What we did for Students in February 2016:

• World Cancer Day (4th February)

Our CEC’s and SU Legends raised money on World Cancer day by asking students and staff to donate £1 to guess how many sweets were inside a jar. Information was  available to pick up on the Cancer Research theme of Unite and students and staff could get an official Unity band to show their support. The winner was Najeeb Hassan who guessed the closest with 150.  A total of £48 was raised and donated to Cancer Research. Thanks to everyone who took part!

 

• RESPECT Event – Let’s End Hate Crime Together  (11^th February)

The SU supported the Hate Crime Awareness Week by holding a Respect Event.  We were joined by local and national agencies and organisations to create awareness of Hate Crime and the importance of respecting one another.  The Mayor opened the event, and throughout the day there were     live monologues from actors from the Octagon Theatre.  The event closed with a balloon releasing ceremony. We took your personal messages about hate crime, attached them to balloons and released them as a group outside Chancellors' Mall.  We created a lasting image, and shared the message that together we can end hate crime. See our blog post on the event here

 

• Bursary issue – The SU President stopped a student from dropping out.

A student on the verge of dropping out, asked Arthur for help in claiming a £3,000 University of Bolton Bursary.  The student had initially been confirmed as eligible, but then told at a later date was ineligible. Arthur intervened on this student’s behalf by meeting with University staff. After various meetings the University agreed to pay the student the bursary and the student continued to study.  

SFX students came to see the President as they wanted the SFX studio to be kept open and not locked over the lunch time period as they had lots of work to do. Arthur spoke to the relevant staff and it was agreed that the studio be kept open for students to continue with their work over the lunchtime period.

A student visited the Advice Unit and asked Janet (SU Advisor) for help as the student had recently received a failed and finished notification and a letter of completion from the University. At this stage, as the student had exhausted the Appeals Process, the only option available was to make a case to the O. I.A. (Office of the Independent Adjudicator).  After reviewing the students’ notes, Janet felt the student had a good chance of the O.I.A looking favourably on the case.  Janet helped the student put a case together which was sent to the O.I.A.  After reviewing the case and communicating with the University, the University agreed the student should be allowed to complete the final 2 outstanding modules.

If you would like advice or help with academic issues, our Advice Unit is open to all students - visit the SU office for a chat or make an appointment any time. Find out more about our Advice Unit here.

 

• Start a ripple, Make a wave’ Campaign (18^th Feb) 

The CEC’s were in the Chancellor’s Mall promoting the Student Minds ‘Start a ripple, Make a wave’ Campaign.  

Student Minds is a UK student mental health charity. Their aim is to provide students with the skills, knowledge and confidence to talk about their mental health and to also look out for their peers. More information can be found on the webpage at http://www.studentminds.org.uk/

We invited students to write down their thoughts on two questions.  Question1: ‘What do you do to boost your mood?’   Responses were, “talk with friends,”  “go to the gym,” “pray,” “listen to music.”  Question 2: 'What can University do to help you with your mental health and wellbeing?'   Responses were; “more counsellors,”  “support groups,” “music in the SLZ,”’ “paint the walls brighter.”

As well as handing out information from the Students Minds webpage, the CEC’s had adult colouring in pages for students to take a break for five minutes to colour in or to take away with them. There was also a fun challenge on the day which was enjoyed by both students and staff! The challenge was to go head to head against a fellow student in a race to knock down four skittles using a tennis ball.  The catch was the tennis ball was in a pair of tights attached to their head!! 

The aim was to highlight to students that by doing one fun act it can lead to another, hence the ‘Start a ripple, Make a wave’

 

Some great examples of your SU working to help you!