Frequently Asked Questions - Students' Union

 

If have a personal issue or problem on my course is support available?
Answer:

The SU has its own information and advocacy department, therefore if you want independent advice, support or just someone to talk to please visit one of our offices. A member of the Advice team will always be happy to help!

We have a dedicated team that provide confidential, impartial and friendly advice, information and representation and we are completely independent from the University. There’s lots of information about the service, literature regarding processes and current campaigns on our website (www.thestudentsunion.org.uk).

Check out our RARA (Rules and Regulations Awareness) campaign and keep your eyes peeled for any new ones that may appear on a screensaver or bookmark near you soon- there may be snippets of information that will help you with your studies and conduct whilst here at the University.

Appointments to see an advisor aren’t always necessary, but are encouraged so that ample time can be dedicated to your needs. Alternatively you can email suadvice@cumbria.ac.uk or phone one of our offices:

Carlisle Fusehill St: 01228 616012

Brampton Road: 01228 400300 (main University Reception number)

Lancaster: 01524 590817

You can also seek advice and support from the student support services.

I am feeling unsettled/homesick is there anyone I can talk to?
Answer:

You can, anyone at the SU can talk to you if you need a shoulder to lean on or a friendly chat, please ask to see one of our advice team. Our advice is give yourself a few weeks to settle in and remember many are in the same position as you, many have left home for the first time, so just be yourself and get to know your course mates and flatmates (if you are living in halls/student house) and join in activities which you enjoy.

The UCSU Advice service also offer a counselling service which is delivered to you by trainee counsellors in their final year of study at the University. The service is currently offered at the Lancaster campus but telephone appointments may be available for those on other sites. If you are struggling, don’t hesitate to give us a call, email mike.taylor@cumbria.ac.uk or pop into the Lancaster office to book an appointment. 

Joining an activity group on campus or taking part in volunteering are also great ways to meet new people with similar interests.

You can also access advice and support services through the Student Support teams.

Does the SU have a welcome (fresher's) programme?
Answer:
Yes we do, please see the SU welcome mail-out (which will arrive at your door in September) for further info please see our website www.thestudentsunion.org.uk

I do not know anyone at University, what if I don't make friends/fit in?
Answer:

Don’t worry many are in the same position as you and University is fantastic for meeting new people and creating new friendship groups. The best advice we can give is be yourself and speak to your course friends and flatmates (if living in halls/housing) and get to know people.

Joining an activity group on campus or taking part in volunteering are also great ways to meet new people with similar interests.

What does the SU focus on?
Answer:

In order to fulfil our primary purpose of working for a better education for all students at the University of Cumbria we divide our resources into four broad focuses. These four key areas which (as show in the diagram below) overlap with each other, as we work together on your issues:

Academic; we work to ensure you get the best from the University in terms of your academic experience and opportunities whilst at University

Representation; we represent your views to the University, the local community and other people and organisations as appropriate

Community; we aim to provide one Students’ Union for all of our members, wherever and however they study. We will provide opportunities for students to engage with the local community to promote the value of students within the local, regional and national community. We provide social space and entertainments for the development of the Student community.

Student Life; we will provide relevant and valuable advice and information services to promote the health and wellbeing of our membership. We will also promote opportunities for students to support their academic learning with shared-interest groups and sporting activities.

Each of these 4 areas overlap, with student leadership at the core. Everything we do, and will do, relates to our core purpose of fighting for a better education for the Union’s members.

What is the Students' Union (SU)?
Answer:

The Students’ Union is the organisation that represents the interests of students within the University of Cumbria and further afield. Everyone registered on a course of study (be it full time or part time and irrespective of which site they are studying at) are automatically members and can access the wide range of services and activities the Union runs, and are also entitled to get involved in the primary representational purpose of the SU.

Through the elected student officers and professional staff the Union’s main purpose is to work with the University to better the educational experience of all students, and it does this through a variety of approaches, such as representation at senior University committees and through running the Student Academic Rep system. The Union is student led, with the senior elected officers (Sabbaticals) having a high level of access to University Senior Managers and a responsibility to actively involve students in the development of Union policies and strategies.

Simply put we work for a better education for you.

