My Diary This Week...

Writing blogs on specific campaigns and events and a half page Guild Council report doesn't really give you an idea of what I get up to on a day to day basis.
I've been looking at the way officers in other unions use their blogs and am going to trial publishing my diary on a weekly basis- highlighting key meetings and activities, or things that may be of interest.

Monday 9th-
->Updated Guild of Students Facebook group (part of our wider communication strategy and something I do every Monday morning)
->Set up stalls for PCT and prepared leaflets and condoms for sexual health week volunteers to distribute throughout the week
-> We had our termly meeting with Emily Cannon- our regional organiser
-> 1 2 1 with Mentor Scheme Co-ordinator, discussed use of the web in the future of the scheme
-> 1 2 1 with CEO followed by GOG in the evening, where we discussed progress on mandates from previous meetings of GC, upcoming motions
-> After GOG stayed later to prepare for an academic hearing on Wednesday

Tuesday 10th-
N.B- Student Loans Consultancy Board and F1 Neighbourhood Meeting (Police) were both scheduled to take place today but were cancelled due to the snow. This freed up time to catch up on emails, which was very much needed!
-> 1 2 1 with Jobzone manager, caught up on progress with on campus agency, including briefing regarding upcoming meeting with University and feedback from student staff working group, and a briefing on the new student staff forum
-> Out on campus talking to students about upcoming officer elections, handing out nomination packs and chocolate!
-> Attended candidates meeting- spoke to a number of prospective candidates about being an officer
-> Started to write agenda, and made arrangements for the second meeting of the Equality and Diversity Committee- 6th March

Wednesday 11th-
-> Represented a student in an academic case
-> Welfare Practitioners Forum at the University
-> 30 minute catch up with WMANUS convenor, updated her on Guild campaigns and arranged free transport to the Parliamentary Lobby on the 18th of March (email Tom Marley for info)
-> Student Development and Support Forum at the University
-> Meeting to discuss Job Evaluation (part of my role as Chair of the Guild HR and Renumeration Committee)
-> Attended Annual Police Dinner for HE reps- was awarded a certificate of thanks =]

Thursday 12th-
-> Attended Student Parents Research Launch, was invaluable in the Student Parents Strategy that I have started work on.
-> Left the Launch briefly to drop in on the Guild Diversity Group (for staff)
-> Sexual Health Week -> Thursday Therapy at Shakleton

Friday 13th-
-> Started to plan a "GOATING" (Go Out and Talk) strategy for the officer group (as part of our wider communication strategy) and prepared questions on the Nightbus for "GOATING" purposes once "GOATING ABOUT VOTING" is over
-> Meeting with IT staff to outline proposals for Mentor Scheme and the website (as discussed in 1 2 1 earlier in the week)
-> Set up for a representative from HGL as a part of Sexual Health Week
-> Met with a rep from Be Sure regarding plans for meeting Chlamydia testing targets for the student population in Birmingham
-> Briefing on Papers and documents for an appeal to Council, for which I am on the panel
-> Multicultural Week meeting with interested students, to moot ideas for the event. Further work on the MCW briefing document which I hope will be completed next week!

Nightbus

COMING SOON

=]

Annual Leave

I'm using the opportunity of free wifi in Vancouver airport to catch up on my blogs..

I have taken annual leave for the past week and visited my friend on her year abroad in Canada. It was great to take time out of the office and chill out a bit.

I stayed at the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver with my friend. Whilst there, I couldn't resist but check out ams-> the student union (sad act I know).

I thought I'd share some of the stuff I am hoping to bring to the Guild from my visit.

-> Elections... ams were running their annual exec elections while I was there. It was really interesting to watch and it would appear that campaigning is pretty similar either side of the pond. I picked up some new ideas though, and I will be catching up with Hannah about how they promoted the election, in addition for some campaigning techniques for this years campaign training.

-> Vancouver/Whistler are set to host the 2o10 winter olympics... the student union are doing a lot to ensure that students in Vancouver are able to get involved and utilise the opportunity. I will be catching up with Sparky about these initiatives for him to pass on to his successor.

->Women's/Student Safety Schemes... there were a number of safety scheme for students on campus, some specifically for women. I will be doing some research and having some meetings about establishing similar stuff here so more on that later.

Anyway I'm happy to be back- sorry if anyone has tried to be in touch while I've been out.

Money Flushed Away- REDUCE HALL FEES

On the 26th of January we saw students taking direct action against the ridiculously high hall fees imposed by the University.

