IFRESHERS GUIDE 2014 w w w.wa r w i c ks u . co m
Welcome to Warwic
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Congratulations and welcome to the University of Warwick (and to the UK)! You are about to start an amazing
chapter in your life and everyone at the Students’ Union is here to help you make the best of your time here. It’s normal to feel a bit homesick at first and we know being in a new country can be confusing or complicated with a different language and culture, but we are here to help you. Please do not worry as we have loads of support and advice for you to make sure you settle in as quickly as possible! As you probably already know, Warwick is an internationally respected University and over 40% of the students here are from outside the UK, so you won’t be alone - everyone is in the same position. You will meet and make friends with a whole host of people from all over the world, and this an amazing opportunity to have some new experiences and loads of fun. Enjoy the new sights, try some different foods & drink and travel to new places. You’ll also be able to try a host of fun and interesting activities to help you relax from the pressures of academic life. Everyone at the Students’ Union is here to help you so please be sure to ask questions, come to us for help at any time and use all of the facilities we offer you. It is your Students’ Union - it’s free and full of supportive experienced staff, so make sure you come and see us any time and we will be happy to help you no matter what you need. We look forward to meeting you in person and well done again on your fantastic achievement!
What is a Students’ Union? It’s quite simple – a Students’ Union is an organisation that represents and supports the needs of the students to their respective universities, to the local community and often at a national level. Many are independent of the University but work with them to ensure the best possible student experience and give students the transferrable skills they need in the future. Students’ Unions are run by students who have been elected to represent them – they each have their own manifestos and responsibilities but work as team to run the organisation alongside the management staff. These elected students are known as Sabbatical Officers, and at Warwick SU there are seven ‘Sabbs’ who will support you through your time here. They are detailed in this booklet – you can pop in and meet them anytime and have a chat in SUHQ (above Costcutters supermarket).
Why should I get involved with the SU? At Warwick the Students’ Union is located right in the centre of campus, making it the ideal place to meet other students, grab a coffee and relax away from studies. Getting involved is easy! Just pop in and see what we have to offer. There are two buildings – SUHQ which is home to the Sabbatical Officers, staff, Reception/lost property, SU Advice Centre, meeting rooms and our restaurant, Xananas, which is run by the Union for you. Next door is the main SU building in which you will find the Atrium area, a vintage tea shop, a baguette shop, a wine bar and pub, as well as two nightclubs for you to enjoy. The team of staff at the Union will help you no matter what your question or concern. We want you to enjoy your time away from home, make new friends and have new experiences, so we will do what we can to help. There are plenty of places within the SU to sit and relax, study or hold meetings. One thing we are very proud of is the fact that the SU has over 230 societies or groups that you can join – everything from academic societies such as Law and Economics to more leisurely interests such as photography, Salsa and cheese & chocolate! There is also a society called World@Warwick which celebrates all things global including culture and language. You can join any of these and meet new people, have fun, do things that interest you or try new activities. If you like sport you can join one of the 70+ clubs or simply just enjoy the pool or gym here on campus. Whatever you decide to do, getting involved with the SU is a great idea and will help you settle in and feel at home quickly - it’s a great place to escape to when lectures are over or you need a break from studying!
SUHQG BUILDIN
SU MAIN
BUILDING
Your team for this year... As your elected representatives, the Sabbatical Officers (together with the Union Management staff ) are responsible for helping you get the most out of your Warwick experience. Based in the SUHQ building, they are available for advice and support on a whole range of issues, so please come and see them about anything you want to talk about while at Warwick . Each has their own area, so check out who’s who below: Welcome to Warwick! The Students’ Union is here to support you and ensure you have the best possible time at University. My job is to ensure that your views are represented to the University, the Government, and sometimes on an international level.
Cat Turhan President president@warwicksu.com
This year, we are asking the University to fix international students’ fees, so that you won’t have to pay more each year to study at Warwick. I am also looking to make sure you have the best possible studying experience while you’re here, by making sure you have plenty of advice on how to manage your money, and that you get the most out of your course. If you have any questions, then get in touch! You can send me an email, or visit me in SUHQ. I hope you have a great year!
Hey everyone! I’m Maahwish, your Education Officer this year. Before this I was your average struggling, ever-so-slightly undernourished English Literature student, and I’m now here working to make sure you get the best out of your university experience!
MAAHWISH MIRZA Education
I work specifically on all things related to your course, and if you ever have any issues please do not hesitate to get in touch via email - or, better yet, come and say hello to me in my office where there will be a cup of tea waiting for you!
education@warwicksu.com
Hey! My name is Rob. I’m your Democracy and Development Officer – if there’s something you want to change about the University or your Union, it’s my job to help you do it! In addition to looking after the Union’s £7 million turnover, I oversee its democratic processes. We hold online votes on the issues that affect you and the changes you want to see happen.
Rob Ankcorn DDO ddo@warwicksu.com
Every student gets an online vote, so don’t forget to participate. This year we are electing 2 International Officers – if you want to help change the University for the better, find out more information at warwicksu.com/
democracy
Greetings to you all, my name is Andrew and I am your Postgraduate Sabbatical Officer for the year. It’s my job to represent all postgraduate students here at Warwick. I meet regularly with the University to improve the quality of the postgraduate experience. In terms of education, welfare, support, and advice, I am here to make sure that you get the most from your time at Warwick.
ANDREW THOMPSON PG postgrads@warwicksu.com
If you have any problems with your course or department, please do not hesitate to get in touch, either by sending me an email to postgrads@ warwicksu.com or by visiting my office on the second floor of SUHQ. Best of luck to you all over the coming year!
