2 News
Friday 28 September 2012 Spark*
news.spark@reading.ac.uk
Reading strikes gold RUSU and University reveal new Zoe Crook
Not only was the London 2012 Olympics a great success for Great Britain, the University of Reading also shone. What is hailed as the greatest GB team ever featured nine students of the University of Reading, who together won two gold, as well as a pair of bronze medals. The Reading squad members comprised of eight rowers, the most athletes ever to compete in an Olympic Games from Reading University Boat Club (RUBC), and one hockey player. The RUBC members included seven graduates, and one current PhD student, Anna Watkins, currently studying Maths. Anna Watkins and her teammate, Katherine Grainger went on to win gold in the women’s double skulls. After her win, she confessed, “at the end of the day, silver would never have been good enough,” following her disappointment at only receiving a bronze at Beijing. Maintaining the lead from the start of the race, graduate Alex Gregory and his fellow rowers dominated the final of the men’s coxless four, leading them straight to victory. Watkins was evidently not the only one to feel the pressures of striking gold, as Gregory also admitted, “The morning before the race I was feeling the pressure, and we really has to win in that boat.”
Bronze medallists Ric Egington and Alex Partridge formed a quarter of the men’s eight rowing crew. Despite their lead for much of the race, their position slipped in the final meters, leaving the squad with bronze. Although Partridge settled for bronze, he would have undoubtedly been proud to step upon the podium on home soil, as he shared, “this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for any British athlete. The Olympics is every four years, but we won’t have another home games for another 50/60 years, so it’s a really special experience that I will treasure.” The Director of Rowing at the University, Will Rand, stated, “I would like to thank the University for its unwavering support.” Reading graduates did not only make their way onto the screen in the Olympics through sport, but previous Olympic athletes James Cracknell, Garry Herbert, and honorary graduate, Sir Steven Redgrave joined the commentary team. Redgrave also carried the flame into the stadium, at the Olympic Opening Ceremony, on the final leg of its journey. As four Reading students took to the podium, there are high hopes for the future of RUBC, which boasts world class training facilities. The club will have a stand at the Fresher’s Fayre.
See page four for a feature on Reading’s medallists.
Reading student charter Calum Mcintyre Rogers
Earlier this week, the official Reading University Student Charter was unveiled on the University website. The charter was a collaborative effort between Reading University staff and RUSU, having been a campaign promise of exPresident Karl Hobley in 2011. We are informed by RUSU that between 60 and 70 students were consulted during the creation of the document. The aim of the project was to provide a “strong document” which would explain the relation-
ship and obligations of staff and students.
The charter was a campaign promise of Karl Hobley in 2011 However, the charter is not a legally binding document - a student cannot refer to the charter when making a formal complaint against the University. Despite this, RUSU President James Fletcher insisted that the charter was nonetheless strong and aspirational,
as it sets out guidelines on staff giving timely and constructive feedback to studens - something he says other student charters lack. The Charter will be made official on October 10, when it will be signed by James Fletcher and University Vice Chancellor Sir Davidl Bell. The President informed us directly that he will talk to students about their satisfaction with the charter. New students will also be given copies of the charter alongside their campus cards. You can view the full charter below.
The Reading University Student Charter verbatim
Preface:
Staff and students have worked together to develop this charter that clearly sets out what we all expect of each other. It recognises the importance of an effective partnership commitment, in which the University and its staff have professional obligations but where students are also responsible for themselves as learners and as individuals.
Students expect the University:
To provide an excellent and varied learning experience; To deliver degrees with relevant content informed by the latest research; To provide access to learning resources and facilities that allow you to excel; To offer opportunities to gain knowledge and skills useful for life beyond University; To support students’ professional development and access to career information, advice and guidance; To provide a broad range of social, cultural, sporting and co-curricular activities; To facilitate opportunities to express views which are considered and responded to.
Alumni fund helps students Students expect staff: Becki McKinlay
Last year, graduates of the University pledged over £527,000 to the Annual Fund in order to support current students at Reading. The Annual Fund was established in 2004 to enable the University to receive donations from alumni, staff and friends. To date, £3.2 million has been raised from over 6,000 donors – and all the money raised goes to support projects that would otherwise not be possible for our current and future students. Over the summer, RUSU clubs and societies benefitted from over £42,000 of Annual Fund grants. This money has funded many different projects, including the provision of new equipment for the Rugby Clubs (Union, league and Women’s), Caving Club, the Dance Society and RU:ON. Here at Spark*, we were delighted to receive funding for new newspaper stands to bring you more copies of Spark* around the campus. Over half the money raised through generous donations to the Annual Fund will provide a range of bursaries and hardship funds to support students in need. Visit the help desk in the Carrington Building for more information.
The Annual Fund team, based in the Development and Alumni Relations Office recruits a team of students each year to work as callers on the Annual Fund telephone campaign, in which they contact alumni to update them on University news and seek their financial support. Recruitment for the November telephone campaign begins in the next few weeks, so if you want to help raise money to support your fellow students, watch out for the job advert in the next addition of Spark*.
To teach in an engaging and varied manner that inspires learning; To give timely and constructive feedback on work; To provide effective pastoral and learning support when needed; To respond, communicate and consult in a timely and effective manner; To recognize the student body to be a diverse collection of adults who are partners with an equally important voice in their learning.
The University expects students:
To work hard at their studies and to be active partners in shaping their experience of HE; To seek out opportunities to enhance their understanding and to develop practical and intellectual skills; To take advantage of the wealth of activities (social and developmental) provided by the University and the Students Union; To be aware that their conduct affects other students and reflects on the University, and to act accordingly; To provide constructive feedback on their time at Reading through the Students Union and directly to the University.
Staff expect students:
To be pro-active in managing their learning and in seeking help when needed; To be enquiring in their thinking; To manage their time to fulfill academic and other commitments; To engage fully with all academic commitments; To conduct themselves and to engage in their studies with honesty; To keep appointments and to communicate with staff in a timely and courteous manner; To take ownership of their own health and well being.
We all expect each other:
To treat one another with respect, tolerance and courtesy, regardless of identity, background or belief, both in person and online; To show responsible stewardship of the university environment, facilities and resources; To challenge one another intellectually and to contribute to the advancement of knowledge; To work fairly and effectively with one another both inside and outside the academic context; To be accountable for our actions and conduct; To recognize and value positive contributions from others.