Ceinwen Cloney

General Election 15!!!

Thu, 07 May 2015 10:50:00 +0100

Forget your A-level results day, the day you passed your driving test or even the day you got your offer to our amazing University. Today is the day that will change your life...well at least for the next five years.

The UK general election affects you; apathy towards voting is not acceptable. I personally don’t particularly care who you vote for so long as you get up from your sofa/revision/bed/TV and go to a polling station and cast a vote, even if you SPOIL your vote it is better than being passive.

You have from 7am until 10pm today to pop along to your nearest polling station and vote! If you’re not sure if you’re registered, go along anyway, they can tell you there. You do not need your polling card to vote, so this is not an excuse, reason or explanation for not voting! If you’re not sure where to go, check out our maps and address index so you can google maps a route!

After you’ve voted, reward yourself, you’ve made an impact, a difference and a change. Even if you spend the rest of the day rewarding yourself with Netflix and pizza it’s okay, because today you’ve helped a metaphorical old lady cross the road, except this is a much better deed, a deed that will affect a whole nation, millions of lives and your next steps.

If you’re interested in finding out the results come along to JC’s from 10pm to join the general election results party!!

Anghofiwch eich diwrnod canlyniadau Lefel A, y diwrnod y gwnaethoch basio eich prawf gyrru neu hyd yn oed y diwrnod cawsoch eich cynnig i’n Prifysgol Wych. Heddiw yw’r diwrnod fydd yn newid eich bywyd. . . Wel o leiaf am y pum mlynedd nesaf.

Mae’r etholiad cyffredinol y DU yn eich effeithio; nid yw difaterwch at bleidleisio yn dderbyniol. Yn bersonol nid rwyd yn poeni yn arbennig pwy rydych yn pleidleisio am gyhyd ag y byddwch yn codi oddi ar eich soffa/adolygu/gwely/teledu a mynd i orsaf bleidleisio ac yn bwrw pleidlais, hyd yn oed os rydych yn DIFETHA eich pleidlais mae’n well na bod yn oddefol.

Mae gennych o 7yb tan 10yh heddiw i alw heibio i’ch gorsaf bleidleisio agosaf a phleidleisio! Os nad ydych yn siwr os rydych wedi cofrestru, ewch draw beth bynnag, gallent ddweud wrthych yno. Nid oes angen cerdyn pleidleisio i bleidleisio, felly nid yw hyn yn esgus, rheswm nac eglurhad dros beidio pleidleisio! Os nad ydych yn siwr ble i fynd, edrychwch ar ein mapiau ac Indeg cyfeiriad fel y gall Google mapio eich llwybr!

Ar ôl i chi pleidleisio, gwobrwyoch eich hun, rydych wedi cael effaith a gwneud gwahaniaeth. Hyd yn oed os rydych yn treulio gweddill y diwrnod yn gwobrwyo eich hun gyda Netflix neu Pizza, mae’n iawn, oherwydd heddiw rydych wedi helpu yn drosiadol hen wraig groesi’r ffordd ac mae’r weithred hwn yn llawer gwell, yn weithred a fydd yn effeithio'r genedl gyfan, mae miliynau o fywydau yn eich camau nesaf.

Os oes gennych ddiddordeb mewn cael gwybod y canlyniadau dewch draw i JCs o 10yh i ymuno a’r parti canlyniadau’r etholiad cyffredinol!!!

Ceinwen Cloney

Llywydd

SWANSEA STUDENTS: WE NEED YOU!

Fri, 20 Feb 2015 20:53:00 Z

Full Time Officer (FTO) elections are upon us and that means we need you, your votes and your opinions on who should run your organisation and be your representation for the coming year.

SO what are Full Time Officers?

We’re the people elected and employed to represent you, 24/7 for 365 days while we’re in office we are your voice, your champions and your leaders. Officers have specific remits and in Swansea we have five officers: President, Education, Welfare, Sports and Societies and Services. Each officer is democratically elected by YOU!

You’ll notice in the next few days candidates campaigning to gain your vote in the elections to become an officer so now is the time to sit up and listen, take and interest and use your vote wisely!

SO what are campaigns?

Each candidate for the position has written a manifesto and organised a week long campaign (19^th Feb-27^th Feb) to get your attention and get your vote! You’ll see banners, badges, posters, leaflets and t-shirts everywhere you turn. Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram will light up and websites will be built, all with the purpose of letting you know how fantastic each candidate could be if you elect them to be YOUR representative.

SO what should you do now?

My advice is to listen, read, and talk! All the candidates will be on the mall, door knocking, giving out leaflets and promoting themselves on social media. Pay attention, have a read, look at the manifestos here: https://www.swansea-union.co.uk/elections/candidates/52/ You can also come along to our open event: Candidates Question Time on Monday 23^rd February at 12:30 in the Hive http://www.swansea-union.co.uk/#!/ents/event/1372/

SO how to vote?

The best way to vote is to read each manifesto and choose the candidate that you believe have the manifesto that’s right for you and where you think you’ll be in the next year of your time here in Swansea (or if you’re in your final year the candidate you think will best fulfil the role- leave a legacy). Then log into your Students Union account here and vote any time between midday on Tuesday 24thFebruary 2015 and Friday 27th February 2015 at 5pm!

SO what next?

Results will be announced from 6:30pm on Friday 27^th Feb! Keep your eyes peeled for the campaigns and results, use your vote and have your say on YOUR representatives for the next year!

YOUR TIME IS NOW – HELP YOURSELF.

Welsh to Follow ASAP

What have I even been doing this month?!?

Fri, 20 Feb 2015 20:17:00 Z

Are officer reports working for you? I’m not sure they’re working, so this month I’ve decided to do something a little bit different. Instead of telling you everything I’ve done, I’ve picked a few things that I believe have had real impact on your life as a student.

A large proportion of my year so far (2015 I mean) has been spent acting in my role as a Trustee of the Students’ Union addressing the strategic progression of the Students’ Union in a dual campus environment by addressing such issues as staffing, funding and our new building!

This has all crossed across into my officer role as throughout all of the discussions I have been championing the best outcome for students and ensuring that students are, and remain, at the centre of our organisation and decision making.

Since Christmas I have secured the formation of a Union-University Partnership agreement working group, the idea being that we formalise, beyond the student charter, the relationship between the University and Union. The scope of the group and subsequent agreement will cover:

1. a work creation audit to outline where the officers work is directed from outside of their manifesto points

2. a partnership framework to define where the university and union can collaborate on campaigns, objectives and projects that benefit both organisations and ensure that the Students’ Union can expand, be inspirational, aspirational and award winning.

3. a Union development scoping exercise to implement a schedule of touch points with the University to review our partnership, the Unions progress and the strategic direction of the Students’ Union in line with the University.

4. a Union-University accountability process to ensure both organisations are fulfilling their purpose and obligations to the other.

5. a method to ensure collaborative working gets students the best representation possible.

I have also engaged the University in talks to address our financial situation in respect to the upcoming Bay Campus, the phased closure of Hendrefoelan Student Village Students’ Union run services (the Wonky Sheep, Spa and laundrette), the loss of student footfall to our Singleton based commercial services (Costcutter, Jcs, travel shop, the nursery, advice centre, Divas, 1920 and Fulton Outfitters) and the current lack of Union run commercial services on Bay Campus.

In addition I have been invited to feed into the University’s estates plan for the coming years, a process that I hope will result in the Students’ Union relocating to a more central, student facing, fit for purpose and accessible building!

From a more internal perspective we’ve been busy planning our new Students’ Union on the Bay Campus! We have a large space over two floors in one of the accommodation blocks and space for a Nursery! Inside the building we’re hoping to have reception facilities for you to find out everything you need to know about the SU, a cash desk for clubs and societies to bank their funds, an advice centre area, an area for Full Time Officers, Part time officers and subject reps to use, a bookable meeting/training room, smaller bookable multipurpose offices, one media suite and plenty of chill out and hot desking areas! However, we need your help, at forum we’ll be discussing some internal design plans and getting your feedback, the designs are also up in the SU reception for you to post it note on.

