So, somehow, it’s been another two weeks. Last Friday I posted my answers to student concerns, so check that out to see if your question has already been asked!

My TLDR (too long; didn't read) will, as always, be at the bottom, as well as my short list of what I’ll be doing between now and my next update! This is my last update before you (likely) get back onto campus. If you have any questions, please email me - vpeducation@essex.ac.uk

It’s been another hectic two weeks. I started off as I always do – emails! Monday is my update day where I have meetings with people to get information about what has changed and what I need to look out for in the week. I also took the chance to get some Education Committee Reading done, as well as meet some Managers from the University and share with them the SU plan for gathering Live Feedback. I spent some time recording the Finding Your Classroom video – which you can find on our Instagram highlights – and the UniEssex Instagram takeover. I had meetings about GTAs, WiFi, Comms, and more with the University, and had my regular catch up with the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) (PVC-E). 

I spent the rest of my week collating answers for student concerns, writing my script for my departmental induction, and then recording that. This last week has been a little less heavy, with much of it taken up with Mental Health First Aid Training. Other than that, I had my normal Monday update day – although mixed with this was a meeting I had booked to discuss with the University the lack of module resources available to students ahead of time. I am now looking at how policy can be changed to give students a better opportunity to be proactive and read ahead.

In addition, myself and Alex finalised our Big Plan Charter for COVID Learning – which was good to get completed. I also had my first weekly meeting with Madeline (PVC-E) and I attended a Blended Learning Trial to look at the preparedness of blended learning technology and delivery. I also had a meeting with the Department of Government regarding their recent communication on the 8^th September regarding teaching – the SU will be putting out a statement on this in the near future (just been rushed off my feet in the last few weeks!).

Today, I also did team building with the Sabbatical officers and Director team - we went around Colchester in small groups doing a geocache hunt!

My next two weeks will only be busier! Big events currently scheduled are the Trustee Board, Education Committee away day, and most importantly for you all – the start of term! I’m also working on getting a new project off the ground – ensuring there are common standards across the University with supervisors.

If any of this sounds interesting to you, I would recommend going to essex.su/education and signing up to be a student rep today!

TLDR:

• Completed the UniEssex takeover on Instagram and shared with you all information about Education
• Met with key University Senior staff such as Faculty Managers, the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) and more.
• Recorded and edited videos introducing the SU to new students to be shown at some Departmental Inductions.
• Met with the WiFi Everywhere team to discuss progress on WiFi on campus
• Met with our PG Officers
• Answered your concerns
• Met with the rest of the Sabb team to talk about comms and how we can effectively share what we’ve been doing with the Big Plan over the Summer
• Started working on how we can get students more module resources earlier (following a student contacting me)
• Attended a Blended Learning trial and shared our concerns with the PVC(E)
• Met with the Department of Government to get information
• Completed Mental Health First Aid Training
• Delivered an iSUlation Quiz on Essex (the County and the University)

Next two weeks:

• Trustee Board
• Education Committee away day
• YUFE meeting
• Senior University meetings
• Welcoming students back to campus!
• Finalising WiFi Big Plan Project Charter
• And much more!