Freshers' Festival Welcome Pack

MEMBER SHIP PACK.

YOUR ST UDENT S’ UNION sponsored by

W E LCO M E T O R OYA L H O L LOWAY STUDENTS’ UNION. @SURHUL

S TAY U P T O DAT E . F O L L O W U S O N S O C I A L M E D I A A N D LO O K O U T F O R O U R W E E K LY E M A I L S .

Starting university can be a bit scary. Never mind the fact that you’re leaving home (and the comfort of a constantly stocked cupboard) but you now have

Hello.

to contend with real life dilemmas! Do you watch another episode of Game of Thrones or get started on your latest assignment? It’s a toughie.

Seriously though, you’re about to embark on an amazing journey. You’ll meet your best friend for life, subsequently

04

SU 101.

06

SOCIETI E S & M E DI A .

08

SPORTS.

10

R EPR ES E NT I NG YO U.

11

WELFARE.

12

G ET INVO LV E D.

16

OUR VEN UE S.

20

FR ESH ER S’ F E ST I VA L.

fall out with them over an unwashed pan, before making up over pizza. You’ll discover talents you never knew you had, be it a new sporting discipline, or on the radio presenting your own show, and you’ll experience the joy of living and studying on an absolutely stunning campus just wait until you see it dusted in snow.

As your Students’ Union we’ll be here to help you along the way, refuelling you post-match in Tommy’s Kitchen, giving you helpful advice on that niggling academic issue you have, and laying on great events on a weekly basis from the best value night on campus, Toast, to Summer Ball with Rudimental, Pigeon Detectives and a whole host of other massive names thrown in across the year.

This guide is a quick run through of what to expect this year from us and it gives you some pointers on how to successfully navigate Freshers’ Festival and beyond.

So sit back, put your feet up and grab a brew. It’s going to be a cracker.

>> P R E S I D E N T Hi, I’m Clem! As Students’ Union President, I oversee a lot of what goes on within the Union. I get to represent your views and explain to the University what students want and need during their time at Royal Holloway.

I also work on our democratic processes that bring together students to discuss and vote on which issues your Union should be focusing on, that allow you to elect your Sabbatical Officers and reps each year, and generally ensure that your Students’ Union is made up of the collective voices of students.

In between the more structured parts of my job I spend a lot of time running campaigns. This year will include looking at how Royal Holloway can

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take a stand against climate change, ensuring that the College is taking steps to reduce the BME attainment gap, and a full-scale review of the Union’s democratic processes. Any questions, please get in touch!

president@su.rhul.ac.uk

Clem Jones.

We’re here to make student life better.

Do you want to lead your Students’ Union?

The Students’ Union exists for one purpose – to make student

Keep an eye out for our SU Elections opening at the end of

life better at Royal Holloway. Upon enrolling at the College you

term one. Whether you’re after a paid full-time Sabbatical

automatically become a member, and we’ll represent you on

Officer role or part-time voluntary trustee position, this

both a local and national level. We’re a not-for-profit charity,

is your chance to stand up and lead on issues that really

and we invest all our surplus back into services for you.

matter while working with your fellow students. As a democratic organisation we believe that elections show the

Get social.

best of what we can achieve when we work together. > > S U . R H U L . AC . U K / E L E C T I O N S

Your Students’ Union also provides night-time entertainment around and outside of campus. Start your night at Tommy’s Kitchen for dinner and drinks, then join us to the early hours with DJs spinning tracks in the SU Main Hall every Wednesday and Friday for Flawless and Escape.

Campaigning.

We campaign on a variety of issues all year round,

Every Monday at Medicine is Toast where you can grab drinks

with dedicated focus during BME, Disability, LGBT+ and

for £1.50 while Thursday at The Packhorse is Transmission, our

Women’s History months, alongside wider campaigns on

legendary indie night with £2 drinks and cheesy chips.

sexual health, council tax, and even climate change. There’s always someone here to help, so come in, say hello and

Don’t drink? There are plenty of non-alcoholic options in all

tell us what you need - you won’t find a friendlier or more

our venues while we run over 100 Give It A Go events over

supportive bunch of people. > > S U . R H U L . AC . U K / C A M PA I G N S

Find out more about our venues on page 14. > > S U . R H U L . AC . U K / E V E N T S

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the year which are largely alcohol free.

>> V P S O C I E T I E S A N D M E D I A Hi everyone! I’m Holly, your new VP Societies and Media! I’m really excited not only to be

vpsocieties@su.rhul.ac.uk

Holly Hughes.

Our societies do amazing things.

