Academic Officer Year report 2013/2014

1. Academic OfficerYear report 2013/2014

2. My Manifesto Said… • To get student opinion across clearly and promptly • Work with the Executive Committee to provide the best for the student body • To keep an eye on current and new issues arising around the university, and act as they happen • Bring academic issues or changes to the whole student population • Worked closely with Harriet Richmond on a yearlong revision of the placement and available resources • Supported numerous students through various academic issues • Supported the Executive Committee with the running of Fresher’s and Returners events • Collected data regarding current Book Stall – suggested student involvement, for their benefit

3. Did it happen? Well, actually, no. That doesn’t mean that looking back at what I’ve done personally and seeing it as a total failure, in truth, I think you can’t really know what it will be like working as part of NSU until you’re in the office and things crop up and you have to get hands on. Something's I think I have done well, supporting individual students is something I’ve done well, and am still currently in contact with a number of them, checking their progress and providing extra support where necessary. Another thing I think I’ve done ok at is supporting the executive committee – in my own unique manner. In this I mean, knuckling down for group events such as Awards Night and AGM – when any of them ask for something I’m always willing to put myself forward for it. And the individual task I set myself such as encouraging student engagement with certain things or following up on the PL module, had their own surprising quirks – notably the 20 credit module did that task for me.

4. So what did happen? • Supporting individual students through various academic issues (ongoing) • A successful Freshers and Returners • Awards Night • ITE student trip to The Education Show • Student Forums, UGM and AGM • PL was reviewed • Book stall has been moved to be a yearly thing • Attended finance committee • Supported sports and societies with their various events

5. SWOT analysis Strengths • Willingness to put myself forward to support our students, either through academic issues or when organising events • Knowledge – generally I’ve been able to answer student questions on the spot • Knowing my own weaknesses Opportunities • A team who accepted me as I am, including encouraging staff in the office • Students who did engage – for better or worse, because student engagement is key Weaknesses • Being me, in my hot-headed, opinionated way. • Wanting to do more then I can realistically handle • Knowing I had personal circumstances and not allowing myself a bit of time • Poor communication skills within team • Not accepting that not everyone works in the same manner as me Threats • Miscommunications • Social media

6. Support Who have I support? • “My students” My blanket term for the students I’ve been working with to overcome academic issues • The student body • The staff at Newman • The Executive Team • Sports and Societies Who has supported me? • The Executive Team • NSU Staff • The students • My friends • My mum • Newman University Support Services, including Jo Brandon (Newman Counsellor)

7. And finally Thank you all for a rollercoaster year, while it has not always been everything I wished for, working with this years Executive Team has been an amazing, educational and ultimately fun, experience. I wish next years Executive Team all the best, build on the very basics, move onwards and upwards and improve on what we have done. Particularly for Tori your new Academic Officer, I wish all the best to. Jessica Jamieson Academic Officer 13/14