In addition I’ve been attending the Dual Campus Experience (DCEG) every other Monday, through which I’ve been invited to attend a campus communications meeting, a space management strategy meeting and from which I will also be requesting to attend the estates strategy programme board, the top decision making board for the University Estate, chaired by the Vice Chancellor. Through these meetings I have been pushing the University on several issues, faith facilities, transport, lecture spaces, sports and societies facilities and services on Bay campus to name a few. I’ve also been invited to attend meetings with the local community surrounding Bay campus with the head of Student Services Kevin Childs.

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The next most impactful project I’ve been working on is the situation in the School of Management. Last term Ilana and I addressed the situation on a student facing level, with the petition, and on a University level by addressing council. As a result we were able to get some of the most influential people in the University and the School to enter into a task and finish group to address the student experience issues raised by you, our students.

The group has met twice since Christmas to form an action plan, a group agreement and various statements and papers to improve the situation. We’ve also hosted a School of management rep forum since Christmas, a forum that received the action plan and fed back the impact that the changes were having. UCU have also worked with the Students’ Union in order to ensure wider issues in the school are addressed and the Students’ Union recently supported their rally for solidarity with Council to act to address the staff concerns.

The most recent group meeting agreed the publicity for the work we have done and what we’ve still got to do, so watch this space!!

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FTO Elections are NOW! My remit as President includes ensuring the democratic integrity of the Union, basically means I make sure we follow our rule book or constitution as it’s formally known! I’ve been helping prepare the election and ensuring that all candidates have the support and help they need to run a happy, fun and positive campaign. I’ve set up a campaigns clinic for every day of the campaign and I’ve been feeding into our promotional campaign for nominations. I’ve also written blogs and met the majority of the candidates and potential candidates to discuss what the role of an FTO is and how we work!

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The other pieces of work I’ve been focusing on this past month have included the General Election campaign, organising and manning a National Voter Registration Day, updating the website to include a general election tab, composing and sending an all student email and proposing the idea of employing a student staff member to help organise subsequent events! If you’ve not registered yet do so now: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Quinquennial review, the big review, the rule book review. We’re not sure what to call it yet but the Union as you know it is changing. By the time I leave in June everything you and I know are used to will have changed! We’re obligated every five years to re assess our constitution, our governing document, and at the moment we’re laying the ground work to propose changes we think are necessary to you. To give you a flavour the changes will cover everything, from officer accountability and disciplinary procedures, to the number of full and part time officers we have, to how student forums, motions, ideas and policies are worked, and even to look at putting student trustees on the trustee board! These are all hugely positive changes and will revive your Students’ Union, making it more accountable, student lead, transparent and effective!

In the past month I have also attended the opening of Faith Week, a phenomenal event bringing together different communities on our campus and encouraging, curiosity questions and integration! I also attended graduations and graduation lunches, a representational part of the role that I truly love, as far as I’m concerned graduation is what it’s all about, we’re all here to produce fantastic, well rounded, employable graduates and I cannot describe how proud sitting on the stage and delivering the alumni address makes me, something I will truly miss doing when I leave!

I have worked with two other groups this last month, I’ve been approached by the Discovery President to enter into discussions to formalise the relationship between discovery and the SU, an incredibly exciting prospect that will be mutually beneficial for both charities. I have also worked with SU Fashion Society to gain them financial and resource assistance for their upcoming WNDRLAND charity fashion show, supporting student led enterprise and activity.

In addition I also chaired the Union’s trustee board and personnel committee and most notably attended the University’s collaborative provision board, an amazing meeting that is working to set up links and opportunities for Swansea students to study across the globe.

On a personal note I attended in January an interview to study medicine in Swansea from September and I’m overwhelmingly happy to announce that I have recently accepted an unconditional offer to join the graduate entry programme next year to study for the next four years and qualify as a doctor! A huge huge thank you to the Full Time Officer team, staff and all of you for being patient when I took time off to study and for supporting me to achieve my dream!

That’s it for this month’s importants! If you like the new format, think it’s rubbish, or just want more info, get in touch – president@swansea-union.co.uk

Welsh Translation To Follow ASAP!

Thinking about becoming a Full Time Officer? –Why is it so great?

Thu, 29 Jan 2015 17:30:00 Z

So apart from getting to live like a student for a year, but getting paid to do so, there are loads of other benefits, skills and attributes that you’ll gain by running to be, and hopefully becoming, an elected full time officer.

On the face of it getting to be a student (representative) for an extra year may be enough to motivate you or even getting to represent your peers, shout about things going great and change things when they’re not so great and getting paid to do so! BUT, there’s more to it...

Representation is our role, it’s what gets me out of bed in the morning, the idea that I’m at the front of the queue of thousands of students, just like you, and I’m the one who has the chance to speak up, be heard and hopefully change things for the better. Do not underestimate the skills you’ll gain just from this aspect of the role: public speaking, research, attending meetings, chairing meetings, campaigning, organisation, time keeping, management, communication, marketing, and public relations, cross organisation working, mediation, negotiation, tact, diplomacy and so much more!

However there are other aspects to the role! As a Full Time Officer you’re also a trustee of the Students’ Union, you’re responsible for looking after the legal, financial and reputational aspects of the whole organisation, something that very few people get to do at such young age.

If you’re running to be President or Societies and Services you’re also directors of SUSU Trading, the commercial arm of the Union, from which profits are donated to the charity side! All officers are responsible for signing off invoices, the Union payroll and club and society finances and each officer is also at all times an ambassador for the Union and University!

As an officer you’ll get to attend conferences, training, away weekends, team building; speak at graduations, open days, orientations, inductions; speak out a student affairs meetings, senate, SUSU executive committee meetings and Student Forums. Officers get the best of times when dancing on stage at Fresh and Free, meeting acts at Freshers Ball, being in VIP at summer ball and rocking it up in a box at Varsity!! There are so many fantastic opportunities to take advantage of and take part in as a full time officer, so many chances to improve you and your Students’ lives!

There are so many amazing aspects to being an officer, there’s something to appeal to everyone so why not have a go? Nominate yourself today!!!! Nominations close 5pm 2/2/15 so if you need help or information email president@swansea-union.co.uk or going to https://www.swansea-union.co.uk/elections/

GOOD LUCK

Meddwl am fod yn Swyddog Llawn Amser? –Pam ydy e mor dda?

Ar wahân i allu byw fel myfyriwr am flwyddyn, a derbyn tâl am ei wneud e, mae yna nifer fawr o fanteision, sgiliau a phriodoleddau eraill y byddech yn ennill gan ymgeisio am, a gobeithio ennill, rhan fel Swyddog Llawn Amser.

Ar yr olwg gyntaf, gall fod yn gynrychiolydd myfyrwyr am flwyddyn ychwanegol fod yn ddigon i’ch cymell. Derbyn yr hawl i gynrychioli’ch cyd-fyfyrwyr, dathlu pethau sy’n dda, a newid pethau pan nad ydynt mor dda, a derbyn tâl i wneud hyn i gyd! OND, mae yna mwy i ystyried...

Cynrychiolaeth yw ein rôl, ac mae hwn yn helpu i mi adael gwely yn y boreau, y syniad mai fi yw’r cyntaf mewn ciw o filoedd o fyfyrwyr fel chi, a fi yw’r un sydd â’r cyfle i leisio barn, sicrhau bod rhywun yn clywed, a gobeithio i wella pethau. Peidiwch â thanamcangyfrif y sgiliau y byddech yn ennill am yr agwedd hon o’r rôl yn unig: siarad yn gyhoeddus, ymchwilio, mynychu cyfarfodydd, cadeirio cyfarfodydd, ymgyrchu, trefnu, rheoli amser, rheoli, cyfathrebu, marchnata a chysylltiadau cyhoeddus, gweithio ar draws sefydliadau, cyfryngu, negodi, tactio, diplomyddiaeth a llawer mwy!

