Michaelmas Update: Sabbatical Officers

As Michaelmas Term comes to an end, here is an update on what our sabbs have been working on, plus some updates of what’s to come next term!

Michaelmas Update: Augustin Denis

• Participated in production of a report from the Working Group on Investments in and Research Funded by the Arms Industry, as a representative of Cambridge 4 Palestine (C4P); the report puts the question of divestment on the table for the University Council to make a decision on

• Co-organised an event with Cambridge UCU and C4P detailing the university's research ties to arms companies selling weapons to Israel, based on the "Impact Acceleration?" report from CamUniStaff for Palestine

• Co-organised with Cambridge UCU and C4P a stop on the Cambridge Voices for Palestine tour, which hosted speakers from Birzeit University's Right 2 Education campaign, the Universities of Gaza Emergency Committee, Friends of Palestinian Universities and Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel

• Campaigned with student activists for the ‘Yes’ Campaigns in the SU referendums, for 1) a student mandate on arms and occupation divestment and 2) NUS disaffiliation

Next terms priorities:

• Work with Cambridge Climate Justice and C4P to implement an ethical careers policy within the Careers Service

• Support and revive the Justice 4 College Supervisors campaign, including by instigating contract negotiations

• Start to build institutional relationships with Palestinian universities

Michaelmas Update: Matthew Copeman

• Met with 15 JCR presidents

• Consulted with University and College stakeholders on my College Equity Project, for which I’m quantitatively measuring the variation of cost-of-living, welfare, and academic standards across colleges

• Launched an open letter with the Vice President (Student Community & Societies Officer) for the UK university offer-holders in Gaza, which received 220 sabbatical officer signatures from 77 SUs nationwide

• Spoke for students in 24 University committees this term, including three University Council meetings, where we continue to push towards divestment from arms companies

• Wrote an open letter to the Vice-Chancellor in support of arms divestment

• Discussed shared priorities with 46 other sabbatical officers at the Russell Group Students’ Unions conference, focussing on international students and gender-based violence

• Completed ethical finance training with SOS-UK

Next terms priorities:

• Run student life sessions to provide new life skills for students

• Finish research for the college equity project, present the findings to the Senior Tutors’ Committee, and create solutions for any issues raised

• Continue to meet with new JCR Presidents and organise some training sessions for them

Michaelmas Update: Jessica Asiedu Kwatchey

• Met with 36 Access and Class Act Officers from 22 colleges

• Represented UG and PG students across 24 committees this term, including presenting a paper at the Academic Standards and Enhancement Committee

• Began the revival of the SU’s Alternative Prospectus webpage, with contributions from JCR Officers and Academic Reps

• Worked on the promotion of the Michaelmas Academic Rep Elections and Referendum, which saw a record turnout number this year

• Spoke on Heart Radio Cambridgeshire about how universities and SUs can help students tackle financial pressures

Next terms priorities:

• Continue working with Access and Class Act Officers on the creation of Financial Support Guides for all colleges

• Complete the revival and relaunch of the SU’s Alternative Prospectus

• Conduct research into and produce recommendations for the University’s gender and ethnicity awarding gaps

• Campaign for all colleges to implement some form of bridging week provision

• Help to facilitate the delivery of the SU’s annual Shadowing Scheme residential 

• Host events for J/MCR Officers and societies of underrepresented groups to support them with their access and outreach work

Michaelmas Update: Melanie Benedict

• Delivered two Activists Empowered training sessions - one on the basics of organising and one on ethical finance and divestment

• Started updating the SU Disorientation Guide, focusing on solidarity, community and support

• Worked with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Centre to develop a campaign plan for improving students’ access to lecture recordings

• Relaunched the SUpermarket, providing free food for students facing financial difficulties

• Supported the University’s Harassment and Violence Support Service in a recent recruitment process

• Organised a welfare matcha event with Homerton Matcha Society and Student Minds Cambridge

• Held a drop-in session for trans students on Trans Day of Remembrance and attended a trans welfare event at Newnham

• Spoke on Newnham Green and Social Justice Society’s Activist-Academic Panel

• Have been supporting student activists to work towards divestment at their colleges

• Worked on the ‘Yes’ Campaign for a student mandate on arms and occupation divestment in the SU Referendum

Next terms priorities:

• Facilitate three more Activist Empowered training sessions

• Complete the Disorientation Guide

• Complete stakeholder mapping and begin relationship building for the lecture capture campaign

• Continue working with the Head of the University Counselling Service to improve access to consistent counselling for students

• Continue working to improve access to sports for trans students 

• Begin work on a student-led transitioning guide

• Organise Cambridge SU’s second Decolonisation Conference

Michaelmas Update: Olivia Ledger

• Launched the Student Volunteering Fair in collaboration with the University, which had 16 local groups attending and 90 student attendees

• Compiled a Room Booking Guide, spanning all colleges, University sites, the SU lounge, the Sports Centre, and local hotels

• Working with several collegiate staff on winter activities for students who are remaining in Cambridge over the winter holidays - if this is of interest to you, please send me an email

• Ran training on How to Lead a Society Committee, alongside the SU’s Activities team

• Launched an open letter with the President (UG) for the UK university offer-holders in Gaza, which received 220 sabbatical officer signatures from 77 SUs nationwide

• Led the ‘Yes’ campaign for NUS disaffiliation in the recent SU Referendum

Next terms priorities:

• Introduce a Societies Forum, to hear from society presidents and allow them to shape my role’s priorities

• Lobby the colleges for societal storage space over the Long Vacation

• Lobby the University for work extensions for students with sports or music commitments

• Run rent negotiation training for JCRs and set up a renters’ corner on the SU website

• Host online events for students away from Cambridge, to help them feel part of our student community

• Set up a space on the SU website to promote volunteering opportunities and civic events to students