Birkbeck Students' Union Handbook 2009

Students’ Union Handbook 2009

Are you experiencing financial problems as a student? Would you like to know more about how you can hold onto, and make the most of your money as a student? The Barclays Money Skills Project wants to increase your awareness of our fantastic FREE service, which is specifically targeted to help inform and provide financial guidance to all students across the board. Whether you want to know more about/or have issues with… * Finance as a prospective or current student * DEBT and the best way in which you should deal with it. * Entitlements * Budgeting * Borrowing * Saving * Financial jargon, products and services * Independent funding * Student loans, grants, fees, and bursaries

Don’t leave things to get worse! Take 10 minutes to speak to or arrange a 1-2-1 meeting with Tanya Spence on 020 7392 2995/2921. Alternatively you can email [email protected] with any queries you may have.

Front cover photo (c) istockphoto.com

Welcome There are many reasons why people chose to study at Birkbeck, some maybe looking to change career, for others it can be difficult going back to university, or even starting for the first time. Whatever your reasons, studying at Birkbeck is hugely rewarding but that does not mean there won’t be challenges. This handbook aims to give you most of the information you should need to get through your first few months at Birkbeck Juggling your studies, work and family commitments can be tough and the Students’ Union Advice Centre can help with any problems you have relating to your studies or with finances, housing and transport. We also offer a Counselling Service for more personal issues. Like many new students, it may have been a while since you were in formal education. That is why we offer ‘Skills for Study’ workshops, which will provide you with the skills necessary to fulfil your potential and ensure that you can make the most of your course.

However, being a Birkbeck student is not all about studying, the George Birkbeck bar provides a great environment to socialise with fellow students after your class, the drinks are cheap and social events are organised throughout the year. There are numerous clubs and societies that are available to join which can complement your studies or provide an opportunity to try something completely new. There are many other ways you can get involved from joining the University Challenge team to writing for the student magazine, the ‘Lamp & Owl’. We want to hear your views and each month we will be emailing you to ask your views about the issues that affect all students. Your responses will help the Students’ Union and the college provide the services you need to get the most from your course. If you have any problems or questions, or just want to say hi, you can contact the Students’ Union by phone on 020 7631 6335, by email at [email protected], through Facebook, or simply pop into the office on the 4th floor.

What is the Students’ Union? The Students’ Union is run by students for students. Student policies are decided during the Union Representative Council which are held on a monthly basis during term-time and all students are encouraged to attend. Seven elected officers are appointed in crosscampus ballots every year during the second semester. They represent the student body in College, within the University of London Union and beyond.

The Union is recognised by Birkbeck College as the students’ corporate body and student representatives sit on the Governors and on most of the college’s committees. Students are also elected on a faculty basis to the Academic Board and on a departmental basis to the faculty boards. Student representation is vital, giving you the chance to contribute to the College’s decision-making process and make a genuine difference to the way the College works.

How to survive at Birkbeck “Essay crisis” was a phrase I had erased from my memory since 2001, when I graduated from my undergraduate degree, but it was all painfully coming back to me as I sat in front of my computer at home at 1am after having done a full day at work, and needing to get up in a few hours to do it all again! What had I been thinking?! I’m not going to lie, working full time and studying part time isn’t easy, but it has also been fantastic. After a stressful day at work, it can seem like a real effort to psyche yourself up for lectures, especially when it is dark and raining in winter. But when I step into the lecture theatre, switch my phone off and start the class, I forget all about my stressful day at work. It actually feels quite indulgent to do something purely for myself…but as lectures take place at dinner time, remember to bring water and a snack to stop a growling stomach! I have found the quality of teaching at Birkbeck excellent and the lecturers have a real passion for their subjects. It is important to study a subject you are enthusiastic about, as you will find yourself reading articles on your weekly reading list in any spare minutes you have in the working week…whilst standing squished between a crowd of sweaty people on a rush hour tube, whilst waiting for a meeting at work or even in the bath! The Bloomsbury Learning Environment (http:// www.ble.ac.uk/) is fantastic and allows you to print out the main reading materials and lecture notes saving you time in the library. Being able to renew library books online is also a valuable time saver. Then the other dreaded E word...exams! In the weeks leading up to the big day, time becomes even more precious. Fortunately I was able to take some annual leave the week of the exam for last minute cramming. I was impressed by the summer term late closing at the Birkbeck library which allowed me to go after work and concentrate in peace away

from my noisy flatmates! Although exam term was stressful, I was fortunate to have met some great people on my course and we became library “revision buddies”, taking numerous tea breaks together at the library cafe to help keep each other sane. The post-exam celebration drinks on the Birkbeck roof top bar were well deserved by all and miraculously the struggles of the year faded away!

