Last week, we held our second annual Student Voice Conference. Bringing together students from different communities at Royal Holloway to discuss important topics, decided by you during Speak Week. For those who missed out, here’s a quick recap of what went down.
Last week, we held our second annual Student Voice Conference. Bringing together students from different communities at Royal Holloway to discuss important topics, decided by you during Speak Week.
The interactions and insights throughout the week were invaluable, we hope everyone who came along found it a useful space to share their thoughts and ideas. For those who missed out, here’s a quick recap of what went down.
The Workshops
Monday, Tuesday, and Friday featured a different workshop each day.
Monday’s workshop was on Student Support Services led by Shrijeet Shrey, VP Education. We had our very own Advice Centre Manager, Shells Tumburi, at the workshop to talk about Extensions and Extenuating Circumstances. We also had the Deputy Director of the Careers Service at Royal Holloway, Doreen Thompson-Addo, talk about the career services.
We discussed the release of outcomes for Extenuating Circumstances in the summer results period and how it can make matters worse for students. As well as the need for there to be an in-person career services hub.
On Tuesday, we held a workshop on Campus Facilities, with our VP Societies & Sport, Hannah Hockin. We looked at the library services, including security in the library in relation to responding to anti-social behaviour and potentially redesigning the study spaces to allow for better social spaces. We also discussed the opening of new designated 'Recharge Spaces' in the Windsor and Shilling buildings. We spoke about parking on campus, the need for signposting and better communication with students about the available parking spaces around campus during busy times. During busy times, certain parking spaces are still left relatively empty, but students are not aware of it.
Our final workshop on Friday was on Students Union’s Services, with a focus on President Maia Jarvis’ manifesto aim of improving the security service at late-night SU events. The results of the survey are being analysed and an action plan is being formed based on the survey results. We also spoke about raising more awareness of the Welfare Crew and Ask Angela campaign.
The Panel
Our SVC panel, Students, Universities and the Climate Crisis: What Can We Do? SU President, Maia was joined by the Principal of Royal Holloway, Julie Sanders; President of the Royal Holloway Enactus Society, Enkhlkham Bold; and Co-Director of People & Planet, J Clarke.
We discussed how students feel about the climate crisis, what is the university doing and what students can do. Our panellists spoke of a future of a more sustainable Royal Holloway, where students are part of the dialogue and sustainability is embedded in everything we do. Enkhlkham spoke of her work with the Enactus group and how their research shows that students are interested in learning more about the climate crisis and creating student projects around sustainability.
Looking Ahead
It was a fantastic conference, provoking exciting and interesting discussions; thank you to everyone who came along! However, our work doesn't end here. In the coming months, we will release a full report of both the outcomes of Speak Week, the conference itself, and what we hope to achieve.