America, Christmas, New Year and lots of actions on what YOU want!!

Hi guys,

My apologies for the lack of activity on this blog, Since living the American Dream (including a few Dunkin' Donuts!) I have been all go trying to implememnt some of the fantastic things I saw whilst I was there and also trying to action the things you wanted to see completed in the first term.

Here we are starting the second term of the academic year, so here are a few of the things we have managed to do:

• Get a quorate AGM for the first time in 2 years




• Get a Unilinx bus route which runs through Westbourne, the Triangle and the Square




• Organise a Q and A session with Matthew Bennet (Dean of Con Sci)




• Plan the SUBU Educational Approach (Watch this space....!)




• Put the environment at the heart of the University agenda




• Microwave in Bournemouth House




• New computers to be installed in Bournemouth House




• Push the University to install new seating with tablets in the Woolstencraft Lecture Theatre




• Begin planning a bar in Salisbury (For Partnership students)

Thats just a small taster of the work we have been getting on with in addition to working towards SUEI accreditation, the Sound Impact Silver Award and undergoing a Governance Review.

So, as busy as we were in the first term, myself and Alan Dove (The Students' Union Commercial Manager) managed to jet off to Boston and Conneticut to sample the American Higher Education Experience.

We visited Harvard, MIT, Boston University, Curryt College, Univeristy of Connecticut, University of Southern Connecticut and the University of East Connecticut.

The experience was unreal......yes, the Americans pay much more for their education (around £25,000 a year) however this includes their board and in some cases meals. In addition, the facilities in these University are a world apart from the ones we experience here in the UK. In regards to sporting facilities, only Loughborough really compares and even then, I think, is lagging behind somewhat.

It made me challenge my own views on Higher Education funding in the UK and made me ask the question: 'Would I back the proposed increase in fees if I could see exactly where my fees were going, and what extra I would be getting for the extra that I am paying?'

The fact is that the Higher Education sector is a global market and if we are going to compete with state of the art institutions such as Boston University then we undoubtedly need more resources in which to do that. The question is how we get them and what they are used on, and how what the money is spent on effects the experience of students.

I think that if I saw my fees broken down and that, for example £150 of it went towards Student activity opportunities, then I would be more inclined to find out what opportunities there were and get involved. I would love to know what you think about this.

The way they celebrate spoirt also caught my eye. Whilst here in the UK, University sport is lower key and dominated by an underlying drinking culture, in the US sport is something that everyone in the institution gets involved in either participating or supporting.

They have stadiums that pack out for university sports which I was amazed at compared to what we currently have here at Bournemouth. It showed how far we have to go and made me wonder if the Students' Union could do a better job of running sports thatn the University (We are one of only 4 Students' Unions in England that do not run sports!).

The other thing that was really impressive was the use of social media such as Facebook and Twitter. They are, I would guess, about a year ahead of us in regards to their use of Social Media in regards to how they use it and the extent in which they use it.

Funnily enough, I conducted a mini survey of my own when I arrived back and found that none of the people I talked to were active users of Twitter. this suggested to me that it has not really taken off yet in the UK despite rave reviews on Radio 1 and other media outlets alike.

I predict that it will take off and we are already seeing Facebook and Twitter intergrating with each other and mobile phone companies producing Social Media specific phones. The revolution is already here.....only some of us, especially students do not know it yet.

Any ways, enough of me waffling on as I could gop on forever about the neat things I experienced in America (like the combination of coffee and dohnuts!) however what is more important is actioning the things that I thought would make students' experience here in Bournemouth better........hopefully things you will see materialising in the coming months.

Thanks for reading if you got this far, not bad for two months worth of blogging i think!!

Much SUBU love

Scott x

The American Dream!

Hi guys,
So the rep training is finished....for now!!
It meant I managed to have a nice weekend back home for my mother's birthday (aaww!!)
But then of course back to the office for the usual and then the open day on Saturday.
There are a few things that have caught my eye the last week.....firstly the latest epetition to be submitted is a real juicy one. It is looking at the way students are viewed and taught across campus and I like this as it is broad and it questions the values and priorities of the institution which is exactly what students should be doing. You can look at the exact details of it on our epetition site which can be accessed through www.subu.org.uk
The other big thing is that on Wednesday, i am off to Boston USA!!! Thats right! I'm going to a conference where I will experience institutions in America, how they work and the good practices that we can hopefully implement here. rest assured that whilst an expensive trip, it will provide me with a wealth of ideas which i will of coursae share with you on my return.
Maybe the most interesting thing at the moment is the election of our SU President as the Advocate to the University Board on Environment and Sustainability. This is very exciting after James gave a monumentous presentation to the University Board on how they should be prioritising the environment in the Strategic Plan which will be agreed by February.
Anywho....America......not quite sun, sea and sand but more snow........show and dough mainly because its gonna be snowy, we are gonna get shown plenty of new things and finally because it is likely to set me back alot of money which I just do not have......thank heavens its pay day when I get back!!!
Cheerio....... :)
x

Training to represent with graduation?!

Hi guys,
Been upto lots lately namely Student Rep training. I've so far done 16 sessions and have another 14 to do before the end of the week.....but then I get the weekend off!
I managed to have my first lie-in in about a year on Saturday...was amazing!!
This week, as well as training, I am sitting on two of the graduation ceremonies which I am fully looking forward to. It is so great to be able to celebrate the success of our students, and great to see their hard work pay off.
I am also in the process of setting up a Q and A session between Conservation Science Students and Matthew Bennet, the Dean of the school in relation to impending staff redundancies. This should act as a good forum for students to ask the questions they want to know the answers to.
I am also getting ready to go to America!!! :) I am off to Boston on the 18th November to see how universities in the USA differ from ours here and to see if there are any changes we can take from them.
So all in all a fun filled week, just need to remember to get my travel insurance....I have a memory like a sieve so chances are I fall over and hurt myself and don't have any....oh well!!
Scott x

BSM - Not the driving school!

Hi guys,
It is currently 9.10am on Thursday 22nd October meaning that in just under an hour the Big Student Meeting will be getting underway with hundreds of students expected to descend upon the Lees Lecture Theatre to debate and vote on issues that are important to BU students.
These include the the removal of the 'A' bus service, the closure of the sexual health clinic and the redundancies in the school of conservation science.
I expect this to be one of the best meetings we have had in a long while and cannot wait to see students hotly debating whether the Students' Union should be fighting to get better car parking facilities for it's students.
In other news, myself, James and Hannah went to Brighton last week to learn about Trustees and the effect they have on companies as the Union will be forced by law to change the way it is currently run.
This could potentially open up the oppurtunity to have students becoming Trustees as well giving you more of a say in the way the Union is run.
It's now 9.20am so i need to get ready for this meeting, I need to give a Sabbatical report and also am seconding a few motions in it so i must prepare!!
Catch you all later
With love
Scott

Forget Swine Flu....freshers flu is much more fashionable!

So....2 weeks of partying with all the new freshers and I get flu!

I know, I know, I deserved it but I had to make sure the parties we were providing were up to standard right....?!

Keep a close eye out for a night that is coming to the Old Firestation....Boogie Nights is a super funky 70s night which is sure to light up the firestation with the led dancefloor and cool lighting and cheesy 70s music......keep a look out for the promotional material which is....well....different!!

So.....what is it we actually do except partying? Well i have been developing some online training for Student Reps which I believe is the first of its kind as well as planning other education based initiatives which you will soon see throughout uni.

I have also been asking many of you to sign the petitions regarding the 'A' bus and the closure of the sexual health clinic and will be continuing to do this throughout the year.

Of course, the best way to get yourself heard is through the Big Student Meeting (22nd October 10-12 in the Lees Lecture Theatre) where you will decide what we represent you on for the term.

We need at least 100 students in order to make a difference to your lives and so please attend to have your say on buses, clinics or even staff redundancies in Conservation Science!!

Of course we have By-elections as well so watch this space for them where we have 12 candidates wanting your votes so they can represent your views over the next 8 months.

SUBU is a great tool for all of you who get involved whether it be enrolling on the Leadership programme, becoming a Rep or even just using your vote. We want you to get as involved as possible so you can have the best time you can while your here, and get the best job you can when you leave.

Keep pestering us when we are on campus and ask us whatever you like, we will almost always be able to help!!

Stay classy....and keep looking out for the blog!!

Much love xxx

Arrivals is almost upon us......!!

Hi guys,

It is all getting real now, under two weeks until around 5000 new students flock in their masses to Bournemouth.......and we cannot wait!!

Before that though, myself, James and Hannah have our Executive Committee training to embark on next week in the New Forest which will give us a chance to get to know the students who will be representing you over the next year.

If you would like to become and Exec Officer then there is the oppurtunity to get involved by standing in the Bi-Elections in October. We have lots of places on the Committee including the First Year Experience Officer, International Students Officer, Postgraduate Taught and Postgraduate Research. Just come up and we can show you how.

Us three Sabbs have also had a visit from the NUS (National Union of Students) this week in which we received some training and had detailed discussions on how to make this year not just good, but great.

Please have a look on our website http://www.subu.org.uk/ and go to the 'Building a Better Union' tab on the left where you will be able to see all of the initiatives we are taking part on this year in addition to everything else. You will see the various environmental initiatives such as Sound Impact amongst many.

If you are a returning student, then also have a look at the website as there have been many improvements to the services that we are offering to you over the summer.

Of course, even though you may not have arrived in Bournemouth yet, we are already representing students on the various University Committees that we sit on. Only this morning I was at the Academic Standards Committee explaining that student feedback is THE most important tool that the university has at their disposal. The Student Unit Evaluation (SUE) is one of the ways to get that feedback and you will hear about how useful a tool this is to staff and students throughout the year.

Anyways, enough of me........it's over to you in a matter of weeks, so fasten your seatbelt as University life really does occur in the fast lane!!

Can't wait to see everyone, hope your all excited!

Much love

Scott x

Getting political!!

Hi guys,
A couple weeks since my last post, and needless to say myself and the other two Sabbaticals have been rather busy.
We have all attended part of the NUS summer training programme which helped develop our skills and also allow us to network with other Sabbaticals from across the country whilst sharing good practices.
Myself and James, the President, attended a course called Active Political Leadership which got us thinking about how we can best get the views of students and represent them to the university.
Being a Sabbatical Officer, we need to think about how we represent you on a local and national scale, and the big debate in the UK at the moment is that of top-up fees. As a Students' Union, we know that in the recession, money is tight for evereyone and so the proposed lifting of the 'cap' on top up fees has not welcomed by students across the country. Rest assured, that for anyone with younger brothers or sisters, we will be campaigning on your behalf this year.
The course itself was hugely beneficial and I certainly took alot from it.
Since being back from Sheffield, I have been working on Student Reps and organising the training and how we can make it even better for students so there is more scope to affect changes on your programmes.
We have been busy welcoming new members of staff as well with a new design team joining the union and hoping to get young student designers involved in what we do.
This year is going to be a very exciting one, and you can be sure that we have a few ideas in the pipeline to ensure that all students know who their Sabbaticals are, and how to contact us.
Looking forward to seeing you all
With affection
Scott xx