welcome to the union
your union
Since you’re starting a course here, you’re officially a new member of UEASU. The SU is a charity - any money we make is spent on students. We’re run by students for students. And we’re an independent part of the University - always on students’ side. We’re based in a big building at the bottom of the hill from the bus stops - Union House - and we’ve just completed a £6m refurb designed to make the SU the ultimate hub of student life. We’re about students - transforming. That means students learning and developing through opportunities to do things. It means we’re involved in making positive change to your course, your community and your world. And it means a bunch of fantastic benefits and services that you’re now entitled to as a member. Everything you need to know about us can be found at ueastudent.com
contact us Phone and email
Give us a call 01603 593272 or email us union.info@uea.ac.uk
In person
You are always welcome in Union House - our elected student officers and SU staff are upstairs on the first floor above the Gateway.
Get the app
Download the SU app from your phone’s store, search UEA SU.
Get social
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram to get important updates, be the first to know about the best gigs and club nights, and everything that’s happening around the Union. We also run competitions on there so get involved.
@unionuea
/ueastudentsunion
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unionuea
your building FLOOR 1
Here’s where you can find everything in our shiny, new building Shop SU Bars SU
Unio Pizza We do great pizza (within the bars) Gateway
FLOOR 2
Where campus life starts. Get news and info here.
Advice & Housing
The essential student shop run by students for students Pop in for help and advice on your course or with your housing
The LCR
The best SU nightclub and gig venue in the UK
The Hive
There’s always something going on in the Hive
Unio Coffee
UEASU’s ethical coffee shop, by students for students
The Green Room
Book this and its kitchen for your group, meeting or event
Chillout Space
Chill out between lectures- book a nap pod or drop in
Grab n Go
Student Media Centre Scholars [Café Bar] FLOOR 3
Everything you need with exclusive student discounts, a brilliant bakery and the campus post office The SU’s two main bars, with great food, drink and events
The Lounge
Where student radio, TV and newspapers come to life A place to grab a coffee, a glass of wine or a bite to eat A place to relax between lectures
Bookable Rooms Book a room for your group, meeting or event 1-8 The Kitchen
The union’s student kitchen, designed for postgrads
The Boardroom
Book a room for your group, meeting or event
The Studio
Book the studio for your group or event
Union Office
Where SU staff, officers and volunteers transform
Opportunities Store A, B, C
We store your stuff in here
full-time student officers these students are taking a year out from their course (or a year after their course) to represent you
yinbo yu activities & opportunities yinbo.yu@uea.ac.uk
jo swo welfare, community & diversity j.swo@uea.ac.uk
chris jarvis campaigns & democracy christopher.jarvis@uea.ac.uk
connor rand undergraduate education c.rand@uea.ac.uk
liam mccafferty postgraduate education l.mccafferty@uea.ac.uk
Want their job in 2016/17? Head to ueastudent.com/run to find out how
elected student officers full timers and part timers
The Union is a democratic organisation, run by student officers, who are elected by UEA students each year. These 18 officers (5 who are employed full-time and 13 part-time volunteers) represent your views to the University, to the local community and nationally to enrich your life as a student. As well as working to fulfil the promises they made when they were elected, officers respond to student feedback and make the changes that Union Council vote for. They are also here to consider your ideas and lobby on issues you raise, so get in touch with your suggestions.
part-time student officers these student officers combine representing you with their course sam jones
bethany smith
alex mccloskey
aaron hood
theo antoniou phillips
paul erasmus
hussam hussein
jack robinson cameron mellowes tom etheridge philippa costello
environment ethical issues lgbt+
ethnic minorities
ting ni
international
women’s
students with disabilities mature students
non portfolio
To get in touch with any of the officers, head to ueastudent.com/officers
representation
change your world
Everything the Union does is in the interests of democracy and the voice of the student body as a whole. Student officers are guided by the policies that students make through referendums and through a representative body called Union Council (which is the heartbeat of the Union).
