GET IN TOUCH 020 8417 2868 Studentsunion@kingston.ac.uk /Kingstonstudents @Union_Kingston @KingstonStudents www.kingstonstudents.net USEFUL CONTACT INFOMATION Kingston University 020 8417 9000 Accommodation Services 020 8417 7311 Disability and Dyslexia Support Service 020 8417 7314 International Student Advisory Centre 020 8417 3645 European and Study Abroad Office 020 8417 6563 KU Talent (employability and careers consultants) 020 8417 7445 Kingston University Nursery 020 8417 4022 Student Life Advisory Team (Money Advisers) 020 8417 7312 Nightline 020 7631 0101 Text: 07717989900 www.nightline.org.uk Drinkline 0300 123 1110 National helpline for alcohol issues www.patient.co.uk/support/drinkline
FRANK Friendly, confidential advice on drugs 0300 123 6600 www.talktofrank.com MIND Information and advice regarding mental health 0300 123 3393 Text: 86463 www.mind.org.uk Samaritans 116123 jo@samaritans.org www.samaritans.org Student Faith and Spirituality University pastoral support 020 8417 2940 Student Health and Wellbeing University student welfare and counselling services 020 8417 2172 Victim Support Advice and emotional support for victims of crime 0808 1689111 www.victimsupport.org.uk Fairhill Medical Practice Penrhyn Road : 020 8417 2204 (term time) Kingston Hill : 020 8546 1407 (holidays) Fairfield South : 020 8546 1771 (holidays) Out-of-hours : 111
As a Kingston student, you are automatically a member of the Union of Kingston Students. Your union provides you with advice, support, societies, sports and volunteering opportunities. The Union is separate from the University; it believes in the equal representation for all of our students, no matter their financial background, campus of study, or ethnicity. This enables us to be an accurate representation of the diverse and unique students of Kingston. The Union is run by your elected officers. These four students are elected each year to represent your needs to the University and campaign on your behalf to improve things at Kingston. We’re at Penrhyn Road, just turn left as you enter main reception. Feel free to stop by if you need anything. Have a great year!
YOUR OFFICERS We were all elected by fellow students. Each one of us comes from one of the campuses of the University, Penrhyn Road, Knights Park, Roehampton Vale, and Kingston Hill. As officers we have many different roles; our main role is to listen to the views and concerns of what students want across all the campuses and to try to improve your student experience at Kingston. We, as officers, care about making you, as students, feel included in every important decision. This means we talk and meet with you to hear about what you want and take it to key senior management in the University. If you would like to meet us, or have any concerns that need to be addressed please visit us on our campus days, or email us. We can’t wait to meet you!
Daisy Bow du Toit Penhryn Road Officer / Union Affairs I’m originally from South Africa and studied a joint honours in English Literature & the History of Art, Film & Design. As head of Union Affairs I look at the Union as an organisation and ensure that it is doing the job that it promises to do. I am really excited about raising the profile of the Union and ensuring that all students feel that their Union belongs to them!
Beatrice Carey Knights Park Officer / University Affairs I am an African American international student studying on a two year Masters of Fine Arts course. In this role, I am the lead officer on education related needs of all students on every campus. I channel the voice of students to directly represent ourselves in academic committees with key senior management staff of the University.
Haider Chaudhry Kingston Hill Officer / Student Activities I am originally from Pakistan and was a commuter student that studied Business Management. I’m the lead officer on sports, societies, volunteering and sustainability. If you ever want to ask any questions about how to get involved with your Union activities, I am the officer to talk to.
Patrick Tatarian Roehampton Vale Officer / Student Life I was a commuter student, Student Ambassador and just completed my degree in Aerospace Engineering. I’m the load officer on Student Life which means that I handle everything to do with the welfare of students. This involves; student wellbeing & advice, faith, equality & diversity, and liberation & campaigns work. I will always find a way to help you achieve what you need to accomplish.
