Friday 11-12-2020 - 14:22

We have come to the end of Semester One, and this week your 2020-21 Executive Committee have been posting their semesterly updates online. Read on to find out what your elected Executive Committee have got up to this semester...

 

CHARIS MCCOBB- Student Officer

“This term has been a weird one, I reckon it has been a bit of a thinker term; learning how to adapt our manifestos to fit such a wildly different situation. I am so excited to see some of these adaptations appear over the next few weeks and next term. For me specifically, there has been two things I have been working on. The first is Recharge Packs or Boxes. I spoke to Vic about the possibility of producing a recharge day in a box, so students can still have the opportunity to recharge even though we can’t be in person! Hopefully, we should see these appear next term. The second is Spotify Playlists. A few of us have been working on creating playlists for all sorts of situations that students can use whenever they would like. I can’t wait to see what next term holds for us.”

 

JULIA MONG - Student Officer

“I think we can all agree this semester has been an unusual one. It has taken some time to get used to for most, including me, and it has been difficult in regard to figuring out what to do for the students as a student officer. We all had plans and ideas that had to be put on the backburner, because this year has been anything but normal and the priority now has to be dealing with whatever the pandemic throws at us!

While this semester as a student offer might not have gone as expected, I am still proud of us as a group, for fighting for a no detriment policy and trying to keep everyone’s spirits high in a time were everything feels uncertain. As semester one comes to an end, we need to all give ourselves a pat on the back for getting this far in spite of it all and stay hopeful for some more normality when we come back in 2021!

So here’s to a safe and merry Christmas, and a healthy and happy new year!”

 

PRINCEWILL OBIH - Student Officer

“My first semester as a student officer has left me with undone plans due to on-going pandemic, it has being a challenging semester to all Student Union Executive Officers in terms of plans, budget and social activities e.g Freshers Week / BOP and Black History Month.

Despite the on-going pandemic, which made it difficult for ‘in person’ meeting leaving the Student Union with no other choice than online meeting.

I have attended various interesting meetings where issues and challenges faced by student have been addressed. As BAME student, have attended the Race Equality Action Group (REAG) meetings addressing the issue of racism, inequality and lots more. During the Black History Month I worked with the African Caribbean Network in organising teams meeting where will reflect and share experience of black history.

Also have been to the Student Engagement Advisory Group (SEAG) and Student Advisory Council (SAC) meetings where the voice of the student are being heard.

Despite various challenges the Student Union have never relented towards quality representation of students.

It is an honour to be elected as Student Officer, and service to the student forever remains a pleasure.

Merry Christmas to you all, we all look forward welcoming you back on campus next year.”

 

SILAS RUSSELL - Student Officer

“Hello everyone! While this semester has felt far from normal, the Executive Committee and I have kept working hard to represent students during these challenging times! Here are some of my highlights: 

It was great to welcome new arrivals during Freshers Week. It was also exciting to answer questions at the new West Downs Centre (I’d recommend having a look if you haven’t already!)

I have attended many fascinating meetings where I have listened to and voiced students’ views on important issues! These include Student Advisory Council meetings where I have represented students’ concerns to Senior Management, SEAG meetings (Student Engagement Advisory Group), and more. 

I have also been campaigning for a No Detriment policy as I know this is important to so many of you.

It has been an honour to represent the student body this Semester, and I look forward to seeing what Semester 2 brings!”

 

[Redacted] - Student Officer

“Wow, the semester is finally over! Congratulations everyone for making it this far, we’re all doing great. When it comes to updates from me, it’s been a very different one to what I imagined when I first got elected as Student Officer. This semester has been a lot of working with SMT to try and figure out a No Detriment Policy, as well as making sure students voices are heard in this troubling time. Also, some of the other Student Officers and I are making playlists for different music themes, such as Christmas, which we hope will cheer people up! 

As an online student this year due to the pandemic, everything has looked very different to what I expected. However the SU are doing brilliant work in supporting students and I can’t wait to see what we get up to next semester! 2021 lets do this!”

 

ELLEN O'DWYER - Vice President, Activities

“Being Vice President, Activities in a time when most activities have been cancelled has been odd to say the least, but it really is all our wonderful students who have faced the most challenges this year, well done for making it through a whole semester amid a pandemic, you all deserve a rest. We started the semester with virtual committee training & virtual freshers’ fayre then a glimmer of hope followed when sport was back on & the ‘rule of 6’ was introduced. Societies & networks could reunite, #TeamWinch were back on the field, track, & court, we could grab a Costa or cocktail at the Terrace Bar, & things felt a little bit more ‘normal’. I’ve now become a virtual VP, Activities again… Regardless, Winchester Student Union is still here for you, your communities within the activities zone are still there. I hope to see you all for a new beginning, BUCS, & BOP soon. Ellen x”

 

VICTORIA HURLEY - Vice President, Education & Welfare

“As we’re all getting prepared to settle down for the Christmas break it is a great chance to reflect back on this academic year. With its MANY ups and downs, it is very easy to get stuck on the negatives which are glaring you right in the face. Take this time to look back at how you have grown, how the hurdles you have managed to overcome have change you and your perspective. Fighting for academic and wellbeing support for students has been my key role for this semester and I hope we can see some movement soon, and until then we will continue to do everything in our power to collectively and collaboratively aim to make this happen. Students have been thrown into the overwhelming change of living experience and even with all the wonderful support that is there, it’s almost like trying to save someone who is stuck in a sea storm with a pool floaty… You have all been incredible and there is so much we can hopefully look forward to in semester 2 to see a positive difference in your experience here at Winch. Sending SU love to you all, Vic x”

 

MEGAN BALL – President

“This Semester has certainly been a challenging one to be a Sabbatical Officer, let alone be a student. There has been so much change, upheaval, uncertainty. The manifesto that I wrote back in February to run to be re-elected has essentially been shelved!

However, this Semester has made me prouder than ever of the students I represent. We have seen petitions, protests, communication and feedback; students speaking out clearly and articulately about what needs to be improved. You have all been fantastic advocates for your student experience, not being afraid to use your voice and hold us, and the University, accountable.

So, my message for 2021 is this – don’t stop. We can all hope for more normality, and the return of things like societies and events; but don’t let anything stop your momentum. Keep telling us what you need more of, keep fighting for what needs to change, and never forget that your Student Union is here for you always.”

 

We hope everyone has a safe and restful Christmas break, sending lots of Christmas well wishes, and all of the best for 2021!

 

"Merry Christmas from your Winchester Student Union Executive Committee!"