This is an opportunity for representatives of students from across the University community to come together and decide where we go next.
how do we make decisions? all members power
students can overturn any decision
union council reps from UEA schools, clubs and societies
student officers elected officers who make things happen
responsibility & accountability Our members (that’s you) make decisions democratically on how the Union works. We also have a Trustee Board, which is mostly made up of students, who basically make sure that the decisions we make aren’t breaking the law or making us bankrupt - so they have the final say.
how do I become an officer? We want to be the SU you want us to be and one you’re proud to tell your mates that you’re a part of. One of the best ways to get involved is by becoming an officer. We have part-time officers who are in post whilst they study and full-time officers who take up the role as a fulltime job for a year. Being an officer is excellent experience and you can find out more about how to get involved at ueastudent.com/run
we’re making UEA even better We love UEA - but this year the SU will be doing things to make UEA even better. We’ll pressure the University to improve assessment and feedback quality and return times, organisation and management of courses via hubs and careers support. We’ll work to get rid of hidden course costs, we’ll get the cost of living for UEA students down, and we’ll work with the University to tackle mental health and anxiety on campus.
shape your own course If you’re interested in shaping the way your course works, being a Course Rep is for you. This position is elected at School level and there is one for every year of study. These Reps work in partnership with University staff to make things even better at UEA. As a Rep you’ll receive all the training you need to make sure the voice of students is heard on committees in the University and beyond.
If you aren’t a Course Rep yourself, make sure you find out who your Reps are and let them know what you think about your course by going to ueastudent.com/whoismyrep. Your feedback will enable your Reps to bring about the changes you want to see at UEA. Alongside Course Reps, there are Faculty Convenors who work at faculty level and with Course Reps across their faculty to make things better and link up the work of lots of Reps.
shape your own union
If you want to get more involved with your Students’ Union why not set its direction by becoming a Union Councillor? Meetings take place throughout the year where Union Council sets out what should be worked on by the SU. Council is made up of councillors from clubs, societies and Schools of Study so there are plenty of ways to play your part. All school-based positions will be elected at the start of the year so look out on our website for how you can stand! The best part of all of these roles is that they’re up for grabs every year - loads of positions are available now so if you want to be the change maker, head to ueastudent.com to find out more and get involved.
priority campaigns Each year the SU selects some big topics to be our “priority campaigns” for the year ahead. These campaigns become the focus for the officer team whilst still allowing for new projects and campaigns to be developed throughout the year as they come up. This year we’re focusing our efforts on: reducing the cost of student living, ensuring you have a transformative educational experience at UEA, student well-being and mental health, ending austerity and making sure your SU is the best it can be by securing enough funding. If you want to find out more about what we’re doing, how you can get involved and how you can suggest new campaigns head to ueastudent.com/ourcampaigns
campaigning The core purpose of the Union is to enrich your life as a UEA student. One of the most important ways we do this is by campaigning on the subjects you care most about! This year we want to make all of our campaigns the biggest, the best and the most successful we’ve ever had but they can only be this brilliant if you get involved. We want to help you set up the campaigns you want and to get involved in as many campaigns as possible to improve UEA and the world. If you want to get involved have a look online at ueastudent.com/ourcampaigns to find out more about setting up a campaign or to see what we’re campaigning on already.
advice
we’ve got your back We’re really good at giving advice for pretty much any problem you might have. Like, really good! What’s more, it’s completely independent. So whether it’s academic, financial, housing or employment advice you’re after, or you just want a general chat about something that’s bothering you, one of our advice workers will be able to help, or at least point you in the direction of someone who can.
get advice The Advice Team can offer advice on a range of issues during your time at UEA. You can book an appointment with our Advice Team by emailing advicecentre@uea.ac.uk, calling 01603 593463 or calling into Union House. The advice is free and independent, and our staff are experts in academic appeals and housing issues. Visit www.ueastudent.com and go to the Help, Advice & Housing section for more information. If we can’t help you then we can direct you to where you can find help.
