of the student body from participating equally in the fullest range of activities, opportunities and events that make up the University of Cumbria student experience. Actions, campaigns or solutions could be aimed at changing something in the Union, University or the local communities we live within.
Academic
Particularly relevant to: Students who identify
Academic open meetings are primarily
themselves as being part of a ‘minority’ group
focussed on the single factor common to
either within the University student population
all students on all courses, i.e. the quality
or in wider society – this could be as broad as
of teaching, learning resources and
‘mature students’ or ‘Tower Hamlets students’
those University systems that underpin the
or as specific as LGBT students or being from a
educational experience. This can vary from
specific ethnic group.
diverse topics such as how quickly you get feedback from tutors on your coursework,
Student led by: Tom Underwood (Union
proposed changes to your course and
Community Sabbatical) and the SU
recognising good (and bad) practice. If
Campaigns Team.
you have an issue which is stems from your academic life or is course-based, this is where to bring it. Particularly relevant to: Course Reps, anyone with an outstanding good or bad experience arising from their course. Student Led by: Lorri Millar (Academic Sabbatical) and the SU Academic Team.
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Activities
groups. Also to anyone seeking to address a non-academic issue within their University
For some students social, leisure and sporting
experience.
activities form a large part of their University experience, and through the Activities
Student led by: Tom Underwood (Union
meetings those students can make sure the
Community Sabbatical) and the SU
we way offer such opportunities is aligned
Campaigns Team.
with their needs. Primarily centred on Student Groups (sporting, special interest, hobby
General Meetings
and leisure student-lead clubs and societies) students can raise issues and seek action
Whilst the other four types of meeting are
about any and every activity which the Union
relatively specific in their nature there is also
is involved with.
a ‘higher’ forum as a catch-all for anything that doesn’t neatly fit anywhere else and also
Particularly relevant to: Members of Student
as a place for issues/actions that may be
Groups, specifically the leaders of those
potentially problematic to be referred to. This is
groups.
the General Meeting, where the big issues are taken and where students have a great deal
Student Led by: Rachel Garlick (Student Life
of authority to make significant changes to the
Sabbatical) and the SU Activities Team.
way the Union works.
Campaigns
Particular relevant to: Everyone! As this forum can make wide and sweeping changes to
Within the Union there’s a lot of potential
the way the Students’ Union operates it’s
for non-academic campaigns (such
particularly important you keep an eye on
as environmental concerns, fees/
upcoming meetings, check out the topics
accommodation, access to transport, local
up for debate and make sure you use your
or national political campaigns etc) and it’s
voice to influence the outcomes in your
through raising them at a Campaigns meeting
best interests.
members can direct the Union to act. This is primarily an open door invitation for students
Student led by: Liam Walker (Representation
to bring issues they believe are important in
Sabbatical) and the SU Representation Team.
a wider sense, gather support and carry out campaigning actions with the formal support of the Union. Particularly relevant to: Anyone already engaged in some form of campaigning or activism activity, such as trade unionists, members of environmental or political
The small print... In essence everything you need to know to
of the four elected Sabbatical officers, two
play a full and decisive role in the direction of
elected Student Trustees and three appointed
the Union is above, however there are some
External Trustees (non-students selected for
more ‘behind the scenes’ details that fill out
their specialist knowledge and interest in the
the entire picture, summarised below.
sustainable development of the organisation). Primarily the Trustee Board scrutinises the
All the above meetings are chaired by a
strategic, financial and legal welfare of
position called the Independent Chair, a
the Union, but are also responsible for the
non-affiliated elected officer whose main
organisations reputation and ensure we are in
responsibility is to ensure that these meetings
‘good standing’ with the University.
are run in accordance with the regulations that govern them. They are there to protect
The Trustee Board devolves some of its power
the interests of the membership and help
to be involved in political and campaigning
you get your issues resolved and, where
activities to the entirely student led Executive
appropriate, hold the other elected officials of
Committee (or Exec), which consists of fifteen
the Union to account if they fail to deliver on
elected officers and meets on a three weekly
an action.
basis. Many of the actions you decide at any of the above open meetings will go to
Ultimate responsibility for every action the
Exec to be turned into action on the ground,
Union takes is held by the Trustee Board, who
and it’s here that much of the day-to-day
govern the SU as a charity registered with
implementation of student-lead resolutions
the Charity Commission. This group consists
goes on.
www.thestudentsunion.org.uk |41
Reasons to be involved We might be biased but we do sincerely think it’s in your interest to get involved as much as you can, and here are just two reasons why:
1. You’ve got to be in it to win it
2. Getting your moneys worth
Not only can you make sure the Union is work-
Lets be plain, the Union is mainly funded by
ing on things that benefit you, but put quite
the University who ever more are raising their
simply if you don’t protect your self-interest
revenue directly from you, the students. So the
you could end up being left behind. Are you
wages of the Sabbaticals (who are paid ap-
planning to join a Student Group? Better
proximately £15k a year) is coming out of your
make sure that someone doesn’t cut funding
pocket, albeit indirectly. So make sure you are
to your Group through an Activities Meeting.
getting your moneys worth by making sure they
Are you going to be a teaching student on
are working on priorities set by you and that they
placement? You should ensure that someone
are delivering in line with your best interest.
doesn’t prioritise the Union’s campaign time on something else other than arguing for fair
Unlike public service employees or MP’s (whose
and equal access to placements. From a
salaries you also pay) you have more direct
small campus? If you’re not attending meet-
‘control’ over the elected officers of the Union,
ings then students from the main campuses
you voted them into their jobs and if you feel
are making decisions on actions that benefit
they aren’t delivering you can vote them out
them and possibly not you.
through these meetings.
Dates for Open Meetings in the Autumn term Open meetings can be called by you, so the
If you have an issue you’d like to raise you
schedule below may be subject to addition.
should send it 2-3 weeks before the date of
Finalised dates will always be posted at least
the meeting either to liam.walker@cumbria.
three weeks before a meeting on the SU web-
ac.uk (Representation Sabbatical) or
site and in the Monday morning Global Email
daniel.prescott@cumbria.ac.uk (Representa-
– make sure you check it!
tion & Connections Manager) who will be able to advise on what to do next.
General Meeting – Tuesday 4th October Activities – Thursday 20th October Campaigns – Tuesday 1st November Academic – Wednesday 2nd November Inclusion – Tuesday 15th November General Meeting – Monday 5th December
www.thestudentsunion.org.uk |43
www.thestudentsunion.org.uk |45
Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery Trust
Enjoy a fun-filled day out for all the family! There's something for everyone, from fine art to interactive fun. We have a variety of exhibitions and events throughout the year. Open daily all year except 25th/26th December & 1st January
New Roman Frontier Gallery Now open
Jamie Shovlin: Thy Will be Done 1 October – 27 November A major exhibition which combines objects from Tullie House’s diverse collections with new and existing work by Jamie Shovlin.
Image: © Jamie Shovlin: Echoes Across History, 2009. Elspeth and Imogen Turner Collection
The Monday Alternative Film Season at Tullie House Tickets: £4.50 (£4 concessions)
Tickets available on the door but advance booking recommended. All screenings start at 7.45pm promptly; bar open from 7pm. September – November season ticket £42 (over 18’s only)
BOX OFFICE
01228 618700
Tel: 01228 618718 or visit www.tulliehouse.co.uk Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery Trust Castle Street, Carlisle CA3 8TP
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www.thestudentsunion.org.uk |47