Exec Blog

Every year the issue of Wednesday afternoons crops up. Loads of clubs and societies plan events and activites on these afternoons, but there are still a lot of lecturers who timetable seminars, labs or lectures at this time.

This year, however, I think I have an answer!

My idea is to create a lobbying tool that will create real pressure to keep Wednesday afternoons free. 

Before Christmas I proposed to  Viv Jones (Pro-Vice-Chancellor for student education of the University) that there should be a letter that members of clubs and societies can take to their lecturers to excuse them from teaching activity scheduled on Wednesday afternoon, if they have another commitment in their club or society they wish to fulfil.

These letters will be issued by the Dev-Cos here in the Union, who will record which students, clubs/societies and taught courses are most affected so that specific problems can be addressed and the right to Wednesday afternoons free for co-curricular activity be upheld. 

Obviously the goal is for everyone to be able to take part in activities and attend all their teaching, and I was assured by Viv that 'wherever possible' there should be no formal teaching on a Wednesday afternoon, so this letter should help monitor the situation and put  pressure on the University so module leaders realise how crucial activities are to the student experience here at Leeds.

If you already know you have teaching on a Wednesday afternoon let me know and the main issues you face with this.  I'm really looking forward to implementing and making a big noise about keeping Wednesday afternoons free!