Introduction to RUSU for International Students What is Reading University Students’ Union? At Reading University there is a Students’ Union. Almost all Universities in the UK have a Students’ Union. Reading University Students’ Union is also known as “RUSU” and the “In terms of the “Union”. Students’ Union - as a In the UK, it is important for students to be able to speak freely about their first year it’s kind of time at University and in some cases, campaign for change so the University weird, you hear about can work to make further improvements for the students. the Students’ Union … As an international RUSU was founded in 1910 and is an essential voice for students within the student I didn’t know University of Reading, the local community and nationally. what a Students’ Union RUSU is a democratic, student-centred, student-led organisation and exists was - I had no idea” to enhance your time here. We are a separate organisation to the University so this means we are unbiased and can speak to the University independently about issues that are affecting students. The university expects and encourages us to do this so that we are ensuring that everything is being done to improve your academic and student experience.
How do you become a member of RUSU? Good news! If you are studying at University of Reading you automatically become a member of RUSU when you register.
Who represents you? RUSU is led by students for students. Elections for all student representative positions take place during the academic year. These positions are vital and the students who are elected as your representatives receive training, develop valuable skills, work alongside other student representatives, receive support from RUSU and meet with University staff to represent you and share your views. Whilst studying at University of Reading, you are represented by:
Full-time Student Officer Team Every year, in the spring term, democratic elections take place on campus. Students nominate themselves to represent you. If they haven’t finished their studies, they take a one-year sabbatical (one year without study). They are employed full time. You can vote in these elections to choose 5 students to represent you. This year, your elected student representatives are: • • • • •
President – James Fletcher Vice President Academic Affairs – Kara Swift Vice President Welfare & Representation - Sophie Davies Vice President Democracy & Campaigns - Ceri Jones Vice President Student Activities – Nick Cook
Visit rusu.co.uk/studentofficers to find out more about them and how to get in touch with your Student Officers. 1
Part-time Student Officers RUSU supports a system that gives a voice to the groups on campus that have faced discrimination and/or underrepresentation. Your part-time Student Officers are elected every year and work to ensure every students voice is heard. The International Students’ Officer is Ushana Thaivasigamony. You can contact him by e-mailing internationastudents@rusu.co.uk. He is elected to make sure the views of students from overseas are represented and that your needs are being met by the University and by RUSU. The other Part-time Student Officer Positions are:
• • • • • •
LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) Women’s Disabled Students Postgraduate Environment & Ethics
Course Reps In the autumn term, over 350 Course Reps are elected. Course Reps are students who represent your views at school level. If you have a problem with your course or you want to tell the University what is great about your course, get in touch with your Course Rep and they will communicate your views to School staff. Visit rusu.co.uk/coursereps to find our more or to contact your Course Rep.
Faculty Reps In the spring term, elections take place to elect 10 students who represent you at Faculty level. Their role is to liaise with Course Reps and find out your views and make sure Faculty staff hear about what students want, need and think about their academic experience. Every term Faculty Reps meet with all of the Course Reps to hear about issues affecting students on their course and in their schools and departments. Visit rusu.co.uk/facultyreps to find our more.
You! By talking to your Course Reps, voting in the elections, sharing your views with full and part-time Student Officers and talking to anyone at RUSU. The only way we can represent you is if you tell us what you like and don’t like about RUSU and the University. We are genuinely here for you. Make sure you come along to Student Voice to meet other students, share your views and debate on issues that matter. Student Voice takes place twice a term in the Students’ Union building. You can put forward your ideas to RUSU and this will keep your student representatives informed about issues that matter to you. At Student Voice, students direct the representative work of the union, submit policy and campaign proposals. All students, regardless of whether you are from overseas or the UK are WELCOME to these meetings! We need to know what you want us to do. You can find out about our democracy meetings by visiting rusu.co.uk/democracy
How to become a student representative? If you are interested in becoming a student representative, find out more about the positions available and how to put yourself forward by talking to current student representatives, who are based in the Students’ Union building or look at www.rusu.co.uk for more details on the elections taking place throughout the year. If you don’t want to become a student representative, make sure you; take time to vote in the elections to get the best students representing you! Get to know who your student representatives are, get in contact with them and find out what they are doing on your behalf.
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How is RUSU funded? Funding RUSU receives annual funding from the University of Reading. The University supports and recognises the need for an independent organisation that represents the views of their students; campaigning on behalf of students, on campus, in the local community and at a national level, whilst providing valuable and necessary services to students; and ultimately works alongside the University to improve and enhance your student experience.
“All the facilities are excellent and they offer a wide range of social events and activities. They have been very supportive with our Society and have helped source venues, with promoting the event and with selling tickets”
Trading RUSU manages and provides a number of trading services, such as the Campus Central shop, Cafe Mondial, Mojo’s Bar and your nightclub, 3sixty.
