Issue 145

Meet The Sabbs

25th September 2006

They're your elected representatives, and they're here to make sure your voices are heard with the powers that be up in the abbey. Meet the Sabbs, as they describe their roles and what they can do for you.

Owen says...

First off well done for picking up a copy of the Student Newspaper – you have no idea how important it is to actually get involved with the Student Union. When I moved into Swansea 3 years ago, looking back I have had such an experience here at this University and achieved so much. In that time I have made so many friends and helped out so many people form all over the world.

Being thrown into Uni life was absolutely crazy but thinking back has been the most exciting experience I have ever had. I had no idea what the Student President was let alone who they were and I would never have guessed I'd become an elected representative for almost 15,000 students, with an office, fridge and huge comfy sofa! So come up if you got 5 minutes in between your lectures, just to stop by for a coffee and a cookie and tell me how your day is going!

This year I'll be working hard to ensure all the students have a strong voice in university meetings through to national campaigns. If you want to get involved with the way the Student Union is run and operated then drop me an email or come along to the Student general Meetings. I work in the sabbatical offices on the third floor of Fulton House – we are kinda hidden away so make a point of finding us.

I will meet and talk to as many of you as possible to make sure you're having an awesome time at Swansea – you'll see me everywhere! I'll be getting out and about to hear what you have to say and how your student life is going. Any comments, complaints or ideas - I'm the one to see - yet another reason to come up and see me and rock out in my office!

Contact the Student President

e-mail: president@swansea-union.co.uk

Presidential hotline: on 01792 295468

Kylie says...

Even if you are coming to the United Kingdom for a short period of study or longer, it can be very daunting, but I am here to bring you together and help you integrate into life here in Swansea. I want your stay here at Swansea University to be an enjoyable and educational experience. As the SU International Students Officer I have the opportunity to speak on behalf of international students and represent the diverse group of students at Swansea that come from overseas to the university and also giving them support as they study here in the UK. As the international students officer I have the chance to sit on some University committees and represent international students' views, and make sure that international students are being catered for within the University and the local community. I also run campaigns of both local and national issues including visas and integration.

I am also responsible for ensuring that International Students are warmly welcomed and, therefore, have organised socialising events throughout the year starting with the SU International welcome evening on the 11th October in club DV8, giving students the opportunity to meet new people and have a good time. Feel free at any time to pop in to the office with any questions for me and I will try my very best to help you. Remember that wherever you are from I am here to support you and represent you.

I am one of six Sabbatical Officers and as a team we want to continuously improve the Students Union and make sure that students have a fantastic, problem-free time here at University. I really look forward to meeting with you and seeing you at the socialising events that I have put on especially for the International Students and all the other events throughout the year.

Miles says...

Hey guys, I am your welfare officer for the up and coming year. Welfare is now a position in its own right, and I am here to offer support on any welfare concerns you may encounter, whilst actively raising awareness of other welfare related matters including both mental and sexual health, accommodation, and many other issues. I will be working alongside the 5 other sabbatical officers to make sure you have an awesome problem-free time at Uni. Remember FREE CONDOMS are available from our offices. These are located at the end of the 3rd floor of Union house (above our Level 2 shop)

As a little preview here are a couple of the Welfare priority campaigns for 2006/07 and their logos. Keep a look out, as you shall be seeing these throughout the year. Hopefully there shall also be a few fun events to compliment the campaigns and get you involved.

Sex Safety - An important issue for students as you probably well know. Be prepared to be shocked by some not so pretty facts about sex on our posters in the Students' Union venues and look out for the 'Love Chicken' at an event near you as he can provide you with FREE CONDOMS.

Healthy Living - Covering Mental, Social and Physical Health, this is our overarching campaign covering many areas which I am planning to campaign on this year, such as the Sex Safety Campaign below and other topics concerning healthy eating and regular exercise.

Chugga says...

Hello, I'm Stuart "Chugga" Jones and I'm the Education Officer for the forthcoming year. My role is to represent the academic needs and issues of students, to ensure they get the quality of education they deserve. I am one of six student reps (sabbatical officers) and as a team, we want to continuously improve the students union. Any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me by email educationofficer@swansea-union.co.uk or you can find us on the 3rd floor of union house, just above the level two student shop.

One of my main objectives this year is the setting up and running of course representatives. A course representative is a student elected to represent the issues of fellow students on their course. They are elected within each university department and brought together for a course reps assembly, which is set up for Wednesday 25th October. Becoming a course rep looks very good on your CV, so if you are interested in becoming one, contact your department at the beginning of term, or contact me with any questions.

There will be a campaign march against top up fees on Sunday 29th October in London. This is a national demo organized by NUS named 'Admission impossible'. I have arranged buses to leave the university (Fulton house) at 6am on the day, so I urge you to get involved! There will be far more detail on our website www.swansea-union.co.uk and we will be promoting the events from freshers week.

I hope you are looking forward to freshers as much as we are and I hope you will join us in the many fresher's events that are taking place. Im a huge fan of live music and I think The Used are the greatest band on earth! This year, Swansea promises an influx of live acts so keep checking our ents department for updates. See you in freshers and my best advice would be, get involved!!!!

Emma says...

Hi, I'm Emma and I'm your Women's Officer. I'm here to represent female students and raise awareness of the issues that directly or indirectly affect them; to encourage and ensure representation whilst ensuring discrimination doesn't occur by making sure our equal opportunity policies are upheld, internally within the SU and University and externally through national committees and Organisation. I also work to raise awareness about issues both political and welfare related, which directly affect female students.

I provide Free attack alarms and pregnancy test for £2, these are available from me at the Sabb offices on Level 3 student Union Building.

Self defence classes for women will be kicking off on the 12th October, to coincide with my student safety campaign. Another element of this campaign is Drinking spiking, which will be commence at the Fresher's ball, where bottle stopper will be provided. Drink spiking will be a hot issue this year with an ever growing raise in incidences.

October will also see the launch of my Breast cancer awareness campaign. There are several events going on throughout the month; starting with a bra measuring service on Wednesday 11th October in the colonnade room Fulton House. There is also the annual Pinkathon and a friendship walk. All these events will be raising money for the charity Breast Cancer Campaign. Keep your eyes open for these worthwhile events.

Sex safety is a priority campaign with Sabbs this year. The number of STIs in young adults is raising and this is why it has listed high on our agenda. The SU provide free condom and lube which are available from the Sabb offices and the SU advice centre.

Look out for many more campaigns throughout the year. I look forward to meeting you all and hope you have a great time in Swansea.

Owen says...

Hi, my name is Owen Morris and I am your Treasurer for this year. My job is to look after how union money is spent, and to ensure top quality union services and work with societies so that they are able to meet the needs of their members. Societies offer a wonderful opportunity for people to make new friends and share their hobbies and passions with like minded people and I want to help them provide a friendly, sociable service to those who choose to join them.

Over the coming year I hope to raise greater awareness of the students' union as students do not realise what their a part of and that there are people around who can help them personally and socially on all kinds of issues and levels such as entertainment and/or student services. I want to get out there amongst the student body on a regular basis and be recognisable and approachable. In short I want to enhance the student experience because, no matter how good Swansea University Student Union is, we are always looking to improve the ways that we can help you.

For all the freshers who join us this week I would just like to tell them not to be afraid of meeting new people (and be tolerant of them) or getting out there and doing new things. As I mentioned earlier one of the best ways of doing this is to join as many societies as you can. Myself and the rest of the Sabbatical team are here to help all students at this university and we are committed to helping you enjoy your time here. Our message is simply not to worry about anything and if you need our help we will be here to help you.

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