Fodd bynnag, mae yna nifer o agweddau eraill i’r rôl! Mae Swyddogion Llawn Amser hefyd yn ymddiriedolwr Undeb y Myfyrwyr, ac yn gyfrifol am ofalu am agwedd cyfreithiol, ariannol ac enw da yr holl sefydliad, sy’n cyfle prin i berson mor ifanc.

Os ydych chi’n ymgeisio i fod yn Llywydd neu Swyddog Cymdeithasau a Gwasanaethau, byddech hefyd yn rheolwr ar gyfer SUSU Trading, braich fasnachol yr Undeb sy’n rhoi ei helw i ochr elusennol yr Undeb! Mae gan bob swyddog cyfrifoldeb i arwyddo anfonebau, cyflogres yr Undeb a chyllid clybiau a chymdeithasau, ac mae pob swyddog yn llysgennad ar gyfer yr Undeb a’r Brifysgol!

Bydd rhaid i chi fynychu cynadleddau, hyfforddi, penwythnosau i ffwrdd, meithrin tîm, siarad o flaen seremonïau graddio, diwrnodau agored, cyfeiriadedd, sesiynau cyflwyno, siarad o flaen cyfarfodydd materion myfyrwyr, senedd, cyfarfodydd pwyllgor gweithredol yr UM, a Fforymau Myfyrwyr. Mae swyddogion yn gallu mwynhau dawnsio ar y llwyfan yn ystod Fresh and Free, cwrdd â chantorion yn Ddawns y Glas, ymddwyn fel VIP yn Ddawns yr Haf a mwynhau Varsity o’r bocs!! Mae yna gymaint o gyfleoedd ardderchog i gymryd mantais ohonynt a mwynhau wrth fod yn Swyddog Llawn Amser, cymaint o gyfleoedd i wella eich bywyd eich hun, a bywydau eich Myfyrwyr!

Mae yna gymaint o agweddau ardderchog o fod yn swyddog, mae yna rywbeth sy’n apelio ar bawb, felly pam na fyddech chi’n ymgeisio? Enwebwch eich hun heddiw!!! Mae enwebiadau yn cau am 5yp ar 2/2/15 felly os oes angen help neu wybodaeth, ebostiwch president@swansea-union.co.uk!

POB LWC

Thinking about becoming a Full Time Officer? – How I did it.

Wed, 07 Jan 2015 12:59:00 Z

If you’re arriving back in Swansea and you’re thinking about running in the upcoming Full Time Officer Elections to become next year’s President, Education, Sports, Welfare or Societies and Services Officer then look no further. For the basics on what is involved check out the Elections page on our website: http://www.swansea-union.co.uk/myunion/elections/. For a more fun account of what it’s like to run read on!

The first year I ran in the Full Time Officer (FTO) elections I did so for two reasons, the first was that I was encouraged to, the second was that I’d really enjoyed setting up the St John LINKS society during my studies and had been a member of many other societies too. I spent my Christmas break thinking about the idea, what I’d do instead, and why I wanted to run. I spoke to family, friends and the officers in the Union at the time to make sure my decision was as informed as it could be.

Once I decided to run I started thinking and planning my manifesto, I spoke to friends and asked for their help and support, not only in putting together the manifesto, but also in running the campaign. I’m not going to pretend it wasn’t a lot of work, but it was also incredibly fun, I’d cook a huge meal of spag bol and get everyone round and in my lounge with huge pieces of paper to put ideas on.

Things I thought about were initially my campaign theme, we went with Ceinwinning/Chocolate because it disguised the fact that my name is unusual and was something that most people like! I organised the number of t-shirts I needed, how I was going to paint them, my banners, badges and chocolate bar prop. I attempted to cost all the things up so I’d be in the budget and then I started hoarding safety pins (tip – wilkos WILL sell out so try to get them a.s.a.p).

I then had every Sunday as prep days, painting, dying, cutting, sticking and pinning everything to be ready for the week! In my first year the campaign week was much longer, the process has changed now to be slightly shorter and much more fun! I sorted out social media, a new facebook like page, a new twitter, videos and in my second election a website. About two weeks before I started to plan each day of the campaign, deciding whether I would door knock, be on the mall, doing lecture shout outs or at the village/Ty Beck. A copy of the plan went up on my campaign team facebook and I asked for volunteers for each day and every evening.

When the week came around it was nerve wracking, exhausting but a huge amount of fun. There was a sense of camaraderie between the candidates and teams. I was incredibly lucky with my campaign team, I had a couple of people who I really could not have done it without, they made sure I got to where I needed to be, that I’d eaten and that I had everything I needed, as silly as it sounds they are priceless and vital things in such a hectic week!

Finally I wanted to touch on winning. It is not the be all and end all. Although I am lucky enough to have been successful I know others that haven’t, it’s not nice to not win, but it’s also not the end of the world. While planning my campaign I also planned my alternative, I very much had the attitude of what will be will be, and although I was giving it my best shot, and although I would have been really upset not to have one, I knew I had a plan. There are also huge things to be said for having the confidence, organisation, tenacity, drive, forethought and hundreds of other skills to actually run in the election in the first place, do not forget these!

There isn’t a simple way to winning, no one knows who will vote how, but start with a smile, say hello, be passionate and you can’t much go wrong! Good Luck!

(References: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ceinwinning?fref=ts Website: http://ceinwinning.tumblr.com/ Videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo6YXCF7ukEJ-jF6Pf3PkIQ )

Ystyried bod yn swyddog llawn amser? - Dyma beth wnes i.

Os ydych chi’n cyrraedd yn ôl i Abertawe ac yn ystyried sefyll yn yr etholiad Swyddogion Llawn Amser er mwyn bod yn Llywydd, Swyddog Addysg, Swyddog Chwaraeon, Swyddog Lles neu Swyddog Cymdeithasau, dyma’r blog i chi. Mae’r wybodaeth sylfaenol am yr hyn mae’n ei olygu ar dudalen yr Etholiadau ar ein gwefan: http://www.swansea-union.co.uk/myunion/elections/ Am adroddiad sy’n fwy o hwyl am yr hyn mae sefyll yn ei olygu, darllenwch yn eich blaenau!

Y flwyddyn gyntaf sefais i yn yr Etholiad Swyddogion Llawn Amser, gwnes hynny am ddau reswm. Y rheswm cyntaf oedd i fi gael fy annog i wneud, a’r llall oedd am fy mod i wir wedi mwynhau sefydlu’r gymdeithas St Johns LINKS yn ystod fy astudiaethau, a bod yn aelod o amryw o gymdeithasau eraill hefyd. Treuliais fy ngwyliau Nadolig yn ystyried y syniad o sefyll, beth fuaswn yn ei wneud yn lle, a pham yr hoffwn i sefyll. Siaradais gyda fy ffrindiau, fy nheulu a’r swyddogion yn yr Undeb hefyd i sicrhau fod fy mhenderfyniad yn un mor wybodus â phosibl.

Unwaith benderfynais i sefyll, dechreuais feddwl a chynllunio fy maniffesto. Gofynnais i fy nheulu a ffrindiau am gefnogaeth, nid yn unig gyda chynllunio fy maniffesto ond hefyd gyda’r ymgyrch. Dydw i ddim am esgus nad oedd yn waith caled, ond roedd hefyd yn llawer o hwyl. Buaswn yn coginio pryd anferth o Spag Bol a gwahodd pawb draw i fwyta ac i ysgrifennu syniadau ar ddarnau anferth o bapur yn y lolfa.

Y peth cyntaf feddyliais i amdano oedd thema fy ymgyrch. Penderfynais ar Ceinwinning/Chocolate er mwyn cuddio’r faith bod fy enw mor anarferol, ac am ei fod yn rhywbeth mae’r rhan fwyaf o bobl yn ei hoffi! Trefnais y nifer o grysau t y byddai eu hangen arnaf, sut y byddwn i yn eu paentio, fy maneri, fy mathodynnau a fy mhrop bar o siocled. Ceisiais brisio popeth er mwyn bod o fewn fy nghyllideb a dechreuais gasglu pinau cau (safety pins) – tip: mi fydd Wilko YN gwerthu allan felly prynwch nhw MOR FUAN Â PHOSIB!

