The
March 2010 edition
scene University Strife 8 PAGE SPECIAL
ering Student Volunte Week Update
8 PAGE ELECTIONS SPECIAL
nds Students Raise Thousa of pounds for charity Students Raise Thousands of pounds for charity
www.thestudentsunion.org.uk
FREE
Contents The Current University Situation
p.4 -12
Advice for Ambleside
p. 12-13
UCSU Late Campaign
p. 14
Find out what’s really going on.
Help for students affected by the Ambleside closure
Is your tutor late? Let us know by text!
Representation New Union structure approved by you and more....
p. 16-17
2010 Elections
p. 18-27
National Volunteering Week
p. 28-30
Raising & Giving
p. 31
Activities
p. 34-37
Entertainment
p. 38-43
Have your say, who should lead the Union next year?
Inspiring Futures: Connecting Communities
Students raise thousands for charity
Update from all campuses
Find out what’s going on in and around your campus
The Scene Student magazine is produced by The University of Cumbria Students’ Union. If you would like to advertise in or get involved with The Scene then please contact our Marketing, Design and 3 Communications Coordinator, Hatti Burt on 01228 616164 or email harriet.burt@cumbria.ac.uk.
THE CURRENT UNIVERSITY SITUA WITH ALL SORTS OF DIFFERENT INFORMATION FLYING AROUND THE UNIVERSITY AND A GREAT DEAL OF MEDIA ATTENTION THERE IS NO WONDER SOME STUDENTS WILL BE LEFT CONFUSED AS TO WHAT IS ACTUALLY GOING ON. WE ARE! THIS 8 PAGE SPECIAL AIMS TO HELP YOU ALL UNDERSTAND THE STUDENTS’ UNION IS ON YOUR SIDE AND IS HERE TO HELP YOU THROUGH THIS DIFFICULT TIME. IT INCLUDES: • GOODBYE COURSES - DANNY MORVILLE & BARRY MCGURK OUR VP’S REPORT ON THE STUDENT PROTEST ABOUT THE LOSS OF SOME COURSES AND THE MEETING THAT WAS TO FOLLOW. • STUDENTS WANT TO BE HEARD - AGAIN DANNY MORVILLE GETS OUT AND ABOUT TO GET OUR STUDENTS’ OPINION ON WHAT IS GOING ON. • THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH, AS WE SEE IT - THE STUDENT UNION MEETS THE UNIVERSITY TO GET THE LOW DOWN ON WHAT’S REALLY HAPPENING. • ADVICE FOR AMBLESIDE - WE WANT TO MAKE SURE AMBLESIDE STUDENTS KNOW THEY ARE SUPPORTED AND WILL BE WELCOMED ONTO OTHER CAMPUSES IN SEPTEMBER.
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Goodbye Courses Carlisle VP Danny Morville went down to support students protest to save their courses. Here he reports about what happened on the day. 24th Feb 2010 will be remembered by a number of students as the day they actually stood up to the University. Students from History, Art & Law courses from all campuses arrived into Carlisle strong willed and with voices ready.
But what was so important about this date? Well 24th February would be the date that the University Academic Board would be meeting to discuss proposals for yet more cost cutting measures within faculties. According to newspaper reports and gossip, due to the lack of actual communication between the University & the students, the Law degree, History Degree and some of the Art Degrees were to cease recruitment and this would also lead to the loss of some staff across the faculties.
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The students that attended the demonstration were hoping to get the Academic Board to think carefully about how they affect the students as, the opinion is, that they don’t. Vice Chancellor Peter McCaffery did come out to speak to the students but once again, as with the Ambleside protest, he provided mixed messages and typical University Management jargon. At the time of writing this, the meeting has not finished and we have not heard what will happen. Hopefully by the time you are reading this, we have had an extremely positive outcome and all of the protesting will have been worthwhile.
Lancaster VP, Barry McGurk attended the board meeting which proceeded the courses protest. This is what he had to say following the all important meeting. As you all should know, the Academic Board recently met to discuss the future of various courses across all faculties. Included in this was the future of BA Visual Art, BA History, LLB Law and BA (Hons) Criminology and Law. As a member of the board, and on behalf of the students, I made the concerns and fears of students currently on these courses very clear. We are concerned about the continued support of the students still on these courses and the impact upon the future education of these students. It is our belief, due to the University’s current dire situation, that the board’s mind had already been made up. The perceived threat against Law courses may have been exaggerated due to possible miscommunications/ misunderstanding between the board, teaching staff and students but this will continue this year. The same cannot be said for Visual Art and History, both of which will now be discontinued as of September 2010. I expressed concerns regarding how this will affect the students on these courses currently and was offered guarantees
that they will not be affected. We have asked that the Students’ Union be given a full breakdown of all courses that the University intends to discontinue, in an effort to ensure that we can communicate with students on these courses to monitor if there are any detrimental effects for those students. There have also been cuts on the QTS four year Primary courses with the removal of Science, Maths and History specialisms. The Art and RE specialisms remain under review. What impact this may have in regards to the Lancaster Arts Studio will continue to be discussed. The Students’ Union believes that the University should be held to account for any promises made that are not upheld and will endeavour to support all students who have been affected by these restructuring issues. Please keep us informed of any changes to your courses Barry.McGurk@cumbria.ac.uk
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STUDENTS WANT T By Danny Morville VP Carlisle There seems to be an emerging theme this year at the University of Cumbria. Communication. All around us, everyday, we see how major decisions, made by the heads of the university, affect us. Yet the communication between the top of the university and the students, in both directions, seems to have become virtually nil. 2009/2010 was perceived to be the year of the fresh start for the University. A new Vice Chancellor to lead UoC into the pre-planned future and to enhance its already blooming reputation. Nearly 8 months down the line, the question on everyones lips is “what happened?” Loans & bursaries ridiculously behind schedule, one campus ‘’mothballed’’ with the potential of it happening to another, numerous courses and faculties being threatened with closure and all along the university maintains its stance that this will cause “minimal disruption” and is ‘’for the good of the University”. But surely, these changes should be for the good of the students and a proper consultation process should ensue, not just a question through the Global Email system. The opinions of the students seem to be severely overlooked with staff being asked weeks and even months before about proposed changes. So why does student opinion continue
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to get overlooked & do students think the university actually cares about their opinion? I went out to talk to some students to find out their answer to that question. “No. Not when we aren’t even consulted when it comes to big changes within the faculty.” Anonymous (by request), 3rd year Graphic Design Student, Carlisle Campus “I think the university says it cares about our opinions but I don’t think anyone actually does” Amber Wendl-Berry, FDA Drawing, Carlisle Campus “I believe the University of Cumbria does care about our opinion, we have raised issues with our problems and they do seem sympathetic. But caring about our opinion and then acting on it, is something completely different” Anonymous (by request), 2nd year Diagnostic Radiography, Carlisle Campus “No. They care about finances and what other people think such as the investors and the
