The Squealer / ISSUE 1 by Julia Ivanszky

Presents n o i n U dents’

ria Stu b m u C y of t i s r e v uni

Who w be the ill Panel next reps?

OCTOBER 2015 | ISSUE 1

PANEL ELECTIONS

Find out what it is and how it can help change your university experience! page.7

FRESHERS’ WEEK

Check out a few of the images from Freshers’ Week and follow the links to find more! page.12

Contents.

12 10

3 11 OFFICERS

STUDENT GROUPS

VOLUNTEERING

STUDENT ACADEMIC REPS

YOUR IDEAS

THE PANEL

ECO UCSU

SUPPORT / SMART

Welcome. FRESHERS’ WEEK

Hey, hi, hello! Welcome to the first edition of the UCSU Squealer! This new magazine is all about celebrating and promoting the awesome student-led activities and events happening throughout the University of Cumbria community, as well as keeping you up to date with what your elected officers are up to and other news from UCSU, NUS and the University. We’re incredibly proud to represent and support you and we hope you enjoy reading and contributing to the ‘The Squealer’ in the months ahead. In this first edition, The Squealer takes a look back at Freshers’ and talks more about the opportunities and services provided by UCSU . Also inside this issue we talk about the nominations for our forthcoming Panel elections! Find out more inside about how the panel could make a difference to your education and student experience and make sure you have your say when voting opens on 30th October! So without further ado …. read on to find out more about UCSU and discover what you love!

If you’d like to contribute to future editions, please send us an email to students.union@cumbria.ac.uk and let us know how you’d like to get involved – maybe you’re a budding journalist with an exciting student story to tell, or a photographer that may like to cover a student event or sports fixture, or maybe you just have some fun and engaging ideas for content.

CONTACT US / You can get in touch with UCSU in a number of different ways! / Website: www.ucsu.me – you can access all services and opportunities via the website, including access to Student Groups, Volunteering, Support and Events / Email: student.union@cumbria.ac.uk or you can get in touch with your elected officers directly from the home page of the website / Social Media: Facebook/ cumbriastudentsunion Twitter/CumbriaSU Instagram/Cumbria_SU / Telephone: 01228 616272 (Carlisle) / 01524 590810 (Lancaster) / Offices: Carlisle Fusehill Street Learning Gateway (Ground Floor), Carlisle Brampton Road Long Corridor (Ground Floor), Lancaster Gateway Building (Ground Floor).

THE SQUEALER | OFFICERS

OFFICERS. UCSU is led by an elected team of Full Time Officers. Each officer has responsibility for different areas of the student experience. Introducing…

“This year I will be launching the brand new SMART campaign, as well as leading the CUT THE COSTS CAMPAIGN - I will be taking the fight to the Government about the maintenance grants you should be keeping!”

IZAAK KORONEOS

ADAM MATHER

ADEN FRY

Hi, I’m Izaak Koroneos and I’m your elected full time Academic Officer. Before this, I have been the Chair of The Panel and the Independent Chair of UCSU. But this year I have been given an amazing opportunity by being elected into office as your Academic Officer. I handle issues arising from your course - these could be timetable changes, quality of teaching and resources, placement issues and I also help oversee the Student Academic Reps system. I’m your lead officer and first point of contact for all matters concerning your academic experience at the University of Cumbria. This year I will be launching the brand new SMART campaign, as well as leading the CUT THE COSTS CAMPAIGN - I will be taking the fight to the Government about the maintenance grants you should be keeping! I will also be working very closely with the Student Academic Reps to improve their role and help you make any changes you need to enhance your university experience! My email is, izaak.koroneos@cumbria.ac.uk

Hi, my name is Adam Mather and I am your elected Welfare & Support Officer. UCSU is dedicated providing you with opportunities to have fun, challenge yourself, as well as ensuring you have the best possible experience during your time here. I represent the health and wellbeing services (mental, physical, and sexual health) and I also help students gain access to support services, volunteering opportunities, and student groups. Additionally, I sit on University Board meetings to represent you and ensure adequate welfare provisions & support is available to all students. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me, I’d love to hear from you! I will also be around on campus throughout the year so make sure you come and say hi! My email is adam.mather@cumbria.ac.uk

