Thirteen months ago I stood to be Students' Union President and 6 months in to my year in office, I thought it would be to give you an update of where I am up to in achieving my manifesto goals.
Campaign to keep the cap on tuition fees
Unfortunately the house of commons and lords have voted to increase the cap for UK Home tuition fees to £6000. At Salford we put a lot of work and effort into raising awareness on the campus on this issue and we took 400 students to London on a national demo and 100 Salford students to a demo in Manchester. Please read my email to all students, to find how we will move this campaign forward in the coming months.
Year round timetables
Delivered!
More Student Social Space
I can't take all the credit for this one, for Adelphi Students Joe Kirwin (Last Year's VP for Arts and Humanities ) and Christabel Brown (current VP for Arts and Humanities) have worked hard to get the social space in the Adelphi building modernised. In the next few months there will be some more changes in University House that will see more student social space in the building. All new buildings currently being developed by the University will all have social learning zones in them as well.
Longer Library Opening Hours Off Peak
Working with Matt Webber (Last Years President) this has also been achieved, the Clifford Wwhitworth library is currently 24/7 for the whole of this academic year, however this will be reviewed at the end of the year dependant on usage. This really is a great win for the students' union, Salford students have been asking for a 24/7 library for years and finally we have one.
2 Day Activities Fair and Fresher’s Ball
Delivered!
Promote religious diversity and interfaith groups
I still have some work to do on this manifesto point, last semester saw a very successful Black History Month working in partnership with the University to produce a month long set of events. Currently I am working with the University to have more clearly guidance for religious observance.
My full manifesto can be seen at http://salfordstudents.com/files/minisites/2996/RickyManifesto.pdf
There is still plently of things left to do in the second half of my term of office.
Students' Union Elections 2011
The Students Union annually elects 4 sabbatical officers, 4 student trustees, and 4 NUS Conference Delegates. In addition this year, you will have the opportunity to be elected to the Union's new Student Council, a body of 22 students whose role will be to direct, review and approve the representation work of the Sabbatical Officers.
We may not have been successful in stopping an increase in tuition fees, however at Salford we have to ensure that over the next few years the impact of the cuts do not impact on our education experience. We can only do this with a strong and active students’ union.
If you are interested in standing in the elections and want to find out more check out: http://www.salfordstudents.com/takecharge
I am really looking forward to the next 6 months, if you have any questions about this blog post or want to find out more about the elections phone 01613515400 or email president-ussu@salford.ac.uk
Ricky
Monday 3 January 2011
Update on the UK Home Tuition Fees and the Anti Cuts Campaign!
I wanted to take this opportunity to say how proud I am of the students at Salford. People have often said students had become apathetic, and were not interested in politics. Well, we have proved them wrong on both a local and national scale.
Over 400 students, attended the fifty thousand strong day of peaceful action in November. In addition, this week we had over 1000 students march in Manchester of which we saw 100 Salford students, and 1000s of letters sent to MPs. Thursday the day of the tuition fee vote saw the union hold a candle lit vigil outside the Old Fire Station and I was in London lobbying MPs up until the vote.
Unfortunately I am sure you have all read that the Universities in the UK, after a very close vote in the House of Commons will now be able to charge up to £9000 for UK Home Tuition Fees. This by no means is the end of the campaign in fact it is just the start.
Today the Students’ Union starts its Anti Cuts Campaign. The Campaign is about ensuring that if there are any cuts at the University, then we will ensure that they do not harm the student experience. The University is expected to lose some funding due to the comprehensive spending review, and in the coming weeks and months we will find out the full effects.
Over the coming months the University of Salford will also be setting the fee level for the University and it is vital that during those discussions the student voice is heard.
I strongly urge you all to join the mailing list at www.salfordstudents.com/anticuts. I will not be using the All Students Lists to keep you updated on this issue, so please join to keep updated on what we are doing as a Students’ Union on these issues.
I feel so honoured to be the Students’ Union President at this time. The student movement here in Salford, and nationally, has never been stronger and we must keep up the fight.
Thank you,
Ricky Chotai | President
Over 400 students, attended the fifty thousand strong day of peaceful action in November. In addition, this week we had over 1000 students march in Manchester of which we saw 100 Salford students, and 1000s of letters sent to MPs. Thursday the day of the tuition fee vote saw the union hold a candle lit vigil outside the Old Fire Station and I was in London lobbying MPs up until the vote.