Daeth Dydd Sul yn ddiwrnod paratoi – paentio, llifo, torri, glynu, a phinio popeth er mwyn bod yn barod ar gyfer yr wythnos! Yn fy mlwyddyn gyntaf o sefyll, roedd yr wythnos ymgyrchu llawer yn hirach – mae’r broses wedi newid erbyn hyn i fod ychydig yn fyrrach a llawer yn fwy o hwyl! Sortiais y cyfryngau cymdeithasu drwy greu tudalen hoffi Facebook newydd, Twitter newydd, fideos, ac yn fy ail flwyddyn, gwefan. Pythefnos cyn i fi ddechrau, dechreuais gynllunio yn union beth fyddwn i yn ei wneud bob diwrnod o’r ymgyrch: penderfynu os fyswn i yn cnocio drysau, yn y ganolfan siopa, yn Nhy Beck/y Pentref Myfyrwyr neu yn gwneud cyhoeddiadau mewn darlithoedd. Aeth copi o fy nghynllun ar dudalen Facebook fy ymgyrch, a gofynnais am wirfoddolwyr ar gyfer bob diwrnod a phob noswaith.

Pan gyrhaeddodd wythnos yr ymgyrch roedd yn wythnos blinedig a llawn nerfusrwydd, ond roedd hefyd yn llawn hwyl! Roedd ymdeimlad o gyfeillach rhwng yr ymgeiswyr a’r timoedd. Roeddwn yn anhygoel o lwcus i gael y tîm ymgyrchu oedd gen i. Roedd cwpwl o bobl ar y tîm na fyddwn i wedi gallu gwneud yr ymgyrch hebddynt; fe sicrhaon nhw i fi gyrraedd lle yr oedd angen i fi fynd, fy mod wedi bwyta, ac fod gen i bopeth yr oedd arnaf ei angen. Mae’n swnion wirion, ond roedd y pethau yma yn hollol hanfodol ac amhrisiadwy mewn wythnos mor brysur!

Yn olaf, roeddwn am ddweud gair am ennill. Nid ennill ydi popeth. Er fy mod yn ddigon lwcus i fod wedi ennill, rwy’n adnabod rhai eraill na wnaeth ennill. Dydi hi ddim yn bleserus i beidio ennill ond dydi hi ddim yn ddiwedd byd ychwaith. Tra’n cynllunio fy ymgyrch fe wnes gynlluniau eraill hefyd. Roedd gennyf agwedd que sera sera, ac er fy mod wedi trio fy ngorau glas ac yn cyfaddef y byddwn wedi cymryd y peth ataf pe na tawn wedi ennill, roeddwn i’n gwybod bod gen i gynllun wrth gefn. Mae hefyd lawer iawn i’w ddweud am gael y dewrder, hyder, trefnusrwydd, dycnwch, gwth a channoedd o sgiliau eraill sydd eu hangen i fod wedi sefyll yn yr etholiad yn y lle cyntaf! Peidiwch ag anghofio hyn!

Does dim ffordd hawdd i ennill - does neb yn gwybod sut y bydd unrhyw un yn pleidleisio, ond dechreuwch gyda gwen, dywedwch helo, byddwch yn angerddol a brwdfrydig ac ewch chi ddim ymhell o’ch lle!

Pob lwc!

Are the Students’ Union’s Full Time Officers Accountable?

Tue, 16 Dec 2014 17:16:00 Z

In short, yes.

Recently this question was raised at our monthly Student Forum and was referred to me, President, as my remit encompasses the democratic procedures of the Union. As a result I thought I’d take to a delightful blog to answer it.

Firstly what does being held to account or accountability mean?

def:Accountability (n)- The quality of being accountable; liability to account for and answer for one's conduct, performance of duties, etc. (in modern use often with regard to parliamentary, corporate, or financial liability to the public, shareholders, etc.)

Being accountable is the mechanism by which you, the students, can ensure that the officers, as your representatives, are working on things you’d like us to be. It’s a way that individuals can raise the profile of issues and concerns or even praise for work already proposed and undertaken.

There are many ways to hold us to account, both formally and informally. There are also ways in which we let you know what we’ve been up to through the year! Each month at Student Forum there’s an opportunity to ask questions of the officers about our campaigns, manifestos and jobs. Before each forum we all produce an officer report to give a summary of the last month, these are available on the Union website and you can request paper copies, via beth.boyce@swansea-union.co.uk before the forum.

As representatives we are openly and easily accountable to each and every student that we represent, so use your ability to hold us to account and allow us to assure you of what we’re working on. Personally I’d encourage you to come and chat to me, ask me about what I’m doing, check my facebook posts and my office whiteboard to see what I’m up to each day and of course, always ask the question, if there’s something you think we should be working on, and you’re not sure that we are, check!

If you have any questions about what I’ve been working on, suggestions how you think we could be better held to account or in fact about anything, feel free to email me: president@swansea-union.co.uk

A yw swyddogion llawn amser yr Undeb Myfyrwyr yn wirioneddol atebol?

Yn ddiweddar, gofynnwyd y cwestiwn uchod mewn un o’n fforymau myfyrwyr misol. Yna cafodd y cwestiwn ei basio ymlaen i mi, y llywydd, i’w ateb oblegid mai fi sydd yn gyfrifol dros weithdrefnau democrataidd yr Undeb. O ganlyniad rwyf wedi ysgrifennu blog er mwyn cyflwyno fy ateb.

Yn gyntaf, beth golygir gan y gair ‘atebol’?

Atebol

[ateb¹+-ol]

a. Rhwymedig i ateb neu i roddi cyfrif am ymddygaid, & c, cyfiofol (hefyd yn gyfreithiol)

Mae’r ffaith bod swyddogion yr Undeb Myfyrwyr yn atebol yn meddwl eich bod chi gallu, trwy sawl mecanwaith, sicrhau ein bod ni, fel swyddogion, yn gweithio ar yr hyn yr ydych am i ni weithio ar. Mae’n ffordd i chi fel myfyrwyr/unigolion codi pryder am, neu ganmol, yr hyn yr ydym yn gwneud.

Mae yna sawl ffordd i chi sicrhau ein bod ni’n atebol, yn ffurfiol ac yn anffurfiol. Rydym fel swyddogion hefyd yn sicrhau eich bod chi fel myfyrwyr yn gwybod am yr hyn yr ydym yn gwneud trwy’r flwyddyn! Cynhelir fforwm myfyrwyr pob mis gan Undeb y Myfyrwyr. Mae’r fforwm yn blatfform lle y gallwch ein holi ni ar ein hymgyrchoedd, maniffesto a’n swyddi. Cyn pob fforwm rydym yn paratoi adroddiad swyddog er mwyn cynnig i chi trosolwg o’r hyn yr ydym wedi gwneud dros y mis. Gallwch ddod o hyd i’n hadroddiadau, yn y Gymraeg a’r Saesneg, ar wefan yr Undeb Myfyrwyr. Gallwch hefyd gwneud cais am gopi ar bapur trwy e-bostio: beth.boyce@swansea-union.co.uk

Fel eich cynrychiolwyr, rydym yn atebol a gallwch sicrhau ein hatebolrwydd trwy ein holi ar yr hyn yr ydym yn gwneud. Yn bersonol, rwy’n eich gwahodd chi i ddod i siarad â mi, fy holi i ar yr hyn yr wyf yn gwneud, ac i edrych ar fy niweddariadau ar Facebook a fy mwrdd gwyn ar fy nrws er mwyn gweld yr hyn dwi’n neud. Yn olaf, os mae unrhyw beth yr ydych yn meddwl dylem ni gwneud neu nad ydych yn meddwl os ydyn ni’n neud, gofynnwch!

Os mae gennych gwestiwn am yr hyn yr ydym yn gwneud neu unrhyw awgrym ar sut gallwn wella ein hatebolrwydd e-bostiwch: President@swansea-union.ac.uk

Win of the week launch!

Mon, 17 Nov 2014 15:35:00 Z

Potentially one of the most neglected things in the Students' Union is praise. As an officer team it is easy to go from solving one issue or championing one student right, straight onto the next, but we miss out one vital thing, telling you what we've been doing!