Hey all, sometimes university doesn’t always go to plan, we are here to support you throughout your student life, to make the most of your opportunities. I’m Aden Fry, I was re-elected this year for my second and final term as your Community & Partnership Officer. As officers we lead the work of UCSU - part of this job is to lobby and work with the university to improve your student experience. Additionally, my responsibilities cover promoting access and participation in Student Groups, Volunteering and environmental projects. I also work with and create partnerships within the local community at your campus and your student community this can involve building work at your campus to improve facilities, finding employability routes within the local area, promoting student events, seeking opportunities within your community to implement the skills you have learned from your course, or even just to have a bit of social fun. So, anything you need within these areas give me a shout, our most important job is to support and represent your interests and needs! My email is aden.fry@cumbria.ac.uk

HEY, IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN RUNNING AS AN OFFICER, WHY NOT RUN IN OUR NEXT ELECTION? 3

THE SQUEALER | STUDENT GROUPS

STUDENT GROUPS. OVERHEARD ON FACEBOOK! Nursing Society commented on Fresher’s Fair CARLISLE and Fresher’s Fair LANCASTER on Rob Ward (Groups) I always picked Charmander. But I like bulbasaur except grass is so weak. For DnD, I play 5e mostly, including GM it. As for Nursing, I am now a 2nd year Mental Health Nursing student and involved in Nursing society and SQA project. The Nursing society is more trying to link together students, focus on big socials, and some extra nursing stuff because as you find out first year, placements can get lonely sometimes, Gaming society helped keep my link with the University by meeting other students regularly for fun. WHAAAAT!? If defence are standing on each other's backs, then Betty better get practicing at her crouching so I can do the same!

BUSHCRAFT GROUP | AMBLESIDE

SPORT GROUPS | LANCASTER

Do you like cake? Then you’ll love us at the FRESHERS FAIR tomorrow!! The theme is freshers dress up as babies, second years are chavs and third/fourth years are grannies!! Should be a good night, can’t wait to see everyone’s outfits! Also, if they’re any talented little cookies amongst you, you can get up and have a sing song. I know I will be!

ECO GARDENS | CARLISLE

Rob Ward (Groups replied to a comment on Fresher’s Fair CARLISLE and Fresher’s Fair LANCASTER on Rob Ward (Groups) WANT TO GET INVOLVED? GO HERE: WWW.UCSU.ME/GROUPSHOME

GAMING SOCIETY | LANCASTER

JOIN US!! HONESTLY.. YOU WILL ENJOY IT ^.^

LANCASTER FRESHER’S FAIR 4

THE SQUEALER | VOLUNTEERING

VOLUNTEERING. UCSU Volunteer Wetheriggs Animal Centre Saturday 3rd October 2015

Photographs taken by Xu Ping Ping

Would you like to make new friends, have fun, gain extra experience, build your skills or enhance your CV? Maybe you’d like to apply the learning from your course or do something that benefits someone else or the environment? Volunteering can help you do all this! Volunteering is any activity that involves spending time, unpaid, doing something that aims to benefit the community, environment or individuals who are not related to you. At UCSU we facilitate dozens of different volunteering opportunities throughout the year, and can support you to set up your own volunteering activity. For more information, or to register for an opportunity, visit the UCSU website www.ucsu.me/volunteering or you can follow our stories on our blog www.ucsuvolunteering.wordpress.com. You can also contact Kati Brown at kati.brown@cumbria.ac.uk.

On a misty cold morning a group of twenty students plus two leaders gathered in the wilderness of Durham at the Wetheriggs Animal Rescue Centre based neatly inside Thorpe Farm Centre. After a quick cup of tea to warm us up we were ready and willing to get involved, Terry the owner, split us into groups, some were to mingle with chicks and hens cleaning out their coops and others had the hands on task of clearing a large area of nettles to make way for future renovation. I was in the latter group and quickly made use of a falconry glove to pull nettles and weeds out, as the pigs in the outhouse next door were very vocal in entertaining us. We soon got into a routine with wheelbarrows making multiple trips filled with nettles that would be dried out and fed to the goats, some braver than others got right into the thick nettles as the rest of us raked the ground of leftover weeds. Time soon flew by and lunch came round, some of us gathered with our packed lunches whilst others made use of the on site café to a toasty jacket potato all excited in anticipation of meeting the animals currently in care with the center. As promised after lunch, Terry gave us all a tour, some were daring enough to get friendly with a snake and a tarantula before we made our way outside to meet goats, donkeys, a new Shire horse all whilst petting alpacas and llamas, but trying not to get spat on! It was like a wonderful scene out of Beatrix Potter as ducks and geese followed us round the site keeping us company, with the final section of the tour getting to see some gorgeous baby donkeys hidden in the nearby woodland. After the short entertainment we were to get back to work clearing the land out. A lot of wood debris meant we soon ran out of time to completely finish our task, however a good two thirds of the area has now been cleared to ease the task of renovation and improving the homes of where these animals live. A quick photo opportunity later and all tired and proud of our achievements we jumped onto the buses and made our way home still among the low cloud of Cumbria. It’s easy to see how passionate Terry is about the centre, having a nest egg of knowledge and background regarding all the animals on site and filling us in on the many volunteers that have stayed loyal to him in ensuring they all lead a good, healthy life. Whilst tendering to nettle stings it was easy to see it was a brilliant day out meeting new people, getting involved in a very worthy cause and making the most of our spare time whilst at University; if any of you have a spare day free, why not put your time to good use and get involved in your local community. By Katie Bagshawe Final Year Computing Student Fusehill Street, Carlisle 5

