A month of events, birthdays, Conferences and Conventions. And the Juice Master.

What normally happens when I come to write my Blog is that I look back over my diary and summarise some key decisions or actions. The last month has seen some really big events happening and in many ways it’s quite difficult to do them justice.

On the 17th March (the date of my last blog) I attended the celebrations for the University’s 80th birthday – which were very exciting, with University Court followed by cake. I’m not entirely sure what Court does – and talking to some of the people who sit on it (teachers and the like) they don’t either! The University is reviewing it though, so fair play to them. I had a nice long chat over lunch with various staff members and local Lib Dem Councillors about local safety, the misconceptions of students, the pros and cons of the Labour party and the commercialisation of Education. University Council succeeded the celebrations. Although I sit on this, I’ve had to miss almost all previous ones due to other commitments this year. There’s not a great deal to report from here, though it was interesting for some lay members of Council to raise concerns over whether Sports provision on campus should be about participation or achievement. I think the development of individual students is more important than the winning of medals and the Union should be funding our sports clubs, volunteer groups and societies on this basis alone.

As I waved goodbye to all those on courses for the holidays I got on with menial tasks like tidying my office and catching up with e-mails and paperwork. On the 22nd of March Reading hosted an NSLP (National Student Learning Programme) network event. This went down very well and I learnt some interesting theory about intelligences and was encouraged to do the accompanying NSLP paperwork so I can get accredited in the summer.

I talked to the Reading Film Theatre about how they can get more students down to their shows (do go along – it’s a nice way to relax and far more interesting than watching that same DVD again).

MASIV has seen another successful year. We’re waiting for re-submissions so I won’t realise all the numbers here, but it continues to go from strength to strength and other such clichés.

After a weekend up in Birkenhead with my Uncle I attended NUS National Conference. Dave Lewis has done a solid report back so I won’t repeat what he said here. It was very interesting to see internal workings of various NUS factions and I only got 8 hours sleep over 3 days as I was always running up and down campaigning for one election or another. I handed out Bubbles, Condoms and Sherbet as well as countless stickers and leaflets. I’ve got some cool T-shirts out of it too! It was a lot of fun, there were a lot of good policies, and a lot of people trying to ruin the conference, but overall very worthwhile.

I had a reasonably quiet week in the office finishing things off and reviving myself. Which was much needed, before heading back up north with Super-Davey Lewis (not his real name) to attend NUSSL Convention. NUS Services Limited is the company that supports RUSU’s trading elements. By being part of NUSSL we have the buying power not of 16,000 students but 5.2 million, meaning cheaper beer, sandwiches, coffee and stationery. It was a good chance to see some stars of this world and future plans. I met the Juice Master who can peel an orange with his mind and also reassured me that an 8 pound bag of sugar has no fat, though an 8 pound bag of lard has no sugar. The man’s a genius. Attended some great seminars on the future student, the states of student debt and of course, my much beloved Governance.

This takes me up to today, Bank Holiday Monday (yes still working today). I’ve had a restful Easter – first one away from my ‘home’ church which was a bit strange, but nice to chill out with my Granny.

One of the things often levelled at Students is that they don’t care. I firmly believe all students do care about their finances, welfare and education, but don’t always know how to express it. The following article from NUS President Kat Fletcher was quite interesting I thought about the perception of the apathetic student:

http://education.guardian.co.uk/students/comment/story/0,,1750986,00.html

This week – I’m coming back to Reading Tuesday Morning, have a Lobby of Parliament on Wednesday, am discussing Freshers’ Angels Thursday morning and at a planning away day on Friday.

See you next term,

Nickers x