PGNews!

29th June 07

Welcome!

Hello, and welcome to the second edition of SUSU’s Postgraduate Newsletter. Here you’ll find a rundown of everything postgraduate-related that the Union has been doing over the last 3 months. This is also your chance to meet Pippa, your newly-elected Postgraduate Officer, who officially takes on the role on July 1^st. Find out a little more about her below.

Meet Pippa

Your new Postgraduate Officer, Pippa Susskind, answers a few questions:

- Describe yourself in 3 words

Gregarious, positive and practical.

- If you could have a super hero power - what would it be?

Shape shifting- I would be able to change my physical form, such as alterations of age, gender, race, or general appearance or changes between human form and that of an animal, plant, or inanimate object.

- Where are you from?

Brighton

- What will you be studying?

I have currently just completed a Bsc in Biology and am now continuing my studies in an Msc in Marine Science, Policy and Law.

- What was the last book you read?

I am currently reading “The Memory Keeper’s Daughter” by Kim Edwards.

- What is the best thing about Southampton University?

The best thing about Southampton University is its reputation for academic excellence and it's top rate social and sporting facilities..

- You have a magic wand, what would you change about the University?

I would like to install some kind of teleporter system that enabled students to move from different buildings on different campuses without actually having to walk the distance. This system would ensure that students were no longer late for lectures by increasing punctuality and would also alleviate the need to walk or get buses in wet or cold conditions.

- Complete this sentence;

"I wish I had known as a fresher that..."

…SUAIC was available to help students with any problems. I have recently had to use this service and it is fantastic. The staff are extremely friendly, approachable and helpful.

- What are you most likely to be over heard saying?

“What’s the plan for tonight? Jesters?”

- What has been the most interesting aspect of your studies?

In my first year at University I attended a two-week field course in Andalucia, southern Spain. This gave me experience as a field-biologist, in particular in taxonomy and identification, sampling methods and experimental design. The course concluded with a group research project.

- What makes you angry?

Lying and dishonesty.

- What single thing would most improve postgraduate study?

Postgraduate Funding- In my opinion the decision to pursue postgraduate study should be based upon the student’s desire and ability, and not by their financial situation. There is already an online petition for student loans to cover those undertaking postgrad study. I wish to help increase awareness and push this national campaign.

- Why did you run for postgraduate officer?

The reason I decided to run for postgraduate officer is that I felt I could do a good job of representing the interests, concerns and opinions of all postgrad students to the union and university.

- What are you looking forward to most about the year ahead?

The opportunity to meet many new people and make improvements within the university.

- As PG officer, what would you like your legacy to be?

I would like to be remembered for making a difference and helping to get the postgraduate community more involved within the student union.

- What is the best thing about the Union?

The Cube - Although I am biased as I do work there

Graduate Centre Survey

Around the Easter vacation we asked you all to complete a short survey in regard to the potential provision of a Graduate Centre at the University. Many thanks to those of you who took the time to complete the survey, we have now started to analyse the data that you provided.

Amongst the many interesting outcomes from the survey, a clear majority of respondents felt that the provision of such a centre would have a positive impact upon their experience of life as a postgraduate in Southampton. Alongside this, a majority felt that student representatives should have a role to play in the decision of what such a centre provides. This gives SUSU a clear mandate to pursue this matter on your behalf.

The initial results of the survey have already been presented to a University committee and it is the intention that the final report will be shared in exactly the same way. Watch this space!

Keeping in Touch

We hope you enjoy the newsletter and find it informative. If you have any comments, please direct them to us via postgrad@susu.org or via the PG Forum on the SUSU website. And don’t forget SUSU’s postgraduate webpages at postgrad.susu.org

Social Events

We recently undertook the third running of the Inter-School Challenge, also known as the PG Quiz night. As with the previous two events, a number of teams of postgraduate students battled for the pride of their school and the glory of holding the Inter-School Challenge Shield.

Congratulations must go to the group of Transport Planners who won the most recent quiz night. Their school will be added to the Shield alongside the previous winners from Mathematics and Medicine. We hope that everyone that has attended any of the quiz nights enjoyed themselves, and watch out for the publicity surrounding the next hosting of the event.

Union Shop

You may be unaware that the Union Shop at the centre of Highfield campus will be experiencing a massive refurbishment programme over this summer. Inevitably, this will disrupt the normal service that the shop provides. Indeed, it is currently scheduled for the shop to be closed completely during August.

However, all is not lost! There will be a temporary shop facility operating in the internet café area just inside the entrance doors of the main Union building throughout the closure of the permanent shop. Although this temporary facility will not be able to provide all of the services of the normal shop building, it is intended that as good a service as possible is provided through what will be a difficult period.

The end result of this upheaval will be a much improved Union Shop with better access, more tills and a more attractive environment. So please bear with us, it will be worth the wait!

Funding

This month we have been spreading the word about the Postgraduate Bursary through our e-mail lists. We wanted to make sure that those postgraduates most strapped for cash and who fulfil the criteria, which is worth, up to £750 get the bursary. We met with those who advertise and award the bursaries back in May. At the end of June, we will ask the University how many people applied for funding, and the number who were successful. The gap between those of you in financial hardship, and those who receive help from the bursary, will be used to draw attention to difficulties faced by postgraduates. Don’t forget to sign up to our lists to get future information on funding.

The VP Welfare and Societies also met with the University to discuss a potential new funding opportunity for postgraduates. Sallie May UK offer a loan to postgraduates, which may present a better option for many students than the Career Development Loan. Union representative will be looking into the scheme and, if it is the interest of postgraduates, pushing the University to adopt the scheme.

The Officers of the Union will also be going out into the Schools over the Summer and funding will be one of the issues under discussion. It is envisaged that we will be able to establish what pots of money are set aside for postgraduates, with a view to publicising any sources of income on our website.