Freshers Guide 2020

ABOUT RUSU Reading University Students’ Union (RUSU) is a democratic, student-led organisation, here to guide and help you make the most of your student experience whilst studying at the University of Reading (UoR).

As a student at the UoR you are automatically a member of RUSU, and we want you to have a say in setting the direction of the organisation.

Students elect five Full-Time Officers each February to represent them and run RUSU for the following academic year.

As RUSU is a separate organisation to the University of Reading, we will fight to ensure that the student is always put first. We represent Reading students on campus, locally, nationally and in the press and campaign for the changes that you, our members, want to see.

OUR MISSION Our ultimate ambition is to support students and enhance their University experience, delivering services to students in an accountable, inclusive, honest and forward thinking way.

We want to give you, our 20,000+ members, the best possible University experience.

As we are a registered charity, all the revenue from RUSU’s bars, café and retail outlets goes directly to fund union activities such as representation, advice, campaigning, sports clubs, societies, student media and volunteer groups as well as reinvesting in our venue and study space, events, bars and catering outlets.

UNION ROLL CALL Our 20,000+ membership is made up of....

73.1%

HOME STUDENTS

54.4% 45.6%

26.9% OVERSEAS STUDENTS

31.8%

BME BACKGROUND

40.2%

POSTGRAD STUDENTS

59.8%

UNDERGRAD

STUDENTS

10.2%

DISABLED

STUDENTS

DIVERSITY OFFICER

RACHEL WATES

WELFARE OFFICER

PRESI

BANDY KARKI

RACHEL O

STUDENT OFFICER TEAM 2020/21 As a student at Reading you can run for a paid Full-Time Officer position in our elections. This is a great opportunity for you to lead RUSU and have a positive impact on students and the community.

Get to know our five Full-Time Student Officers (FTOs): The President ensures that all decisions and procedures are democratic and student-led. The President ensures that students’ voices and interests are communicated effectively across to the university.

The Education Officer identifies academic issues and addresses them to appropriate members of the University. They work with Academic Reps, who ensure the university delivers the best possible teaching to you.

IDENT

OSBORNE

EDUCATION

ACTIVITIES

OFFICER

OFFICER

GEORGE INGRAM

ALEX ROSE

The Welfare Officer ensures that the wellbeing of students is prioritised during their time at university. This Officer drives the university and RUSU to help solve issues currently affecting students.

The Diversity Officer promotes equality, diversity and inclusion in all things at RUSU. They provide support to those from diverse backgrounds, to ensure they feel part of the university community. They also facilitate the 10 Part-Time Officers’ campaigns.

The Activities Officer leads on all sports, societies, volunteering projects, media activities as well as providing all students with the opportunity to get involved with activities, offered by RUSU.

All officers are elected by students to represent your interests.

Find out more at rusu.co.uk/fulltimeofficers

PART-TIME OFFICERS These officers are elected members of RUSU. They represent all the different groups our community has. At RUSU we recognise that some students are not represented fairly or equally. All 10 Part-Time Officers work with the Diversity Officer to ensure campaigns are run smoothly, successfully and represent these students’ interests.

The Part-Time Officers are elected to represent the following groups at the University of Reading: BAME Officer: Representing Black, Asian, & minority ethnic students.

International Officer: Representing international students.

Undergraduate Mature Officer: Representing mature students currently undergoing their undergraduate degree.

Disabled Officer: Representing all students with physical as well as mental disabilities.

LGBQ+ Officer: Representing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and other associations of sexuality around campus.

Trans Officer: Representing transgender students we have here on campus.

Women’s Officer: Representing all female students on campus.

Postgraduate Research Officer: Representing all PhD students on all courses at the University of Reading.

Postgraduate Taught Officer: Representing all postgraduate taught students on all courses at the University of Reading.

Environmental & Ethics Officer: Representing all environmental concerns on and off campus that need to be addressed.

Feel free to reach out to any of the Part-Time Officers with any questions or concerns you have. The officers are here to make all groups feel equal, heard and included here at the University of Reading. rusu.co.uk/parttimeofficers

CHANGEIT! ChangeIt! is our online ideas platform. All students can submit ideas and some ideas can be actioned without the need for further debate. Have your say! Make sure to cast your vote in the Change It All Student Vote. rusu.co.uk/changeit

ELECTIONS Get involved and put yourself forward for one of our Student Rep roles whilst at University. There is something for everyone – go to our webpages to learn more about the different roles, or to cast your vote in the elections. rusu.co.uk/elections

STUDENT VOICE This is an opportunity for you to influence how your Students’ Union is working for you. Student Voice takes place every term. All students are welcome.

Come along, discuss key issues affecting students, vote on ideas submitted to Change It, and find out what your Full-time Officers have been working on and any future plans. rusu.co.uk/studentvoice

STUDENT

VOICE

CAMPAIGNING RUSU campaigns create positive changes that students want to see. Some of RUSU’s most successful campaigns have come from ideas submitted by students or from elected Reps. rusu.co.uk/campaigns

DIGITAL REPRESENTATION ROSiE is our quick and easy to use digital rep platform.

Provide feedback to ROSiE on all aspects of your student experience; from curriculum design to online learning, from library facilities to support services.

When you share your views with ROSiE, they are sent directly to the relevant Student Rep who will use it when working in partnership with the University. rusu.co.uk/rosie

STUDENT REPRESENTATION Course Reps and Senior Reps represent your interests on teaching and learning issues. They listen to your views and ensure the student voice is heard at school, department and programme level. They take part in Student Staff Partnership Groups (SSPGs) working in partnership with the university to enhance your academic experience. rusu.co.uk/representation

NUMBER OF REPS

48 Senior Reps 400+ Course Reps

RUSU ADVICE SERVICE The RUSU Advice Service is an independent from the University. Our specialist advisers offer free, confidential, non-judgemental advice to students within the following areas: Academic Advice Advisers offer support and guidance through academic policies and procedures.