The march took place across campus to deliver a petition signed by over 2000 members of the Guild of Students. I spent a lot of time last week helping with preparations for the campaign.

This included door knocking halls of residence- I visited Elgar Court, Aitken Wing, Tennis Courts and Victoria Halls. I also created the e peition and Facebook event, in addition to making calls to gain media coverage.

I did a bit of banner painting and placard making as well (and spilt purple paint over my new trousers (gutted.)

The march was a big success... it was great to see the number of students prepared to come out and campaign. There were some brilliant chants led by key activists in the campaign and the atmosphere was fantastic. Ed Marsh from NUS came along to the event to show his support and I know was very impressed with the level of enthusiasm displayed.

Well done everyone who got involved!

Local MP supports the campaign here
Coverage from the Birmingham Post here
Coverage from the Birmingham Mail here
Coverage from Kerrang Radio here (go to afternoon/drive with Kate Lawler and listen out for the news bulletins)
NUS Coverage of the event here

On Campus Agency Update

Back in November (?) Guild Council I put a motion to support the establishment of a Guild run Job Agency.

We have been working hard to make this a reality and a model has been agreed and will be written into next years budget.

Students will apply to the agency through Jobzone recruitment, and will be trained courtesy of the Guild. A new member of staff in Jobzone will be responsible for finding these students temporary work. All of the employers will have to go through an accreditation process in order to recruit through the agency, will be subject to continuous scrutiny and will be expected to be demonstrably responsive to our feedback.

To begin with, we are going to trial the model with on campus jobs, and as the agency develops there will be scope for external employers too. Hopefully everything will be good to go in September so look out for it next freshers!

Walk in Health Centre - VICTORY

Manifesto promise: "to promote the ongoing campaign for a sexual health clinic on campus or in Selly Oak".

I have mentioned a few times both in my blogs and my Guild Council reports my progress with this promise, and how I have been lobbying the PCT to address sexual health provisions for students at the University of Birmingham, either on campus or in Selly Oak.

The PCT have now officially announced the opening of a walk in centre in Selly Oak for June 2009!

This centre will operate 8am-8pm 7 days a week and provide GP and Nurse services, in addition to bookable apppointments for both registered and unregistered patients.
The centre will also offer sexual health services, including emergency contraception, referrals and testing.

NUS Extraordinary Conference Take 2

This note isn't the first to go up about EC2... and I'm pretty sure it won't be the last.

Birmingham sent 17 delegates to conference, on a mandate to vote in favour of NUS reform proposals. I'm happy to say that they passed with an overwhelming majority.

More on Worker's Rights...

Check out the mentor website here

Merry Christmas

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Electing the New RAs

This week saw the election of the Residents Associations for 2008/09. For weeks Hannah and Oggy have been working hard to get students in halls to run in the elections and this week came the VOTE.

It was a very exciting and long week for all- I helped out by manning the ballot station in Tennis Courts on Thursday night (the ballot was open from 6pm until 9.30pm and it was freezing cold! =[).

I also spent most of Friday counting ballots- which was exciting- especially because we had to conduct two coin tosses- but also made me slightly "snow blind"

Tonight was the best part of all though- the results! Candidates and guests gathered in the Great Hall to hear the results, and listen to speeches from the outgoing RAs and some of the Guild Officer Group.

I'm really excited to meet all of the new RAs properly next week, on the residential training weekend!
Congratulations to all of you. Being on a resident's association is very rewarding and I wish you every luck in the year ahead.

Thank you also to the outgoing RAs. You have worked very hard, with passion, and made a very real difference to the lives of your students. I don't know what we would have done without you. Can't wait to see you all move on to bigger and better things.

World Aids Day II

The Guild activity for World Aids Day went ahead today and was a massive success.

We had loads of interest in the event, from students to the local PCT and even coverage from ITV, which can be viewed here (how very exciting)

Along with Emma O'Dwyer the LGBTQO and some amazing volunteers- Ed, Johnny and Alex mwah- I spent the day giving out condoms (we gave out THOUSANDS), literature on HIV transmission and testing, and red ribbons so students could wear a ribbon in order to mark World Aids Day.

We also ran an impromtu mini bucket shake in honour of Terrance Higgins Trust and managed to raise around £90.

World Aids Day

Along with Emma, the LGBTQO I spent a lot of time on Friday preparing for World Aids Day.

This basically meant spending HOURS putting condoms into bags to give out as a part of the sexual health drive we will be conducting on Monday and sorting out all of the advertising materials and literature.