Unfortunately I am sure you have all read that the Universities in the UK, after a very close vote in the House of Commons will now be able to charge up to £9000 for UK Home Tuition Fees. This by no means is the end of the campaign in fact it is just the start.
Today the Students’ Union starts its Anti Cuts Campaign. The Campaign is about ensuring that if there are any cuts at the University, then we will ensure that they do not harm the student experience. The University is expected to lose some funding due to the comprehensive spending review, and in the coming weeks and months we will find out the full effects.
Over the coming months the University of Salford will also be setting the fee level for the University and it is vital that during those discussions the student voice is heard.
I strongly urge you all to join the mailing list at www.salfordstudents.com/anticuts. I will not be using the All Students Lists to keep you updated on this issue, so please join to keep updated on what we are doing as a Students’ Union on these issues.
I feel so honoured to be the Students’ Union President at this time. The student movement here in Salford, and nationally, has never been stronger and we must keep up the fight.
Thank you,
Ricky Chotai | President
Sunday 1 August 2010
1 month in... The New Team and the journey ahead of us
Posted By Ricky
It has been about one month since I last blogged where I reposted my final email to the faculty of health.
So what a month since then ... the new team are now officially in and settled into their new roles.
Pictured from left to right:
Jim Dale - VP for Science, Engineering and Environment
Caroline Dangerfield- VP for Health and Social Care
Ricky Chotai - President
Christabel Brown- VP for Arts, Media and Social Sciences
Maros Kravec - VP for Business, Law and Built Environment
This year is going to one of the most pivotal years, we have seen in the Higher Education Sector since the introduction of fees for University Students.
There are two reasons for this, we shall hear the outcome Lord Browne Review, and the public sector cuts.
The Browne Review is the review that is looking at the methods of the different ways Universities can be funded for Undergraduate Teaching. The Guardian did a very good run down of the different possible outcomes. http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/jul/20/university-fees
The public sector cuts, are going to hit Universities hard and Salford by no means will be escaping them.
That is the picture nationally, however what we doing at Salford Students' Union about these issues.
Firstly lets look at the funding, NUS which is the National Union Students' will be having a massive demo about this, this year. The demo will be headed up by the Vice President Higher Education Usman Ali (former Salford SU President 2 years ago). We will have more details soon and we will be doing events on campus, but also asking as many of you to come on the demo in London to show the government and everybody on where we stand at the possibility of higher fees for students.
Public Sector Cuts – Now this is a tough one, over the next few years the University is going to have to do a lot more, with less. As a Students' Union we firmly believe that whilst we understand that cuts may have to happen, however any that are detrimental to the student experience we really should oppose. As students we pay a minimum of £3000 pounds for our courses a year, whilst a lot more for Postgraduate courses. We must ensure that we are getting value for money.
I think that is enough doom and gloom.
Welcome Week 2010
We are already planning Welcome for September 2010, there is loads to do but things are starting to come together and can honestly this will be the best two weeks of your life.
We have so many great events over the two weeks, and for all the new students will be an opportunity to find out what your union does. Our activities range from student media, student activities, to student representation. In the mean time keep an eye on our website http://www.salfordstudents.com/welcome and make sure you join our facebook group http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=17359979849
Come and Get involved in YOUR union
I have been involved in the Students' Union, for 5 years now and I got involved for two reasons I became a course rep and I got involved in the SU Radio Station Shock Radio (www.shockradio.co.uk).
The majority of Salford Students have no involvement in the union and this is something that I personally want to see change over the next year. Over the last few years, things have got a lot better more course reps, more people involved in Student media, more people involved in Clubs and Societies. As a Union we really offer a wide range of activities however the main thing we do is being your voice to the University and creating change for the better.
Whether you come and get involved in any of the activities I listed above, the best thing you can do is tell what you think.
Whether that be about the University or about the SU itself and how we do things.
Remember that ugly photo at the top of the post? One of them is your vice president (Unlucky huh) and represent students in your faculty. Don't forget me, as SU president feel free to get in touch any time, on any issue. My contact details will be at the end of this post.
The Union is not about what me and the rest of team what to do, it is YOUR union. We were simply elected to make the changes that you want to see made in the University or in the SU.
