Meet the RUSU Student Officers

Monday, 27 September 2010

Meet the 2010/11 Student Officer Team: (clockwise from top) Nes, Jess, Steph, Eve, Tommy

Each year the University's students elect a team of Student Officers who work within Reading University Student's Union (RUSU) to represent the student body throughout the following academic year.

This year's Student Officers have been working hard since their term of office began in June/July, in preparation for the challenging year that lies ahead.

President, Jess Lazarczyk, is responsible for the development of the Union, community and communication. "This year I am keen to maintain the existing positive working relationship between the Union and University, to raise awareness of the positive work students undertake within the Reading community by developing the Community Rep scheme, and to develop the Safety Bus on campus to ensure that students can study and get home safely."

She works closely with the four Vice Presidents, who are each responsible for representing different aspects of student life.

Academic Affairs

Tommy Gilchrist, is VP Academic Affairs. "I work alongside the President to defend and extend the rights and opportunities of our student membership. I am responsible for consulting students both formally and informally on their academic experience so as to report back through academic boards throughout the University. I also take a lead role in campaigning on academic aspects within the University and at a national level.

"Some of my aims for year are to: push for an improved personal tutor system; get more formal and informal study space on campus; and to continue the campaign against an increase in the tuition fee cap."

Welfare and Representation

Steph Johnson's focus, in her capacity as VP Welfare and Representation, is on all aspects of student welfare whilst they are at Reading. "I am the lead officer on working with Junior Common Room (JCR) Committees, anything housing related (both on campus and in Reading town), all things welfare related (including mental, sexual and physical wellbeing and safety on campus and in town) and I work with the Union's student Liberation and Representation groups.

"My major plans for this year include: enhancing the student experience for International students; developing a number of the liberation and representation groups; developing an accreditation scheme for housing in the local community to try and improve the quality of student housing, to improve the impact poor housing has on the relationship between students and the community."

Student Activities

Eve Nicol, VP Student Activities, is responsible for enhancing the student experience for those who are involved in the variety of sports, societies, volunteering and media opportunities that are provided by the Students' Union.

"I want to make sure that the passionate student volunteers, who are on the committees of these groups, are provided with the support network within the union and university to allow them to flourish.

"2010/11 is RUSU's Year to Cheer where we will be encouraging students, staff and the local community out on the sports fields every Wednesday afternoon to support our fantastic Clubs and generate campus-wide pride in the Reading Knights.

"I personally want to raise the profile of student arts on campus and support students in translating the experiences and fun they've had in their activities within the union into strong, job-winning CVs."

Democracy and Campaigns

Nes Cazimoglu aims to drive RUSU to become more democratic and interactive for its members. "I take the lead on RUSU's independent campaigns as well as support student activists and campaigners to lead their own. My role involves promoting democracy and Union governance, organising regular democracy meetings such as Student Voice and Services and Entertainments Forum as well as the AGM.

"As we are all aware, Higher Education is facing a generational threat by funding cuts. In my capacity as VP for Democracy and Campaigns I will be working hard and closely with the National Union of Students to allow Reading students to have a voice and oppose the extensive cuts that our University faces by the government."

With the new term beginning on 11 October, the team are eager to face the challenges that lie ahead. Jess says "We look forward to a productive year working with University and Union staff and, most importantly, the students of the University of Reading."

Please visit the RUSU website for further information.