RETURNERS GUIDE
WARWICKSU.COM
WELCOME BACK TO WARWICK SU!
We hope you had an amazing summer! Here at the Students’ Union, we’ve been listening to your feedback over the last 12 months and have made some substantial changes for the start of the new academic year. Turn to Page 4 for a full rundown of what we’ve been up to! Although as Returning Students many of you will already know the ropes, don’t forget that the Students’ Union is still here for you as you enter into your second, third or fourth years. It’s never too late to sign up for clubs and societies – they’re great ways to meet new people, explore recently-acquired interests or maybe try something you’ve always wanted to. It could end up changing your life! We’re also an invaluable source of help about all things connected to student life – whether that’s academic study, accommodation worries, health and wellbeing, or anything else that may be bothering you. If you’re living off-campus, check out pages 5-6 of this guide for more advice on housing in the local area. Read on to meet this year’s team, and we hope you have a great year!
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SU PRESIDENT LUKE PILOT
Hi, I’m Luke Pilot, your SU President this year! My job is to represent the interests of our members within the University and to national bodies like the Government. I’ll be making sure the University acts in your best interests, pushing for a lecture-free Welcome Week as well as continuing the fight for free and accessible education and tackling the big issues facing the student movement. I can’t wait to work with lots of you to achieve social change!
EDUCATION OFFICER HOPE WORSDALE
Hi there! My name’s Hope and I’m your Education Officer for 2016-17. A few of my key priorities this year are cutting down hidden costs for students, pushing for increased study space, doing work around a liberated curriculum, and getting students engaged in campaigning around the proposed Higher Education reforms. If you have any questions or ideas, please do not hesitate to contact me!
DEMOCRACY & DEV. OFFICER BECKY GITTINS
As your Democracy and Development Officer this year, my priorities (amongst others!) are to increase engagement with SU democracy; to set up a Warwick Foodbank to deal with food waste issues on campus; to get the Oyster-style swift card onto campus for card-operated, pay-as-you-go travel; and to make sure the SU outlets are working in your interests. Please get in touch if you have any suggestions!
WARWICKSU.COM/OFFICERS
Find out what your officers are up to! Check out their blogs at warwicksu.com/blogs
POSTGRAD OFFICER NAT PANDA
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!
WELFARE & CAMPAIGNS OFFICER CHLOE WYNNE
Hi, I’m Chloe, the Welfare and Campaigns Officer. This year I’ll be launching a comprehensive campaign around stress, mental health and wellbeing, as well as working on a join sexual violence taskforce with the University to reform the reporting, referral and care pathways currently in place for survivors. I also want to get students a better deal in terms of how many deposits are taken by landlords, and work with the Advice Centre to see how we can better support students in off-campus accommodation!
SOCIETIES OFFICER MARISSA BEATTY Hey, I’m Marissa and societies really have defined my time here at Warwick! Whatever your interests, joining societies opens the door to a world of unforgettable experiences, opportunities and lifelong friendships. There are over 250 societies to join and there really is something for everyone, so get engaged and find your passion – I promise you won’t regret it!
SPORTS OFFICER TED CROWSON
Welcome back! For those of you involved in sport last year, you will be fully aware of its virtues here at Warwick. For those who weren’t, it is certainly not too late to get involved and I assure you it will be a decision you won’t regret as you’ll have some unforgettable experiences and meet some amazing people. We are extremely lucky to have such a fantastic and diverse range of sports clubs, so make sure you check them out and don’t forget that I am here to help wherever I can!
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WARWICKSU.COM
WHAT’S NEW
AT WARWICK SU? As always, there have been quite a few changes while you were away over the summer, including the introduction of a new Sabbatical Officer team and our big win from last year: the opening of a 24-Hour Library. Read on for details of the other major developments here at the SU!
WEBSITE & COMMUNICATIONS In addition to the development of an SU app, we’ve given our website a bit of a revamp to make sure it stays the best one-stop shop for all your SU needs. In particular, we’ve updated the Resources page for Society Execs – these are now hopefully cleaner, much easier to navigate and should enable you to find what you want, when you want it!