As a result we are launching a win of the week campaign, where we let you know what we've done in the past week that is positive and beneficial for you! We won't be able to tell you everything, but we'll be picking the stand out successes that you want to hear about!

We'll be asking the relevant officer to blog about their achievement, say how it'll affect you and explain why the win came about! We'll also have a social media splurge so you honestly won't be able to miss out on the good news! Keep your eyes peeled and help us spread the good news by sharing what we post!

Lansiad ymgyrch ‘Camp yr wythnos’

Un o’r pethau sy’n cael ei hanwybyddu’n aml gan yr Undeb Myfyrwyr yw canmoliaeth. Fel tîm o swyddogion mae’n rhwydd mynd o ddatrys un achos i ddatrys y llall heb ddweud wrthoch am yr hyn yr ydym wedi cyflawni yn barod!

O ganlyniad, byddwn yn lansio ymgyrch o’r enw ‘camp yr wythnos’, lle byddwn yn gadael i chi gwybod am yr hyn sydd wedi’u cyflawni dros yr wythnos nesaf a sut mae o fudd i chi! Ni fydd yn bosib i ni roi gwybod i chi am bopeth yr ydym yn cyflawni ond byddwn yn dewis y gamp sy’n fwyaf nodweddiadol!

Byddwn yn gofyn i’r swyddog penodol creu blog ar y gamp gan ddisgrifio sut daeth ef/hi i'w chyflawnu! Byddwn hefyd yn cyhoeddi’r newyddion da ar ein cyfrifon cyfryngau cymdeithasol er mwyn sicrhau nad oes modd i chi colli’r newyddion! Cofiwch gadw llygad barcud am y newyddion a'i rannu!

The UCU marking boycott, what does it mean for you?

Wed, 05 Nov 2014 14:29:00 Z

The UCU marking boycott, what does it mean for you?

On 6^th November the University & College Union (UCU) are calling upon their members to take part in a marking boycott in order to put pressure on the UCU to reverse changes to the University Pension Scheme (USS) that will come into effect in April. These changes will:

· Cost current and future members thousands of pounds in lost benefits.

· Mean a lower pension than those working in similar but newer institutions.

· Cause problems in recruiting and retaining the best staff.

· Put off potential future staff from entering into the profession due to the lack of benefits (i.e. this could be your aspiration as a student)

The boycott means that lecturers that are members of the UCU and who wish to take part will cease setting and marking all forms of assessment until an agreement has been made. Therefore you won’t receive marks back from assessments, coursework, in class test or have further assessments set. The UCU understands that this action is incredibly serious but believes the action is proportional to the proposed actions against the UCC scheme.

As a Students’ Union we will be releasing a further statement tomorrow following our executive committee meeting (consisting of all part time officers and full time officers) with our stance. In the mean time if you’d like more information please click on this link to the official advice issued by the UCU for students.

If you have any questions or queries please contact president@swansea-union.co.uk

Ar y 6ed o Dachwedd mae’r Brifysgol ac Undeb y Coleg (PUC) yn gal war eu haelodau i gymryd rhan mewn marcio boicot er mwyn rhoi pwysau ar PUC i wrthdroi’r newidiadau i Gynllun Pensiwn y Brifysgol (CPU) a fyddai’n gweithredu yn Ebrill. Mi fyddai’r newidiadau hyn yn:

· Peru I aelodau presennol ac aelodau’r dyfodol golli miloedd o bunnoedd o fudd-daliadau.

· Golygu bydd pensiwn llan na rheini’n gweithio mewn sefydliadau tebyg ond newydd.

· Achosi problemau yn reciriwtio a chadw’r staff orau.

· Rhoi pobl a allai fod yn staff yn y dyfodol oddi ar y syniad o fynd i mewn i’r proffesiwn oherwydd y diffyg budd-daliadau (h.y. gall hyn fod eich dyhead fel myfyriwr)

Golygai’r boicot bod darlithwyr sy’n aelodau o’r PUC ac sydd am gymryd rhan yn peidio gosod na marcio unrhyw ffurf o asesiad tan bod cytundeb wedi’i wneud. Felly ni fyddech yn derbyn marciau nol am asesiadau, gwaith cwrs, profion dosbarth ac ni fyddech chwaith yn cael unrhyw asesiad pellach wedi’i osod. Dealla’r PUC fod y weithred hon yn un difrifol iawn ond credant fod y weithred yn gymesur â'r camau gweithredu arfaethedig yn erbyn cynllun UCC.

Fel Undeb Myfyrwyr byddwn yn rhyddhau datganiad pellach yfory yn dilyn ein cyfarfod pwyllgor gwaith (sy’n cynnwys swyddogion rhan amser a swyddogion llawn amser i gyd) gyda’n safiad. Yn y cyfamser os hoffech fwy o wybodaeth cliciwch ar y cyswllt isod os gwelwch yn dda i’r cyngor swyddogol a gyhoeddwyn gan y PUC i fyfyrwyr.

Os oes gennych unrhyw gwestiynnau neu ymholiadau peidiwch oedi i gysylltu president@swansea-union.co.uk

Student Forums: What we’ve done next/Fforymau Myfyrwyr: Beth rydym ni wedi ei wneud.

Wed, 05 Nov 2014 13:26:00 Z

On the May 27^th 2014 we passed the Welsh Language Charter Motion since then we have:

§ Rebranded the entire Union and where necessary outlying services and campaigns to ensure we’re entirely bi-lingual

§ Committed to redecorating the Union House building so all signage is bi-lingual

§ Introduced design processes that only allow bi-lingual materials to be produced

§ Increased the number of student staff translators and made efforts to recruit a lead student staff qualified translator.

§ Made progress towards translating the Unions constitution

§ Incorporated bi-lingualism into as many processes in the Union as possible.

§ Moving forward – meeting with the proposer of the motion to audit the remaining areas and put together an extended action plan.

On the October 9^th 2014 we discussed the following items, here are some updates:

§ Bay Campus: Update on progress

v The Union has secured: a Union building, sports facilities in the form of a sports hall and gym, societies facilities in the form of practice rooms and access to university spaces, club and sports facilities for cash functions, room bookings and risk assessments, a nursery, workable transport routes with an addition route through brynmill and uplands as suggested by the Union and space for an additional advice service centre.

v The Union is working towards: union run commercial services, providing job opportunities for students, further travel arrangements, welfare arrangements and our dual campus operations plan.

§ Participation in the General Election: An update on this campaign

v The Union is working to get information to all the students that opted into the GE campaign through the enrollment process

v The Union is working towards arranging a general election question time and also hopes to host a polling station on campus to encourage as many students to vote as possible

§ New Union Building: Update on progress

v The Union will be launching a campaign to secure a new union building on the singleton campus in order for the Union to have a more central, fit for purpose building and location allowing us to be right at the heart of the campus.

§ Freshers: Section for feedback following the screening of the first show

v Questions regarding the ITV Freshers Programme can be asked during officers questions or referred to staff.

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Ar Fai’r 27ain pasiom ni Siarter yr Iaith Gymraeg ac ers hynny rydym wedi:

Ail-frandio’r Undeb yn ei chyfanrwydd a, lle yr oedd angen, gwasanaethau ac ymgyrchoedd allanol er mwyn sicrhau ein bod yn gwbl ddwyieithog.

§ Ymrwymo i ailaddurno adeilad Ty’r Undeb fel bod yr holl arwyddion yn ddwyieithog.

§ Cyflwyno proses ddylunio sy’n golygu mai dim ond deunydd dwyieithog sy’n cael ei gynhyrchu

§ Cynyddu’r nifer o staff cyfieithu sy’n fyfyrwyr ac wedi gwneud ymdrech i recriwtio prif gyfieithydd cymwys o fyfyriwr.

§ Gwneud cynnydd tuag at y nod o gyfieithu cyfansoddiad yr Undeb

§ Cynnwys dwyieithrwydd yng nghymaint o brosesau’r Undeb ac sydd yn bosibl.

