Supres

Monday started with a positive discussion with a friend of mine and a former radio colleague – Hash Piperdy. Hash left a year or so ago and is now deputy station manager at Afan fm – community radio for Port Talbot.

We discussed ways forward in building up a partnership between ourselves and Afan, giving them some of our students and our students a wealth of training and experience. We agreed a long term training plan, similar to what we had before with BBC Radio Wales.

At our executive meeting that evening we had an excellent discussion regarding the election working groups recommendations. Most of the proposals were unanimously accepted, however there were some concerns raised about the changes to the treasurers title and also as to whether the position of international officer should be limited to international fee paying students only. At current it is open to any student registered with the university as an international student. However the argument raised was that not all international students pay international fees, and thus those who were from European countries would not have the same premise or place the same importance on the fees which continue to increase as a burden on international students.

Much of the rest of my week was taken up with meetings with the University and a number of societies. But on Thursday myself and Morgan Rise made our way to Cardiff to meet with the Chief Constable of South Wales Police and the Archbishop of Wales and numerous stakeholders throughout Wales. The campaign was aimed at tackling the culture of binge drinking by spreading the message that “Enough is Enough”.

As part of the campaign, people concerned about how much they drink will be invited to take a “Pledge” to cut down the amount they drink and to stop before they have had too much. They will be able to sign up to the Pledge online and carry a card to remind them of their commitment and give them support against peer pressure.

Posters and leaflets will also be circulated to remind people of the damaging effects and huge cost binge drinking has on themselves, their families and friends and society as a whole.

It was a highly positive meeting with an opportunity to really encourage us to look at our policies and procedures as a Union and in Wales in general.

On Monday I had foolishly tried to fit in a mammoth schedule of meetings – which would have been fine had I left enough of a gap between them. Hindsight - what a wonderful thing! Anyway I did make it to all of them including a very interesting one discussing the massive improvement in crime fighting and prevention that has occurred in Swansea in the last year. The Home Office has been so impressed that it invited all agencies to their own interview to discuss how they interact with the police and other agencies, and thus hopefully gain some ideas of best practice.

In the afternoon we met for another community forum where I was able to discuss the massive success we had with out doorknocks over the past two weeks. The great thing about this group is that it’s a real opportunity for us to work with the community rather than end up in constant argument. Everything from specific problem areas to policy direction from the environments department is discussed but you do come away feeling like we can really achieve something.

In the late afternoon I lost a lot of political support, when I promised a free buffet at student services meet and greet and there was none! In fairness the director Simon Wright had promised it – but the exec held me to account – bloody electorate!

That night we had an awesome time stewarding the excellently notrorious beer race. As well as playing “November, “Oscar, Bravo” on the radio! I was also official photographer and had loads of fun catching the great designs from the hungry caterpillar to a World War One Fighter Squadron!
Well done again to all the stewards, especially Cheryl (Lady Beer Race for RAG) who worked like real troopers that night to pull off another excellent fundraising extravaganza! We even got a special visit from el Presidente Morgan – too commando for my liking though!

On Tuesday evening we left for Wolverhampton, ready for Extraordinary conference on the 12th of November. This conference was called by a number of Unions to discuss the new constitution that has been proposed for the National Union of Students. This event is the opportunity for the NEC to outline the proposals, explain the changes and enable a healthy debate before any decision making. The newest proposals get rid of the ineffective bodies such as National Council and increase representation for students in Further Education and after a great debate the proposals were accepted by over 80% of the elected delegates on conference floor.

Whilst this is my first major experience of an NUS conference it was a real eye opener. Having seen the passion and fervour of both arguments it renewed my faith in student politics and challenged me to encourage my fellow students here at Swansea more. SGM’s must be student focused, student led and therefore interesting and important to students!! Its our Union and at the SGM it is our chance to represent and take control!

On Thursday I made my way to Dan – Y – Coed Education Centre to discuss our perceptions of community safety in Swansea. Swansea has a highly effective partnership program and therefore it was difficult to suggest many issues of ways of improving but it was great to see people taking the project even further forward.

In the evening we met with a number of key players within the community to discuss ways forward with our community action programme. We met to discuss our plans for a community week which we wish to hold in 2009 to encourage the community to take more ownership over their University within their community. We also discussed plans to work together on a number of different projects, which was highly positive and encouraging. Less arguing and more working together!!!