Confidential listening, support and information for students Open every night of term, 6pm - 8am Students there for students

020 7631 0101 [email protected] Free calls on Skype, or talk to us online via our website

www.nightline.org.uk Volunteer for us! Are you a good listener? Can you commit to just 3 nights a term helping other students in London? For more information email [email protected] or register on our website by 1st Oct 2009

ALL THE REVENUE FROM THE UNION SHOP HELPS TO FUND THE SERVICES RUN BY THE STUDENTS’ UNION

It’s not all about books and libraries As my first term at Birkbeck loomed near I prepared myself to slave over books (that I didn’t read as much as I should) and spend my weekends locked away in the library (it was sadly only a good intention), what I didn’t expect would be that one of my greatest sources of learning would be the people sitting around me. In the first few months of my course I was, quite frankly flummoxed by theories that boggled my mind. It was over my first pint in the George Birkbeck Bar that I realised I wasn’t the only one that felt that way, it was after the second pint that I finally grasped what Decartes meant when he said ‘cogito ergo sum’, and after the third I realised I probably didn’t but maybe that was the point.

wines, ales and barista coffee. Outside the roof-top terrace offers a sun trap in the summer and a smokers haven in the winter. Distilling my post lecture thoughts and ideas in the George over a pint, coffee or orange juice, helped me achieve more than I thought possible in my studies and allowed me to meet some great friends who were once just bar buddies. Now having returned to complete my Masters, the old mis-matched arrangement of office furniture has been replaced with a stylish new bar that belies the student prices on offer. Whilst the prices are cheap, the George offers more than cheap lager with a variety of quality

Besides good company, cheap drinks and a leisurely atmosphere, in the coming months expect the George to regularly host pub quizzes, bar talks, DJ nights and special late-night events. Most importantly the George is your bar, if you have an idea for a social event that you would like see put on in the George, have any comments about the bar or would like to join our mailing list please email [email protected] . The George can be found on the fourth floor of the Birkbeck main building on Malet Street.

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Cash Machine Telephone Mailbox Museum Theatre Recycling Point Hospital Post Office Restaurant Bus Stop Pharmacy

1. Evening Nursery 2. UCL Architecture Library 3. SSEES Library 4. Gordon House 5. UCL Archaeology Library 6. UCL Main Library 7. UCL Medical Library 8. 46 Gordon Sq. + Cinema 9. Foster Court 10. UCL Science Library + Petrie Museum 12. Birkbeck Malet St. 11. UCL Engineering Front 19. LSHTM 13. SOAS 14. Clore Management 20. Remax House 21. Skoob Books 15. Wellcome Bldg. 16. Institute of Educ. 22. Stewart House 18. Senate House Lib. 23. Paradiso Ristorante 24. British Museum

Hav base

Nice

Second hand course books

Free Cash Machines

ve a pint here, or go to the ement for cheap coffee

e restaurant here - Paradiso Ristorante

25. Grant Museum of Zoology 26. Wellcome Museum 27. 4-10 Gower Street 28. Uni. London Gardens 29. 7 Bedford Sq. 31. Egmont House 32. School of Pharmacy 34. University of London Union. 35. UCL South Wing 36. Bloomsbury Theatre