§ Symud ymlaen - cwrdd â chynigydd cynnig i archwilio'r ardaloedd sydd ar ôl a llunio cynllun gweithredu estynedig.

Ar y 9fed o Hydref 2014, trafodom ni'r materion canlynol, a dyma’r diweddaraf: Campws y Bae: Y diweddaraf ar y cynnydd Bay Campus: Update on progress

v Mae’r Undeb wedi sicrhau: adeilad Undeb, cyfleusterau chwaraeon ar ffurf neuadd chwaraeon a champfa, cyfleusterau cymdeithasau ar ffurf ystafelloedd ymarfer a mynediad I leoedd yn y Brifysgol, cyfleusterau clwb a chwaraeon ar gyfer swyddogaethau arian, hurio ystafelloedd ac asesiadau risg, meithrinfa, llwybr trafnidiaeth rhesymol gyda llwybr ychwanegol drwy Brynmill ac Uplands fel yr awgrymwyd gan yr Undeb, a lle am ganolfan gwasanaethau cynghori ychwanegol.

Mae’r Undeb yn gweithio tuag at:

Wasanaethau masnachol sy’n cael eu rhedeg gan yr Undeb sy’n cynnig cyfleoedd gwaith i fyfyrwyr, trefniadau trafnidiaeth pellach, trefniadau lles a’n cynllun gweithredu campws deuol.

v Cymryd rhan yn yr Etholiad Cyffredinol: y diweddaraf am yr ymgyrch

v Mae’r Undeb yn gweithio i gael gwybodaeth i’r holl fyfyrwyr a ddewisodd fod yn rhan o’r ymgyrch GE drwy’r broses gofrestru

§ Mae’r Undeb yn gweithio tuag at drefnu amser cwestiynau ar gyfer yr Etholiad Cyffredinol ac yn gobeithio hefyd cael gorsaf bleidleisio ar y campws er mwyn annog y nifer mwyaf posibl o fyfyrwyr i bleidleisio

§ Adeilad Newydd yr Undeb: y diweddaraf ar y cynnydd New Union Building: Update on progress

v Mae’r Undeb am lansio ymgyrch I sicrhau adeilad Undeb newydd ar gampws Singleton er mwyn i’r Undeb gael adeilad mwy canolog ac addas fydd yn ein galluogi i fod yng nghanol bywyd y campws

v Freshers: Adborth yn dilyn darllediad y bennod gyntaf

v Gall cwestiynau ynghylch rhaglen Freshers ITV gael eu gofyn yn ystod cwestiynau'r swyddogion neu gael eu cyfeirio at staff.

Do you want to be heard?

Mon, 06 Oct 2014 11:04:00 +0100

If you’re feeling like you’ve lost your voice, or simply want to try to make a change then this blog is for you! Each month the Students’ Union hosts something which is currently called Student Forum for all students to attend and get their voices heard. Before each forum we accept motions; motions are things you want to change or ask us to campaign on, these motions are voted upon online after the forum and then, if passed, acted upon! There’s also an opportunity to hear from the officers of the Students’ Union and an opportunity to ask the officers questions.

The next Student Forum is THIS THURSDAY 6pm in The Hive – Union House. Our first Student Forum is going to be a little bit different and will act as a Welcome and Launch event so come along to find out more about how you get your voice heard and how to get involved in your Union.

p.s. there’s also free dinner for all attendees!

Os ydych yn teimlo fel eich bod chi wedi colli’ch llais neu eich gallu i effeithio ar newid, dyma’r blog i chi! Pob mis cynhelir rhywbeth a alwir yn ‘fforwm myfyrwyr’ ar hyn o bryd. Cynhelir y fforwm er mwyn galluogi myfyrwyr i leisio eu barn. Cyn pob fforwm rydym yn derbyn cynigion. Mae cynigon yn bethau yr ydych am newid neu ein gweld ni’n ymgyrchu dros. Mae’r cynigon yna’n cael eu cymaradwyo neu i wrthod trwy bleidlais ar-lein. Os mae cynnig yn cael ei basio yna byddwn yn sicrhau ei bod yn cael ei weithredu. Mae hefyd cyfle i chi holi eich swyddogion ar y materion sy’n bwysig i chi!

Cynhelir y fforwm nesaf y DYDD IAU HWN am 6yh yn y Hive - Ty’r Undeb. Bydd ein fforwm cyntaf ychydig yn wahanol i’r rhai arferol wrth i ni eich croesawi. Felly, mynychwch er mwyn dysgu mwy am eich undeb!

Gyda llaw, bydd yna fwyd am ddim ar gyfer pawb sy’n mynychu!

Rebrand...

Thu, 02 Oct 2014 15:03:00 +0100

As some of the eagle eyed of you will have noticed, things at the Union are changing, and we don’t just mean a new set of officers! Due to changes in legislation, and let’s admit for all intense and purpose a fresh start, we have had a re-brand!

Our team here in the Union managed to work incredibly hard in order for us to be able to roll out our re brand in time for Freshers’ and in time for the new bi-lingual legislation! It’s the perfect time of year for us to be able to make such a big change as every year we order new materials with the new officers details on, fun freebies for Freshers’ and all of our branded uniforms ready for the new year! We’re also really lucky to have budget already put aside for increasing the signage of the Union as part of our commitment to being bi-lingual so we’re able to put our new logo onto our premises straight away.

The logo for me signals the start of an exciting new year where we as officers, and as a Union, will work to put U at the heart of your Union. Following on from the re-brand we’re also looking at how we interact with you, our students, as part of something called a governance review. This means we’re shaking up how we run campaigns, elections, student forums and pretty much all of our democratic structures. If you want to get involved, speak to me or any of the officers and pop along to our first student forum of the year on Thursday 9^th October in the Hive, level 2 Union House at 6pm!

Ail-frandio, ond beth nawr?

Fel wyddoch rhai ohonoch yn barod, mae pethau yn yr undeb yn newid ac nad yw’r newid yn gyfyng i’r swyddogion newydd. O achos newid i’r gyfraith a dymuniad i ddechrau o’r newydd rydym wedi ail-frandio!

Mae ein tîm yma yn yr Undeb wedi gweithio’n galed er mwyn ein galluogi i ail-frandio mewn amser ar gyfer cyfnod y glas a deddfwriaeth iaith Gymraeg newydd! Dyma’r amser perffaith i ni gyflwyno’r newidiadau achos ein bod ni’n archebu nifer mawr o nwyddau sy’n cynnwys manylion y swyddogion newydd, nwyddau am ddim i fyfyrwyr a gwisgoedd staff ar gyfer y flwyddyn newydd! Rydym hefyd yn ffodus ein bod ni wedi neilltuo arian er mwyn cynyddu nifer arwyddion yr undeb fel rhan o’n hymroddiad i ein polisi dwyieithrwydd.

Mae’r logo hwn, i fi, yn gychwyn cyffroes ar flwyddyn newydd. Rydym fel swyddogion yn barod yn ymgyrchu i ‘rhoi’r unigolyn i mewn i’r Undeb’. Yn dilyn y cyfnod ail-frandio rydym hefyd yn edrych at sut yr ydym yn cyfathrebu gyda chi, ein myfyrwyr, fel rhan o rywbeth o’r enw ‘adolygiad llywodraethu’. Mae hyn yn golygu newidiadau i’r sefyllfa fel y mae hi gan gynnwys newidiadau i ymgyrchoedd, etholiadau, fforymau myfyrwyr a’n strwythur democrataidd yn gyffredinol. Os ydych chi am ymwneud â’r undeb yna siaradwch â fi neu unrhyw un o’r swyddogion a sicrhewch eich bod chi’n mynychu fforwm myfyrwyr cyntaf y flwyddyn ar y 9fed o Hydref yn y Hive, llawr 2, ty Fulton am 6yh.

What is a Students' Union?

Fri, 12 Sep 2014 11:32:00 +0100

To me it makes sense that one of my first blogs of the year is based around the idea of explaining who we are and what we do, so, as concisely as possible, here goes…

Students’ Unions were originally founded to represent students to their universities and push university education to be the best it can be. We’ve evolved hugely since then and now as organisations we have a remit that covers things such as; Representation, Campaigns, Advice, Sports, Societies, Volunteering, Employability and entrepreneurship, Commercial outlets , Events programmes and much much more.