On Friday following a highly positive student affairs committee where we discussed the responses to the survey regarding whether or not to invoke Swansea University degree awarding powers. It was really positive to see the University taking on board student opinion and putting it at the very heart of their plans for the future.

In the afternoon we met for a further elections working group to discuss more changes to the elections process. It was a really positive meeting where an excellent mix of students brought signigicant suggestions from everything from e-campaigning to officer titles.

The key recommendations were that many of the job remits were too fluid and needed tightening up in order that officers still had the flexibility so that a sabbatical can bring new ideas, but also key focus on permanent issues throughout.

The major recommendation was regarding the office of treasurer, the working group felt that societies still feel under-represented within the Union – this could easily be resolved by ensuring that societies were in the title.

Alongside this it was felt that the term treasurer or finance would/ does put future prospective candidates off running – many assuming that the job requires prior financial knowledge or qualifications. Therefore the term “services” more reflects the officers role – both ensuring financial and ethical stability of the unions services.

There was also an excellent discussion about e-campaigning and e-voting, whilst no major conclusions could be made it was felt that discussions needed to be had with a wide variety of the student body regarding e-campaigning and facebook. But e-voting should be left for the executive elections in the fall.

On Monday morning I left at around 6am to go to Hanley Castle High School for my student recruitment mission! An interesting fact about this school in Worcester is that our wonderful womens’ officer Leoni once did country dancing here!

Anyhoo I had meant to be taking Lance with me but due to a nasty football accident it was just me and Katie Perry singing away all the way to Worcester. I had been invited to talk to students who had put together their UCAS applications and many had made their selections. Therefore my role was to promote the non-academic opportunities available at University and the role of a students Union.

It was great fun! An awesome opportunity to encourage prospective students to find out about student Unions at Universities, as well as their academic opportunities. Afterwards a number of students came up to talk to ask me how they would find out what societies a Union has or what services are offered by different institutions.

On Tuesday we had an SGM with a great turnout –we made a real effort to ensure that we kept to a tight schedule so hopefully well see a good returning crowd next month!

On Thursday Will Long, President of Xtreme and I we travelled to the indigO2 to celebrate the growing wealth of talent amongst student radio DJ’s. Alongside hosts Fearne Cotton and Scott Mills, an assortment of DJ’s from both radio one and commercial radio were on hand to present each award. Sadly X-treme was not nominated under any of the categories this year but Station Manager Will Long and I felt it was important for us to represent.

The awards ranged from Best Specialist programming to Newcomer of the year with a wealth of talent nominated from stations from Bath to Glasgow. As the night progressed it was fantastic to see the praise given to so many students. Alongside their awards, the winners were also given excellent opportunities to work with some of the best in the business.

This isn’t just a once in a lifetime experience, but could end up being the opportunity of the lifetime. Greg James, the host of BBC Radio 1’s breakfast show got his opportunity from winning Best Male presenter in 2005 for his work at Livewire at the University of East Anglia. Whilst Phillipa TJ, the chartshow host on BBC 6music won the Bronze Award for Best Female in 2006 for her work at University Radio Nottingham.

Having seen so many fantastic students awarded for their work on the night it challenged myself and Will to continue to encourage the fantastic talent here at X-treme. In the past three years that I have been with X-treme it has gone from strength to strength and we have some of the most talented and passionate DJ’s on our station this year, so bring on nominations 2009!

On Monday morning the Vice Chancellor held an open forum in the Taliesin with regards to potential campus developments. It was great to see staff and students leave the auditorium buzzing with excitement and anticipation.

That evening I filled the executive committee in on the developments and informed them that I was setting up a “campus development working group” to look at ways of ensuring students voices were heard and best practice particularly in relation to student services and facilities at other institutions, were seen and raised.

Alongside this I announced the creation of two further working groups (yes I’m afraid it is an addiction). The first would be the “Safe Drinking Working Group” – a group aiming to look at how we work to ensure the safety and security of our students on campus and at Union run events. Alongside this looking at our promotion of drinking, prices, events etc but most importantly how best to promote safe drinking within the Union.

Alongside this was a working group which is really the basis for attaining a major target of mine for this year. Swansea has a good turnout in sabbatical elections considering the number of students we have. However I am a firm believer that we are just ticking over and should we change a few things, use examples of best practice and generally increase awareness and interest we could increase our turnout substantially. As a campus University with a student body who I genuinely believe if made aware will become interested and active.

