Tony Foster's weekly "5 Things for a Friday" update on what's been happening at ENSA
Five Things for a Friday
STUDENT LAY DIRECTORS
ENSA is a charity and we have a Board of Directors who oversee the work we do. The Board includes external people, the sabbaticals and student lay directors. Over the last week we interviewed several people for the two student roles. Everyone was exceptionally talented and all had something to offer but we chose our final two who will be announced shortly. The next Board of Directors meeting is at the end of November.
STUDENT COUNCIL
The first Student Council of the year took place. A hybrid meeting over fifty students participated. The format was slightly different to a round table meeting with motions, debate and voting with discussion about the issues which students care about and possible solutions. It gave us the opportunity to mention some initiatives that people in the room may have been unaware of and the next meeting will look at actions to help move the possible solutions forward.
UNIVERSITY / STUDENTS ASSOCIATION FORUM
We had a University / Students Association Forum Meeting this week. This is an informal meeting where we have touched on Welcome Week, data sharing, initiatives such as the recent Project Management Challenge, student spaces, engagement and ways the University and Students Association can work better together. We touched on what is expected of students and the University as part of the Student Charter, the Student Partnership Agreement and Student Voice activities. Some of the issues identified by us and the University in that meeting also came up from students at Student Council. It was refreshing to be able to say work is ongoing and students will be actively involved in all processes we are working on.
THE GREAT BIG EDINBURGH NAPIER STUDENT VOICE SURVEY
2024 sees the final year of the ENSA Strategic Plan. As we look to refresh what we do on behalf of students at ENSA we are launching the Great Big Edinburgh Napier Student Voice Survey. Conducted by an external agency this will be an opportunity to say what you like about Edinburgh Napier, what you do not like and what you would like to see. Moving forward this Napier community participation survey will inform the work we do with the University. You can also get a copy of the findings when it ends at the end of November. The survey launches on 5 November and is an ideal opportunity to have your say. So remember, remember the 5th of November and let us get as many student voices participating as we can.
GRADUATIONS
Next week is the October graduations and I wanted to end this weeks Five Things For A Friday on congratulating those of you who are graduating on your successful studies. I am sure you will continue your engagement with the University as alumni (or as a continuing student) and enjoy whatever you do next in your life and careers.