Thursday 05-12-2019 - 12:00

It’s the final two weeks of Semester One! Want to know what your elected Executive Committee have got up to this semester? Every day they will be posting their updates as we countdown to Christmas! Next up is Student Officer Chris Harding...

On arrivals weekend, I helped to welcome our new and returning students to their accommodation in Burma, Queens, and West Downs. Throughout Freshers Week I spent most of my time in the Stripe, helping students with enrolment, directing them to their Welcome Week and Faculty talks, and giving out as many Totem card leaflets as possible. Also during Freshers Week I attended 3 Green Campus talks, where I promoted the opportunities that students have at the University and the Student Union to get involved with related to environment and sustainability. I also attended 2 talks for Mature, Part-Time & Commuting students because as a commuting student myself I was able to give insight into how accommodating the Student Union is for that demographic.

Near the end of Freshers Week on Friday 20th September, I went to the Winchester Climate Strike along with fellow Student Officer, Megan Selley, and Vice President, Education & Welfare, Victoria Hurley. We walked down to the Buttercross with a large group of people from the University and Union. As I hadn’t prepared for the strike in advance I was kindly given some snazzy protest signs by the people attending who were with Extinction Rebellion. I had the chance to speak to many of the local councillors who were also there and they were quite interested in the role that the Union and University are playing in Winchester’s sustainability. For me it was a great way to end Freshers Week and a great way to start off my role as a Student Officer.

On 23rd September I was invited to a meeting with the Single Use Plastics Engagement and Mapping Coordinator. We discussed ways in which we could make the University plastic free in the most efficient ways as well as how to engage students in the issue more. Everyone was in agreement that a new environment focus group should be started in which anyone can attend and contribute.

I happen to be the only member of the Exec Committee in the Student Union who is a commuter, however this wasn’t something I ever thought about or intended to influence my role as a Student Officer. However I was given the opportunity by the Union’s Student Engagement Manager to join the Student Academic Council for the first time on the 10th October; representing commuting students as well as the Student Union.

On the 7th November I attended a VegSoc meeting, the main purpose of which was to discuss plans and goals for the society over the next year. I have plenty of ideas for a Veganuary campaign, and am hoping to get the Student Union involved.

I have enjoyed my time as a Student Officer so far and hope to do even more when I come back in January.