We began October by resuming SU on Tour (your opportunity to feedback to us about your student experience, the good and the not so good).   The President visited Queens Specialist Building and chatted to students about their experiences at Queens.   One thing which has been raised again and again was the need for a kettle and microwave at QSB.  WIN:  Stacey has petitioned the University about this and has finally secured both a kettle and microwave for students to use. 

We held a Bake Sale for McMillan Cancer Support and raised £203.  A big thank you to staff and students who baked cakes and a big thank you to those of you who bought them.

For World Mental Health Day we had a stand in the Mall along with the Mood Matters Society.  The CEC’s designed a Stress-o-meter and students were asked to place emoji’s on the Stress-o-meter in areas corresponding to how they were feeling.  CEC’s gave out advice and discussed with students how they coped with stress.

We attended the Hate Crime Launch held at Bolton CVS.  This was the launch event to raise awareness of the Greater Manchester Hate Crime Awareness week which starts 6^th February 2018.  This event raised awareness of hate crime, how to report it and where to report it.  Your Students’ Union is a hate crime reporting centre, so if you feel you or someone you know is a victim of hate crime, please come to the Students’ Union for help.

Children from all over the Greater Manchester area came to the University to take part in Messy Science, part of the Manchester Science Festival.  Organised by Dr Gill Smart, the CEC’s turned into scientists for the day and created dark and sulphurous liquids with cabbages and made volcanoes erupt, inspiring the next generation of scientists. 

We held the first Focus Group of the year.  We asked two groups of first year students their opinions on the SU’s Welcome Week, University ID verification and Inductions.  Feedback will be used by the SU and University to improve next year’s events.   

The Course Rep Conference took place, giving Course Reps the vital skills they need to carry out their role and responsibilities.  The training course is designed to help, guide and support Course Reps.  Reps feedback was “I enjoyed the training”, “I feel I have learned the skills to successfully carry out my role”, “I now know which services the Union and University have to offer.”  

Stacey(SU President) and Tom (CEC) attended the official opening of the Institute of Management New Building.  This was a great opportunity to speak to staff and students about the SU and inform them of what we have to offer and for students to get to know each other. 

Society News

We have a total of 20 active and amazing Societies with almost 6oo members between them – all busy putting on events, going out on trips and generally having a great time with likeminded friends. 

Danielle, (CEC) held training workshops during October for Societies.    We want to help Societies be the best they can be and Danielle’s workshops aim to do this.   Students told us that the workshops were fun, engaging, informative and very helpful.    

Danielle also introduced the STARS Reward Scheme (Society Training Achievement and Rewards Scheme).  Societies can win points by reaching certain goals and then be awarded bronze, silver or gold status.  Additional funding and support is available for those Societies who hit bronze, silver or gold status.  To date, we have 6 Societies who have reached bronze STARS status, and many more who are almost there.  Well done!