PRESIDENT UPDATE APRIL-MAY-JUNE
INTERNATIONAL STRATEGY GROUP
At the International Strategy Group, we discussed ways to improve the experience of our international students and make Bucks an even more welcoming place to study. We talked about current projects, future plans and how we can continue supporting international students both academically and socially. I'll keep working to make sure international students' voices are heard as these plans develop.
WIFI
We're continuing to work closely with Wifinity to improve the Wi-Fi experience for students living in university accommodation. We've been raising the issues students have reported and pushing for improvements to reliability and connectivity. Thank you to everyone who has shared their feedback—it really helps us make the case for change, and we'll keep you updated as progress is made.
FROGMOOR REVIEW
Me and Erin continuing to work with Buckinghamshire Council on the Frogmoor Review, with important conversations around student safety still ongoing. Making sure students feel safe on and around campus remains a priority, and we're continuing to raise feedback and work with the Council to identify improvements. I'll keep you updated as these discussions progress.
1-2-1 WITH DAMIAN
I recently had a one-to-one meeting with the Vice-Chancellor, where we discussed the key issues affecting students and the priorities for the year ahead. It was a valuable opportunity to raise student feedback, share ideas and strengthen our partnership with the University to ensure the student voice continues to shape important decisions.
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
I attended the Health and Wellbeing Committee, where we discussed ways to continue improving the support available to students. We talked about current wellbeing initiatives, shared student feedback and explored new ideas to help create a healthier, more supportive University experience for everyone.
STUDENT EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
At the Student Experience Committee, the Sabbatical Officer team shared a presentation about everything we've been working on this year. We highlighted our biggest projects, celebrated some of our achievements and talked about the difference we've been making for students. It was a great chance to show the impact of the Students' Union and share what's coming next.
UNION AWARDS
The Union Awards were a fantastic evening celebrating the incredible achievements of our students. It was inspiring to see so many people recognised for the positive impact they've made across our university community. A huge congratulations to all of the nominees and winners and thank you to everyone who helps make Bucks Students' Union such a great place to be.
UNIVERSITY COUNCIL
At the latest University Council meeting, I made sure your voices were heard by bringing student feedback directly to the University's senior leaders. We talked about the issues that matter most to students, looked at plans for the future and discussed how we can keep improving life at Bucks. I'll continue making sure your experiences and ideas are represented where the biggest decisions are made.
DSA
I'm continuing to support students around the future of Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). I've contacted the High Wycombe MP to discuss the Government's proposals and the importance of protecting DSA funding. I'm also working closely with the University's Head of Inclusion and Disability to make sure students' voices are heard and that we continue to advocate for the support students need.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH PLANNING
Planning for Black History Month is well underway, and I'm excited to be working closely with the African Society to make this year's celebrations bigger and better. We're putting together a range of events and activities that celebrate Black culture, history and achievements while creating opportunities for students to come together, learn and have fun. I can't wait to share more with you soon!
UNION VISITS
Last month, we visited the Students' Unions at Loughborough and Nottingham Trent to learn more about their work and share ideas. It was a great opportunity to see different approaches to supporting students and delivering services. Their Sabbatical Officers were incredibly welcoming, and it was valuable to exchange experiences and take away ideas that could help enhance the student experience at Bucks Students' Union.
HIGH WYCOMBE PRIDE
It was fantastic to be part of High Wycombe Pride and celebrate our amazing LGBTQ+ community. The event was full of positivity, inclusivity and community spirit, and it was great to meet so many students, staff and local residents throughout the day. We're proud to support events like this that help create a welcoming environment where everyone can be themselves.
SUMMER STAFF DAY
Our Summer Staff Day was a brilliant way to kick off the launch of our new Strategic Plan. The whole Students' Union team took part in fun and interactive activities that helped us work together, share ideas and get excited about what's ahead. It was a great day full of positive energy, and we're looking forward to putting our plans into action to make the student experience even better.
OPEN DAY
Our recent Open Day was a fantastic success, with a great atmosphere across campus. It was amazing to meet and speak with so many prospective students and their families, answering questions and sharing what makes our university community so special. The energy throughout the day was vibrant, and it was inspiring to see so much excitement from those considering joining us in the future.
CHIEF STUDENT EXPERIENCE OFFICER
I recently caught up with Libby Homer to discuss current priorities and opportunities to improve the student experience. It was a really positive conversation, giving us the chance to share ideas, discuss ongoing projects and explore how we can continue working together to support students across the University.
NEW OFFICERS INDUCTION
It was great to welcome our newly elected Officers, Julia, Akhil and Feba, as they began their induction. Over the past few days, they've been getting to know the Students' Union, meeting key staff and learning more about their roles. They're full of enthusiasm and fresh ideas, and I'm excited to see the positive impact they'll have for students throughout the year.
NEW PROJECT
I'm pleased to share that a proposal for a new International Student Bursary has now been developed. This is an exciting step towards providing additional financial support for international students and helping to make studying at Bucks more accessible. I'll continue working with the University as the proposal progresses, and I look forward to sharing further updates.
PARKING
I'm pleased to share that we're finally close to finalising a new parking system for our Uxbridge campus. The new system is expected to launch in September, just in time to welcome our new and returning students. Alongside this, I'm continuing to work with the University to explore opportunities to expand parking capacity at both the High Wycombe and Uxbridge campuses, helping to improve access and make parking easier for students.
MOVEMBER
This November, we'll be bringing Movember to campus to raise awareness of men's health and wellbeing. We're planning some great events and activities, but we'd love to hear your ideas too! If there's something you'd like to see, get involved with, or help organise, please get in touch with me. Let's work together to make this year's Movember campaign fun, engaging and meaningful for everyone.
LAPTOP SCHEME
We're continuing to work on plans for a new laptop scheme as part of our wider efforts to tackle digital poverty and improve digital skills. Ongoing conversations with the University are exploring ways to make technology more accessible, while also helping students build the digital skills they need to succeed during their studies and beyond. More updates will be shared as the project develops.
SENATE
At the latest Senate meeting, I made sure the student voice was heard by raising key issues affecting our community. This included concerns about the move to 9am teaching, which could have a significant impact on commuting students, parents, carers and others with additional responsibilities. I also highlighted matters relating to the Aylesbury campus, ensuring that the experiences and needs of students across all campuses continue to be represented in University discussions.
TRUSTEE BOARD
Our latest Trustee Board meeting was a great opportunity to review the progress we've made and discuss the priorities for the year ahead. We had positive conversations about key projects, governance and how we can continue improving the student experience. It's encouraging to see everyone working together to make sure the Students' Union continues to grow and deliver for all students.