NNeewwsslleetttteerr How was it for you? As we approach the last term of this academic session, we would be interested to hear how you found your experience as a student representative. In particular we would like to know what improvements can be made to the support, organisation, training and resources for future years. What did you think of the Student Reps training? Did you know what support was available? Did you know who to contact for issues to be taken forward? Let us know how it was for you, by emailing us your comments. Democracy Support Team, representation@ucl.ac.uk In this issue… Coping with exams 2 Shape YOUR Union for the future 2 Exam timetables – 2 feedback required It’s time for reflection 3 Rights and Advice 3 Centre In the news… 4 Shape YOUR 5 Union for the future Student Reps Lunch’ With the summer approaching, this brings a time for review and reflection. Therefore we say let’s do lunch, which will also give you the opportunity to reflect upon your experiences through the past years and get ready for the year to come. Student Reps Lunch Thursday 7th June 2007 12noon – 3pm Conference Room, 2nd Floor, Bloomsbury Theatre Directions at: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/about-ucl/location/maps/campus_2006_screen Please RSVP to: representation@ucl.ac.uk April/May Issue . 2006/7 Democracy Support Unit www.uclunion.org Contact details 5 Democracy Support Unit . UCL Union 2 How are your exams scheduled for this year, are they all on consecutive days? Grouped within a week? Lots of clashes? How does this differ from exam arrangements in previous years? We would be interested to receive any feedback on the exam arrangements from you and your fellow students. Post your opinions at: http://www.uclunion.org/student-union/forum/2007/03/how-is-your-exam-timetable.php With the examination period fast approaching, feel free to check out these web pages to find out what support is available and how you can limit the stress levels of exams. Student Support: Coping with exams: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/support-pages/information/coping-with-exams/ Coping with exam anxiety: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/student-counselling/ExamAnxiety.htm Stress Management and Self-Hypnosis sessions: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/student-counselling/scsindex2.htm#SelfHypnosis UCL Union Rights & Advice Centre: http://www.uclunion.org/get-advice/ Coping with exams Exam timetables – feedback required It’s time for reflection… Student Reps Lunch Thursday 7th June – 12noon Conference Room – Bloomsbury Theatre After much lobbying, the Extended Library Opening Hours Campaign reached success with the agreement that the opening hours would be extended to midnight for some of UCL Libraries during the examinations period (until Friday 18th May 2007). A reference-only service will be maintained after the issue desks close. . The Main, Science & Cruciform Libraries will also be open on the Bank Holidays (7th & 28th May) between the hours of 11am and 5pm. . The Cruciform Library will not open until 10am on Thursday 10th May and Thursday 7th June. More information about UCL Libraries at: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/library/ Extended Library Opening Hours Success! 3 Its time for reflection… As we approach the end of the exams period and the end of another session, it brings a time for us to think back and reflect on the year that has gone by. We thought it would be good for us all to reflect together and share the successes and how we overcome the challenges in your year as a student representative. Therefore, we have organised a Student Reps Lunch to end the year on a reflective note, it will give us an opportunity to review: . what you have achieved; . what personal attributes you have developed with this experience; . what challenges we can all learn from; . how we can improve the experience for those that follow in your footsteps; . how the support offered to you can be improved; . highlighting your important skills to take forward with your career. So remember, don’t miss out and join us on the 7th June for a reflective review over lunch. It’s time for lunch… Student Reps Lunch Thursday 7th June – 12noon Conference Room – Bloomsbury Theatre Well, it’s that time of the year again! . Tenancies’ coming to an end and the landlord/agent is fussing about returning deposits! . Looking for private accommodation but not sure about tenancy agreements and the new laws! . Just got an essay back and thought that was the last you will have to do but received a letter to attend a plagiarism hearing! . Not happy with exam results or the way the course was run and need help on taking out a grievance! . Need to get away desperately but not sure on how to get a visa! . International student and want to extend your visa! . Finished your studies but want to stay and work in the UK! Come to the Right and Advice Centre where free, impartial and