UNION THIS IS YOUR
YOUR UNION WELCOME TO
WHAT IS A STUDENTS’ UNION?
A students’ union is an organisation run by and for students attending a university or college. They represent the interests and welfare of the student body, providing support and services to enhance the student experience.
WHAT IS UCASU?
We’re your Students’ Union here at UCA. The UCASU team is made up of elected representatives, a permanent staff team and volunteers. We’re committed to representing and acting in the best interests of students at all levels of the university, be it locally, nationally, and internationally.
We advocate for your student rights and concerns, liaise with the university senior leadership about issues that matter to you, and provide a platform for student representation and engagement in decisionmaking processes.
YOU’RE A UNION MEMBER!
When you enrol at UCA, you’re automatically a member of UCASU!
Being a member means that you can attend our events, join Clubs, and Societies, become a Course Rep, as well as access our advice service for wellbeing support, academic matters, accommodation, and more.
HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED!
As a UCASU member, you can start and join clubs and societies to meet new people, attend the events and activities we run, and vote in Elections. You can also enhance your employability whilst you study by by becoming a Course Rep, running for a position on Union Council or putting yourself forward for one of our club or society leadership roles. Beyond this, we offer an advice and support service independently of UCA to support you throughout your studies too.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOUR UNION
There’s so much more going on at UCASU than we can cover in this guide, so be sure to check out our social media channels (@ucasu for everything) – you’ll catch us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
You’ll find a UCASU office on your campus, right in the heart of things, so be sure to come and say hello –we’ll be happy to see you!
Your UCA Students’ Union Digital Communities exist to connect you with other UCA students on your campus and beyond. Our Facebook Groups are for offer holders and current UCA students as a digital community space to meet others, find local accommodation, promote student-led projects & opportunities, and stay in the know about all things going on at UCASU!
You can read the full Terms of Use Policy on our website at UCASU.COM/DIGITALCOMMUNITES, and if you have questions or feedback regarding the UCA Students’ Union Digital Communities, please contact union@uca.ac.uk.
CASSIE DE ST. CROIX
PRESIDENT CANTERBURY
Hia folks! My name is Cassie de St. Croix, I use they/them pronouns, and I’m one of your elected Presidents! This means I’m a main point of contact with your Union, and it’s my job to represent the student voice to the University and make sure you’re heard!
I studied Illustration and Animation on our Canterbury campus for three years, and got inspired to be an active part of the student movement through working closely with UCASU.
One of my main goals last year was to improve the chain of feedback through our course rep system to make sure that you are having your needs met and your voices amplified. After all, your Students’ Union should be informed and led by you, the students. I also want to work on supporting students through the cost of living crisis, lobbying the university to cut canteen prices, and encouraging courses to be more transparent about hidden costs for materials and printing.
Your Union is a completely separate entity to UCA, which means that we can give independent advice and are able to deal with lots of things you might not want to speak to a tutor about. Whether it’s an idea about a new club, an issue you’ve had with a peer or a staff member, or even that you just need a good chat and a cuppa!
You can get in touch via my email Cassie.DS-Croix.SU@uca.ac.uk - but emails can be tricky and boring, so why not just pop into the office and say hi! Or look out for one of our in person events happening across the year. I can’t wait to meet you all and work together to help shape your UCA experience!
Cassie de St. Croix (They/Them)
UCASU President Canterbury 24/25
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CHARLIE SKINNER
PRESIDENT FARNHAM
Hi all, I’m Charlie, the newly elected President for the Farnham campus! I use he/ they pronouns, and am looking forward to getting to know you all throughout the academic year.
I spent four years here studying Games Development, and have a heavy interest in computer hardware and software. Throughout my time as a student here, I became heavily involved with the Students’ Union, from being a course rep, to being a Student Trustee, and now being here as one of the Presidents!
I have a variety of goals for this year, ranging from introducing a more affordable, further variety of allergen friendly food, increasing student feedback for events, to aiming to restructure how some of the bursaries at the University currently function.
Me alongside the other campus presidents will all be here for all of you, ensuring that you have an ideal time whilst you study at the University! The Students’ Union is a completely separate entity to the University, allowing us to be an alternative source of information that we can provide without bias / influence of the University.
You can get into contact with me through multiple methods! One of them is messaging me on my presidential instagram page (ucasu.charlie), or sending an email to presidents.su@uca.ac.uk. I will almost always be located inside of the Students’ Union office too so feel free to come in for a chat at any point!
