Honest Truth, Optimism and "How Are You?"

Festive Season Reflections on 2012

These past few months, I have been finding things hard. It might not be a surprise to you, seeing as well as this role, I am in my final year of my degree and I have a part time job. I'm telling you now, it was a surprise to me! I knew I could do all of these things, as well as a weekly radio show. What I didn't count on was getting ill and then tired, and then emotionally stretched.

I got to a point where I decided to start admitting to people that I was finding it hard, every now and then in the "How are you?" question we ask each other daily. I tried to touch on being less patient and more and more frustrated, particularly with this role I volunteer in. I tried to touch on being ill and unwell. I thought that by admitting I was finding it hard, I would firstly make myself stronger and secondly it would this hard time would magically vanish. It didn't work quite like that.

I was in two minds about writing this on my blog post, which is supposed to be professional about Equality & Liberation. I didn't want to admit a weakness really, and I was afraid. However it stayed with me, and more importantly I cannot be the only person at Royal Holloway who finds things hard.

We all get caught up with the stress of our course, the essay deadlines, our part-time work, looking after our health, our friendships and relationships and much more. If there is one thing that this year has taught me, then it is that everybody has their own shit going on. I've been preparing for Mental Health Awareness Week next term, and I've realised just how important it is to ask those three words - "How are you?". We all deal with stress in different ways, but when you're living alone with people you haven't known for more than a few years, coping can be tough. Where do you even begin? Start by asking those three words. If RHULAgony Aunt and the rest of those pages are anything to go by, we're not alone.

We've come so far this 2012: Liberation Officers in Disability, BME, Women & Marginalised Genders and LGBT+ will come into place in our Union. Societies are holding more collaborative talks and debates to probe the student mind. We have changed small things in General Meetings to make them more accessible and we've altered how elections are run. We're slowly making Founders Library wheelchair accessible, and beginning to talk about liberation. We're going places.

University is a whirlwind of experiences, embrace every single one of them! Do not forget how much you've put in to your society, your ideas, your course and your passions. Not often enough are we appreciative and encouraging of each other. We forget that every one else has their own hurdles to jump on top of their workloads, which makes even seemingly small achievements mountainous!
You know what? I appreciate you. I appreciate the fact that you take the time to read my blog!

So this New Year, remember the good times when things are hard. Remember to check how the family, friends and acquaintances around you are doing. Remember to prioritise your health before your course, and your course before your hobbies. Remember that summer is coming, that 2013 is a fresh start for you to be whatever you want to be - or that you can be just the same. Remember to laugh and be silly and to forget about work for a bit. But most importantly, remember how wonderful you are, how strong, how lovely - because when the hard time comes around, you'll need reminding.

Seasonal Greetings from May and I!

Zero Tolerance, Mental Health Awareness Week and the Jolly Season

Monday 10th to Sunday 16th December 2012

Zero Tolerance

So far, we have been accredited by the Women's NUS and been sent loads of stickers and posters to promote the policy in our SU. In January next year, we will begin training the SU Security in what Zero Tolerance is and how it works. I have also made small business cards with useful contacts for any victim of sexual harassment, that security will carry around with them. The contacts include support services available in college and at the SU. We're also looking into getting Zero Tolerance posters in toilets, and the logo onto the projector and the SU wristbands. 

We're getting there, slowly but surely!

Mental Health Awareness Week

We talked about this at a Campaigns Sub-Committee meeting and also at the Inclusion & Representation Senate on Tuesday. The week begins on the 21st January, and is going to be incredible!

I spent the whole of this week taking photos of the wonderful students on campus with placards with mental health statistics. All of the facts come from various mental health charities and trusted sources - I say this because many of them can be very surprising. What touched me is that more often than I planned, people would choose a statistic that related to their mother, their brother, their friend, someone they knew. I think that this is a wonderful example of how mental health affects many of us and many of the people who are close to us. This part of the campaign is to raise awareness of how mental health is a serious issue which we all need to face up to by talking about it. Of course talk about it when you feel ready and comfortable, but it is important that we are all understanding of what mental illness is. That way, we can guide each other to getting the support when and where we need it. 

The I&R Senate will also be organising a talk by students, a video with these students, and a poster campaign with the societies. Expect to be contacted very soon!

Happy Holidays!

Yes, it is the holidays! Enjoy yourself, work hard, eat well and build your courage up again for the year ahead. I don't know about you, but the next two terms have me quaking in my slippers already. It's my final year, there are massive campaigns to run and I will have a lot on my plate, as we all do. Take this time to rebuild your immune system by taking those vitamins and eating those vegetables. Take the time to sleep and see your friends. In 2013, you'll be thankful for it.

