Student Leaders Conference Recap
Over 150 students attended the first Student Leaders Conference of the year last night, taking part in inspiring sessions and shaping MDXSU's work on big issues affecting students at Middlesex.
Student Voice Leaders, Society Leaders, Halls Leaders and Liberation Leaders were invited to the inaugural event in the College Building on Tuesday 3rd November, though all Middlesex students were welcome to attend.
The event began with a welcome from MDXSU President Simba Lkaderi, followed by the university Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Learning and Innovation, Andrea Dlaska, who spoke about the partnership between the university and students' union in making MDX a great place for learning, and the essential role that Student Voice Leaders play in improving students' learning experience.
Well over 100 student leaders in one room, excited to talk about their union. Amazing. #mdxsuleaders pic.twitter.com/qtRldxX2FY
— Joe Cox (@JosephLCox) November 3, 2016
The conference then heard from the Richard Brooks, National Union of Students Vice President Union Development, about being part of something bigger...
On Saturday 19th November, the National Union of Students' (NUS) are co-organising a demonstration in central London, bringing together thousands of students and academics from across the country to call for a free, accessible and quality Further and Higher Education, and demand an end to the marketization of university education. Click here to find out more about the #Nov19 Demo.
The event also included the opportunity to hear from MDXSU's elected, full time President and Vice Presidents, who reported on their achievements on behalf of students so far this year, and talked about how to get involved in their current campaigns, before answering audience questions.
At @MiddlesexSU Student Leaders conference with my two Smurfs. #mdxsuleaders #education pic.twitter.com/z0Ueugjulh
— Jessica_Tabois (@JessicaPurcelll) November 3, 2016
There was also a session on ‘Ideas for Change’ - student ideas which they feel would improve their time at MDX, and which can be submitted by any student online here.
A total of six ideas for change were presented at the conference (click here to view in full) and then voted on by your newly elected Student Voice Leaders - if an idea receives a majority vote it passes, mandating the Students’ Union to work on the idea. You can read more about the ideas for change process here.
The Ideas for Change which were passed were:
- MDX House food places should be open until 5pm
- There should be more greenery and plans inside our University buildings
- This Union will stand up for Jewish students
- Chartwells should create hospitality packages at a reduced price for students groups
- Should NUS conduct and publish a risk assessment and equality impact assessment before finalising the NSS boycott/sabotage action?
The Ideas for Change which did not pass:
- The University should provide free parking spaces for Middlesex students
As your Students' Union, everything we do is led by what students at Middlesex want, so thank you to everyone who attended and engaged in the discussions and voting and helped to shape our work!
The next Student Leaders Conference will take place on Tuesday 6th December, 5.30 - 7.30pm in The Barn (on the far side of campus between the Williams Building and Sunny Hill Park, near to Sunny Hill House). For Student Voice Leaders, you also have School Meetings coming up, which are your opportunities to discuss issues and ideas specific to your course and school.
Health & Education School
Date: Monday 14th November
Time: 12 - 2pm
Place: W154
Business School
Date: Monday 14th November
Time: 5 - 7pm
Place: C111
Science & Technology School
Date: Tuesday 15th November
Time: 12 - 2pm
Place: CG09
Law School
Date: Tuesday 15th November
Time: 5 - 7pm
Place: C122
Art & Design and Media & Performing Arts Schools
Date: Monday 12th December
Time: 5.30pm - late
Place: Grove Atrium
To find out more about Student Voice Leaders, click here, or email studentvoice@mdx.ac.uk