On Tuesday I put into effect the next stage of my community action plan, as a group of us in some incredibly sexy hi- visibility jackets descended upon Brynmill and Uplands. We went from door to door with two aims;
1) To meet students and highlight the Students Union, discuss with them any issues they might have with their accommodation, the community or whatever. Then raise the fact that there have been problems in the past in the area between students and other residents, giving sensible advice on how to avoid any issues. Finally handing out some safety advice (and UV pens) with regards to burglary and how to prevent it in your house.

2) To meet local residents and give them a face and a name for students in the area. Often this is the biggest problems in areas of high tenant turnover- where tenants don’t introduce themselves to their neighbours and thus they are faceless and nameless – and should they cause trouble residents often become more fearful and feel unable to speak to them about their concerns. Thus problems escalate and other agencies are called first, when a simple conversation might have sufficed. Therefore we wanted to show the residents that we are local students who care about our community and care about what they think. Alongside this we give them a point of contact should anything flare up.

The reception was so good that I will definitely be rolling the process out as a fix for problem student areas. Residents and students really appreciated the effort and the impact was excellent

On Wednesday and Thursday a number of us descended on Fulton House giving out condoms, attack alarms, spikeys, UV pens and most importantly free safety advice. Alongside this the advice centre stress balls went down a treat – even if some exec members hurled them at students with the helpful advice to “think fast”.

Finally on Friday Simon Maughan (Services Officer, Dave Turner (Accommodation Officer) and I returned to Fulton House but this time in tuxedos and with looks to kill.

This was part of my “Bond, My Bond” campaign, the aim being to encourage more students to get their deposits back at the end of tenancy, and is part our larger attempt to increase the reputation of student housing within the city, and the student experience in general. With simple advice from taking pictures of damage when you move in, or checking your landlord has used the deposit protection service and most importantly utilising the support available from the Union particularly the vast experience of our advisors in the Advice Centre.

Finally that night I made my way out for another SSHH campaign, I knew it was going to be a long night when one student decided to hold a sit in until we would give him another lollipop!

On Monday Stuart and I took our first batch of victims (aka University Council Members!) around the Students Union and its Services. From JC’s to the Union Nursery, the advice centre to the radio station – we showed them it all. It was a really great opportunity for both us and the councillors. We were able to show the councillors what we are attempting to achieve in our work with our members and the massive value we feel we are adding to the student experience here at Swansea.
On the other side of that it gave us a chance to hear from the councillors – who come with years of experience in stewardship, Universities, Charities, Business, Finance and politics. It really encouraged me in the work we are currently doing to gain independent trustees for the Union board. I was beginning to see the massive potential that people like our tour party could have to the Union. With their experience in key areas and sabbaticals dedication to students and understanding of student issues – our Union can continue to go from strength to strength.

Our tour rolled straight into University Council where the Union received a wealth of praise for the tour and the encouragement for more members to go on it. A very good day!

On Wednesday we signed ourselves (and our un-knowing staff) up to an excellent piece of research. The University is wishing to look into gaining its own degree awarding powers. At current if you graduate from Swansea you have a degree from the University of Wales. In 2006 the University gained its independence thus becoming “Swansea University”.

In recent years concerns have been raised about the controls and procedures within the University of Wales and its institutions. Particularly when the BBC uncovered a controversial bible college in the U.S. which were affiliated to the University of Wales and were giving Mbas out from the University of Wales.

Alongside this and the growing credibility of Swansea University as a leading research institution with an excellent academic reputation, growing feelings of moving towards degree awarding powers have grown.

The Senior Management were keen to ensure that Students were involved and informed at every stage. Thus at University senate we agreed to go ahead and find out students opinions on any potential changes.

On Friday I began my campaign to increase links between ourselves and the community. I believe that whilst the SSHH – Silent Students Happy Homes campaign, has been questioned as to whether it really works, it is an excellent opportunity to be a visible presence for both residents and students.
Therefore at 1am Estelle Hart, Lleu Williams and myself made our way to Langland Terrace and handed our lollipops to students explaining how we wanted them just to keep the noise down and think about the community they live in.

