A group of York students has won the opportunity to have their very own I-phone application developed after winning The App Challenge final, held at the Ron Cooke Hub on Wednesday, January 18.
YUSU Welfare officer Bob Hughes has warned students to be vigilant after a student loans phishing scam has been revealed.
Her Majesty the Queen will be visiting York on Maundy Thursday, 5th April, as part of the 800th anniversary of York’s Charter for the traditional “Royal Maundy” ceremony.
A flood caused by a heating system “failure” forced the university IT services to shut down many essential systems on Sunday night, causing problems for many students on the eve of their exams and assignment due-dates.
The Yorker: How does it feel to finally take over from Tim Ngwena and his team?
Tim Ellis: It's great to have finally taken our positions officially. I think we were all getting itchy feet over the last term so it was exciting when we finally were able to start work. We've all got some great plans and ideas that we're already working on and hopefully we've got a good year ahead of us.
The Yorker: What does your training involve?
Tim Ellis: I think we were all quite surprised by how extensive our training programme is but it has been extremely useful so far. Last weekend we had our residential training where we looked at outlining five or six pledges we would look to achieve by the end of next year. The pledges are based on the results of the Student Experience Survey undertaken last year (results to be announced soon), which sets out a clear direction for us based on what the student body wants. We have also undergone training by the NUS and YUSU. This covers a whole range of topics from finance, objective setting, team building and engaging with members.
The Yorker: What are the biggest things you'll be working on over the summer?
Tim Ellis: One of the main things we are working on is Freshers' Events. College JCRCs are putting together some great Freshers' Weeks, and we want to make sure that our cross-campus ones at the end of the first week are the best ever. As well as one of the biggest comedy nights York has ever seen, we're looking into a huge, live music, multi-venue event right here on campus. Without giving too much away, don't think Freshers' Ball, don't think Big Bang and don't think Access All Areas. This is going to be a totally new and ground-breaking event to finish off the best Freshers' Week ever.
We're also working on a new and engaging communication strategy. YUSU officers in the past have been notoriously bad at communicating what issues we are fighting, what results we are achieving and even what fights we are losing. We really hope that we can make feedback much more accessible, but we are also looking at what ways we can make getting involved in campaigning and setting Union policy easier. Elected officers have often been the only driving force in the past but we are really hoping to change this. Members will be able to get involved where they want and whenever they want.
The Yorker: What are you most excited about for next term?
Tim Ellis: Having some more students about on campus! Whilst there are some postgraduate students about, campus is feeling pretty quiet so it’s going to be great actually being able to see all the new Freshers arrive, as well as the returning students. Although it’s good having some time to prepare for next term, it’s still over two months before campus fills up again. Hopefully we won't have gone crazy by then with the lack of student contact!
Apart from that, we are getting very excited about the new Student Centre and finally having some accessible Union space for York students instead of the old converted squash courts that we currently have to work out of!
The Yorker: What will be the biggest advantages of the new student centre?
Tim Ellis: The main advantage is it is going to be a space that isn't just for YUSU officers and staff. The lounge that is being designed is hopefully going to be a great area for people to hangout between lectures, meet friends and study. It will also put Union activity into view. At the moment, Sabbs are hidden away on the first floor where only people who actually need to see them do. Next year, we will be working out of a ground floor open-plan office where we are easily contactable and visible. We are looking at ways of working over at Hes East and other areas of campus throughout the week too.
I hope that by the end of year, York students will be able to point back to the things that YUSU has achieved
The Yorker: Finally, what is your main aim as YUSU president?
Tim Ellis: My main aim is to create an effective Union. I hope that by the end of year, York students will be able to point back to the things that YUSU has achieved, things they have managed to change and things the Union is still fighting for. At the moment, I would hazard a guess that the average student wouldn't be able to name more than one or two active policies of the union or be able to recall one positive outcome that YUSU has achieved (this is not to say that there haven't been numerous wins by YUSU over the last year!). I hope this is something that I can change.
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