What I’ve been doing as your VP Education in the past month, fighting to ensure you get the best education possible at Essex.
Extenuating Circumstances
You’ve had a tough ride. You open up the page and it feels overwhelming, you can’t confront it, and the text has no compassion whatsoever. Not everyone knows how to submit an extenuating circumstances claim, and those who do find it a challenge. I’ve secured a big win by getting the University to embed videos into the form to make it accessible and human. Last week, I filmed some of these videos and they should be ready for next term to help students as they undergo their end-of-year exams and assignments. We also ran a Skills Cafe on the topic, allowing us to provide support and reassurance, and we made an impact on a core group of students who appreciated it.
It might not come as a surprise that the UK higher education sector is under immense pressure right now for a number of factors. The University of Essex is no different, and with a change of University leadership, there is likely to be challenges ahead. I’m proud to have developed positive but robust relationship with key figures and have been working tirelessly to position the SU and the Student Rep system as the force for good that it is. Recently, we hosted a Student Rep pizza party and invited the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Education so she could thank Student Reps and speak to them about their experiences first-hand. Students have raised in SVGs that they are concerned the library may come under pressure and will not be able to source new books, so I met with the library leadership to make sure this does not happen and I can assure you that the library will continue to put substantial resource into acquiring books and materials that students request next year. I’ve got your back.
If you hear anything that concerns you, please get in touch.
student rep summit
To make education engaging and continue the fantastic success we’ve had this year with generating the most engagement with student voice at Essex ever. I’ve planned a Student Rep Summit! A special event to celebrate Student Reps, and the work they do for education, support their personal development and get everyone together for an exciting networking opportunity. I’m proud to be hosting Essex’s first-ever Student Rep Summit and securing resources to do more to put Student Reps in the spotlight with rewarding sessions. This will be on the 19th March. If you want to come along, email sureps@essex.ac.uk and become a Student Rep now - you won’t regret it!!
@joevpeducation
Joe Holmes