Disabled History Month - Inspirational Person Number #3

Stevie Wonder

You must have heard of him! 

He is an American singer and songwriter, who became blind shortly after birth. He was born on the 13th May in 1950 six weeks premature, which gave his eyes insufficient time to develop. 

At an early age he began playing the piano, harmonica, drums and also the bass. He got signed to his first record label at only 11 years old, first major hit at 13 years and still performs today! He has won 22 Grammy Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award, and was named by Rolling Stone magazine as the greatest singer of all time. Now he can also play the synthesiser, congas, drums, bongos, organ, melodic and clavinet. 

I love his story (and quite a bit of his music too!), and I think the quote to the left is apt. He's had a very successful career, but it can't have been without it's hardships.

Body Hair, I&R and Founders Library (again!)

Monday 3rd December to Sunday 9th December 2012

Founders Wheelchair Access

A meeting with College again this week established that wheelchair access to Founders library is indeed possible, and certainly for evacuation in case of fire. We've been able to get one student access to the Reading Rooms on the first floor, but it should be an option for all students.

If you think that Founders Library should be accessible to wheelchair users, and that having the possibility of studying in those beautiful rooms should be an option for all, write me a letter. Tell me why you think it's important, how it influences your personal student experience, and what it would mean to you if it was possible. Email me at eandl@su.rhul.ac.uk

Inclusion & Representation Senate and the General Meeting

Tuesday evening was a bundle of excitement! 

Firstly we had the I&R Senate in Rialto (every term-time Tuesday, 5pm to 6pm) where everyone is welcome! We talked about the changes to the General Meeting structure that were happening that evening, what our representatives had been up to and where to go next with Mental Health Awareness Week. Come along up this Tuesday and we'll be structuring our plans and beginning to delegate. Campaigns take a team effort!

The General Meeting was straight after, and many things were different! The seating arrangement, the chair on the stage etc. I made a feedback box and a questionnaire for everyone there, and we got 33 replies (not bad, considering!). If you want to find out what people liked and didn't like about the changes made, then look at this link here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1venYPeulGiclWvsn8zAZthdmw_xM2y09awJKwVhYD9A/edit where you can see some very simple graphs that I've drawn up. Thank you to everyone who took the time to reply. 

The I&R Senate had been working with the Feminism Society on a motion to condemn the harassment that occurs outside of abortion clinics in London, and that could also happen here. It was about access to unbiased information and services without intimidation and harassment, something I think of as a right. It also raised awareness of where emotional, medial and spiritual support was available on campus should our students require. I'd contacted all the faith societies to check the wording and implications, and it went well. Luckily, all of our hard work paid off and the motion passed with a landslide.

Let's Talk About Disability

This was on Wednesday, in the middle of the day in an attempt to be as accessible as possible. I was a  little nervous at first, having never chaired a talk on such a personally sensitive topic before, and yet it was a resounding success. We were lucky to have speakers with such a variety of views, highlighting how diverse disability can be. The turn out was good too, considering it's a subject you might not consider unless it affects yourself or a loved one. It opened my eyes that bit wider, and also reminded me why I ran for this role in the first place - to make a difference, to further my own and others understanding. 

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the speakers for the time it took to prepare their speech and travel, and for being prepared to embark on something that can be incredibly personal. One speaker, Chris, couldn't make it due to snow near Egham, but still got as far as London from Cambridge. You can find his speech here: https://www.facebook.com/notes/chris-page/lets-talk-about-disability-some-thoughts-for-disabled-history-month/10151108394206008 which highlights a few things that weren't talked about.

Hairy Talk, then One Nation Labour Talk

Feminism Society held a talk with Emer O'Toole (who was fantastic!) on body hair. Emer began by talking about why she grew body hair, and what it means to society. It raises questions about beauty standards, why we need to be attractive in the first place, and the true source of the pressure. It was really surprising to get into groups of people I didn't know and to talk about body hair. So many questions that I had never thoroughly asked myself: Why do you shave? When did you begin? Why did you begin? What would happen if you didn't? Try answering some of the questions now, yourself.
I just wish that the session had been longer! What I liked was that it ended on a "I'm not telling you to stop shaving, just start questioning" note, which includes everyone on the body hair spectrum. We should be questioning the things we take for granted. You can find out more about Emer here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/emer-o-toole
Then I went (on a whim) to a talk by Labour Society with Rowenna Davis. It was my first talk by a political party, something that a year ago I would never have imagined taking an interest in. It was interesting and alien, deliberating constituencies, direct action, positions of power and more. The discussion at the end about education and educational systems to implement showed a range of ideas. It was a "different" experience for me. I'll definitely pass by their talks again, but discussions on the implications of body hair more personally challenging at the moment!