These include Disciplinary and Academic Misconduct, Fitness to Study / Practice, appeals, complaints and Extenuating Circumstances. They can provide information on the different processes, prepare students prior to attending meeting or hearings, as well as attending alongside them for support. If students wish to take their case to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA), they can also support with their processes.

Housing Advice Our Housing Adviser is trained in all areas Housing Law and how it relates to students. They offer a free contract-checking service, and are on hand to help with contracts, deposits, evictions, disrepair, housemates, landlords and letting agents.

Money Advice Our Money Advisers can help you with a range of student-related money issues, like budgeting, dealing with utility bills and liability for council tax. We can also help students maximise their income, such as making sure that are getting the right amount of student finance or any welfare benefits, and can support if you are struggling with debt.

Get in contact with the Advice Service by emailing advice@rusu.co.uk or completing the form at www.rusu.co.uk/getadvice

STUDENTS SUPPORTED IN 2019/20:

256 MONEY

486 ACADEMIC

222 HOUSING

2019/20

www.rusu.co.uk/advice

students were better off by

ÂŁ103,664

GIVE IT A GO

HOURS

£

7,000+

All our groups are run voluntarily by students, with support from RUSU’s Student Activities team.

4

2500

Volunteering completed across 28 voluntary projects

STUDENT FUNDRAISING

Over £14,887 raised in 2018

by RAG (Raising and Giving)

STUDENT MEDIA STREAMS

Students involved in activities

80+ SOCIETIES

VOLUNTEERING With numerous student-led projects doing everything from gardening to working with children, the chance to take part in unique one-off events and the ability to find opportunities with local charities, there is a volunteering opportunity for everyone. Whether you want to boost your CV, gain hours for awards or simply give something back.

56 50+

SPORTS AND DANCE CLUBS TEAMS COMPETING IN BUCS

214 HOURS

Training time undertaken by teams each week

SOCIETIES

SPORT

We have 80+ societies on campus covering hobbies, interests, academic, career, arts, dance, culture, faith, campaigns, causes and politics.

Sport is a huge part of extra-curricular life, with sports clubs and teams competing in the BUCS leagues every Wednesday. We welcome all abilities, from hockey to recreational rounders, all coming under the Reading Knights sports brand. We are sure we can offer something you’ll be interested in.

TRIPS We have also run trips to places such as Amsterdam, Stonehenge and the Bath Christmas Market.

STUDENT MEDIA

Located within the RUSU building, we have an on-campus radio station, newspaper, and TV station. The perfect playground for any budding journalist.

rusu.co.uk/student-activities

NURSERY Our purpose built nursery offers places to children between three months and five years who have a parent either studying or working at the university. There are five childcentered rooms and an exciting outdoor play area. rusu.co.uk/nursery

JOBS Want to earn some extra money whilst at uni? Join our student staff team and work with some great people. rusu.co.uk/studentjobs

The #1 student discount card will bring you over 200 UK student discounts.

You can either buy one from our reception, online or click and collect. rusu.co.uk/nustotum

MERCHANDISE All of our official University merchandise is available from our shop in RUSU or online at: rusu.co.uk/shop

SHOPS

Within RUSU we have a range of different retail outlets including Bubble Tea, Blackwell’s bookshop, Cerealworks (bagel shop), Mail Boxes Etc. (printing, postal services and binding), UniCuts (hairdresser) and Seoul Plaza (international food store).

FRUIT & VEG MARKET Every week during term-time, RUSU hosts a fresh fruit and veg market, so there’s no excuse not to get your five-a-day.

UNI CUTS

We even have our own 2,500+ capacity nightclub Our 3sixty multi-purpose venue, has recently received a multi-million pound makeover (Summer 2018). It is equipped with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems and hosts everything from our Freshers’ Fayre and recruitment fayres, to drama productions, society showcase events and our legendary Wednesday and Saturday Union nights.

Open six days a week from midday until late, this an ideal please for a drink and a bit of downtime as well as joining in with our Quiz & Karaoke, live music, cocktail and comedy nights.

A perfect place for that morning coffee, cooked breakfast, lunch or a post-study pick-me-up. Mondial is our Starbucks outlet offering all your favourite drinks and snacks.

Monterey is a great place to grab a tasty variety of food and drink from one of our outlets and sit & relax with friends.

rusu.co.uk/venues For up to date information whilst social distancing is in operation.

SUMMER BALL

The biggest end of year event in the student calendar

NAMES LIKE: SIGALA, KATY B, JAX JONES AND MANY MORE

1 EVENT 4500 STUDENTS 10 HOURS

FESTIVAL SOUND & LIGHTING

OF LIVE ACTS & DJS BIG TOP STAGE

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DUNSDEN CRESCENT

CHILDS

84 STENTON TOWNHOUSES

MACKINDER

rusunews rusuevents STENTON rusutweets

202

WINDSOR, GREENOW & MCCOMBIE

PARK EAT

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6 7 Telephone Fax Email Web

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0118 378 4100 0118 378 4115 enquiries@rusu.co.uk rusu.co.uk

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Charity Number: 3 1158523

PO Box 230

5 Whiteknights 74 Reading

10

RG6 6AZ

8 To find out more visit our website at rusu.co.uk

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