USTINOV GCR

Dear Ustinovians,   

I’m writing to you as we reach the conclusion of this academic year, it’s been an enlightening, rejuvenating and of course sometimes challenging year. I think we’ve made a lot of positive progress in Ustinov in the past year with the help of a great GCR team. I am immensely proud of all of you as Ustinovians, your dedication, resilience, and unwavering hard work makes me very proud to be President. When I ran for this job I made these manifesto pledges:   

• Revamp of the bar/common room to improve the functionality and feel of the space   
• Improve formals by having them at different colleges rather than the Hub   
• Have a full calendar of events for Induction Week to build a more inclusive and welcoming college environment that sustains throughout the year  
• More support of GCR sports teams and societies to give each of them the best platform to succeed and deliver the best student experience  
• An informal office hour for the President where people can discuss or make suggestions  
• More direct decision making by students with polls on group chats leading to direct action  
• Better organised GCR trips and welfare  

Over the last month I’ve secured commitments from the university and project managed a revamp of the bar that totals over £20k of improvements, this will be done before the next full cohort of students start in late September and continue with more targeted works into the next year. The GCR is investing in this space with our own finances because I think it’s the most sensible way to use our accumulated reserves to ensure the best for all of us. Sheraton Park has not always been our college building, but after so many years since the move to the site, now I believe is the time to make it our proper home. I have also attached our timetable for the first term next year, which includes a very full and exciting range of events that I hope will build and sustain throughout the whole of the next year. There are so many opportunities to get involved so please do attend if you’re staying on next year.   

I also wanted to take this opportunity to ask for your help next year. Please do get involved, the GCR is run by volunteers, who dedicate their time to the charity to make everyone’s time in Ustinov better. The list of positions available is also attached in the Info Pack for people starting next year with links to get GCR membership, gym membership and support us. We’ve had some fantastic members of the committee this year, thank you to them again, and now let us carry this momentum forward, embarking on the next chapter of our journey with hope, determination, and an unwavering drive to make the college the best it can be. We are the biggest college in this university – but we don’t act like it. The objective should be that we are the best, and I’m going to fight for it, I’m going to work hard to make this college the best it can be, but we can’t do it with just a handful of committee members, we need more of us, we can achieve massive change I know we can, so please come and be part of the team next year, help run these events and more, get in touch, make the thing you want to see or do happen. The GCR is here to support you to do it and to learn. Everyone contributing a small piece to the puzzle will make it all possible – and on top of that, it is also a very fun job.     

And for those of you who are graduating and moving on, I know all of you are going to go on to do brilliant things, but whatever happens don’t forget this is your college, come back to us, visit us, tell us how you’re doing, you might leave in September but that does not have to be the end of your time here, you belong to this college now, you are part of our history, so please don’t be a stranger.  

In closing, I want to extend my gratitude again to each and every GCR member and our wider college family. It is your dedication, passion, and tireless pursuit of excellence that will propel us forward. And as we gather to celebrate our successes in the next few weeks after the completion of all deadlines, let us also cast our gaze toward the horizon, envisioning an even brighter future that lies ahead. Whatever you get up to after September, I wish you all continued success, growth, and fulfilment in your endeavours.   

Good luck with all your work and thanks for a great year,