Welcome back another update of my 25/26 elected officer term. Each month, I will be aiming to provide an update about what I have been up to that month.
September has been busy with preparing those last few details and taking action for the academic year.
The beginning of the month played host to a sit down between the BSU’s Elected Officers and Senior Management Team with BNU’s University Strategy Group. This was a constructive discussion hearing what each individual in the room is working on, what their focuses are and how we can work collaboratively to improve the student experience. This session was a fantastic opportunity to update each other and also make suggestions and plans for how to proceed with the year.
All the Elected Officers also sat down with the Dean of Students and Deans and Associate Deans of the colleges. This was a useful discussion between all to hear how we can work together to ensure that students needs are met, and that feedback is being heard and actioned to ensure the best experiences. This also involved discussion regarding opportunities which are related to courses and also the student rep roles, where we have signposted to information on the website and relevant staff teams. We have also been invited into sessions to have a further in-depth discussion with students about how we can support the development of these opportunities.
We have been busy with the welcome weeks, inductions, and enrolment. From speaking to new students at the Big Conversation stations and Move-In Weekend but also during the activities and events taking place. I have also been into sessions explaining who we are as a Students’ Union explaining how to be involved as a student leader, to taking part in a recreational activity or also signing up to a society or club. I have done sessions on being a course rep and what that means for your university experience and also how it can support your employability! Over the year I will be out and about on the Uxbridge and Aylesbury campuses hosting activities and opportunities to meet others but also being visible so you can have chat or come say “Hi!”. If you have any ideas of sessions, or activities you’d like to do, please get in contact and we can look into this.
An update I can give for the quiet space and breastfeeding rooms are that they are being moved to the 3rd floor of the Uxbridge campus. There is still some work to be done around these spaces (e.g. moving the resources, facilities, and signage around the campus), but keep your eyes peeled for these changes and I will provide a full update when these are fully up and running. These changes have been brought forward thanks to your student feedback. Thank you to everyone who raised their feedback to see these changes actioned.
Have you heard about the community garden? “Rusty’s Retreat” is reaching even taller heights. We officially opened the garden on Thursday 25th September welcoming members from BSU trustee board, student leaders, staff and BNU’s senior management, to take part and see what we have been up to during the summer months. Thank you to the students and staff who volunteered their time helping with the construction of garden, whether that was building furniture, filling planters, or planting our crops, thank you for the time and attention you gave to the space, and we hope to you using the space more often. There is still much to get involved with, like more planting and the upkeep – the plants need a hydrating hero, we also need to do some painting in this space too. So, if you are interested in making your mark, or just wanted to get stuck in with the garden itself, get in touch with volunteering@bnu.ac.uk or bethany.jackson@bnu.ac.uk to learn how.
Using my areas of focus to guide the direction I aim to move in this year, I have been having conversations to put plans in place and work to achieve these.
For campus consistency, we have developed a program of activities to be taking place across the year (check out the What’s On page for the full list), we have been having ongoing discussion with the University’s estates team regarding power outlets, quiet spaces, breastfeeding room, and facilities around campus to support the student experience. Bucks Students’ Union have supplied a table tennis set up on the 3rd floor in Uxbridge (just pop down to our office on the 1st floor for the bats and balls), as well as cheaper meals deals, Rusty’s Refill Station – where you can buy household supplies, toiletries, and cooking essentials at a cheaper rate than the high street and supermarket equivalent. We are having discussions with the library team regarding resources and how can work with the university to support this.
For mental health and wellbeing advocacy, we have plans for World Mental Health Day (10th October) with wellbeing crafts, mindfulness activities and a visit from Betty the dog. There are also plans for Time to Talk Day (5th February 2026), and University Mental Health Day (12th March 2026) just to name a few. We are also collaborating with the Student Hub and Mental Health Provision Teams to plan wellbeing events across the year. We are also having meetings and discussions to develop support and guidance available and how students can access and find this information too.
For academic experience, I have been having meetings and discussion about several areas of this topic, particularly around academic integrity. I’ve have been involved in discussions with the chair about the current policy undergoing a review and how we can support guidance on this, and areas mentioned. In particular, we have raised areas concerns around artificial intelligence and the guidance that is shared with students, from the discussions this guidance is being explored, adapted and updated to ensure that this is clear for student uses. This conversation was positive and is being explored at higher level within the university structure. I will provide more information as we receive the updates. If you have any queries or want to share your feedback, please email surepresentation@bnu.ac.uk.
As mentioned within my areas of focus, we have an activities calendar planned for the year for activities taking place on campus – check the What’s On page for the full program, read on to see what’s in store for the next month.
Taking place at Uxbridge we have:
Taking place in Aylesbury we:
If you have any ideas for sessions that you’d like to see or want to run a session, please get in contact by emailing bethany.jackson@bnu.ac.uk. Check out the What’s on page for recreational activities happening in the local area as well!
That concludes another monthly update, be sure to check out our socials (@bucksstudentsunion and @buckssuvpew_au) for any quick updates and to see the day-to-day announcement.
As always, if you need anything please reach out.
Until next month,
Bethany