ELECTED IN THIS EDITION
THE CLASSIEST VENUE PHOTOS
WHAT IS UNION COUNCIL?
PLUS LOTS MORE!
March 2019 - Edition 80
CAPTAIN MARVEL REVIEW
THE OFFICIAL FOOD OF
BUCKS STUDENT LIFE
EVERY SINGLE DAY VALID ON MEDIUM OR LARGE PIZZA ONLY
TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE…ONE CODE, TWO PIZZAS
DON’T FORGET THE CODE!
JUST USE CODE: 24/26 CASTLE STREET, HIGH WYCOMBE BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, HP13 6RG
01494 539539 /DominosPizza
@Dominos_UK
PIZZA241
AT THE CHECKOUT OPENING HOURS: 11AM - 1AM MON - SUN CLOSE FOR COLLECTION: 12AM MON-SUN
DELIVERY UNTIL 1AM
StudentsOfDominos
Click
Tap the app
*Buy one get one free on medium & large pizza only. Valid online only. Free pizza must be equal or lesser value than the first. Not valid with any other offer. Offer can be withdrawn without notice. Available in participating stores only. Student ID required. EXP 31-5-19
3
A Word from the Editor.
ELECTED
EDITOR'S INTRO
Elections are just around the corner - to find out what it all means and why you should be sure to use your vote, check out page 5.
Contributors Eliza Gent • Lauren O'Shea • Georgia Nosal • Charlie Cotton Tao Warburton • Brooke Pilbeam • Christina Demetriou Professor Nick Braisby • Kelly Young • Tim Dixon Sarah Jackson • Muti Mughal • Shannon Batchelor Ayesha Chowdhury • Alice Durrant • Karen Farrelly Adele Wilson • Justine Morrow • Georgina Green • Colin Capp Athena Pickering • Vanessa Pereira • Kia Charlie Wing Claire Fisher • Alisha Chester • Sophie Parfitt • Jade Collis Fiona Ademi • Tatiana Ketura • Tia Griffiths • Jake Gregory Melissa Lamerton • Michelle Cullen • Alice Wild Oli Gunson • Greg Pike
Want to see your name in the list above? Want to have your writing or artwork on show to thousands of people? Get involved. Email editor@thebucksstudent.com
Advertising For all advertising and media enquiries please contact the Students’ Union Communications and Marketing department. Simon McDowell - simon.mcdowell@bucks.ac.uk Articles in this newspaper do not necessarily represent the views of Bucks Students’ Union but are that of the specific author. View this edition online at bucksstudentsunion.org/communications. © 2019 Bucks Students’ Union
What an exciting few weeks we’ve all just had! Election week is finally over which I’m sure all
Coming up we have Varsity, a time to celebrate
those campaigning are relived about. To those
the talent we have here at Bucks as we aim to
who were successful, congratulations, to those
beat our Varsity rivals. We have loads of exciting
who weren’t, I look forward to seeing what you will go on to achieve instead. We also just
If required, this document can be made available in different formats. Please contact Bucks Students' Union for more information.
celebrated International Woman’s day in classic Bucks style having cheer, dance and musical
and brilliant events coming up in the next couple of months but if they aren’t for you, perhaps writing for the Bucks Student could be. If you
theatre performing on the concourse, hosted by
would like to get involved, then be sure to email
yours truly. Thank you to everyone who came
me at editor@thebucksstudent.com and I will
and showed their support for this inspiring day.
be thrilled to help you get started
March Issue
By Eliza Gent
4 March Issue
Sabbatical Officers.
By Lauren O'Shea, Georgia Nosal & Charlie Cotton
AN UPDATE FROM YOUR SABBS CHARLIE COTTON LAUREN O'SHEA VICE PRESIDENT PRESIDENT STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
GEORGIA NOSAL VICE PRESIDENT EDUCATION & WELFARE
The end of term is fast approaching with many more activities still to take part in. On the 27th of March we have our biggest sporting event, Varsity, taking place at Roehampton. The day will see Buck’s students travel to Roehampton to take part in a number of different sports from badminton to volleyball. Teams will play for a point, with the University with the most points after all the fixtures have been played being announced Varsity winners and being presented with the Roebuck trophy. Varsity is a highlight in a lot of student’s calendars, with the whole day acting as a celebration of Buck’s pride.
Well there we have it, the madness of elections week is finally over! It was a quieter week on campus compared to normal but it was still great to see the campaigns teams out and about throughout the week.
I would like to start by thanking everyone who voted for me and Charlie to be your NUS delegates. I look forward to representing you all on a national level at National Conference.
It’s a surreal experience that I’ve been through as a member of a campaign team, a candidate for two different positions and as a Sabb waiting in anticipation to see who’s going to get my job!
A huge congratulations to your new Sabb team! It’s a hard week of campaigning and all candidates should be proud of their efforts. As much as I am sad to be leaving, I know I’m handing over the job to a great VPEW elect!
Congratulations to everyone who worked hard in preparation for elections and well done specifically to the successful candidates! Tao, your President (Elect) was on my campaigns team for the last two years so definitely had some experience of being on a winning team. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Tao over the past few years and I’m excited to see what she’s going to bring to the role.
I have been busy going through all of your responses from ‘It Starts With You’. It’s lovely to see what you have to say about your courses. It gives us a chance to feedback to your academic teams about what is going well and where they could improve. I will be contacting your Heads of Schools to show common themes and help make the improvements you have suggested.
The day will also see the launch of the Roebuck ‘Stand Together’ banner, encouraging all students to sign the banner and stand together against hate crime. The Stand Together campaign ran earlier on in the year at the University to encourage students to be active bystanders. We want to role this out at Varsity to relay the same message on the day.
Bring on the handover period!
If you need anything or just want a chat, pop down to my office!
