Sabbaticals
- Mike Duckworth, President:
he role of the President is to co-ordinate the rest of the Sabbatical Team. The President also has responsibility for ensuring that the representation of students and student views occurs at all levels, including Union Council, the Course Rep Programme, Dusted, Buxton Site Committee or the Sports Association Committee.
The President also has to ensure that Union Council, the governing body of the Student Union is facilitated and scheduled meeting occur on a monthly basis. In this forum, students representing different positions decide on how the Union is run and what decisions are made. There are several opportunities to get involved in Union Council, so why don't you give it a try?
Alongside this the President also has the duty to look after the internal affairs of the Union. They have to ensure that budgets are adhered to, that staff are happy and doing the correct jobs and that the Union is serving the needs of its members – you, the student body.
The President is also your main point of contact if you have a complaint about any service or function of the Union, about the University or even about a fellow student, so do get in touch if you feel you would like to talk to someone about your grievance. In a nutshell that is what the President role entails, and are also involved in the day to day running of the business and planning for the future alongside the other Sabbatical Officers.
- Simon Moss, VP Communications:
The VP Communications is responsible for the many forms of media on offer here at Derby. These include;
- Dusted
— your student monthly magazine - The Word (Derby and Buxton)
— your student monthly entertainment newsletter - D:One
— The Radio Station: your online radio station. - www.udsu.co.uk
— the Union's dedicated web site - The forums (www.udsuforums.co.uk)
— your opportunity to get involved in the community and get the latest gossip.
You can get involved in any of these, from a presenter or DJ, to an author or sub editor. If you don't fancy this, just pick up a copy of Dusted or tune into the radio and find out what's happening.
Alongside this, if you want to get involved and have your say and opinion on issues then become a member of the Entertainments and Communications Committees run by VP Communications to help the Union improve what we offer you.
So there you have it, this is what the Vice President Communications does for you within the Students' Union. They are also involved in the day to day running of the business and planning for the future alongside the other Sabbatical Officers. But they need you to get involved and do something that will make sure the media at Derby is the best it can be and what you want. And don't forget to log on to www.udsu.co.uk and sign up for all your entertainments and general information newsletters.
- Dusted
- Ben Whittaker, VP Education & Welfare:
The role of Vice President Education and Welfare is to represent both your academic and welfare needs throughout your entire University experience. Furthermore, there are a large number of campaigns that they run throughout the year in conjunction with The Source, the Union's independent Student Advice Centre. These campaigns aim to provide you with vital information on all aspects of student life that you are likely to encounter. All of these campaigns fall under the Student Survival Brand, so look out for the camouflage logo's to access all the information you need.
They also run the Course Rep programme, which allows you to become a representative for your course and help to shape how your course is run for the benefit of future students. The VP Education and Welfare is here for you and is your avenue for help with any difficulties, problems or issues that may arise with your course throughout your time at University, if any problems do arise please do not hesitate to come and speak with them to try to work through them. Alongside this, the VP Education and Welfare works closely with The Source, UDSU's Advice Centre, who can help you with any issue you, may have, Independently of the University, from housing to health, relationship or homesickness.
The VP Education and Welfare continuously works hard to ensure that your views as students of the University of Derby are represented, within your schools, with the Directorate and nationally with NUS.
Remember it's all about 'Student Survival... because it's a jungle out there'
- Mark Dunning, VP Student Activities:
The role of Vice President Student Activities is to give all students the opportunity to get involved in sporting and general activities, promoting inclusivity within the Union. There are a range of activities that you can get involved in within the Students' Union including being a member of a sports team or society, volunteering or charity work.
The VP Student Activities is responsible for ensuring that these services and opportunities are available and funded through the grants system and will be able to provide valuable information for any students wishing to know more.
They are also responsible for the Union's fundraising activities through RAG, which is Raise and Give. The RAG tradition creates opportunities for students to raise money for UDSU 3 nominated charities. The VP Student Activities is also responsible for aiding the personal development of many students through training and other activities financed by UDSU's development fund, which the VP Student Activities oversees.
There are also opportunities for students to get involved with the sports association and societies association committees, another addition to your development during university, so see the Vice President Student Activities and find out what opportunities await you.
- Claire Nelson, VP Buxton:
The role of the Vice President Buxton is to be the representative of the views, thoughts and opinions of all Buxton students. They are the site representative for the Buxton Campus and any issues or problems you face whilst studying in Buxton, you can go and visit or contact them at any time. They meet frequently with the University Management in Buxton to ensure that the student voice is always being heard and that the student experience is the best it can be.
The VP Buxton is based at the Devonshire Campus and so is about 40 miles away from the rest of the Sabbatical Team, but do not worry, the Team meet up on a regular basis and are always in contact with the VP Buxton, so your opinions and views are always taken forward and discussed thoroughly at all levels.
VP Buxton is also responsible for ensuring that the Buxton Site Committee meet regularly to discuss student issues with Buxton or courses based at Buxton and these views are taken forward. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved with the Students' Union in Buxton, so get in touch with the VP Buxton and see what you can do.
They are also involved in the day to day running of the business and planning for the future alongside the other Sabbatical Officers.