TO BE HEARD! governors” Lucy Campbell, 2nd year Occupational Therapy, Carlisle Campus “No, they just try to hush everyone down. They had a meeting for the tutors about the situation about the library [at Brampton Road] but it’s us students they should’ve had a meeting with” Anonymous (by request), 3rd year Journalism, Carlisle Campus “This university (the managers, not lecturers) do not care about my or anyone else’s opinions. The people who should matter, students & lecturers, come second to those in suits” Amy Hayes, 2nd year History, Lancaster Campus “The university doesn’t care. We’re not being told what’s happening by them but finding out through rumours and gossip” Natalia Gronowska, 2nd year Applied Psychology, Carlisle Campus
to the student opinion but always seems to do the complete opposite of what students want” Karl Barnsley, 2nd year Drama, Lancaster Campus “The vice chancellor does not seem to care about the students. He even refused to apologise for publicly stating course cuts before telling us and causing problems within the law faculty” Anonymous, 2nd year Law, Carlisle Campus “I don’t think the university cares about our opinion. The recent cuts have been dealt with in a secretive way. The press have been given more information than the students” Kirsty Hopley, 2nd year Law, Carlisle Campus As you can see, there clearly is a problem with communication between students and staff at the UoC and there needs to be something done about it. In the meantime, keep talking to your Student reps, SU reps and sabbatical officers. These are the people that can help you get your voice heard.
“The university seems to at least pretend to listen intently
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The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth - as we see it... You will be well aware of the University’s financial strife by now. If you haven’t been told that your campus is closing, that your course will be discontinued or that your lecturers have been made redundant, then you will undoubtedly have felt the pinch in another way, what with SDAS merging with the library, the estates department not having the cash to fix windows or the fact the windows package on the pc’s hasn’t been updated since 1842! On the 25th February, the University emailed all students with the latest news. The main focus of the letter was regarding the faculty restructure and discontinuation of some unsustainable courses, which pose issues in their own right, but on closer inspection, there were some other very important things noted in that letter which appeared quite slippery… Because we were worried, we asked the Vice Chancellor about these things and below, you can see our questions, and his responses; Q: Why are you talking to, and treating students and staff as numbers rather than real people, with lives, careers and aspirations? A: We offer a more favourable staff-
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student ratio than any other post-1992 University in England. Q: Students are aware of the problems the University is facing; the statement “reviewing the courses we offer is simply good housekeeping” will not hold water with those affected. Why do you continue to disrespect our students by trying to disguise the truth about what is happening? A: The very, very modest changes to the course portfolio are to courses that are wholly unsustainable, but we remain committed to ensuring that students will be able to graduate from their programme. Q: The letter states that only Lancaster and Carlisle will host full-time degree students. What implications does this have for full-time degree students studying at Newton Rigg and Tower Hamlets? A: Our learning and teaching, learner support and student services compare favourably with the national average as assessed by our own graduates in the last 2 years of the National Student Survey.
Q: Students and other stakeholders, particularly staff, feel that the University has failed to deliver on promises made not too long ago. Following some major management miscalculations, will the University acknowledge responsibility for the situation we now find ourselves in? A: Other than at Ambleside, the financial circumstances facing the University have had no material difference on the quality of the student experience. Q: We were led to believe that Newton Rigg would be reviewed by independent consultants, with that review to be published for further consultation and consideration around March/ April 2010. Why does your letter state that Newton Rigg is now to be a “Gateway Campus”, with undoubted degradation of the learning experience for existing students? How was this decision made, when and by whom? A: We offer more student bursary support than any other University.
Confused?? We were; so rather than continuing to exchange cryptic sidesteps, we went to University HQ at Paternoster Row in Carlisle and tried again… So what is actually going on? Well the statement that only Lancaster and Carlisle would host FT degree students is not at all accurate. What they meant was that Lancaster and Carlisle would be the main base for fulltime degree students. Other campuses would continue to host specialist fulltime courses, so we expect the degree courses at Tower Hamlets and Newton Rigg to be safe for now. What about Newton Rigg being a ‘Gateway’? It seems that the term ‘Gateway’ is one that the University likes – in fact we have two Gateway buildings, one in Carlisle and one in Lancaster despite their clearly different purposes, a number of Gateway sites – Tower Hamlets, Energus, Barrow etc, soon to include Ambleside and also a number of Gateway Managers, whose roles vary dependant upon the buildings, sites and infrastructure at the site which they work. When the letter said that Newton Rigg would become a Gateway, what they really meant was that it wouldn’t be Carlisle or Lancaster. Still confused?? In other words, it will be a specialist teaching site. So we asked does this mean the library and other services will be withdrawn? Well that will come out of the recommendations from the
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review currently being undertaken and we will make sure that the Students’ Union is involved in those discussions before a decision is made. To summarise, the letter tells us about the courses which are being chopped, and these courses are actually unsustainable, so we can understand why they are chopping them. The job of the Students’ Union now is to make sure the students on those courses do not suffer by ensuring sure their courses are just as high quality for the remainder of the course duration as they are right now. Everything else is, well hogwash. It means nothing, so don’t panic just yet. We should be clear though, there is still a possibility that further cost saving measures could mean further cuts in services like library provision or other learning resources, as well as in admin and other support areas of the University. Be assured that the Students’ Union is a step ahead of the game and will be making sure that student opinion is heard by the University authorities and we will be fighting to make sure the collateral damage to your courses and learning experience is as minimal as possible. Wow. What a load of panic and concern caused by such a terribly scripted letter. If you have been affected by what is happening at the minute, or are worried about what might happen, get in touch with Trish Lee, our student advisor on 01524 526576 or suadvice@ cumbria.ac.uk who is well placed to help.
