Where next with Holbeach?

‘Distance Learning’ and ‘Day Release’ students were a new breed to the SU last July when we took office because although they had been members for years, previous teams had not given them any attention because they’re a ‘tricky bunch to cater for’.

But in my opinion, it’s precisely that attitude that prevents any progress being made and whilst admittedly I sometimes fall into a similar mindset when it gets tough, Steven Greaves (VP Welfare & Liaison) and I have spent our time in office moving the SU away from that. I really want us to move towards thinking of students from Holbeach, Riseholme and Hull as just another student group that we (every officer and member of SU staff) deal with on a daily basis, rather than something special that requires a certain officer to facilitate all of the Union’s offering to these students.

This year so far, we have moved from no officers looking after Holbeach students to two officers leading and a few others supporting as necessary – but this is still not good enough and I think that everybody within the Student Centre would agree. That last sentance highlights that there is still a problem within our Union – everybody is ‘based’ in the Student Centre on the Brayford campus – nobody spends even 20% of their week at either Holbeach, Hull or Riseholme apart the occaisional week when Steven has a lot on at one of them.

So where do we go next with Holbeach?

Fortunately that’s not a question without an answer – we have some short term plans to try and establish ourselves as more of a key ‘service’ (?) in the experience of Holbeach Students – but the real change will come with the part-time officer role being introduced from July 2010.

The ‘Holbeach Officer’ role was created in the change of officer roles and remits that this year’s team proposed at the All Student Meeting, and will be a part-time voluntary role filled by a student studying at the campus, and elected just by those studying there.

We hope to see the Holbeach Officer become the person who can truely identify the needs of Holbeach students, from first hand experience and regular contact with peers, and the person who works with each of the other officers to deliver a world-class Students’ Union offering to those who currently miss out.

From Zero to Hero!

This time last year, students at Holbeach were practically unaware of the Students’ Union’s existance, nevermind the fact that they were members – but in the last seven months, those students have not just become aware of the Union but have started to engage as well. Within the next seven months, I’m hoping that the SU elections will find a hero to take on this new role and help deliver our world-class vision that I so desperately believe those students deserve.

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SU Elections take place in February and you can find more information about each of the roles at www.lincolnsu.com/elections, in The Agenda newspaper on campus or if you would like to talk with me about them; tweet here, email here, facebook here or call 01522 886006 to arrange to meet.