President’sNewsletterCONTENTS

ExamsRobinson LibraryStudent Advice CentreSU BuildingRe-Freshers’ CarnivalElectionsStudent Council Give it a GOGo Playncl+ AwardsHall RepresentativesPound in your PocketCareers Activities 2012Alumni Association Student Initiative FundNew mobile friendly web apps at m.ncl.ac.uk

NUSU would like to wish you all a Happy New Year. We are all very excited for 2012 and we hope you are too. Here is the first President’s Newsletter giving you all the goings on over the next few months and information about the support we will be giving you throughout the exam period.

Exams

Firstly, the Student Union would like to wish you all the very best of luck with your revision and in your exams this January. We know it can be a difficult and stressful time for everyone; don’t forget we’re here to help.

Our new Students’ Union has a 24hr computer cluster including quiet areas for you to really put your head down. Katy, our Welfare Sabbatical Officer will be running S.O.S (Stressed Out Students) from the 11th-27th January. During this time there will be stalls in the SU Hub computer cluster and in the library, handing out stress relief packs containing freebies including sweets, stress balls, post-it notes, pens, vouchers and more.

We will also be running free yoga sessions and Indian head massages across campus. For more information log onto: www.nusu.com/welfare

Robinson Library

From Monday 9th January, the Robinson Library will be open for 24 hours, seven days a week, for every week during term-time!

24 hour opening was trialled during the exam periods last year, and was a great success. On some nights in June 2011, there were over 500 people in the building at midnight, and 200 still there at 4am. As the opportunity to study at night was so well received, the University has made additional funds available to maintain the service throughout each term from now on.As the Robinson Library becomes increasingly popular, with more people visiting than ever before, more study space and more IT are being provided. Over a hundred extra study desks have been installed this year, and over the Christmas vacation 50 extra PCs have been set up on levels 3 and 4.

The Library is still buying more books! If there are books you need which they don’t have, or if there aren’t enough copies of, use the Books on Time service at:http://www.ncl.ac.uk/library/services/lending/book_request/ to let the staff know.

Student Advice Centre

From Mon 9th Jan 2012, the Student Advice Centre will be returning to Term time hours and appointments. A reminder for students that there is a DROP-IN DAY on Wednesdays - no appointments necessary from 12-6pm (15 minute sessions).

We also have a fantastic online service called LIVECHAT where students can chat to an adviser (online) if they cannot make it into the SAC for help.

With the busy exam period coming up also please be aware that our Academic Adviser can help you with any course-related issues either before or after the exams, and assist you with any appeals or issues in this area.

For all information on times and links check out the website www.nusu.co.uk/sac and for LIVECHAT www.nusu.co.uk/saclivechat

SU building

January Opening:To help you focus on your studies we will be serving food, drinks and coffee from Mens bar and our Computer cluster on the top floor until 11pm every day throughout the month of January. Watch our Facebook page for some great offers!

CCTV:CCTV is Newcastle’s newest Saturday hosted in the new jaw dropping SU Venue returns on the 14th of January……..

American Ska-Punk band Reel Big Fish: cross the pond on Monday 30th Jan for what promises to be a legendary gig at Newcastle University Students’ Union.

Live SportsDon’t forget you can catch all of the Live Sky Sports events throughout January.Saturday and Sunday’s there’s a Pitcher and a Pizza for £10.

Union ShopWe have some great promotions on in the shop this month which includes the Meal Deal at £2.99 (Urban Eat or Crank’s sandwich, soft drink and Walkers crisps).Two Bottles of Evian 750ml for £1.29.Volvic Touch of Fruit 500ml 59p.

Re-Freshers’ Carnival Christmas is over, exams are finished the winter blues are coming to an end… it’s a perfect time to re-live being a fresher and we have just the thing; Refreshers Carnival!

It’s taking place on Monday 6th and Tuesday 7th February in the Venue at the Students’ Union. There will be over 100 stalls including many clubs and societies; with an expected footfall of over 4,000 students!

