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