confidential advice can be given on the above and more! We have experienced advisers’ available everyday who can advise you in safe and comfortable surroundings. You can find us on the first floor of 020 7679 2998 the Bloomsbury Theatre building. Please check our opening hours http://www.uclunion.org/get-advice/ on the website. Democracy Support Unit . UCL Union In the news… Oxford widens its lead on Cambridge Oxford has taken the number one spot in the Guardian's university league table for the third year running -and this time with an even greater margin. Scotland's oldest university, St Andrews, is the 44 highest climber in this year's Guardian university league table, jumping 35 places to the fourth spot. http://education.guardian.co.uk/universityguide2008/story/0,,2068808,00.html Jobless junior doctors may be offered VSO work A rescue package to find jobs for up to 10,000 junior doctors whose careers are in danger of being blighted by a controversial NHS selection procedure includes plans to send some to do voluntary service overseas. http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2062339,00.html Peers cautious on EU research plan A Lords committee has criticised plans to create a European Institute of Technology. The new body is designed to help convert European research results into commercial opportunities by creating a network of six 'knowledge and innovation communities'. http://www.epolitix.com/EN/News/200704/160927eb-a460-407b-8c7b-d4b5e0e15b60.htm Why we should all think like 17-year-olds We oldies make assumptions about how young people are going to react to changes in higher education, and -heaven forbid -we can get it wrong, says Peter Knight (former Vice-Chancellor of UCE Birmingham) http://education.guardian.co.uk/egweekly/story/0,,2058311,00.html Students out of bed for £37,000 start salary A series of lectures introducing students of any discipline to careers in investment banking and financial services has become one of the most oversubscribed courses at University College London (UCL), where up to 100 students regularly attend the weekly sessions, run by the computer science department. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/03/25/nteen125.xml Tables can turn League tables are not the way to boost quality, says Roger Brown (Vice-Chancellor of Southampton Solent University) http://education.guardian.co.uk/egweekly/story/0,,2053157,00.html In-flight education A new breed of international student commuters is growing at UK universities. Student Eurocommuter, noun, a person who studies at a UK university during the week and takes the first economy flight home to Europe at weekends http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/news/story/0,,2053192,00.html Reality TV hunt for students A reality TV show is to give Indian students a chance to compete for five scholarships to British universities, worth up to £45,000 each, with the winners taking up their places this autumn. http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/news/story/0,,2050271,00.html Democracy Support Unit . UCL Union Shape YOUR Union for the future As some of you may be aware, UCL Union is undergoing a review of its democratic structures and how students govern the organisation as a whole. As part of the review process, a series of focus groups will be held to gather input from our members, that's you the students. We are particularly interested to have input from international/postgraduate students. So make sure you have a say to shape YOUR Union for the future. Focus Groups .Tuesday 22nd May 11am – 1pm .Tuesday 22nd May 3:30pm – 5:30pm .Wednesday 23rd May 11am – 1pm .Wednesday 23rd May 2pm – 4pm As well as making an impact on the review, participants will also be given £10 worth of book vouchers for their time and contributions. Interested? Email representation@ucl.ac.uk now! Rights & Advice launch advice online A new service has been launched on the UCL Union website. It is designed to provide answers to questions based on your circumstances. The programme will ask you questions to lead you to factual information to help solve common problems faced by students. If the programme is unable to help it leads you to a form where your enquiry will be picked up by an adviser. The system will be developed in line with the needs of students, so when a gap in the information is highlighted it will be filled by the Rights & Advice Centre. This will ensure that the system is always relevant, and that you will be helping decide the information that students need to know. UCL Union is the first Students' Union to introduce such a system and it is hoped that it will become another valuable service for UCL students. The database can be found at http://www.uclunion.org/get-advice/ Democracy Support Unit . UCL Union Contact us .Visit Democracy Support Unit – UCL Union First Floor (inside the Rights & Advice Centre) Bloomsbury Theatre Building 15 Gordon Street .Call 020 76797707 .Email representation@ucl.ac.uk