Advice f Amblesi
Our Advice for Ambleside have been affected by the c The Students’ Union knows that there are a number of students with concerns and anxieties about transferring to a different Campus. This is what The Students’ Union is doing for you to try to make you’re transfer easier....
The Library A number of Ambleside students have expressed concerns about having to use a completely new library during their dissertation period. The University has agreed to arrange a number of more in depth library tours for those students to become more accustomed to their new library during the first few weeks of the new academic year. There were also a number of students that were concerned as to what would happen with the resources currently located in the Ambleside Library. The University has confirmed that they will be transferring a proportional amount of those resources to Lancaster and will be paying particular attention to transferring those resources that are most commonly used. The library
for ide
e Students that might current situation. has reassured the Students’ Union that there will be no detrimental effect in terms of resources available – however, if students find that there are less resources available and are unhappy with the resources that have been transferred then please let the Students’ Union know so that the library has an opportunity to resolve any issues and problems.
Knowing your way around The Students’ Union will be producing some new maps of Carlisle and Lancaster that provide detailed information about a variety of venues, restaurants and activities available. It is hoped that this map could be used by all students to be able to more easily familiarise themselves with their new location and also to find pubs, cinemas and family activities that may be interesting to them and their friends e.g. venues that show live music or that have child friendly areas.
Clubs and Societies The Students’ Union is currently exploring how existing Ambleside sports teams can integrate effectively with the groups on their new campus. It is also important to remember that students that have transferred from Ambleside could also set up their own Society if they wanted to retain a sense of their Ambleside Community and Culture. If you would like more information on doing this then feel free to ask in your local Students’ Union Office at Ambleside or when you arrive on your new Campus. If there is anything else that the Students’ Union might be able to help you with or you have worries about transferring then please get in touch with the Students’ Union and let us know.
Contact us on suadvice@cumbria.ac.uk 13
The University of Cumbria Students' Union Late Campaign A number of students have raised their frustrations and have said that they have been suffering because of lectures starting late or being cancelled with no notice. The Students’ Union has organised the ‘Late’ Campaign to find out how many other University of Cumbria students are finding this to be the case. The text based Campaign is not intended to place blame or to put any Lecturers or Tutors on the spot. The Students’ Union fully understands that lectures may need to be cancelled and re-arranged for a legitimate reason, however, in response to communication issues that have been raised by some student Representatives and students, we believe that it is crucial to establish a means of measuring the impact of any disruption caused. The students’ Union also notes that there are many students that travel a range of distances and/ or arrange childcare. This Campaign is also in response to concerns that have been raised by a number of students about the impact of the current plans to restructure Faculties and recent proposals to reduce staffing levels and Course provision. The Students’ Union has made it easy for students to tell us when their lectures start late or are cancelled without notice by using a simple text message. All they have to do is send a
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text message starting with the word ‘CUMBRIA’ followed by the word ‘Late’ or ‘Cancelled’ and include the module code and campus/Site of study to 81025. The Students’ Union will monitor the feedback received and use it to form the basis of Students’ Union representation and recommendations regarding communication about late and cancelled lectures. The information gained will also be collated and given to the University Academic Office at regular intervals. The Students’ Union wants to work with all students and staff to make this a successful campaign. All information received will be dealt with sensitively and will never be shared with any external organisation or used commercially. If you have any questions or want to find out more then contact Trish Lee, the Student Advisor on
trish.lee@cumbria.ac.uk.
Been on Placement? The Students’ Union wants to hear from all Students who undertake a placement as part of their course. To take part in the online survey go to: www.surveymonkey.com/s/PlacementSurvey
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Repres
Students say Yes to the new Union structure! As many of you are aware the Students’ Union has been asking all students to take part in a universitywide referendum vote on the future structure and direction of the Union. We posed the statement/question: “Your Union is evolving.Vote Yes for change.Vote No to stay the same.” We are very pleased that 899 of you voted and we can now announce the results were as follows: Yes for change: 758 (84%) No to stay the same: 138 (16%) (Abstained: 3) And as such the Referendum has passed a Yes vote meaning that the new UCSU Constitution, policy overview and strategic document will be brought into place from July 1st. What does this mean? It means that the students of the Union have sent a firm message that they want their representative organisation focussing on academic improvement and speaking out on behalf of all members no matter where they are based. The first obvious outcome from the changes are in the
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positions open in the current elections. Our thanks to everyone who voted and took the time to participate. The Union proposed the changes as we sincerely believe they will enable students to make lasting positive changes to their university experience and we are very pleased that you have agreed to support the proposals. If you have any questions or queries on what happens next then we’d love to hear from you, please get in touch with Danny Prescott the UCSU Representation and Democracy Co-ordinator on daniel.prescott@cumbria.ac.uk
sentation
Got an issue? We want to know! As part of the Students’ Union’s ongoing drive to be more representative we are keen to allow students to define what the Union’s main campaign objectives are for next year. We have a number of ‘key campaigns’ that are centrally directed across all the sites and campuses for the Union elected officials to follow, and we are eager to let students decide what our key campaigns are for 2010/11. The plan is to invite all students from across all sites to submit ideas for our key campaigns which go into a big list. The Union will then to pick a shortlist based upon popularity and how likely we reckon each one is in terms of achieving positive outcomes, and then put the shortlist (of around 10 or so) to you the students to pick a final 3. These will then form the core of our whole-Union campaigning calendar for the next year.