Charlie Skinner (he/they)
UCASU President Farnham 24/25
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RAJON VOUMICK PRESIDENT EPSOM
Welcome to UCA and congratulations on becoming a member of your Students’ Union!
I’m Rajon Voumick, one of your UCASU Presidents for the 2024/25 academic year. It’s an honour to serve you again, having been re-elected by the student body. I use he/him pronouns, and I recently completed my MBA at UCA Epsom Business School.
This year, I am committed to driving forward new initiatives to improve our university experience. My key focuses include establishing dedicated social spaces for mental well-being, organising more events to celebrate our diverse community, and creating a comprehensive support centre for international students. Your feedback and participation are crucial to these efforts, so please take a moment to share your thoughts with us.
I’m also passionate about our clubs and societies as they are fantastic ways to enhance your university experience. I’m dedicated to ensuring these opportunities are accessible to everyone.
I’m here to represent your interests and work tirelessly to improve your time at UCA. Feel free to reach out with any problems, ideas, or experiences you’d like to share. Stay tuned for updates on what’s coming up. Your Students’ Union is your voice, and I’m here to make sure it’s heard.
Rajon Voumick (he/him)
UCASU President Epsom 24/25
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FRESHERS FAIRS FRESHERS WEEK
wed 18 sep thu 19 sep fri 20 sep sat 21 sep 11AM - 3PM 11AM - 3PM 11AM - 3PM
FARNHAM CANTERBURY EPSOM Quad Campus Green Quad
FRESHERS BALL
All UCA Students are invited to UCA Farnham. & MORE EVENTS FOR ALL CAMPUSES TO BE ANNOUNCED!
You’ll be hearing more from us very soon, keep your eyes on your emails & our social media channels.
UNION COUNCIL
One of our core values is being shaped by students, and the student voice is at the heart of it all. That is why we have a Union Council, made up of your full-time Presidents and volunteer Campus Officers – all members are voted for in our Elections.
Your elected presidents and campus officers make up the Union Council and are responsible for promoting student rights and developing campaigns which represent you.
Union Council meet regularly and minutes from those meetings are recorded for you to read on our website. As a student, you are automatically a member of UCASU and are welcome to observe a Union Council meeting as well as submit a policy for debate.
Contact your Union Presidents to find out more including how to submit a policy for discussion.
THE ROLES
PRESIDENTS
As UCASU Presidents, voted for by the student body, your Presidents’ role is to:
• Be the main student representation for all UCA students (our members) seeking and taking their feedback to the highest levels within the university
• Deliver on their elected manifesto points and lead on campaigns.
• Liaise directly with UCA’s Leadership Team building strong communication skills and good university relationships.
• Be an active representative on University committees and working groups.
• Sit on your Union Board of Trustees; this is where decisions such as strategic direction are made as well as ensuring we are financially viable.
CAMPUS OFFICER
Our Campus Officers are volunteers who are part-time and support the Union whilst continuing their studies. The responsibilities of the role include:
• Being a voting member of your Union Council.
• Act as representative for their campus membership, taking your feedback to Union Council and your Students’ Union.
• Getting involved with the planning and running of Union events and activities.
• Lead on Course Rep feedback to Union Council and your Students’ Union.
GET INVOLVED WITH ELECTIONS
If joining our Union Council is something you are interested in, we hold our annual UCASU Elections in the spring.
This is where any current UCA student at any point of their studies can run for the full-time President roles, and any continuing student can put themselves forward for volunteer Campus Officer positions to sit on Union Council.
If you are more interested in voting for your representation, you will have the opportunity to do that too – keep an eye out for more information on our socials.
For more information about student elections and how you can get involved, visit:
HOW DOES THIS IMPACT YOUR EXPERIENCE AT UCA?
Our Union Council are responsible for the direction of UCASU through the execution of policy, promotion of student rights and the development of projects and campaigns to represent you, our members of the Students’ Union.
Learn more about your current Union Council and keep up to date with what they’re working on at:
You can learn more about Course Reps and see the positive changes made at: representing the student voice for positive academic change and development
Our Course Rep system connects you, your course staff and your Union, ensuring you’re getting the very best from your experience at UCA.
WHAT IS A COURSE REP?
