Happy New Year and Welcome from all your sabbatical officer team

Monday 19-01-2015 - 12:19
 dsc0228

Hello! I’m Fiza, your Students’ Union President. My role involves challenging and working with the University on matters which directly have an impact on YOU, the students. As a student you are automatically a member of the Students’ Union from the moment you register so you can get involved in as much as you can whilst as University. It's not just our great bar/cafe or sports - you can start or join course based groups, political and social work or arts based societies.  There's always ways you can perform or throw your own events!

Who are we?

Apart from me, there are 4 Vice Presidents who represent each College and YOU. Alex Thorp is your VP of Science and Technology, Marina Hristova is your VP of Business and Law, Jasmine Pokuaa is your VP of Health and Social Care and Todd Hewitt is your VP of Arts and Media.

What do I do?

You may question what exactly I do on a day to day basis. I can tell you there is no simple answer. I spend a LOT of time in meetings. I regularly meet with University Executives; current acting VC, Registrar, Dean of Students and professional service Heads.  As President I do not have a specific College like the Vice Presidents do. My role involves having more of an oversight of the Union’s business and strategic options.

I sit on University Council (highest decision making body of the University) which takes place 6 times a year and on Senate (highest academic decision making body in the University) which also takes place 6 times a year. I Chair the Union’s Trustee Board meetings 6 times a year. These compulsory meetings may only seem like a few over a whole year, but the paper work and preparation is very lengthy for each one and takes time preparing. Each meeting lasts around 4 hours.

What your Students’ Union has to offer

Our ultimate job is to represent you so please use us to help you have the BEST experience whilst at University.

There are all sorts of perceptions of the Union that we have as individuals. Personally, when I started this University back in September 2011, as an undergraduate studying Journalism, I did not think the Students’ Union was for me. My perception was that the SU was for competitive sporty students and was only good at organising club nights. Boy was I wrong! One of my main goals is to help students understand what exactly we do.

Yes we host events and activities and have a range of sports and activity groups, however, we also recruit hundreds of course representatives to help us help you academically through your course experience. Course reps are used by you to feedback to us on matters that directly affect you and your fellow students. For example, if you are particularly unhappy with the way your course is ran, then contact your course rep who will liaise with your programme leaders and Vice President on your behalf to ensure your voice is heard and actions are taken to bring results.

Did you know that your SU also specialises in academic advice and support? We have a team of councillors for you throughout your time at university to help you with anything related to your academic experience. Come and book an appointment at our Info Point. We are based in University House which is located on the main campus, next to the Sports Centre.

Your sabbatical officer team are based on the top floor in University House, our doors are always open and you are more than welcome to drop in anytime. You can always contact us via social media – just search our names. You can also add the /Salfordstudents account for all the latest from us.

2015 is a new and exciting year and I want to hear all about what you want from your SU. Whether it’s more movie nights, henna tattoo sessions, pub crawls, open mic nights or trips please let me know. We have recently put together a new and exciting calendar of events this semester and I am looking forward to seeing you at ALL our events!

Employability! Well why else are you at Salford?

Another priority for me is to continue lobbying the university to prioritise support for students that will enable you to identify and articulate the qualities and skills you learn throughout your degrees. Let’s face it, a degree alone is not enough for you these days, employers want to know, ‘what more can you offer?’

You could be leading a group project, doing a presentation in front of your class, working part time, on a sports or activities committee (e.g. Chair, Sec, Social Sec, and Treasurer) or volunteer elsewhere. Regardless of what it is you choose it’s vital that you understand the transferable skills that you have acquired from everything you participate in.  The SU will be launching a new page on its website www.salfordstudents.com which will provide information and advice for you on how to formulate CV’s, prepare for interviews, how to improve your transition from study to employment and much more. Watch this space!

Salford Students’ Union is YOUR Union and I want to know how we can better cater for you!  

Please contact me on the following:

Facebook: facebook.com/FizaIkramUSSU
Twitter: @SalfordPres
Email: USSU-President@salford.ac.uk

Related Tags :

president, semester two, events, senate, sabbs,

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