• • • • • • •
Placements and notice/ handling of them Local student discounts Reductions in contact time with tutors Space utilisation (particularly at smaller sites like London) Effective student voice at University level Report/rating of academic staff based on teaching/contact methods Fair trade status for the University
Please send your suggestions for issues you’d like the Students’ Union to campaign on to daniel.prescott@cumbria.ac.uk
The first few suggestions that have already been received (as examples to give you an idea of what we are talking about) include:
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Elections 2010 on
Representati
Spotlight on the election candidates The Scene has caught up with the candidates for the main posts in the upcoming SU elections, and given them the opportunity to say a few words to all students on why they are standing. Remember you can vote online for your choice 24 hours a day from 1am Monday 8th March to 5pm Friday 19th March and all students from all courses and sites of study have the opportunity to vote! You’ll be able to vote online and can browse the candidates’ manifestos and find links to their Facebook campaign groups online through the UCSU website elections pages
www.thestudentsunion.org.uk/election
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Representation Sabbatical Candidates
The new President role, leading the Students’ Union and being the main point of contact with the University, driving change and overseeing all the Union’s services and activities.
Academic Sabbatical Candidate
A new cross-campus role which drives the Unions’ campaigning on scrutinising and improving the University’s teaching and assessment, striving to bring about a better educational experience for all students.
Union Community Sabbatical Candidates
A new cross-campus role that ensures that the SU keeps all sites and campuses engaged and ensures that students on those sites remain central to the Union’s development.
Student Life Sabbatical Candidates
A new cross-campus position which focuses on health, wellbeing and welfare, and campaigns to improve non-academic provision within the University. This role includes student activities as run by the Union.
Campus Representative Positions
These are campus-specific positions that are there to ensure that there will always be an elected student official based out of the local SU office to hear your concerns, needs and opinions. With a mixture of some paid hours and a lot more volunteer time, these roles take up where the old ‘Vice President’ positions left off!
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MARTIN DODD Representation Sabbatical Candidate I see UCSU as an independent organisation that is open, accessible and importantly representative of its students, yet without being unnecessarily in need of constant engagement and respecting autonomy of individuals.I hope therefore you will see a new structure in which decisions can be made with ease. Next year the union will require strong leadership and careful management in a period that will see major changes whether it’s the movement of Ambleside students’ to other campuses, changing of the faculties or realisation of the struggles the university are currently involved therefore needing an SU that ensures the university doesn’t go back on what they’ve promised you. Sadly in my four years at the University of Cumbria, one year as Carlisle VicePresident for UCSU I have seen a vision of a great new university fade, whether it’s been the reduction in staff and constant restructure of services to meet losses, loss of the Brampton Road library or closure of the Ambleside Campus we have a University who keeps thinking students are just a source of income who will accept mismanagement and deteriorating services. Therefore I am very prepared to bring a different type of leadership to the Union when needed which allows activism but still focuses on those that matter,You the students! I promise to campaign to uphold
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promises of which the university have made under its current state, especially in regards of the movement of Ambleside students as well as recent changes in faculty and service structures. To also campaign and lobby any future threats to course provision or other University of Cumbria campuses. While as much as possible moving from meetings and emails to being available in locations in which allow me to be a more accessible and available lead representative. However I recognise that nothing always goes to plan and I must be prepared to lead the Union into the unknown while promising to uphold the voice of its members.
PATRICK HALL Representation Sabbatical Candidate It’s time for Change Over the past two and half years as a student here I have realised that the majority of students feel that the SU does not represent them. They might visit the bar or use the shop or go a pub crawl but they don’t take part in any campaigns. I fear that people don’t approach the Union for help when they need it and many more do not realise that help is available. I want to make working with the SU a normal part of student life here at the University of Cumbria. I want us all to be able to get what we need from the SU before we even realise we need it. I want the University to know that it is here because of the students it takes for granted and not in spite of them. It’s time for YES As a student body we’re sick and tired of being told ‘No’ by the University. I hope that together we can show that we mean business. If elected I will do my utmost to support any campaign the students choose. I will fight each battle that you think is worth fighting. I don’t want any fellow student to feel under supported or overworked. It’s time for No More Excuses I know that many students are worried that the remainder of their course is
going to be shaped by the dire financial situation the University is faced with. I want to assure you that if elected I’m going to do my best to make sure this doesn’t happen. It’s Time for You I want the Students’ Union to be stronger, bolder and more representative. If elected I look forward to working with all the Representatives to shape the Union into the organisation it needs to be. Together we are stronger, together we can make each experience count; together we are UCSU.
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LORRI MILLAR Academic Sabbatical Candidate A little about me- I’m in my final year of a 4yr QTS specialising in Religious Education. During this time I have been involved with the Students Union, having held officer roles as Academic Affairs, Clubs and Societies,Vice- Council Chair and Acting Council Chair for Union Council. These numerous differing roles have enabled me to gain valuable transferable skills which I could employ if I was successful in this campaign. This in turn should enhance your educational experience and that of all the students of the University of Cumbria.
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I feel that there is a number if issues which could be addressed such as • Students gaining enough specialist lecturers/instructors on whichever degree they are studying on and increasing the amount of contact time for each module. • Campaigning in connection with the ‘late Campaign’ to lobby the university to address issues of timetabling as this affects all students on each campus and course, but also student parents, distance learners and commuters. • Placements are an issue for many but not all courses, and a successful placement can be determined on where you are placed. It is therefore important that the university sees the benefits of selecting the correct person for the correct placement and not placing
students at the last minute. • Within the Students union and the university, I would like to develop the course rep system to construct a system which enables the academic needs of the students to be addressed each year not just noted and never amended. • A continued focus on the Anonymous Marking Campaigns and RARA. • A look at the Universities restructure of faculties and courses. I hope you feel as that I can best represent you as a student in the University of Cumbria. Vote for me in the elections as Academic Sabbatical 2010/2011.
