Student Reps Newsletter - March issue, Session 2006/07
Welcome from Danni 

Hi, my name is Danni Youziel and I am the current academic affairs officer 
at UCL Union. Now I am a second year failing my Physic’s degree, but I’ll 
save that explanation for later. 

I ran for academic affairs officer because I felt students do not know enough about the representation side of 
the Union. I mean everyone knows where to go if they want the latest edition on the Guardian, but they’re not 
so sure about where to go if they have academic problems. At the moment I hold ‘academic surgeries’ where 
students can drop by if the have any issues that they need help with. 

One of my aims for this year was to improve communication between the College and Union representatives. At the moment there is a governance review happening at the Union, so hopefully a new structure will be in place to make the role of student representatives easier. 

I am also working to make your degrees more accessible online by trying to have ever course online with a forum. It just makes things easier if you have a specific problem. 

Well that’s all for now folks. My surgery times are on the Union website (www.uclunion.org) or you can drop me an email. 

Danni Youziel, uclu-academic.affairs@ucl.ac.uk 


BIG Results 

Sabbatical Officers 2007/8 
Clubs, Societies & Student Development Officer: Steve WHITTLE 
Education & Welfare Officer: Andy FERNANDO 
Finance & Administration Officer: Dominic TARN 
Media & Communications Officer: Sean CLOTHIER 
Medical Students' & Sites Officer: Jules MAZOWIECKI 
Services & Events Officer: Olivia ALFORD

Part-Time Executive Officers 2007/8 
Academic Affairs Officer: Adam BOUZLEMATE 
Activities Officer: Thea FOSTER 
Campaigns & Equal Opportunities Officer: Julia SUKAN DEL RIO 
Clinical President: Andrew WILSON 
Environment & Ethics Officer: Sherina PEROOS
General Secretary: Samantha GODWIN
Postgraduate Association President: Chibuzor EDORDU 
Pre-clinical President: Shaine MEHTA 
Promotions & Entertainments Officer: Rajvinder MALHI 
SSEES Site President: Gemma BLAKEY 

March Issue . 2006/7 
Democracy Support Unit www.uclunion.org 


What can we do for you?
The Democracy Support Unit is a new unit set up by UCL Union to 
engage and empower student representatives. We are currently
looking into our support mechanisms and the resources available to 
you as a student representative. 

As part of this development, we would be very interested to hear your 
views on:
. How would you like us to comunicate with you? 
. Would a student representation guide be useful to you? 
. What would you like covered in such a guide? 
. What type of online resources would you find useful?
. What areas of additional training would you find useful for your role? 
. Any other things that we can do to support you.

Let us know at: representation@ucl.ac.uk


– STOP PRESS – UCL Exam Timetables – STOP PRESS – 

UCL Union has been informed by UCL Registry that exam timetables will be available on 
Portico (www.ucl.ac.uk/portico) from Wednesday (21st March) evening. Paper copies should be 
available from Thursday (22nd Thursday) and can be collected from Departmental Offices. 

If any students have further problems ascertaining their exam timetables should contact the 
Nick Barnard, UCL Union Media & Communications Officer at mc.officer@ucl.ac.uk


Student Representation Co-ordinator 

Hello I’m Simon. I’m UCL Union’s Student Representation Co-ordinator.  This means that I am responsible for supporting and developing student representation at all the different levels of UCL, from University-wide representation to departmental and course reps. 

I work alongside the Student Officers, such as Danni (Academic Affairs Officer) to develop resources and support for Student Reps, so that you are empowered to fulfil your role and take up the various opportunities available. 

I am based in the Democracy Support Unit within the Rights & Advice Centre, which is located on the first floor of the Bloomsbury Theatre. Feel 
free to pop by to see me for a chat and cup of tea. 

Simon To, representation@ucl.ac.uk 

Democracy Support Unit . UCL Union 


Shall we stay or shall we go?
“Should UCL Union remain affiliated to the NUS?” 
You decide! 

This year, you can decide whether UCL Union remains affiliated to the National Union of Students (NUS). 

Join the BIG Debate at the Extra-Ordinary General Meeting taking place at 5pm on Thursday 22nd March 
in the UCL Bloomsbury Theatre. 


In the news…
Facing facts 
“We need a sophisticated approach to fees and loans” says Malcolm Grant (UCL President & Provost) 
http://education.guardian.co.uk/egweekly/story/0,,2001195,00.html 

Brown to sell off student debt 
According to latest figures, the Student Loans Company, which runs the student loan system, lent £3bn in 2005-06 because of the increase in student numbers. The loan pushed up government debt and made public finances appear weak. 
http://education.guardian.co.uk/students/finance/story/0,,2034610,00.html 

Chattering classes 
Modern languages are increasingly becoming an elite subject, dominated by the middle 
classes and concentrated at the top universities. 
http://education.guardian.co.uk/egweekly/story/0,,2031966,00.html 

Students' UK visa fees amended 
International students coming to the UK will have to pay more for their visas -but the increase is not as large as universities had been fearing. 
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/6428399.stm 

CBI warning on lack of science graduates 
A long-term decline in numbers of scientists and engineers will leave Britain lagging behind international competitors and force employers to look overseas for skills, senior executives of some of the country's biggest companies have warned. 
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/5ef7edd4-d03e-11db94cb-000b5df10621.html 

Education spending to reach £74bn 
Government spending on education in England is to continue rising -but by less than 
it has been doing. 
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/6474789.stm 

Democracy Support Unit . UCL Union


National Student Survey

The National Student Survey is an opportunity to give feedback on all aspects of university life including course teaching, assessment and feedback, academic support, organisation and management, learning resources and personal development. 

Results of the survey will be available to prospective students, and UCL is committed to acting on student comments. 

Students who do not complete the survey will be sent a postal questionnaire to their term time address and may also be contacted by telephone. Students not wishing to participate in the survey should visit the NSS website using the above link, in order to opt out and ensure that there is no further contact from NSS researchers. 

UCL & UCL Union have issued a joint statement on the National Student Survey, you can find this at: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/070214 

To complete the survey, visit: http://www.thestudentsurvey.com/survey.asp 


Did you BIG Vote?

Following on from election fever, UCL Union wants to hear from you about the recent elections, referendum and BIG Vote Campaign. 

This is your chance to have a further say to make a BIG change. 

www.uclunion.org/bigvotesurvey


Democracy Support Unit . UCL Union