Page 32 - Eclipse - RVC Alumni Magazine - Autumn 2020

STUDENT NEWS
Students’ Union
Jade Urquhart-Gilmore, SU President 2019-20
This year has shown us time
and time again the strength of the RVC Community. We may have had to change how we stay connected, but the students have worked hard to support each other.
So many of those achievements would not have been possible without the generosity of our alumni. During such unusual times, the student bursaries and support the alumni give our clubs and societies have provided a vital resource for our students’ welfare.
As my time as SU President draws to an end, I would like to thank you all for the support you have shown us over the past year - the times you have stood beside us in spirit and your continued generosity to all our students.
Quentin Wedmore, SU President 2020-21
This year saw our most hotly- contested SU officer elections
in recent history, demonstrating the high level of engagement and value that the students have with the SU.
Last year was a very busy one for Jade, and I would like to thank her for being so helpful during my transition into the role.
Already this year looks to be no less busy. As I write this, we are currently gearing up for our virtual Freshers Week, and with many students isolating before returning to College, we are keeping them entertained and engaged during what must be a difficult time.
Looking ahead, I am excited to lead the SU with renewed focus on several issues. In the Black Lives Matter protests, we have recently seen one of
the biggest civil rights movements of
our generation. Now that many related issues have been raised so publicly, many students feel that we must not let this opportunity for change go to waste. Along with the College, we, the students, are contributing to the newly formed Racial Equality Task Group which will feed directly into changes made in the College, the SU, and wider afield.
This academic year we will also focus on our commitment as an SU to becoming carbon neutral by 2030. Although the College was not in a position to match our commitment, opting instead for 2050 at the latest, I am hopeful that we can work together to make sustainable and science-guided decision making a priority of everyday working.
There are many aphorisms, often vapid, to describe the challenges posed by COVID-19. Whilst I won’t reiterate any of these here, we must consider how difficult things are now for our students, particularly those just starting at RVC. The SU is here to represent and look after our students, and this is now more important than ever.
You can read more on many of the points Quentin discusses throughout this edition of Eclipse.
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