Officer Blog - September 2026
Welcome Week, New Faces & Getting Stuck In!
September has absolutely flown by!
The new academic year is officially underway, and our Officers have been out and about across our campuses, welcoming new students, meeting returning students, working with University teams and, of course, helping make Welcome happen. However, Welcome isn't the only thing we've been up to...
Here's what your Officers have been working on this month.
Ligia – Faculty Officer
September has been a busy one for Ligia!
A big focus has been getting everything ready for our Class Rep system, including preparing induction materials, getting the merch sorted, and making sure our new Reps have everything they need to get started.
And the Reps aren't just a Carlisle thing. Ligia has been working across our campuses to make sure students everywhere can get involved and have their voices heard.
Welcome!
Ligia has also been getting stuck into Welcome, helping out at Carlisle and Ambleside, welcoming Carlisle-based international students and being there for Carlisle residents moving into their accommodation.
It's been a great opportunity to meet students right at the beginning of their university journey, and hopefully put some friendly faces to the Students' Union!
Getting Around
Ligia's work on our transportation campaign is continuing.
She is looking at the issues students face when it comes to getting to and from University, travelling between locations and generally navigating student life when you don't live right next to campus.
This is still developing, so if transport is something that affects you, keep an eye out for more opportunities to have your say.
Aidan – Wellbeing Lead Officer
Aidan’s been working with Student Services on Healthy Relationships, helping develop work around wellbeing and supporting students to have healthy, respectful relationships.
He's also been everywhere during Welcome!
From international student events to the various Northern Welcome activities, Aidan has been getting out and meeting students across the University.
🏔️ Ambleside
Aidan has also been working with the Ambleside Bar Committee, helping support student activity and making sure Ambleside gets plenty of attention from the Union.
🌙 Go Out Smart, Come Home Safe
September has also seen the launch of our Go Out Smart, Come Home Safe work.
The campaign is all about helping students enjoy nights out while making sure they have the information, resources, and support they need to get home safely.
And yes, there was free food involved.
Because nothing brings students together quite like food.
Haroon – Academic Lead Officer
Haroon has had a packed September, with a particular focus on making sure different groups of students are being heard.
He's been working with ISOC and Lancaster Chaplaincy around issues affecting minority students, while also getting involved with a collaboration between Careers and Advice teams.
He's also been following up on several issues raised by students, including concerns around international students receiving clear information about terms and agreements connected to aptitude testing.
Another issue he's been pursuing is student assessment and Turnitin flagging, with further discussions being planned with senior University colleagues.
🗣️ Listening to students
A huge part of Haroon's work this month has been getting out and talking to students.
He's been asking students about their experiences of the Union, connecting with Reps across multiple campuses and following up on issues raised by students and student groups.
And the student conversations don't stop there, Haroon has been following up on issues raised by students in Barrow and Lancaster and continuing to work with relevant staff and organisations to move those conversations forward.
Haroon had a great time at the London Welcome BBQ! Talking to all of the students about their time with the University so far!
👋 Meet Your Part-Time Officers!
September hasn't just been about our Sabbatical Officers.
Our Part-Time Officers have also officially started, bringing even more student voices into the Union.
Kay Ashton – EDI Officer
Kay champions equality, diversity and inclusion across the University, representing under-represented and marginalised groups and challenging discrimination, bias and inequality.
And Kay has already been busy!
They're preparing for the University of Cumbria EDI Conference at Fusehill Street on 19 October, with this year's theme being:
“The Language of EDI... Beyond Words”
But that's not all.
Kay is also developing a student-led EDI project called Voices of Our Campus, which will explore inclusion through student voices and create opportunities for students to share experiences, discuss barriers and find out about available support.
More on this one soon...
Very soon. 👀
Oluwafemi Ehindero – Mature Students Officer
Oluwafemi represents students returning to education later in life, helping make sure the experiences and challenges of mature students are part of the conversation.
He's settling into the role and has big plans ahead.
Keep an eye out for more from Oluwafemi as the year progresses!
Angelica Uguri – Online Learner Officer
Studying remotely or through distance learning can look very different from being on campus.
Angelica is here to make sure online learners aren't forgotten, representing their experiences and raising the issues that matter to students studying remotely.
She's settling into her new role and already has plenty planned for the year ahead.
Watch this space!
🎉 Sabera Begum – Social Officer
And Sabera has wasted absolutely no time getting involved!
As Social Officer, Sabera is all about bringing students together through events, activities and opportunities to build a sense of community.
She's already been particularly active on the London campus, helping organise a packed programme of activities throughout September.
There have been welcome lunches, games, coffee mornings, competitions, scavenger hunts, BBQs, ice cream, waffles and plenty of opportunities for students to meet each other.
Some highlights included:
🍽️ PGCE Welcome Lunch
🎯 Cup & Ball Activity
🔎 Campus Scavenger Hunt
☕ Campus Coffee Morning
🍬 Sweet Jar & Cup Pong
🍔 Campus BBQ & Ice Cream Van
🧇 Waffles & Photobooth
And that is exactly the kind of energy we're excited to see from our Part-Time Officers this year!
🔮 What's Coming in October?
September was about getting settled, meeting students and getting everything moving.
October is where things really start to take shape.
There's already plenty happening across our campuses, from Class Rep inductions and student society events to trips, workshops and Halloween activities.
🗣️ Class Rep Inductions
If you've become a Class Rep, keep an eye out for your induction session.
There will be sessions across Ambleside, Fusehill Street, Brampton Road and Lancaster, as well as an online option, giving Reps the opportunity to learn more about their role and how they can represent their classmates.
🥾 Give Something New a Go
Fancy getting outdoors?
The UoC H.A.C.K Society is hosting a hike taster session at Catbells at the end of September, with plenty more society activity continuing into October.
🕵️ Fancy Yourself as a Detective?
The Criminology Society has a Murder Mystery Night coming to Fusehill Campus in October.
Time to find out who dunnit... 🔎
🎃 And, of course...
Halloween is coming.
We've already spotted Halloween-themed events appearing on the calendar, so expect October to get increasingly spooky as the month goes on. 👻
And that's just what's on the calendar so far!
Check out the UCSU website for the latest events, activities and opportunities coming your way this October.
💬 Keep Talking to Us
September has been a brilliant reminder of why student voice matters.
Every conversation, question, suggestion and issue raised by a student gives us something to work with.
So if you've got something you want us to know about, talk to us.
You might see us at an event.
You might spot us around campus.
You might see us in a meeting.
Or you can simply get in touch.
We're looking forward to everything October brings.
See you around campus! 👋