Whilst the main miscreants were friends of mine that night! Generally the reception was positive and thus we set about with a rota for the rest of the term ensuring a regular visible presence every Friday.
Of course some students – especially the dangerously inebriated ones- will ignore us – however it’s the average student who perhaps doesn’t think theyre talking loud, or are too out of it to even think what time it is and that people will be asleep. These are the people that the campaign has a positive impact upon. It shows the SU taking action in a particularly unglamoruous fashion for 2 to 3 hours in the early hours of the morning. Thus showing that the Union is active to both students and residents.

On Saturday I crawled into Uni for the last open day of the year. It was a great end to the week with numerous prospective students asking about the Union here at Swansea and more importantly Union’s in general I took a few tours of students around the Union building which was good fun – thankfully I had cleaned up that morning!!

As I sit writing this I am slowly making my way back on a train to my delightful hometown of Plymouth. It’s been a great week but boy am I tired!

The week began well – on Monday we invited a number of auditors to tender for the Unions business. It was a really eye-opening experience (and pretty complex in parts!) everything from proximity to experience was taken into account. It was great to come to a unanimous decision as a team though and with positive points all round!

That night following an extensive exec meeting we made our way to the AU exec social at Papa Sanchez. What a bargain! – A meal and a drink for a fiver?????? It was great to be able to meet the AU’s exec and socialise with them in a nice, relaxed setting.
One of the hardest things about coming into this job was the perception that things would be really difficult with the AU considering the problems last year. It’s a real credit to Richard Lancaster and Simon Griffin that both Unions have moved forward and gone back to doing what they do best – supporting and representing Swansea students!

On Tuesday I made my way to the Christian Union meeting at Pantygwydr Baptist church. Over the previous month John Hilder (CU President) and myself had been working towards bringing the CU back into the Students Union societies group.

A few years ago tensions arose at a number of institutions between Christian Unions and Students Unions. Sometimes over bureaucracy, sometimes with regards to adherence to the Unions diversity and equality policy and often failure to fully comply with Union democracy.

When Exeter Students Guild and their Christian Union had a particularly public falling out these problems really came to fore. UCCF – the Christian Unions’ union- advised those Christian Unions affiliated to their students Unions to consider withdrawing in case things got complex, as they had done in Exeter.

At the time this problem did not face Swansea as it was not affiliated to the SU, and if i am honest until this year I would have agree with the leadership that they were actually doing fine, even better off, not being part of the SU. Many students know ore have experienced more of the Christian Union than the Students Union. Many of my friends remember the CU members moving them into accommodation, hydrating them in the enrolment queue and the numerous “virtually free” burgers!

However as Health and Safety regulations and estates restrictions have increased across campus the Christian Union has struggled to continue its missionary role across campus. In the past their own insurance covered them, but understandably the University has simplified its restrictions to the point that only the Student Union and its societies can carry out certain activities on campus. Therefore Jon and I felt that perhaps it was time to ask the members to bring the CU back into the SU societies.

As I went to the meeting I felt apprehensive, it is an issue that people feel passionate about and are understandably anxious because of previous Union’s experiences. However I made it clear to the members that they still remained in control as do the members of every society on campus. The Union is the parent body – there to support, advice and discipline in extreme circumstances.
After some excellent questions and a great debate it went to the vote- and a bit later that night I was so glad to hear that the Christian Union – arguably one of the most active societies on campus – was a member of the SU once again.

On Thursday numerous students ran for election in both NUS delegate elections and the executive elections here on campus. It was great to see such an awesome turnout and i am dead excited to be working with such a passionate team this year!

I however made my way to a trustees training event run by NUS at the Britannia hotel in Bournemouth. I was quite interested to go on this course, as whilst I love all the parts of my job my role as a trustee particularly challenges and encourages me.

This was an excellent course, and as usual another great chance to meet a wide range of students from other institutions and gain from their experiences and characters!

Whilst i am not necessarily the biggest fan of too active a seminar! It was a great laugh; from acting out the credit crunch being destroyed by good governance, speed dating as different charitable bodies to a rather novel relaxation seminar (where one delegate actually did fall asleep!). The odd thing was it really did stick and I was quite excited to get back and put into action some of the “good governance, good leadership and good management” techniques I had learnt.

My week ended with a particularly horrendous attempt to “pop back to Plymouth” all courtesy of the rail network!! I got there eventually and I made it back so that’s all that matters eh?