Welcome to the Students’ Union (SU). We are a separate organisation to the University and the recognised representative body for all students at the University of Worcester. Once enrolled, you are automatically a member of the SU, for free. We are a charity (Charity No 1145192), run by elected students, for the benefit of students. This guide introduces you to what we do – what support, opportunities, and entertainment we offer to help you get the best out of your time here.
Hemaka Pathiranage Vice President Student Activities
We are your elected Officer team for the year and have different responsibilities to ensure students are involved in the design, delivery, and development of the academic and non-academic experience at the University. We sit on senior University committees but more importantly get out as much as we can to talk to you. If you want to find out more please take a look at our website: www.worcsu.com If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please do get in touch. Our contact details are on the back page of this guide. We really look forward to meeting you!
Jade Haley President
James Gunther Vice President Education
As well as us 3 Full-Time Officers, there are 9 Part-Time Officer volunteer roles and together we make up the Executive Committee (Exec). They are:
student reps from across the University, its campuses, accommodation, and Institutes. It decides the policy of the SU and is its overarching representative body. We hold elections every October and March for the various elected positions so look out for those – you could be the next President of the SU or the Rep for a whole cohort of students.
StARs (Student Academic Reps) Every course at every year group has a StAR who are trained and supported by the SU. They are elected and volunteer to represent their peers on their course, feeding back views to the SU and the University. StARS also work with Institute Reps (also students) who then liaise with James as the Vice President Education.
The Exec develop the campaigns and general activities of the SU and reports to Student Council. The Student Council consists of
StARs and Institute Reps attend University Committees and hold regular forums to communicate directly with the University.
Campaigns
The Advice Service The SU offers free, independent and impartial help and advice if you are facing problems or issues relating to life as a student, e.g. your education, housing, money etc. You can book an appointment with our Academic and Welfare Advisor by contacting the SU’s Welcome Desk on 01905 543210, studentsunion@worc.ac.uk or in person.
The elected officers run many campaigns throughout the year to raise awareness of particular issues and highlight the support available to you. These can cover anything related to being a student – from housing or mental health to academic procedures. To find out more about what your Officers are looking to achieve in 2016/17, please do visit our website.
Entertaining and relaxing you The Upstairs Bar in the Pear Tree is the place to come on campus to relax. The Bar shows big screen sport and runs an entertainments programme throughout the year to make sure you have safe and memorable nights out. See you there! To find out more go to www.worcsu.com Students can book downstairs in The Pear Tree for loads of different uses such as Zumbathons, DJ sets, gigs, charity events, and fundraising. To book or for further information please email us at sucommunications@worc.ac.uk
Sports
Volunteering The SU provides many different ways for students to volunteer and improve their employability whilst at University. There are opportunities to volunteer within the SU itself or we have links with lots of local and national organisations for you to give something back and advance your skills and talents. You are accredited for any hours you do and it really helps your future prospects.
Working with us The SU aims to employ students wherever it can and, in fact, couldn’t operate without its team of student staff. Students work behind the bar, on our Welcome Desk, as admin support, and in our marketing department and are key to us continuously improving what we do. Look out for opportunities on our website and social media.
Play for fitness, fun, to try something new, to compete in BUCS or to make friends. We currently have 40 different sports teams, many of which compete nationally in BUCS but many of which exist to have fun. Students run the clubs through committees, developing their own organisational and business skills. For competitive teams, the sporting year culminates in the annual Varsity series against the University of Gloucestershire.
Societies Societies are a brilliant way to meet like-minded people or try new things. There are course based societies, those representing different student groups, plus performing arts and special interest societies. They are also run by student-led committees and supported by the SU to grow and develop. Find out more about Volunteering, Sports and Societies at Worcester Students’ Union at our website: www.worcsu.com
General contact information 01905 543210
President Jade Haley
Twitter: @worcsupres Facebook: Jade Haley WSU Pres Email: jade.haley@worc.ac.uk
studentsunion@worc.ac.uk
Vice President Education James Gunther
www.facebook.com/worcestersu/
Twitter: @worcsuvped Facebook: James Gunther WSU VPE Email: j.gunther@worc.ac.uk
@WorcesterSU worcsu worcsu
Vice President Student Activities Hemaka Pathiranage
Twitter: @worcsuvpsa Facebook: Hemaka Pathiranage VP SA Email: h.pathiranage@worc.ac.uk