Whether you’ve always wanted to try your hand at musical theatre and acting, or you want to learn how to speak French like a local, there’s a place for everyone within our societies and media outlets.

representing you all, but also to be working alongside the other Sabbatical Officers to

Our Freshers’ Fair, taking place on Monday 24 and Tuesday

make sure you have the best possible time at

25 September, is a great place to meet societies and find

Royal Holloway.

out more about their activities. If you can’t find a society that piques your interest, why not form one of your own?

This year I will be working with your VP

The Students’ Union can support you through the process

Education to create and implement a minimum

of creating an entirely new group!

standards

framework

between

academic

departments and societies. Alongside this I

Student Opportunities Membership

will be lobbying the College to provide more available spaces on campus for societies to use.

To join a society, sports club or media outlet you first need

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to grab yourself a Student Opportunities Membership. This Your wellbeing at university is extremely

membership fee contributes to the ‘behind the scenes’

important so I will be campaigning to establish

costs that goes into supporting each student group. This

mental health training within societies and

ranges from booking training, fixtures and transport hire,

media groups, ensuring that you and your

through to support with putting on events and trips. Your

friends feel supported in every aspect of

membership fee also ensures that you are fully insured for

society life.

the activity that you take part in as part of a student group. > > S U . R H U L . AC . U K / S O C I E T I E S

Our media outlets are great too.

Our three media outlets are a perfect home for any budding journalists, broadcasters, or creatives. They are your first port of call for the latest news and entertainment on campus.

Orbital distributes a magazine with a variety of articles ranging from artist interviews to breaking news stories.

Find up-to-date news about what’s happening on and off campus in their online articles.

Broadcasting around campus, Surrey and beyond, Insanity Radio 103.2 FM is our resident radio station. With a schedule of chart and chat shows, specialist shows, and news broadcasts, you’re guaranteed great music, great presenters and great coverage.

Have an idea for a TV show? Pitch it to RhubarbTV and you might see yourself producing, filming, or starring in your such as gameshows, live streams, and interviews with acts on club nights. > > S U . R H U L . AC . U K / M E D I A

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own web series! They produce a range of online content

vpsports@su.rhul.ac.uk

Dom Brown. >> V P S P O R T

Home of the Bears.

The Students’ Union is home to 39 sports clubs who train at fantastic facilities both on and off campus. Whether it’s a casual game of ultimate frisbee or representing the Bears in Varsity, our clubs offer recreational and competitive

Hi, I’m Dom Brown, your VP Sport! I’m really

opportunities. Don’t forget to say hello to our beloved

excited to meet students, get as many people

sports mascot, Colossus D’Bear!

as possible involved in sport, and make sport a bigger part of university life at Royal Holloway.

If you want to join a club, head down to Freshers’ Fair on

It’s not just our sports clubs I look after, my

Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 September. Take your time meeting

role covers anything active on campus.

our different sports clubs and if you see something that takes your fancy, try it out at one of their open training sessions.

Whether

it’s

creating

a

new

sports

club,

Want to take it further? Attend taster sessions, make the team,

heading up campus campaigns or lobbying for

and represent your club in matches and competitions. If you’re

improvements to our sports facilities, get in touch

after something with less of a competitive edge, the Active

with me as a first step to turning your idea into

programme and our social sports could be perfect for you.

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a reality. Every student voice matters so never be afraid to email me or pop in for an informal chat.

Join the pack.

As one of your elected Sabbatical Officers, I’ll be

Once you are part of a club you will have opportunities to get

representing your views in meetings with the

involved in all sorts on and off the pitch, such as Bears Night

College, local community and at a national level. I

at your Students’ Union, volunteering, coaching and Varsity.

will also develop opportunities for students to get

We also host the biggest sporting night of the year, Colours

involved in volunteering, coaching and officiating.

Ball. When it rolls around in March, you could be in with a shot

I look forward to the coming year to see what

at winning one of the many awards up for grabs.

wonderful things we can achieve together! > > S U . R H U L . AC . U K / S P O R T S

Stags vs Bears.

The Royal Holloway Bears continue their new-found rivalry with Surrey Stags, where we engage in a battle of sporting prowess to decide who holds the bragging rights. Following our maiden home Varsity, we return to Surrey Sports Park in March 2019.

With 15 miles between us and the University of Surrey, Varsity is one of our biggest sports competitions of the year. It tests our athletes’ pride, passion and skill within each respective sport.

There is a sport for everyone to watch, ranging from our men and women’s rugby teams, to cheerleading, or even something more unique such as Quidditch. Over 2000 spectators will watch us go head-to-head with the Stags on their home turf.