THE SQUEALER | YOUR IDEAS | STUDENT ACADEMIC REPS

YOUR IDEAS.

“CHANGE WILL NOT COME IF WE WAIT FOR SOME OTHER PERSON OR SOME OTHER TIME. WE ARE THE ONES WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR. WE ARE THE CHANGE THAT WE SEEK.” Barack Obama

STUDENT ACADEMIC REPS. “As students, our voice is heard throughout the University so we don’t need anything else, right?” Kind of but Student Academic Reps make sure that such voices are focussed, well framed and targeted in the right place and that makes your voice all the more powerful! There should be a rep in about every course delivered by the University. Once nominated, they receive training to bring about changes which affect the day-to-day running and delivery of your course. A course without a rep can be like a ship without a captain....don’t leave yours swaying aimlessly in the waves! If you’d like to become a Student Academic Rep for your course, speak to your tutor NOW! You can find more info about the role by visiting www.ucsu.me/reps. For any queries, e-mail Katia, katia.riley@cumbria.ac.uk. 6

CHANGE IS NOT POSSIBLE IF... #There is no obvious place where you can feed in your suggestions/queries/ thoughts #Your comments are lost in complicated and lengthy bureaucracy #Your ingenious insights stay inside your head Your Ideas are what we need in order to focus our work as a Students’ Union to where it matters most to you! Concerned about insufficient lighting on campus? Study rooms with poor or no Wi-fi? The feedback for the work you submit does not help you to move on? Can never find the books you need? Would like opportunities to meet students in other courses? TELL US! Submit your Idea at www.ucsu. me/yourideas or use your Ideas Pad and post your suggestion in one of our Ideas boxes dotted around all campus sites. Don’t worry about content and grammar...say it as you mean it and we’ll sort it! We will look at every suggestion, idea, comment provided and decide where to refer it on your behalf and we will get in touch with you to keep you posted on what happens. You can submit your Idea at any time and in any place.... If you want some help logging it, come and see us in one of our offices (if applicable) and we’ll do our best to help out! Some ideas will be referred to the Panel for decisions and action. Make sure that your Idea is submitted in time for the next meeting! DEADLINES THIS YEAR ARE: 2nd November 2015 11th January 2016 7th March 2016 11th April 2016

THINK IT....SAY IT....DO IT!

THE SQUEALER | THE PANEL

THE PANEL ELECTIONS. So what’s the fuss about? The Panel is a group of people who broadly represents all students at University. They gather together four times a year to discuss what actions to take on the ideas submitted in by all the students and to check on the work of the Officers. Because these representatives are allowed to speak on your behalf, they are chosen by you, via full election. Why should I bother running as a candidate? Granted, elections are not everybody’s cup of tea but if you like taking charge and get frustrated by lack of action, this is a way to make sure that you are in the driving seat!

THE PANEL POSITIONS.

You get all the support you need from us, so what have you got to lose? “When it comes to getting a job, qualifications are only part of the story. Prospective employers are also looking for practical skills such as teamwork, problem-solving and effective communication (from the Guardian/Education website). Being a Panel representative is a way to achieve that and to make sure that you stand out above the rest! You don’t believe us? Look at some of the comments from last year’s representatives!

They represent the diverse nature of students at Uni. WOMEN STUDENTS’ REP

DISABLED STUDENT REP

They monitor the Academic Quality in their Departments.

