Are you annoyed at having to pay top-up fees? Don't want to see the cap lifted in 2009?!?!

Then join us and do something about it!

There is a petition (fighting fees) going around the university and all it requires is your signature. We have already collected over 1000 signatures but need more! If you would like to sign it, or have others sign it then go to www.upsu.net/fightthefees and print off a copy for yourself. When you've got lots of signatures then pop into the sabb office and hand then in to either myself or Ben Norman. Feel free to take them around your halls, into lectures or even sit on a stall (contact sabb office).

We will be taking this petition to Southampton on the 2nd feb, to hand it into John Denham in his constituency, who just so happens to be in charge of making the decision on lifting the cap. If you would like to come, then contact Ben Norman.

Also on the 21st feb there will be a top-up fees debate at park building...............so watch this space! Confirmed guests are Elle Gray - Union President,

John Craven - Vice-Chancellor,

and many many more.

So get involved, although lifting the cap on top-up fees does not directly affect you, if you have a younger brother or sister they are at risk of being charged extortionate fees for the same services and education as you.

If you require any more information contact me on 02392843634 or email me at andrew.machin@port.ac.uk

Hope to see you there,

Andrew

Right, so christmas is out the way, now all you have to do is sit a couple of exams and hand-in a few little pieces of coursework! Well in reality, this is not the case.

As your Education & Representation Officer I know how much pressure is on you to suceed and work hard, yet also how annoying it is to suffer any problems in exams, i.e the gym causing too much noise in the background. So let me know, as something will be done about it! 

Also don't forget to fill out an ecf form if you are ill to the extent that it has affected your revision or performance in an exam, this form also covers greivances, or unexpected problems that disrupt your preperation. REMEMBER to fill and hand them in before your exam to maximise your chances of them being accepted. 

I'm not saying fill them out for the hell of it as this will be clear to those reading it, but if there is a real problem then don't forget to hand them in!

If you need any help filling them in pop into the sabbatical office or ring 02392843634 and ask for me.

Good luck with your exams and coursework and see you in semester 2!

Andrew  

Hello! My name is Andrew Machin and I’m you’re newly elected Education and Representation Officer, but before I tell you about my role I’ll mention something about myself.

The year 2007/08 will be my fourth year in Portsmouth . During my time at the university I studied Law with French and have always been heavily involved with the rugby club and in my final year was the 3^rd team captain and tour secretary. There is a certain level of responsibility that goes with being a captain, besides the vast amount of drinking, the rewards of such probably mean more to me than graduating.

I know this all sounds a bit lame but joining a sports club or society is truly one of the best things I could have done and would urge you to do the same.

In my third year I was also elected as Union Council Chairman which saw me deal with many diverse issues, some of which I didn’t even know existed.

It was this continuous involvement within the Students’ union that encouraged me to run for my elected position. My degree would suggest that I was best suited to this role and I felt passionately about some of the issues under my remit. And no that doesn’t mean my job is boring.

Anyway, my role as Education and Representation is to look after you’re academic welfare. That means that if your Lecturer let you down? University not listening to your problems? Department treated you unfairly? Or anything else, come and see me!

So use me at the Student Union to represent and battle for your rights as a paying student.

You can contact me at andrew.machin@port.ac.uk

Or 02392843634

Good luck for this year,

Andrew

Hi guys,

This is just a quick note to welcome all of you newby's to Portsmouth and to all second and third years you know the crack already.

I'm going to be re-vamping course reps, pushing electives (details will be available soon), do you know your Personal tutor? and much much more.

Take care and i'll see you soon,

Andrew 'Jaffa' Machin