Monday 09-12-2019 - 13:33

We have come to the end of Semester 1 and the end of the Executive Committee updates! We hope that you have enjoyed updates from your officers over the last fortnight – we’re very fortunate in the Student Union to have a great team of elected full time Sabbatical and part time Student Officers who are determined to make a better experience for everyone at Winchester.

To finish up our updates, here is an overview of the Student Union from our four Zones:

 

Education Zone (chaired by Vice President, Education & Welfare)

• StARS Training – our Student Academic Representatives (StARS) scheme has been running to a great success. We have 566 StARS registered on our system (a 13.4% increase from last year), with 338 StARS having been trained - 256 attending in-person training and 82 completing online training. We have also trained 27 students as Chairs, so that they can lead Student Staff Liaison Committees within their faculties. We’re really proud of the StARS scheme and it is such a great agent for change!
• Student Fellows Scheme – SFS has had a bit of a revamp this year, and we have progressed with more focused, one-to-one training and mentoring which means that the projects are far more likely to make a tangible change on campus! We current have 15 student-led projects covering areas such as mental health, technology, extra-curricular opportunities and sustainability… just to name a few!
• Progression with policies and procedures – the Education Zone is making great progress with several University policies and procedures that are being reviewed. These include processes such as Extenuating Circumstances, Attendance, Self-Certification, Scaled Penalties and Student Debt Collection. These are often slow moving, but be assured that we are working away to ensure that students are fairly represented and getting the best support possible!

 

Welfare Zone (chaired by Vice President, Education & Welfare)

• Student Recharge Day – we hosted our first Student Recharge Day of the year! We had mindfulness colouring, free tea, coffee and cereal bars, smoothies, a stretch and relax class, live acoustic music, massages, a movie night and more! It was lovely to see so many of our students engaging with the day and remembering to take a break. Look out for our next one on Monday 20^th January.
• The Advice Centre – in September we launched our brand new Advice Centre with our Student Advisor, Rhian. We provide free, independent and impartial support and guidance on a range of issues that may be impacting upon your University experience, specialising in supporting students with Academic Advice, but we can also provide support on issues Wellbeing, Housing, Money and more. Be sure to contact the Advice Centre if you need support or advice.
• Tackling Period Poverty - this year a drop in ‘freebie’ bin has been introduced outside the Advice Centre, which is stocked up with sanitary products, condoms, and pregnancy tests. We also have Personal Safety Alarms in the Advice Centre for those students who wish to have one.

 

Activities Zone (chaired by Vice President, Activities)

• New Kit Supplier – we are now in a contract with STC Teamwear to provide all our #TEAMWINCH kit. We are loving the new designs that are coming through and all our teams are looking great on-field (and off!). Keep an eye on our social media accounts to see the new teams’ kits.
• BUCS Wins – we have had a great first semester of BUCS matches. Team Winch has played 154 fixtures over this semester (how incredible is that!) and have won 61 games.
• Representational Networks – this year we launched representational networks: student-led groups which have an increased focus on advocating equality, diversity and accessibility within specific underrepresented student groups to directly improve the experience of students from the background they represent. Through the establishment of representational networks, the Union recognises the importance of creating safe spaces where underrepresented student voices can be heard; building student communities and creating positive change through collective action, aiming to nurture and support, break down barriers, and ensure all students feel they belong.
• Wellbeing Representatives – our Activities Bye-law has now been amended so that every sports team, society and representational network are strongly recommended to have an elected Wellbeing Representative. Our Student Advisor has trained 30 reps and we have more that will carry out training at a later date.
• This Girl Can – our first Activities Zone campaign was a huge success! We ran loads of session that our female-identifying students could get involved with, and the University even got involved and opened some of their facilities. It was a great week filled with inclusion and success. Keep your eye out in the New Year for the showreel for the campaign…

 

Services Zone (chaired by the President)

• Refurbishment of Level 1 KAC Building – over the Summer, the Union carried out a huge refurbishment to our venue, shop and launderettes to make it look a little bit less tired! This was really well received by our students, and we have had some great events in the venue so far this year!
• Events – we have had some amazing events in our venue so far this year! Our Freshers Ball, Full Moon Party, Silent Discos, Halloween Party, Graduation Ball and the Christmas Ball yesterday! It’s been great to see so many students enjoying our venue and enjoying themselves!  

 

We hope everyone has a lovely Christmas break, rest and rejuvenate, get those batteries recharged and ready to tackle Semester 2 head on.

Sending lots of Christmas well wishes, and all of the best for 2020!

 

- Merry Christmas from your Winchester Student Union Executive Committee! x