Student Officer Blog
Hi everyone, we are your Student Officers for 21/22. We thought we would take the time now halfway through Semester 1 to reintroduce ourselves and let you know what we get up to as Student Officers. If you ever have any questions or want to get to get in touch with us, please do get in contact with us 😊
Charlotte Baker
Hi everyone, I’m Charlotte, I’m 21 and I study Drama. If you ever want to get in contact with me then please email C.Baker.19@unimail.winchester.ac.uk. I am in my third year so in my last year of university so stressing about dissertations etc. I am the Director for the musical for PAW this year and I am also the current Student Voice Assistant in the Student Union which is a part time paid job so you may have seen my face before.
I ran to be a Student Officer as I wanted to have a say in the goings on in the Union and the University. I have been involved in the union throughout my whole time in Winchester but always behind the scenes so wanted to learn more about how I can influence change and I wanted to be a friendly face that students could come and chat to. Since being a Student Officer I have attended many meetings within the union and wider in the whole University, offering an opinion on what I believe the student cohort wants/deserves. I was also working all of Freshers Week meeting all our new students and lending a helping hand with events. I have been taking a lead on the Big Fat Freshers quizzes this year, organizing, making and arranging quizzes so you guys have a fun night on a Tuesday. I have also been involved in some of the campaign’s you guys may have seen the union run over the past few weeks; including Let’s Talk Week and Black History Month. We should all make sure we are educating ourselves constantly, especially this BHM as we come from a predominately white University/area so need and should acknowledge our privilege. We should all be allies, not just in name but action and this is something I hope to work on in the coming months.
I’ve learnt the value of volunteering and getting yourself involved, you gain so many new experiences and meet so many new people and gain great friendships. I’ve also come to learn how great every part of the Student Union is and I love being apart of the Executive Team that head up the Union as you get to know and have a say all the time. From doing nearly now 3 years at University I can easily say the road hasn’t been easy (Covid didn’t exactly help) but I can honestly say you will have the best time. You will find your people; it may not be straight away and your passion. Try to get yourself involved in whatever interests you, even if you don’t keep it up doing extracurricular activities looks great on your HEAR/CV when you leave and gives you loads of experience. I’ve also learnt the value of Student Officers which I didn’t truly know before I got this role which I think should be more widely known and celebrated. Going forward, I can’t wait to be doing more of what I am already doing, representing your voice, and endeavoring to make a change and hopefully meeting more of you on campus. If you ever have any suggestions, then do let us at the union know.
Aaron Ogbuehi
Name: Aaron Ogbuehi
Course: Marketing 2nd Year
Email: a.ogbuehi.20@unimail.winchester.ac.uk
The decision to run for student officer was always one of many goals, I had planned before starting university, since there was a chance to represent the Student Union and support students the best I can. Also, what appealed to me was having to take part in an election, come up with a manifesto and build up support from core voters and allies that voted for me and help with different events and attend meetings as well. Put yourself first and be yourself. If you want to run for student officer or do any role, just put yourself out there and go for it. Don’t work yourself to the ground, university is a marathon not a sprint, therefore take each day at a time.
I have learnt to be a team player and adapt to change. First, I had the opportunity to help with fresher’s week, which was a great experience. To add, the turnout at the fresher’s quiz and rock n roll bingo was incredible, there was great music and a lovely atmosphere as well. Being at fresher’s fayre, as a student officer was wonderful, having to wake up early and help set up various stalls, talking to different societies, visiting a diverse range of stalls and even promoting other societies on occasions as well. In addition, I have helped with Tuesday’s quizzes and written a few like the ‘black history month themed quiz’, which had incredible turnout and a lively atmosphere. Recently, I took part in the anti-racist campaign ‘Show Racism the Red Card’ by posting an Instagram story of me in a retro Manchester United top with the Instagram link to the ‘show racism the red card’, so that students can support the cause.
My first year at university was spent studying online on teams for most of the year. The challenge was greater than I expected, nevertheless I got through online lessons by making the most of attending society clubs online or making the most of the resources provided for me to complete my modules. For the rest of the year, I would want to get involved in more and more campaigns and help with any Student Union-organised events.
Why you should educate yourself this BLM! Black history is history, who wouldn’t want to learn more about it, history is an interesting subject and is great to discuss. Also, it’s not a case of why, it’s a matter of when do we start doing this?
Chloe Robbins
Email: c.robbins.20@unimail.winchester.ac.uk
Hi, my name is Chloe Robbins I am a second-year student who is currently studying criminology with psychology.
I joined the University of Winchester because I felt welcome and comfortable at the welcome day. A big part of university life for me is the student union. Without the student union, there would be no voice for those who don’t have the confidence to speak up. Winchester student union try’s their hardest to have an impact on student welfare and wellbeing. I ran for student officer as I wanted to be part of the student union and have an impact on other people’s time at university.
Since being elected as student officer I have been involved in a variety of things. Every Tuesday we host a Quiz night, where all the officers take it in turns to host or write the quiz. My favourite thing to have been involved in so far is fresher’s week, I got to welcome new students and host exciting events as well as answer any questions students had. I am looking forward to helping in the future campaigns that are coming up.
Being a student officer has taught me some new lessons in leadership, and the importance of working within a team. I hope that I can have an impact upon the students of Winchester in the months to come and help voice any concerns or inquires students have.
I have been a student at Winchester for just over a year now and I love every second of it. Still, it comes with difficulties, I joined the university in 2020 in the height of the covid-19 pandemic, so my first year was extremely different to others. My first year was all online but I was still on campus, it was very difficult time to be in a new environment. The start of my second year has been exciting, and for the first time I have experienced lectures in person.
