Introduction

Hello again everyone! As you may see from the title – I’ve a new titling technique for my blogs – based on the popular American Sitcom Modern Family. The Students’ Union is another modern, yet unconventional, family – which you are part of. The Sabbatical team is a part of that – and I will be stealing titles from Modern Family episodes which I will tenuously link to what I talk about in my blogs. There are a few subtitles that I hope will help you go through what I’ve been doing for you in the last couple of weeks. As always, if you have questions please email me or contact your Student Parliament Representative who can hold me to account at Parliament.

Hope you enjoy!

Mark

Too Long Didn’t Read

• Referendum
• University Challenge
• Big Plan items
  • COVID Learning
  • WiFi Coverage
• Deck Chair policy tidied up
• Trustee Board
• Ethics Committee Training
• Research Committee
• Regular catch up meetings
• Next two weeks

Overview

In the last two weeks I’ve really been focusing on the referendum and making sure that it is a success. At the time of writing there has been over 2600 votes – something beyond what I thought was possible. I want to give a big thank you to the Engagement and Education teams’ hard work to make this possible, and to the many students who brought the issue of fees to my attention. We will be releasing a statement on the outcome of the referendum and this will be shared with Student Parliament who can ask us questions. I also was interviewed by Rebel about the referendum, and you can read this here.

Other than the referendum, I released the SU challenge – thanks to everyone who took part – as well as finalising the Live Lecture Feedback Best Practice guide which has now been sent out to every faculty. I’ve also supported the University Challenge team and want to give a big congratulations to Liv and Adrian for their hard work on making that happen.

Policies

I tidied up the Deck Chair policy and submitted this to the Trustee Board which found no problems with the policy as related to financial, reputational, or legal concerns.

Big Plan

I continued to work with Alex on COVID Learning as well as Adrian on WiFi. I caught up with Alex on progress we’re making on next year and we are making an update video in time for next Parliament. Adrian and I are meeting the WiFi everywhere group this coming week and will be raising the issue of Southend WiFi as well as other issues.

Committees/Groups

I attended Ethics Committee training, Trustee Board and Research Committee in the last two weeks.

Regular Meetings

I had my regular weekly meetings with the PVCE, ITS, on the Big Plan, as well as my weekly catch up with the rest of the Students’ Union including the weekly insight meeting with the rest of the Sabbatical team.

Other

I also had the great opportunity to bring together all our Sabbs and make a video that will be included in the University’s thanking staff message to thank them for their hard work in the last few months. (Picture attached).

So, I hope this – although long – update can be more easily digested and is clear. I will be continuing this method for the foreseeable, so any comments are appreciated! If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me – vpeducation@essex.ac.uk

Next two weeks

• Referendum statement
• Student Parliament
• AGM
• WiFi Coverage Big Plan work
• Meeting with University on referendum outcomes
• Q&A with PVCE on Spring Term
• Education Committee
• Meeting with GTA Campaign
• Social event for Student Reps (16^th December)
• Ethics Committee
• Meeting with PGRE Dean about PGR Issues
• Regular Meetings