Here's what I've been up to!
April Report
How have I communicated with students in the past fortnight?
- Newsletters
- Varsity (rugby fixtures)
- 1:1's with students who request to meet for mentorship
My Priorities
- Students have waited long enough and deserve a home on campus where they can make connections, discover new interests and do things they enjoy and love.
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- SU building project is progressing. Chaired another SU Estates Board meeting and currently considering two sites.
- I’ve had another catch-up with UCL’s Vice-President (Finance, Commercial & Estates) to talk about the Union’s space needs, UCL’s long-term estates strategy, satellite campuses, the potential for acquiring new sports venues, and where we are with the Students’ Union building project. I know how important space is to you, and I’m pushing for timely updates and progress.
- Gordon's Cafe is being refurbished and I visited the site multiple times to check the progress.
- Our Students' Union is in a strong position to look out for students and ensure their success at UCL.
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- Together with your Education Officer, Shaban, I met with UCL’s President and Provost as part of a Council briefing. We discussed the university’s EDI strategy, including how we can better support religion and belief on campus. I also raised the issue of increasing the London allowance for PhD stipends - an ongoing project I’m working on with other universities across London.
- Met with Imperial representatives regarding the details of the above PhD stipend project, setting a strategy. Then liaised with Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation and Global Engagement).
- In my meeting with UCL’s Vice-President (External Engagement), we explored how UCL’s brand might look like in the future, and how that could open doors to more creative and varied Union merchandise - watch this space next year!
- Renewed Union's advertising contracts making sure we have better flexibility evaluating the brands we promote - something I was keen to do since the beginning of the year.
- Had afternoon tea with UCL's Senior Education Team alongside your Education Officer, Shaban and Postgraduate Officer, Darcy. We worked on reimagining the Academic Reps structure to ensure maximum rep satisfaction.
- Recorded a podcast with UCL's President and Provost speaking about student leadership.
- Met with officials from Camden Council to ensure student representation in a project on the reimagination of the Euston Road. We will be working closely in the next months.
- Met with staff from the Arts and Humanities Faculty to explore ways to involve students in a UCL200 community initiative led by the faculty. Tested out the initiative myself - only for you!
- As a Sabb team, we had the pleasure of hosting Warwick Students’ Union, sharing best practices and learning from each other.
- Connected the dots for the upcoming Climate Hackathon (an exciting ExtendED Learning opportunity for you) and worked with colleagues to set the theme.
- Represented the Union at UCL's Brand Framework Group meetings.
- Held productive catch-ups with four members of the Union’s commercial team to ensure their needs are supported, with the aim of enhancing student engagement and appreciation of our commercial outlets.
- Ensured Union representation at UCL Investments Committee.
- Started working on a UCL200 commemorative publication as per the request of UCL, ensuring student representation.
- Students have a voice outside of UCL with local and national government to ensure their needs and interests are taken into account.
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- Presented the PhD stipend increase initiative to UCL, with plans to expand it into a London-wide campaign involving key national stakeholders. More updates to follow in May.
- Got in contact with the Mayor of London's Office - again, updates to follow.
- Received a response to my letter addressed to the Minister for Skills, Jacqui Smith, sent on behalf of all Russell Group Students’ Unions. Online meetings were set up in effect.
- Keeping in touch with Dame Sally Mapstone, Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews and President of Universities UK, after hosting her on campus.
Meetings & Outcomes
- Union meetings attended and main outcomes
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- 1:1's with Union CEO, Director of Operations, Director of Student Experience, Head of Communications, Head of Commercials, Head of Student Social Impact, Community Research Initiative Coordinator, Policy and Influencing Coordinator
- Joint meeting with our Retail Manager and Deputy Retail Manager
- Sabbs gatherings
- Leadership Team meetings
*(outcomes in the above section, just wanted to clarify the people I've enaged with)
- UCL meetings attended and main outcomes
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- SU Estates Board
- Investments Committee
- Financial Performance and Planning Committee
- Estates Management Committee
- 1:1's with UCL’s Vice-President (Finance, Commercial & Estates), UCL’s Vice-President (External Engagement), President and Provost
- Meeting with President and Provost + Education Officer, Shaban
*(outcomes in the above section, just wanted to clarify the people I've enaged with)
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 Goksu's Reports Here
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December: [No Report Submitted]
March: [No Report Submitted]
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 Goksu has voted. Please note that Sabbatical Officers do not participate in all Zones and, therefore, do not vote on every policy.
| 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 | No Vote |
| The Union should create a "Commuters' officer" role | Amendment to Governing Document | Abstain |
| 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 | No Vote |
These voting records were last updated on 4 March 2025.
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