Issue 35 SEPTEMBER ISSUE STUDENT VOICE THEME
The RUSU Advice Service have the answers to some commonly asked queries since Covid. Find useful information about their confidential, free & independent service on p11
Meet your new RUSU Student Voice Chair 20/21 Rish on p6
Student Spotlight Stories
Welcome Back to RUSU: “Student Voice sets the direction of our Union” 1
RUSU.CO.UK
In this Issue… September 2020
Features Student Spotlight Stories New Student Voice Chair Rish Rajput chats to us about why student engagement is so important at uni and how you can ensure your voice is heard loud and clear.
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Need more reasons to run in the Rep Elections this year? Read what previous Reps had to say.
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Letters to my former self Starting uni can be quite daunting and there’s often lots you wish you knew before you started. We’ve asked Welfare and Activities Officers Bandy & Alex all the things they wish they’d known as Freshers.
StudentLife Life Student
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Disabled Students’ PTO Konstantina has had a super productive summer, putting her all into bettering the student experience for everyone, so is our very deserving Rep of the Month!
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Regulars
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This month we announce our elections and give you all the info you need to beat that zoom fatigue.
Seeking Advice There’s always so much to think about when starting Autumn term at uni! Here RUSU Advisers answer your queries for banishing those Welcome Week woes.
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We have a new regular page! Each month we’ll be testing your grey cells with our homemade activities. Happy puzzling!
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Puzzle Page
Your Say Check out what students are saying about their Reps and staff. Plus, share your stories with us by getting in touch…
“Both of us applied to be a Student Rep in our first week of university, which can seem like quite a scary thing to do. We both wanted to push ourselves to do something that was rewarding not only for us and our course mates but also future students of the university. Once you are nominated as a rep, you are then invited to meetings every term to discuss the running of your course with your course leaders, lecturers and other reps from different year groups. This can be really insightful, as you gain perspectives from people who have already completed their first year and can give you advice and opinions on different aspects of the course. As a Student Rep, you build valuable relationships with your lecturers and other reps and you really feel like your voice is being heard. It can also create a real sense of community with your course mates as you are feeding back their opinions too! Starting university is a big change and we understand how something like Student Rep elections can seem quite unnerving; but our advice to you is to just APPLY! It is a fab experience that will push you out of your comfort zone and help contribute to the running of your course. We loved being reps so much that we’re both re-applying in our second year. Not to mention it looks great on your CV!” Hope Feasey & Megan Barnes, IoE Course Reps 2019/20
YOUR REP ACHIEVEMENTS! “Successfully pushing for lecture recording as a Course and Senior Rep, before other schools had started working on it.” “I was able to help my fellow first years on my course know that they have a voice which we as Course Reps make sure the department know and follow up on.”
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@RUSU academicrep
It’s Autumn Elections Season! Term starting means many different things but here at RUSU it also means the start of our Rep elections! Nominations for Course Reps, PG Senior Reps, Student Voice members and the PGT, International and Mature Students’ Part-time Officers opened on Friday, so sign up if you want to get involved. Head to page 3 to read why it was one of the best decisions previous Course Rep, Hope made or find out more at www.rusu.co.uk/elections
the view RUSU RATES…
Photo of the month!
Money Heist, Series 1-4, Netflix
It’s Welcome Week! Whilst we have lots of virtual activities to get involved in, there’s also lots going on in RUSU. Why not have a go at mini golf in 3sixty! Group bookings must be made as a household. For tickets and more information, visit ow.ly/5MSF50Bsgpy
Think you’ve watched everything Netflix has to offer? We bet you haven’t watched this Spanish drama series that has left us on the edge of our seats. Can a group of strangers really pull off the biggest heist ever seen, or will the plan crash and burn around them?
Follow us @rusuphotos
Queenie, Candice Carty-Williams, £8.99, Orion Publishing
Positive affirmation of the issue:
“As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who
empower others.”
– Bill Gates
91,900
Beat that zoom fatigue
Disposable cups
were avoided just from RUSU and Uni staff using reusable cups over the past year! Along with the waste from the cups being saved, 46,000kg of Co2 emissions were also saved through the manufacturing of products. It just goes to show that small acts can easily build up and help protect the planet.
