Union handbook

The Ultimate Student Guide 2017/18

Students listen up, You’re going to receive a lot of paper in your first year at University, but as your ultimate guide to the Students’ Union, this handbook is definitely the most important. So for those burning questions that you just don’t know who to ask, this simple guide will provide you with information and direction. Get reading, get involved and get ready to be part of Reading University Students’ Union (RUSU)!

Contents What is RUSU? What does RUSU do?

Little Perks Full-Time Officers Part-Time Officers Education Advice Activities Support in your halls Elections and Changeit!

Facilities Events

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First up, what is RUSU? Reading University Students’ Union (RUSU) is an independent charity, based on the Whiteknights campus, that exists to represent, support and provide opportunities for all students studying at the University of Reading.

As a student, you are automatically a member of the union.

Our ultimate ambition is to deliver essential and relevant services to students in an accountable, inclusive and dynamic way. As RUSU is a separate organisation to the University of Reading, we will fight to ensure that the student is always put first.

If you want to find out more visit rusu.co.uk/about.

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So what does RUSU do, day to day?

Well it…

Solves problems facing you at uni RUSU can offer advice, or point you in the right direction for help on matters such as welfare, money, education, halls… everything in fact!

Unleashes your potential RUSU will enhance your existing skills, helping you to get to know yourself a little better, and encouraging your participation in new activities! We’ll open your eyes to opportunities you may not have considered; from joining (or starting!) a society to launching a student-led campaign.

Provides exciting activities If you’re a sports fan, enjoy a specific hobby, love to help others, or are looking to try something new, then RUSU is the place for you.

Looking to set up the first ever Appreciation of Gel Pens Society?

Do it!

At RUSU, YOU are our main priority! Let RUSU support you and be by your side throughout your university journey.

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Little Perks Within RUSU you will find a number of venues, including Mojo’s Bar & Kitchen, Café Mondial (proudly serving Starbucks), 3sixty (the largest nightclub in Reading), Monterey’s chillout spot and other independent stores.

Money spent in RUSU is reinvested back into the union so that it can continue to provide you with highquality support and services for all students. It goes into improving and developing student activities, representation, volunteering, support, advice, social opportunities and running campaigns.

Find out more at rusu.co.uk/about.

On top of this, RUSU is part of the National Union of Students (NUS), working closely together to support national student-led campaigns and offer fantastic discounts on over 200 stores across the country.

Discounted clothes, food, cinema trips and social nights? Yes please.

You can buy a card at RUSU reception or online at rusu.co.uk/nusextra.

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Student Officer Team 2017/18 Ed- Education Officer (back left), TristanPresident (back right), Leen- Diversity Officer (front left), Charlotte- Activities Officer (front middle), Rose- Welfare Officer (front right).

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Full-Time Officers

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 to 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.

The Welfare Officer ensures that the wellbeing of students is prioritised during their time at university. This Officer pushes 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.

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Part-Time Officers Representation of all students at the UoR is a priority at RUSU. RUSU recognises that some students are not represented fairly or equally at University and in society. It is the role of the Diversity Officer and the 10 unpaid PartTime Officers (PTOs) to campaign for underrepresented students to be treated equally at University.

The following 10 Part-Time Officers are elected students that represent certain groups and interests at the UoR: - Black & Minority Ethnic (BME) Students’ Officer - International Students’ Officer - Undergraduate Mature Students’ Officer - Disabled Students’ Officer - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual and other associations of sexuality (LGBT+) Students’ Officer

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- London Road Students’ Officer - Women’s Students’ Officer - Postgraduate Research Students’ Officer - Postgraduate Taught Students’ Officer - Environment & Ethics Officer Feel free to approach your Part-Time Officers with any questions, ideas and issues. They will work towards making your experience equal, diverse and inclusive at university. Get in contact with them by following the link rusu.co.uk/parttimeofficers.

“RUSU continues to uphold principles of equality, diversity and inclusion in all of its services. There has been a big push to make all students feel welcome in a fair and inviting environment. If you ever feel discriminated against or ignored then RUSU and the student officers will be there to help.”

Leen, Diversity Officer

RUSU Holi Festival 2017 10

Education Of course, education is the main reason you’ve come to university, so it should be both engaging and beneficial to your career progression and life. However, you may find an issue with your course, such as struggling with a specific module or the course in its entirety.

Don’t worry! RUSU are the leaders of academic representation at Reading University. That’s because it is run by students who know first hand the issues with your course. With a team of over 400 Course Reps and 32 School Reps, elected every year, you will definitely find someone to help!

With Course Reps, School Reps, your Education Officer and the Academic Representation Staff team at RUSU, you can rest assured that your voice is being heard.

“I loved being a Course Rep. It was one of the best things I’ve done at uni and I recommend anyone to nominate themselves” Ed, Education Officer Take a look at our website rusu.co.uk/academicrep.

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Advice Whether you are an Undergrad or Postgrad, from the UK or overseas, straight out of school or returning to study, RUSU provides confidential and professional advice, tailored to meet your individual needs.

Academic Advice Complaints about your course? Need extra help during exams? Whatever the problem, RUSU’s Academic Advisers will know how best to tackle your personal issue.

Housing Advice From frustrating landlords to the dreaded council tax, we all have problems with student houses.

Luckily RUSU’s Housing Advisers are on hand to help!

General Advice Embarking on the university journey can be a big step for some. The Advice team can help offer you practical solutions to any general issues you have.

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If you have any concerns, then make sure you approach RUSU’s Advisers who are always happy to listen.

