In just under two weeks the Students' Union Café, Bar and Club all open their doors again and I can’t wait, particularly as many of the other 19,000 students will be back!
We have so many exciting things going on with all the different activity fairs. There will be the society and clubs days and many days to get lots of freebies! We have ‘Give it a Go’ which are one off events over a fortnight from late September for a fortnight where you pay around £3 for fun activities.
September is quite easily one of my favourite parts of the year. The University has a carnival atmosphere about it and with so much going on, there is sure to be something for everyone.
I should probably also let you know a few of the things I’ve been doing over the first few months in the Students' Union .
Allerton: We went to Allerton in July to talk to other students about what their Students' Union can be doing for them. We got loads of useful feedback, particularly about the Union Shop and the car park, but it was also good to just find out some of the issues we can work together on. As I will be faculty rep for Health and Social Care (see below) it was a good chance to find out what issues I need to tackle.
Faculty Reps: Alan, Emily, Vicky and I have all been assigned different faculties to be the point person for other students to talk to. I will be the main Students' Union representative for Health and Social Care which I’m looking forward to, particularly as it has the most students! Usman and I have done a few talks over there to some other students about Students' Union stuff and also how we can improve. This will be something I’ll be continuing in Welcome Week in September with some more talks with new students about the Students' Union, as will the other officers.
Fun Stuff: The week of the 15th of September we will be doing events for any students around before Welcome Week. Though typically this will be the time when International Students are around campus, any students are welcome. We have a curry night, games night, film night and quiz night during the week. Details are on the website!
Campus Bus: After meetings to discuss one of my campaign promises, I’m pleased to say that we do have an improved bus timetable for this year. Buses will stop at John Lester and Eddie Colman during the day as well as us retaining the extended running hours in the evening. This was really important to get done, particularly in the evening as there are safety issues about walking through Peel Park.
Community Reps: We are setting up a Community Rep scheme in order to engage more and take advantage of the opportunities that are possible between students and everyone in the community. We’ll be recruiting in October so I’ll write more about that nearer the time though please do get in contact if you are interested in doing some work within the community.
Peel Park Campaign: Last year the Students' Union led a campaign to get adequate lighting, CCTV cameras in the park and raise awareness of the severe dangers that walking through the park can lead too. This year we intend to carry on this campaign. I believe that everyone should have the right to be walking nearby campus without having to look over their shoulder. If we can get better lighting and CCTV installed in the park this may act as a deterrent to those who take delight in violently and verbally assaulting passers by. The campaign will be happening later this semester so do look around campus for posters and more information about it.
Give it a Go: I’m really excited about this. A whole series of activities which you don’t need to commit too, you just go when you feel like it. Kind of like that one gym class you go too and never go back to without the guilt. There are loads of cool things going on, we got yoga, self defence and creative writing classes amongst others. My favourite is the trip to Chill Factor, though I’m hoping if I get a place on it I don’t fall down the ski slope!
That’s it for now. Any thoughts on anything then please email me at support-ussu@salford.ac.uk or ring 0161 736 7811.