This debut novel is an honest and raw coming of age story following Queenie Jenkins as she navigates her way through life. Tackling issues including mental health, race and class, this is definitely one to add to your reading list.
Choose plastic free chewing gum! Did you know that most chewing gum not only comes wrapped in plastic but also contains it? The thought of chewing on plastic everyday certainly isn’t appealing to us and with the amount of gum making it’s way into landfill, its not benefiting the environment either. Why not look out for plastic free alternatives on the market or buy gum in plastic free packaging – your body and the environment will thank you.
Shockingly over 2 trillion minutes were spent on Zoom calls in April alone this year. With video calls now part of our daily lives, how do we combat the fatigue? Science of People have given us eight top tips ranging from focusing on the positive to reading faces and using your power voice to help us get the best out of meetings and online learning. The article also has unique ideas for introverts and extroverts so is a great read before term starts to ensure you feel energised and motivated after lectures rather than tired, lethargic or angry. Read it here: www.scienceofpeople.com /zoom-fatigue/
Celebrating our wins here at RUSU this month!
RUSU awarded ‘Excellent’ in the Green Impact Awards! This year RUSU took part in SOS-UK’s Green Impact Awards and achieved the highest accreditation possible! The awards are a subdivision of NUS and recognise the a Students’ Union’s commitment to sustainability and creating a greener future. The award was a team effort led by former President Molli Cleaver and Inclusivity & Sustainability Coordinator Kyle Smith, who have introduced new green schemes and highlighted lots of great practice already taking place at RUSU. These have included the creation of a brand new sustainability policy, partnering with a sustainable goods company and creating our own library book swap in the relaxation room. There’s loads of ways for students and staff to get involved, just message us for more details or check out the page on our website: rusu.co.uk/sustainability. Well done to everyone involved!
Student Minds partners with RUSU! RUSU has become a partner with Student Minds SUs. They’re a community designed to empower you and your Students Union to become leaders in mental health and ensure it is at the forefront of the university's agenda throughout the year! We’re still at the beginning stages of the partnership but email campaigns@rusu.co.uk if you would like anymore information about this or how you can get involved!
RUSU is back open for business! It feels like years since we’ve all been in the RUSU building but as of the 15th, we’re back open in a reduced capacity. You can now book online meetings with our Advice team, use the Study and sign up for societies. Beloved Bagelman is back open as well as the rest of the franchises, and of course Mojos but please wear a mask and follow the one way system. We look forward to seeing you in person soon!
Student Voice: A Forum for Change Student Spotlight Stories INTERVIEW WITH RISH BY KYLE SMITH
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“Student Voice sets the direction of our Union”
Exploring the opportunities available to you at university will set you apart from your fellow students, and being an active part of your Students’ Union is no exception. We caught up with Rish Rajput, our Student Voice Chair, to see why he believes getting involved is so important… RR: As our new Student Voice Chair, why should students apply to be Student Voice members? Rish Rajput: I think that question is the same as asking why oxygen is important to human life. The Student Voice sets the directions of our Union. Becoming a student voice member allows you to have your say in what campaigns and activities are important to you and what you think RUSU should represent. If RUSU stands to represent the student body, the student body must come together and discuss what needs to change. This is paramount to ensure the union is obtaining satisfactory resolutions to what students need.
RR: You’ve got some experience with RUSU now - what would you say to students who are considering getting more involved with their students’ union?
Rish Rajput: Whilst ensuring your view is being heard, RUSU is also an ideal place for you to bump up your CV. Sometimes it can be difficult for students to get some experience but RUSU is right in front of you. Furthermore, by working with your Union you are able to create better rapports and connections with members of staff so if you ever need any help you know exactly where to go! RR: You’ve just recently finished your placement year with the University’s Student Communcations team – could new students explore similar opportunities?