LAURA SMITH Union Community Sabbatical Candidate Hello students! I am Laura Smith and I’m currently a third year BA (Hons) Outdoor Leadership student at Newton Rigg, Penrith I’m running for the Union Community officer position as I believe that the very nature of the University of Cumbria is highlighted in its many different student communities across all the campuses. Due to still being a relatively new university, I believe the sense of community amongst the students should be as important as ever, and there is still a lot to be done as far as access and resources are concerned for ALL students at ALL campuses. Having worked for the Student’s Union for the past three years, I believe I have a good idea of how the SU works and I think this knowledge would make me a significant candidate to be the first Union Community officer. Having been a bar supervisor for the past two years, I have had to be creative and innovative, if a little mad, to come up with new ideas to make the Gin Case successful. As well as working for the Student’s Union, I have also been involved in sports and activities since first year. I have played Netball for the University and represented Newton Rigg in the cross-campus tournaments every year. Becoming captain in second year, gave me huge responsibility and a chance for
me to learn diplomacy, organisational skills, good communication skills and interpersonal skills that I will be able to transfer to the community position. If elected, I intend to be a significant element of the new sabbatical team. Many students were worried about the new SU structure isolating small and remote campuses, but coming from a small campus myself, I will not let this happen. It will be my job to enable students to have an equal access to the Union and its resources as well as putting them in touch with local enterprises and resources off-campus.
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JOE GRIMWADE Student Life Sabbatical Candidate Hello students at the University of Cumbria, my name is Joe Grimwade, most people know me as JOG, I’m a third year BA (Hons) Outdoor Education student at the Newton Rigg campus. In the current elections I am running for the position of Student Life Officer. I’m running for the Student Life Officer position because I understand that students come to university not only to obtain a degree but to enjoy the time they spend there. I also believe that during this difficult period at the University of Cumbria, students are struggling to see the ‘Value for Money’ they get from choosing to study here. I believe the Students Union and the University of Cumbria can and should work harder to provide their students with the best experience possible whilst at university. If elected, I intend on being a driving force guiding the Students Union and University to achieve this. I believe my diverse experience, effective people skills, strong vision and unending drive will be essential in fulfilling the role of Student Life Officer. If elected I intend to: • Enhance the student experience through an increase in SU organised events (because I know students want interesting and exciting things to happen
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but don’t always have the spare time to organise them) • Improve the provision at all the Student Union Bars • Run cross campus events and trips (at suitable times for students and sports teams) • Improving communication between the university and the student body • Ensure that students are aware of the resources they can access from the SU and the University so they can get the highest ‘Value for Money’. The University is in troubled times and the student voice doesn’t appear to be getting heard, we need strong, experienced, driven people with a vision in order to ensure the student voice isn’t ignored. I believe I have these qualities.
LIAM WALKER Student Life Sabbatical Candidate MISSION STATEMENT: To make YOUR University experience FUN & ENJOYABLE and EASY as POSSIBLE: JUST ASK and WE will HELP YOU: SIMPLE AS THAT!!! Hello I’m Liam Walker up for the STUDENT LIFE sabbatical in the up and coming ELECTIONS held in March. I’m currently a 3rd year undergraduate student taking Coaching and Sport Performance at the Lancaster campus. I currently play Hockey for the University and have done for the past 2 years, having been involved in Cricket (1st year) and was Head Coach for the Basketball team during my 2nd year. I have been a course representative in 1st and 3rd year and have been actively involved in improving student life amongst sport this along with being a flat representative in my 1st year – ensuring the University DIDN’T take a hold on student life and ENSURING once again YOUR time is ENJOYABLE. I have been actively involved in community coaching OGANISING & LEADING EVENTS! I am PASSIONATE about SPORT in a variety of activities such as Tennis, Badminton… well basically anything! Ok that’s me in a nutshell, now to what I intend to do. Well firstly I AM HERE for YOU I want YOUR IDEAS no matter how BIG or SMALL: REMEMBER this is YOUR SU don’t be afraid to ASK!!!
Likewise with ANY queries you may have REMEMBER I WORK FOR YOU!!! These may be for a new CLUB or SOCIETY simply we then HELP YOU set it up and FUND YOU – how easy is that!!! I intend to carry on the SU approach which is FRIENDLY and APPROACHABLE and one in which all employees work together to achieve YOUR expectations QUICKLY & EFFICIENTLY! YOU may have noticed im based in Lancaster DON’T WORRY we work EQUALLY AT ALL CAMPUSES, YOU will be HEARD and INCLUDED!!! If you want to know more just ASK and APPROACH me as again IM here for YOU: HOPE TO SEE YOU AROUND SOON!
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TOM DRUMMOND Carlisle Campus Representative Candidate My name is Tom Drummond and following the new UCSU structure I am campaigning to be the new ‘Carlisle Campus Representative’. I am on the Three Year Primary Education (QTS) course and I am currently in my second year. So what does the Carlisle Campus Representative do I hear you ask? Well... I would be the main ‘anchor point’ and the voice of the Carlisle Students. I would also speak on behalf of you to the University, campaigning against current course closures and cutbacks. We came here with high hopes of this University and we should not be let down. Last year I was the Entz officer, helping to provide a wide range of events I was also on the Trustee board as a Student Trustee, which entailed attending meetings to ensure that the Students Union does not meet any financial difficulties and stays on track to meet its core strategy. It is also my desire to unite the two Carlisle campuses - if we were to combine when needed then we would ultimately provide a much stronger force that the university would not take for granted. So in conclusion my aims are to:
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• Represent the Carlisle Campuses to the best of my ability. • Ensure that I am always open and willing to listen to students. • Unite the Brampton Road and Fusehill Street campuses to provide a bigger contingent of combined students so the University will listen. • Work tirelessly to ensure that all three main campuses (Carlisle, Lancaster and Penrith) interact and talk so we all help each other if needs be. • Get answers from the University when questions are asked of them. If the students want answers they should be given outright. • Help campaign and try to stop the current course cut backs. We pay to get the best education we can, not to be let down! • Campaign for better parking for students
NICHOLAS SHAW Penrith Campus Representative Candidate As Penrith Campus Representative I intend to carry on the work of the previous Vice President Elliott Bloomfield. As such I will endeavour to make the student experience at Newton Rigg as good as it can be. This will include supporting the Gin Case to run events and promoting the sports teams and ensuring that their home games are publicised. I also intend to assist the general clubs and societies based at the campus in promoting themselves and arranging activities, social events and day trips. As would be required by the role of Campus Representative I will also ensure that I am available to talk to my fellow students during well published and accurate times from a fixed office, However as an elected official I will also maintain an “open door� policy. By this I mean that I will ensure that my phone number will be available when I am not in the office so that students may contact me outside of those times. Also students may approach me at any time to discuss any issues they may have with their experience at Newton Rigg. If for some reason it is an unsuitable time to talk to any student then I will ensure that a mutually suitable time to talk is arranged as soon as possible. I want every student based at Newton Rigg to have the best time they can during their
period of study and if elected I will do everything I can to ensure that they do. Thank you and please VOTE FOR SHAW!