We are offering a big cash prize for those active clubs & societies who can generate as many members as possible between 6th and 17th February. For those students attending, join in the carnival with ‘freebie’ company stalls, live music, food and plenty of fun. For more information please contact Ania at activities.union@ncl.ac.uk

Elections

Represent the University on a National level at the NUS conference in 2012.Policy for the National Union of Students is decided at one huge meeting with representatives from all Students’ Unions in the country, this year, to be held at the City Hall in Sheffield from 24th – 26th April.

At Newcastle University, the Students’ Union President is the delegation leader however there are five places available to ANY Newcastle student. You must be nominated by at least 12 fellow students and be elected in a cross campus ballot.

Important dates:Nomination forms available from the SU building: 10am, Mon 16th Jan.Information drop-in with Laura (NUSU President): 12-2pm, Mon 23rd Jan and Thurs 26th Jan.Nomination deadline: 10am, Mon 30th Jan.

Voting opens at http://vote.ncl.ac.uk: 4pm, Mon 6th Feb.Voting closes: 12pm, Thurs 9th Feb.

e-mail president.union@ncl.ac.uk for more information.

Student Council

An open invite to all: Come along and meet the SU officers, hear reports on SU activity, discuss the top issues about the Student Union and participate in the important decision-making process that shapes the work of your elected Officers.

The next meeting is Thursday 2nd February at 5.15pm, in the History Room on Level 1 of the SU building.

Up for discussion: Should the Student Union remove its ban on blood donation? This has been a controversial issue in the SU for some years. Now the National Blood Service has re-worked their policy on homosexual people donating blood should we lift our blanket ban? Or should we continue the ban to show that the changes still aren’t good enough? Come along to have your say!

For more information and future meeting dates, please see www.nusu.co.uk/council

Give it a GO

A new year, a new term, and a shiny new timetable of fun Give it a Go activities!This term sees a huge variety of events from trips to Edinburgh Castle, to ski and snowboard lessons, to radio taster sessions, to CV workshops!

As I’m sure you all know by now, activities sell out FAST so please book now!For this term’s activities please go to www.nusu.co.uk/giag, befriend GIAG Newcastle on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/giag.newcastle, or e-mail Emily at: giag.union@ncl.ac.uk

Go on! Give it a Go!

GO PLAY: Running Groups - casual, fun, friendly!

Students are wanted to help us form a series of Running Groups at Newcastle University…WHERE?

Halls of residence, in student accommodation areas and from campus. WHEN?

This New Year, many students will be looking for fun, easy to stick to and (most of all) cheap ways to keep fit, lose weight or get out and about. This ticks all boxes! WHAT?

They will run as very casual, ‘turn up and run’ events each week, and we hope to cater for all levels of fitness.

The day, time and meeting place for each session will be advertised at Halls, on campus and online – and a route will be devised that caters for both slightly more experienced/fitter runner, and those who are just starting out!Who knows, maybe you can aim towards a target time, distance, upcoming Park Run event (more about those soon!), or raising the number of students in your group - whatever does it for you!

Want to take part?

If you want to help set up a running group in your Hall/area/department, let us know! You might not want to lead, but if we know there are students there who WANT to run, we can look for one!

Start spreading the word, tell your friends, rope in your classmates or gym buddies.

GO PLAY: Could You Be A RUN LEADER?WHO?

Two students will take charge of each Running groupRESPONSIBILITIES?

• Decide a day/time for group runs (after consulting potential participants)• Devise some routes for the group to follow. • Meeting the group at the specified time to start the run• Motivating runners and potential runners, and being friendly, enthusiastic and positive.

You DO NOT have to be an experienced or super fit runner... you just have to want to get people moving! Leading does not mean out at the front running the fastest.

Gain a nationally recognised qualification from UK Athletics (the Run England ‘Leadership in Running Fitness’ award): Course date is Saturday 21st January.

