You said - I did Part 1 (November)

 

Hi Course reps!!

 

Many of you have been sending me emails regarding issues at campuses and in lectures, I have been addressing them and taking action! Soooooo, I thought it would be a good idea to chuck everything I have been doing into a newsletter email thing!

Just a reminder these are based on emails I have been sent personally, or people have talked to me about, so if you sent something to the SU inbox and it’s not mentioned here it’s because it has not been forwarded to me!

I was made aware that prices will be increased at upper quays to the same price as Blackfriars, yet the quality remains the same. Alongside a course rep we are working to make a document compiling statements and photos of upper quays to show the university the quality of it and that the price rise does not match.

I would really appreciate if you add to it here!

A concern was raised about safety, back door of a flat and the gate to get inside the accommodation is unlocked, which is against the tenancy agreement. Following this I will be going down to Blackfriars and have a look at bringing it up to the owner of Blackfriars, as this is a safety concern.

A concern was raised about the lack of an N bus effecting students with disabilities and those from Saint Pauls. I try meet regularly  with stagecoach so if you or people on your course are effected please let me know! There is strength in numbers, if we can prove many people need that bus they will hopefully re-instate it. 

 

I’ve had some course reps mention that A LOT is falling on their shoulders, lectures making them responsible for other student’s wellbeing. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE to me. If this is happening to you, please get in touch and I will aim to resolve it with your lecturer.

The printer cannot be moved out of the room due to the fact there is no plug sockets for it. The head of estates has said she will include plugs for it in the spec for phase 2.  

There is no signs on the monitors or printers yet because the person responsible has been on sick leave for more than a week, Julie (Head of estates) is following up asking someone else to do it.

Julie said there SHOULD be sanitary bins in EVERY bathroom. She followed up with me saying there was an issue with the supplier, the sanitary bins should all be in pace now. 

Bins in lecture room wise, Julie said they don't have the budget for it. To compromise she will be walking around to look at the placement of them and get them more effectively spaced out. 

Moving the couches upstairs is unlikely, but Julie will be ordering more couches and seating to go upstairs. 

Julie completely gets it and the whole reason for the rule downstairs is because its public space and connects to the public library, so the uni is trying to align the rules with the library for consistency. (AKA the library doesn't want people eating in the library so is asking uni to not have people eating in that public space) 

I did push back but the plan is that the uni is going to stick with it FOR NOW and monitor and review.

Best thing we can do is 1. Keep the complaints coming! 2. Eat in that space! 

The vending machine is externally managed and the person who manages the contract will look at it to see if we can get more stock in them, so people are not getting coins in envelopes back.

I talked to Julie about having hot food pop ups, from cafes and restaurants in the local community. Julie has to check insurance and with the health and safety manager to see if we can do this. I will be in the loop so I will give updates.

Top of the estates worry list – reason it's taken so long is that it has been a battle with the builders of the building. They are arguing is it the uni or the builders that are responsible. The uni has decided that they will just pay for it. An engineer will be coming to look at the doors in the week. Hopefully fix them!

 

There is a limited number of microwaves on Oxstalls, Julie has ordered more and they will be accompanying where the existing Microwaves are! I’m going to also make a microwave map!

So, there's a few reasons they had to close it.

First, this year there are more students than ever on Oxstalls campus that will be using the library, which means they needed to make more study spaces, therefor they converted the room into a study space. 

Second, the room was being abused, people were hiding in it overnight, people were brining sleeping bags and duvets to sleep in it, which is not what is was for.

Third, there was some intimidation from groups and many women said they felt uncomfortable as there was a group who made the global room not a safe place.

An email/ news letter went out from UoG regarding the Future of FCH, we know this is worrying for a lot of you, but its best to keep in mind they are not selling right now! They are looking at options and actually want to ask students want they think.

To aid the cause we our SVCO Maise has created a survey that should have gone out to all ACLS that you SHOULD have been shown in class (if not please let me know) this will be sent to Uni council (People who make decisions for the uni) to help reach a decision.

As you know an email from the UOG went out a while ago talking about social sciences moving to Oxstalls. On Friday of last week, there was a meeting in which students were invited to discuss the move, some of you attended. 

I wanted to summarise the meeting from the Student Union side. The head of school will be sending out a separate email with more details. Essentially there was a mistake in the email and first years do not have to move to Oxstalls, they will be asked if they want to move to Oxstalls.