The polls are now open and will remain so for 24 hours a day until 5pm Friday 19th of March. Any and every student on all full and part time courses can vote and access our secure online voting system here: www.thestudentsunion. org.uk/election
National Student Volunteering W “Inspiring Futures: Connecting C 22nd – 28th February The main project for National Student Volunteering Week was a ‘ground force’ style, garden makeover for the benefit of the residents at the Eden Rural Foyer in Penrith.The Foyer offers housing with support to young people between the ages of 16 to 25. The intention was to promote healthy eating and garden management to the young residents who will be encouraged to grow fruit and vegetables to be used to create home-grown and home-made dishes to sell in their café. As a secondary activity the North West Regional Volunteering Event took place on the Wednesday offering a variety of conservation based tasks to volunteers from Universities across the North West. Here’s a diary of the week’s work… Day One (Monday) - Eden Rural Foyer, Garden Project Having arrived at the Foyer at 10.30am and introduced everyone to each other, we got started on the back yard. The first task was to measure and mark out where the tarmac needed cutting. Claire & Simon worked together to chalk out the layout following Jennifer’s design for the garden. Then all we had to do was cut up and move the tarmac and hard core from the backyard to the side of
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the building, ready for collection first thing the next day – easy!!?
As all the waste from the back yard was being recycled, arrangements had been made with local firm Metcalfes, to collect, transport and break up the tarmac & hard core, ready for use as aggregate on other projects. Armed with pick-axes, shovels & wheelbarrows, we got stuck in. The staff in the cyber café at the Foyer very kindly provided us with their homemade soup, homemade bread and chips for lunch – delicious! By the end of the afternoon, 3 tonnes of tarmac and hard-core was ready for collection and we had the aches & pains as a result of all our efforts! Day Two (Tuesday) - Eden Rural Foyer, Garden Project We arranged to meet at the Foyer at 10am on Tuesday morning. Metcalfes arrived just after we did! UCSU Volunteer, Steve, threw himself into the work. The first 3-tonne load of tarmac
Week Communities” & hard core was shovelled onto the truck and taken away.We then set about getting the next load ready – Metcalfes were coming back at 2.30pm so there was no time to waste. We had the next 4-tonnes ready for collection just in time for lunch.
It was all hands on deck again as soon as Metcalfe’s truck arrived and we got it loaded again. There were just two more areas of tarmac to cut up and remove – we made a start but the rest of it would have to wait till tomorrow. Day Three (Wednesday) - NW Regional Volunteering Event OnWednesday 24th February,volunteers and their coordinators from Universities across the North West; Manchester University, Manchester Metropolitan, Chester, Uclan & University of Cumbria met at MeresandsWood Nature Reserve,
to engage in a variety of conservation tasks. Lancashire Wildlife Trust had set up different tasks/activities for us to choose from; fire building & lighting, shelter building, wood crafts, lopping birch trees and funghi & lichen surveys. It was a very informative, interesting and practical ‘hands-on’ day, which particularly appealed to conservation students from all the universities. Other volunteers said they wanted to try something different and one student added, “It was a great opportunity for a free day out to get away from all her Uni work!” The weather was great too! Day Four (Thursday) - Eden Rural Foyer, Garden Project As I wasn’t at the Foyer on Wednesday, it was fantastic to see the progress that had been made when I arrived there on Thursday morning. All the tarmac and hardcore that needed removing had gone!
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UCSU Volunteers, John, Frank & Seb were already there and had introduced themselves to Simon & Jonathon, the construction landscapers. The first delivery of soil had arrived and everyone was busy shovelling and transporting it, in wheelbarrows, round to the back of the building and filling in the garden beds. Neil was measuring and cutting decking to use as a border for the beds and Simon was fixing it all in place. John, Frank, Seb, Jonathon & Jen were kept busy until lunchtime, moving a total of 9 tonnes of soil and filling in the beds. They were rewarded with homemade mushroom soup, lovely homemade bread & chips.
to lift the flags on the pavement in front of The Foyer to construct and fix more beds ready for tree planting.
Later in March we intend to have some planting days so keep an eye out for requests for more volunteers and sign up! Thank you to all our volunteers who participated in volunteering activities for National Student Volunteering Week
After lunch Frank, John & Seb had to get away for lectures so the rest of the team continued with the decking and started to line it ready for a new delivery of soil!