Get in touch: Charlie: charlie.cotton@bucks.ac.uk Lauren: lauren.oshea@bucks.ac.uk Georgia: georgia.nosal@bucks.ac.uk
Bucks Vpsi
@BucksSUVPSI
Bucks SU Pres
@BucksSUPres
Bucks Vpew
@BucksSUVPEW
THE RESULTS ARE IN Our annual elections have now come to an end. It takes a lot of courage to put yourself forward in any election so congratulations to all of you who did. When running in an election support from those around you is key and friendships can face the ultimate test. Building a team around you is important and you need to ensure they share the same values as you so they are truly able to represent your vision. Each year our main election is for the Sabbatical Team, comprising of
President, Vice President Student Involvement and Vice President Education and Welfare. The team works together to represent students on a national level, ensure their voices are heard by the University and by delivering different meaningful campaigns. Every year and every new team brings an exciting challenge and a new outlook on Union life. Good luck to Tao, Brooke and Christina, we’re looking forward to see what next year will bring.
CHRISTINA DEMETRIOU
TAO WARBURTON
BROOKE PILBEAM
First of all, I would like to say thank you to
I am in my final year studying criminology and
As a third year dance and performance student I have
everyone who voted and showed support during
throughout my time at Bucks I have always been
been involved with the Union during all three years of
campaign week, your encouragement has not gone
involved with the Students' Union somehow and loved
my time at Bucks. It has had a very positive influence
unappreciated.
representing the University in whatever way I could. I
VICE PRESIDENT STUDENT INVOLVEMENT (ELECT)
During my final months as a student, I look forward to shadowing Charlie in his current role, as well as the rest of the Students' Union staff, in order to ensure that I am
PRESIDENT (ELECT)
am thankful to everyone who voted and hopefully I will be the president you asked for. Next year I want to spend more time at Uxbridge to
fully prepared for everything that is expected of me.
hear what feedback the students have for the union.
In the meantime, I will be working on all the plans that
and allow more opportunities for the UCAV students.
I have set out for the new year but will also be taking on board as many ideas as possible; so, if you do see me around please feel free to come forward with any suggestions or changes you would like to see within your student experience. Here is to an exciting new chapter!
Additionally, I want to bring awareness to all campuses Moreover, I would like to keep the student’s voices heard in any meetings or campaigns that are put on. As president I will look to make sure that students know they can come and talk to the Sabbs if we are in the
VICE PRESIDENT EDUCATION & WELFARE (ELECT)
on my time at University and I hope I can make other students feel the same. The Students' Union has run a lot of very strong campaigns this year, particularly on mental health and I aim to continue to develop awareness on this topic to support students. I intend to work with the students on seeing what they need to become a successful graduate, while also maintain a solid bond around all campuses to ensure all students are getting the support they need.
office and free. I look forward to starting the role I was
I am really looking forward to starting my role and
elected for in the academic year 2019/20.
working for the UK’s number 1 Students' Union.
March Issue
By Lauren O'Shea, Tao Warburton, Brooke Pilbeam & Christina Demetriou
5
Elections.
6 March Issue
New Vice-Chancellor.
By Professor Nick Braisby
"I'VE BEEN DRIVEN BY THE POWER OF EDUCATION"
"I’m delighted to be the new Vice-Chancellor for Buckinghamshire New University which has a proud history of helping students reach their full potential. For more than 125 years, we’ve opened our doors to all who can benefit from the life-changing education we offer. Let me tell you a little more about my education. I was born in South Wales and went to my local comprehensive school. I was lucky to have friends who valued education and wanted to do well, and teachers who inspired me with their enthusiasm. They helped me to make life choices which set me on track to achieve my goals. Throughout my career, I’ve been driven by the power of education to transform people’s lives, and create a better world in which opportunities are open to everyone. My plan for Bucks is simple. I want you and our staff to love being at the University, and proud of an organisation that helps us all to grow and develop, and make a real difference. We know Bucks is a fantastic University. I’m very proud to work here, and to have already played a role in transforming the University’s fortunes.
You will notice further work on our curriculum, enhancing the excellent outcomes we already produce by delivering greater choice in terms of place and pace of study. We will ensure that learning and teaching are digitally enabled, and refocus and invest in our student-facing services so they deliver the very best student experience. We will also work hard to ensure that the University’s leadership engages with you, the Students’ Union, staff, Council members, and external partners and stakeholders. The next few years in higher education promise to be in equal measure exciting and challenging. But there is no doubt in my mind that Bucks can thrive whilst never losing sight of its historic mission which ignites passions in all of us who study and work at the University. This is an exciting and important new era for Bucks. Your feedback on how we do things is important because you can help to shape the University’s future. We want to ensure you, and those that follow in your footsteps, receive valued and relevant education. Please make your voice heard through modular feedback, the NSS, UKES and by sharing your views with tutors, Course Reps and the Students’ Union. Your opinions matter and are valued highly.
We deliver an excellent student experience – top 20 in the National Student Survey (NSS) – and excellent employability through a first-rate learning and teaching environment. This was recognised by our Silver award in the government’s Teaching Excellence My job is to ensure Bucks occupies its rightful Framework. But we need to do more to shout about position as the county University, cements its our achievements and enhance our reputation. excellent reputation for student experience and outcomes, and is financially strong. Above all, I For that to happen, we must be financially strong and we will work hard to increase student numbers want this to be a University of which you, our staff by expanding our portfolio of courses and subjects. and alumni can be proud."
GRADUATION NEEDS YOU
It’s just one day… but it encompasses three years of hard work, friendships, laughter and sometimes tears, to mark and celebrate your achievement Graduation is a special event for you, your family and your friends, and a chance
extraordinary. Although, I was really nervous the support from friends and their
to celebrate the hard work and dedication that you have shown during your
parents couldn’t have made it any easier.”
studies at Bucks.
Graziella Spagnuolo, graduated from BSc (Hons) Social Work – “I honestly loved
The best advice and inspiration at graduation doesn't always come from the
my experience of being valedictorian and it is an experience that I will never
University staff or honouraries who speak at the ceremony — often it comes from
forget. I felt supported throughout the process but it was quite nerve wrecking to
the graduates themselves.
get up on stage in front of so many people as I am not the most confident public
This year there will be ceremonies throughout Graduation Week, Monday 2 -
speaker. However the experience was liberating!”