A Course Rep is elected to act as a voice for their peers on their course. They represent the interests of students to work towards enhancing the overall academic experience and fostering a positive learning environment for everyone. Their main responsibility is to gather feedback and share this with academic staff at Programme Committees.
GET INVOLVED WITH COURSE REPS
Sign up to become a Course Rep on our website at the start of your academic year. Elected Campus Officers (who make up part of your Union Council) help support Course Reps and aim to regularly meet on campus for Course Rep Forums. Here Course Reps are able to discuss common concerns and share praise from Programme Committees.
THINKING ABOUT BECOMING A COURSE REP?
If you decide to run as a Course Rep, we will empower and support you the whole way.
There are many benefits to becoming a Course Rep. On top of being the influential driving force for improvements to the student experience, you can:
• Gain professional skills such as networking, developing stronger relationships with academic staff, and meeting etiquette.
• Develop your feedback and communication skills by gathering students’ opinions, relaying this information to university staff, and reporting any comments and responses back to the student body.
ADVICE & SUPPORT
You can access advice and support independent of UCA throughout your studies through UCASU. We know that sometimes things don’t go as planned, and there are times when figuring things out, and understanding new academic processes might not seem doable.
That’s why we exist, and we’re here to help and support you across a range of areas, including:
Academic misconduct & disciplinary procedures
Academic appeals
Resits & retakes
Bullying & harassment
Complaints
Mitigating circumstances
Reporting incidents
Sexual health & access to free condoms
Facilitating mediation
Advocating on your behalf to the University
General wellbeing support and sign-posting to other services
This is not an extensive list of the support you can access through UCASU and you can always contact your campus Student Engagement team for an initial confidential conversation. Our core support hours are generally between 9AM-5PM Monday to Friday, and you can get in touch at:
We also have an online Knowledge Base which is full of useful advice and guidance, spanning across mental health and wellbeing to more specialised information regarding changing courses and mitigating circumstances.
We understand that a sense of community on campus is important, and can really enhance your time at UCA.
That’s why joining or starting a Club or Society on your campus is a great way to get involved with your Union and find your campus community.
WHAT ARE CLUBS & SOCIETIES?
Clubs & Societies are run by students, for students!
Every Club or Society on your campus has been started by a student and set up with the support of UCASU.
Each Club or Society has a committee of students responsible for making it happen.
The student volunteer roles are:
• Group President
• Experience President
• Membership President
So if you want to add to your CV and gain experience, the student volunteer roles are a great chance to do so!
WHAT CLUBS & SOCIETIES ARE THERE?
We have plenty of established Clubs & Societies ready for you to join from day one. Clubs and Societies will vary depending on your campus, but don’t let that stop you from starting your own!
If fitness and dance are more your thing, we have exciting opportunities like Football, Yoga, and K-Pop Dance, which will get your heart pumping.
We would like to think that there’s something for everyone. So if there’s a Club or Society you’d like to see on your campus, don’t forget you can start one.
HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?
You can join Clubs & Societies at any point in the academic year, so if you don’t join during Freshers Week, don’t let that stop you from getting involved.
You can start your own club or society in October and February - keep a look out for more information on our socials!
Our active Clubs & Societies will host FREE taster sessions for you to attend at the start of term, the week after Freshers and Refreshers fairs. This means you can give it a go without the commitment of getting a membership right away, and you’ll find any new societies will offer this throughout the year too!
DO I NEED EXPERIENCE TO JOIN?
Absolutely not! Our Clubs & Societies are an opportunity to learn a new skill, find a new hobby or continue some of your favourite activities.
Clubs and societies will usually run Monday to Friday after 5PM, throughout term time – there’s no limit to the number you can join, so you’ll have lots of opportunities to try something new and meet new people!
ARE CLUBS & SOCIETIES FREE?
It ranges from no cost to below £70 to join Clubs & Societies, and it will depend on what you are signing up for.
You’ll find that sports clubs are cheaper to join through your Union than locally, as we subsidise the cost to allow for student-friendly prices – all so you can get involved with activities alongside your studies.
No student should feel like they cannot participate or are disadvantaged due to financial hardship or the need to purchase additional materials. So if you are struggling with the cost of joining or equipment, any UCA student can apply for the Participation Fund.
Further information about joining or setting up a club or society can be found at:
READY
TO MAKE A REAL IMPACT ON CAMPUS?