This course will equip you with all the skills and resources necessary to lead a running group and is paid for by Go Play on the basis that participants commit to help a Running Group and contribute to the training of other leaders with the info learnt on the course. Strictly limited places – enquire NOW at: active.union@ncl.ac.uk

ncl+ Awards

30th Jan: ncl+ student achievement award nominations open: 10 categories, £300 for winners £100 for runners-up and a great addition to your CV!

Have you excelled in some extracurricular activity? Know someone who has gone above and beyond helping the community in their spare time? Make sure you enter the ncl+ awards and keep a look out for further information at www.ncl.ac.uk/students/nclplus/awards/achievement/ and you, or your society could be in with a chance of winning a cash prize!

As part of the build-up to the ncl+ Student Awards competition; Accenture are running a session on how to effectively communicate your non-academic achievements in an application form. This session is designed to help maximise your chance, or your society’s chance, of being amongst the ncl+ winners. This will take place on Tuesday 31st January in the History

Hall Representatives

As well as resolutions and crazy keep fit schemes, a new year also means new hall reps. Back in November these Hall Rep’s were elected in the following Halls of Residence:Richardson Rd & Maris House Social Secretary: William Joseph Brandon Henderson HallPresident: Ian ReedsSocial Secretary: Charlotte BennettSt Mary’s Social Secretary: Katie Dodds Easton FlatsPresident: Catherine Pruitt VelasquezWindsor Terrace, Jesmond Rd & Grand HotelAccommodation Rep: Farhan Wahid Bowsden CourtAccommodation Rep: Zain MahmoodSocial Secretary: Emma Laing

If you live in one of these Halls, then these guys are ready to help with any issues that you have with regards to your accommodation and they may also be organising some exciting socials. To find out more about you accommodation rep’s, please visit: http://www.nusu.co.uk/hallrep/ then follow the link to ‘meet your hall rep’. Also as we still have some positions outstanding, if you would like to become a Hall Rep. then we will be holding by-elections in February. To find out more, please visit: http://www.nusu.co.uk/hallrep/content/774783/can_i_become_a_hall_rep/ from 17th January 2012.

Pound in your Pocket

NUS have launched this survey with the aim of winning more money in students’ pockets. They have already had over 5000 Reponses, but need many, many more. A large response rate from students will mean more chance of us winning changes nationally, preventing hidden course costs and winning bigger bursaries in future. To contribute to the survey and for more information, please see: http://www.nus.org.uk/thepoundinyourpocket

Careers Activities 2012

6-10th Feb: Creative Careers Week. A week of workshops specifically aimed at those wanting to enter the creative industries.See: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/careers/about/news/item/coming-soon-creative-careers-week

Alumni Association Student Initiative Fund

Got a bright idea? The Alumni Association Student Initiative Fund can help you bring it to life.

Kindly supported by alumni donations through the Annual Fund, the Alumni Association Student Initiative Fund supports student development by offering small grants of up to £500 to help turn your enterprising ideas into reality.

Newcastle University students (and Newcastle University graduates within six months of graduating) can apply for funding to develop and deliver innovative, student-led, extra-curricular projects that have a community, social or cultural benefit.

Ideas for projects/ activities might involve running an event or providing a service or product that directly benefits others such as local communities, voluntary organisations or Newcastle University students. We especially welcome applications for projects related to the Societal Challenge themes (Changing Age, Sustainability, or Social Renewal).

In addition to financial assistance, the Fund supports projects by offering expertise and advice. We will work with you to develop your proposal, skills and experience. For more information visit http://www.ncl.ac.uk/students/nclplus/funding/fund/

New mobile friendly web apps at m.ncl.ac.ukISS have launched a new range of mobile friendly web apps. Use your phone to find the nearest ISS cluster with free PCs, view your timetable or contact your tutor. Try it now at m.ncl.ac.uk