We held the Welcome Back Fair in the Chancellor’s Mall, giving students another opportunity to see what the University, local and national organisations have to offer students.

The Student Activities Awareness Day also took place in February, we had very snowy weather, but we were pleased to see most of the societies had representatives who were able to chat to students and enrol new members.  We even had a visit from the Vice Chancellor who stopped to chat with the Medieval Society who were putting on a display of mock hand to hand combat.  He was very impressed, but declined an invitation to take part!

We got very creative during half-term week with our Crafternoon event.  We invited parents and children to come along and make friendship bracelets and paint rocks.  We were very pleased with the response and the children and parents had a great time.

Jess held more Course Rep training sessions, training new reps and giving those students who missed the training a chance to be trained.

On Wednesday 13^th February 2019, we officially opened the doors of our new student space – The Loft.  We have been lobbying the University for a long time for a student space away from classrooms, and are pleased to report we have been given the room above the SU office, next to The Vista.  With a lot of hard work and effort, we’ve managed to transform this room into The Loft; an area where students can come and relax, play games, read books and generally chill out.  The official launch was well attended and students and University staff were very impressed with The Loft and the effort the Students’ Union had put into transforming it into a relaxing space, away from classrooms.  We have a table tennis table in there which students are queuing up to use and already an application for a Table Tennis Society is waiting for approval!  All Societies can also book The Loft for their meetings and general get togethers.  The Loft is also proving popular some with lecturers who have brought their students over to socialise away from the classroom. 

Another win for the SU is that the University has finally provided students with Microwaves and kettles.   Past SU Presidents have lobbied the University for a number of years for microwaves and kettles so students can heat up their food and have hot drinks.  These are now located on every campus, but students must keep them clean otherwise they may be taken away.

We held our annual Hate Crime Awareness event this month and invited local and national organisations to the University to raise awareness about hate crimes.  Don’t forget your Students’ Union is a Hate Crime Reporting Centre, anything you tell us will be kept confidential.  Call in for help and advice.  

Nominations closed for the Leadership Race and we are gearing up for hustings, voting and the announcement of the new President next month.    

We helped 10 students with various issues this month.  Please don’t hesitate to call into the SU if you need any help.