So if you have an idea for welcome week? Think we should be doing more for student reps? Feel the University does not support you enough with your studies?
Come and see us, we are all based in University House on the Peel Park Campus.
If you can't come and see us get in touch.
My contact details are;
Email: president-ussu@salford.ac.uk
Mobile:07540222310
Tel: 0161 351 5413
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SalfordPres
You can even add me on Facebook and contact me on there http://www.facebook.com/salfordpres
Feel free to get in touch if you got any questions, big or small I should be able to point in the right direction.
I really am looking forward to the year ahead, I think it is going to be awesome.
Thanks,
Ricky
SU President
It has been about one month since I last blogged where I reposted my final email to the faculty of health.
So what a month since then ... the new team are now officially in and settled into their new roles.
Pictured from left to right:
Jim Dale - VP for Science, Engineering and Environment
Caroline Dangerfield- VP for Health and Social Care
Ricky Chotai - President
Christabel Brown- VP for Arts, Media and Social Sciences
Maros Kravec - VP for Business, Law and Built Environment
This year is going to one of the most pivotal years, we have seen in the Higher Education Sector since the introduction of fees for University Students.
There are two reasons for this, we shall hear the outcome Lord Browne Review, and the public sector cuts.
The Browne Review is the review that is looking at the methods of the different ways Universities can be funded for Undergraduate Teaching. The Guardian did a very good run down of the different possible outcomes. http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/jul/20/university-fees
The public sector cuts, are going to hit Universities hard and Salford by no means will be escaping them.
That is the picture nationally, however what we doing at Salford Students' Union about these issues.
Firstly lets look at the funding, NUS which is the National Union Students' will be having a massive demo about this, this year. The demo will be headed up by the Vice President Higher Education Usman Ali (former Salford SU President 2 years ago). We will have more details soon and we will be doing events on campus, but also asking as many of you to come on the demo in London to show the government and everybody on where we stand at the possibility of higher fees for students.
Public Sector Cuts – Now this is a tough one, over the next few years the University is going to have to do a lot more, with less. As a Students' Union we firmly believe that whilst we understand that cuts may have to happen, however any that are detrimental to the student experience we really should oppose. As students we pay a minimum of £3000 pounds for our courses a year, whilst a lot more for Postgraduate courses. We must ensure that we are getting value for money.
I think that is enough doom and gloom.
Welcome Week 2010
We are already planning Welcome for September 2010, there is loads to do but things are starting to come together and can honestly this will be the best two weeks of your life.
We have so many great events over the two weeks, and for all the new students will be an opportunity to find out what your union does. Our activities range from student media, student activities, to student representation. In the mean time keep an eye on our website http://www.salfordstudents.com/welcome and make sure you join our facebook group http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=17359979849
Come and Get involved in YOUR union
I have been involved in the Students' Union, for 5 years now and I got involved for two reasons I became a course rep and I got involved in the SU Radio Station Shock Radio (www.shockradio.co.uk).
The majority of Salford Students have no involvement in the union and this is something that I personally want to see change over the next year. Over the last few years, things have got a lot better more course reps, more people involved in Student media, more people involved in Clubs and Societies. As a Union we really offer a wide range of activities however the main thing we do is being your voice to the University and creating change for the better.
Whether you come and get involved in any of the activities I listed above, the best thing you can do is tell what you think.
Whether that be about the University or about the SU itself and how we do things.
Remember that ugly photo at the top of the post? One of them is your vice president (Unlucky huh) and represent students in your faculty. Don't forget me, as SU president feel free to get in touch any time, on any issue. My contact details will be at the end of this post.
The Union is not about what me and the rest of team what to do, it is YOUR union. We were simply elected to make the changes that you want to see made in the University or in the SU.
So if you have an idea for welcome week? Think we should be doing more for student reps? Feel the University does not support you enough with your studies?
Come and see us, we are all based in University House on the Peel Park Campus.
If you can't come and see us get in touch.
My contact details are;
Email: president-ussu@salford.ac.uk
Mobile:07540222310
Tel: 0161 351 5413
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SalfordPres
You can even add me on Facebook and contact me on there http://www.facebook.com/salfordpres
Feel free to get in touch if you got any questions, big or small I should be able to point in the right direction.
I really am looking forward to the year ahead, I think it is going to be awesome.
Thanks,
Ricky
SU President
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