YOUR GUIDE TO THE GUILD 1 NOW AVAILABLE TO BUY ON CAMPUS Buy your NUS extra discount card in our Guild Shop or from www.nus.org.uk saving you money on all the things you love Can you afford not to? 2 Contents NOW AVAILABLE TO BUY ON CAMPUS Buy your NUS extra discount card 4 Welcome in our Guild Shop 4 What is the Guild? or from www.nus.org.uk 6 Your Sabbs 10 Eat, Drink, Enjoy 13 Have Your Say 14 Get Involved 16 Help and Advice saving you money on all the things you love Can you afford not to? 3 Welcome Welcome to the University of Exeter from your Students’ Guild! We are your Student Union - we just have a different name. If you’re reading this then you’ve probably just moved into your accommodation and now you’re wondering what to expect from your time at Exeter. This booklet along with the other bits in your Freshers’ Pack are to help you find out anything you need to know now that you’re here. You’ll find this year’s first edition of our student-run newspaper, Exeposé, an envelope of deals and messages from venues around the city, a guide from the University, a guide to music at Exeter and a guide on Finances. All this, along with your Students’ Guild T-shirt! If, for some reason it’s the wrong size, please take it to the Guild info point (first floor of the forum) before you’ve worn it for a T-shirt Amnesty. If you want to find out any more information, search our whole list of societies and events or just keep up to date with what’s going on then make sure you visit www.exeterguild.com, now also available to view on your smartphone! Keep checking the Guild website for offers on nights out if you wear your Guild Tshirt! What is the Guild? You might have heard of a Students’ Union but you might not know all the different things it can do for you during your time in Exeter. By being a student here, you are automatically a member of the Students’ Guild, which means you have a say in what we do and how we work. You don’t have to do anything to be more involved in the organisation, but it is always here to help and support all its students. The Students’ Guild is proud to support over 193 different student societies and groups, ranging from A Capella to ChocSoc, from Tolkien to X-Media, Raise and Give to Dancesport. We have a whole department of permanent and student staff to help you in your activities (A&V - first floor Devonshire House) You’ll find us mostly in Devonshire House and the Forum but we also have space in Cornwall House which is the home to our student venue and nightclub, the Lemon Grove. 4 Make the most of your membership by... Enjoying Getting the Making friends tasty local right advice and relaxing for your issues in the Ram produce in the from the Kitchen Café Advice Unit Signing up to a society Having your say and trying and making something new change happen Your Sabbs Each year, a group of 4 students are elected as Sabbatical Officers (or Sabbs) to represent all students at the University of Exeter. They are responsible for leading the Guild and its decisions, setting the direction of the organisation, developing campaigns and challenging the University on issues that affect students. Their job is to try and improve the student experience for everyone here. The team is made up of four roles, each overseeing a different area; • President • Vice President Academic Affairs • Vice President Participation & Campuses • Vice President Welfare & Community Turn over to meet your Sabbs and find out their top tips for Freshers’ Week. If you’d like to keep in touch with what they’re doing then you can follow each of them on twitter, email them or keep checking the website and of course go and visit them in their office on the second floor of Devonshire House. 5 “ Everyone’s new and everyone’s different so make your Freshers’ experience what you want it to be! ” Hannah Barton President @ExeterPresident [email protected] Hey, I’m Hannah and I’m your Guild President for the coming year. I’m responsible for representing your voice and making your student experience the best it can be by communicating your views to the university and the wider community. “ I want to make sure you have the best time at university, and I plan to do this by: • Making sure the university is always improving and doing the best thing for its students • Keeping the cost of living on campus down, from the Ram and the Lemon Grove to the Students’ Guild shop • Making it easy for you to get involved in any area of the Guild you’re interested in If you have anything on your mind, big or small, or just want to chat then come and say hello or drop me an email! If you ever need a friendly face my door is always open. My top three tips for Freshers’ week: ” Go to some society taster sessions to sample them before the Activities Fair on Sunday. Now’s the time to try as much free stuff as possible! Put a couple of taxi numbers in your phone so you don’t get stranded on a night out. Everyone’s new and everyone’s different so make your Freshers’ experience what you want it to be! 6 “ “ Be part of the Exeter culture. Get stuck into varsities, campus events, music concerts, drama and the arts.” Alex Louch Vice President Academic Affairs @ExeterAcademic [email protected] It is my responsibility to help students get the best educational experience possible, maintaining current standards and driving improvements. To kick-start 2013/14, the Guild have just published the new ‘Visions for the Future of Education,’ 8 strategic “ documents outlining the areas each college needs to focus on, and I will be striving to ensure that the priorities in these are implemented. One of the key issues covering all colleges and all stages of students is the lack of study space on campus, and tackling this, therefore, is one of my main aims for the year. I hope you have a great year, and if you have anything you’d like to say about your course, good or bad, don’t hesitate to contact me or one of your course reps. ” My top three tips for Freshers’ week: First year is there to make the transformation from school to Uni and if you need any help don’t forget to ask! Be part of the Exeter culture. Get stuck into varsities, campus events, music concerts, drama and the arts. There’s so much going on, make an effort to go out and find it. Find the best place to work for you. There’s so many brilliant work spaces in Exeter, have a recky to find the best spots close to the Ram or your lectures. 7 “ Your time here is about more than just a degree; my aim is to provide you with opportunities and experiences. ” Jak Curtis-Rendall Vice President Participation & Campuses @ExeterPAC [email protected] Hey I’m Jak and I’ll be your Vice President Participation & Campuses this year. I’m responsible for the Guild’s Activities & Volunteering groups, including Societies, Media, Raising & Giving, Community Action & Halls Committees. “ I am also lead Sabb for St. Luke’s, ensuring Lukies have the best student experience through equal representation and great events. Your time here is about more than just a degree; my aim is to provide you with opportunities and experiences that ensures you have fun and can get involved. In addition 3 main aims this year are to: • Develop new opportunities for student entrepreneurs • Introduce bigger & better events to St Luke’s • Help translate the activities & volunteering you do into employable skills Always feel free to say hello, tweet or email any queries you have. Enjoy your year and get involved in all aspects of Uni life! My top three tips for Freshers’ week: ” Try something new and get to the Activities Fair on Sunday to sign up! Take time to chill out with your new house/flatmates – grab a pizza or head to the RAM for a chilled one! If you want to find anything out, give our people in pink - the Welcome Team - a shout! 8 “ My goal for the year is for you to get the most out of your University experience and be as happy as you can be here in Exeter. ” Chris Rootkin Vice President Welfare & Community @ExeterWelfare [email protected] Hi, I’m Chris and I’m your Vice President Welfare & Community. I’m the one you come to if you have any wellbeing issues while you’re at University, and my number one goal is for you to have the best University experience possible. Examples of “ areas where you might need me include when you’re looking for accommodation, issues arising when you’re out in the Exeter community, or any welfare concerns you may have. I’ll support you and point you in the right direction! My goal for the year is for you to get the most out of your University experience and be as happy as you can be here in Exeter. I’ll be running a social media awareness campaign so you know what not to put on Facebook, running a housing fair to guide you through the house hunting process, and I’ll be working with key members of Exeter’s community, keeping you up to date on events you can be involved in.