Hi guys! Thank you for coming to read my last SU President Update Blog (awww). I can’t believe how quickly this year has gone by, it has truly been a pleasure to work for you and advocate on your behalf as your President.

But I won’t get too ahead of myself with the goodbyes. First, here is what I have been up to since my last Update Blog (around two weeks ago):

National Advocacy

The Pay the Placement Activation Week is ON! We are working with over 18 SUs around the county this week to raise awareness and get people to sign the petition. If you haven’t already, please do and share it with friends! Fund pay for student nurses and midwives for placement hours - Petitions

To support this campaign, I am liaising with BBC Essex to get wider coverage of the campaign at a regional and national level and have also appeared on WonkHE’s podcast with Chloe to talk about the campaign.

I am also continuing to work on our Fix University Funding campaign. I have reached out to a selected number of MPs across the country who have been critical of the current funding model for Higher Education to ask them for support of our campaign.

Similar to Pay the Placement, please make sure to sign the petition and share it with your friends! Reform & review Higher Education funding and admission policies - Petitions

Commuter Offer

Over the past couple months, I have been working closely with the University to improve the support available for commuting students, especially in the context of the Southend Campus closure.

The University announced its new package for commuting students last week and I am so happy to share that a lot of what we have been lobbying for is now happening for next year! We have secured funding to run a free shuttle bus service from North Station to Colchester Campus (stopping at Hythe Station) and allocated parking for commuting students.

I was also invited to talk about the offer at BBC Radio last week, where I explained how this will benefit all students, but especially commuting students of course, and about living on campus.

Accommodation Rent Prices

I had a meeting with a representative from Equitix to talk about the accommodation provision they offer at Essex. Equitix manages The Copse, The Pastures, and The Meadows, meaning that they are able to set rent prices and improve facilities.

This meeting was important because this is the first time that the Students Union has met directly with them, rather than having to pass on feedback through the University. We will be working together to improve the services and facilities offered at these accommodations.

SU Value Meal Kits

Last week, Hareem and I launched one of our Big Plan projects: The SU Value Meal Kits! These are bags with pantry staples you can find in the SU Store, but all wrapped up together for a discounted price.

We currently have two bags available (you can find them now at The Store!) and the idea is to see how we expand/modify the offering based on student feedback ahead of Autumn Term for the next academic year!

Awards Season

It’s also been such a lovely time lately because of all the end-of-year events and celebrations! I got to attend the Society Awards this past week and present the “New Society of the Year” Award, which went to the Neurotech Society. Congratulations to them and all the other winners and nominees for having an incredible year!

I will also be attending the Volunteering Awards later this evening to give the opening speech and celebrate the incredible work that student volunteers in Democracy, Education and VTeam have done this year. Later this week, I will also be co-hosting Staff Awards with our CEO, Craig Stephens, to celebrate the achievements of both student and permanent staff this year. Exciting times!

That’s It!

Thank you for sticking around to the end of my blog! I wanted to give a big thank you to everyone for trusting me to be your SU President this year.

Although it’s been a difficult year with a lot of change and disruption, I hope that I have been able to represent you and your communities in the best way possible. Please never stop speaking up and holding your SU accountable! We are here to work for you and make the change you want to see happen.

I will see you around campus!