Posted on Fri 12 Nov 2021 at 16:20 by
Jacob Withington Welld done, you have made it over half way through semester 1! Christmas is on it's way, if that's good or bad.
Below is a recent update on some things I've been up to recently and you might be interested in:
International Placement Students: I have raised the issue of employers stating they can't take international placement issues due to not being able to sponsor a tiear 4 visa. This is false, the university sponsors the visa for international placement students so there is no visa excuse. Improvements are being made to communications to students and employers as a result of this.
Strikes: Strikes are possible for this academic year with our local UCU (Union for many university staff) branch voting in favour of industrial action. Negotiations are underway to resolve issues and determine what strikes will look like. Head to this page for updates and details on the issue: https://www.thesubath.com/voice/campaigns/staff-strikes-2021/
IMCs: The guidance on IMCs is being updated to reflect new issues encountered, make it easier to understand and teh forms easier to fill out. New reasons for IMCs are those such as unexpected technical difficulties and time zone. Look out for the new guidance coming soon on this page: https://www.bath.ac.uk/topics/exams-and-assessments/
Trained reps: We have trained over 200 academic reps over teh past couple of weeks who will be collecting feedback, resolving issues and advsising departments on your course matters.
Academic Council & Exec: We had our first Academic Council attended by your academic reps discussing issues with Assesment & Feedback and solutions, how a possible online tool for you to communicate easily with your reps on issues would work. We also had our first Academic Exec meeting of you faculty reps and senate rep discussing emerging issues such as exams, masks, engagement monitoring and reading week usage.
Top 10: Our Top 10 that we work with university senior management to implement has gotten started. We are devising action plans with relevant university senior management to implement these. More details omn them are here:https://www.thesubath.com/campaigns/topten/
Peer support: Many students are utilising their Peer Assisted Learning sessions and I encourage you to pay a visit if you have not, they are great for help on your course content, working through problems and helping eachother. If you don't have PAL on your course/year but want it get in contact: peersupport@bath.ac.uk . If you are new to the university and are having any issues make sure to contact your Peer Mentor too, they can help you with anything from where a building is, who to speak to or even where to live in your second year(it's tooo early to thinka bout that!).
Next Week: I will be at university council and senate making sure students are considered in all decisons taken. We also have our first SUmmit where you can shape our SU's standpoints.
DJ Cuppy: If you are looking for a great night out on Friday the 19th then get your tickets to see DJ Cuppy, she was a hit at Freshers' Week so is back again: https://www.thesubath.com/ents/event/12009/
Have a good weekend!