Rish Rajput: Working for the University was one of the best choices I could have made. Not only am I accustomed to my surroundings and environment, but again the breadth of connections I was able to create across the year will help me in all facets of my final year and beyond. I was able to attend conferences and hear from speakers attending our university and I was able to participate in events that can aid me in my course. Plus, you’ve got nothing to lose by still being at the University – Park Bar is still round the corner! RR: How important is it for students from a variety of backgrounds to get involved? Rish Rajput: RUSU and the University is committed to representing a diverse community. A variety of students is required to ensure that any issues that minorities are facing on campus and beyond are issues RUSU are aware of. If we don’t have a variety of students, we are unable to properly commit to a diversity agenda and make the change required to make our campus a better place for everyone. RR: And finally, how do you think students can make sure their voice is heard? Rish Rajput: Attend our Student Voice Meetings, help with current campaigns, talk to your Reps - they’re here to help! Even if you walked into RUSU and spoke to the lovely receptionist about how you would like to get involved they can point you in the right direction! Ensure you know who represents you in RUSU, whether that be your BAME Officer or an LGBQ+ Officer, if you are aware of these people and how to get in touch with them you can make a change. Head to the RUSU website to find out more information!
“A variety of students are required to ensure that any issues that minorities are facing on campus and beyond are issues RUSU are aware of.” What is Student Voice? Student Voice is RUSU’s main democratic forum. That means it’s a great place for debate, for new ideas, and for making change! Ideas that are submitted online via the Change It! platform are taken to Student Voice, where elected and appointed members vote on which ideas they like best. The ideas that pass this stage are then open to all students to vote on – RUSU will then work on the two with the most votes! Can anyone come to Student Voice? Absolutely! Anyone is welcome to attend and contribute to the discussion. If you want to become a Student Voice member with full voting rights, you can nominate yourself on the RUSU website – nominations close on the 12th October 2020! What’s in it for me? Student Voice is a fantastic opportunity to develop your skills and meet new people. With a time commitment of just a few hours a term, it’s a great way to get involved with RUSU whilst giving yourself lots of time for studying and other extracurricular activities. The Autumn Student Voice meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 10th November 2020. To find out more, head to our website, or get in touch with your RUSU President!
Somebody once told me… What would you tell your Fresher self if you had the chance? Do you ever wonder what you would tell your younger self if you had the chance? Would you spill everything or hint at the future; tell yourself what to treasure and what to avoid or just simply say that everything will be okay? Starting uni (or even just coming back after a turbulent year) can be very daunting, especially when you don’t know what to expect. Some lessons and advice may seem more obvious than others but reflecting on previous years and how far you’ve come is a great place to start. Having just finished their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees respectively, RUSU Welfare and Activities Officers Bandy and Alex share what they would tell their past selves when they arrived at Reading four years ago…
BANDY KARKI, WELFARE OFFICER
FEATURE
“Say hi to people, 20 seconds of bravery could be the start of a great friendship”
Officer top tips! + Get involved with activities and opportunities as soon as you can – deadlines always creep up on you and you don’t want to be sad you missed your chance. + Don’t compare your journey to others’ - go at your own pace.
+ Check out RUSU! There are so many good opportunities at RUSU and the uni, definitely get clued up about services available as they are all here to help you. + It’s okay to find parts of your degree hard, you don’t come here to learn everything you already know, you need to be pushed out of your comfort zone. + Most importantly: look for what you love and make the most of it!
