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STUDENT Issue 2 NEWS 2015/16 THE UNIVERSITY OF CHESTER STUDENT MAGAZINE International Student Society p3 BBC’s The 3rd Degree p7 British Olympian lecture p15 FINAL YEAR STUDENTS 4 Chester Difference Award WE NEED 5 Be meningitis aware! 8 What’s new at CSU? YOU! Take part in the National Student 10 Love is ‘on the air’ Survey – it’s quick to complete and will help the University continue to improve in the future. 14 Success for Archaeology alumni 2 STUDENT NEWS STUDENT YOUR NEWS UNIVERSITY Student News is an official NEEDS YOU! University of Chester publication, produced by IT ONLY takes a few minutes to fill in Why should I take part? the University’s Corporate the National Student Survey (NSS) • It’s your opportunity Communications Department and your feedback will make a real to give your honest to keep students informed of difference to your fellow and future feedback on your University news. students – and you’ll be in with a student experience chance to win a top prize! • It takes just ten Any students who would like to By simply sharing your views about minutes to complete write for Student News are invited your course and your time at the University • The Survey is run to get in touch with the Corporate by filling the survey in online - both what independently by Ipsos Communications Department on the you liked and what you think could be MORI The Survey is open now until email address below. improved – you could be in with a chance • You’ll be helping prospective students April 30, 2016. to win one of 60 prizes! make the right choices of where and How do I complete the NSS? CONTACT And everyone who takes part will be what to study The NSS is now live at the University [email protected] able to claim a hot drink voucher to be used Jonathan Harper, CSU President, and by now all eligible students should in Chester Students’ Union (CSU) at either said: “The National Student Survey is a have received an invitation email to EDITORIAL TEAM Chester or Warrington as a thank you. driving force for change at the University complete the Survey by Ipsos MORI. Alexandra Williams What is the NSS? of Chester. As an opportunity that presents Later, non-respondents may be Amy Jones Aimed mainly at final year itself annually to final year students to contacted by post or by telephone. You Dr Anna Mackenzie undergraduates, the NSS is run reflect on their overall student experience, can complete the NSS online or via a Elin Williams independently by Ipsos MORI and asks it is crucial to the development of University mobile device at www.thestudentsurvey. Ethan Wade 23 questions relating to six aspects of life, from participation and engagement, com at any time. Jessica Arcenas the learning experience, including one to retention and course content. It is your You’ll see the NSS survey being Joshua Roberts question about overall student satisfaction chance to change things for the better, advertised around the various University Nan Pickering and one question about satisfaction with and influence the future of learning and campuses where you’ll be able to grab Natalie Walsh the Students’ Union. teaching here at Chester.“ freebies and fill in the Survey there and then. Tom Curtis Tom Little Will Dell PHOTOGRAPHY The University’s AV team, unless WIN GREAT PRIZES otherwise stated. By completing the NSS online you could win one of: • 50 x £50 Amazon vouchers • 10 x prizes worth £300 with a choice of Amazon vouchers; holiday vouchers; Apple iPad; Playstation 4/Xbox One games console bundle; or a TV and Blu Ray player. To obtain this information Scan the QR code in an alternative format – large above to go straight print, audio, electronic or other to the Survey! alternative format – please e-mail: HOW IT HELPS [email protected] Here’s just a selection of how the University has acted on student feedback… • Enhanced detail, promptness, and helpfulness of • Reviewed and improved access to IT resources, feedback on assessed work; study spaces, textbooks and e-books. • Made timetable improvements and explored • Improved support measures such as personal course content and design; academic tutor sessions and enhanced induction programmes. • Improved teacher-student communications; STUDENT NEWS 3 Selamat datang! Welcome to the Bienvenue! Aloha! International Welcome! Namaste! Karibu! Mabuhay! Student Society! Willkommen! BY JESSICA ARCENAS including a trip to Cheshire Oaks to see Spectre, the latest Bond film. A SOCIETY with a place for everyone is last year’s Diversity Festival is the main event that the International ‘Best New Society of the Year’ the International Student Society, in collaboration with the University, Chester Student Society (ISS)! This was created to make a Students’ Union and various societies, hosts to showcase diversified, fun-filled community, where international the different nationalities and groups at the University of students could learn about other nationalities together Chester. Last year’s