121 VC: continue to hold our regular monthly meeting with the Vice-Chancellor, and our working relationship grows stronger and more positive over time. These meetings provide a valuable space to share detailed feedback and discuss improvements in an effective and constructive way. In February, I will be attending the University Council Board alongside a small group of students to discuss the future of our university, which I am very much looking forward to.
WIFI UPDATE: Wifinity carried out a full health check of the on-site network, identifying one area (Frost) that was not behaving as expected; however, this may not have impacted student connectivity and was resolved during the engineer’s visit. No issues were found across other locations in relation to speed, RSSI, latency, or the captive portal. To improve reporting, Wifinity has introduced a new leaflet with a QR code for students to contact them directly and will be piloting a troubleshooting form as an additional contact method, with a go-live date to be confirmed. If there are any ongoing concerns, students are encouraged to contact me or the Wifinity customer support team directly.
ADVANCE HE CONFERENCE: I attended the second session of the Student Governors programme run by Advance HE in London. The session was engaging and vibrant, and it provided a valuable opportunity to share experiences and express perspectives alongside other Students’ Union governors. The discussions focused on the impact we can collectively make within our institutions, and the session offered meaningful insight into strengthening student representation at governance level.
ACCOMODATION AND RENT: I have been closely involved in the recent accommodation audit, which progressed very smoothly. Alongside this, I have worked closely with the Accommodation team to ensure students are well supported around renters’ rights, particularly in light of the new changes coming into effect this year. The team is very keen to help students, including offering support with reviewing contracts and providing advice on renting-related issues. Please do not hesitate to reach out to them if you need any support or guidance.
REFRESHERS FAIR: It was great to meet so many new students at the Refreshers’ Fairs across Uxbridge and High Wycombe, and to see such a wide range of amazing stalls on offer. The atmosphere on both campuses was vibrant and energetic, with societies and student groups bringing real enthusiasm and creativity to the space, making it a welcoming and exciting experience for everyone involved.
OFS CONSUMER RIGHTS: The Office for Students (OfS) recently held a meeting focused on consumer rights in higher education. Some of the key issues raised included contract language being difficult to understand, inconsistencies in how universities and colleges structure their contracts, and challenges for students in locating key documents. I am keen to explore this area further and plan to launch a student survey later in the year to better understand these issues from a student perspective. The date for this is to be confirmed.