Last year saw us cut Surrey’s winning margin from the year before and we’re confident that we can exact revenge on our noisy neighbours this time around - but we need your help. It’s time to bare our teeth and show what the Bears are made of!

Expect to experience an incredible sporting atmosphere, full your throats and let’s roar the cup back home! > > S U . R H U L . AC . U K / VA R S I T Y

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of passion, drama and excitement. Don your colours, clear

>> V P E D U C AT I O N Hey everyone, I’m Jack and I’m your new VP Education! After the introduction of the role

vpeducation@su.rhul.ac.uk

Jack O’Neill.

Representing your academic interests.

It’d be very easy to think the Students’ Union was here to purely focus on the social side of campus life but that’s only half of the story.

At the end of the day you’re here to get a degree and one of our core goals is making sure that this happens.

last year, I am determined to make sure we

That’s why we run what’s known as the Academic Rep

continue where Clem left off, and increase

system. Yes, it’s not quite as sexy as a night out at the SU

our output this coming year.

but this can be the difference between a first or second class degree. That’s because the system is made up of a

2018/19 is a crucial year for us in implementing

mix of individuals that represent you and your course.

the academic review recommendations, so I will be focusing on the academic rep elections

Course reps work on ensuring your degree programme is

and ensuring the development, training and

everything you expected it to be, department reps look at

support gets off on the right foot within our

department-wide changes, faculty reps work across several

new rep structure.

departments to instigate change while the VP Education works across the wider College.

I will also be working with the College to make the changes that you want and campaigning

As a new student you can stand to be the course rep for your

to diversify assessment methods to ensure you

chosen degree programme when our annual elections open

have a wider range of modules to pick from.

in October, giving you the chance to directly influence what

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happens on your course and give a voice to your peers.

I’m looking forward to meeting you all and please don’t hesitate to get in touch!

> > S U . R H U L . AC . U K / VO I C E / CO U R S E R E P S

>> VP WELFARE AND DIVERSITY Hello, I’m Willow! As your VP Welfare and

vpwelfare@su.rhul.ac.uk

Willow Wong.

Our advice centre is confidential, accessible and free.

To support your wellbeing, we also run our own Advice

Diversity, I am beyond excited to continue

Centre, with dedicated support for academic, housing

in my role to improve students’ wellbeing at

and financial issues. This service is independent from

Royal Holloway.

the College, so it’s the perfect place for confidential advice about your course. We also run welfare

With

the

help

of

our

passionate

student

campaigns throughout the year, including mental health

representatives and staff members at the College,

awareness, sexual health advice and guidance, and

I look forward to supporting our BAME, LGBTQ+,

exam stressbusting.

disabled, international and women students through their journeys at Royal Holloway.

This year, I will be campaigning for zero-tolerance against sexual harassment and hate crime, as

It’s okay to feel overwhelmed.

well as raising awareness of mental and sexual

Adapting to student life can be challenging. There may be

health.

moments when you feel overwhelmed, but you won’t be going through this alone.

with liberation campaigns, I can usually be found

You can find help using our online resources or if you need

in the SU main building.

to speak to someone, you’ll also find information on how to book an appointment. > > S U . R H U L . AC . U K /A DV I C E

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If you have any questions, or want to get involved

Get ready to Give It A Go! If you’re looking to take part in fun activities and events outside of your studies, then Give It A Go is for you. Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie, culture vulture, sports fanatic, or just love getting creative, you’ll find something here. Keep your eyes peeled for day trips, craft sessions, movie nights and, the termly favourite, Pets as Therapy. > > S U . R H U L . AC . U K / G I V E I TAG O

Raise and Give.

Every year our student groups run a range of fundraising events for some amazing organisations. From 24 hour dance sessions to Take Me Out and all the bake sales in between, everything counts towards the annual target for Raise and Give, or RAG as it is more widely known.

Getting involved can be as simple as making a donation,

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as impactful as providing support to underprivileged communities, or as thrilling as climbing a mountain and gaining sponsorship. > > S U . R H U L . AC . U K / R AG

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Tell us your Bright Ideas.

This is your Union, and we want to hear what you want.

This means we’re giving you the power to suggest anything that you want changed. No idea is too big or small, and we really do mean we want to hear anything.

All you need to do is have an idea!

Your ideas can cover pretty much anything. Want more phone charging spots in the Union? Want us to lobby the College on a specific issue? Or do you simply want to see more recycling and general waste bins on campus?

Submit it online and students will be able to vote on it, with ideas that spark debate pushed out across social media. This could lead to your idea being adopted, campaigned for or acted on. We will support you throughout the process and our officer team will help you

> > S U . R H U L . AC . U K / B R I G H T I D E A S

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every step of the way.

