As I come to the final months of my time as Vice President of Community & Engagement at Essex, I wanted to share a few key updates and reflect on some recent developments.

First off, a big step forward, at our recent Extraordinary Senate, the revised academic calendar was officially passed and is now heading to University Council for review. It’s a significant moment, and one that brings us closer to an academic year that better reflects the needs and realities of our student community.

I’m also really pleased to confirm that the Essex Fashion Show is going ahead this Friday. There were a few last-minute complications which meant we had to make some adjustments due to budget constraints. But after several meetings and a lot of teamwork, we’ve managed to resolve those issues. The event is also free now . A huge thank you to everyone who made that possible.I hope to see you there.

On a more disappointing note, we’ve had to put a hold on the One World Essex football match for the time being. Following a budget review, it’s just not viable at this moment, though that may change, and we’ll keep students informed if the opportunity arises again.

In these last few months, I’m determined to give the role everything I’ve got. I’ll continue pushing to make sure students’ voices are front and centre in the conversations that matter. I’m also working on a proper handover to support the next VP, so they can hit the ground running and build on the progress we’ve made.

Thanks to everyone who’s supported me on this journey so far and i wish you all the best in the future. Guilly