IFRESHERS GUIDE 2015 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, 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 host of people from all over the world, and this an amazing opportunity to have new experiences and loads of fun. Enjoy the 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, so please be sure to ask questions, and use all of the facilities we offer, 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 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 Rootes Grocery store).
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. 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 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 250 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 65+ 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!
SUHINQG BUILD
SU MAIN
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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. Hey everyone, and welcome to Warwick! I’m Isaac, your SU President for this year. My job is to make sure that your views are represented to the University, the government and more to make sure you have the best possible time at Warwick. This is such a global university, and there are so many opportunities for you to get involved at the SU!
Isaac leigh President president@warwicksu.com
One project I’m really passionate about is setting up a week without any lectures or seminars for ALL students, so that everyone from international students to home students mixes together at the very beginning. I’m also going to be continuing the fight to try and fix international student fees – so you don’t have to pay extortionate amounts for your education. Please come by my office in the SU building or drop me an email if you’d like to chat. I can’t wait to meet you in Orientation Week, and hope you have a fantastic year!
Hi, my name is Charlie and I’m your Education Officer! It’s my job to represent you to the University on education matters and make sure you get the best out of your university experience. One of the most important ways to help shape your education is to stand as a Course Representative on the Student-Staff Liaison Committee (SSLC). Elections will be held in the start of term, for more information visit www.warwicksu.com/SSLC/ Charlie Hindhaugh Education education@warwicksu.com
If you have any questions or problems about your studies, send me an email (Education@WarwickSU.com ), or pop into my office for a cup of tea and a chat – it’s just above the Rootes Grocery Store.
Everyone has a unique experience at Warwick and it’s my role to make sure your experiences are at the heart of our SU. With new SU Execs, an Assembly, All Student Meetings and online votes on SU policy, you will be able to get involved like never before. So watch out for the Autumn Elections, starting with the election of the EU and Non-EU Officer alongside Exec members.
olly rice DDO ddo@warwicksu.com
I also hold the internationalisation portfolio. As a former Erasmus student to Sweden, I know how important it is to be supported when studying in a new country and I want to make sure the University and the SU do exactly that for you. Pop in to my office to say hi, get involved and vote or stand in elections.
Hello, my name is Nat and I am your Postgraduate Officer for the year. I am one of the seven sabbatical officers who run the Students’ Union on a day-to-day basis. I am here to represent and support postgraduates, convey postgraduate issues to the University and wider community, and to help you make the most of your time at Warwick.
Nat panda 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 or by visiting my office on the second floor of SUHQ. Best of luck to you all over the coming year!
Hi, I’m Luke, your SU Union Welfare and Campaigns Officer at Warwick SU. My job is to work with the Advice Centre and support students on issues such as housing, immigration and sexual and mental health. We will do our best to help you handle all issues and any other problems you face when moving to another country.
luke pilot welfare welfare@warwicksu.com
I will also be encouraging you to campaign on issues important to you by using the powerful voice you have to bring about social change, through collaborations with our Liberation Officers. Contact me with any questions, ideas or concerns or stop by my office in SUHQ.
Hey! I’m George, and I’m your Societies Officer this year. We have over 250 societies at Warwick which enable students to get involved 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 and World@Warwick do some amazing work integrating people from all around the world!
george creasy 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 at the start of Term 1 where you’ll be able to meet all of the different societies and find your passion. There really is something for everyone!
Hi, I’m Alex and I am your Sports Officer this year! We are extremely lucky to have such a fantastic and diverse range of sports clubs, so whether you want to play competitively or more casually, there is something for everyone.
alex roberts sports sport@warwicksu.com
What is certain is that if you join a sports club, you will have a great time. Sport at Warwick provides you with a brilliant way to stay fit and healthy, an opportunity to have a break from your studies, and most importantly, to meet some great people and make new friends. You can get involved in so many ways, so don’t miss out!
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 non-alcoholic 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 super-healthy.
The Terrace Bar
The perfect place on campus to relax and unwind, with its prime location overlooking the Piazza and offering a buzzing night-time atmosphere and a fantastic range of drinks. Owned and run by the Students’ Union, our “Bus Stop” Happy Hour also brings you the cheapest drinks on campus between 4-9pm weekdays. There is also a regular eclectic mix of niche events with talented DJs and free entry.
The Graduate
is an exclusive social space for Postgraduate students right in the heart of campus. It is the ideal spot to escape to enjoy a coffee, hold a meeting, study or socialise with friends. There are regular PG-focused events held here and, with food served from The Dirty Duck and a fully stocked bar it is the ideal place to meet with other Postgrads.
Help and advice The Students’ Union has its own centre for advice on a range of issues from immigration and money to 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 Enjoy toasted teacakes 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
Cod and Chips - £5.50 Fillet of cod in a light batter served with seasoned chips and garden peas
CLASSIC CHEDDAR PLOUGHMAN’S - £ 3.20 BRITISH ROAST BEEF AND HORSERADISH - £ 3.20 ELEGANT EGG, SMOKED SALMON AND CRESS - £ 3.45 TRADITIONAL CUCUMBER AND CREAM CHEESE - £ 2.95
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