Friday 6 September, and the University wants to give all those graduating the
If you:
chance to be one of the eight valedictorians. Speaking in front of a theatre full of people can be daunting but the University and Bucks Students’ Union will offer you support every step of the way. Here’s what just some of our valedictorians said about their experience last year: Emilee Platts, graduated from BA (Hons) Dance and Performance – “Being the Valedictorian at my graduation, was one of the most nerve-wracking things I've done. Standing up in front of a full audience at the Wycombe Swan including my family, my peers and their parents, was such a great opportunity to show all that
• • •
are attending graduation; want to share your pride in Bucks; and are willing to speak confidently and clearly on behalf of your fellow graduates, we want to hear from you.
The University Communications team and Bucks Students’ Union are joining forces to offer all those chosen to be a speaker at their ceremony, support with rehearsals, extra public speaking workshops and speech writing assistance.
I've learnt over the three years whilst at Bucks. I felt so good after the ceremony
To nominate yourself for valedictorian please send no more than 150 words
and am so glad I put my name forward!”
describing why you should be considered, along with your name, course and
Daljeet Sandhar, graduated from BSc (Hons) Air Transport with Commercial Pilot Training – “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, it’s not like you graduate
contact telephone number from your student email address to kelly.young@bucks.ac.uk by Fri 3 May.
every day. I had the opportunity to share my special moments and experiences
Nominations will be considered anonymously by a panel of Heads of Schools
I had with my Bucks family. It made my graduation ceremony remarkably
and Bucks Students’ Union.
March Issue
By Kelly Young
7
Valedictorian.
March Issue
8
STUDENT ACTIVITIES It’s all happening in the SU... We have recovered from Election week and are now very much feeling Varsity fever! We hope to see as many of there as possible in support of our fabulous teams in their efforts to bring home that cup! In preparation for the big day, come along to the Lounge or Pulse on Thursday 21 March where you’ll find all the materials you need to make the best Varsity banner or practice your face paints for the big day. There will be a prize for the best banner made and brought along on the day. Our top two activities over the next month are... Tuesday 19 March – Rain Man at The Wycombe Swan Based on the Oscar winning film which famously starred Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman and won Oscar’s for Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Director and Best Actor, Bill Kenwright presents the inaugural Classic Screen to Stage Theatre Company production of RAIN MAN. When self-centred salesman Charlie Babbitt discovers that his long-lost brother Raymond, an autistic savant with a genius for numbers, has inherited the family fortune, he sets out to get ‘his half’. Charlie ‘borrows’ Raymond from the institution where he has spent most of his life and the two brothers embark on a trip across America where Charlie soon discovers that Raymond is worth more than he could have ever imagined… Paul Nicholls (Eastenders) will play Raymond Babbit, joined by Chris Fountain (Hollyoaks) as Charlie Babbitt. RAIN MAN follows previous acclaimed Bill Kenwright productions of films to the stage such as A Few Good Men, The Shawshank Redemption and Twelve Angry Men. Friday 10 May – Emergency First Aid Get work ready by ensuring you leave University with a First Aid certificate recognised by employers and valid for three years. This one day session covers all you need to know about Emergency First Aid and is a great addition to any CV. Other activities coming up include: London Zoo trip Daytrip to Brighton Trip to the British Museum Singing Lessons And skills sessions on Resilience, Public Speaking and CV Writing You can book onto any activity through our website so be sure to keep an eye out on bucksstudentsunion.org/whatson – don’t miss out, reserve your place early on! If you need any support to enhance your academic experience, pop into one of the Students’ Union offices and we will be more than happy to help wherever we can. Have something different in mind? If you have an activity or skills session that you would like to take part in, please do not hesitate to get in touch! We love hearing your ideas and providing opportunities that you want! Contact us at surecactivities@bucks.ac.uk or pop in and see us in one of the Student’s Union offices! We look forward to seeing you all on as many activities as possible this term!
March Issue
By The Students' Union Activities Team
9
Student Activities.
10 March Issue
Money Advice.
By Tim Dixon
MONEY APPS You may have had a chance to try money apps before, or you might be thinking about them for the first time. The difficulty is getting what you want the app to provide, from the basic budgeting tool all the way through to the more integrated apps. This guide is for you to see four apps that available on Apple and Android. Some of them will require you to enter your bank/credit card account details so that it can read your spending and income across them all and give you a precise picture on how you spend your money. All of the apps in this article are free to download and use, but they may have additional items that you would have to pay for. If you can’t see something that suits you, why not ask amongst your friends to what they use and see which one suits you. The best thing about money apps is that you quickly get the chance where you can save money or where you might need to look for a better value deal. If you do need further help with your budgeting an planning your money ahead, come along and book an appointment at the Students' Union Advice Centre, or visit bucksstudentsunion.org/support/advice/moneyproblems for further help.
Spending Tracker
Money Dashboard
A simple easy to use tracking app that
Good for budgeting and planning your
you manually update
finances ahead
Useful for keeping a record of what you
Much like YOLT, this app will allow you
have been spending right down to the last
to see what you’re spending at a glance,
penny. Categorise your spending so you
see where you spend the most, and set
can see at a glance where the bulk of your
spending goals. This app allows you to
money goes. The app doesn’t link up with
enter multiple UK bank accounts to track
your bank account, so it relies on you
your spending across them all. One of
manually entering the amounts – but it's
the really interesting features on this app
fairly simple to do. If you're starting out and
is that it allows you to see what your
are concerned about linking bank accounts
balance might look like in the future based
to an app, this might be a good option.
on your current spending and habits.
YOLT
Fudget
An integrated app that allows you to see
Good if you have identified your largest
it all in one place
costs and want to keep an eye on them
YOLT allows you to set budgets,
A budget planning tool that allows you
organise and see at a glance your
to create categories that suit you and
transactions by either the category
to add budgets in each. You then need
or where you bought the item from,
to manually enter how much you have
you can set budgets (for instance to
spent and the app will deduct that from
keep a track on your coffee spending
your budget limit. An example of this is
habits). YOLT will know more directly
if you like eating out, but you need to set
about your spending as it will take
an amount that you can afford to spend
information from your bank and credit
in a month, you can track what you can
card accounts.
afford and plan you spending.
EMPLOYABILITY Not sure what you want to be when you grow up?