What else does RUSU do for you? The funding RUSU receives from the University and the profits made through our commercial services are used to finance the wider work we do for you. RUSU provides excellent personal development opportunities, services and facilities.
Volunteering When you spend money in RUSU shops, bars and café; it supports opportunities for students to volunteer in many different ways. You might meet one of our Freshers’ Angels who are students that have volunteered and have been supported by RUSU to welcome international students to University of Reading or you might decide that you want to volunteer in the local community at some point during your time at University. RUSU employs staff to develop and support student volunteers. It is a great way to develop your skills, meet new people and improve your career prospects! You can find out more about the huge range of volunteering opportunities by visiting rusu.co.uk/volunteering or e-mailing volunteer@reading.ac.uk
Societies & Sports RUSU also offer students with the opportunity to start and be a member of a society. There are over 100 societies such as the Video Game Society, Debate Society, ISRU (International Students at University of Reading), Dodge ball Society, Dance Society, Gospel Choir, and many more. “I’m happy with all Joining a society can be a great way for you to meet other students, develop the services they your interests and hobbies and meet students from similar or different cultures. offer and the ones We even have course based and faith societies. You can find out about RUSU I’ve used are very societies by going to rusu.co.uk/activities enjoyable and well organised” RUSU also organises sports clubs on campus (although the SportsPark is managed by the University). Many of our sports clubs meet for fun and others compete on a national level. There are over 50 different sports clubs supported by RUSU. Cricket, Polo, Tennis, Football, Hockey, Lacrosse, Badminton, Snow Sports – whatever sport you enjoy it is likely that we have a team for it. Go to rusu.co.uk/studentactivities and find out more.
Advice Service RUSU Student Advice Service provides information advice and support to all University of Reading students. We employ a team of trained professional advisors who specialise in different areas of law, such as immigration and housing. The advice service also provides advice on student finance, debt and money management, consumer issues, and academic matters. The advice team help students with a range of issues, such as extending your Tier 4 visas, dealing with landlords to make sure your student house is
“The immigration talk was excellent and covered all the areas on new regulations and there was a cross section from all over the world and a mixed group of attendees which was good. It was informative.” 3
“I found the advice service really amazing... I never expected I would find that really in a Students’ Union so I think some ways it has exceeded my expectations really”
kept in good repair, advising you on how to organise your finances and pay bills, advising you on university policy and procedures, supporting you by attending university hearings and appeals and much more. They also provide workshops on ‘Applying for your Tier 4 Visa’ and ‘Working in the UK after Completion of your Studies’, as well as ‘Choosing a Student House’, aimed at students who are moving out of halls accommodation. The RUSU Advice Service is free, independent and confidential. For more information about the Advice Service and how to get in touch, visit rusu.co.uk/advice
Nursery Service There are many student parents with young children. RUSU provides an excellent nursery facility, Little Learners Nursery, that represents great value for money. If you’re a parent and have your children here at Reading, you can apply for a place for your pre-school child. Visit rusu.co.uk/nursery for more information.
Campaigning RUSU organises and supports campaigns that have been put forward by students with the aim to improve the experience for students on campus, in the community and on a national level. Campaigns may raise awareness amongst the student community on issues that affect them or aim to create change in order to benefit students. Examples of this have been to campaign against discrimination and for better library facilities on campus. If you want to get involved in campaigns visit rusu.co.uk/campaigns or email campaigns@rusu.co.uk
Want to find out more? Visit our website at rusu.co.uk for more information about RUSU or come into the Students’ Union building, we are located on Whiteknights Campus, and ask to speak to your Student Officers. Make sure you come over the Students’ Union building during the welcome weekend and attend the Quiz and Bollywood evening events taking place. Visit rusu.co.uk/freshersevents for full event listings. Make sure you come along to the Freshers’ and Societies Fayre on Wednesday 3rd October and the Freshers’, Societies & Volunteering Fayre on Thursday 4th October in the Students’ Union. All students are welcome to come along! The Fayre can be very busy but it is a great way to find out about various clubs and societies and other activities on offer to students as well as a way to meet other students and make new friends. More information can be found at rusu.co.uk/freshersfayre RUSU also puts on a variety of social events over the year,our events are listed at rusu.co.uk/whatson so check back often to see what’s coming up! A massive 96% of international students were satisfied with RUSU (International Student Barometer 2011). Make sure you use your Students’ Union whilst you are studying and living in Reading. Come in to YOUR Students’ Union It is YOUR Students’ Union YOU are members. We are here to help, advise, support and represent YOU. Get to know YOUR Students’ Union, tell us what YOU want and get involved!
“I thought the welcome event was a good way to meet people and in fact it’s how I met my first group of friends” “I heard about the Fayre and everyone was attending and mentioning it so I thought it would be a good opportunity to meet new students”
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