After months of planning, we are super excited to be introducing Student Voice Conference to you for the first time! Find out all about the events and how you can get involved from 14-18 February.
After months of planning, we are super excited to be introducing Student Voice Conference to you for the first time!
Last month, we asked you one big question:
‘What one change would you like to see at Royal Holloway?’
Through our website and Instagram, you submitted a grand total of 106 ideas. Since then, we've taken the time to analyse all of the submissions and have identified three top themes:
- Students’ Union Services
- Mental Health & Wellbeing
- Safety on campus
These themes have informed our Student Voice Conference workshops, which takes place from 14-18 February. Whether you’re an academic rep, Collective convenor, member of a student group, media outlet (or you’re just keen to create change at Royal Holloway), this conference is for ALL of you and we encourage you to take part in any way that you can. Each day of the week will feature a different activity so you can discuss your thoughts and help us move forward to create change.
The last couple of years have been challenging for us all but as we finally move away from needing to react to constant changes, we want to get back to understanding what changes you’d like to see at Royal Holloway.
So what exactly is going on?
Student Voice Conference (Monday 14 – Friday 18 February)
The conference itself will span the week with each day featuring a different activity. We’ll hear from your Officer team and some of their campaigns. We’ve also taken your top ideas from Speak Week and built workshops that will both inform you about the idea and then facilitate a discussion to gather your thoughts and identify a solution to move forward with to create change.
Monday 14 February (12:30 to 13:30)
Personal Tutors with Maia Jarvis (VP Education) and Tracy Bhamra (Senior Vice-Principal for Staff and Student Experience)
Want your voice to be part of the university’s Personal Tutoring Project? Come along to our workshop about all things personal tutoring. One of VP Education Maia Jarvis' main manifesto points was improving the personal tutoring system and she has been representing your academic interests by working with the College on their personal tutoring project. Now it’s your turn to share your thoughts on the system and provide feedback on work the College has done so far. We really value all students’ input on this topic so we can’t wait to see you there and hear what you have to say!
Join the conversation
Tuesday 15 February (12:30-13:30)
Students’ Union Services (SU Shop, Entertainment and Events, and Tommy’s Kitchen) with Alex Parry (VP Societies & Sport)
Ever wanted to buy something from the Union Shop but found out they don't stock it? Ever wanted a wider range of DJs and music genres on nights out? This session will focus on the different aspects of the trading services of your Students’ Union. The first part of the session will focus on the offerings of the Union Shop, before delving into events and entertainment, then finally looking at Tommy’s Kitchen and how we can improve our menu.
Join the conversation
Wednesday 16 February (12:30-13:30)
Safety on campus with Henn Warwick (President)
There’s already been so much conversation around student safety. Whether that be on, or around campus, or in your SU. We’re bringing all of those into one place to hear what steps have been taken so far, and what more you would like your SU and University to do to make students safe.
Join the conversation
Wednesday 16 February (17:00-18:00)
Academic Representation and SSCs with Maia Jarvis (VP Education)
The current academic representation structure has been in place since 2018. A lot has changed since then, including a move from faculties to schools, and a pandemic that changed the landscape of education for years to come. We’ve spent some time reflecting on the structure as a whole as well as staff/student committees, to see what else there is to offer, and we’d like to consult you on some of our ideas!
Join the conversation
Thursday 17 February (12:30-13:30)
Mental Health and Wellbeing with Alice Goode (VP Wellbeing & Diversity)
Join VP Wellbeing & Diversity Alice Goode to discuss the services available on campus and bring your thoughts on how they could be improved to support students' mental health.
Post COVID-19, there has been greater recognition of the importance of mental health and wellbeing, both nationally and at Royal Holloway. Many of the student-facing services, such as Student Wellbeing and the Advice Centre have started online drop-in sessions this year, which have proved to be popular as they provide a more accessible and inclusive option for students to get the support they need.
The University recently recruited two Harassment and Wellbeing advisors, Chris and Steven. The senior leadership team at the College is also looking at the resources allocated to and structures of the wellbeing department, as demand for their services has risen significantly.
This year, the Students' Union included the Wellbeing Officer in the student group committee structure for the first time, with bespoke training and resources available for those in this role so that they are better equipped to deal with the range of issues that come their way. The SU also delivers mental health awareness training throughout the year to committee members and members of the wider student body who may be interested. Some student groups such as Cheer and Dance, Walk and Talk, and Mentality have done some excellent work this year, highlighting mental health issues and continuously working to promote general wellbeing and self-care.
Join the conversation
Friday 18 February (12:30-13:30)
Student engagement with Access & Participation, a panel discussion with Debbie McVitty (WonkHE Editor), Maia Jarvis (VP Education) and Alice Goode (VP Wellbeing & Diversity)
We’re bringing together your Vice Presidents, Maia Jarvis and Alice Goode, to talk about all things access and participation. The panel will also feature guest speaker, Debbie McVitty, WonkHE editor. WonkHE are leaders in UK higher education debate and provide analysis and commentary on the hottest topics in HE.
Access and participation plans set out how higher education providers will improve equality of opportunity for students from underrepresented groups (e.g. low-income, black and global majority, mature, care leavers, disabled) to access, succeed in and progress from higher education!
Join the panel discussion