WRITTEN BY STUDENTS FOR STUDENTS
JANUARY 2020
Striking for change
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RUSU take a break Find out what your full-time officers got up to over the winter break in our Photography section.
We take a look back at last term’s striking period and explain what will happen next for staff and students.
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RUCC Caving Trip
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Reading University Caving Club share what they got up to during their trip to Ogof Ffynnon Ddu.
APPLY FOR YOUR
GIVE A NEW SOCIETY A
STUDENT MEDIA.
GO THIS TERM.
APPLICATIONS FOR NEXT YEAR’S COMMITTEES ARE NOW OPEN.
THE RE-FRESHERS’ FAYRE AND GIVE IT A GO SESSIONS ARE RUNNING THIS MONTH.
NEW YEAR’S MOTIVATION
Photo by: RUSU Marketing
Holly Fournier | Lifestyle Editor
Head over to Lifestyle this month to celebrate 2020 with a range of useful articles designed to help you kick start the new year. Whether it’s advice on budgeting your student finances, workouts to do at the gym, a new Reading café to try out, or a self-care routine you’re looking for, Lifestyle has it all.
STAR WARS IX: END OF AN ERA Ryan Harnell | Part 2 International Development
R U RUNNING? Taz Usher | Print Editor Nominations are now open for RUSU’s 2020/21 team of representatives.
The end of the Skywalker Saga is here - is it any good? The epic conclusion to this 40-year-old isn’t perfect, but does deliver moments of real heart and humour. Read all about it on page 30.
The roles- which are open to all students at UoR- include the five salaried positions of RUSU President, Welfare, Activities, Education and Diversity Officers, as well as part-time roles including Women’s, BAME and LGBQ+ Officers. The election period- running from
January 13th to February 28th- will also feature the selection of next year’s student trustees and school reps, resulting in more than 1,500 students stepping into leadership roles across the categories.
part-time officers.
Commenting on the benefits of the part-time officer roles, current International Officer, Sara Mattar said: “Throughout my role as part-time international officer I have enjoyed many things, especially working closely with the diversity officer and
The leadership positions also offer unique opportunities for skills development including leadership, the promotion of change, and most importantly, networking and meeting new people.
“I have enjoyed creating campaigns and events for internationals to make them more integrated in the University community.”
Sara added: “One of the many opportunities I have enjoyed during my role is the opportunity to attend the UKCISA conference in London. The talk focused on what internationals are facing in education and how we can make it better for them. I would encourage each student to go for a part-time position as you work closely with the University and are the voice of all students you are standing for.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 8.
FIND THE SPARK ONLINE AT SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK AND ON ALL SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS.