December: Short Time, Significant Success

Christmas Jumpers on show after our Trustee Board meeting (via Carys Rhiannon)

I've only had 2 short weeks of December to comment upon since I'm off home on my Christmas hollies after today. However we've had a few major developments. Here's what's been going on:

• Had a meeting with the Dean about Jess Urch's petition to increase the opening hours at the ATRiuM. We've been promised that from January, the ATRiuM will open from 8am until 10pm weekdays and 9am to 5pm on weekends as it was two years ago. It's also being considered that weekend opening hours could be extended further during busy times such as around Easter.
• Went to a partner approval and re-approval meeting which looks at which external parties can link up with the University as part of their courses.
• Recorded audio for our latest video project due to be released in January.
• Had our third Trustee Board Meeting. Was mandated to continue circulating the ATRiuM SU Questionnaire (which you can fill out here: http://bit.ly/18be4bU) and to lobby to get the back doors of the ATRiuM accessible without a swipe card to try and help access to Students' Union building.
• Had our first Course Rep Council Meeting in Cardiff. A number of issues were raised including certain courses not having course leaders and issues with the communication lines with university staff when issues are not resolved. Will look to work with staff and SVRs to address these areas in the new year.
• Attended a Students as Partners meeting and will be creating some Student Stories videos on how the Student Voice has had an impact on University study.
• Attended a Keep Cardiff Tidy meeting. Will look to improve lines of communication on issues surrounding litter. If you want to keep up to date with it all I thoroughly recommend you like Cardiff Digs on Facebook or follow them on Twitter
• Attended a meeting about the Learner Journey. Will be helping with a blog there are setting up for it in the coming months.
• Met with Alex Butterworth from NUS to discuss the upcoming Course Rep Conference she is organising.

January's shaping up to be a busy month - I'll be making sure the extended opening times at the ATRiuM come to fruition in practice, organising more Course Rep Training, making some Student Stories videos and in the middle of all that our funding campaign will be significantly ramped up as we enter negotiations with the University.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! See you in 2014 which will definitely be an interesting year for USWSU.

Rich