Hop to see you next time!

Coming up this week:

Monday

7m in ALT1 - Debate Soc: Harry Potter Vs Lord Of The Rings

Tuesday

5pm in Rialto - Inclusion & Representation Senate

6pm in Imagine - International Students Sub-Committee

7pm in SU - Student Worker Forum

Thursday

9pm in Medicine/Stumble Inn - End of the World Party 

My Second Disabled History Month Inspirational Person

Disabled History Month: 22nd November to 22nd December

I&R Senate Poster: Alison Lapper

I promised to write about a disabled person that inspires me every blog post during this month, and so my inspirational person number two is Alison Lapper. 

I read her life story when I was around 11 years old, and I thought she was amazing. For me, reading it as a young girl, she broke down the barriers of what is expected of someone with no arms, had studied an art degree and also left an abusive relationship. Such things that had never even crossed my mind at that point. 

Alison was born with phocomelia, which meant that she had no arms and very short legs. She has had very little contact with her mother or family, and was institutionalised. When young, she refused to use artificial limbs as they were made to make her look 'normal' as opposed to helping her functioning. At 19 years old she moved to London, got a driving licence and a flat. She studied Fine Art at University of Brighton, and graduated with a first class honours degree. She paints with her mouth and questions physical normality and beauty, but she also uses photography and digital imaging. When pregnant she posed for the sculptor Marc Quinn, and the sculpture was in Trafalgar Square, London up until 2007, which sparked controversy. A large replica of the statue was used in the 2012 Paralympics Opening ceremony.

It's true; there are many beautiful statues of women with no arms, and yet her disability is not considered beautiful. Take a look at Venus de Milo, for example.

Alison Lapper, an Open Forum and Disability

Monday 26th November to Sunday 2nd December 2012

Disability at Royal Holloway

As you may know, it is Disabled History Month. 

I&R Senate Poster: Stevie Wonder

Disability can be physical, mental or a learning difficulty, and we need to change the stigma that surrounds this word. Disability is something that makes people feel uncomfortable - and it shouldn't. We need a kind of role model. We need to see more people who are comfortable with their disability, and not only during the paralympics. We need to acknowledge that disability doesn't define us, that we decide who we are. 

On Wednesday the 5th December, 1pm until 3pm in the International Building (IN244) we have a "Let's Talk About Disability" with student speakers from Royal Holloway and Cambridge University. Come along and show your support. You can find a link to the talk here: https://www.facebook.com/events/373952396032975/?fref=ts

You can also find images and quotes from famous disabled people on the Inclusion & Representation Senate Facebook Page, here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.251222608340594.59194.225648467564675&type=3

Let's Talk About Sex & Sexuality

This was a cosy event, and the speakers included a volunteer from the Terrence Higgins Trust who explained safe sexual health. We also addressed the concept of virginity and exploring one's sexuality at University, we talked about homosexuality and contraception, and promiscuity. We covered most things, and the whole point of the talk was to discuss various kinds of sex and sexuality, and to emphasise that it's ok as long as you and your partner(s) are safe and happy. It's important that we also talk about asexuality and abstinence, because these are also dimensions of sexuality that are often ignored. 

It was SHAG week this week (Sexual Health Advice & Guidance), so there was plenty of information available and also trips to the sexual health clinic as well. Remember, you can pick up free and anonymous Chlamydia and Gonorrhea tests from both the SU and the Health Centre throughout the year. Condoms, lube and dental dams are also available from the SU, and the Campus Health Centre has a Sexual Health & Contraception nurse every term-time Wednesday (by appointment). So even if SHAG week was only for a week, remember the information throughout the year!

Open Forum on General Meetings

This was on Tuesday evening in Imagine. It was great to see a variety of people: the President, some members of the Executive Committee, some first years and a few second years as well. It's worth noting that all of  Exec wanted to come, but I managed to dissuade the majority in order to encourage first and second year undergraduates to provide ideas and suggestions. I find that it's very easy to bat ideas away when you're used to the system, but what we needed were the fresh, new eyes we all began with once. 

We used big pieces of paper to mind map the problems and solutions around Twitter, the seating arrangement and timings of motions etc.