Getting involved with our volunteering opportunities within the Students’ Union is the way to go! It’s your chance to connect with like-minded peers, gain valuable skills, and have a blast while making a difference to the student experience.
WHY VOLUNTEER WITH US?
Volunteering offers an amazing opportunity to meet new friends, boost your CV with incredible experience, and have fun. From event planning to student support, we have exciting opportunities for everyone. Getting involved is simple: just check out our website for what we have coming up, choose a role that excites you, and follow the steps to apply.
WHAT ROLES ARE THERE?
• Union Council
• Campus Officers
• Group Presidents
• Experience Presidents
• Membership Presidents
• Student Marketing Volunteer
Plus, you’ll enjoy a great community of our volunteers, receive recognition for your achievements, and if you keep track of the hours you contribute, use them to impress your future employers!
We respect your study commitments, so volunteering hours are flexible, but there are expectations and several meetings you will need to attend to keep your volunteer role.
I’M AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT. CAN I VOLUNTEER?
Yes! As an international student, can volunteer alongside your studies in these roles. However, there are some restrictions to the types of volunteering that your Visa will allow you to do when in the UK – this does not apply to these roles.
Have questions? Reach out to us via email at activities.su@uca.ac.uk. Get involved with our volunteering opportunities, and let’s create a brighter, more vibrant campus together! activities.su@uca.ac.uk
UCASU WEEKLY
One of the best ways to keep up to date with your Union is through our UCASU: Weekly What’s On emails.
You will find one in your UCA student email account weekly, during term time. From the latest opportunities for our members to get involved with to our on-campus community events and so much more – look out for union@uca.ac.uk in your UCA student email inbox.
Your on-campus supply shops in Canterbury, Epsom and Farnham are now brought to you by your Students’ Union! Our shops stock a wide variety of budget-friendly art materials for all of your creative, design, and display needs. From your staple course supplies to 35mm film, clay, UCA merchandise and much more in between, be sure to pop in when you’re next on campus.
You’ll find our up-to-date opening times at @ucasutheworkshop on Instagram, and if you aren’t sure how to find us click on the videos to see a walk through.
FARNHAM
Check our social media channel to find our up-to-date opening times: @ucasutheworkshop
Artwork by Alya Kautsaranti
UCA Farnham, 2022
UCASU
MARKETS
Our Markets happen in Winter & Spring, and are one of our greatest events of the year!
We host a market on each campus, giving you as UCA students the opportunity to have a free stall to sell art or prints, handmade jewellery, ceramics, clothing, cakes or even something we haven’t listed – we are a creative community after all.
Timings will be confirmed soon, and we will advertise sign-ups for our Markets via your UCASU: Weekly What’s On emails, on our website and social media channels!
Check out our gift guides from last year for a taste of what to expect!
WHAT’S GLASSHOUSE?
Glasshouse is the number one nighttime venue in Farnham, based right in the heart of campus – it’s brought to you by your Students’ Union too!
Whatever you’re into, we like to think that Glasshouse has something for everyone. We host a few events a week during term time, from chilled open mic sessions and quiz nights to club nights, featuring an eclectic mix of genres (including Emo, Amapiano, Metal, Afrobeats, Y2K, plus more), student-led fundraisers, and exciting live acts or performers!
HOW CAN I FIND OUT WHAT EVENTS YOU HAVE COMING UP?
We release a calendar of events every month, and the best way to keep up to date with Glasshouse is to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Starting in September 2024, we will have tickets for all events available at UCASU.COM/GLASSHOUSE!
You’ll need to purchase your event tickets online before you enter the venue. Just have your ticket barcode ready to be scanned!
BUT I’M NOT AT UCA FARNHAM?
Glasshouse is also the home of our Union Awards, Freshers, Halloween and Summer Balls!
We aim to bring the UCA community from all campuses together at least once a year by coach, so you can experience a Glasshouse night if you’re coming from Canterbury or Epsom.
All of our members and UCA students can purchase and attend Glasshouse events, so if you are looking for a weekend away or find yourself visiting Farnham, we would love for you to come to an event and experience a night at Glasshouse.
Get your ticket and coach seat secured for our Freshers Ball on Saturday 21 September at Glasshouse. Just head to UCASU.COM/FRESHERS at 12PM on Friday 16 August.
Follow Glasshouse on Instagram and Facebook & Get Tickets:
