I’ve got lots of info and updates for you today, so let’s get straight into it! I’ve put together an Exam Season Special for our final Fortnightly update of Semester 1, but before we crack on with that, myself and the rest of the Sabbatical Officer team hope you had a restful break, a fab New Year’s, and wish everyone good luck with finishing up assessments, loading up on revision, and diving into exams next week!
Emma Brown, Union President
University and SUSU
Last week, the Vice-Chancellor and I formally signed the University and SUSU relationship agreement. Signed annually, this agreement sets out how both our organisations will work in partnership. Did you know that SUSU is independent from the University and is a registered charity? Your Sabbatical Officers work with the University on everything from estates projects to education committees, making sure the student voice is always at the heart of what we do. We have a really strong partnership, and I am so grateful to be a part of our joint history. You can read the full blog here.
Night Buses
I am lobbying for the night bus to be integrated into the bus pass and to reduce the ticket price, although it will take a lot of convincing for Unilink. Please email me (president@soton.ac.uk) with your experience of the buses, and I will use these testimonials to push for this and other changes to happen – the more evidence, the stronger mandate for changes to happen.
You Make Change and Napping Spaces
Over the winter break, think about any big ideas you have for SUSU or the University – and submit them through our You Make Change site. Your Sabbatical Officers will read and respond to each submission.
Recently, we’ve had a request for more napping spaces on campus. If you’ve got any specific ideas about what you’d like to look like, email me (president@soton.ac.uk) – I will be bringing these ideas to the Hartley Library Transformation and the SUSU refurbishment project.
Not all ideas can happen, but with your help, suggestions, and testimonials, these voices will be louder.
Semester 2 Events
We’re currently planning semester 2 events, so we’ve opened an Events Feedback Form. Some suggestions so far include jazz nights, sports nights in the cube, better events (especially for post-grads, mature students, non-drinking students), outdoor movie nights, club nights with different music genres, more live music, etc. Keep these great ideas coming in!
Other
We also had Union Council last week, where students reviewed our work so far and plans for next semester. All our plans have been approved – thank you to the councillors who asked some brilliant questions.
It’s finally the last week of term. Happy holidays to everyone, whether you are returning home, abroad, or staying in Southampton.
Joshie Christian, VP Education
Changes – Keeping you up to date
Here’s three things to make sure you’re aware of over the next two weeks, from new exam policy to redesigned pages on blackboard, and the ever-changing exam timetable!
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Changes to the Exam Paper Queries system: (In person exams only) This year, students and SUSU have been feeding into a change to the system for raising a query during your exam about your question paper – this is usually when there is an error in the question that you were given. The new system is explained on a dedicated laminated sheet on your table/desk, and the invigilators will be explaining it at the beginning of each examination. The important facts for you to know are super simple; if you want to raise a query on your paper, raise your hand and let an invigilator know. They’ll give you a sticker to add to your answer booklet where you can state what you think is wrong in the question, then continue to answer the question. This is called a “state your assumptions and continue” system. The invigilator will also write down all the details of your query to be shared with the markers and with the “board of examiners”, who review marks and make decisions after the examination period.
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Keeping an eye on the Examination Timetable: (Everyone!) You examination timetable can sometimes change right up until exam season, so keep an eye on it! Most changes are also communicated to you through an email, but if something changes and you spot that no email was sent, let me know by emailing vpeducation@soton.ac.uk. Oh, and make sure you check your seat number! I’m always the one who forgets to check and then has to go to the front to ask…
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Blackboard pages moving about: (Everyone!) If you’ve been popping on and off Blackboard all week finding notes and slides, you’ll have noticed this already! A couple buttons around the navigation menu have changed – adding the new ‘course switcher’ menu. To get to the courses page, you’ll now need to open the course switcher menu and select ‘View All’. When you open a course, the menus will now also be minimised so that the course itself opens much larger on your page, essentially making your course full screen without you having to close all the menus!
SUSU & Exam Season
You Are More Than
You Are More Than is a campaign run by SUSU’s Advice Centre from Monday 12 January to Friday 23 January. The campaign encourages you to balance studying and revision with looking after your wellbeing — taking time to relax, do something you enjoy, and check in with your mental health.
Join us throughout the fortnight for fruit and sleep-pack giveaways, cookies and tea, and special sessions run by Zumba and Union Films as part of YAMT. Or take a look at the resources on the page below to see the support available to you at University.
We’ve also got a bunch of Exam-themed content from over the last year or so…
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Here’s Nichola’s quick blog on revising over the break.
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The Advice Team wrote a blog on exam tips, including reflections on their own revision techniques.
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There’s a whole playlist from our You Are More Than campaign about looking after your mental health, taking breaks, and exam season dos and don’ts!
Study Spaces and Cosy Places
Beyond the walls of the Hartley Library, here’s a bunch of places that you might want to set yourself up for a study session over the next two weeks!
