Here's what I've been up to!
May Report
Since getting into Term 3 after Easter I have been focussed on catching up with admin, helping students with their queries (particularly around affiliations), and working on policies passed at the previous union exec, whilst also think about priorities for next year.
I have also:
- Led and organised a very successful Student Leaders Forum, the event for students to understand how they can put their experiences on their CV. There was a lot of interest for these type of events throughout term 1 and 2 so I am in conversations with the UCL Alumni team about how we can make that happen for next year and seeing how we can potentially tailor it to certain skills and interests.
- I have been having a lot of conversations about these years awards and also how we can make sure that all students that have made huge contributions are recognised for their effort, although they may not want to self-nominate.
- I have been consistently advocating for more sports facilities (particularly a home for indoor and a home for outdoor sports). Me and staff from the union have been in a lot of discussions with UCL Estates regarding what we can do to solve the shortage.
How have I communicated with students in the past fortnight?
- Attended the campus run and took part - talking to many students there.
- I had students attend by Student Leader Forum, where I spoke to all of them to gather feedback and understand what will be useful for them in the future.
- Since being back from Easter and into Term 3 I have been having a lot of meetings, emails and conversations with students trying to solve their queries (especially about affiliations since there is now a Term 3 window).
- I have attended Rachel's see it, rent it, sort it event.
- I have also been in contact with students through going to institute with cheerleading friends.
My Priorities
- Sports are central to student life, helping students grow, become more resilient, and achieve their full potential.
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I have been consistently advocating for more sports facilities (particularly a home for indoor and a home for outdoor sports). Me and staff from the union have been in a lot of discussions with UCL Estates regarding what we can do to solve the shortage. We are now looking at forming a specific steering group with the UCL Estates team about sports facilities.
- Students make the most of their university experience by self-discovery, learning from each other, developing skills, and having fun.
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- After chairing the awards panels I have realised that the improvements made this year were not enough as some students that have achieved a lot and contributed towards student life still do not self-nominate so go unrecognised. Therefore, I have had many de briefs with the teams and going into next year and over this summer will be making this one of my projects.
- Over the past week I have been busy with the Student Leaders Forum, the event for students to understand how they can put their experiences on their CV. The event was very successful, with a lot of very interesting conversations happening between the students and alumni. There was also a lot of interest for these type of events throughout term 1 and 2 so I am in conversations with the UCL Alumni team about how we can make that happen for next year.
- Students have access to a thriving arts programme that broadens their horizons while supporting their wellbeing and developing their skills.
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- The Bloomsbury Theatre change has now been announced, which was something I have been working on this year and I did present the proposal to the team earlier in the year. I have now been part of the working group around that.
- Met with the head of the artists in residence and did a walk around spaces to help establish what kind of vision the artist could have and to understand what kind of induction and projects we might be looking at.
Meetings & Outcomes
- Union meetings attended and main outcomes
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- Attended the welcome steering group to discuss how the next year's welcome week will look like - we discussed a lot about the themed days and whether the rigidity of them works and how we may want to structure the usual welcome fair weekend.
- Met with the team to discuss how we will be assigning club grants in the summer for facility and coaching
- The UE this week was super useful in helping Alan with his sustainability council and the work he is doing around sustainable high street banks, which we as the sabs decided to support.
- In our recent sab catch up we have discussed how we can better support our part-time officers and give them more opportunities - training and conferences.
- Had a focus group with the social enterprise team about how we can develop social enterprises with students and what will be useful to them as in support with building social enterprise. There was a discussion about how maybe certain societies can start their own social enterprise.
- Met with the commercials team to discuss how we can use our current merch supplier (for the hanger) to also get merch for societies and clubs. We decided that it's not possible for sport (unless it's for non-clothing merch) and we will be discussing with the suppliers about whether it will be cheaper and quicker for societies. This can not only be cheaper due to bulk buying but can also help pointing societies in a direction of a trusted and sustainable supplier.
- UCL meetings attended and main outcomes
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- I was part of the UCL200 faces panel for partners of UCL - picking the faces shortlist.
- Had a brand project student session with UCL about their rebranding under the UCL200 vision - giving lots of feedback to the current vision.
- Had the SPC, where we discussed the issues with the library being loud due to construction, careers consultations, how we communicate to students so they know what opportunities are available to them and the set up a departmental societies steering group as part of growing that area under the student life strategy.
- Had the SU Estates Board, where we got some updates regarding how the work on the SU building is progressing, what work is being done regarding the search and potential of an indoor and outdoor sports facilities.
Sabbatical Officer Reports
Our Sabbatical Officers create a report every two weeks to inform our members. They believe that keeping everyone in the loop can foster a lively, supportive atmosphere where students feel encouraged to participate and share their ideas. These updates are a great way for them to share what's been happening, from their current projects to collaborations with different student groups, academic departments, and community organizations.
In each report, you can expect to find insights into the challenges they are tackling, the solutions they are implementing, and the positive impacts these efforts have on student life. From supporting engaging events and workshops to launching new programs that promote well-being and academic success, their initiatives are designed to enhance the overall campus experience.
- Read Ana's Reports Here
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Activities & Engagment Officer - October Report 1
Activities & Engagment Officer - October Report 2
Activities & Engagment Officer - November Report
Activities & Engagement Officer - December Report
Activities & Engagement Officer - January Report 1
Activities & Engagement Officer - January Report 2
Activities & Engagement Officer - February Report 1
Activities & Engagement Officer - February Report 2
Activities & Engagement Officer - March Report
Voting Record
As democratic leaders, all Sabbatical Officers must maintain transparency in their work. Below is a record of the voting on policies introduced during the academic year 2024-2025 and how Ana has voted. Please note that Sabbatical Officers do not participate in all Zones and, therefore, do not vote on every policy.
| Policy Zone Votes | Zone | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Change to the Structure of the Sports Rep System | AZ | For |
| Ban fossil fuel companies from sponsoring clubs and societies | AZ | Abstain |
| Active Bystander & Consent Training | AZ | For |
| The Union should internally regulate all media societies via the IPSO code | AZ | For |
| Union Executive Votes | Type of Vote | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| The Union should lobby UCL to expand Project Period into a university-wide initiative | Ratification | For |
| International Student Officer to have Membership of All Zones & Union Executive | Ratification | For |
| The Union should create a "Commuters' officer" role | Amendment to Governing Document | For |
| Change to the Structure of the Sports Rep System | Amendment to Governing Document | For |
| Active Bystander and Consent Training | Ratification | For |
| The Union should internally regulate all media societies via the IP | Ratification | For |
| Ban fossil fuel companies from sponsoring clubs and societies | Ratification | For |
| Lobby for UCL-Wide Review of Academic Curriculums for Inclusivity and Gender Equity | Ratification | For |
| Support the Fossils Free Careers Campaign | Ratification | Abstain |
| Improved transport links for UCL East students | Ratification | For |
| Explaining the History of Phineas Bar | Policy | For |
These voting records were last updated on 4 March 2025.
Meetings & Committees I attend:
- Chair of Activities Zone.
- Union Executive.
- Board of Trustees and committees.
- Students' Union Leadership Team.
- UCL Student Partnership Committee.
- UCL Research, Innovation and Global Engagement Committee.
- UCL200 Strategic Delivery Group.
- Regular meetings with UCL staff working on careers and global engagement issues.
- British Universities and Colleges Sports meetings.