UCASU: Membership Guide 23/24

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 wellbeing 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, Threads, 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!

JOIN OUR UCA STUDENTS’ UNION DIGITAL COMMUNITY!

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!

FIND US ON FACEBOOK BY CLICKING ON YOUR CAMPUS

CANTERBURY | EPSOM | FARNHAM | MAIDSTONE

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

Hia folks! My name is Cassie de St. Croix, I use they/them pronouns, and I’m one of your newly elected Presidents! This means I’m one of the main points 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.

Some of my main goals for the year include improving a 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 elevating communities at UCA, whether that’s through working with existing clubs and societies, making more welcoming and inclusive community spaces, or utilising the drive and energy of students to create new initiatives.

However you want to spend your time at UCA, we want to hear it!

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 with me at presidents.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 Meet Your President 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 23/24

presidents.su@uca.ac.uk

01227 81 73 37

RAJON VOUMICK PRESIDENT

Welcome to UCA and congratulations on becoming a member of your Students’ Union! I use he/him pronouns, and I will be graduating from the Epsom Business School, with a Masters in Business Administration this September. This means I am working part-time to begin with and I will represent you full-time from September 2023.

I am Rajon Voumick, and I have been elected as one of your UCASU Presidents for the coming academic year. It is my job to work with our other President, Cassie, to represent your interests as our members and support you to have a great experience at UCA.

Overall, I want to look at cross-cultural communication within the Union to ensure that we are meeting the needs of our international members. As an international student myself, I know how important this.

Another area I am going to focus on this year is the Clubs & Societies that you have on every campus. They are run by students for students and are a great way to get more from university beyond your studies. I want to ensure that this service within your Students’ Union is accessible to everyone.

I hope to have the chance to get to know many of you in the coming months, and I am keen to hear about your problems, your ideas and your experience as a UCA student. You can contact me at presidents.su@uca.ac.uk and I will be happy to help.

As your President, I want to work for you to improve your experience. Your Students’ Union is always here for you, we are your voice.

Rajon Voumick (he/him) UCASU President 23/24

presidents.su@uca.ac.uk

01252 89 26 93

WELCOME PARTY SATURDAY

FRESHERS FAIRS

SAT 23 SEP

FRESHERS BALL

All Freshers 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 YOUR REPRESENTATION

WHO ARE YOUR UNION COUNCIL?

Here at UCASU, one of our core values is being shaped by students, and the student voice is at the forefront of all that we do. 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.

As a UCASU member, any UCA student is welcome to attend as an observer. You will find the meeting dates published online, and we encourage you to attend if you’d

like to know more about what is happening within your Union.

Union Council meet on a monthly basis, and minutes from those meetings are recorded for you to read – you’ll find them on our website. As a UCASU member, any UCA student is welcome to attend as an observer and meeting dates will be published ahead of time.

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 Be an active representative on university committees and working groups including Academic Quality, Student Participation, Achievement and Retention (SPARC) and Sexual Violence & Misconduct.

• 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 our Union Council.

• Act as student representation for not only their respective campus’ but the entire student body, taking feedback from students to Union Council.

• Getting involved with the planning and running of Union events and activities.

GET INVOLVED WITH ELECTIONS

If joining our Union Council is something you are interested in, we hold our annual UCASU Elections in Term 2. 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 – just keep your eyes out for Weekly What’s On emails from us and be sure to follow us on social media for the latest updates.

For more information about student elections and how you can get involved, visit:

UCASU.COM/elections

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:

UCASU.COM/UNIONCOUNCIL

representing the student voice for positive academic change and development

WHAT IS A COURSE REP?

A Course Rep is elected to act as a voice for their peers on their course. They will represent the interests of students to work towards enhancing the overall academic experience and fostering a positive learning environment for everyone.

GET INVOLVED WITH COURSE REPS

Course Reps are elected at the start of each academic year, meaning you will have the opportunity to nominate yourself and vote for Course Reps who will act as the voice of all students on your course – all to make positive changes to your learning experience.

We have Course Reps for every course at UCA, and depending on course size, there could be up to six representative roles

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.

You can learn more about Course Reps and see the positive changes made at:

Our Course Rep system connects you, your course staff and your Union, ensuring you’re getting the very best from your experience at UCA. UCASU.COM/Coursereps

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 our Advice & Wellbeing 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:

advice.su@uca.ac.uk

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.

Check out our Knowledge Base at:

07827 316142 UCASU.COM/KNOWLEDGEBASE

We understand that cultivating 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, from Dungeons and Dragons to Anime Societies and Life-Drawing, to name just a few! It 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.

We also get requests for new Clubs & Societies all year round, so look out for our latest calendars on social media channels.

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?

You’ll meet new friends, boost your CV with incredible experience, and have fun doing it. 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

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.

CANTERBURY EPSOM FARNHAM

Check our social media channel to find our up-to-date opening times: @ucasutheworkshop

Our Makers 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.

Click

Timings will be confirmed soon, and we will advertise sign-ups for our Makers Markets via your UCASU: Weekly What’s On emails, on our website and social media channels!

MON 15 APR

TUE 16 APR Quad

THU 18 APR

(or Quad, weather dependent)

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 three events a week during term time, from chilled open mic sessions and quiz nights to club nights, including Still Emo, Grime + Hip Hop, Dreamfields (our own festival) 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 2023, we will have tickets for all events available at UCASU.COM/GLASSHOUSE!

You’ll need to purchase your event tickets before you enter the venue online. 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 23 September at Glasshouse. Just head to UCASU.COM/FRESHERS23 at 12PM on Thursday 17 August.

/UCASUGlasshouse@UCASUGlasshouse