Thursday 04-04-2019 - 10:00

It's been another busy term for our officers and networks! Here are just a few of the highlights...

Welcoming in the new year with Refreshers...

It seems like a while ago now, but back in January we hosted a week of Refreshers giving you the opportunity to take part in a range of different events.

Union Affairs Officer Stanford, and Sport and Student Development Officer Ginny, also worked with SU staff to ensure a successful refreshers fair.

 

Reforming the University’s approach to sexual violence…

Our ELA Officer Sally has been working with the University’s Pro-Vice Chancellor Judith Squires to improve the University’s approach to tackling sexual violence and supporting survivors.

This term Sally succeeded in bringing in LimeCulture, a national sexual violence and safeguarding organisation, to review and reform sexual violence policy and practice across the organisation.

 

Building Communities through Sport…

Our Sports and Student Development Officer Ginny oversaw Varsity Week, and the relaunch of the Varsity series, with over 5,000 students, staff, alumni and the local community coming together to participate, volunteer or spectate.

This year’s series focuses on community participation and integration and will see Bristol’s two Universities team up with a major city event - the Simplyhealth Great Bristol 10K.

We also saw the greatest Ignition yet, as our Sports Network united 28 sports clubs from across the University to take part in 10 hour challenges, raising over £5000 so far for Above & Beyond’s Charity Appeal for Mental Health services in Bristol.

 

Narrowing the BME Attainment Gap…

Our BME Network have been working with UG Education Officer Nasra, Equalities Officer Sally, and the University’s Student Inclusion Team, to introduce the BME Success Advocates programme.

The University has now introduced paid roles for BME student advocates. These students will provide consultation and help to develop curricula, events and services. This will improve the academic experience for BME students.

 

Making Careers Inclusive…

 Bristol SU and University of Bristol Careers Service collaborated on Equality and Diversity Careers Week.  Equalities Officer Sally and UG Education Officer Nasra helped develop a week of events to explore your future career.

The week focused on overcoming the barriers that people from liberation groups face starting out in the workplace. Student Living Officer Vanessa Wilson also hosted an event on getting into the creative industry.

 

Fighting Period Poverty…

The SU has teamed up with Unite, UCU and Unison to trial providing free sanitary products on campus. Free products can now be found in the Balloon Bar and on the 3rd floor of Senate House – in all bathrooms.

We will be using the data gathered from this to lobby the University to provide free sanitary products for all students!

 

Celebrating Diverse Cultures…

Bristol SU’s International Students’ Network and Postgraduate Education Officer Shubham teamed up with a range of cultural societies to bring you a festival of food and performance.

Global Carnival was a celebration of the things that make Bristol SU such an amazing place to be – diverse cultures and communities, student talent and delicious free food!

 

Looking out for postgraduates in halls…

Under pressure from our Postgraduate Officer Shubham, the University has now committed to adjusting the deadlines of postgraduate dissertations so that PG students in halls will no longer have to hand in their dissertations after their tenancies in halls expire. 

 

Addressing the isolation of first year…

The SU Living Room has bloomed into a space for students to socialise and escape from the stress of deadlines, with regular student-led drop-in events dedicated to student wellbeing.

Most recently, a first year suggested and co-created an event to combat loneliness and isolation amongst first year students. Alone in the Crowd saw first years come together in the Living Room to talk about their experiences and struggles when settling into University life, and to socialise and meet new friends.

 

Reviewing our Support for Trans Students…

Equalities Officer Sally has set up a Supporting Trans Students Advisory Group to review how the SU supports trans students and create a coordinated approach. Sally is also working with the Trans Network to plan a trans awareness campaign - keep an eye out for this next term!

 

Find out more about how Bristol SU supports you: www.bristolsu.org.uk/impact