FEATURE Hi Younger Alex, You are about to join the university experience and despite what your brother said you are not going to be running home in a month. You're going to go to university (and never leave apparently as I’m still here five years later!) and you’re about to meet some amazing people, learn so much about yourself and become a person I am proud of being. People assume the university experience either involves drinking heavily in a night club or vast quantities of essays, and whilst there is undeniably a bit of both involved, I believe going to university is about discovering truths about yourself. You learn how to live by yourself, what sort of person you are, what hobbies you enjoy doing, and even how to cook (sometimes not as successfully as your housemates would hope). My main message to you would be to ‘find yourself’ in the university experience. I do not mean find a gap in society and fit into it. But decide who you are; what sort of friends do you want to spend time with? Do you like sports? Do you like chess? Do you want to join a society? Are you going to use this time at university constructively or are you going to spend it not engaging? Only you can answer these questions and your decisions will completely shape your entire university experience to exactly what you want it to be – that’s the beauty of it! If I had some more practical advice for you, younger Alex it would be to get involved with as many university and RUSU initiatives as possible. Start small if you’re concerned or nervous, but it’s a great opportunity to meet people, learn new skills and several of the schemes are accredited, meaning when way off in the future, you leave university you are prepared for it (these three years will go in a flash so beware!). This could be anything from simply joining a society you like the sound off, to completing the RED Award, being a Course or Senior Rep, and maybe one day you’ll find yourself running in the Full-time Officer elections too! A few other recommendations: take the library tour as I got lost in that building a good half a dozen times, and it took me probably far longer than it should have done to figure out how to take a book out. If you have a lecture in the Edith Morley building then leave 10 minutes extra in advance as the first few times you go to lectures in the building you will get lost, often. Most importantly though, go talk to people. I know it’s a bit awkward chatting with people you don’t know, but the people at Reading are a great group of people. If you need advice or help, ask for it, as 90% of people will point you in the right direction or lend you a helpful suggestion - don't forget later on to repay this favour forward too. Also it’s very normal to miss home and family, that does not mean you are weak or will immediately drop out, it just means you’re in an intense new situation, and you miss the comforts of home and family.
You will be okay. Take each day one at a time and best of luck. Alex (Current RUSU Activities Officer, previous Course and Senior Rep, previous committee member of the Chess, SWAGA and RUNDM society and proud member of UoR Alumni – look at all you achieved!)
ALEX ROSE, ACTIVITIES OFFICER
ADVICE: WE’RE STILL HERE
TO HELP The new academic year brings a new normal and the student experience may be different to how it has been previously. At the RUSU Advice Service we are continuing to support students with academic, housing and money issues. In such uncertain times, it is normal to have an abundance of questions and worries but we hope that this article will highlight how easy it is to get support and advice from RUSU’s Specialist Advisers! What is the best way to contact Advice? Advisers will be available to help students during working hours of Monday – Friday 9am-5pm although individual advisers may work slightly outside these hours. The best way to contact the team is to complete our online form at www.rusu.co.uk/getadvice, but you can also email advice@rusu.co.uk. Your issue will then be passed onto a Specialist Adviser within the team, or – if your issues isn’t something we can help you with - you will be given the details of the most appropriate team to support your enquiry. How will I get the support I need from the Advice Service? The Advice Service will be operating virtually, which
means that the advice we give you won’t be face-toface for the time being, but we will still be able to help you. Once you have been in contact via our form or by email, the Adviser you have been allocated will be in contact with you. If you need an appointment – either over the phone or via video call to talk through an issue or to get some support, then the Adviser will be happy to arrange that with you. If you prefer to get the advice via email, then the Adviser will be happy to support you that way, too. We aim to meet any access requirements that you require so please let your Adviser know how they can meet your needs while maintaining the health and safety of everyone.
Will drop-in sessions be running? We are currently planning how virtual drop-ins will be running in the autumn term – keep checking the RUSU website and Social Media for updates. We aren’t able to run face-to-face drop-ins as they had previously happened at the moment, as this is against current health and safety guidelines. We are also unable to take calls directly to the Advice Service. If your issue is immediate we would recommend you fill out our online form (see above) or email advice@rusu.co.uk – we check the messages regularly, and would aim to get back to you as soon as we are able to.
The best way to contact the RUSU Advice team is to complete our online form at www.rusu.co.uk/getadvice, but you can also email advice@rusu.co.uk. “The Advice Service will be operating virtually, which means that the advice we give you won’t be face-to-face for the time being, but we will still be able to help you.”
I have a meeting / hearing with the University, can an Adviser still come with me as my ‘friend?’ Absolutely! The majority of the hearings are still taking place online so we have Advisers available to attend meetings online and help you prepare for any hearing. Please complete our online form and give us notice ahead of the meeting as before the Academic Advisers get booked up! So if you want a ‘friend’, just make sure you give us some notice! Will you tell the University that you have seen me? As always, the Advice is independent, impartial service: we will not tell the university that you have seen us.