As a Union we are separate from the University but still work in partnership to ensure your student experience is the best it can be.

Primarily we consist of 5 Full time officers, who are democratically elected by you, as students, each year. I am one of those officers, along with; Ilana, our Education Officer, Joel our Welfare Officer, Charlotte our Sports Officer and Jerry our Societies and Services Officer. Each of us has taken a year out of study to work full time for a year to represent you! We also have a number of part time officer positions that are filled with students still in study. Together we form the full representative remit to (hopefully) cover the needs of each and every student.

In addition the Union employs around 45 full time members of staff and hundreds of part time student staff to help support our aims, aspirations and purpose!

As an organisation we have several commercial outlets that help fund our campaigns and representation activities. You’ll become familiar with these over the next few months but they include: Sin City, Divas, Costcutter, Spa, The Advice Centre, Jcs, The Nursery and Fulton Outfitters. We’re also the organisers of all the Freshers week evening events, trips out and sporting events, and of course not forgetting our amazing Freshers’ Fayre which will take place in the main marquee on Tuesday 23^rd September and Wednesday 24^th September!

If you would like more information about us as a Union, have a look around this website, email an officer, or feel free to pop into your Students’ Union, located in Union house, behind Fulton House, in the centre of campus, the Full time officers’ offices are located on the third floor.

Welcome Freshers!

Tue, 09 Sep 2014 09:53:00 +0100

Learn what your Student Union does for you!

Swansea University Marking Boycott - AN UPDATE

Thu, 03 Apr 2014 11:01:00 +0100

Yesterday, the Full Time Officer team had a meeting with the University’s Senior Management Team. Over the hour and a half meeting we discussed a number of issues amongst one of which was the Marking Boycott.

I put the following questions to the Senior Management team:

1) What is the University doing to influence UCEA in improving their offer to UCU nationally to stop the marking boycott before it begins?

The answer here was that the University has a long term positive relationship with UCU locally here at Swansea University and the University are playing an active part in its conversations with UCEA to stop the marking boycott before it begins.

2) Does the University have robust contingencies in place in the event of a marking boycott to make sure that work will be marked and students will be able to graduate?

The answer here was whilst the University isn’t able to release the details of their contingencies, they are doing everything in their power to make sure that work will be assessed as normal and students will be able to graduate.

I will of course follow up the meeting yesterday for more details and the SU will continue to update students with more information as we get it. If you're on facebook, click attend on this event to stay in the know: https://www.facebook.com/events/626718840726609/

QAA preliminary visit – what do the next two days mean?

Thu, 03 Apr 2014 10:21:00 +0100

The Quality Assurance Agency who review Universities every 6 years in England and Wales will be at Swansea University today and tomorrow (03-04 April 2014) as part their review. You can read more about what’s going on here: http://www.swansea-union.co.uk/blogs/blog/President/2014/03/12/Institutional-Review-The-Journey-So-Far/

By now, the Review team will have read the body of evidence which includes the University’s self-evaluation document and the Students’ Union’s Submission:
Part 1 - http://youtu.be/SthAhYUo708
Part 2 - http://www.bigswanseareview.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/studentsubmissionpart1.pdf

The purpose of this visit is for the Review team to discuss its initial views, decide on issues for exploration, identify any extra documentation needed, and develop a programme for the actual review visit due to take place in the middle of May.

The timetable for their visit looks like this:

Thursday April 3^rd		Who is required
1200	Institutional Review team and QAA Officer arrive at the institution	Adrian Novis to meet and greet
1200-1300	Review team private meeting (QAA Officer in attendance)	N/A
1300-1400	Review team and QAA Officer non-working lunch with the institutional facilitator (IF) and lead student representative (LSR)	Adrian Novis Zahid Raja
1400-1445	Review team private meeting (QAA Officer in attendance)	N/A
14.45-15.30	Review team meeting with IF and LSR (QAA Officer in attendance)	Adrian Novis Zahid Raja
1530-1630	Meeting with: the head of the institution (QAA Officer in attendance)	The Vice Chancellor
1630-1800	Private review team meeting (QAA Officer in attendance)	N/A
Friday April 4th
830	Review team arrives at the institution	Adrian Novis to meet and greet
0845-0915	Review secretary meeting with the IF/LSR	Adrian Novis Zahid Raja
0930-1030	Meeting with key representatives of the student body (QAA Officer in attendance)	Zahid Raja; Ceinwen Cloney;Charlotte Peters; Rosie Inman; Rebecca Grimes
1030-1115	Review team private meeting (QAA Officer in attendance)	N/A
1115-1215	Meeting with the key institutional staff for the management of academic quality and standards (QAA Officer in attendance)	AEHS; RC; AN; DF; DG; DC; HW; DY; CW
1215-1530	Review team private meeting (QAA Officer in attendance) (working lunch)	N/A
1530-1630	Review team meeting with IF and LSR to discuss pointers to further sources of evidence and to determine the programme for the review visit	Adrian Novis Zahid Raja

From Friday, we will have a pretty solid idea of which areas the QAA will want to explore in their May visit. It’s at this point that we will begin drawing up a list of students / Subject Reps to select for the QAA to interview during their May visit. If you'd like to know any more, please do not hesitate to get in touch: president@swansea-union.co.uk

Institutional Review – The Journey So Far.

Wed, 12 Mar 2014 20:16:00 Z

So a large part of the year has been dominated by the Quality Assurance Agency’s Institutional Review of Swansea University. Cardiff University and Cardiff Metropolitan University are going through the same cycle as we are (i.e. they’ve got their review at the same time as we do!)

At the start of the process, we commissioned this video: http://youtu.be/g5OvezMDCew

Thankfully, whilst I was Education Officer last year I had the foresight to propose to the Trustee Board that the organisation create the role of ‘Student Experience Research co-ordinator’ to help pull this work together as it would have been a ridiculous ask of any Full Time Officer to do on their own.

Following that, we recruited Sara Correia into the post. I also committed the Students’ Union in producing an Annual Quality Report that will be seen by the University’s Council – the highest governing body of the organisation allowing the Students’ Union to take the case for major Academic improvements to the highest level in the University.

As a part of the Institutional Review, the Students’ Union are asked to produce a Student Submission. It’s usually about 6,000 words. As part of our submission, was also produced a video which you can access here: http://youtu.be/SthAhYUo708

The second part is a 6000 word report on the University. This can be accessed here: http://www.bigswanseareview.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/studentsubmissionpart1.pdf

Our work on the Student Submission has been received quite well – the Quality Assurance Agency (the body who review the University) used our student submission as a case study in the launch of their new student newsletter:

You can access the newsletter here: http://us3.campaign-archive2.com/?u=005201c8e9f59dec787dc820f&id=42ddb45592&e=8814c3a0bd

We’ve had an incredibly open relationship with the University whilst working on the Student Submission. Similarly the University have shared all of their work on the creation of the Self Evaluation Document (a document which the University produce for the review team). This has allowed the Students’ Union to secure major improvements to the University including an increase in the number of College-level committees students will now be able to sit on.

The next stage of the review is a visit by the review team that will take place at the beginning of May. The QAA will want to see staff and students during this visit. The QAA will give us a list of student types they want and as the lead student representative in the review, it’s my job to find those students and prepare them for a short interview.

Institutional Review - it's time to submit.

Mon, 24 Feb 2014 12:44:00 Z

The University is currently going through an Institutional Review. This review happens every 6 years for every UK University and is carried out by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). The purpose of the review is to determine if Swansea University meets UK standards in terms of the quality of Education delivered at Swansea University.

It’s kind of like the Ofsted inspections which schools go through..