get housed
At the SU we make house hunting easier and safer for you. We provide the largest single list of housing for UEA students free of charge and offer a great selection of student houses, flats and rooms. We also run our own private sector letting agency recommended by UEA. Visit us in Union House or call 01603 592505/ 593230 Visit ueastudent.com/homerun to search for properties and use the message board to chat with other UEA students looking for a house. You can find both the Advice Service and HomeRun in the newly opened Gateway, located in Union House.
opportunities
beyond your degree You’re here at UEA to get your degree, but there are so many other things you can do around it to enrich your life, better your job prospects and make new friends.
join a society
The Union supports over 180 societies which are run by student volunteers. Whilst clubs are for sport, societies are for…. everything else! You can try something new, anything from baking, to debating, to live music. Joining a society is a great way of meeting new people and membership starts from £3, you can even start up your own society. For more information look online at:
ueastudent.com/societies
get sporting We have over 60 clubs at the Union. These are groups run by students so that you can try sports you’ve never done before or play the sports that you enjoy, ranging from capoeira to korfball to football. Most clubs take part in BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) and compete against other universities on a regular basis. To see all the union clubs go to:
ueastudent.com/sport There are plenty of other sporting opportunies at UEA. Go to the website above for more info on social leagues, drop-in sessions and much, much more. Have a look at ueasport.co.uk for more information.
media collective The UEA Media Collective is composed of Concrete - UEA’s official student newspaper, UEA:TV and Livewire 1350. For more information or to see how to get involved, get in contact with k.daly@uea.ac.uk.
Concrete is the University of East Anglia’s official student newspaper and is published fortnightly in print and online. You can pick up a copy on campus or in the city, and even on their website. They’re always looking for new writers and photographers so drop them an email to get involved! Facebook - facebook.com/ConcreteNewspaper Twitter - @Concrete_UEA Website - concrete-online.co.uk UEA:TV is a student-run television station which focuses on training our members in a wide variation of roles as well as producing our own original programming and coverage. They operate in factual, music, entertainment and Sport programming, working closely with Concrete and Livewire 1350 to complete one student media experience for the members of UEA. Facebook - facebook.com/UeaTV Twitter - @UeaTV Website - ueatv.com Student-led radio station. The soundtrack to UEA for twenty five years. Broadcasting live, throughout term, from Union House. Listen up. Broadcasting on www.livewire1350. com from 9am to midnight every day, and via the TuneIn Radio App search for Livewire 1350. Facebook - facebook.com/livewire1350am Twitter - @Livewire1350 Website - livewire1350.com
be enterprising Union enterprise provides students with the opportunity to develop and showcase their talents, attend workshops and events, offers support, provides information on contacts and room bookings and access to mentoring, grants, free training, CV building, funding and more! To get involved or to find out more, get in touch with Victoria, the Union’s Enterprise and Activities Coordinator: v.cook@uea.ac.uk
volunteer The Union is driven by volunteers; from Union Councillors to committee members of clubs and societies to campaigning activists, all of our activities need volunteers to work. Our website and Facebook page have all the information about volunteering and what you can do in your time at UEA so make sure you have a look: ueastudents.com/volunteering If you are volunteering with the Union, University or in the local community as well as being a great experience, it will help boost your CV and make you stand out to future employers, contact Katy Daly on K.Daly@uea.ac.uk for more information.
support from others You can join a peer support group for free, or just go along to an event once if you like. They are there to provide a supportive community for students who need them.
pride
UEA’s sexuality and gender identity peer support group offer support via trained welfare officers should you need anyone to talk to about public or private difficulties. email: prideuea@gmail.com facebook: UEAPride
chronic
Umbrella Peer Support Group for students at UEA with chronic health conditions, mobility issues, disabilities and those who wish to support them. Run weekly support groups and offer online support. email: ueachronic@gmail.com website: ueastudent.com/groups/chronic
nightline
A confidential and impartial listening and information service run for students by students. Open from 8pm to 8am every night during term time. phone: 01603 503504 email: listening@norwichnightline.org.uk drop in: Suffolk Terrace roadway level, Block A website: norwich.nightline.ac.uk
student minds
A student-run UEA society which runs student peer support groups and organises campaigns across campus aimed at raising awareness about mental illness and reducing the stigma surrounding it. facebook: UEAStudentMinds website: studentminds.org.uk
sexual assault awareness committee (saac)
SAAC is a peer support group on campus that aims to raise awareness of sexual violence and also advocates for a safe learning environment that is free of sexual violence for all students at UEA. facebook: SAACuea
enterprise
we run things
At the SU we run a bunch of amazing student facilities and services ourselves. We run them to make a profit that we then plough into things like student advice and student clubs and societies. We employ loads of student staff in these services, all of whom are paid the living wage and get valuable experience at all levels in our business. We’re great on safety, security, responsible retailing and ethical practices and purchasing. We try to meet the widest possible range of students’ needs, we focus on minorities as well as majorities, and we will provide a platform for student talent to shine.
