10/11 Student Guide
Bindz Patel; President On behalf of the 2010-11 Officer team
Hello, and welcome to Goldsmiths Students’ Union! Goldsmiths Students’ Union is here to defend and enhance your rights as a student. Although we provide many services, the core function of the Union is to represent you; it is at the heart of all we do. You will automatically become a member of the union when you enrol with the University, for FREE. This means that you will have access to all of our services and a say in everything we do. Goldsmiths Students’ Union is nationally and internationally known for it’s activism and campaigning. We have recently won campaigns for longer library opening times, persuaded the College to introduce four humanitarian scholarships and fought against BNP councillors in the general election. All this was only achieved because of the involvement of students, and now you have the opportunity to be a part of it. The Union is a busy and vibrant place, filled with a range of activities that reflect our diverse community: from campaigning to entertainment and everything in between, there will be something for you to get involved in that will bring you a wealth of experience and opportunities, so you can leave Goldsmiths with more then just a degree. We look forward to you joining us in an exciting new year!
Campaigns One of the best opportunities you will get at Goldsmiths is to be a part of campaigns that really do make a difference. Goldsmiths made headlines in the late 1990s when a group of students refused to pay their tuition fees that had just been imposed by the government. Then at the turn of the 21st Century we were one of the first Student Unions to successfully lobby our college to disinvest from unethical companies such as arms manufacturers. In 2009 we held an occupation of Deptford Town Hall in protest of Israel’s bombing of Gaza, which won the best scholarship program for Palestinian students in the country. And just this year, a massive Goldsmiths student delegation helped tackle the fascist gangs of the English Defence League who attempted a racist march on Parliament.
Goldsmiths Students Union Operates a Zero Tolerance Policy Goldsmiths Students Union operates a Zero Tolerance policy on sexual harassment and all forms of discrimination. All students should be free to enjoy their time at University without persistent and unwanted attention of a sexual nature or to be subjected to abuse based on their sexuality, race or gender
WELFARE The Students’ Union is dedicated to supporting students through all manners of welfare issues which you may encounter during your time at University. This includes advice on safe sex and free contraception, guidance on alcohol or substance abuse as well as promoting general physical and mental wellbeing. Throughout the year, we will be campaigning and raising awareness of these issues as well as supporting individual students through our team. If you have any concerns or just want to chat, please feel free to come in. If we haven’t got the expertise to help you with a certain issue, we will be able to guide you to someone who can.
DEMOCRACY Making a change A number of steps and protocols must be completed to make a democratic decision within the Union. You can do this in different ways. Below is the way that would involve the most students.
Step 1. Collect at least 10 signatures to call an open meeting about the issue and create a draft motion which calls for a referendum. Step 2. Open Meeting (publicised). Discuss the motion, make amendments, agree on a final draft and submit to student assembly
Step 3. Student assembly. Motion is discussed, concerns are raised and amendments are made, if the motion passes it will be sent to referenda.
Step 4. Referenda. Every student is given the opportunity to vote on the motion online over a period of a few days. If the vote has a majority in favour, the motion becomes union policy‌
Glossary Motion Governance Mandate -
A formal proposal made to bring about some change. The way in which the Union works, it’s proceedures, rules and regulations. To command an action/task via a democratic process. Usually given by students to a representative: We mandate the president to campaign against higher education cuts.
For more info email the Democracy & Representation Coordinator on d.shukur@gold.ac.uk
OPEN MEETING Open meetings can be called by 10 students or by the student assembly. Their purpose is to give all students the opportunity to discuss an issue and form a motion to be submitted to the student assembly.
REFERENDA
A referendum is a student wide consultation across the university and every student is able vote! E.g. “Should GSU campaign against cuts?”
STUDENT ASSEMBLY 8 Equal Opportunities Officers
4 Campaigns Officers
Any Goldsmiths student can attend student assembly, submit motions and speak for/against them.
The purpose of the student assembly is to decide on union policy, to mandate sabbatical officers and to put questions to referenda (student consultation). The student assembly consists of 28 student representatives.