DEMOCRACY Following the passing of this year’s Democracy Review, we’ll be seeing a host of changes designed to strengthen our democratic processes, empower Course Reps and provide better feedback to students from their elected officers.
NEW EVENTS We’re also giving our entertainments programme a bit of a boost by adding few new events to the schedule – check out the SU Events calendar for full details as soon as they’re confirmed!
NEW STAFF Those of you who make regular trips to SUHQ will notice that we have a new Communications & Marketing Director, together with a new BUCS Co-ordinator in the Student Activities Office. In order to help give better support to your extra-curricular activities, we’ve also taken on a fourth Societies Co-ordinator, who will be in place for the start of the new academic year.
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WARWICKSU.COM/HOUSING
YOUR GUIDE TO
LIVING OFF-CAMPUS Moving into new accommodation can be exciting – however, not getting everything organised now may mean you experience problems later on with your property, household or neighbours!
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES HOW THE LAW PROTECTS TENANTS YOUR RIGHTS
The right to ‘quiet enjoyment’. Your landlord or their representatives cannot enter the property without your permission – so, no random inspections!
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
You cannot be evicted unless proper legal procedures have been followed – i.e. the landlord goes to court.
Landlords can be subject to legal action if they break contract terms or don’t respect your rights.
Safe and habitable properties must meet certain standards, so you must be given a Gas Safety Certificate. Repairs which are the landlord’s responsibility must be carried out promptly. The landlord’s name and address must be given to you, even if renting via an agency.
Your deposit must be protected in an accredited protection scheme, and full details must be given to you within 30 days of payment. Failure to do so means you have a legal claim against your landlord of up to 3 times the value of your deposit.
Pay your rent on time. If you’re having problems, talk to your landlord or the SU Advice Centre. Maintain the property to its standard when you moved in. It’s better to stay up to date with cleaning and chores rather than trying to recover the condition at the tenancy’s end. Inform your landlord if something gets damaged. You’re also responsible for damage caused by your visitors! Look after the property - keep it well-aired and heated to avoid condensation or mould. Be a friendly, considerate neighbour.
Inform your landloard/agent if the property is empty for long periods.
If not on an all-inclusive contract, pay your utility bills.
PLEASE NOTE: If your landlord is not complying with their responsibilities, do not withhold rent as this can cause legal problems – consult the SU Advice Centre: 02476 572824 | advice@warwicksu.com
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When moving in, you should have the contractual parts of your accommodation:
Contract/tenancy agreement
Deposit Protection Certificate and other prescribed information (for details see: warwicksu.com/deposits)
MOVING IN
If there is an inventory, check its accuracy. If not, produce your own and agree it with the landlord/agent. Take photos of each room, particularly any pre-existing damage.
LOVE YOUR COMMUNITY! If you’re living off-campus this year, please make sure that you’re a good neighbour during your stay! In particular, it’s really important that students maintain strong community ties by taking care of rubbish disposal and keeping noise to a minimum in residential areas. For more information on bin collection and other relevant services, please visit the following: Warwick District Council (for students living in Leamington and Kenilworth): warwickdc.gov.uk
Check everything works – you don’t want to find the heating system faulty during a cold spell!
Test all smoke detectors and check there’s a valid Gas Safety Certificate.
Coventry City Council (for students living in Coventry, Earlsdon, Tile Hill and Canley): coventry.gov.uk
Report any problems or damage to your landlord/agent. If not resolved promptly, contact the SU Advice Centre.
Take utility meter-readings and notify the companies of new tenants. Ideally, all tenants should have their name on the bills – if you have to nominate a single person, everyone should provide written confirmation of responsibility, and provide a non-term time address.
Full-time students don’t pay Council Tax, but make sure your local council knows your student status. Take the time to meet your neighbours – it can help in the long run!
PROBLEMS? The SU Advice Centre is a free, confidential service which provides help and signposting on a range of accommodation and welfare issues. Check out our dedicated Housing webpages online at warwicksu.com/housing or come and speak to a member of our team if you’re experiencing any difficulties! advice@warwicksu.com 02476 572824 Top floor of SUHQ warwicksu.com/advice
Get a TV licence. If on a joint contract, you only need one licence; if paying individual rent, you each need your own.
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