VP Activities Summer Blog – Atahan Rahoojo

Hey everyone! Hope you’ve all had a great summer and are ready for an exciting new term ahead. It’s been a wild few months since stepping into this role, and I wanted to share what I’ve been up to as your VP Activities. From the nerves of my first few weeks to now getting big projects off the ground, it’s been an incredible journey full of learning, collaboration, and creativity. Here’s a look at what’s been happening behind the scenes.

Getting Started

I’ll be honest, my first month was nerve-wracking. Training felt like a crash course in everything from governance to leadership, and it took me a minute to find my footing. But I quickly realised that the best way to learn was to just start creating. So I began sketching out two projects that I was passionate about, one for volunteering, and one for nightlife. I printed the proposals, handed them to the heads of department, gathered their feedback, and was thrilled when both were given the green light.

V-Squad

The first project is V-Squad, a brand-new volunteering platform designed to connect students who want to help with societies who need support. It’s like a matchmaking system for campus volunteering, whether it’s someone helping set up for an event, taking photos, or just lending a hand at a fair. Students can build experience, log hours towards their Big Essex Award, and societies can request help anytime. It’s all about bringing back that sense of community and teamwork to campus life.

ROGUE Nights

The second project, and one I’m incredibly excited about, is ROGUE, a new Saturday event series at Sub Zero that’s completely run by societies. Each week, a society (or a collab between a few) takes over the nightclub, setting the theme, picking the DJs, and curating the full experience. It’s about making nightlife more student-led, more creative, and more culturally diverse. Our first ever ROGUE is coming up on October 18, hosted by the MENA and Latin American Societies, and I can’t wait to see how it all comes to life.

International Student Handbook

Alongside Hareem (VP Welfare) and Chloe (VP Education), I’ve been working on revamping the International Student Handbook, a refreshed, practical guide to help new international students feel at home faster. I led on sections about SU events, Colchester life, banks, transport, and venues. We worked with the Marketing team to bring it to life digitally with interactive QR codes and short-form video content, all designed to make arriving at Essex smoother and more welcoming.

The Bidet Project

One of the more unconventional but deeply meaningful projects I’ve started is a proposal to install bidet sprays in the gender-neutral bathrooms between the Greenhouse Café and SU Bar. Around 25% of Essex students come from countries where water is the standard for hygiene, and the lack of this option can be a real culture shock. We put out a Typeform survey with over 200 responses, 183 in favour. It’s also been supported by our Trans Community Officer, who recognised the project’s inclusivity and welfare benefits, and by Reuben Rhode, our Head of Facilities, who’s been great in helping us assess the logistics and safety side of things.

Looking Ahead

This summer has been a mix of learning curves, creative planning, and real progress. I’ve gone from pitching ideas nervously in my first few weeks to now seeing them take shape with incredible support from students, staff, and my fellow officers. As we head into term, I’m excited to keep building on these projects, bring more societies into the spotlight, and continue making Essex’s student life feel more connected, expressive, and fun.

Thanks for reading, and to every student and staff member who’s helped make these ideas possible, you’ve genuinely made this summer one to remember.