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Day Five (Friday) – Eden Rural Foyer, Garden Project Simon advised that as we were ahead of schedule, they would finish off the lining on the Friday and gave our hardworking volunteers a well-deserved break! At the time of going to print, there was still more soil to be delivered and transported to the backyard beds the following week, when they also intended
Please register online at www. thestudentsunion.org.uk/volunteering to receive our latest bulletin and to find out what’s coming up next. If you are looking for a specific volunteering opportunity email Emma at suvolunteering@cumbria.ac.uk
University of Cumbria Students Raise Thousands of Pounds for Charity The University of Cumbria Students’ Union Raising and Giving (RAG) Society is celebrating raising over £4000 for charity since its formation in Spring 2008. The RAG Society have helped to raise £1000 for Cystic Fibrosis, £1000 for St Johns Hospice, £1000 for Derian House Children’s Hospice, £370 for Children in Need, £600 to Haiti, £100 for READ International and £100 to the North West Air Ambulance. The RAG Society has held RAG Weeks in both 2008 and 2009, involving organising fun days and a sponsored abseil down a University building. Other recent RAG charity events have included ‘RAG and Roll’ where local and student bands played for free. The Society is currently working alongside other students to help raise money for READ International and the British Heart Foundation. Lorri Millar, RAG Society President, and I visited Derian House near Chorley in Lancashire which benefited from £1000 of the money that has been raised.Whilst there we had the opportunity to not only hand over the cheque but to have a chat with Roya Khadem, Volunteers and Fundraising Co-ordinator. Derian House Children’s Hospice opened its doors in 1993 and currently supports almost 300 families who have a child with a terminal or life threatening illness and far more families receive
bereavement support. It was astonishing to realise the sheer cost of running the hospice and we were shocked to discover that it cost approximately £6000 to run the hospice for just one day. It was clear that the hospice must face the need to raise ever increasing amounts to continue the specialised care that these children need. Especially as it is already extending it buildings and provision to care for young adults, enabling them to care for their children as they get older. The generosity and genuine hard work displayed by members of the RAG Society and fellow students has enabled us to really make a difference and allows us to show the many ways in which we can contribute locally and nationally. Keep your eyes open for more RAG events in the future and hopefully we can continue to make a difference. If you would like to know more about what the RAG Society does and how you can help, email Lorri Millar at suclubslan@cumbria.ac.uk Written by Barry McGurk
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New Slimline Ladies Hoodies £28 or £25 with NUS card unisex hoodies also available in variety of colours
£23 or £20 with
nus card
Get yours now from the Student Shop or your local SU Office
Activities News from the activities team Carlisle
A meeting was held on Wed 3rd March 2010 for all Affiliated Activity Groups, AAG’s. This was to give positive support to all participants currently based here in Ambleside; to find out and help everyone who wants to transfer their club to another campus, with others it offered advice about closing their club and a chance to find out about opportunities at the other campuses. Items under discussion included the Cross Campus Tournament, which is to be held in Lancaster this year on Weds 24th March, and up to now, teams entering include basketball, football, frisbee, hockey, and netball. Check the posters that are around and come and see Chris in the SU office if you are interested in getting involved and taking part! Also being discussed is the end of year dinner for all AAG’s to celebrate all that they have done, again please come in to the SU office if you want to help or get involved in any way. It has been a hard time for all sports since Christmas with the bad weather we have been having and lots of re-arranging, but there have been no serious injuries and the teams have enjoyed their games (when they have played!)
BUCS Scores of 2010 Men’s Basketball UoC Carlisle 68 – 67 York Men’s Basketball UoC Carlisle claimed Walkover V Teeside Currently stand 6th in Northern Conference Men’s 4B
Don’t forget, anyone with any concerns or problems regarding the transition, do come and see Chris in the SU office,WE ARE HERE TO HELP!
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Activities
Ambleside
Men’s Football 1st UoC Carlisle 4 – 3 Salford Currently stand 2nd in Northern Conference Men’s 7C Men’s Football 2nd UoC Carlisle 2 – 9 Liverpool Men’s Football 2nd UoC Carlisle 2 – 2 Bolton Currently stand 7th in Northern Conference Men’s 7A Women’s Netball UoC Carlisle 27 – 26 Lancaster Women’s Netball UoC Carlisle 2 – 64 Manchester Women’s Netball UoC Carlisle 36 – 58 Lancaster Currently stand 6th in Northern Conference Women’s 5A The International Students’ Society has held an AGM and is currently awaiting ratification. Shibu Augizstian was elected as the Chairperson and can be contacted on cashibu@hotmail.com for anyone interested in becoming a member.This is currently located at the Carlisle Campus
www.thestudentsunion.org.uk/activities
although the possibility of involving students from across all the campuses is looking very likely to enhance the International Student Experience. Please get in touch if you are interested in getting involved!
Penrith
The Sports Massage Clinic is currently running until Thursday 29th April 2010 (exc. Easter week) located in the Exercise and Health Clinic opposite the Learning Gateway at Fusehill Street Campus. Massages cost ONLY £2 for the HOUR. This is open to students, staff, family and friends of ALL Campuses provided they can travel to Carlisle. Appointments are based on a first-come first-served basis and can be booked through Hayley McCowan in the SU Office (Skiddaw Building ground floor) 10 slots available on 3 days (Monday 18:15 – 19:15, Wednesday 9:30 – 10:30, Thursday 18:15 – 19:15) Payments must be made at the time of booking.
Mens Rugby Union UoC Penrith 22-24 Central Lancashire Men’s Rugby Union UoC Penrith 24-17 Salford Currently stand 4th in Northern Conference Men’s 5A
Cross Campus Tournament – Lancaster Campus Wednesday 24th March 2010. Payments £5, the first 50 receive a free t-shirt. Head down to the SU Office, payments must be made prior to event to secure your place on the coach!
Sports Massage Carlisle £1 PER HALF AN HOUR £2 PER HOUR Bookings taken at Fusehill St Students’ Union office.
Pop in to find out more!
Men’s football UoC Penrith 2-3 Chester (Warrington) Currently stand 6th in Northern Conference Men’s 7A
New societies (AAGs) due to be affiliated soon are: The wildlife Conservation Society, The Project Gambia Society and The Forest Garden Society. If you would like any information about these activity groups or would like to sign up to become a member of them, please contact Sam in the SU Office. The Penrith and Ambleside Paddling Clubs are joining together to enter the National Student Rodeo Competition in Nottinghamshire in March. This is the Worlds largest freestyle competition and this year’s theme is “Ancient Worlds”. There are many events held including the K1 Extreme Slalom, C1 and Squirt and the Duo. We wish all the entrants the best of luck and will keep everyone posted on how they get on in next months issue. If you are interested in getting involved and/or taking part in the Cross Campus Tournament, on the 24th March 2010 in Lancaster, please come and see Sam in the SU office.
