The next Union Council meeting is on thursday 17th april at 4pm in function room 2 (upstairs in the union), there are some really interesting motions this month, so make sure you come along and have your say! everyone is welcome :)

 kat 

 Just wanted to say a massive well done to everyone who took part in this years sabbatical elections, including all the campaigners... the candidates couldnt do it without you!  Congratulations to the new sabb team i have every confidence that you'll do a great job.  I know what an emotional and knackering (in every sense!) week campaign week is, and i hope the guys that unfortunately didnt get elected are doing well.  Its tough when you or your friend isnt successful, but please remeber not to write off or underestimate any of the newly elected officers before they have even started!  In my opinion it takes pure hard work and dedictaion to win an election, as well as personality and an absolute belief that you can help make things better (and NOT just popularity!).  So give them all a chance, lets not make these jobs any harder than they are already (despite some misconceptions lol!), no amount of experience can prepare you for all the tasks you face as a UPSU sabbatical officer!  Help them to help you and lets make the University of Portsmouth Students' Union the best damm SU ever :)

 Kat

It has been brought to our attention by concerned student parents that as Easter falls early this year, a number of schools in the immediate and surrounding areas are simply taking a long weekend for the Easter festivities.  The two week break from school will take place frm 7-18 april.  This causes a significant problem for any students with children, and indeed University staff, who will need to arrange two weeks of childcare or miss lectures.  At the Student Academic and General Affairs (S.A.G.A) Commitee the Sabbatical Officers asked the directorate:

"The UPSU would like to see a solution to this issue, which will put students with children under greater pressure if left to the individual to resolve.  If the University hopes to attract more mature students in the near future, issues like this will be of interest"

Portsmouth City Council responded that any University of Portsmouth Student with children will be entitled to Portsmouth childcare arrangements; below is a link to all facilities in the area:

 http://www.childcarelink.gov.uk/whitebox/childcaresearch.asp?vacancies=0&type1=0&type2=2&type3=0&type4=4&type5=5&type6=0&type7=0&type8=8&type9=0&type10=10&results=1&cisid=5030&town1=2126&town2=4141&town3=2123&town4=&town5=&schoolid=0

 remeber to vote in the upcoming sabbatical elections....

 Kat

ALL TAKING PLACE IN THE UNION... reception

Saturday 23^rd

Societies Takeover 7pm

Monday 25^th

Chaplaincy stall (12-5pm)

Chaplaincy talk (3pm)

Sikh Society stall (12-5pm)

NUS film and speaker: “Situation in Darfur” (4pm function room 2)

Indian food day (waterhole)

Tuesday 26^th

Islamic Society stall

Wednesday 27^th

Computer Gamers Society competition (11am waterhole)

Business Enterprise stall (12-5pm)

Sikh Society stall and performance (12-5pm)

School of Rock performance (10pm onwards club lux)

Street Salsa performance (10pm onwards club lux)

Dance Club performance (10pm onwards club lux)

Chinese food day (waterhole)

Thursday 28^th

School of Languages stall (12pm onwards)

Equality and Diversity stall (12pm onwards)

Afro Caribbean Society debate “The N word: should it be allowed or

Should it be banned” (7pm club lux)

Friday 29^th

People and Planet stall (12pm onwards)

Film and Photography display

Afro Caribbean food day (waterhole)

Saturday 1^st March

One World Fashion Show (7:30pm lux… THIS IS A FREE EVENT!)

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=8551648042

Hey guys...... just to update you,

Union Council is at the heart of the way democracy is run at the union, and represents all students through elected committees.  Its every student's right... that includes you :)! to attend, take part and put forward motions, so come along on the third Thursday of every month.  This months meeting will take place on 22nd November in function room 2 at the Union.

See you all there!

 Kat (Student Support Officer)

 If anyone hasnt recieved an email since they signed up for R.A.G at freshers fayre, ive probably written your email address down wrong! Or if you havnt signed up already, but would like to be a part of Raising and Giving, just send me an email (kat.king@port.ac.uk) and i can add you to the list; to let you know about dates of meetings and up-coming events!

 cheers everyone

kat (Student Support Officer)