Imran, your RSU President, updates you on what he got up to in October.
Successes, Collaborations, and Community Spirit
Dear Students
We recently held a Student Voice Forum at Whitelands College to discuss our new Digital Rep initiative.
Digital Rep is a tool designed to collect student feedback on the issues that matter most to you regarding your academic experiences at Roehampton. Your comments will go directly to your Subject Area Reps and School Reps, who will use them to advocate on your behalf with the schools.
Digital Rep asks you about what works well, what doesn’t, and what could be improved. This way, we can celebrate the best aspects of your experiences while also identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
As the RSU president, I attended the Finance and Resources Committee. This committee is crucial for understanding the university's financial situation and determining if there will be any impact on students.
I am currently working on a big project that is in its initial stages and focuses on sustainability. I will keep you updated as we get closer to the delivery phase.
Irene, Adam, and I have regular meetings with the Vice Chancellor, where we share insights on how to improve student experiences. I would like to mention that Jean-Noël is very supportive of our ideas.
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Marilyn Holness, the Head of Digby Stuart College, for inviting us to the Feast of Mater Admirabilis lunch and formal dinner. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate together.
We have regular meetings with Pro-Vice Chancellor Leigh Robinson, where we update her on our activities and discuss any concerns or problems related to education from a student perspective. and she shares important updates with us.
Irene and Adam have been working tirelessly on the international team with Gina, who supervises International Week. We are excited to announce that International Week will take place from November 18th to 22nd. Make sure to participate and learn more about different cultures, norms, and histories. There will not only be learning opportunities but also food, dance, and screenings. Keep an eye out for updates—it is coming soon!
I have some excellent news! I am working on a podcast show where university senior staff will join us to discuss their life, work, and educational experiences. I believe each of them has a unique story to share that will inspire and teach us a lot. I am very excited to announce that my first guest will be the one and only Jean-Noël Ezingeard, our Vice Chancellor.
You can take part in this by submitting questions for any of my guests! I will create a Google Form where you can ask any questions you would like to pose. If you give me your consent, I will mention your name when I ask your question. If you are interested, please visit my Instagram account—there is a link in my bio!
I also have the privilege of attending the Joint Honorary Committee, which is responsible for deciding who will receive honorary degrees in recognition of their significant achievements throughout their lifetime.
I attended my second Council meeting. During these meetings, I present the RSU report and update the Council on our accomplishments and future plans.
Many thanks to Simon Dorman, the head of Froebel College, for inviting Irene, Adam, and me to the Froebel College Dinner. This tradition has been upheld for around 115 years, and it was an honor to be part of such a rich celebration.
We held a part-time job fair on October 16th in collaboration with the Students’ Future team, and it was a great success. Many stalls were present, and numerous students joined us in pursuit of job opportunities.
We held our first Presidents' Committee meeting on October 17th. The Presidents' Committee serves as the central hub for student leadership and representation at the RSU. Every campaign idea goes through this committee, which is designed with the following core principles:
- The ability to make decisions quickly
- A focus on avoiding presenteeism (the requirement that students must be present to contribute)
- Ease of use and administration
- A commitment to data-led insights
You can learn more about the committee on the RSU website under the representation tab. Together, we can create meaningful change!
I had the honor of hosting the Chancellor's Alumni Awards, and it was a pure joy to read each award winner's accomplishments and call them up on stage.
I want to give a big shoutout to Irene and Adam for their exceptional work during Black History Month and Wellbeing Wednesdays. October was Black History Month, and Adam took charge of the events, successfully coordinating a variety of activities. Congratulations to him for a job well done—no one could have done it better. Don’t forget everyone Adam is working on his next project MOvermber, go to his account to find out more.
Additionally, Irene has been working tirelessly on Well-Being Wednesdays, which have also been very successful. I am grateful to have Adam and Irene on our team for their dedication and the incredible work they have done so far and do not forget to check what’s coming this Wednesday.
I had a very productive meeting with Yannis Fronimos, the Dean of the Psychology Department. We discussed various student issues and explored how we can support and help each other to enhance student engagement and success.
TFL: Those student who rely on the Student Oyster card for discounted travel, here is what you need to know: TfL’s Cyber Attack has taken their Oyster photocard system offline since September, meaning many of us can't get the 30% discount we depend on for travel. TfL will offer refunds for the full-price travel you are paying right now, BUT you need to keep a record of your journeys to claim it later!
We had a meeting with the heads of colleges and the Director of Student Life and Support, where we discussed ways to improve the quality and engagement of events for students.
International Students need to keep in mind that even though your BRP card expires on 31st December 2024, do not worry—this does not impact your immigration status! To continue proving your status after this date, you will need to replace your BRP with a free, easy-to-access eVisa.
Lastly, the Halloween Party we organized in collaboration with Southbank University and LSE was a tremendous success, with total ticket sales reaching around 1,000. It was absolutely amazing, and I hope all the students who joined us had a great time. A big thank you to everyone who participated!
Thank you all for staying involved and engaged. We look forward to continuing our work on your behalf, keeping you updated on our progress and upcoming initiatives.
Until next time!