Current projects updates:
Meeting Minutes
Download the latest Management Group Minutes online here >>
Green Impact Award
Work is currently underway on the University Green Impact Award. The team reviewing the work will be in contact soon to collect your ideas on how we can all make the SU a greener place. In the meantime please send your ideas to Mandy. If you are interested in joining the staff/sabb group working on this area please let Mandy know.
Engaging with our students – Amy Young
‘Student Engagement’ is one of the key phrases being bandied around Higher Education at the moment. As part of this NUS are working with the Higher Education Academy (HEA) on a joint project to provide support to Students’ Unions and institutions in engaging effectively with students and with each other. Ten Student Engagement Champions have been recruited, of which I was recruited as one of the two South West champions and cover institutions from Reading all the way down to Plymouth.
My role is to make contact with the Students’ Unions (and institutions in some places) and discuss their current involvement in student engagement activities, including whether they have used some of the resources created by NUS and HEA. This has started off slowly due to the hectic start of term but from this month I will be visiting various Students’ Unions across the South West collecting case studies and examples of good practice as well as providing support and ideas for those who have found engaging with their students or institutions difficult.
It is clear from the people I have been in contact with that BUSU and its relationship with the University is seen as leading in this area, as soon as I mention that I work at BUSU the immediate reaction is that we are a Students’ Union to learn from.
This has been a great opportunity to work with NUS on a national project and gain knowledge of issues across the wider HE sector. It has opened up chances to attend national conferences on the subject as well as giving me an insight into how representation works on a national scale. If you have any questions regarding the project, my role or student engagement in general, feel free to ask me or have a look at the resources on nusconnect www.nusconnect.org.uk/campaigns/highereducation/student-engagement/
HE STEM Outreach Conference
Lisa Benjamin and Lauren Curtis both attended the HE STEM Outreach Conference in Bristol on Wednesday 2nd November. There were guest speakers and attendees took part in a range of workshops about outreach activity for STEM subjects. These included:
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Maths - Where we looked at a resource that has been developed called 'Maths Grad in a Box' for Maths outreach in Secondary Schools.
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Chemistry - Dr Gan Shermer from the University of Bath outlined the variety of Widening Participation activities that the Chemistry Department deliver.
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Engineering - Where we were given a practical task and a very comprehensive resource pack to use as an outreach activity in schools. This was called 'Athlete or Machine' and involved making a model of a Bob Skeleton and testing it. This would be great for UoB due to the link with Sports and Engineering.
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Physics - This workshop explored issues around how males and females engage differently with the subject and why fewer women choose to study Physics post 16. It gave examples of good and bad outreach practice.
In addition there was some very interesting talks on:
- Research that has been done around attitudes of young people from under-represented groups (Dr Graeme Atherton).
- Wes Streeting from the Helena Kennedy Foundation spoke about the impact of government policy change on Widening Participation access. He emphasised the need for students to understand the new fee structure and what advice and support is available http://www.hkf.org.uk/about_news_detail.php?id=74
There will be a National Student Finance Day held on 14th November.
There was also a useful session around outreach work in primary schools focusing on Physics.Liz Simmons, Widening Participation Coordinator at the University of Bath also attended.
If you want any more information please come and speak to Lauren or Lisa.
SU HR Strategy
The team developing this strategy include Helen Freeman, Lisa Taylor, Becky Gallagher, Mandy Wilson-Garner and David Howells. At present we have reviewed the findings of the University Employee Satisfaction Survey, the SU Employee Survey, the Investors in People Report and the SUEI Report. A draft action plan is being produced which will be circulated for comment when completed.
Staffing News
Tim Cobbett will be joining us on the 14th November as the new Representation Co-ordinator. Tim has worked for the Quality Assurance Agency and NUS Scotland and more recently for University of Gloucester Students' Union. Tim is moving to Bath from Ireland and is new to the area.
Alex Pool has started as the Learning Partnerships Project Assistant. Alex is a well known face around the SU and will be working part time for us to look at researching the communication barriers with students studying at Partner Colleges. Alex will also be working with areas to look at how we can market our activities to these students and involve them in our activities and services.
Alex settling in to his new post.
Date for your diary
The next staff forum is on the 14th November 9.30
Please send any topics you wish to discuss to Ian.
Social News
A belated Happy Birthday to Sam for Thurs 3rd Nov and Happy Birthday to Polly for the 19th of November.
Huge Congratulations also go to Carrie Blake who has recently got engaged!
Christmas Party
The Christmas Party will be held on Tuesday 20th December from 7.30pm at the Cork in the centre of Bath. This will be free to staff and will include a light buffet.
Numbers need to be confirmed shortly so if you can attend the Party can you please add your name to the list which can be found in the general drive by the 25th November.
S:\General\Staff Newsletter\2011 - 2012\CHRISTMAS PARTY
You may want to start swotting up on your general knowledge as there will be a quiz!! (Not as long as last years).
We look forward to seeing you all there!
Get to Know You!
Full Name: Alexander Damien Pool
How long have you worked at BUSU? About two months
What is your favourite film? Freedom Writers
Who is your favourite band? Death Cab for Cutie
What place in the world would you most like to visit? Japan was always my dream destination and can very gladly say I've done that one - amazing! The next big one would be Xilitla in Mexico.
What did you want to be when you were younger? I wanted to be a Forensic Scientist since I was 8 (geek or what!!) but since University that's switched to Cancer Research/Tea merchant
One funny fact about you? It took me about 3 months of constant practice to be able to pronounce my boyfriend's name. My family still can't after 2 years! I can also name about 200 types of tea - not sure if that's funny or sad.