Essex:
a little extra
We normally send you our Essex:Effect magazine at this time of year. This is something different. Last year we undertook an alumni survey with a cross-section of our graduates. As a result, we’ve been re-thinking the ways we get in touch with you. Your next Essex:Effect magazine will come out in spring 2013, and then at the same time each year after that. It will be in a new format which will give you the news you said you wanted – such as reports from the University and departments, and stories about individual alumni. Also, we’ll be sending out our Essex:Extra e-mail newsletter six times a year from now on – keeping you up-to-date with events and other University and alumni news, and with less need for other e-mails in between. In the meantime, this is a little extra – because there’s a lot going on...
Essex: a little extra
Essex: a little Extra
New Vice-Chancellor Our new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Anthony Forster, joins us on 6 August. A political scientist, Professor Forster joins us from Durham University, where he has been Deputy Vice-Chancellor. Lord Currie, our Chair of Council, said: “Professor Forster will help us to advance Essex’s position as an internationally-renowned research university, and to continue to develop the experience and opportunities we offer students.” Professor Forster, who will be moving to Essex with his wife Victoria, said: “I am really looking forward to meeting and working with students and staff, and further developing the University’s profile and reputation. Our 50th anniversary in 2014 makes this a very special period in Essex’s history, and I am particularly excited about how we can develop ever stronger ties with our worldwide body of alumni.”
New website If you’ve visited our website recently, you’ll have noticed some changes. We’ve changed the look of the pages to bring us in line with the rest of the University’s site – but we hope you’ll also find it easier to navigate your way around. The new site offers all the help you need to find old friends and stay in touch at our range of events. Visit: www.essex.ac.uk/alumni today and register to ensure that you are able to book for events and lectures, create a profile, join our international groups, and upload your photos and memories.
Essex: a little extra
50th Anniversary You may have heard that we have a big birthday coming up... In 2014, the University of Essex celebrates its 50th Anniversary – and we want to see you! Many of you answered our survey question about what form you’d like the festivities to take – and we’re planning a weekend of celebrations to include as many of your ideas as we can. The dates for your diary are 12-14 September 2014, with events starting on Friday evening and running through to Sunday. The weekend will include what you’ve asked for: lectures, science demonstrations, theatre, music, entertainment and sports – and there’ll be a family fun day on Sunday.
12-14 September 2014
Essex: a little extra
We hope to see many of you there, from all graduating years – and we want your help to shape the event. Please get in touch if you’d like to know more, have your say on what happens or get involved – and we’ll give you further details on the website and in Essex:Extra in the coming months. A few of you said you’d like to see local events, so if you want some help to start planning an event in your city or country, contact us today! E alumni@essex.ac.uk T +44 (0)1206 874185
Essex: a little Extra
The Essex Fund The Essex Fund is the new name for our Alumni Fund, which supports projects that focus on students. In its ten-year history, the fund has awarded more than £250,000 to: n n n n n
hardship funds and bursaries; student societies; bursaries for sport and overseas study; arts projects, including East 15 Acting School; and community projects.
The support of alumni has been behind all those gifts – not only enhancing campus life for all, but also making the difference for many students in financial need. In 2010-11, over 1,700 students asked for financial help – and that figure could be higher by the end of the 2011-12 academic year. Together, we are making a difference to students in difficulty, academic departments, sports clubs, societies and other groups. Find out how you can help us at: www.essex.ac.uk/alumni or call James Martin on: +44 (0)1206 874472.
Get involved with your old department You don’t need us to tell you that the employment market isn’t healthy at the moment – which makes this a difficult time for graduates setting out on their careers. Our Employability and Careers Centre helps and we have also appointed Employability Coordinators in each of our faculties. Their role is to increase opportunities for placements, internships and other initiatives that really help Essex students. As well as getting employers on board, they are very keen to work with alumni who would like to re-engage with their department. Can you offer a work placement or internship? There is usually funding available to support these. Or could you give your time to talk to students about their careers? We’re also developing alumni profiles to encourage students to consider a range of employment options, including enterprise and voluntary work. If you would like to help, please complete the form in this leaflet or online at: http://alumni.essex.ac.uk/netcommunity/ alittleextra
Essex: a little extra
How do you want your news? Would you like to continue getting Essex:Effect from us by post? We want to make sure you get the news you want, when and how you want it. Just fill in the form overleaf to give us your preferences and thoughts on our 50th celebrations; or complete our online form at: http://alumni.essex.ac.uk/netcommunity/alittleextra From the UK, please return this form to: Development and Alumni Relations Office University of Essex FREEPOST CL3271 Wivenhoe Park Colchester CO4 3BR From the rest of the world: Development and Alumni Relations Office University of Essex Wivenhoe Park Colchester CO4 3SQ United Kingdom
Essex: a little extra
Your details Name: Address:
Telephone: E-mail:
Would you like to receive your annual alumni magazine, Essex:Effect by post
by e-mail
What would you like to see at our grand 50th Anniversary reunion?
How could you help to support current students?
Please number the following 1-7 to give us your order of preference.
Lectures Science demonstrations Theatre Music Entertainment Sports Other
Internships or permanent positions for students or graduates Offering work experience to current students Taking part in careers talks or work skills training with students Mentoring current students Remembering the University of Essex in your will Supporting the Essex Fund
What else do you think the weekend should include?

Or fill in online at: http://alumni.essex.ac.uk/netcommunity/alittleextra
Essex: a little extra
Return address Development and Alumni Relations Office University of Essex FREEPOST CL3271 Wivenhoe Park Colchester CO4 3BR