RCSA UPDATE

BY MAX MASON, COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

As I write, the traffic of Michaelmas Term has begun again in earnest, and the work of the Robinson College Students’ Association remains unceasing. With a successful freshers week programme executed—an opportunity for new students to find their bearings within the invariably busy Cambridge schedule—we’re now in the throes of another exciting term.

Already, however, can a number of RCSA leaders boast occasions where their industriousness and commitment to the College has borne fruit. One can look no further than Karolina Rawdanowicz and Faith Falayi, organising two outreach programmes with great success: the Pegasus Scholars Programme—a Bridging Programme for students with Widening Participation flags—and the BME Residential, a scheme designed to demystify the preconceptions of Oxbridge for Black and Minority Ethnic students in Year 11.

Intending to introduce the opportunities and demands of university life before the beginning of Full Term, the BME Residential engaged students in discussion and debate, presenting opportunities for academic enrichment and for participation in social aspects of college life. The Pegasus Scholars Programme—the first of its kind in Robinson—anticipates a minimum two-year extension thanks to generous donations. Elsewhere in the field of outreach, the Shadowing Scheme—mediated through Zoom last year—was offered in person: the efforts of Ethan Clack allowed college and/or sixth form students to experience university life in its fullest. Along with the Access and Widening Participation Team at Robinson, members of the RCSA were instrumental in the formation and success of these programmes—we are proud of their efforts to welcome students from disproportionately underrepresented backgrounds.

Toby Marlow (English, 2014) became the first openly non-binary composer-lyricist to win a Tony Award for Best Original Score, winning at the 2022 Awards for SIX: The Musical. Toby co-wrote the sensational musical story of the six wives of Henry VIII with Lucy Moss (Gonville and Caius) in their final year at Cambridge.

As is typical, RCSA members have also regularly contributed to the creative arts in College, whether this be the Open Air production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Easter Term—the first Robinson production of its kind to take Shakespeare alfresco in seven years—or helping to organise a well-attended art workshop for Black History Month, organised alongside the eminent painter and Cambridge graduate Joshua Obichere. The RCSA now looks forward to Green Week, as work is underway to promote environmental issues Collegewide. Already the matter of good recycling practice has been raised, and the College’s Cycle Recycle Scheme is now in full swing.

With RCSA elections only a matter of weeks away, I would like to thank the entire RCSA team 2021/2022 for their sustained efforts, coordination, and enthusiasm over the past three terms. We now look forward to where the committee will head next!