23–29 August

• Meeting with Jenny Dyer from Skill. www.skill.org.uk
• Visits, Sheffield Hallam, Sheffield College (and managed to pop in and see my mom and dad)
• Women’s Hour, discussing whether students are getting value for money from their degree courses. Getting on Women’s Hour has been a lifetime ambition for me and left a few of my colleagues a little bit jealous.
• Meeting with the MD, and Sales Director of Endsleigh Insurance re recent changes in NUS. Endsleigh are one of NUS’s key allies and they show continual support to the organisation.
• GCSE results day, small amounts of press work.

30–5 September

• Bank Holiday – Hurrah!
• A whole day and a half in the office catching up – bliss
• Met VP Welfare to discuss Co-Op housing project.
• Visits, Chichester, Hull Uni
• International Students committee meeting.
• Sunday off, a very unusual week.

6–12 September

• Meeting with Alan Johnson, Minister for Higher Education. I found the minister to be a very relaxing and engaging character. We discussed a variety of issues, including student loan payments in Scotland, student representation on the review of top up fees boards, and in particular the FE priority campaign. Interestingly as we walked out one of the NUS staff members commented that he came across differently than he had previously, and he suspected a reshuffle – something he was then proved right on merely days later.
• Pontins – For those of you who weren’t aware NUS extraordinary conference this June passed a motion to move NUS national Conference to Pontins in Blackpool. This was our reccy trip to loo at the suitability of the venue. Much to my surprise it was possible to see how the event could work in this venue, with good space, and a safe atmosphere. There are however a couple of key issues. The conference could only fit us all in if the delegation cuts are ratified, and there are not currently enough accessible bedrooms. Will keep you updated. In addition, Myself, Joe Rukin, and James Lloyd did win the Pontins ‘Colour Quiz’ and my office now proudly displays the certificate. www.pontins.com
• Presented a policy paper on HE to the campaign group of MP’s who are running education forums on a variety of issues from Sats, selection, pay etc with the possible aim of publishing a set of papers.
• NUSSL board meeting www.nussl.co.uk

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