News

UCA Students’ Union is working to ensure the voice of UCA students is heard and we have invited Vice Chancellor Simon Ofield-Kerr to hold an all-student meeting on Friday 25th November 2011.

I’ve come into office feeling more prepared than many sabbatical officers across the country could hope for; much in thanks to the support of my predecessor, Lee Gavin, but also with the help of a brilliant staff team at the Union.

But it wasn’t only this support that has left me in a reasonable position to represent student interests. The last year has been difficult and fraught with uncertainty both nationally and locally.

Are you turning 21 in 2010? Want to win an amazing party holiday for you and 3 friends? If so, get in touch with Four Parties:

Email fourparties@ITV.com or call 0207 157 3750

Also, take a look at the attached poster….

CALL FOR ENTRIES - UK Young Artists is a showcase for the best of the UK’s young and innovative creative talent.  Apply for the first national event taking place in 2010 with the chance to be selected to represent the UK at the Biennale of Young Artists from Europe and the Mediterranean in Morocco in 2011. Final selection will be made up by an international panel of artists and critics. For more details and online entry visit: www.ukyoungartists.co.uk

UCASU’s officers have chosen to support the plight of Dr. Miguel Angel Beltran.

Dr. Miguel Angel Beltran, a Colombian academic and teacher, has been imprisoned since 23rd May 2009, without trial. He faces charges of “rebellion”.
Dr. Beltran’s academic research has been on the Colombian conflict and he has been an open critic of the Colombian Government’s ‘democratic security’ policies.  He has been accused of being a member of the international front of the FARC guerrillas, but at the time Dr. Beltran was a professor of sociology studying a post-graduate at the National University of Mexico. He is a widely known and respected academic among colleagues and students both in Mexico and at home in Colombia, many of whom are campaigning for his release, including the Colombian University Professors’ Trade Union ASPU and the Colombian University Students’ union ACEU.

Much of the evidence against him has been discredited by INTERPOL, and specifically, supposed evidence of alleged terrorist documents have still not been provided by the authorities and his defense has been denied access. His trial is due to take place on 24th May 2010.

Message courtesy of UCA staff member, Hollie Edwards.  She writes:
As you may or may not have heard my boyfriend Tom sadly died on Friday 2nd April. He had been out in Farnham for the evening on 27th March and on his way back to the Train station he was hit by a car, Tom suffered a severe brain injury along with many other mulitiple injuries.

He was initially taken to Frimley hospital, then transferred to St Georges in London where he spent 6 days in intensive care – the damage was too severe that Tom did not pull through.…

If you’ve been anywhere near a TV or newspaper of late then you will have noticed that election fever has hit the nation!  And here at the SU we’re feeling it too….

The SU have recently funded an affiliation for UCA students with nightline and we now offer a phone/skype counselling service open from 6pm – 8am every night of the term. This is confidential listening and practical information that you can call on 02076310101 or free calls on skype via www.nightline.org.uk. Visit the website for further information on nightline.

For the first time ever, we are now offering special edition Graduation Hoodies for the class of 2010. We have negotiated special permission with the University to use their logo on a black hoodie, which will be available in all sizes for just £26. Come down to the SU offices to pre-order yours.

There are also still UCA hoodies available in a variety of colours for £20 if you still haven’t got one of this years range yet.

Last week saw the most important change in the Students’ Union since beginning my post. Myself and the other officers have been busy pulling apart the current structure of the SU and working hard to see how best we can fairly represent students from each site at UCA. After much thought, discussion, feedback, drafts and re-drafts, we arrived at the beginning of January with a proposal for a brand new constitution to present to all you students to pass by calling a referendum last week.

Just a reminder that we are in stock of UCA hoodies in a variety of colours for £20. Come find us in the offices to buy a hoodie.