Venues for days.

Wi-fi

Food

Gender neutral toilet

Drink

Accessible

Bookable rooms

Child friendly

Live sport

Pet friendly

Board games

Seven days, to be exact. With four venues around campus and the local area, there’s something to do every night, seven days a week, all year round. On top of that, all our venues are available for student groups to hire.

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>> S U . R H U L . AC . U K / V E N U E S

Union Venue.

Medicine.

First and foremost there’s the Students’ Union building,

Our second venue has just had a £650k refurb over the

home of the SU main hall. We’ve had some incredible

summer getting it ready for the new year. It’s the home to

artists performing, from Stormzy and Nadia Rose, to

our society performances, Toast - the cheapest night on

Nothing But Thieves and Jax Jones, but nothing lights up

campus - and regular live music nights and jam sessions

the room like our termly Pets as Therapy sessions.

showcasing local talent.

Tommy’s Kitchen.

The Packhorse.

Host to weekly acoustic Coffee House Sessions with up-

The Students’ Union’s very own pub, featuring a range

and-coming artists, we serve the best burgers on campus

of high-quality craft ales and premium spirits at student

and offer a full bar and coffee service. Grab a quick bite to

prices. If you’re a foodie or a sports fan (or even both)

take away, sit in for a meal with mates, or chill outside with

you’re in luck. With live sport screened daily, we offer

one of our tasty shakes. We even serve breakfast rolls!

incredible pub food and an amazing roast on Sundays.

We’re not the only fish in the sea.

In addition to the Students’ Union venues, the College also run a range of places for you to rest, relax and rejuvinate.

Crosslands.

Grab a breakfast bap, a lunch time snack, or an evening pint and take in the scenes of Founder’s Building.

Boilerhouse Café.

Serving a wide choice of hot and cold food and drinks, the Boilerhouse is a great place to unwind.

Café on the Square. airy space of the atrium or the sunshine in Founder’s Square.

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Pick up a drink and a bite to eat, and enjoy the open and

Y E N O M R U O Y E MAK

R E H T R U F O G unts o c s i d g i b u Bringing yo love u o y s d n a r on the b mber 2018 te p e S 2 1 om Available fr or et your card g to M U T Search TO n Helpdesk io n U e th t a pick one up

Getting you from A to B.

Get the supplies in.

Who wants to walk 20 minutes to a store and then carry their bags back up a hill? Literally nobody.

Luckily, the Union Shop is located on the ground floor of

Getting home safely is important. That’s why we run the

the Davison Building, selling fresh produce, drinks, clothing

Union Bus service, taking you from our venues direct to

and more. We also have a dedicated vegetarian, vegan and

your door.

gluten-free selection - lovely stuff.

Our bus service runs during club nights at the Students’

> > S U . R H U L . AC . U K / U N I O N S H O P

Union and Medicine. Starting at 10pm, it finishes its rounds only when everyone has been taken home from the latest closing venue, including our student staff.

Finding a new pad.

You can get an annual pass or individual tickets from the

You’re just starting your Royal Holloway journey so this

Union Helpdesk between 9am and 5pm, or on the night

is very much one for the future but it’s important.

from Medicine or Tommy’s Kitchen. If you’re a stickler for organisation, you can also buy them in advance from our

Don’t feel pressured into jumping straight into a house share

website.

with your new flatmates. Take your time and wait for the Housing Fair in November where you’ll have the chance to

As with all of our services, the Union Bus is not-for-profit.

check out properties from all across the local area.

All the money that is made goes into improving the quality of student life at Royal Holloway - from bigger and better

Also make sure to check out HouseSearch. Created by us, it’s

campaigns, to massive headline acts throughout the year.

your free portal to hundreds of local properties. We work fees) and also offer some select properties from private halls

local taxi company Gemini - 01784 471111.

of residences and estate agents.

> > S U . R H U L . AC . U K / U N I O N B U S

> > S U . R H U L . AC . U K / H O U S E S E A R C H

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with local landlords (so you can avoid those pesky admin Still need a taxi? We have a safe taxi partnership with a

freshers’ festival.

With over 30 events over the first week of term, kicking off from when you arrive on campus, Freshers’ Festival is your introduction to the Students’ Union and everything it has to offer.

There’s a ton of free events, taster sessions and of course, the obligatory programme of cracking nights out.

You can find the full list of events and buy tickets on the website.

su.rhul.ac.uk/freshers

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#rhfreshers

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in association with Coda

friday 28 september

escape ft. andy c + tonn piper --------

all weekend |

You can unpack properly later.

