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► Your Sabbatical Officers
Sabbatical officers are the students who are elected to run the Students' Union for 12 months. As a team, Sabbaticals are responsible and held accountable for the entire Union. They make day-to-day decisions about all levels of your Union’s activities.
Until now,sabbatical officers looked after a particular area of Union activity, such as student activities. The changes made to their roles mean that officers will now focus on representing and supporting the students within their particular Faculty.
Click on the links below to view a short bio for each Sabb.
Ricky Chotai - VP for Health and Social Care
Jim Dale - VP for Business, Law and Built Environment
Emily Godfrey - VP for Science, Engineering and Environment (resigned - click here for details)
Joe Kirwin - VP for Arts, Media and Social Sciences
| Download a full descirption of the new Sabbatical Roles |
| Click here to CONTACT our Sabbatical Officers |
| Read the Sabbs' latest BLOG updates |
| Sabbatical Officer Performance Agreement |
Matt Webber - President
What course are you studying?
I’m studying a part-time Postgraduate Masters in Scriptwriting for Television and Radio in the faculty of Arts, Media and Social Sciences. I studied an Undergraduate degree in English and Creative Writing in the same faculty, in the school of ESPACH.
Describe yourself in one sentence
Friendly, bloody minded and tall.
Where you involved in the Union before?
Yes, I was one of the vice presidents of the Students’ Union last year. I’ve also written for Student Direct and was a student rep and a co-chair of the LGBT Society.
Why should students in the University care who you are?
I’ve been at the University for 4 years so I’ve got a good idea of what works for students here and where things need changing. Students pay so much for their education that they deserve the best experience possible, I want to improve the level of assessment and feedback on courses and ensure all students have the right support throughout their time here. I also want to make sure everyone has the chance to have fun, make friends and enjoy university life.
I’m motivated to change things I see as unfair for Salford students, so last year I campaigned successfully for the council to install lighting in the park and secured 24/7 access to the main library during exam time and the University’s commitment to financing a new SU nightclub.
What 3 things would you like to achieve this year as VP/President?
• Finding out from students what they want to change about their academic experience and working with the University to improve things
• Revamping the Student Rep system
• Making sure everyone is aware of what the Union can offer them, regardless of age, nationality or background.
What are your interests/ favourite activities?
In my spare time I go to the Pav (the SU nightclub), write scripts, go to the gym, see the latest blockbusters and watch Manchester United, who hopefully will put last season behind them and win the Champions League again.
Favourite music, films, books, food, holiday destinations, etc
I like most music, usually look for random stuff on Spotify. I have an unhealthy addiction to the musical ‘Wicked’ and read lots of film and TV scripts and bad crime thrillers. I haven’t been travelling for a while, but would like to visit Munich where a couple of my best friends have moved to.
What’s your worse habit or quality?
Biting my nails.
If you were God for one day what would you do for the world?
Probably a lot of things other people would do – eradicate hatred, terminal illness, war, poverty, guns, nuclear weapons, tuition fees etc.
Ricky Chotai - Vice President for Health and Social Care
What course are you studying?
I studied Business and Management for my Undergraduate degree in the Business School.
Describe yourself in one sentence
I am extremely driven and hardworking individual, I love a challenge!
Where you involved in the Union before?
I was the Head of Sales and Treasurer for the union radio station Shock Radio during 2008 to 2009. I was also the Student Liaison Representative for Salford Business School from 2007 to 2009.
Why should students in your Faculty care who you are?
The officer team are students or have just graduated therefore they are aware of some of the issues students can face. We are also democratically elected by the students and are there to do what you want.
Previously the Students' Union has not had a strong presence over at the Allerton campus; however the faculty structure now means that I will be the specific Vice President and I am there to represent their views to the wider university community.
What 3 things would you like to achieve this year as VP/President?
• Ensure the union consults its members (YOU)
• Campaign for longer library opening hours and more 24 hour computer suites
• Revamp the students’ representation system to ensure all types of students are represented.
What are your hobbies/favourite activities?
I am interested in technology, listening to music and swimming.
Favourite music, films, books, food, holiday destinations, etc
My favourite film is Back to the Future. I love to read biographies. I love eating Italian Food. I have been to Turkey three times and would go again.
My top 5 artists over the last three years are: Snow Patrol, Bloc Party, Coldplay, Embrace and Stereophonics.
What’s your worse habit or quality?
According to my friends listening to awful music (but see above to make your own mind up).
Do you have a motto you live by?
Carpe Diem – Seize the Day.
Jim Dale - Vice President for Business, Law and Built Environment
What course are you studying?
I’ve just graduated with a degree in Contemporary Military and International History.
Describe yourself in one sentence
I’m a friendly and humorous young fogey, who loves nothing more than to sit down with a cup of tea and a long book next to a log fire.
How were you involved in the Students' Union before?
Apart from drinking in Bar Yours and cavorting like an idiot around the dancefloor of the Pav, re-enacting the Blockbusters Jive, I helped run the Mountaineering Club for several years and I was also Chairman of the Cricket Club.
Why should students in your Faculty care who you are?
Sabbatical officers are here to act on your behalf to promote and foster academic changes within the faculty that enhance your lives. So we can be successful, I need to work closely with, listen to, talk to and listen to again, all you guys and all the concerns, issues and even plaudits that you have regarding your experience within the faculty. It was you guys that put me in this position and I really am here for you, so if you want to come and see someone for advice, let off some steam, or just want to have a chat, then come and see me and I’ll always offer an attentive ear.