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Lancaster March is certainly going to be an exciting month down here on the Lancaster Campus with the culmination of the British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) season, the Cross Campus Tournament and SSWISH presentation evening. As we approach the last month of the BUCS season, three Lancaster campus based teams have already secured silverware and several others are within touching distance. Men’s Rugby League and Rugby Union teams both secured their League championships with resounding wins during early February. The Rugby League team are now embarking on their quest for Cup glory and travelled to Newcastle where they defeated Super 8 outfit Northumbria. They have progressed to a semi-final clash with another Super 8 team, Hull University on Wednesday 3rd March. Women’s Football also secured a second consecutive League title by soundly defeating Chester and now move up to the dizzy heights of Tier 1. Both Men’s & Women’s Hockey are within touching distance of winning their respective Leagues. The women’s team beat second placed Chester 5 – 1 and now need only one point from their two remaining games to be champions. Whilst Men’s Hockey had one hand on their League title last week whilst holding out for a draw against Glyndwr University, but it was snatched from their grasp with the last flick of the game as Glyndwr ran out winners. However the
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title now rests with the Men having to beat lowly Bolton at home, in the first week in March to secure the crown. Other possible title contenders are Women’s Netball who have back to back games against Liverpool which will decide who carries off the spoils and Men’s Badminton who need to beat MMU Manchester in their last game of the season and hope that Bangor lose their last game against MMU Cheshire. The Cross Campus tournament is staged at Lancaster for the very first time on Wednesday 24th March and along with the traditional Football, Rugby, Netball, Hockey, Basketball, Badminton & Frisbee, this year it will feature Pool,Wii, Rowing, Strongest Person and Campus Tug of War. It is hoped that each campus will be represented in each event and to encourage this we have ordered T Shirts which are available to the first fifty (50) students from each campus that pay their £5 entry fee.That £5 covers cost of transport to and from Lancaster, lunch provided by Walkabout, entry into all events and that all important ‘Campus T Shirt’. Again on Wednesday 24th March, we have the very successful SSWISH presentation evening down here in ‘SAINTS’ when all AAG’s will hope to pick up a trophy. Up for grabs are Society & Sports Team, Personality, Players Player and Team and Volunteer of the Year Awards. The event which is always packed to capacity in SAINTS will then continue with the Sports & Societies Winners in Sugar House Party.
There’s a new way to get around town coming to our Lancaster Campus in March. We’ve got 50 brand new Trek urban bikes to loan out to students from just £35 per year. The bikes come with a lock and lights and you can take advantage of the new secure parking installed outside The Gateway and Waddell Hall. You can find out full details of how to loan a bike at www.cumbria.ac.uk/velocampus or visit the display during Vitality Week at The Gateway foyer from March 15th. As a special introductory offer you can loan a bike from March 2010 to August 2011 for just £35 (normal cost £70). Bikes will be loaned on a first-come first-saved so get in quick as they’re sure to be popular!
What sort of cross campus activities would you like to get involved in? Would you be interested in a cross campus camping opportunity? DEVELOPMENT GRANT UPDATE The second round deadline was on 5th March. Successful Activity Group Applications for the first round came from two Netball Teams (Penrith and Lancaster), Salsa Group (Lancaster), Outdoor Activities (Lancaster) and Swimming and Water Polo (Lancaster)
Wed 24th March 2010 @ Lancaster Registration at 10-10.30am with buses bringing students to Lancaster from Ambleside, Carlisle and Penrith.
£5 to take part includes events entry, food and Campus T-Shirt. (Limited numbers available) Events to include Football, Rugby, Hockey, Netball, Basketball, Badminton, Frisbee, Tug of War plus Archery and Mini Games at the Saints Bar. Get to your local SU Office or Sports Complex for more details
THE BRICKYARD IN CARLISLE PRESENTS....
1/2 PRICE ENTRY FOR STUDENTS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CUMBRIA
Coming soon Tickets for UCSU Graduation, Valedictory and Summer Balls Please go to www.thestudentsunion.org.uk for further details
Double up for ÂŁ1 Available on all spirits. Valid Monday to Friday in The Gin Case, The Overdraught and Saints. Offer not available in conjunction with any other promotions.
AVAILABLE EVERY DAY @ THE GIN CASE, SAINTS BAR & THE OVERDRAUGHT
2 for 1 on all cocktails
Valid until 31st of March with this voucher in The Gin Case, Saints and The Overdraught. Offer not available in conjunction with any other promotions.
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The
Guide Thur 11th March
Fri 12th March
Sat 13th March
Sun 14th March
Mon 15th March
W 1 M
Ambleside
Pirates V’s Ninja’s @ The OD FREE until 8.30pm, £2 after. Starts 7pm
Town Takeover Green party @ Walkabout
Carlisle Lancaster Penrith
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Tues 16th March
Acoustic Night @ Saints
St Pa Day Saint Suga Poker Night @ The Gin Case
Six Nations @ The Gin Case
Six Nations & Film Fight @ The Gin Case
Race Night @ The Gin Case
Biggest Pancake Comp & Battle of the DJ’s @ The Gin Case
Wed 17th March
Your complete guide to everything going on in and around the Students’ Union across all campuses through March & April.
Fri 19th March
Sat 20th March
Sun 21st March
Tues 23rd March
BIG FRIDAY @ The OD FREE until 8.30pm, £2 after. Starts 7pm
Wed 24th March
Fri 26th March Drink the bar dry @ The OD FREE until 8.30pm, £2 after. Starts 7pm
End of Term party @ Walkabout
atricks @ ts & The arhouse
SWISH @ Drink the bar Saints & dry @ Saints The Sugarhouse Poker Night @ The Gin Case
Six Nations @ The Gin Case
Film Fight @ The Gin Case
Beach Party Drink the bar dry @ The Gin Case. From 8pm. £1 before 9pm, £2 after
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