Very few people are 100% sure of how they want
CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY SERVICE
opportunities. Currently we are recruiting student
their career path to develop but even if it’s a short
The University Careers Department can help you
staff for the 19/20 academic year, in particular those
term plan, we should all have some idea of what we
prepare for the world of work and start planning
interested in being a Freshers' Helper – a truly
are doing next.
your career. If you’d like to know how to use the
rewarding role at the beginning of the academic
Your number one Students’ Union can help you;
careers and employability service, and get some
year helping new Bucks students settle in.
whether you’re in your final year and realising you
advice or support, visit bucks.ac.uk/careers.
have just a few months to sort this or you’re in one
They can also give you plenty of resources to
disposable income or just to gain experience you
of your first few years and want to gain some skills
get you started with job searches, applications,
can see all our part-time student opportunities on
and experience, get involved with us and let us help
and more and can support you with your career
you find the right path for you.
our website: bucksstudentsunion.org/jobs.
planning, and help you access part time and
CV WORKSHOPS The Students' Union runs regular two-hour workshops
graduate opportunities, including international opportunities.
on basic CV writing and how to successfully
MY BUCKS CAREER
complete application forms. Keep an eye on
My Bucks Career is for all current students and has
bucksstudentsunion.org/whatson for future dates
a range of interactive career advice including CV
and reserve your place through the online event.
and covering letter builders, videos and reports from
ONE TO ONE ADVICE You can get one to one advice on your CV or career
industry professionals, as well as lots of interactive tools to make you truly employable.
Whether it’s to pay the bills, to get a bit more
SKILLS SESSIONS Attending our FREE skills sessions, courtesy of the big deal, can really develop your transferable skills, give you the opportunity to gain qualifications not offered as part of the course at other Universities and build up your CV. Previously we have run sessions on Resilience, Public Speaking, Emergency and Paediatric First Aid, and Personal Licence, but we can source trainers from any industry, so if
aspirations from me at the SU anytime or from the
WORKING FOR US
there’s something you’re not getting on your course
drop in sessions hosted by the University Careers
Working for the Students’ Union gives great work
that you think would benefit you and your course
Department at both High Wycombe and Uxbridge.
experience to add to your CV, is flexible around
mates in your chosen industry, you just need to get
Contact careers@bucks.ac.uk for more information.
your studies and provides real development
in touch with us.
March Issue
By Sarah Jackson
11
Employability.
12 March Issue
Volunteering.
By Muti Mughal
“The best person is the one who benefits the people” - The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him
THE IMPORTANCE OF
VOLUNTEERING There is an incredibly profound Chinese proverb that has been pondered over
so to speak, between me and the people in need. But it wasn’t until I directly
and reiterated endlessly by the greatest thinkers to exist, and it goes:
conversed and saw the reality of the situations that people, just like us, live in,
“If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.”
day in and day out, that I really changed my outlook. I felt almost guilty that I was living with myself before, quite unaware and almost ignorant of the reality and the gravity of what society seems to turn a blind eye towards. But the experience not only made me appreciate my life much more, but it also
Philosophers and thinkers have often found that true happiness lies, not within
motivated me to keep helping others.
ourselves or revelling in our own achievements, but true happiness is found with other people, and more specifically helping others. A little while ago I started to engage in a plethora of activities which ranged from running events for young people in my local community, organising the gathering of food for food banks, cake sales for various charities to name a few, but it wasn’t until recently that I started to fully engage with giving food and clothes and more to people directly. When I was younger and I was gathering cans for people it was very different to what I am doing now because there was a “middle man”,
Volunteering and charity is, not only quite possibly the best thing to do as a human being, but I believe that we have a moral obligation to help those less fortunate as ourselves. Volunteering is not only great for your mental health and overall wellbeing, but you are investing your life into creating and moulding your community and society at large into something magnificent. If we needed help if we were in trouble, wouldn’t we want a hand from our fellow human? Change doesn’t start with waiting for other people to do things; it starts with us.
RISING TO THE CHALLENGE
A group of five Bucks New Uni students and staff will be completing the Three Peak Challenge at the beginning of July 2019. This challenge involves travelling over 450 miles, climbing over 5,200 feet and trekking 25 miles on three mountains, back-to-back! This is one of Britain’s toughest challenges that will take us from sea level to the summit of each of the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales; Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis and Snowdon. Shannon Batchelor, Ayesha Chowdhury and Alice Durrant are all Uxbridge students studying Nursing. They are fundraising for the National Autistic Society, the UK’s largest provider of specialist autism services. The money raised will go towards trained staff and volunteers to bring their expertise to the lives of 100,000 autistic people each year. Whether that be in schools for help with education, at home or out in the community. Autism is not an illness or a disease. It effects how a person communicates and relates to other people and how they experience the world around them. Autism is a spectrum condition which means that all autistic
people will share certain difficulties but it could effect them in different ways so they will need different levels of support. There are around 700,000 autistic people in the UK from all nationalities and backgrounds. “As I’m studying Children’s Nursing I believe that all children should have the same opportunities no matter their background, culture, if they have a learning disability, illness or condition. The National Autistic Society will help people with autism and their families to get the right sort of support to live a more fulfilling life. Having experienced working in a primary special school, I have seen the difference the right sort of support children with autism can make. I will be completing walks and going on runs to get my endurance up so the challenge isn’t such a shock to my body. I am excited to see how my body reacts but quite nervous about the lack of sleep in between peaks. I am seeing this challenge as a once in a
lifetime opportunity and I’m extremely excited for July and the fact I’m doing this for an amazing charity makes the experience even better.” Shannon Batchelor “I am particularly looking forward to watching the sunrise at the top of Scafell Pike!” Alice Durrant “I’m really looking forward to the challenge itself, the altitude, it’s effect and great views!” Ayesha Chowdhury Asked about the Trek, University staff-member Marcus said, "Both Julie and I are 'Bucks Proud' to be undertaking this challenge alongside our students. We are looking forward to scaling new heights together!"
March Issue
By Shannon Batchelor, Ayesha Chowdhury & Alice Durrant
13
Three Peaks Challenge.
14 March Issue
Poverty Awareness.
