A day in the life of the President

Student Union president, Steve Godwin
 (picture from ccsu.co.uk)

Student Circle approached the CCCU president, Steve Godwin, to see what he gets up to in his daily role as the Student Union President. He’s a busy man but we managed to grab five minutes with him so that he could reveal a typical week in his working life. Here he tells us what he does.


“OK, where to start? Let’s flick the diary open on the 7th February seems appropriate – the day I gave a welcome talk to new students starting a language course. They were quite an excited group who wanted to learn more about what a Students’ Union was and how they could engage with it.


By Wednesday the 9th February I was speaking to students again, only this time at our first ever Student Rep Conference! I had the privilege of welcoming everyone as President of the Union within my opening remarks. What an honour not just to see the first conference but to take my part in empowering Student Reps. They really are the mechanism that deliver change both on your courses and to the institution, because it is only through issues you raise through them that action can be taken and followed up though in key meetings, notes and minutes.
Speaking at events didn’t stop there. I had been asked by the University Colleges Union (UCU) to make a speech at a Raleigh they were holding on campus, Friday 11th February, to speak about the key issues regarding the cuts to the public sector locally. I spoke relative to my experience as President, again carrying the voice of students.

OK, so what happened to me next? Well, aside from the usual ‘office stuff’ Monday, Tuesday e-mails phone calls etc, Wednesday 16th February hit with two key meetings – one with the Pro Vice Chancellor Students, and the other with the Director of Facilities both of whom are people within the University who can help significantly transform the experience of students. I also had a meeting with the Community Safety Officer from the City Council, discussing issues relating to late night noise in Canterbury and refuge collections, untidy gardens etc...etc and actually came out with some positives.

Friday the 18th February, I chaired a meeting for the strategic plan of the Students’ Union. Key members of the External Board of Trustees were invited along with key student representatives to verbalise what the essence of a Students’ Union was to them and what our values as an organisation should be. Over the next three years we shall have a plan that reflects Education and Representation, Welfare, Student Activities, Sport, Marketing and Income.

Monday 21st arrived, and with it the All Inclusive Sports Day ‘Paralympics Hits Christ Church’. The Union involved itself in all kinds of sports that included people of all abilities. From archery to tennis and volleyball to football everyone was welcome to join in.

I hope you have the same sense of pride in what we have at Christ Church, and you too can find ways to share it. If you do have any questions about what I do in terms of my role as President please just pop in and see me. I have done many interviews, not just for Media students but also those interested in asking me a question or two. I’ll happily speak on Canterbury Student Radio or on Christ Church Television, as I have done in the past. Remember, the future is what you make it. Stay strong, and stay together. “

Your President,
Steve