SOCIETIES Throughout your time at University some of your greatest experiences can come from your involvement with societies. Here at Kingston we are proud to offer over 100 active societies who organise and run weekly activities related to culture, faith, academia, arts, activities, liberation and campaigns. Societies are created and run by students, and are a great way to make new friends, meet like minded people and provide you with the opportunity to try something you might never have thought of before. All without breaking the bank and making your experience at Kingston about so much more than just getting a degree.
How do I join a society? The best way to join a society is at the Freshers’ Fayre, when every society will have a stall to advertise their activities and you can purchase your memberships.
THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR :
If you miss this opportunity, society membership can also be purchased throughout the entire year from the Union office on Penrhyn Road campus, Monday – Friday between 10am and 4pm.
GLOBAL FESTIVAL
How much does it cost to join a society?
Over the years Global Festival has grown and grown with this year seeing our sixth festival! Global Festival is a series of free events celebrating culture, diversity and internationalism at Kingston University. Previous events include a Scottish Ceilidh, free horse riding introduction, interfaith conference amongst three faith societies, traditional cuisine stalls, film screenings, guest speakers and much more! Originally inspired by the 2012 Olympic Games, the week gives students the chance to get involved in a variety of activities led by societies alongside discussing current global issues and promoting international opportunities open to students during your time at Kingston.
Societies’ membership fees vary from £2 - £10, depending on their type of activity.
SOCIETY AWARDS The society awards is one of the largest and most important events on the societies calendar here at Kingston. Held at an external venue, the black tie event is an opportunity for students and staff to celebrate the effort, commitment and successes of societies throughout the year. The society awards are also the perfect place to have your societies end of year celebration, so ensure you buy your tickets early!
Where is there a list of societies? You can either go to www.kingstonstudents.net/societies and find a list of all the societies, as well as links to join them, or grab a soceities a-z guide from the Union social space.
Where is the Societies Office and when is it open? The Societies Office is situated in the main Union office on the Penrhyn Road campus. It is open Monday – Friday between 10am and 4pm.
Can I start my own society? Yes! It’s easy too, head over to www.kingstonstudents.net/societies to find out how.
STUDENT NETWORKS
ADVICE Our friendly and professional advisors offer advice and support services for every single student here at Kingston. We’re here to help so if you need a hand or just want to talk to someone, we’re here! We offer free, independent, and confidential advice on issues that matter to you, be it student welfare campaigns, or on academic issues including:
Student networks are here to ensure that the diverse needs of all students are met, through campaigning, supporting, and representing students that belong in each network. Facilitated by a member of staff and an elected Student Officer, networks aim to ensure your voice is heard, whoever you are!
• Academic Appeals • Academic Misconduct • Complaints • Notices to Quit • Fitness to Practice • Disciplinary cases • And more...
Contact Us If you would like to make an appointment with the Advice Service, you can do so by visiting the main Union office on Penrhyn Road campus or by getting in touch using the details below: E. Support@kingston.ac.uk W. www.kingstonstudents.net/advice T. 0208 417 2868
Find out more by heading to www.kingstonstudents.net/student-networks
SUSTAINABILITY Interested in making a difference at Kingston University and becoming a graduate with an edge? As University students, you are the world’s future leaders and decision makers. The Union is fully committed to building a culture of sustainability across our organisation. You can help shape that by getting involved with our various events throughout the year: -
Go Green Week Fairtrade Fortnight Student Switch Off Green Impact
You can join our Sustainability Student Working Group (SSWG) to run your own sustainability campaigns/events or lead policy decisions that challenge the University and change the Union! Give yourself the opportunity to develop unique skills, make a change and join the ever-growing sustainability job market. For more information please email Union.sustainability@kingston.ac.uk
Check out the rest of our goals at: www.kingstonstudents.net/sustainability
COURSE REPRESENTATIVES The Course Representative Programme at Kingston University is led by SEE and plays an integral role in the student experience. Course Reps play a vital role in empowering students to positively influence their course and wider University experience. Course Reps are elected at the start of each year by their peers across all courses and their role is to gather feedback from fellow students using various methods and feed these into wider University discussions. Course Reps also share relevant information and updates on issues discussed with students to ensure you are aware of progress and decisions. Course Reps not only gather and share feedback but play a role in signposting students to the wealth of opportunities available to them at Kingston. All Course Reps will receive a whole host of benefits from tailored personal development, to gaining a variety of employability skills and an exciting programme of incentives and rewards. To find out more about the programme please contact Engagement@kingston.ac.uk or visit: http://goo.gl/YZp4nl
SPORTS The Union of Kingston Students’ sports clubs have one of the largest number of student memberships at Kingston University and provide a wide range of opportunities. We currently support, develop and administer 35 competitive sports clubs with a membership of over 1500 students.
