It’s the final countdown
Hello lovely people!
If you are keeping up with the blog at all, then you have already heard all about my manifesto items, and while these have formed a big ol’ chunk of what I have been doing this semester, there is also still so much more I am proud of and want to share.
So, in chronological order, here they are !
JUNE
June is where we start – with a fortnight of commuting from Oldfield Park bright and early for hand-over with our predecessors. I had only a couple of weeks between handing in my final piece of coursework and starting so it kind of felt like I never left – add onto this getting knee deep into all things marking and assessment boycott, university meetings, and both trustee and open days and you get an odd sense of ‘huh, this is real’.
This is also, on a soppy note, as early as the other officers start feeling like family – we are all decked out in stash unrelentingly for this time – keeping in our fleeces despite the (admittedly quite British) summer, having dinner together, learning everything we can, cheering on Jura for everything she already had set up. It is simply joyous.
JULY
July is when we were released to the world via an amazing Friends themed ‘Meet The Officers’ video, underwent public speaking training while all waiting for the horror that is results day, and got to do some super cool outreach work for both pathway to bath and step into bath.
We also get to do ‘pinch me’ moments, speaking to the shadow minister for higher education (and getting a BeReal with him ??), meeting the astronomical Anne McClain and our Chancellor Prince Edward underneath the Abbey, and, of course, getting to sneak in ‘Fabio the fluid father’ into a CompSci graduation speech.
If you have been in our President Jijis office at all, you also get to see what I made up for her birthday – across pictures, mugs, (and I wouldn’t be surprised if she got it as a tattoo at some point) is Jiji edited onto Biden in the White House, with background photos edited to include us all – take a peek next time you’re in, and remember to sign her board !
AUGUST
This is a weird liminal area – we are still getting used to everything, popping off campus to head out to UWE, moving onto campus, helping out our beloved FWEMS. This month seems to be all about wrapping up before everything starts flooding in – forming bonds with as many members of the University and other SUs before students begin.
This is also where the search for Richard, our small pink bear who motivates us to get in at 9am on the dot Monday morning, gets serious – to the extent that we start having to be given clues
SEPTEMBER
It’s just Fresher’s Week and all its prep, let’s be honest.
Okay there definitely is more stuff, but if you have already read this far I think you need a break – go make a cuppa or something.
OCTOBER
Students are here ! Three rounds of applause!
I get to see my first game of rugby at the rec, meet OfS and advise them on the risk register, host University Challenge auditions (still completely and amazingly proud of all of y’all who tried out), and of course, help marshall MOGoff.
NOVEMBER
November is packed – speaking about our student submission for the Access and Participation Plan, networking with our amazing gold scholars (including alumni and fellow DAG committee member Ciara), doing a DOUBLE REFERENDA on both UCU action and if we should stay or leave the NUS, our first academic council (once again, thanking you all so much for the amazing turn out), first SUmmit (amazing job y’all!), and even helping recruit the next vice chancellor.
DECEMBER
December seems to both be packed (name a week in December where I have more than 15 minutes unscheduled time, I’ll wait), and empty as everyone begins to wonder off back home. This month, we see our faculty reps take on their forums (amazing facilitation, nothing but pride and praise for y’all), disability history month with DAG (did I ever actually leave the committee at this point?), and working with you our reps on a million and one issues, the most pertinent as I write being the thermal comfort policy. We also have all things festive – the masquerade ball, staff photos, our final festive tea and talk…it is all a whirlwind.
I pinkie promise a shorter post next time, and the TLDR for this is - I'm proud of you, and all you contribute to the University and SU.
TTYL!
Amber