We came up with the following alterations that will all be implemented next general meeting (the 4th December: https://www.facebook.com/events/172806082863693/?fref=ts). We'll be wanting your feedback also, so please do keep your eyes peeled on the night! I'll have forms available and an anonymous posting box too. For accountability's sake, and because I will do everything I can to make sure this all happens, here's our list (with Exec's suggestions as well):

- Motions always published on a friday (check out the SU website!)
- Food is made available through Rialto

- Chair has an aid ( a member of the Demok team), and both sit on the stage, with the Steering Desk on the floor and to the left
- Twitter is projected onto a screen. Something nasty is tweeted = warning. If done again, blocked from twitter screen.
- Email the chair with questions from your college email if too shy to ask out loud
- Stricter on mocking or aggressive behaviour, at the Chair's discretion
- General Meeting seating arranged into a Semi-circle
- Copies of relevant documents (motions, agendas etc) available at steering desk
- Pieces of paper handed out with the elected positions available
- Chair explains procedural motions at the beginning of the General Meeting
- Maximum of 20minutes additional discussion time for a motion, in 2x 10minute increments.
- Guillotines (strict timings)
- Pause after each motion
- If someone speaks after their allocated time, then 5seconds after the chair says "time" their microphone is switched off.
- Music during each break
- Feedback box on these changes made

I'm happy to announce that the first task has already been done: the motions are available online at https://www.su.rhul.ac.uk/asset/News/6001/SURHUL-General-Meeting.pdf , and this evening I will start making our feedback box (it will be beautiful!).

Me in the Insanity Radio Studio

Insanity Radio

I was on air a lot this week! I spent an hour on Nehanda's show on Tuesday (every Tuesday, 7pm to 8pm). She was very kind, as she let my dad sit in the background quietly! He had come to visit me as he was in the area. Nehanda has an amazing show where she asks questions, talks about and plays music on life and love, all spurred on by a wordless meeting with a handsome man in Starbucks in Staines. Listen to her show, it's incredible and a great laugh to listen to. She asked me what my greatest fear was in terms of relationships - a question that actually took me a lot of thought. Now that I know my answer, I feel empowered by knowing my one weakness, but also remarkably humbled by it. My greatest fear? Not being understood. 

As per usual, I had my show Desert Island Sid with Craig McVegas (Wednesdays at 11am). It's one of my last shows, as I won't be able to continue next term. Hopefully I'll be able to record a few and fill in for people when they're ill! Anyway, Craig has led a very interesting life and we talked about his favourite songs and facts. Luckily for us, the music we needed was uploaded minutes before the show itself - Insanity has changed it's programming system this week, which led to a complicated juggle of music on the system midweek. 

Half way through my Wednesday show, it transpired that both Kenny and Jamie were too ill to take on the SU show (on every Wednesday from 12 until 2pm), so Craig and I obliged. We are both Exec Officers, you see. We talked about everything - from upcoming SU events to SHAG week to Disabled History Month, from the referendum to live music to movember. Not bad for a last minute show!

Remember, you can listen online at: http://www.insanityradio.com/ and tweet them https://twitter.com/InsanityRadio!

Craig, our Campaigns Officer at the Insanity Radio Studio

I&R Senate

We had a brief informal meeting on Wednesday where we went over what is needed to develop a campaign. Next term will be incredibly busy, and we need to start planning now! The I&R Senate now has a regular meeting: every Tuesday, between 5pm and 6pm in Rialto. Come along and show your face, share your ideas and take part in the awesomeness that is the I&R Senate! As always, like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SURHUL.Inclusion and feel free to email me eandl@su.rhul.ac.uk.

What's happening this week? A lot!

Monday 3rd December 2012

"The Crisis in Palestine: an Evening of Discussion", in ALT 1 at 7pm

https://www.facebook.com/events/128614323962729/

RHUBARB TV Board Member Elections, MLT at 7pm

https://www.facebook.com/events/442296322498266/

Tuesday 4th December 2012

I&R Senate meets at Rialto, 5pm

https://www.facebook.com/SURHUL.Inclusion?ref=ts&fref=ts

The General Meeting, 6.30pm, SU main hall

https://www.facebook.com/events/172806082863693/?fref=ts

Wednesday 5th December 2012

Let's Talk About Disability, 1pm in the International Building, IN244

https://www.facebook.com/events/373952396032975/?fref=ts

Film Night: Love Holloway Hate Hatred, ALT1, 7pm

https://www.facebook.com/events/266203586836237/

Thursday 6th December 2012

Student Worker Forum, SU Main Hall at 6.30pm

https://www.facebook.com/events/165479573593695/

Until next time!