Students are increasingly having to work long hours to support themselves through University. Often this is in the most exploitative areas of hospitality and catering where you have no access to a staff Union.

  Expected to work with little notice? Do you get your legal requirement of a 20 minute break in the middle of a six hour shift? Lied to about the working conditions? Do you get your 4 weeks paid holiday per year? (even if you work part-time for part of the year it should be proportional).

   www.acas.org.uk   has lots of information about employment rights.

 If your employer is breaking them, the Citizens Advice Bureau can help you to win your legal entitlements www.portsmouthcab.org.uk

    Tell us your stories!

        Elle xx

   Societies Carnival is about breaking down invisible barriers across nations, creed and cultures. A one-day Mini festival with loads of crazy things to see and do.

    This will be the 3rd annual Societies Carnival on Friday 2nd May, 12-8pm in Ravelin Park (behind the Library and Students' Union) and we have a Main stage with performances all day, two giant tee-pees as the cultural and activity tents, the New Music dance tent, welly throwing, sack races, international food and loads more.

  Bring a blanket and sunscreen - it will be hot! (with a prayer to the god of outdoor events!) but even if it rains it is still a wicked day.

  If you need any fancy dress ideas, check out www.bestival.net for inspiration - they have gained the world record for the most amount of people in Fancy Dress for the last 2 years!

    See you at the Carnival !!!   (I'll be the rubix cube) 

       xxxxxx

The Devil Came on Horseback is a documentary film illustrating the continuing Darfur Conflict in Sudan. Based on the book by former U.S. Marine Captain Brian Steidle and his experiences while working as an unarmed military observer for the African Union, the film version had its premiere at film festivals in early and mid-2007. This documentary is a Break Thru Films production in association with Global Grassroots and Three Generations.

The award-winning film premiered at Sundance 07, was screened at the Laemmle Music Hall on Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles in June 2007 and opened its nationwide release at the IFC New York in July 2007. The film asks viewers to become educated about the on-going genocide in Darfur and laments the failure of the US and others to end this crisis.   (Source: Wikipedia)

   That's where I'm off to now - and it's not to late if you want to register for next weeks session - The Blood Donation Service will be in the University on Monday 19th November 2007 in the Main Hall at the Nuffield Centre. To make an appointment please contact THE NATIONAL CALL CENTRE ON 08457711711.

The NUS annual conference is taking place in blackpool on the 1-3 april 2008, and all the big issues affecting students in Britain today will be discussed. Places at Conference are allocated by University size, and Portsmouth sends 12 people.

 You need to be elected - nominations open on the 29th october and close on the 12th november, campaigning will take place from the 26th november to 30th november, and voting will be on the 29th and 30th november. Pick up an application form from the copy shop in the union, or for more details visit  www.upsu.net/nusconference

    Please sign this online petition - it will take one minute!

http://www.petitiononline.com/abfsu/petition.html 

     There is an uprising by the monks of Burma that has inspired a downtrodden people to rise up against their oppressive government. This is a call for all Students to support their cause.

    Get in touch if you want to take any of the further actions.

         Elle x 

      You have an all new sabb team (apart from me as the only returning officer) and we have a great range of skills and ideas between us. We've had to make some pretty tough decisions already, but we are confident that we have set the path for one of the best years in this Union's history.

   Can't wait till term starts - but if you need to ask anything please just e-mail

            elle.gray@upsu.net

    Big Love,    Elle  xx

   A forum to discuss the relationship between the "War on Terror", the rise in Islamophobia and the degredation of our civil liberties.

     Speakers include Mike Hancock MP and John Molyneux.

           http://www.upsu.net/news/article/get-involved/democracy/66,1892.htm

http://www.officeronline.co.uk/admissionimpossible/articles/274250.aspx

   If you fancy a bit of light relief from your coursework over the next few weeks the RAG team have some great plans for raising cash for our charities and general silliness!

   Car washes, slave auctions with celebrity guest, lecture raids, paper ballon launches, speed dating.........and a World Record biggest game of Twister at the Societies Carnival on Friday May 11th!

    Please get in touch if you can help out - or if you have a Twister board!

   elle.gray@port.ac.uk

   ;-)

      We had quite a few people who didn't leave any kind of contact details when they paid for the Amsterdam hitch....and a few who we can't read your e-mail address - so please get in contact if you haven't been getting the e-mails.

    You're missing out on some vital information!!

 Please e-mail me   elle.gray@port.ac.uk

   Not long to go now.....can't wait 

       The Amsterdam £10 deposit is extended to Friday.....But please sign up asap so we can book your place on the ferry.

 Easter Holidays are a busy time and we don't want anyone to miss out!

   Big love,   Elle x