
Working together – Societies and your Academic Presidents
Jade Head (Societies Officer) & Jamie Hemingway (Department Societies Rep):
There is often confusion over the difference between the academic presidents and the society presidents- Academic presidents are the lead representative for their course, where societies tend to deal with more the social and pastoral support side. We have over 30 departmental societies (most courses have at least one!) plus over 30 academic presidents (again most courses have one).
Given that there were people from all areas of the university there- from geography to nursing, it meant that they were given the opportunity to talk about inter discipline collaboration and how the bigger societies could help the smaller ones out. This also made it clear that a one solution fits all approach wouldn’t work, for example some societies hold sell out summer balls where as others only manage to sell one ticket.
Here are a few of the ideas that came out of the session:
- Academic presidents present at the societies stand at the Bunfight
- Combined book sales
- Joint socials
- An academic societies spring ball
- Lecturers doing talks
- Buddy/ family system
- Newsletters
- Fresher Officer on society committees
- Staff VS students sports day
- A giant water fight…
The best thing about this was it allowed the presidents to realise they all have similar problems and are going through the same thing. It allowed them to offer each other solutions as well as new ways they can work together moving forwards- a good afternoon all round!
22/05/2013 at 1:11 pm Permalink
This is a really great idea, as a former course rep and having been on a subject society committee I think there is a lot of scope for the two working together.
Thank you for getting this together Sasha.
22/05/2013 at 7:37 pm Permalink
Sounds like some good ideas have been going around! What’s the next stage of development for this though? How do the presidents and reps and anyone else involved plan on putting words into action?
27/05/2013 at 10:32 pm Permalink
I echo the comments above- really great thing, great idea!
Just an idea- would it be possible to have academic presidents on departmental society committees?
Bit confused though-who are Jade and Jamie/ are they the ones who wrote the blog?