The QAA is able to impose judgements on the University in a number of areas. The judgements range from ‘is commended’ all the way to ‘does not meet UK expectations’. The outcome determined by QAA on Swansea University is public, and therefore carries a huge reputational risk for the University. This has implications on not only how our degrees are perceived by prospective employers, but also how the University is able to recruit more students. The official UK Government website for comparing Universities now links to the most recent QAA report: http://unistats.direct.gov.uk/Institutions/Details/10007855/ReturnTo/Institutions

Naturally, with the unfortunate resignation of the Students’ Union Education Officer before the start of the academic year, this is where I have focused my attention.

In determining their judgement, the QAA will consider a self-evaluation document from the University, a student written submission from the Students’ Union, and finally the University’s regulations that guide quality and standards at our University. We will be submitting this tomorrow (25/02/14) You can access the student written submission here: http://www.bigswanseareview.com/ or watch it on YouTube here: http://youtu.be/SthAhYUo708

Following the submission, the QAA will then visit Swansea University. Once in April to spell out what they’re going to be looking for. They will then return for about a week in May where they will interview students and staff as part of their review.

The review has provided a HUGE opportunity for the Students’ Union to improve student life. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved – you have helped make a huge difference to our University.

Following the submission, the next stage of the review will be to prepare for the site visit by the QAA in May. My role as the Lead Student Representative here will be to select students and prepare them to meet the review team. Obvs May is exam time, the Union has communicated this to the QAA and QAA have assured us that they will be flexible in order to meet students.

Below is an infographic that shows the extent to which the process has been a success:

Union President announces huge win on timetabling: introducing real-time timetables.

Fri, 21 Feb 2014 18:33:00 Z

Over the past few years, students have indicated through the National Student Survey, Subject Reps and other Officer elections that they want to see an overhaul in how timetabling is administered. It was in fact one of my manifesto points when I became Education Officer last year.

I am delighted to announce that the University are now working to undertake a major project to change the way the student timetable is produced and delivered.

At the heart of the project, new software has been purchased and will start to be implemented across Colleges from 2014/15 academic year. These enhancements will include:

Real-time Access to Timetables - The University are delivering a standalone project implementing new calendaring software which will provide students with real-time access to their timetable via their web linked devices.
Web Room Booking – This new system will enable staff to view teaching room availability and request a room booking via a web based system that will be accessed via the intranet.

Data Collection Form – The new form will improve the initial timetable data collection process.

Timetabling software upgrade –one of the key improvements will be to allow all College/Departmental timetable coordinators access to the central timetabling system via the intranet. This will enable all users to manage their own departmental room bookings using the central timetabling system to improve communication with students.

Students’ Union President Zahid Raja said: “Timetabling is often cited as one of the biggest pains for students. I’m incredibly pleased to see that the University have made a significant investment in how timetabling will be administered. This will allow students who have jobs, caring responsibilities and extra-curricular commitments to plan their time at University in a more effective way.”

Recognise the people who make a difference to your student life

Thu, 13 Feb 2014 18:26:00 Z

I’ve now been a Full Time Officer for a year and a half which means I’ve attended my fair share of conferences about Universities. No matter what you attend, one cliché you’re sure to hear is ‘Universities change people’s lives!!!’ …what does that mean? I don’t think it’s the buildings, the number of shiny computers, or even the variety of coffee shops that change people.

I believe its other people that you meet that end up changing you. The friends for life that you make, an inspiring lecturer who got you to think differently, or that careers advisor that put you on track for your dream career. This blog is about recognising the impact which the latter two have made on you. Swansea University has the Excellence in Learning and Teaching / Student Support Awards to recognise the people that change your life for the better at University.

These awards are incredibly prestigious. The awards are presented to recipients at graduation in front of all of the students, and staff in their College. The recipients also receive a cash prize that can be used to help enhance and share their student engagement practices. In terms of staff awards, Swansea has it pretty good!

So what are the rules?
1) A University staff member must receive at least two student nominations in order to be put forward.

2) A student can only nominate one staff member. So think carefully about who you choose to nominate! Read the guidance carefully:

i) Guidance on nominating academic staff: http://salt.swan.ac.uk/downloads/eltaessa/prompts.docx

ii) There is currently no guidance on nominating non-academic staff. Try to explain in as much detail as you can how they had an impact on your student life.

3) Students must submit their nominations by the 2^nd May. It seems ages away, but time will fly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I nominate a lecturer?
Online, here: http://salt.swan.ac.uk/en/elta.htm

What if the staff member I want to nominate doesn’t teach?
Thanks to some lobbying from the Students' Union last year, the University have incorporated non-teaching staff into the awards. You can nominate them online at the same place here: http://salt.swan.ac.uk/en/essa.htm

Guidance for Subject Reps:
Organise a session after / before class to talk to your course mates about these awards. Use the guidance to prompt discussion. Try to spark a discussion about this in your course facebook group.

If you have any more questions, feel free to get in touch: president@swansea-union.co.uk

Why 7 to 5? It's certainly not for sh*ts and giggles.

Mon, 03 Feb 2014 13:17:00 Z

The previous Student Forum was a whirlwind of 'secret question drama' focused largely on process and point scoring. Which is fine if that's what people want, but it completely misses the point on why the Students' Union is here; to make a difference.

That's also exactly why the Full Time Officer team has been reduced from 7 to 5. Because the Students' Union, over the longterm, can help more students by using the resource we spend on maintaining two Full Time Officers, elsewhere.

What do you mean the Students' Unions under-resourced?

Swansea University Students' Union is amazing at making the impossible happen. We rarely say no to students over resource. We always try to make it work. But doing this for over a decade causes problems.

If we take the past 3-4 years of Student Forums. In one shape or another; students ask for more publicity that would foster greater engagement with our democratic processes. That sounds great. But it's not like the Students' Union has a huge marketing department - it's all done by a single person. So we're faced with a resource barrier.

But then also consider Societies: the Students' Union currently does not have the capacity to properly support the number of societies we have in the same way as sports clubs are supported through Sports Swansea.

Or Advice: the number of students seeking advice on things like their course, or about their student house has soared. If we want to give more advice, that'll require more staff.

Or Representation: Full Time Officers spend more time on operational duties (usually behind the desk) than they do going out and engaging with students on their opinions over decisions being made about them. If you want visible Officers, they'll need staff support.

Or Sports: the Students' Union infrastructure needs significant investment to continue to support Sports clubs the same way that other Unions do around the UK. It isn't just about playing. To what extent do we support Sports Clubs to articulate what resource barriers drag them back in BUCS/ Varsity? To what extent do we outline those concerns to the senior management of the University. Not very often.

The list is endless. But none of our non-commercial areas can be magically fixed over night. The points above, and for about a 100 other areas all need more resource to deliver to the expectations that students have. It also needs for the Students' Union to openly define where and when it is at capacity in any given area.

We need to stop moving resource from one area of the organisation to the other and calling it a win. That isn't good for growth.

The easy, and incredibly lazy option here would be to spend the savings from the two officers on any single area (e.g above). That would be a short term patch on one of our many gaping holes. A long term solution would be to create the capacity for the Students' Union to continually identify where we are overstretched and then to develop a solution, for every non-commercial area.

What does a solution look like? Sometimes it'll be explaining when the organisation needs to say that's it - we've reached a limit if we want to continue delivering a quality service. Solutions will also mean mapping our needs against the metrics the University uses in it's strategic plan to bid for additional funding and demonstrate how our work has an impact on those stats.

This is critical for two reasons - everything we do from 2014/15 is going to have to be more clear, and flexible as we work over two campuses. Secondly as an organisation, we need to recognise that putting together applications for significant funding increases isn't as simple as cobbling together a paper with some feelings along with a presentation to the University's governing body that amounts to 'please sir, please can we have s'more more?'. Those days are well and truly behind us.

We need create the capacity for the Students' Union to develop a strategic, measured approach that is based on evidence to articulate why we need more investment. To be successful, we need to show how we'd use it and what direct benefit this would have to the current University strategic plan, and finally to give students the chance to own the student experience agenda on future University strategic plans. So 7 to 5 was about creating space in the Students' Union to allow all of that to happen.

later today (3pm), the Trustee Board will meet and discuss the results of last weeks referendum. Information related to the positions should come following this meeting.