Hi everyone, I’m Bebe – I’m your Welfare and Campaigns officer for the next year, and I’m here to make sure everyone feels supported, safe and happy. Coming to university abroad is exciting, but can also be challenging at times - it wasn’t that long ago that I made this big step and moved here from Prague, so I understand if you have a lot of questions. My job is to offer advice regarding housing, sexual & mental health and immigration, as well as encouraging student activism so that when you are passionate about an issue I can advise you on how to go about organising a campaign.
BEBE HUSAKOVA welfare welfare@warwicksu.com
I am also here to help you with any issues you may have, opinions you want to vocalise or ideas you want to turn into actions, so don’t hesitate to drop me an email or pop to my office in the SUHQ. I am always happy to chat!
Hey! I’m Isaac, and I’m your Societies Officer this year. We have over 250 societies at Warwick, which enable students to take part in causes or activities that they love, and my job is to oversee their development. Some of our best societies have an international theme – One World Week is a huge celebration of Warwick’s cultural diversity, as are World@Warwick. Our societies are open to absolutely everyone at the University and we’d love you to get involved with whatever you fancy!
ISAAC LEIGH societies societies@warwicksu.com
Societies are what make so many students’ time at Warwick so great, so make sure you come along to the Societies Fair in the Copper Rooms at the start of Term 1. There’s an incredible amount to get involved with, and something for everyone!
Hi, I’m Ruby and I’m your Sports Officer this year! Getting involved in sport at Warwick provides so many fantastic opportunities – particularly if you are new to the UK. Joining a sports club can enable you to go on tour around the UK or Europe, attending weekly fitness classes introduces you to a friendly community and keeping fit is always going to make you feel good. Not only this, but – like me – you could make some of your best friends at university through your involvement in sport. There are endless ways to participate here, so don’t miss out! RUBY COMPTON-DAVIES sports sport@warwicksu.com
You can find me in my office in SUHQ if you have any questions or ideas, and I can always point you in the right direction if you’re not sure where to start!
Eating, drinking and shopping The Students’ Union boasts several retail outlets catering for all tastes and dietary requirements.
Xananas
is a restaurant located in the SUHQ building in central campus above Costcutter. Xananas has a vast array of dishes plus a “specials board” and offers a variety of tasty meals including breakfasts, coffee and cake, light bites, lunches and evening meals. They have delicious fresh fish, steaks and pasta dishes and do a great full English breakfast!
The Bread Oven
is a baguette shop inside the main SU building supplying freshly-baked baguettes with a range of delicious fillings. With such a variety (including a great vegetarian selection) you will be spoiled for choice! Each week there are regular specials including hot fillings such as meatballs and cheese, as well as a salad bar.
The Dirty Duck
is a pub between the SUHQ building and the main SU building that offers students and staff alike great value. It has a large selection of beers, local ales, wines and spirits, as well as plenty of nonalcoholic alternatives. The pub also serves hot food daily - everything from fish & and chips, burgers, pies and lasagne to some delicious desserts.
CURIOSITEA
is a vintage-style tea shop café on the front of the SU building overlooking the Piazza. It has a quirky style and offers loads of different types of teas, coffees and hot chocolates. They also serve indulgent cakes, pastries and, if you fancy something savoury, try one of their Paninis or bagels! They also have a selection of fresh juices and smoothies if you are feeling superhealthy.
Help and advice The Students’ Union has its own centre for advice on a range of issues from immigration, money, accommodation, academic and welfare. YOU are the priority, and making sure you are safe and supported is their job. The service is free and completely confidential and the staff are incredibly experienced, understanding and helpful. They see over 7000 students a year, so you can tell them anything and they won’t be surprised or shocked; they will just try and help. You can pop up to see them on the top floor of SUHQ or make an appointment via email (advice@warwicksu.com ) or have a look on their web pages: warwicksu.com/advice.
Great british menus
xananas xananas
Traditional Clotted Cream Tea - £4.00 Fruit scones, strawberry jam and clotted cream, with a pot of loose leaf English Breakfast tea
Queen Victoria’s Teatime Treat - £4.00 Classic vanilla Victoria sponge layered with buttercream and raspberry jam, with a pot of loose leaf English Breakfast tea
Tasty Toaster - £4.00 Choose English muffins, teacakes or crumpets to enjoy toasted with butter and jam, with a pot of loose leaf English Breakfast tea
R E S TA U R A N T
Steak and Ale Pie - £8.95 Succulent chunks of beef braised in British ale with root vegetables, topped with a puff pastry lid and served with horseradish mash
Scampi, Chips and Peas - £7.45 Wholetail scampi served with tartar sauce, seasoned fries and English garden peas
Eton Mess - £3.45 Fresh British mixed berries with crushed meringue and whipped cream, topped with a berry coulis
The
Dirty Duck Sausage and Mash - £6.00 Homemade Cumberland sausages served on a bed of mashed potato with a port and cranberry gravy
Classic Cheddar Ploughman’s - £3.20 Mature cheddar, sweet pickle, tomatoes, gherkins and lettuce
Cod and Chips - £5.50
British Roast Beef and Horseradish - £3.20
Fillet of cod in a light batter served with seasoned chips and garden peas
Traditional Cucumber and Cream Cheese - £2.95
Elegant Egg, Smoked Salmon and Cress - £3.45
HOME IT’S NEVER FELT SO CLOSE
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