A festival of fun events to get

We want Freshers’ Festival to be as accessible as

First, get out and explore.

involved in ft. our Petting Zoo!

possible to as many people as possible. That’s why

campus | free

founder’s field | free

every year we include more free events than you know

arrivals

freshers’ fair

thu 27 |

give it a go

laser tag

what to do with, and put on wristband deals so you can

24 / 25 |

get the most for your money.

Clubs, societies and freebies -

What’s more fun than laser tag?

the fresher’s dream.

Inflatable laser tag.

sports centre | free

students’ union | £2

silver: £50

gold: £65

tue 25 |

two for tuesday

fri 28 |

fri 28 |

meditation

Grab yourself two for one on all

Relax and unwind with an hour

what’s included.

food and drinks from 5pm.

of Mindful Meditation.

the packhorse | free

founder’s chapel | free

In addition to all marked Freshers’ Festival events,

wed 26 |

both wristbands give you an exclusive 50% discount

Win some awesome prizes while

Join over 20 societies for an

voucher to use at The Packhorse or Tommy’s

learning your way around campus.

afternoon of picnic and chill.

Kitchen. You’ll also get free access to all of Royal

across campus | free

medicine | free

Holloway Sport’s group exercise classes throughout

treasure trails

nationalitea

fri 28 |

diversity picnic

ikea trip

the week, plus a tidy £15 off membership when you

wed 26 |

sign up during Freshers. That’s not all, you’ll also

Meet other international students

Pick up all those extra bits you

get 50% off an official Royal Holloway hoody during

over a good old cup of tea.

couldn’t fit in the car.

Freshers’ Festival. Splash out on the gold wristband

medicine | free

meet outside SU | £14

and you’ll also bag your entry to the biggest night of the week - Freshers’ Ball.

thu 27 |

meet & greet

sat 29 |

sun 30 |

colour run

Meet your disabled students’ rep

Walk, run or jog through bursts

This is only a snapshot of the week’s events, head on

and learn how to get support.

of colourful paints.

over to su.rhul.ac.uk/freshers to see the full event list

shilling building 004 | free

sports centre | £6

and buy your tickets.

by day ------

wristbands.

#rhfreshers

su.rhul.ac.uk/freshers

You can find the full list of events and buy tickets

thu 27 |

rainbow rave

the big ones --------

beach party ft. jack fowler

Get the glitter and join our

mon 24 |

as we welcome you onto campus.

LGBTQ+ Society at Medicine.

We’ve got a text! Love Island’s Jack is coming to the SU.

students’ union | £5 / £7

medicine | free

students’ union | £5 / £7

hog roast

thu 27 |

transmission

vk electric

We’ve got your dinner sorted with

The biggest indie night on

tue 25 |

a welcome hog roast at our pub.

campus, with £2 drinks.

VK brings confetti cannons, inflatables and glow sticks.

the packhorse | free

the packhorse | free

students’ union | £5 / £7

mon 24 |

by night ------

welcome

Party in style with a weekend pass

sat 22 |

on the website. £ advance / on the door

wristband event

all weekend |

sunset session

fri 28 |

medicine live

flawless ft. eo

Join us for an evening of live DJs

Our weekly live music night

wed 26 |

playing the best chillout anthems.

followed by a jam session.

Our first headliner of Freshers, delivering fresh rap tracks.

the packhorse | free

medicine | free

students’ union | £10 / £12

tue 25 |

salsa party

sat 29 |

afterparty

school of rock ft. don broco dj set

Featuring a traditional salsa

Freshers’ Ball continues late

thu 27 |

band, virgin cocktails and food.

into the night.

Don Broco deliver their rock scene favourites.

medicine | free

medicine | £5

students’ union | £10 / £12

wed 26 |

the meadow

sun 30 |

quiz night

escape ft. andy c and tonn piper

Toast marshmallows and enjoy a

Your classic pub quiz with a

fri 28 |

night of live acoustic music.

chance to win a cash priz

Andy C and Tonn Piper bring the drum and bass.

founder’s meadow | free

the packhorse | £1pp

students’ union | £10 / £12

wed 26 |

karaoke

sun 30 |

slumber party

freshers’ ball ft. philip george + more

With 4000+ songs to choose

Chill out with music, snacks and

sat 29 |

from, this will be unforgettable.

a movie. Cuddly toys welcome.

The big one - party away in the glorious surroundings of Founder’s.

the packhorse | free

medicine | free

founder’s quads | £15 / £20

@SURHUL S U . R H U L . AC . U K

sponsored by

Registered charity no: 1141998 The Students’ Union Royal Holloway, University of London Egham Hill, Egham, TW20 0EX