My advice to students’ is don’t be scared to try new things. Being at university is a entirely new experience, and you suddenly aren’t surrounded with familiar faces or people, at first it can be hard but it’s also an exciting new time to redefine yourself. I use to be quite shy but now i try and do as many outgoing things as I can. Joining the SU, becoming a Star and joining a society have all helped me feel more comfortable and make new friends.
My plan for the rest of the year is to continue to help with campaigns and assist students in the best way possible. Campaigns are an important and valuable thing as they help raise awareness for current issues and help educate others. I am also excited to celebrate the different events, for example it is currently black history month and the student union have been celebrating in all different ways as well as educating students on why black history month is important. It’s important we educate ourselves on black history so we can understand the struggles and celebrate the achievements and culture. I hope all the future celebrations and campaigns that the student union are running go well and we can all unite as students, as after all we are here to help the students of Winchester feel equal, welcome, and comfortable.
Sophie Bourne
Email – S.Bourne.18@unimail.winchester.ac.uk
Study: History 3rd Year
These first five weeks of term have gone by so quickly, and I have been super busy, splitting my time between my degree, running two societies, working a part time job and also representing you as a student officer. As a team we have represented your voice at key meetings within the student union and also approved a range of new societies and sports teams. Here are some of the main things I have achieved so far as a student officer this semester:
· Developed inclusivity guidelines for societies and sports teams;
I worked on creating a set of guidelines and recommendations for our activity groups to ensure they are inclusive and accessible for all student groups, including mature, part-time and commuting students. This included giving some examples for societies such as trying to host events during the daytime as well as the evening to ensure commuting students can attend, as well as asking sports teams to think outside the box and consider the experience and knowledge a mature student could bring to their team, be it in managing finances or coaching.
· Writing and hosting the weekly quiz
I wrote rounds for two weekly quizzes and also worked alongside the other officers to run the Big fat Quiz on Tuesday evenings. This has been one of the really fun parts of the role so far, especially as I was able to encourage one of the societies I attend to come along and take part in the quiz!
· Safety Bus training
Recently I undertook minibus training with the student union, learning how to drive the 2 blue minibuses. I really can’t wait to be able to help drive societies to their events and I will also be driving the safety bus after BOP some weeks this semester, to help make sure that all students get home safely after a night out at the Vault.
· Societies!
I am so grateful to have been elected last year as Chair of two societies, Alternative Music Society, and History Society. I have been busy scheduling events for both these societies, making sure we access all the resources the SU has to offer us such as venue space and also attending great events in the Vault such as Ctrl Alt Delete on Monday evenings! Over the rest of the year I am keen to collaborate with other societies on running even more great events and also to share knowledge and ideas with each other.
Over the rest of the year, I hope to work alongside the VP Education and welfare and Student Voice Assistant to ensure that StARs are well supported throughout the whole year, as well as ensuring the feedback loop after SSLC’s are closed with all StARs getting an update on any action points after the meeting. I also plan to collaborate with the Activities team to explore the possibility of a societies residential trip at the end of the year. I also want to team up with some of our representational Networks to increase under-represented students’ engagement with activity groups. Alongside all this I plan to work on some exciting projects lead by other officers and the sabbatical officers as well as enjoying my societies and all-round making the most of my last year at Winchester!
Emily Jayne Aldridge Snell
Name/Course/Email -
Emily-Jayne Aldridge-Snell, Classical Studies 3rd Year, e.aldridge-snell.18@unimail.winchester.ac.uk
A bit about me
I have been a member of the Winchester Lions POM Dance team since my first year at the university and have been Co-Captain of the team for two years now! I have also recently joined the Winchester Spirits Cheerleading team and absolutely love it. Joining a team/society is one of the best things to do whilst at Winchester!
Why I ran to be student officer
I never imagined myself being in this role at the start of my journey as a Winchester student until I saw it advertised by our Student Union. I absolutely loved being a StAR for my course and seeing the change and impact student voices have. I am always striving for Winchester students to have the best university experience they can. Seeing the difference that the Student Union make to our time at Winchester really amazed me and I wanted to be a part of delivering that experience and chose to run for this role!
What I have done being a student officer
During my time as Student Officer I welcomed the new first years to campus across freshers week, helping answer any questions and concerns at the SU stall, as well as hosting events such as the Winnal Moors Walk and The Big Fat Freshers Quiz.
Attended many exec meetings to discuss everything SU
Organised the weekly Big Fat Quiz alongside the other Student Officers
Assisted the organisation of Give It A Go session photographs
What I have learnt
I have learnt that Winchester students are amazing at having their voices heard! From various issues such as the Girls Night In campaign, Winchester amazes me at how much of a community is here and that we will stand up for what we believe in.
Your experience as a student
My time as a student at Winchester has been positive for the most part - minus the COVID interruptions. I have absolutely loved being here in Winchester, from the people to the place, I can't imagine myself having gone anywhere else to study.
Advice
My advice to any student is to get involved with as many extra-curricular activities and events as possible - they will really make your university experience and you will create the best memories. There is something for everybody here at Winchester.
Black History Month
It is crucial that we all educate ourselves about Black History Month as it celebrates the huge contribution that Black men and women have made to British society. Black History is often pushed to the side and not recognised as much as it should be, this month allows us all to gain a wider understanding of Black History and the impact it has on our society.
Rest of the year
For the rest of the year I plan to get involved with upcoming campaigns, such as recharge days and various other campaigns we are planning to run. I also plan to set up some exciting new aspects within the services zone, which I am super excited for!