By Karen Farrelly, Adele Wilson, Justine Morrow and Georgina Green
POVERTY AWARENESS This day is open to everyone who is interested in
community healthcare. This includes district nursing,
learning about, or is affected by poverty in any way.
health visiting, community children’s nursing and
You can pop in at any time throughout the event and
school nursing. Poverty is an on-going, current
everyone is welcome. The day will be fun, informal,
issue affecting lots of families and individuals across
interactive and open to all ages. On the day there
the United Kingdom. Working in the community
will be games, stalls with lots of information and a gallery display relating to poverty across the lifespan. There will be guest speakers from First Days, Homeless Wycombe, YMCA and other charities with the aim of increasing awareness of available support in the local area. On top of this, there will be free refreshments as well as information about how to
Poverty across the lifespan is an important issue and one that we hope to raise awareness of by holding
gives healthcare professionals the chance to raise awareness, educate and offer support to those impacted by poverty. The aim of this event is to approach the subject in a sensitive manner and give people the opportunity to access support in a relaxed, non-judgemental environment.
cook nutritious meals on a budget. There will also be
So please come along on the day and join us for
a cake sale and tombola to raise money for charities
a chat, a cup of tea, or to join in with the games
that provide support to those in need.
and enjoy the refreshments and see if we have any
Organising the event is a group of nurses and
information that could be useful to you or someone
midwives who are currently studying at Bucks
you know. If you come to the reception area at
an event day on 10/04/2019 at Bucks New University,
New University, on a one-year course, to complete
Bucks New University, High Wycombe campus, we
High Wycombe campus, from 10.30am-15.30pm.
postgraduate qualifications in different areas of
will be able to welcome and direct you to the event.
April 10th Buckinghamshire New University Gateway Theatre 10:30-15:30
15
Film Review.
March Issue
16
18 Mar - 27 Mar
BUCKS STUDENTS' UNION IS OPEN SEVEN NIGHTS A WEEK. IF YOU DO NOT SEE AN EVENT LISTED BELOW, CHECK ONLINE NEARER THE TIME!
March Issue
Wednesday 20
30 Mar - 14 Apr Saturday 30
Friday 2 Monday 18
Friday 26
Saturday 23 Sunday 24
Friday 12 – Sunday 14
Wednesday 27
Monday 25
VARSITY AWAY
17
27 Apr - 12 May
VISIT BUCKSSTUDENTSUNION.ORG/WHATSON OR SEARCH: BUCKS STUDENTS' UNION ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Saturday 27
March Issue
Sunday 31
Wednesday 1
Saturday 6
Thursday 8
Saturday 4
Friday 10 – Sunday 12
Thursday 2
March Issue
18
19
Rusty recommends.
March Issue
The venue is open seven days a week and sometimes it is difficult to decide which nights to go to - you may end up missing out on something amazing! Here are my recommendations for the next few weeks for those of you who like to experience something a bit different!
Saturday 6 April
Saturday 4 May Rusty rock-a-mends coming along to two huge upcoming Crash nights! Always wanted to see Blink-182, but you’ve blinked and
'Neighborhoods' and 'California', it's everything you'd
from classics such as 'Take This to Your Grave' and
missed them? Been a fan of Fall Out Boy, but always
expect from a Blink show.
'From Under the Cork Tree' to new records 'American
fall out with the boy you were going to see them with before the gig? Well, look no further than the upcoming ‘Blink-2’ and ‘Fell Out Boy’ club nights by Crash, hosted at your very own Bucks Students’ Union. Blink-2 are the UK's biggest Blink 182 tribute act grace the Students' Union stage playing hits from almost
So cancel All the Small Things that you’ve got going on and come to The Rock Show - you’ll have such a good time you’ll be asking; What’s My Age Again?! Blink-2 will be gracing the Students’ Union stage from 10pm, Saturday 6 April.
30 years of back catalogue. Whether you're a fan
By popular demand, Fell Out Boy return to Crash for
of the classics like 'Enema of the State' and 'Take
the third time! The UK's best Fall Out Boy tribute are
Off Your Pants and Jacket', or the newer albums
back again, smashing out hits from all seven albums;
Beauty/American Psycho' and 'Mania'; this is the closest Wycombe will ever get to the real thing! Fell Out Boy will be falling into the Venue on Saturday 4 May, with music from themselves and DJs so you can Dance, Dance until 3am. As always, these crash nights are completely free to Bucks Students, and only £5 entry to non-students. Thnks fr th Mmrs.
20 March Issue
Music review.
By Colin Capp
STRANGE CREATURES You may have been forgiven for thinking Drenge had lost the plot a bit. Having a tombola at the merch stand with prizes such as a lock of the drummer’s hair, hosting a Q and A between fans and the robot from the cover of their most recent EP and embarking on a tour of digitally rewired and re-engineered tracks didn’t appear to be usual band behaviour. But the fact is Drenge are just weird and we wouldn’t have it any other way. This is the album where Drenge seemed to have fully embraced who they are and it makes a sometimes unusual but brilliant album.
new release are carried by the bass guitar and drums, most notably on open ‘Bonfire of the City Boys’, and exhilarating ‘Never See the Signs’. Most of the songs also feature synthesisers to brilliant effect, adding a dark undertow beneath the heavy guitars and pounding drums. ‘Strange Creatures’ sees an organ thrown into the mix, adding to the depth of this dark indie track. Most surprising of all though is ‘Prom Night’ which features a saxophone coming almost out of nowhere, but working perfectly with the bands usual line up and creating one of the best tracks on the album.
Eoin and Rory Loveless are the two brothers who started Drenge, as a two-piece indie-punk band playing fast, aggressive and scrappy songs. Their second album saw the introduction of a bassist and a move towards a more standard alternative rock sound. After a break their ‘Grand Reopening’ tour saw the introduction of a fourth member, with added guitar and keys to their wall of sound suggesting the new album would be another development in style for the band.
