Term One: The Highlights

As we come to the end of Term One, the sabbatical officer team share their highlights from the academic year so far. From lobbying the University for free period products across campus to collaborating with CeDAS, Volunteering, and Careers to heading up liberation campaign months – it’s been a busy one!

Maia

Leading Campaigns

Back in October, I worked with the African-Caribbean society (ACS) to bring you a Black History Month celebration! Featuring 12 events, we made sure there was something for every student to get involved in. I organised for Foy African-Caribbean Cuisine to make a special appearance at Market Day after a suggestion from ACS, and after popular demand, they've since become a permanent fixture!

I have been lobbying the University’s governing body to divest from fossil fuels, invest more in climate and social justice solutions and adopt gold-standard ethical investment policies. I will be presenting a paper to Investment Subcommittee in November. This campaign is part of my decolonisation manifesto point so it's really exciting to see it progress!

Lobbying the University

I'm super pleased that we've had a few wins for students this term! I lobbied the University to include gender-neutral and disabled toilets on the campus map! I want all students to feel welcome and comfortable on campus and I’m glad to have secured this win as a small step in that direction. I've also been working with the College to implement free period products across campus. I am lobbying for them to be gender-inclusive, stocked in all toilets, and sourced sustainably.

I successfully lobbied the University to include financial hardship in the accepted reasons for extenuating circumstances! You can now apply for ECs if you have experienced a severe and sudden change in your financial situation. I have also been delivering on my ECs manifesto point as I am working with the College on their review of extenuating circumstances and will ensure students are consulted on any changes to the system. 

Shrey 

I've been involved in a huge amount this term, including working with the University to provide you with more support during the cost of living crisis. More recently, I've been in discussions with Runnymede Borough Council, who have agreed to extend foodbank vouchers to students facing financial hardship. They have also agreed to deliver food packages to students unable to physically visit foodbanks in Runnymede.

Hidden course costs have also been removed as a result of my work with the University and I will continue to stand up for students in conversations around increasing hardship funds.

One of my manifesto points is to build a 'Creativersity', so I've been working with external organisations and universities to create a hub of resources for students at Royal Holloway. I've also been collaborating with CeDAS, Volunteering, and Careers to consider how we can utilise the knowledge of Royal Holloway alumni from various fields. 

Hannah

This term has been a whirlwind! For the first couple of weeks, I facilitated the Buddy Scheme to make sure every student felt like they could go along to taster sessions, Give It A Go, and Active lifestyle and Sport activities without the fear of being alone. The scheme was open to all students but we especially wanted to make commuting students feel welcome. Once term was in full swing, I had the honour of being a judge on Strictly Come Holloway, watched countless fixtures, and promoted Royal Holloway Sport's partnership with JogOn - a campaign to prevent one million pairs of running shoes from reaching landfills by encouraging students to donate their trainers on campus.

Alongside the Disabled Students Collective, I've been running a campaign for Disability History Month; hosting events to raise awareness of the issues the disabled community face as well as celebrating disabled joy and success. I was so excited to welcome Paralympians, Aaron Phipps and Sophie Christiansen, try out wheelchair sports with you, and watch students have their catwalk moment at Medicine.

We ran a student group wellbeing workshop to give committee members some guidance on how to have difficult conversations about wellbeing, how to set boundaries, and where to seek help when they have concerns relating to a member's wellbeing. This was really rewarding, and I hope you found it useful if you came along!

More recently, I chaired my first Societies, Sports and Opportunities (SSO) Executive. The Student Executives and I had valuable discussions about Varsity, Student Group Training, Freshers’ Fair, and the Sustainability Fund. The SSO and I also ratified 13 new student groups including the Taylor Swift Society and Punjabi Society. Speaking of Varsity, the battle against the University of Surrey returns in March, and preparation is well underway. I've been working closely with the RHSU Student Opportunities team and Surrey's Students’ Union to plan the best day for players and supporters.