IFRESHERS GUIDE 2016 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 most of your time here. It’s normal to feel a bit homesick at first as we know being in a new country can be confusing or complicated - please don’t worry as there’s loads of support and advice available to make sure you settle in as quickly as possible! Warwick is an internationally respected University and over 40% of the students here come from outside the UK, so you won’t be alone. You will make friends with a host of people from all over the world, and this is an amazing opportunity to have new experiences by enjoying the sights, trying some different foods & drink and traveling 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 (SU) 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. We look forward to meeting you in person, and well done again on your fantastic achievement!
What is a Students’ Union? Warwick Students’ Union is an organisation that represents and supports the needs of students to their University, to the local community and often at a national level. We 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, a vintage tea shop, a baguette shop, a wine bar and pub, as well as two nightclubs for you to enjoy. The staff team at the Union are here to help you enjoy your time away from home, make new friends and have some amazing new experiences. There are plenty of places within the SU to sit and relax, study or hold meetings. We are very proud of 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 to 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 clubs or simply just enjoy the pool or gym here on campus. Whatever you decide to do, getting involved with the SU 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.
Hi! I’m Luke Pilot, your SU President. My job is to be the outward face of the Students’ Union and to represent your views both locally and nationally. As last year’s Welfare & Campaigns Officer, I prioritised mental wellbeing - I want to continue this work, as well as trying to secure a Welcome Week free from lectures, working with student activists to fight for free education, and to make our community as inclusive and safe as possible by working on a strategy to tackle sexual violence. Luke Pilot President president@warwicksu.com
We have a large 24,000+ student population with many international students, so I also want to show the Government that their policies on radicalisation/immigration are misguided and harm our community!
Hi there! My role is to represent students on education matters and ensure that your interests and wellbeing are prioritised throughout your academic journey. There is a fantastic network of Course Reps, Faculty Reps and Education Exec members who work with me on this - I would urge you to consider getting involved and making the student voice heard!
Hope worsdale Education education@warwicksu.com
I will ensure that students are kept up-to-date in the fast-moving Higher Education landscape, as well as facilitating and supporting campaigning around national issues affecting our interests. If you have any questions or ideas, please do not hesitate to get in touch!
Hi! I’m Becky, your Democracy and Development Officer. I am responsible for running All Student Meetings, Autumn Elections and Sabbatical Officer Elections, and am keen to make SU democracy seem less bureaucratic (read: boring) and more accessible and appealing to a wider range of students!
becky gittins DDO ddo@warwicksu.com
I also oversee the SU outlets (The Terrace Bar, Bread Oven, Curiositea etc) and make sure they are run in the interests of students. One of my priorities this year will be looking to establish a Warwick Foodbank to tackle the massive food waste issue we have on campus. My door is always open to anyone who wants to know a bit more about the enigma that is the SU and how to get involved!
Nat panda PG
Hello, my name is Nat and I am your Postgraduate Officer for the year. I am here to represent and support postgraduates, to fight for postgraduates in the University and wider community, and to help you make the most of your time at Warwick. 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!
postgrads@warwicksu.com
Hi! I’m the SU’s Welfare & Campaigns Officer. My job is to make sure students have access to welfare support at Warwick, as well as to facilitate campaigns on issues important to students – whether that’s personal and mental wellbeing, affordability and housing or working closely with our Liberation groups to support minority rights.
chloe wynne welfare welfare@warwicksu.com
My priorities this year involve launching a comprehensive campaign around stress, mental health and wellbeing that’s approachable to all students, whether you’ve been based in the UK before or are visiting for the first time. I’ll also be working on a joint sexual violence taskforce with the University to reform the current welfare provision for victims.
Hey! I’m Marissa, 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 – World@Warwick in particular do some amazing work integrating people from all around the world!
marissa beatty 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 Ted 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.
ted crowson 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.
X a n a n a s is a restaurant located in the SUHQ building above Rootes Grocery Store.
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 great value to students and staff alike. 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
is the perfect place on campus to relax and unwind, with its prime location overlooking the Piazza and a buzzing night-time atmosphere plus 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 up with other Postgrads.
Help and advice The Students’ Union has its own Advice Centre to help with a range of issues from immigration and money to accommodation, academia and welfare. YOU are the priority, and making sure you are safe and supported is their job. The service is free and completely confidential, while 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 Fruit scones, strawberry jam and clotted cream, with a pot of loose leaf English Breakfast tea
Queen Victoria’s Teatime Treat
Classic vanilla Victoria sponge layered with buttercream and raspberry jam, with a pot of loose leaf English Breakfast tea
Tasty Toaster 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 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 Wholetail scampi served with tartar sauce, seasoned fries and English garden peas
Eton Mess Fresh British mixed berries with crushed meringue and whipped cream, topped with a berry coulis
The
Dirty Duck Jumbo Yorkshire Pudding
Served with sausages, chips, garden peas and topped with gravy
Cod and Chips Fillet of cod in a light batter served with seasoned chips and garden peas
CLASSIC CHEDDAR PLOUGHMAN’S BRITISH ROAST BEEF AND HORSERADISH ELEGANT EGG, SMOKED SALMON AND CRESS TRADITIONAL CUCUMBER AND CREAM CHEESE
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