The developments in instrumentation and style has also seen Eoin’s vocals mature. This sounds like a much wiser and varied vocal style than he has tried before, sometimes talking, sometimes shouting and at some points even creating a Jarvis Cocker style croon. This vocal style and added instrumentation all helps in creating a
This album sees Drenge experiment with more instruments, expanding their sound to create a dark, moody, indie style. Where the first album had no bass at all the majority of the tracks on this
more grown up and well-rounded sound than we have seen from Drenge before. All of this does not mean this doesn’t feel like a Drenge album though, ‘Bonfire of the City Boys’ and ‘Never See the Signs’ still pack a punch with the ferocious energy of their early releases, but the different styles explored add more depth and maturity to the band’s sound. The elements experimented with here aren’t completely new to indie rock however the way the band have used such effects feels like they are pushing forwards to create new, exciting styles. This all means Drenge have made their most experimental and respectable album yet. With the unpredictability of the band it’s unclear to see where they could go next, we just know it won’t be boring.
WARNING: SPOILERS At the heart of this film is a strong woman who is trying to find out who she really is but once she finds out, she fights for what she believes is right. This is the origin story of Captain Marvel and how Fury got the idea for the Avenger's in 1995. Captain Marvel known as Carol Danvers on Earth and Vers on Hala, the Kree's capital planet. We first meet Captain Marvel when she is known as Vers a Kree starforce member, she is suffering from reoccurring nightmares involving an older woman. We meet Yon-Rogg, Vers mentor and commander who is training her to control her powers and to keep her emotions under control. During a mission to rescue an undercover Kree, Carol and her team infiltrate a group of Skrulls who are alien shapeshifters. The Kree and Skrulls have been fighting for centuries and no one knows how this war can end or if it ever will. Vers is captured by Skrull commander, Talos, but escapes and crashes to Earth. Her presence on Earth attracts the attention of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents Nick Fury and Phil Coulson. Fury and Vers team up to stop the Skrull, however whilst investigating Vers discovers she was a US Air Force pilot named Carol Danvers, who was presumed dead after testing an experimental engine designed by Dr Wendy Lawson (this is the older woman who Carol/Vers kept seeing in her nightmares). Fury and Carol fly with Lawson's cat Goose to meet Rambeau (a formers pilot of Wendy Lawson). Talos purses Carol and Fury to Rambeau's home and reveals that the Skrulls are actually refugees searching for a new home after the Kree started the war. If this is wasn't enough of a shock that who we thought were the bad guys are actually the good guys, Talos also reveals that Lawson was a Kree undercover helping the Skrull. We are unsure whether we can trust the Taos with him telling us that really the Kree are the ones causing all this trouble and creating war. Although, we finally discover how Carol got her powers, after Lawson and Carol crashed, Lawson
told Carol to destroy the engine's energy-core before the real enemy got to it. By destroying the energy-core, Carol absorbed the energy form the explosion and mixed her DNA with a Kree alien solider called Mar-Vell and lost all her memories. With the energy from the explosion and the DNA of Mar-Vell, this is why Carol in the Marvel universe is known as Captain Marvel. The final battle is on a hidden ship orbiting the Earth where we find several Skrull are hiding and protecting the Tesseract, the source of the energy-core. Carol breaks free from the Kree's control and gains access to all her powers and abilities. This is a very empowering moment as Carol has taken control and knows who she is. During the battle, Fury retrieves the Tesseract, which is eaten by Goose (Lawson's cat) who ends up being not a cat but an alien whose insides are a pocket dimension. This film ends with Fury, after losing his sight in his left eye from a scratch from Goose, creating a proposal for an initiative which he calls 'Avenger' after examining a photo of Carol and the plane was called 'Avenger'. Every second of this film is exciting to watch, there is not one moment where you switch off and become bored. Lots of actions and plot twists that you don’t expect. This film sets up so much we already know of this world due to Avenger films we have had previously. After watching this film, you feel excited for the highly anticipated Avenger's film next month. However, even if you are not an Avenger fan, this film is all about female empowerment and standing up for what is right. Also, this film is about resilience, if you get knocked down, don’t let it stop you, get back up and try again. Carol keeps getting knocked down, but she always keeps getting back up and in the end she succeeds. Every moment of this film is enjoyable to watch, the acting is amazing as these characters are so complex. Whether you are a Marvel fan or not, this film doesn’t disappoint.
March Issue
By Athena Pickering
21
Film review.
22 March Issue
What type of article is it?
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS POST-UNI? If you are someone who can be asked this question and not completely crumble, then I have an awful lot of respect for you. I have now reached the part of Uni where family, friends and co-workers are starting to ask what I plan to do once I’ve graduated and I don’t know how much longer I can keep changing the subject before someone realises that I haven’t got a clue. Although I think the lack of knowledge I have for my future is starting to show because when asked the other day “so have you got any plans yet for when you graduate?” I nervously laughed and stared into space for two minutes. Playing it cool as always.
interested in but something I hadn’t really considered myself. After campaigning and being elected NUS Delegate, Executive Officer for Woman and then being hired as the Editor of The Bucks Student, I found myself surrounded by politics and new perspectives.
This made me realise, and I’m sorry to my eighteen-year-old self who didn’t know this, but there is so much more to life than being an actor and performing. As great as that discovery was, it not only shattered my five-year plan but has left me enormously unsure of what I want to do with my life. It was easy when all I could I did have a plan, in fact I had this overly organised five-year plan that I thought do was perform, I never questioned it but now I know I can do more than that I I had completely figured out. I guess eighteen-year-old me didn’t realise that life am confused as to what path I’m supposed to take. However, I am beginning to would get in the way and I would change my mind more times than I could’ve understand that this doesn’t have to be a bad thing. In fact, if anything, I have given imagined. When I came to Uni, I was so sure that performing arts was all there was myself more opportunities and opened more doors for my future. to life. I never really knew anything else before I came to Bucks, having previously If you find yourself in a similar situation my advice would be to embrace it. When studied acting for two years after school. I was sure of myself and my decision asked about your plans for your future I have found that simply saying “I don’t to enter the industry yet when I came to bucks my perspective of pretty much know” if a good enough answer as any. You don’t need to know just yet and to quote anything and everything changed. ‘everybody’s free’ by Baz Luhrmann, “The most interesting people I know didn’t During my time at Uni I went through all the general changes a student goes know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting through. I learnt how to be independent, how to live off very little money and how 40-year olds I know still don’t”. You will figure out what you want but until you do, to work a twelve hour shift hungover on two hours sleep. Alongside all of this I keep every door open, build as many bridges as you can and enjoy knowing that got invested in the world of politics, something my family has always been deeply anything is possible.