What 3 things would you like to achieve this year as VP?
- There are lots of priority areas that need to be worked on within the faculty, such as improving assessment and feedback of your work, but really it’s finding out about your opinions and experience that really count towards making a change. If we can actually get some positive action taken, upon the voice of the students then that is a real achievement.
- I also want more students to be aware of what the Students’ Union can do for them. Coming to University should not just be about getting a degree, and there are many fun, exciting, and worthwhile things to do that the Union can provide and support.
- As well as dealing with faculty based interests, I’m also interested in student activity groups. One of the things I want to achieve this year is creating an Alumni sports day event where many different clubs can take part competing against alumni of their clubs.
What are your hobbies/ favourite activities?
I love climbing, playing cricket, watching cricket, real ale, cups of tea and getting out of the house.
Favourite music, films, books, food, holiday destinations, etc
My favourite books are good classic adventure stories, such as Don Quixote and The Three Musketeers. I also love all the old classics especially gothic horror. Dracula is just brilliant.
I mostly love old music especially, soul, blues, jazz, funk disco, anything that has rhythm.
What did you do before you came to University?
I didn’t come to University straight after leaving college. Oh no, no, no. I did something much more exciting. I worked in a carpet shop. However I worked hard and I saved up enough money to go travelling around South America for 4 months, and then I came back got another job and then went travelling around West Africa for 4 months. I had a great time meeting lots of fantastic people a long the way gaining incredible experiences and memories a long the way.
Emily Godfrey - Vice President for Science, Engineering and Environment
What course are you studying?
I studied a HND at undergraduate level in Media Production within the school of Media, music and Performance.
Describe yourself in one sentence
I’m usually most energetic during the early hours of the morning; I’m quite the night owl! And if I had my own way, my life would be one big never ending festival – the two things kind of go hand in hand.
Where you involved in the Union before?
Before I became a sabb I was involved in the RAG society and all the activities they had going on including a 5 week volunteering trip to Ghana. On my 3rd year I was elected as a member of their publicity committee. I also worked in Yours Bar for a year, which I loved as I made many new friends.
Why should students in your Faculty care who you are?
I think the new Faculty structure will open up the Students’ Union much more to students - now most students will be able to just walk down the corridor and speak with their faculty vice president. I will be a friendly and approachable face around the faculty, there to listen to and tackle any struggles students may be having.
What 3 things would you like to achieve this year as VP?
• NSS – taking the main weak areas of the faculty (i.e Assessment & Feedback) and together with staff members and students working on improving those areas. This is relevant to all students, and directly affects all of them. If improvements aren’t being made, then I’m not doing my job properly.
• Improving the relationship between SLR’s and course reps with the Students’ Union, bonding a healthy working relationship, and encouraging them to be active course reps/SLR’s, whilst in their lectures, on committee boards and out on campus etc.
• Encouraging lots more students to get involved in the union, who wouldn’t usually engage with us, postgraduates, part time students etc. I will do this by talking to lots of students, and asking them what they want us to provide for them, whether that’s having a bigger range in our union activities, or us marketing our events more suited towards them, i.e not using email, instead sending them our monthly newsletter etc.
What are your hobbies/favourite activities?
Typically everyone says music, but I really do enjoy my music so love going to gigs, festivals and clubs. I love film and documentaries, as a career I’d love to be a documentary film maker, dispatches style! If I have nothing planned on the weekend, I tend to grab the tent and venture off to the nearest field.
Favourite music, films, books, food, holiday destinations, etc
I have quite an eclectic taste in music; I like most things from indie to electro to breakbeats, though my favourite band has to be Yeah Yeah Yeahs. My top three favourite films are Requiem For A Dream, American History X, and Notebook.
Joe Kirwin - Vice President for the Faculty of Arts, Media and Social Sciences
What course are you studying?
I’m a 2nd year European Politics student
Describe yourself in one sentence
I’m the youngest, smallest cutest VP, who is madly in love Politics, the Rocky Horror Picture Show and his slippers.
Where you involved in the Union before?
Before I become VP I was the Chairman of the super cool Debate Society, apart from that I could often be found getting very squiffy in the PAV.
Why should students in your Faculty care who you are?
Arts, Media, and Social Sciences is the largest of the four faculties with 4 schools and the greatest variety of subjects. Whether you are studying Music, English, Languages, Art, Drama, Sociology or any of the other million subjects in AMSS, the Students’ Union is there to fight your corner. The Students Union is independent of the University, so if you ever have any problem with your course, academic issues, want to start up a new club or society or want to campaign on any issue I am the man to see. The SU has the advantage of being led by Students, so the majority of the time we can relate to your experience.
What 3 things would you like to achieve this year as VP?
It is very difficult to pick just 3 things I want to do this year, but will give it ago.
• I want to campaign on Environmental & ethical issues putting the Union’s environmental policy to work; and working on Fair Trade status.
• I shall work on building links with the Trade Unions related to AMSS students eg NUJ, Equity, Musicians Union, Writers Guild, BECTU in order to widen the opportunities available to students.
• And finally I want to get students voting and involved with how there University and City is ran. ROCK THE VOTE.
This list is by no means exclusive and the point of my job id to do what you want not what I want.
What is your favourite music, films, books, TV shows, holiday destinations?
Music: I am a big classic rock man; I also love any cheesy music. Films: August Rush, Land Before Time, Mary Poppins. TV Shows: West Wing, Yes Minister, New Statesman and Eastenders. Holiday destinations: The highlands of Scotland, anywhere in Europe and right here in sunny Salford.
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