On Highfield Campus
The Hartley Library is in full swing; it’s open 24 hours every day!
In Building 42, the main SUSU Building, there is…
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Seating throughout the Bridge itself, and plenty of tables around the concourse at SUSU Reception, up on Level 4. This might be the place if you’re also after a caffeine boost or a sweet treat to pull you through a long day!
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A mix of comfy spots, from bean bags to sofas, plus a bunch of tables throughout Above Deck and the Veg Out spaces on Level 3. Microwaves are available too!
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Sofas tucked away under the stairs, all the way down in Below Deck on Level 2.
In Building 100, the Centenary Building, there is open access to every floor of study space from 8am to 8pm every weekday, and from 12:30pm to 7:30pm for the next two weekends.
In Building 37, the Student Hub, there are a bunch of desks and seats where you can settle in silence.
Plus, there’s loads of corridors with a few tables and chairs scattered around, especially in places like Building 46 (Physics).
So, from all of us – good luck! Make sure you reach out (Talk to us at SUSU, where there is dedicated support through the SUSU Advice Centre, including support with Special Considerations and Academic Appeals, speak to the Student Hub, or, once exams are over, raise any other exam issues by chatting to your Course Rep or Academic President) for anything and everything that you might need to make your exam season a successful one, and you’ll hear from me, along with the return of the rest of the Sabbatical Officer Team, on the other side!
Oh, and a quick joke from the Rubber Duck on my desk: A man walks into a shop and asks, “How much for that handsome Rubber Duck?” The shopkeeper says, “That’s only ten pounds, sir!” The man asks, “Can you send me the bill?”, and the shopkeeper replies, “No, Sir, you have to take the whole duck!”.
All the very best from me,
Joshie Christian – VP Education
Travis Arthur, VP Sports
This year’s Movember campaign has now come to an end. A massive congratulations to everyone who showed their support by either fundraising or donating. There was strong engagement from Team Southampton and other societies, with 39 groups participating in central and club-led events, including a shave stall, Inside Out Day, a 6-a-side tournament, 24-hour cycle, charity sports events, welfare walks, quizzes and 24-hour challenges. Lacrosse led the fundraising, reaching an impressive amount of £5,101.50. Overall, the University raised a staggering £32,847, exceeding the target. Alongside this, I was part of a national joint sports sabbatical officer fundraising effort (27 sports sabbaticals), raising £1,061,340 for this great charity, placing us 13th out of the 27 other universities.
For the Team Southampton Awards, following the option list that I created, the planning for these awards has started. Now, it is time to work with the venue and finalise the date to ensure everyone who wants to can attend. In addition, I have been working with the Sports Executive Committee to look into the current awards, aiming to adapt them to ensure every category of achievement can be recognised. Look out for nominations as they are opening in January!
Although Varsity this year will be in Portsmouth, there’s still a lot to plan from SUSU’s end. So far, I have been involved with helping plan media coverage, ticket options and the after-party. I can’t wait for this year’s Varsity, and hopefully, we will walk away with another win!
Moving forward, I will be working a lot on the SUSU Safe initiative, aiming to inform students about the different forms of safety provisions SUSU, the University and the wider community offer. To start this, I have already created a guide that collates all the current guidance and initiatives that are already in place.
You can also reach me anytime via @team_soton on Instagram, on Teams, or by email at vpsports@soton.ac.uk.
Ge 'Sparkle' Gao, VP Communities
Hello everyone! I’m very happy to share my latest updates for this Sabb Fortnightly.
Over the past two weeks, I’ve been recovering from the flu, but despite that, we’ve continued to make steady progress. Thank you all for your understanding and support.
Here are some key updates from this period:
🎬 Our society recording work has been progressing smoothly — many thanks to Union Films for providing the space and support during the filming, which helped the process run more efficiently.
🤝 Last week was busy but very productive. We had a meeting with the Successful Futures team, and I’d like to encourage everyone to explore this pathway on the university website. It’s a useful resource for career preparation and development, and I hope more students can make full use of the support available.
🎥 We released the video featuring the Hookers, Knitters and Stitchers Society and received very positive engagement — thank you all for your support!
📝 Several You Make Change topics also made good progress.
🛡️ Our anti-scam awareness video is now entering the preparation and filming stage, marking an important step in helping keep our student community safe!
During the latest Union Council meeting, we received many thoughtful and important questions from students, including:
How we can better ensure fairness?
How we can further improve support for international students?
These are crucial issues, and I will take time to reflect and provide well-considered responses to ensure that everyone’s needs and rights are respected.
🎉 We also selected this month’s Society of the Month, which goes to the Hindu Society — congratulations to them!
You Make Change Updates
You Make Change update: Thank you as always for your ideas and queries. We look forward to receiving more submissions in the next two weeks!