Disabled Students’ Part-time Officer Konstantina Nouka is already achieving her aims! This year Konstantina aims to increase accessibility and inclusivity across campus whilst tackling the stigma around students with disabilities – she’s made great progress already which is why she’s our fab Rep of the Month. Most students use the summer break as a chance to relax, take time off and recharge ready for autumn term. Rep of the Month Konstantina used summer however to help the University completely redesign the Extenuating Circumstances process, guaranteeing that the process was not only accessible for all students but also ensured the procedure was as pain free for students as possible so as not to prolong anything the student was going through.
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I wanted to become the Disabled Students’ Officer because I strongly feel that a lot more can change in the University in order to make the life of students with disabilities much easier within the campus!”
Konstantina has three main aims for this year; to make the campus more accessible to disabled students, to make social events inclusive so students with disabilities can participate easily, and to decrease the stigma around disabilities. One of the ways she has already set these aims in motion is to help the University introduce sunflower lanyards in time for the start of autumn term. Working with the RUSU Diversity Officer and key University staff, she has pushed for the University to recognise the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower and ensure that those wearing them get given the extra care and patience that they need. It is a great achievement that Reading is now one of the 35 universities across the UK that are part of the Hidden Disabilities scheme.
WHAT DO THE SUNFLOWER LANYARDS MEAN? First launched in 2016, the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is the symbol of a scheme that allows wearers to discreetly disclose that they have a disability. Organisations that officially recognise the sunflower are making a commitment to support those who use the symbol by providing them with extra time and patience. RUSU aims to support the University in bringing the Hidden Disability Sunflower to campus very soon – if you would like to know more, you can email Konstantina at disabledstudents@rusu.co.uk. Or, to find out more about the scheme at a national level, head to hiddendisabilitiesstore.com/ To keep updated with the work Konstantina is doing, follow her PTO social media page or send her an email to get involved!
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Announcements
Look out for 2020 Rep election dates coming soon..!
Course IoE Course Rep Training IoE Course Rep Training PG Senior Rep Training PG Senior Rep Training UG Course Rep Training UG Course Rep Training UG Course Rep Training UG Course Rep Training UG Course Rep Training Course Rep Training (All) PG Course Rep Training PG Course Rep Training Chair Training Chair Training Course Rep Training (All) Course Rep Training (All)
Date Monday 21st September Tuesday 29th September Tuesday 27th October Tuesday 3rd November Monday 26th October Tuesday 27th October Wednesday 28th October Thursday 29th October Friday 30th October Saturday 31st October Friday 6th November Wednesday 11th November Tuesday 3rd November Wednesday 11th November Friday 13th November Friday 13th November
Time 17:00 – 19:00 12:00 – 14:00 16:00 - 18:00 11:00 - 13:00 17:00 - 19:00 13:00 - 15:00 13:00 - 15:00 10:00 - 12:00 11:00 - 13:00 10:00 - 12:00 13:00 - 15:00 14:00 - 16:00 16:00 - 18:00 15:30 – 17:30 10:00-12:00 14:00 -16:00
Location BBC BBC BBC BBC BBC BBC BBC BBC BBC BBC BBC BBC BBC BBC BBC BBC
Please note, links to training will be sent nearer the time and will take place online. Once elected, Course Reps will be sent a Doodle Poll to sign up to your preferred virtual training date. BBC = Blackboard Collaborate
Puzzle Page
This month, democracy is central to our puzzles. Can you find all the campus buildings in our word search? And can you find the bonus word by rearranging the letters in grey in our crossword? Answers in the next issue! Solved the puzzles? Ready for your next challenge? Consider becoming a RUSU Rep! Problem solving is an excellent asset to have as a Student Rep. There are loads of roles available, so check them out… What are you waiting for – nominate yourself today! rusu.co.uk/representation/elections/
Across: 1. Large building at the centre of campus. 3. The student-led newspaper printed by RUSU. 4. One of the Northcourt group halls. 7. A democratic forum in RUSU where anyone can submit an idea. 9. Noisy birds often seen relaxing near the lake. Down: 1. The Full-time Officer that chairs RUSU’s Trustee Board. 2. A room in RUSU with pool tables and a bar. 5. A process central to RUSU’s democracy. 6. The name everyone knows Cerealworks by! 8. RUSU’s free, confidential service supporting students on academic, housing, and financial issues.
Bonus word:
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