Hello everyone! 

This update is coming to you in the midst of the madness... 

Varsity is tomorrow, SU awards are on Thursday, and NUS national conference is on both days. So be kind to your officers and be patient about our response speed to emails, we’re all running around like crazy! 

Since we last spoke, I went to, yet another WonkHE event titled ‘New Rules’. It was a day long exercise on SU strategy where Ryan (CEO) and I went to Middlesex university to meet with other SUs, speak about the challenges coming our way, and come up with creative solutions to keep SUs running successfully. I loved it! By now it shouldn’t be a secret that I am a massive WonkHE fan, and that I do enjoy all things HE policy. But let’s move on before the nerd in me takes over. 

I also read a fascinating report (two actually) on HE sector funding and the future of it. One was by Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) and the other by PwC. This is worthwhile because it better informs how we represent students in meetings like university’s Finance committee. It’s always easier to negotiate better terms for students when we understand the limitations that the side across the table has. I know I said I was avoiding the nerd in me taking over, but there you go. One more policy and governance side of the job which I adore.  

Finally, on Monday we had a top 10 meeting with the University Executive Board (UEB) leads which are in charge of getting them done. I lead on two of them: housing strategy and financial safety net. I am VERY happy with the progress on housing: the university has finally committed to writing a civil housing strategy going beyond first year accommodation, and they’ve already reached out with initial discussion points. On financial safety net, there had been some really good progress and then the bursary and scholarship change were announced. I must admit, we’re just getting a hold on the issue, and entering negotiations with the university on how to improve the offer for future students.  

With all the madness going on this week, I am literally about to stand up and go help with Varsity wristband collection, so I’ll leave it here. Hopefully, next time I update you we will be celebrating the seventh year of smashing Cardiff Met. If you're around tomorrow, do look for me. I will be dressed as a Bath superhero, as per tradition (can't jinx it). In the meantime, stay blue and gold and be kind to one another. 

Much love, 

Jiji x