Mansfield association

THE MANsFIELD AssocIATIoN

President’s Report

Daniel Seiderer MBA, 2007

Students of the Year 2013: Ellie Saunders, Dana Mills and Lotty Turner

Whoever attended the Summer Garden Party and the Mansfield Association’s AGM on June 22nd might have been reminded of the song ‘Wind of Change’ by the German band Scorpions. Mansfield College is undergoing a lot of change. These changes obviously influenced the Association’s AGM; and with the decisions taken, Mansfield Association remains perfectly positioned to support the College on its route while, at the same time, keeping an eye on Mansfield’s heritage and ensuring that this heritage will be reflected in the College’s future.

What are the changes? The most evident one is the College’s new building, and the plans to host a Human Rights Institute. At the Summer Garden Party, the concept for the new building was presented in the form of models and plans. Representatives from the architectural firm patiently explained the details to all attendees. It was very fitting that Chris Bryant MP, guest speaker at the Association’s dinner following the AGM, spoke about his personal experiences in Latin America that highlighted the importance of Human Rights and why we should always uphold and defend them.

With those great plans, our College will face many new challenges. At the same time, it will need to ensure that Mansfield’s tradition of openness and inclusiveness is kept alive. It was thus a great pleasure to give this year’s ‘Student of the Year’ awards to three students who have all done great jobs in supporting Mansfield’s access and outreach work and in taking care for the welfare of students in College. Congratulations again to Dana Mills (DPhil Politics, 2008), Ellie Saunders (History & English, 2010) and Lotty Turner (English, 2010). The Association’s AGM has further recognised the importance of assisting students in their most urgent needs by authorising the Association’s Committee to fund specific proposals to help students deal with contingencies such as breakdown of computers, with up to £5,000 per year. The AGM also approved a proposal that the Association should match-fund student internships at the Aston-Mansfield charity with up to £2,500 per year.

The changes in the use of the Association’s funds will ensure that we can help the College with great flexibility if, when and where needed. A further very welcome change on the Association’s side is the election of two new members to the Committee. A warm welcome goes to Andrew Daykin (English, 1963) and Saskia Hoskins (History, 2010).

All these changes mark exciting times full of hope and expectation. In the words of the Scorpions: ‘The future is in the air; I can feel it everywhere, blowing with the wind of change. Take me to the magic of the moment on a glory night where the children of tomorrow dream away, in the wind of change.’

A Word from a New committee Member

Saskia Hoskins History, 2010

on June 22nd, after spending the afternoon helping out at the Summer Garden Party, treasure hunting with a group of children in fancy dress and having my face painted (see photo top right), I was sent to the meeting of the MA to present the case for funding of the JCR’s projects with Aston-Mansfield, our partner charity.

At the beginning of the meeting, three students were presented with the Student of the Year award: the first time in the award’s history that it has been split three ways. DPhil student, former Junior Dean and porter, and keeper of our esteemed College cat Erasmus, Dana Mills won her award for her long service to College. Charlotte Turner earned her award for her commitment to welfare, her work on the JCR Bench and her all-round involvement in College life. Eleanor Saunders scooped up the award for her commitment to Mansfield, for her hard work in ACACAF (Access and Academic Affairs) for the JCR, as well as for being a member of almost every sports team there is.

Further important matters followed. The Mansfield Association voted to support the students of the JCR in their work with Aston-Mansfield. The charity’s various community centres, based in London’s poorest borough, Newham, are the pillar of the local area. Aston-Mansfield is the legacy of the Mansfield Settlement, founded in the early 20th century by Mansfield students who went to Newham after their studies and worked in the local community. Although the Mansfield Settlement is no more, our students have in recent years sought to rekindle the relationship with this outstanding charity through fundraising and volunteering. Finally, through some strange twist of fate, I was mysteriously elected to become a full voting member of the Mansfield Association – despite the smudged paint making its way across my face.

I would fully encourage all alumni who feel a strong attachment to Mansfield and who would like to remain a part of College life to get involved in the Mansfield Association. The commitment is not demanding, as meetings are not too frequent, but the chance to make a real difference to student life is great. Also, committee members get to go to gala dinners for free… the Mansfield Association – recruiting now!