TRUSTEE BOARD 4 Part time Student Trustees
4 Student Sabbatical Trustees
4 External Trustees
The Trustee board oversee legal and financial decisions of the Union. 8 Student Trustees elected by students. 4 External Trustees appointed by Student trustees, have financial and legal knowledge and expertise.
Disclaimer: Goldsmiths Students’ Union is not run by magic beans!
16 Departmental Representatives
Societies
Our societies at Goldsmiths are as diverse and varied as the students who go here. The societies are run entirely by the students for the students. Whether you want to watch B-movies, learn more about Hinduism, play poker, meet up with other mature or post grad students or write a musical*, there’s something for you. The types of societies we have are Hobbies and Interests - get your mates together (and make new friends there) and share your interests, experiences, equipment or whatever else. Culture and Identity - you can meet up with others with similar identities and cultural backgrounds by joining one of our societies. Political/Campaigning - Students Unions have always been a hotbed of political activity and Goldsmiths is no exception. You can meet other people with similar or even dissimilar interests and engage in some active campaigning, debating, arguing or, as ever, just making new friends. Departmental - meet others from your department, discuss your subjects and have social events with all your friends on your course. For a full list of societies and to see what each of them are up to, check out the website. You can join via the website, at Freshers Fayre on 1st October or up in the Students Union offices. Maybe you want to start a society? Details are on the website or speak to/email us – Hayley Chandler Student Development Coordinator h.chandler@gold.ac.uk
Manoj Kerai Services and Activities Officer m.kerai@gold.ac.uk
http://www.goldsmithssu.org/clubs
Volunteering People volunteer for many different reasons and we will try and help you to find a volunteering opportunity that helps you to get what you want from your experience. Maybe you want to … • give back to your community • get to know New Cross • support the students at Goldsmiths • make new friends • get some work experience • do something interesting! Whatever your reasons, there are lots of ways to get involved with volunteering through the students union. Community volunteering If you want to volunteer for an organisation the local community then get in contact with Hayley in the Students Union (h.chandler@gold.ac.uk) . Alternatively you could try – http://www.do-it.org.uk/
Lewisham Volunteer Centre http://www.volunteercentrelewisham.org.uk/
Volunteering for the Students Union You can put on fundraising events, drive the safety night bus, help out with the walking taxi service – we have lots you can do! If you want to get involved just get in contact with Hayley. Volunteer Accreditation There are a couple of ways that you can be accredited for the volunteering that you do. You can contact your local V inspired team to find out about the V award or you might want to do the Gold Award here at Goldsmiths (or both). If you’re interested, just drop us an email and we’ll send you the information or come in and see us.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Black History Month has come to symbolise all that is best about Goldsmiths. We use this month to celebrate multiculturalism, enjoy the best that African/Asian culture has to offer, but with a strong political message emphasising that we are a long way off from a non-racist society. And how fitting to hold such events by Deptford, one of London’s crucial arteries for the slave trade! The goal is not to have a month of anti-racism then back to business as usual for the rest of the year, but to ignite academic, cultural and political debate and discussion around racism that will hopefully enrich your entire experience at Goldsmiths. How many students of history know that African soldiers fought the Roman invasion at Hadrian’s Wall in the 2nd century A.D.? And how many science students will know of Lewis Latimer, who created a better model of light bulb than Thomas Edison’s, which led him to oversee the introduction of electric lighting throughout the whole of London? There is a Black History Month Events page in this booklet, so don’t miss out!
Black History Month
The Stretch is THE place to be during Freshers Fortnight and throughout the year, which is handy because it is also your student bar! Whatever you’re into, The Stretch has it covered. We open at 12pm every weekday and offer the cheapest drinks around and a relaxed atmosphere, that, along with our regular ents schedule comprising of quizzes, comedy, films, discos, live music and more, means there is always reason (or an excuse!) to come in. Every month we produce a planner detailing what is coming up in the bar, kinda like a bible for entertainments. To get you going we have popped the first edition into this mailout, and if that is not enough the website is constantly updated with all the latest news and events. However, we don’t just provide the entertainment, we want you to shape your student experience and make the bar truly for you, by you! Log onto the website or email thestretch@gold.ac.uk to get on the entertainments committee and to get involved!