Money Advice Financing your time at university is tough, but of all the concerns on your mind, do not let money be one of them. RUSU’s Money Advisers can help with a range of challenges like budgeting effectively and finding available funding.

The Welfare Officer and Adviser teams’ doors are always open to you at RUSU, ready to help with your problems, no matter how big or small.

“Never think that you have to keep things bottled up. At RUSU we have great staff that can help with any problem, they just need to be told about it.”

Rose, Welfare Officer No appointment? No worries! Drop in times are 11:00am-1:30pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday and 2:00pm-4:30pm on Wednesdays.

To make appointments call 0118 378 4100, email advice@rusu.co.uk, go online at www.rusu.co.uk/advice or come to the RUSU reception.

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Activities RUSU offers you a number of activities whilst at the UoR. There’s nothing holding you back from embracing new hobbies or continuing one of your passions!

“The one thing you should do at uni is get involved with student activities. They are the best and you get to meet so many great people” Charlotte, Activities Officer Sports If you want to play at your own pace then there are clubs that offer social sports, where you can simply show up and take part casually. Looking for a little more competition? National university leagues allow you to compete against other universities – game on!

Volunteering Our volunteering programmes are student led, meaning you can decide which cause you’d like to help, from providing support to the university,

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other students, or the community. No matter how long you’re able to help out on a volunteer programme, your contribution will be invaluable.

Societies If you have interests and hobbies, there’s sure to be a society for you. Societies can be formed from academic courses, culture, hobbies and so on. They’re also a great way of meeting people whilst getting involved in something exciting, so get stuck in!

Media There are three media streams available for you to get involved with at RUSU; The Spark (newspaper), Junction 11 (radio) and RUON:TV (TV). You may not have considered speaking on air or hosting a student political debate, but through RUSU’s Media groups we’ll help you develop in ways you haven’t even imagined.

Visit the Activities Fayres during Welcome Week. Check out more information at rusu.co.uk/freshersfayre.

It’s not all about the education, right? Give it a go! www.rusu.co.uk/activities.

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Support in your halls Junior Common Rooms (JCRs) Reps are student volunteers of specific hall accommodation that run events and look after your wellbeing throughout the year to make your time at Reading amazing. During Welcome Week they work tirelessly to make your initial few days the best they can be. Sign up to their Facebook pages to get constant updates on the events coming up.

Before the year is out you will think of those in your halls as part of one big, happy and diverse family.

Throughout the good and the bad times, your JCR Reps will be there for you. Find your JCR here rusu.co.uk/activities/jcr.

There are JCRs at the following halls Benyon Bridges Childs Mackinder (including Dunsden) Private accommodation Sherfield St Georges St Patricks Stenton (including Townhouses) Wantage Wessex Windsor (including Greenow & McCombie)

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Elections

RUSU encourages any student to run for a Committee position, School Rep, Course Rep, Part-Time Officer and/or Full-Time Officer. Elections for each position happen at varying times during the academic year and RUSU will make sure that all students know the dates and deadlines for each position. We love elections and need student volunteers to stand for them (especially since RUSU is completely student-led). Make sure you do at rusu.co.uk/elections.

“With so many things going on, it is important that they are in the students interests. Elections offer you the chance to be the student voice and make things happen.”

Tristan, President

Change It!

You don’t have to be an elected student to have a say on what should be campaigned on.

With Change It! you will be able to submit any ideas you have that will enhance the student experience. Your ideas will then be put to a vote, for the students to decide what campaigns should be run by RUSU. Have your say right here at rusu.co.uk/changeit.

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Facilities RUSU recently achieved the Best Bar None Gold Award for all of our venues, which is just one indicator showing how great RUSU is (it’s not just us saying it!).

3sixty hosts some of the best Student Union nights in the country. Throughout the academic year, the highly popular Flux on Wednesdays and Saturday Night Union will allow you to dance the night away.

If it’s food you are looking for then Mojo’s Bar and Kitchen is the place for you. Offering you great prices on all your food and drinks, and right in the heart of the university campus, this is the best place to chill while enjoying a bite to eat.

Café Mondial is ideal for the coffee connoisseurs.

Offering Starbucks products at a cheaper price, why not head down and grab yourself a Frappuccino. Relax and escape with a large mug of latte or cappuccino, delicious cakes and muffins and a freshly toasted panini of your choice. We cater for all dietary needs.

Monterey Lounge is a lively social space for you to catch up with mates and work on your own projects over a coffee and a bite to eat. Also available to hire out for practise and socials.

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Our merchandise store Browse our wide range of uni merchandise. Get hoodies, teddy bears and more inside the Union building or online at rusu.co.uk/onlineshop.

Little Learners Nursery If you’re looking for childcare, don’t forget that RUSU has a nursery. If you’re studying at the university, with a child aged between 3 months to 5 years, they are able to attend. Get in contact for more information & available spaces at rusu.co.uk/nursery.

Jobs at RUSU Fancy a Job? Looking for a little extra cash while studying?

Join RUSU’s student staff team working on the bars, nightclubs, nursery, reception and at social events. Check up on vacanices at rusu.co.uk/jobvacancies.

Events

Throughout the year RUSU hosts some amazing events exclusively to Reading students. The highlight? Our Summer Ball, which welcomes over 4000 students, celebrates the end of the academic year. With live entertainment, a fun fair and food stalls everywhere, this really is a perfect way to make some amazing & unforgetable memories.

This is just one example, but there are loads of great events happening throughout the year. So keep an eye out because these events are not to be missed at rusu.co.uk/ents.

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Make sure you get all the information first by joining RUSU’s social media accounts 2

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