Back in March, we held our annual Sabbatical Officer Elections. Over 6500 votes were cast in choosing your 2015/16 Sabbatical Team. With the new academic year ahead, we’ve put together a summary of what you can expect from your elected officers this year…
Back in March, we held our annual Sabbatical Officer Elections. Over 6500 votes were cast in choosing your 2015/16 Sabbatical Team. With the new academic year ahead, we’ve put together a summary of what you can expect from your elected officers this year…
President – Naomi Oiku
Additional Course Costs
Naomi will lobby the university to reduce or even abolish additional course costs not included in tuition fees.
Create a Participation Fund
Naomi also wants to provide you with new and diverse extra-curricular activities that will help you make the most of your time at University without any additional cost. This will include:
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Free access to recreational activities and course related trips
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Free engaging training and skills workshops
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Free alternative events in the bar
Warsash
Since she was elected in 2014, Naomi has focused a lot of time on building a stronger relationship between Warsash and the Union by organising various social events. During her second term Naomi now wants focus on solving the major issues raised by cadets such as:
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Better variety of food on campus
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Improved accommodation
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More convenient transport to ensure all cadets feel more involved with the Union
Employability
Getting a job after University can be difficult, which is why Naomi wants to build and strengthen relations between the Union and business leaders to help students find work placements, internships and other employment opportunities.
Housing
The pressure to secure a home often leads to the exploitation of students who have little alternative. Naomi wants to provide support for students while they look for private tenancies/accommodation. She will also work with the University to support EU and International students to provide them with the right advice before they arrive in the UK.
VP Education - Charlotte Winfield
Industry Insights
Charlotte will work on creating affordable academic trips for all courses using established industry contacts.
Warsash Workspace
Charlotte will endeavour to make the Warsash library opening times as flexible as those at Mountbatten, because all students deserve the same opportunities across all faculties.
Printing Prices
Charlotte aims to make the cost of printing cheaper by getting a free printing allowance for assignments, including dissertations.
Love Languages
All students have the option to be taught a language for an additional cost, or in place of two options in their final year. Charlotte wants to change this and make it possible for everyone to learn a language for free.
Student Support
Charlotte hopes to improve the support available for international students on getting to know the UK educational system. Overseas, education can be very different and it should be made easier for students to get the information they need.
VP Employability and Engagement – Jasmine Barton
Getting students employed
Jasmine will work with local companies to get Solent students work experience and internships, which are crucial to helping students stand out when they look for jobs after University.
Getting students into societies
Jasmine will give societies more training to help them gain new members. A big part of the training will be helping societies promote themselves more effectively.
She would also improve the societies section on the SU website including the creation of a notice board so society members and other students can see what is going on.
Integrating the warsash students
Jasmine would like to integrate Warsash students into the union more. Jasmine will work on creating transport similar to knight bus for them so they have free travel to the SU.
The Party Pot
Jasmine would like to place a pot on the SU bar known as the Party Pot, so students have somewhere to voice their event suggestions!
VP Welfare and Community – Samuel Spencer
Push for an independent University caseworker
Sam will work with the University to support students in finding the right service that suits their needs, whether it’s a University or external service, ensuring all students are aware of what services and facilities are available. Endeavouring to make sure they are accessible at all times, enabling students to get the right support they need.
Support workshops for International students
Over 50% of the Union’s academic misconduct cases are from International students, and as these students only make up 15% of our student populous, this evidently needs attention. Sam will work with the VP Education to help bring workshops for international students, including things like essay writing and copyright.
Advice Centre at Warsash once a week
Warsash currently has no in-house counsellor or advice centre, the stress of exams and sea based activity can sometimes cause problems which cadets don’t know how to fix, this is why Sam will work to bring the Union Advice Centre to Warsash at least once a week, so cadets can have the time to ask for advice and get the help they need.
Implement a scheme for ensuring safe, comfortable and clean housing
Sam will work towards a landlord scheme, assuring students that there will be base guidelines for all properties to follow, ensuring that every student has access to a safe and comfortable learning environment.