March Issue
By Eliza Gent
23
Life after Uni.
24 March Issue
What is Union Council?
What is
UNION COUNCIL? By Emily Dixie
During most of my first year. I never attended a Union Council. I did not really know what it was and I was not really involved in the Union enough to know what they even did.
It was only in the march meeting in my first year did I attend with now Union Chair
to say. It also helped that we knew who are chancellor was as usually we only see
Patricia Feiteira and honestly I just went for the free Domino’s pizza. I wish now I
them for our welcome talk in first year then when we are graduating in third year.
did attend earlier in my first year as I learned so much about what the Sabbs were
This was great to know that even though he was in an authoritative position we
doing and what their roles actually entailed. I learned about how the mural in the
could still talk to him and knew who he was.
underpass was something that had taken nearly two years to even start. It was also a place where campaigns were promoted and volunteers were asked for as well as
I also got to meet many other people who I had not seen around at University and
launching campaigns such as our #StandTogether campaign.
gain different perspective on the University and the Union as a whole.
I found out that student ideas was a page on the Students' Union website where
This was also a place student reps have a role to bring up topics about their course
students could suggest positive changes around the University, like more water
as well as them gaining a knowledge and taking that away to spread to more people.
fountains so you did not have to trek halfway across the Campus to get some water etc.
Going to Union Council has definitely helped me grow as a University student and
I also learned there was a place to log problems with student issues. From IT-related actually know what our Students' Union does and how it is so much more than just a problems, to lectures getting cancelled at the last minute etc. This is a great way to
bar. It also helped me know who works in the student union and who to talk to with
know that our Union would hold our University to account.
any issues I have.
Bringing in guest lecturers to talk about things such as where to live after halls,
I now regret not going more in my first year, as the knowledge and gaining
understanding contracts etc.
confidence in myself and fully being a active participant of the Students' Union
As well as having (at the time Acting) Vice Chancellor Nick Braisby come in when he
and not having a fear of walking into the Union office and talking to our sabbatical
first joined the University, to talk about his role and to listen to what us students had officers one-on-one came from attending Union Council.
25
This is a discrete service conducted via email, so you will be set up with a Bucks Buddy email address. We are looking for students that fall in to the following categories so we can best provide assistance and advice to our broad range of members. Mature student Student from overseas Part time student Post Graduate student Under Graduate student
A Further Education level student (i.e. Foundation) Student with family responsibilities Student who commutes Student who hails from the local area
Any queries email: katie.smith@bucks.ac.uk For more information and to apply, please visit bucksstudentsunion.org/jobs
UK ENGAGEMENT ENGAGEMENT SURVEY SURVEY
HAVE YOUR SAY We want you to get the most out of your time at Bucks. Please tell us how you are engaging with your course, what we are doing well and if we can do anything better.
Complete the survey today at bucks.ac.uk/UKES
March Issue
WE ARE RECRUITING BUDDIES TO SUPPORT OUR APPLICANTS FROM WHEN THEY APPLY AND THROUGHOUT THEIR FIRST TERM AT BUCKS.
March Issue
26
XXX.
FAIRTRADE AMBASSADOR Since first year, I have been interested in the Smile
harvest on the farm, look after children, carry water,
campaign. This summer I messaged Kat about it and
collect wood, cook & clean, transport cocoa bean to
she talked about running for Fairtrade Ambassador.
market but often they have fewer rights than men.
As I was Green Ambassador from 2017/18. I knew what about what ambassadors had to do and both roles are quite similar in that they both are about the environment and sustainability.
The Fairtrade Foundation started a campaign called #SheDeserves. This helps raise the living income to ÂŁ1.86. This living income is designed to help cocoa farmers make enough money to live a simple but
This Year’s Fairtrade smile campaign was hopefully
dignified life. To help pay for essentials such as clothes,
more Fairtrade oriented with statistics attached to the
medicine and school. If you type Fairtrade Fortnight
Fairtrade flapjacks. I want to thank all the Volunteers
2019 into Google, you can help sign the petition to stop
who woke up early, it was very much appreciated. This
the extortion of cocoa farmers.
was my first time running a campaign and the Students' Union were very helpful (especially Kat). Since becoming Fairtrade Ambassador I have met the Wycombe Fairtrade group and have communicated
Because She Deserves: -Clean Water -A Doctor
with them about running more Fairtrade events and
-A Living Income
engaging with the local community.
-Equal Rights
International Women’s day landed on the same week
With Graduation closing in. I hope to continue to
as Fairtrade fortnight. 74p is an average daily income
work with people in the Fairtrade and environmental
for some cocoa farmers in international countries.
sustainability community. This could not have
Most of the cocoa farmers in West Africa live in
happened without the help of the Students' Union and
poverty. For Women this is worse as they plant &
the initiative they have in the environment.
March Issue
By Emily Dixie
27
Fairtrade Ambassador.
28 March Issue
BNU Swans.
By Vanessa Pereira, Kia Charlie Wing, Claire Fisher, Alisha Chester, Sophie Parfitt, Jade Collis, Fiona Ademi, Tatiana Ketura & Tia Griffiths
BNU SWANS International Girl Guiding Thinking Day Saturday 2 March was an event filled with laughter, joy and knowledge at a local
(African) deserve a big thank you, because without their contribution this event would
town church. The day, starting at 1pm and finishing at 4pm, consisted of nine
not have been possible. In addition, a big thank you goes to choreographers of each
volunteers and 30 local troops, the Rainbows, Brownies and Girl Guiding, joined
style. Lauren O’Shea for teaching Irish, Christina Demetriou for teaching Salsa, Chloe
together to celebrate this occasion through dance, arts and crafts.
Corkett for teaching Bollywood, and Tatiana for teaching African.
Our cheerleaders did an amazing job teaching four dances from around the world.