GET INVOLVED Getting involved in a Union of Kingston Students sports club is one of the most rewarding and valuable experiences you can have at University. It provides you with the chance to settle into life at University by meeting new friends and continuing to develop your sport or leisure activity.
HOW TO JOIN WHO RUNS THE CLUBS? Each club is run by a student committee and is supported by the sports staff and elected officers. Membership is open to all levels and abilities.
If you want to try something exciting and new, Union of Kingston Students supports a range of recreational sports, from the heights of skydiving to the mountains where you can learn to ski and snowboard. These clubs organise and arrange weekly and weekend trips, fixtures and trips abroad, and there are always opportunities for training and development for students to reinforce the growth of these activities. To find out about all the sporting clubs, fixtures, socials and events go to www.kingstonstudents.net/sports or check out the cougars social media;
/Kingston.sport @KingstonSport @KingstonUniversitySport
Head over to www.kingstonstudents.net/sports and follow the steps below:
Step #1
Purchase a Kingston Cougar Sports membership, and then a specific club membership.
Step #2
Complete the online Kingston Cougar registration form.
Step #3
Read and adhere to the clubs code of conduct.
TRY SOMETHING NEW If you want to try something new and exciting, we support a range of non-competitive clubs; from the depths of sub-aqua to the heights of mountaineering. To find out about all of our sports, both comeptitive and non-competitive, grab our sporting guide or go to www. kingstonstudents.net/sports to find a list of all our sports, and learn more about them.
#COUGARFAMILY
VOLUNTEERING Volunteering is a fantastic way of making a difference in the local community or further afield. Volunteer for a morning, afternoon or as often as you like! It’s amazing to be able to make a positive difference, but the most important thing about volunteering is that you enjoy it!
ONE-OFF VOLUNTEERING: University life is hectic, and we know how hard it can be to fit in everything. So if you are running short of time but still want to volunteer then one-off events are made for you. These are half-day to day events that allow you to get stuck into volunteering and gain invaluable experience. They are also perfect for getting involved with lots of different events. Opportunities include marshalling sports events, helping out at local community festivals, mentoring in schools and much more!
CREATE YOUR OWN VOLUNTEERING PROJECT: Want to turn that horrible scrub of land by your building into a beautiful garden, run a session in a school on a particular topic, hold a fun day, or set up the volunteering project you have been dreaming of? We can help you. You can do this with course mates, your society, your sports club or on your own. You will receive up to ÂŁ500 in funding to support your project. Past projects include Thames River Clean, healthy cooking, animation workshops in school and culture celebration events.
THINKING OF VOLUNTEERING ABROAD? Volunteering abroad is a great way to make a positive impact across the globe, while simultaneously getting the chance to experience different cultures and learn new skills. In 2016, Union of Kingston Students Volunteering Department headed to India for the third successive year to provide students with the chance to volunteer abroad as well as to Sri Lanka and Kenya for the first time. The options are endless, and can have an impact all over the world. Have a look at our wide range of volunteering opportunities and sign up on our website: www.kingstonstudents.net/volunteering