So...how are those manifesto points coming along?

My manifesto I wrote back in May.

Now I'm at the half way point of my term in office (time really flies!) I thought it'd be a good time to take a look back at those manifesto points I made back in May to see how many I'd actually been able to fulfil or at least make some progress on. So here's how I've done as of yet:

1. A Union of people, not place

This point has become somewhat derailed by the current plans to move the Students' Union to ATRiuM 2A. As there's the possibility of opening the Union later next year we have to be careful what external partners we forge now. However, engagement is one of my key priorities this year so I've been working hard to build up the 'people' side by supporting Course Reps and helping promote Student Council Elections.

2. On the ground support

Soon into my job, I realised that providing on-the-ground support was unrealistic. Since I have to attend many meetings and cannot commit myself to staying in Cardiff permanently in role. I have been looking to support Course Reps with issues they raise at our Course Rep Council meetings.

3. Campaign for what you want

I've actually managed to achieve something here (Whey!) albeit with the help of Jess Urch and her petition to increase opening hours. Opening hours at the ATRiuM have been restored to 8am to 10pm on weekdays and 9am to 5pm on weekends. For the other issues surrounding cash machines, there are major issues with this that we've come across. The main issue is that it costs the Union money to install a cash machine rather than make money out of the service. This is the reason there is currently no cash machine in Cardiff and also why they're being removed from Caerleon campus in Newport.

4. Society Encouragement 

Just by having me in a more permanent position in Cardiff has certainly improved the amount of people we've had come forward with interest in starting a society. However we've found that there still seem to be a lot of barriers which mean some of our societies still haven't completed registration yet. I will to see how we can address this issue in the coming months.

5. Communication

I've been active on my Facebook and Twitter profile with disseminating information. I've also used various Facebook groups and email to tell people important info. This blog also helps anyone keep track every month of what I've been doing. Communication was a priority for all sabbs this year and is something we still have to work on. With the sites and campuses so spread out through South Wales, our internal communication suffers at times and coming up with a solution to this will be an interesting challenge in the coming months.

Hopefully that shows I've been making steps to achieving some of my manifesto points. However it's key to point out that my priorities have had to change somewhat especially over the last couple of months with the Union's current financial issues. What I'd really like to achieve by the end of June is to have a Strategic Plan for USWSU for 2014 to 2017 which helps build a Union that supports all regions and campuses of the University of South Wales. I'll be checking back on all this in June so stay tuned for that!

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