Students at Bucks support the local community in various ways, using skills they
Learning new skills in the process up to the event, such as the qualities of teaching
already have such as dancing, or developing new skills such as fundraising. This
and learning a new style of dance that is outside of their comfort zone.
academic year our students have already volunteered over 4,000 hours to the
Each volunteer did a remarkable job diving into culture of each style. As each volunteer provided the girls at the event with information about the style of dance, such as the origin, their traditional movements and how the genre was created. The volunteers also came very prepared, providing speakers and music that resembles the culture, as well as providing an appropriate outfit that truly reflects the traditional background. The volunteers started preparing for this event in early January, and safe to say they provided the girls with a day filled with knowledge and fun. The following; Kia Charlie
community, supporting charities such as Child Bereavement, Wycombe Homeless Connection and Hughenden Manor to name a few. Our Yoga society have taught regular sessions for residents of Rye View Manor, our One Can Trust student leader Mona Gundacker has taken students along fortnightly to sort cans and we also have several students volunteering as Special Constables in the local area. There are so many ways that you can give back and the Students’ Union will support in any way we can!
Wing and Claire Fisher (Salsa), Alisha Chester, Sophie Parfitt and Jade Collis (Irish),
If you are interested in community volunteering, please visit our online portal to find out
Vanessa Pereira and Fiona Ademi (Bollywood), and Tatiana Ketura and Tia Griffiths
what opportunities are currently available: bucksstudentsunion.org/volunteeringportal.
THIS YEAR'S GAME SOCIETY This article is going to be a bit meta, as I will be addressing how this society has done over the current year and giving may own opinion as the current chair. When the year first started, I was nervous about how I could handle the game society continuing into this year. Most of the members that we had were either graduating or moving on and it was up to the elected committee to find enough members to keep the whole thing going. Thank fully passion for games has won out and merely mentioning what would be running at the society has seen a large member increase over the current year. I was also overjoyed to hear from longer members who had attended university in previous years have found this year’s game society to be far warmer and more welcoming. I am very happy with the members of my society. Once they had grown comfortable with their surroundings, they began to branch themselves out to form their own activities for everyone to participate in. This included; card games, Role Playing games and organising events like paintball. I was also pleasantly surprised to see the formation of the esports society, a society that has helped students to find more people who enjoy video games and form more competitive gameplay as well. This was something I had wanted to branch the game society to do but found trying to organise a room in a separate building to be a complicated ordeal that would most likely split the members of the society up. I hope the game society and the esports society have the opportunity to do some collaboration later on. This year’s society has also seen its best time on the way to full accreditation. We recently held an auction event inside the room of the society in order to raise money for both RAG and give a little nest egg to next year’s members. The auction was both fun and completely necessary to organise and carry out, we had collected so many
games over the years the society had existed that the inventory could not be held at university and instead became the new décor that filled my living room. This branched from some old games to new games that had not even been opened. The auction was a complete success, raising well over £200 and allowing my committee and I to breath with relief for next years budget. £50 of this was also sent to RAG for the society’s contribution to charity. This year has been so successful, and I can only thank the student union and the over the top excellent committee for being so consistently awesome and supporting me. Without them nothing in the year would have been fantastic as it was, and they truly have my deepest thanks for making this one of the best years I have had in my lifetime. Come join the fun.
March Issue
By Jake Gregory
29
Gaming Soc.
March Issue
30
Pole began in September with a guest
for something a bit different where I could still
pole instructor. Taster sessions were held
dance whilst still working on my fitness. BNU Pole
where new and old members could learn
provided the perfect opportunity and is something
and practice moves such as spins, sits,
I really look forward to each week. It’s amazing to
climbs and headstands. Throughout the
look back at when I first began pole in my first year
year, fitness classes were sometimes held
and then to realise how much progress I have made
instead of the usual pole classes which
in such a short time. It has been a great experience
provided an alternative form of fitness
being on committee and helping to recruit new
whilst maintaining the same aura of fun and
members and watch their confidence grow each
teamwork the classes normally provide.
week. I can’t wait to continue to help this society
The society is well underway to achieving accreditation and our upcoming RAG and fundraising events will help support this. Earlier this year, we held a trip to Essex University for their first ever interpole competition. This was an exciting experience and allowed those who went to see what pole classes were like at other universities and gave a real sense of the progress students are capable of making in pole across their years at university. This trip also provided an opportunity to perform and showcase what we do at BNU. Congratulations to our chair who performed and made Bucks proud. We wish to host more trips like this in the coming year as well
grow and succeed in the upcoming year.” Michelle, our future chair, says: “Being able to do pole fitness at university is something i never imagined would be possible before I started at Bucks. It’s an amazing chance to build strength and the best thing is, you look good doing it. Pole fitness at uni has introduced me to incredible people that help me with being more confident and always push me to the best of my ability. They never judge me and have my best interests at heart. Having a pole family at uni makes my look forward to exercising on the weekend. Seeing everyone progressing so fast inspires me to work even harder in class. We’ve had amazing experiences and even had the opportunity to watch and participate in an inter-uni pole competition. I look forward to continuing with pole throughout my next two years at Bucks and hopefully seeing a lot of new faces next year." Committed member Alice says: “BNU Pole is a
as opportunities within runway to build strength and confidence. It allows uni to showcase our
you to work on cardio and flexibility without
hard work.
knowing. Going to classes has helped me meet new
Our secretary Melissa
people and gain support from members.”
says: “Coming to
For something rewarding, fun and different, join
uni I was looking
BNU Pole next year.
March Issue
POLESOC
By Melissa Lamerton, Michelle Cullen & Alice Wild
31
Polesoc.
WHAT’S YOUR PASSION? The Bucks Student newspaper is looking for current students to write articles - if you’re passionate about a subject, we’d love to hear from you. Can’t think of what to write? No problem! Join us at a Newsgroup meeting and we’ll give you a topic to write about. Our meetings are in the Study Lounge (near Beats, opposite the Dance Studio) - email editor@thebucksstudent.com for a time and date. Not only will you get your views and opinions out there, but being able to say your work has been published will look fantastic on your CV. For more information email the student editor, Eliza, on editor@thebucksstudent.com. Want to take your writing even further, and earn £100 per edition? We are starting to look for an editor to work with the Bucks Student for the next academic year (2019/20). If you would like to find out more please email sucommunications@bucks.ac.uk.