LESBIAN, GAY, BI-SEXUAL, TRANS-GENDER AND QUEER STUDENTS’ REP

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, LAW, POLICING AND SOCIAL SCIENCE STUDENTS’ REP

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ REP

DEPARTMENT OF NURSING, HEALTH AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE STUDENTS’ REP

BRAMPTON ROAD STUDENTS’ REP

RETURNING TO EDUCATION STUDENTS’ REP

DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE, NATURAL RESOURCES AND OUTDOOR STUDIES STUDENTS’ REP

FUSEHILL STREET STUDENTS’ REP

PART-TIME STUDENTS’ REP

INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION STUDENTS’ REP

They lead the meetings and make sure they happen.

LANCASTER STUDENTS’ REP

DISTANCE LEARNING STUDENTS’ REP

DEPARTMENT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, PSYCHOLOGY AND SOCIAL STUDIES STUDENTS’ REP

They preserve the interest and development of societies and sport groups.

CHAIR

AMBLESIDE STUDENTS’ REP

BLACK AND ETHNIC MINORITY STUDENTS’ REP

DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL AND SPORTS SCIENCE STUDENTS’ REP

STUDENT SPORTS GROUPS REP

DEPUTY CHAIR

LONDON STUDENTS’ REP

POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS’ REP

CUMBRIA INSTITUTE OF THE ARTS STUDENTS’ REP

STUDENT SOCIETIES REP

They consider the needs of students studying in different locations / Ambleside, London, Fusehill St., Lancaster & Brampton Rd.

NOMINATIONS FOR THE PANEL CLOSE AT 5PM ON THURSDAY 29TH OCTOBER, SO GET THEM IN!

Nominations are OPEN NOW!!! If you’d like to nominate yourself or a friend to be on The Panel, you can do that here – www.ucsu.me/thepanel 7

THE SQUEALER | THE PANEL

WHAT THE PANEL DID FOR ME. “IT’S A GREAT WAY TO CHANGE HOW YOUR STUDENTS’ UNION IS RUN. DON’T LIKE SOMETHING? DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.” “This is the best experience that I had to meet new people, and improve my understanding of different cultures by communicating / working with the team.”

"Altruistically, I've enjoyed being part of a team that's really fighting for the student voice to be heard. It's very gratifying to hear when the University Boards have changed or done something to make student life better, because of us. I think the Panel is a great way to enhance skills and build confidence. Plus, if you're super busy, it's a way to volunteer and help others which doesn't take up lots and lots of time."

“ I feel being on the panel has been a great experience! Not just meeting fellow students who care and want to see change but a great place to feel your voice is being heard and important decisions are made because you have had a say! Definitely worth looking into!”

THE SQUEALER | THE PANEL

OK, SO WHAT IF I DO NOT FANCY GETTING INVOLVED AS A REP? Once elected the reps will effectively make decisions on your behalf. An engaged, passionate rep can create groups or societies from which you and other students can benefit OR bring about further improvements to your academic experience OR make suggestions that positively affect your Uni life...

WHEN VOTING OPENS ON 30TH OCTOBER, DON'T LEAVE THINGS TO CHANCE! GET THE RIGHT CANDIDATE TO DO THE JOB FOR YOU!!

SKILLS GAINED

ABOVE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE LOOKED INTO LAST YEAR...

CONFIDENCE CHAIRING CONTRIBUTING TO MEETINGS GIVING EXPLANATIONS CHALLENGING DEBATING DECISION MAKING GATHERING FEEDBACK BUILDING EFFECTIVE RELATIONSHIPS BEING OBJECTIVE NEGOTIATION FORMAL MEETING RULES PROBLEM SOLVING SUPPORTING OTHERS MAKING A CHANGE FEELING USEFUL SHARING OUR VIEWS

Because of the Panel, #Lancaster students now have a chilling area in the Gateway Building #London students are on their way to having lockers #Cumbria cards will have an expiry date in years to come #Laptops to become available for longer term loan in emergencies The upshot is... WHO GETS ELECTED MATTERS!!

