Woah …. a month has passed and as it stands 11 months remain in my tenure as your Students’ Union President.
Right now you’re probably thinking what does a Lincoln Students’ Union President do? What could you possibly be doing with the majority of students on their summer break?
The above questions are absolutely valid, but to summarise my month in three words brings to mind planning, meetings and training.
After being your Activities officer in the 12/13 academic year the notion of change was thrown around and has put perspective to what is a HUGE year for the Union in the 13/14 academic year. The University of Lincoln Students’ Union means so many things to many different people whether being a part of a sports club or society, student rep, staff member, engaged or uncompromising student but stopping there at 33% involvement in sports and societies, 28% voter turnout at our elections and a modest representation system is not enough; widening participation or engagement in our services is vital to the students’ experience in Lincoln.
The ethos of students coming to university is changing; bars and club nights aren’t as popular as they used to be and a greater emphasis on representation in the university or academically is of huge importance. It may be a no-brainer but it puts even greater emphasis on our course rep system and how it works. This is the year we empower the student voice, improve the quality of feedback from lectures and seminars so we can help you shape your learning with you.
You might have noticed, but we’ve had a ‘little’ re-brand, restructured the finance of the activities department, brought finance in-house and hired LOADS of staff to ensure that the Union performs and works towards what you want us to facilitate or run in the next 3 years.
So all the above refers to the past so I guess it’d be good to talk about my plans for the 11 months ahead:
Making our union accessible is the umbrella term I’d use for my term in office. Widening participation not necessarily in Union activity itself but also in the way we engage with students at our Holbeach campus which has predominantly part time or distant learners is something the Union will have to work on over the coming year. The world of Higher Education is changing rapidly and with £9000 fees it’s important that those who aspire to go to university still have the drive to get there. The union needs to engage in the local community making a positive impact in schools and colleges in Holbeach and in the disadvantaged areas of Lincoln. On the topic of being ‘dynamic’, it’s ever so important we engage with our International Students, whether they are in study groups, a 10 week English booster program, undergraduates or postgraduates, they have the same rights as any other and their impact on the face of the University will grow year on year; it’s vital the University of Lincoln Students’ Union is proactive in the coming year.
Overall it has been a fantastic month; I’d like to thank the Union staff for their support and hard work, whilst also giving a shout out to the officers at NUS who have been very supportive at training sessions, particularly around the ‘widening participation’ agenda. I hope to see some of you at your graduation ceremonies and at the graduation ball.
Ciao
Dan x