Where is the SU based?
Answer:

The SU offices are based at the Gateway building in Lancaster (ground floor by reception) and the Skiddaw building in Carlisle(ground floor, turn right after entering through the main door) (and the ground floor at Brampton road) (go through the main entrance at the front, turn right then go straight on through the blue double doors and it’s the first door on your right)! We also share an office with Askam Bryan SU by the Gin Case in Penrith.

However, we are a cross campus organisation and our elected officers and staff cover all University sites including the Gateway sites such as Ambleside, Energus and Tower Hamlets

Therefore don’t worry if you can’t find one of us as we are also available via phone (Carlisle 01228 616523; Lancaster 01524 590817, on one of our Facebook pages and Twitter (CumbriaSU), our website www.thestudentsunion.org.uk and we have a section on the blackboard site (which you use as part of your course).

Who are my student representatives?
Answer:

Each year the membership elect students from amongst their own number to represent them in the following academic year. There are a variety of roles, ranging from the full time paid Sabbatical officers through to part time volunteer officers. Each has a specific role, with some being focussed on representing all students from a specific Faculty at a specific Campus (Faculty Reps) whilst others have the responsibility of being the main point of contact for all students at a particular Site (Campus and Site Reps). 

Here are the people who have been elected by the student body to represent you during the 2011/12 academic year. They are you reps, so feel free to contact them with any issues, views, idea or opinions that you think could help us help you improve your academic experience.

The sabbaticals:

Liam Walker (Representation Sabbatical) liam.walker@cumbria.ac.uk

Rachel Garlick (Student Life Sabbatical) Rachel.Garlick@cumbria.ac.uk

Tom Underwood (Union Community Sabbatical)  tom.underwood@cumbria.ac.uk

Lorri Millar (Academic Sabbatical) lorraine.millar@cumbria.ac.uk

Part Time Campus reps

Tom Kenrick (Lancaster) s1010572@cumbria.ac.uk

Lewis Walker (Carlisle) s0802572@cumbria.ac.uk

Rahul Meortra (Penrith) s1009894@cumbria.ac.uk

Specific Interest Group Exec Roles

Ethical and Environmental - Matt Tenant s0903302@cumbria.ac.uk  

Post Graduates - Stephen Shaw s0801002@cumbria.ac.uk

LGBT - Johnny Kirkham s0900351@cumbria.ac.uk

Mature - Dan Sencier s1005868@cumbria.ac.uk

Womens - Parys Hatchard s090233s@cumbria.ac.uk

International - Julian Neilson s0903234@cumbria.ac.uk

Ethnicity – Vacant

Part Time Students - Vacant

Site Reps

London – Alex Walker s0907422@cumbria.ac.uk

Barrow – Vacant

Energus – Vacant

Ambleside – Vacant

Faculty Reps

Lancaster

ABS (Arts Business Science) - Vacant

Health and Wellbeing – Ian Younger s1004148@cumbria.ac.uk

Education – Salman Khan  s1006972@cumbria.ac.uk

Carlisle

ABS – Grant Hopkins  s1005824@cumbria.ac.uk

Health and Wellbeing - Vacant

Education – Davide Angleletti s1005572@cumbria.ac.uk  

Penrith

ABS – Vacant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specialist Reps

Lancaster Mental Health Rep – Laura Tombs s0805422@cumbria.ac.uk

Lancaster Sport Rep – Robbie George s0904941@cumbria.ac.uk

Lancaster Accommodation Rep – Matt Hayhurst s0805270@cumbria.ac.uk

 

Do I have to join the SU to be a member?
Answer:

No, every student is a member automatically, better still it’s completely free (who says you get nothing for free these days).

Can I see someone if I want to join/set up a Sports team or Society?
Answer:

Yes. Allan Stavert (Student Groups Facilitator) and Rachel Garlick (Student Life sabbatical) both actively support student groups.

We have a range of groups available and there will be a Fresher’s Fair in the second week of term (27th Carlisle and 28th Lancaster) September which is returners week), in which you can sign up to one of our existing sports or societies. If you cannot see your interest group there and would like to set one up please speak to one of the SU team or contact us via email, phone etc

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