What happened to August?!

Wow, it’s been too long since I have written one of these - over a month now and the time has been flying by. So what have I been up to over this busy periodthat has left me unable to write a blog to keep you all informed, I hear you ask!
 
Well let's start at the beginning: the first three weeks of August I spent my time at various training events held by NUS in London and Sheffield. These events focused on different skills related to how I can best represent you and improve the student experience at UCS. Specifically, the courses were 'Active Political Leadership', 'Developing Your Members' and 'Action Through Advocacy'. After that, I returned to something like “normality” (the Union office).
 
Being back at the office involved writing a batch of information for new students; creating and organising orientation presentations - including who/where/when they'll be delivered across the Learning Network centres and in Ipswich; helping the staff finalise plans for Freshers’ Week; Freshers’ Fair; hosting an Executive Committee briefing day to look at what's planned and to discuss some pressing issues for the upcoming year; attend a Union staff training day; giving numerous quotes and discussions on articles for the new Union newspaper; developing and discussing new Union policies; and, alongside all of this, trying to deal with the ever-changing environment around us in Campus North which is under development. (More to follow on this at a later date...)
 
Alongside all of this, we still have ongoing on-campus issues to deal with such as parking (again), printing (again), timetabling (again) and bursaries (again). These topics always seem to be pretty much sorted and then they raise their ugly little heads again and start causing grief! I could probably write a short book on these but this is a blog and meant to be a summary of what's going on! I'll write more about item as we develop/resolve them throughout the year.
 
Of course, if I've forgotten anything please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments or issues. su.president@ucs.ac.uk or 07595 002850.