VOTING DATES VOTING OPENS 9:00AM FRIDAY 30TH OCTOBER VOTING CLOSES 17:00PM FRIDAY 6TH NOVEMBER 9

THE SQUEALER | ECO UCSU | ECO WARRIORS

ECO UCSU. ECO WARRIORS.. Summer 2015 saw our first ever Eco Warrior Schools projects, and they were amazing, and very well received! Eco Warriors has developed to be a widely influential project, involving UCSU Student Volunteers, UCSU, Local schools, their teachers and lots and lots of primary school children in sustainability! The 2015 pilot project saw Eco Warrior Schools work with Ambleside C of E Primary and Lancaster Bowerham Primary, both receiving bespoke workshops and activities to learn all about sustainability! In Ambleside tutors wanted students to focus on the sustainability within their locality, for school pupils to develop and engage with sustainability at a local level where they are able do something about it. Student Volunteers designed a map of sustainable land marks and natural elements such as trees, recycling facilities and renewable power sources for the pupils of Ambleside C of E primary to navigate themselves around the town. Under the watchful eye of some of our brilliant Volunteers, the pupils of years 5 and 6 learnt about their local area and how they can better look after it. Eco Warrior Volunteers guided pupils through the techniques of using a map, identifying tree species, sourcing local food, and supporting their local economy through a series of activities and games. They also engaged in a half day research and debate session on renewable energy, which got very heated!! 10

At Lancaster Bowerham Primary, Volunteers worked with younger pupils in years 1 and 2! Focusing on Plants, helping the children identify parts of the plants, plant their own seeds and understand what they need to help them grow. Volunteers designed a small drama session for the children to act out a plants life cycle, some danced around as rain drops, others as rays of sunshine, and a lucky few got to be the seeds that grew into the plants! This is a very rewarding project to be involved in as you can instantly see the impact and learning, in the children and the teachers! Volunteers have also gained essential work experience with children, many of which can use it to help towards their degrees and future career paths! This is a great experience for all students, whether you are interested in working with children, the environment, sustainability in general, project management or just want to get involved in something a little bit different! UCSU will be providing training on project management and workshop design to all those who would like to be involved! Volunteers will be supported to design, develop and deliver bespoke workshops for the Primary School children. Explore our web pages at www.ucsu.me/eco to find out how you can get involved and sign up for specific sessions! Or email Josie at Josephine. carding@cumbria.ac.uk!

THE SQUEALER | SMART | SUPPORT

“PRACTICAL, ENJOYABLE, EXPERIENCE, PARTNERSHIP, BENEFICIAL.” “…IT WAS A GREAT ENRICHMENT EXPERIENCE FOR THE CHILDREN WHICH LINKED VERY WELL WITH WHAT WE LEARN IN SCIENCE AT THIS TIME OF YEAR” “CHILDREN ENJOYED THE EXPERIENCE AND WERE ENGAGED.”

SMART. SUPPORT. SOMETIMES THINGS DON’T ALWAYS GO TO PLAN, BUT DON’T PANIC! UCSU offers a friendly, free and independent support service - whether it’s a question about an assignment, course issues, non-academic problems, your health & wellbeing or you just want an informal chat, UCSU is here to make sure you can bounce back! SMART Campaign – led by Academic Officer Izaak Koroneos, SMART aims to provide students with enhanced knowledge and understanding of university rules and regulations. We hope this will reduce the number of problems and issues faced by students in various aspects of their student life – from submitting assignments and bibliography right through to social media conduct, housing issues and appeals process. UCSU has always helped students to understand their rights at university and we now have a system where students can access and understand them in an easier way. Look out for the SMART Owl at your campus! You can find out more about the SMART campaign via the UCSU website and Facebook pages.

INFORMATION & ADVOCACY

Get

Sstay aART step ahead. WWW.UCSU.ME

Mexican Madness Night at Lloyds No1

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Freshers Bar Tour & Fresherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Welcome Party

Freshers Welcome Party Concrete

FRESHERS NIGHT OUT.

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THE SQUEALER | FRESHERS WEEK

Concrete / Carlisle Lloyds No1 / Carlisle Sugarhouse / Lancaster

SUmmerfest at Ambleside Campus

SUmmerfest at Lancaster Campus

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SUmmerfest at Carlisle Brampton Road Campus

THE SQUEALER | FRESHERS WEEK

SUMMERFEST EVENTS. Carlisle. Lancaster. Ambleside.

Fresher’s Fair Ambleside Campus

Fresher’s Fair Carlisle FHS Campus

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Fresher’s Fair Lancaster Campus

FRESHER’S FAIR.

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THE SQUEALER | FRESHERS WEEK

Lancaster. Carlisle. Ambleside.

NUS Extra Save LOADS of money off fashion, food, travel, insurance and much more in store and online. Start saving straight away! £12 for 12 months www.nus.org.uk OR visit your local UCSU office