The fanctastic Vote for Students campaign by NUS is not just for us students. My mum signed up to the campaign and when I asked her why she did, here’s what she said…

“Ok, so it may sound I’m from a much older generation (and lets face it, compared to most students, I am!) but I have always been proud to live in a democratic country.  I enjoy the freedom to do so much – able to discover more about life, voice my opinions about my beliefs, listen to others and VOTE.

I don’t want any of that to change for me nor for anyone else.  I want everyone to have access to Further and Higher Education so that they can explore and have access to new opportunities.  Students of today and tomorrow are after all, the future of our democratic country.  I’m so proud of what my daughter, given these opportunities, has been able to achieve at UCLan.  Like so many universities, individuality is encouraged and when presented with the chance to make a difference, students should take it.  We need to make sure there is always a fair education system without any increase of top up fees.

This is why voteforstudents.co.uk is so important.  If you’re not sure on why you should vote or who you should vote for, take a look at the site.  There really is no excuse for saying ‘my vote won’t make a difference’ - the student vote is 15% of the voting population.  Apathy isn’t attractive. 

Visit www.voteforstudents.co.uk now!”

Cheers mum! Now get out there and spread the message to your friends and family, and get them involved on a campaign that is crucial to ensuring the future for higher education.

 Click on this link to be taken to the NUS Vote for Students Campaign home page…

We are asking students to use their vote in the forthcoming general election to support candidates that would vote against any increase in fees in the next parliament – and would pressure the government to introduce a fairer alternative.

By signing the following pledge you will help NUS put pressure on candidates to come clean, and outline their position on fees.

Have you or any of your members mentioned that they have been contacted regarding their tuition fees?

Up to 3,000 of our students have still not paid their tuition fees to the university, and it’s an issue we need to sort out quickly.

Because of this, the university have brought to our attention that many students could face having their computer and library access blocked due to these outstanding fee payments.

This is a problem which is easily rectified and it maybe that these students are still eligible to apply for a tuition fee loan to cover these costs. Any student affected needs to visit, or get in touch with, the SU Advice Centre as soon as possible who will then be able to contact Student Finance England on their behalf.

Could you please help us by getting this information out and inform all members within your club or society about this issue and what they need to do.

The SU Advice centre is located on the ground floor of the SU building, or you can e-mail suadvice@uclan.ac.uk or call 01772 894880.

If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact me, but please pass on this message to all your friends. Sorry tis a bit of a serious one, but I’m worried our students won’t be able to log on soon!

Students of UCLan, the time to stand out and have your say will soon be upon us, and for this I urge all of you reading this to ensure you are registered to vote in the general election.

I know many students will ask themselves, “Why should I vote?” or “one vote won’t make a difference”. And it’s true, one vote may not seem to make that much difference, however, if as a student movement we stand up together, and we don’t ask ourselves these questions but think “we CAN make a difference TOGETHER”, then that is when we will effect change.

Imagine that you and your friend went to vote. Then your friend told their friend. And she told a couple more people. Who told more. Who told their families. Their colleagues. This chain reaction means that as students we are getting our issues raised and making people talk and vote about them.

Do you think it’s right that the government could take off the cap on tuition fees, allowing universities to charge upwards of £5,000 - £7,000 a year? Whilst talks of significantly reducing student support?

Or what about other issues, like the roads in your area, climate change or the NHS? These important issues affect us all, and are just the tip of the iceberg to reasons why you should vote.

To vote in any UK election you must be registered. As a students’ union, we believe that all of our students should register, so that when the general election is finally announced, you have the choice to vote. No registration, no vote, it’s as simple as that.

We are running numerous voter registration drives, organising husting events and producing information that will help you understand the election process. We want you all to be informed as much as you can, so you can make an informed decision.

Until then you can look at http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/ to get some information, or even start filling in the registration form at http://bit.ly/69X7NF

If you’re a student living away from home, you can register twice, both at home and your term time address. This gives you the choice on where you would like to vote.

And remember, whether you vote or not, somebody will get elected to represent us; as students, as people and as a country. Make sure it’s who you want it to be. Forgive me for getting so passionate about this, but the fight to make people realise that students are interested and will not just sit back and be ripped off has started…we have to make politicains realise we will not ignored any longer, listen to us!

Stand out and be counted….register NOW!

BWE x

Well Happy New Year! And Welcome to 2010…and the new decade!!

It’s crazy to think that we are almost halfway through this academic year, but that doesn’t mean it’s nearly all over, quite the opposite…it’s only just beginning!!

The next six months promises to be the biggest and best yet for the SU with upcoming events and campaigns like the Student Union Elections, our Town Takeover event against top up on tuition fees, our massive voter registration drive in anticipation for the general election…as well as providing all our day to day services that are here to make your life better.

But let’s think about the here and now. After a lovely few weeks off me and the rest of the Student Affairs Committee went away on a mid-year residential, 3 days to look back at the last six months; what we did well, what we could have done better and what we enjoyed…you know the deal. Anyway we had big plans to drag up loads of staff members to it but unfortunately it snowed. A lot!

So we got snowed in. But don’t worry, we spent our time well….we built a snowman! Thought you might like to see so I’ve attached a picture of the newest SAC member. Quite impressive if I don’t say so myself. Despite the snow we had a good review of the past few months and have all come back full of renewed energy and enthusiasm for the big challenges that lay ahead of us.

I’m sure you’re all having issues with the snow just like me (I’m told I look a bit like Bambi on ice) but the university and union is still open for business. All of our services are set to fully open again on the 11th of January and we’ve turned the heating up a little bit to get ready for you lot coming back (only joking, were a green union!)

And finally, to all those students packing up crimbo presents and their thermals and on their way back to Preston, here is another new year resolution for you…“GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR SU!” Never think you’ve missed your chance to get involved with the SU…we’re ehre all year round. From our up and coming campaigns to joining a society, there is still so much you can do. And remember…it maybe January and cold outside, but it’s warm and full of energy in our SU building!

What a cheesy way to end. But I like it!

Take care UCLan students; it’s an iced jungle out there

Much BWE love x

UCLan students - Does this apply to you?

If you have not applied for a tuition fee loan you will be invoiced for a year’s worth of fees by mid-January…please read this news article on the Unions website to get all the details and get the help you may need.

Your happy SAC members!

Obesity is a big issue, and please excuse the pun. But no matter what way you look at the recent evidence showing that UK university students are now borderline obese, its worrying.

Recent studies have called it “Freshers 15” as apparently most students will put on an average of 15lbs during their time at university…and face the issue of obesity.

But is it as bad as we really think it is? Or are we all looking after ourselves and kicking baked beans out the can to the curb and eating a much more varied, healthy diet on our tight student budgets?

I think in general, students attitudes over the past decade have changed significantly, and it’s not just about their waistline. We now have a record number of students coming to join a club or society, witness less going out and more staying in the library or home focusing with such impressive determination on their studies.

And it’s by doing this that I don’t think we are facing such a big crisis within the UK universities compared to America. Some universities in the states tried to tackle the problem by making exercise classes mandatory, something we would never do.

And we wouldn’t need too. With over 30 clubs and another 30 odd societies that keep all of our students active and happy, I don’t think it’s an issue that causes us much concern at UCLan.

There will be times when a quick take away will be the easier option, but whatever you shape or size, as long as your happy and healthy then that’s fine by me!