Welfare The welfare team at Birkbeck looks after a wide range of academic-related welfare and rights issues and works closely with your reps who head up the educational quality unit. With ensuring that we work closely with the College and University authorities on academic regulations governing student conduct and academic standards to your right of experiencing a student experience at Birkbeck that is free from discrimination and harassment. We are proud of our diverse student community at Birkbeck and often one’s time at University is the first time when we can express our true selves. We have dedicated autonomous memberrun liberation groups for women, disabled members, parents/carers, Black members, LGBTQ (lesbian, gay bisexual, trans* and queer) members and our senior or older members. Together with the National Union of Students and colleagues in our neighbouring Colleges, we work to provide a huge range of campaigns and information for you, often also through the medium of clubs and societies and other peer groupings which offer safe spaces. So what type of issues does the welfare team work on? There are five specific portfolios currently which are the responsibility of the welfare team: international students, campus communal/social space, advice & representation, equality & diversity and general welfare support & academic rights. To ensure that we have the tools to deliver for our members in these sensitive areas we fund wholly through the Union’s members’ funds a full-time Advice Centre which is affiliated to Advice UK (i.e. offers bespoke official advice similar to a Citizens Advice Bureau) and nearly 40 hours of counselling services open only to our members. If you ever need the support of the Advice Centre or the Counselling Service, you can be assured that it is independent of the College and University authorities, so there is no conflict of interest for our team if you need support in challenging an Exam Board or need therapy for personal issues which you wish not to divulge to the College: confidentiality is guaranteed.

You can be part of the welfare team as a member representative, governing our work and services for the wider benefit of our members in a variety of ways. Crucially, you can dedicate as much or as little time as you wish to fit in with your busy life. For more information, contact the Membership Services Co-ordinator in the Students’ Union Office. Counselling The Students’ Union offers a free, confidential and professional counselling service. Birkbeck counsellors are available by appointment on Monday to Friday during term time with reduced hours in the summer break. To make an appointment with a counsellor telephone 020 7631 6335. Advice Centre The Student Advice Centre on the fourth floor, room 455, Birkbeck Malet Street building, offers a drop-in service on Monday to Friday from 2 - 9pm during term-time and 10.30am – 6.30pm out of term-time. The Advice Centre is independent; it tries to help people especially those who have financial difficulties and those needing help with complaints or appeals within the College. You can also make an appointment if you prefer. Either telephone 020 7631 6655 or email [email protected].

My Birkbeck Student Forum As part of Birkbeck’s commitment to improving the student experience, a set of exciting new ‘My Birkbeck’ services were launched in autumn 2009. These support services help students in every aspect of studying at Birkbeck – from helping to choose a course to finding out about financial support or booking an appointment with a study skills expert. Students can either drop in to the new helpdesk in the My Birkbeck Student Centre, located in the foyer of our main building in Torrington Square (WC1) or they can access the new My Birkbeck student support website at www.bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbeck containing all the vital information about student support services in an easy-to-read and accessible way. To ease the transition into university life, in September of each year, student orientation events help students to settle in and to find out about services that are available to them.

Birkbeck sees its current My Birkbeck services very much as the beginning of a journey, being aware that services for students need to be constantly reviewed and improved upon. We would like to work with you and value your input. It would help us to know what you think about our services and what we can do to further develop student support at Birkbeck – ensuring that every student’s time at Birkbeck is successful and enjoyable. In early December we will invite you to participate in a My Birkbeck Student Forum where we will listen to your views about current, central student support and discuss ways forward to ensure improvements on current services are taken forward.

Clubs and Societies The Student Union supports a range of clubs and societies that are run by students to make your time at Birkbeck more enjoyable. Many clubs and societies draw upon the strengths of a particular subject area, such as history or archeology, to create events and resources that will mirror what you are learning in your studies. Other clubs and societies are based around sports or common interests, and provide an easy way to make new friends. Birkbeck students can also join clubs and societies at other London universities that cater for interests ranging from Anime to Waterpolo. Taking advantage of the clubs and societies on offer can really help to make sure you get the most from your time at Birkbeck. To find out more about the clubs and societies on offer, or if you would like to start your own, speak to Jack in the Student Union office or email him on clubsandsocieties@ bcsu.bbk.ac.uk. The following Clubs and Societies are available to join.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Birkbeck Music Society - mostly classical but branching out into other areas, such as jazz etc. Open Discussion Society - speakers on diverse and provocative subjects Literature Association Living Wage Campaign Catholic Society Early Modern Society Ecology and Conservation Society Birkbeck Film Society Geology Society German Society History of Art Society History Society Islamic Society Japanese Society Law Society Lamp and Owl Applied Linguistics Society Archaeology Society Garden History Group Philosophy Society Politics, Philosophy, History and Sociology Society Cricket Club Football Club African Carribean Society

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Get involved We are always looking for new ideas and ways in which we can improve what we offer to students. There are many different ways to get involved from writing articles for the student magazine to representing the university at NUS conferences—it can also be a great way to improve skills or gain experiences to add to your CV. Clubs and Societies Would you like to start a new club or society, or help to run an existing one. Course reps Become a course rep and help influence the running and development of course. Student Magazine Would you like to help design and create a new student magazine or newspaper? Involvement includes articles, design/layout, photography etc.