value for money We run Social Enterprises for two reasons; firstly, so that you can have a say in how we run them so they are responsive to your needs. Secondly, to make the money we need to deliver the activities we provide.
As a charity, we put all of the profit we make in our Social Enterprises back into the Union. So when you buy a sandwich at the Union shop, a Fair Trade cappuccino from UNIO, or a ticket to Damn Good on a Tuesday, you are donating to a charity that wants to help you.
get student discounts One thing you’ll definitely want to get is an NUS Extra card. This gives you great discounts for loads of great brands like Amazon, Odeon, Apple, Spotify, ASOS, and even The Co-operative. Combine this with loads of great restaurants, train tickets (including money off Young Persons railcards) and it will have paid for itself within a matter of days, then you can continue to enjoy the discounts for the rest of the year. Get yours from cards.nusextra.co.uk or from Reception in Union House.
& & shop
grab
go
&
grab
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grab
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grab
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bar
The Shop on campus is home to a bakery, Post Office, Lottery, best value stationary, clothing, cards, subsidised newspapers, meal deals, a wide range of world foods and lots more! We also have a new Grab & Go outlet in the Gateway. The Shop also employs lots of student staff, so keep an eye out for vacancies! We run two bars. which host regular student-run events and have occasional discounted prices, before The LCR club nights for example. You can also get delicious, freshly made pizza from Unio Pizza. Scholars is our cafÊ bar with a more relaxed feel, designed by postgrads but open to all. There’s a great range of food and coffee by day, and a good range of wine, beer and spirits and regular events in the evening. UNIO is our own, independently run, ethically focused coffee shop. It is located in The Hive and has plenty of comfy seating so is perfect for grabbing a drink and something to eat with your friends between lectures. All of our tea and coffee is Fair Trade, and all of the profits go back into the Union, so we can do more great things for you, our members.
live!
go to gigs The LCR and Waterfront venues are famous for their gigs. In recent years we’ve seen Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Foals and more. It’s not just music events though; we also have great comedy nights, for example with Greg Davies and Russell Kane performing last year. The Waterfront is also a venue where you’re likely to see not only some of the best acts from around the world, but some of the UK’s rising stars and some fantastic local acts too.
Go to www.ueaticketbookings.co.uk for the full list of current events or visit our Grab & Go on in the Gateway. You’ll also be able to get your tickets for a plethora of other gigs/venues in and around Norwich from there including the Arts Centre, The Bicycle Shop and more.
officiallcr thelcr
waterfrontuea waterfrontnorwich
go clubbing on campus
A-list on a Saturday night at The LCR is the biggest sell out club night in Norwich, with over 2000 students attending every week. There’s also midweek club nights like “Damn Good” and a ton of special events focused around different music genres. Tickets can be purchased for The A-List and Damn Good either from www.ueastudent.com or from the Gateway in Union House.
heAListLCR T ueastudent.com/tickets
DamnGood_LCR DamnGoodLCR
go clubbing in town
The Waterfront is our venue in the city. If you don’t like chart-topping mainstream music but like dancing, the Waterfront puts on the best alternative club nights in Norwich. Have a look at www.ueastudent.com/waterfront for more information.
We want you to have a good night out. If something or someone makes you feel uncomfortable, no matter how minor it may seem, you can report it to any member of staff and they will work with you to make sure it doesn’t have to ruin your night.