Diversity Festival featured foods from through organised activities. countries like Indonesia, France, England and Nigeria and Following last year’s success, the committee is also included performances from different societies. determined to surpass the current membership quota Michelle Yung, Committee Member, said: “Being on of around 60 people. Stephen Broderick, the Society the committee is a bit tiring sometimes but it is worth it, President, hopes that it will attract more students and especially when I see members participating and enjoying increase a sense of community at the University. the events and activities that we hold.” He said: “I plan to develop a place where everyone Johnnie Au, Vice-President of the Society, added: “I could partake in activities. The Society, to me personally, is wanted to step out of my comfort zone, know more people filled with students from different cultures and many speak a place where people from different cultures and nations and do something I was scared to do. Moreover, I believe more than two languages. can come together as one collective family, so to speak, I can learn different skills through being a VP for example Facebook “f” Logo ISSCMYK / .ai thereforeFacebook “f” Logo CMYKseeks / .ai to encourage students to come along and share as well as embrace the different cultures.” leadership and communication skills.” to their fun-filled events. Give it a go! Events that ISS have already hosted this academic year With the committee changeover approaching, Society For more information visit: https://www.facebook. include a film night, an international food fest, Diwali festival members are looking forward to enticing creative and social com/groups/chesterinternationalstudentsociety/ and the group has attended several social nights and members to become more proactive. The University itself is Twitter @iss_UoC and IG is ISS_UOC Working towards a smoke-free campus DESIGNATED smoking areas have been introduced • To create a smoke-free environment, in which to learn, Thornton Science Park already had designated smoking across the University as part of smoking tobacco work and live. areas when the University acquired it and Kingsway, Riverside restrictions introduced earlier this year. • To reduce the impact of tobacco-related refuse. and Queen’s Park arrangements will be announced shortly. Recent surveys of both students and staff have • To promote healthier lifestyles to, and for, all students, staff University Centre Shrewsbury is completely smoke-free. demonstrated a high level of support for a ban and those and visitors. Keep an eye on Portal for smoking cessation dates. from both groups have been kept informed of the proposal. • To minimise the risk of fire, or the setting off of fire alarms, • Further information will follow on Portal via the home Smoking tobacco is to be prohibited on all University caused by smoking. page and Health4All section: https://portal.chester. sites, facilities and vehicles, except for in the designated • To exceed the requirements of smoke-free legislation. ac.uk/hrms/Pages/smoke-free-campus.aspx areas, which are currently being notified to students and staff. Designated smoking areas established so far (and From September 1, 2016, smoking (other than the use of identified by clear signage and bins) are: e-cigarettes) will be forbidden, other than in the designated areas, with a new policy as the operational framework Parkgate Road, Chester Campus behind this. • At the end of the Students’ Union building by The detail is being determined by a ‘Working Towards a Principal’s Walk (towards Church College Close) Smoke Free Campus’ Working Group, whose membership • Between the new car park and Molloy building includes smokers, non-smokers and representatives from • At the side of the Westminster Building. UCU, Unison and Chester Students’ Union. The positive aims are: Warrington Campus • To protect the health and wellbeing of non-smoking • Across the road from the front entrance to the bar students, staff and visitors by avoiding involuntary • By the side entrance to the Martin Building exposure to smoking. (Manchester Hall side of the building) • To support students and staff who smoke by referring them • On the central paved area of the Piazza to specialist smoking cessation schemes and advice. • The Newton Hall end of the Garden café. 4 STUDENT NEWS The Chester Difference Award The Chester Difference Award (CDA) is a fantastic opportunity. The Award offers all students the chance to gain recognition for their commitment to a series of interesting, enjoyable and constructive extra-curricular activities. Mahnoor Salam and Matthew Banks, two final year undergraduates, have worked their way up to the Award’s highest tier, The CDA Excellence Mahnoor Salam. Award, and have been appointed as CDA Student Ambassadors. Matthew Banks. The CDA encompasses How has getting involved What would you tell students’ involvement in a with these activities students who haven’t yet range of activities.