It was no mean feat and I would like to thank Emma for dedicating so much time to this.

Come along on Monday- we will have a stall outside of the Spar where you can get free condoms and information on safe sex.

We will also be giving away red ribbons, so that you can show your support for World Aids Day, and doing a collection for Terrance Higgins Trust.

Sexual Health Provisions in Birmingham- we are finally winning!

More progress on the sexual health campaign... hurrah!

It seems that the pressure has finally paid off, and that student demands on sexual health services in the city are finally being listened to!

Birmingham now has strategy on improving sexual health, and today I received a report written by Birmingham Primary Care Trusts (PCT) in conjunction with city council, regarding their five year plan for the city sexual health services. (Oh dear, I can't believe how excited I am getting about this!)

The five year plan is really progressive, and includes

-a range of routine services available locally and then central venues in each PCT area.
-these services must be located in places with good public transport links
-these services will have extended opening hours
(Birmingham has 3 PCT areas, so this would mean that services would be more local and easier access)

-increased levels of services within communities, some examples given include testing and treatment of uncomplicated STIs, contraception and pregnancy testing and advice.

-services available from both personal GPS and GP led health centres

- 48 hour appointment for specialist sexual health centres

- a city wide website and phoneline for public use

To contribute to this strategy click here go to "get involved" and then click "consultations"

Reclaim the Night

Saturday 22nd of November was the 5th anniversary of the national Reclaim the Night March.

There are an estimated 47,000 rapes every year, around 40,000 attempted rapes and over 300,000 sexual assaults (BCS). Yet our conviction rate is the lowest it has ever been, one of the lowest in Europe, at only 5.3%.
I went along to march and show my support, as these are issues that I come across in both my role generally, and in casework and ones that I feel particularly passionate about.

"The Reclaim The Night marches started in the UK in the 1970s. Marches took place in Leeds, Manchester, Bristol, London and many other cities. The Reclaim the Night marches became even more significant when, in following years, a man called Peter Sutcliffe began murdering prostitute women in and around Leeds. Feminists in the area were angry that the police response to these murders was slow and that the press barely reported on them. It seemed that it was only when young student women began to fall victim to this serial killer that the police started to take the situation seriously. Their response was to warn all women not to go out at night. This was not a helpful suggestion for any woman, let alone for those women working in prostitution who often had no choice about whether they worked at night or not. Feminists and a variety of women’s and student groups were angered by this response. So they organised a resistance of torch-lit marches and demonstrations — they walked in their hundreds through the city streets at night to highlight that they should be able to walk anywhere and that they should not be blamed or restricted because of male violence.

Over the years the marches evolved to focus on rape and male violence generally, giving women one night when they could feel safe to walk the streets of their own towns and cities.

Today we walk for the same reasons. Because we still have not got these rights; because women are still blamed for rape and male violence. An ICM poll commissioned by Amnesty International in 2005 found that over one third of the British public surveyed believed that women were sometimes wholly or partly to blame if they were raped, for example if they had been drinking, if they flirted or dressed outrageously.

Today we march, as so many women have done before us to say that we are NEVER to blame for rape and male violence. Those men who choose to commit these crimes are to blame. We march today to demand our right to live without the fear or reality of rape and male violence, we demand an end to male violence against women, we take back this night to win the day."

The Wolverhampton Great HE Funding Debate

I was invited to the Great HE Funding Debate in Wolverhampton and attended as a panellist.

I spoke on a panel with the a pro VC and the Dean of Students, which was pretty scary. Our topic was "Should Universities be looking for funding from outside the box- i.e business contributions, graduate tax etc" and to summarise I argued this-

-> In the current top up fee system the contribution of the individual is too high. This contribution could outweigh the contribution of the state if the £3000 cap on fees is lifted, and it is a massive financial risk to take with no guarantee of success or graduate premium. Rather than being a sound financial investment, tuiton fees are becoming more like an overpriced lottery ticket.

-> For these reasons a future funding system must ensure two things- that the focus is moved away from the individual student to contribute to their tuition, and that any individual contribution must be relative.

-> The business sector benefits greatly from a profit enhancing graduate workforce, and therefore must take some responsibility in funding higher education.

-> Those who earn more should pay more. The contribution that you make to higher education must be proportional to your benefit. I argued for a fixed rate graduate tax, to be paid off for a period of time following graduation (subject to a minimum salary)

.... to be continued