Entertainments committee This is more than organising discos in the bar. Want to put together a playlist for a night, audio or visual? Or have any other ideas to involve students socially? Campaigns Could you contribute to one of the college’s existing campaigns LGBT, Women, International Students, Black, the Bloomsbury Living Wage or Stop the War? Are there any other campaigns you think we should be running? Council member Would you like to be involved in the management of the Students’ Union? It would be a great way to get involved, and pave the way to running for an elected, PAID position next year? If you are interested, or want to know more, email [email protected]

SECONDHAND BOOKS FOR STUDENTS Birkbeck

SKOOB BOOKS, 66 The Brunswick off Marchmont St., London, WC1N 1AE near RUSSELL SQUARE TUBE

Tel: 020 7278 8760

www.skoob.com

Skoob has served generations of students, providing course books and core texts at very reasonable prices. We have just about every subject from maths & science to politics and economics, classics to modern literature, art and drama. Student discount. Next to Waitrose’s rear exit.

20% STUDENT DISCOUNT Until 31st Oct ‘09

Not in conjunction with any other offers

Need to know Library The library can be found in the Malet Street building. You can take out 10 books at a time. Note the loan period when you take books out, as some are short loans (SL) and many a student has run up a large fine assuming they’ve taken books on 3 week loans. Tip: the most effective way to renew your books is online. Go to www.bbk.ac.uk/lib and follow the link to renew books online. Tip: The library will send you an email telling you when books are due to be renewed, so make sure that you check your college email regularly, and when sighing into the library website to renew the book, you can cut and paste your card number from the email, saving you time logging in. Tip: Get your SCONUL card from the library early on, this gives you access and borrowing rights at various other university libraries like LSE and SOAS. Refreshments You can buy inexpensive hot or cold drinks from The Union Shop in the basement, or The George on the 4th floor of the extension building. Tip: If you want to fill your water bottle for free, any toilet in the building (other than the ground floor main toilets) have a drinking water tap Food If you are about during the week day, the Hare Krishnas have a food stall outside SOAS at lunch time. Check the map for good local food outlets, as well as the Fifth Floor Eatery in the Malet St. campus. Swimming / Sports Clubs As a Birkbeck Student, you are entitled to full membership of the University of London Union (see map). They have discounted gym membership, the biggest indoor pool in London and one of the oldest Sub Aqua Club chapters in the UK. Go to the main reception with a passport photo and your Birkbeck Student ID, and they will give

you a ULU card. Problems? If you have any problems with lecturers, personal or financial issues or even accusations of plagiarism, you are entitled to representation and/or counselling or advice from the Union. Either visit the office or call 020 76316335. There is nothing we can’t help you with, or at least point you in the right direction. Skills for Study The Students’ Union offer a series of academic support sessions to help you whether you are having problems with your current studies or are just feeling a bit rusty. Sessions are held on Saturdays in both the morning (11am - 12.30pm) and the afternoon (1:00pm -2.30pm). Sessions are held at weekends so not to clash with your scheduled classes. Contact the Students’ Union for more info or to book a place. Essential Contacts Students’ Union 020 7631 6335 - [email protected] http://www.bbk.ac.uk/su MyBirkbeck Helpdesk 0845 601 0174 – [email protected] http://www.bbk.ac.uk/mybirkbeck Library Helpdesk 020 7631 6063 - [email protected] Library Book Renewals 020 7631 6239 http://bit.ly/bbklibrary Nightline 020 7631 0101 Senate House Library 020 7862 8500 University of London Housing Services 020 7862 8880 http://housing.london.ac.uk/ CareersGroup 020 7863 6030 http://www.careers.lon.ac.uk/sics

Take time out to enjoy great Italian food …

FREE HOMEMADE PIZZA OR PASTA This voucher entitles you to a FREE homemade pizza or pasta! Paradiso, 35 Store Street, London WC1E 7BS – 020 7255 2554 www.ristoranteparadiso.co.uk One per student to be eaten in the restaurant Valid from September 17 – October 31 ‘09

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