Meet the new team running the Students’ Union

New Sabbatical officers in place to provide key contacts for students - News

Monday 15 September 2008
By Naomi Weston

Imperial’s new student Sabbatical Officers have settled into their new roles and are preparing for the start of term. But what does Sabbatical officer mean and what is their role?

Every year Imperial College Union appoints four Sabbatical Officers, a President and three Deputy Presidents to manage the Union.

They are elected in the spring term by the students and anyone can stand for election. They either take a year out of their studies to take up the role or they can do it at the end of their course.

 

Working full time, the Sabbaticals are key contacts for students if they need help and advice. They are also responsible for the Union’s activities and oversee elections and the day to day running of the Union.

The President regularly meets with the Rector and senior members of College staff to raise students’ issues and concerns.

The Editor of Felix, the student newspaper, and the President of the Faculty of Medicine Students’ Union are both Sabbaticals.

The new student team will be involved in events over the coming academic year including Green Week, Healthy Living Week and RAG Week.

In addition, throughout the academic year the Union organises a programme of events from quiz nights to club nights and live bands.

There is also an Information and Advice Centre offering confidential help for any students.

The Imperial College Union is the social heart of the College and all students registered are automatically members of it. Students have the opportunity of joining over 260 different clubs and societies from rugby and cinema to hand gliding. The Students’ Activities Centre based in the Union building, located in Beit Quad, provides support for running the different clubs and societies.

The new Sabbaticals include:

President, Jenny Morgan, 22, Biology graduate, collects rescue animals and currently has four goldfish, one rat, one Chinese hamster and two zebra finches…

Deputy President for Finance and Services, Christian Carter, 21, who has just finished his second year in Mechanical Engineering and has a striking resemblance to Beaker from the Muppets, according to the rest of his team…

Deputy President for Clubs and Societies, Lily Topham, 22, has finished her fourth year in Medicine and hates gherkins and celery…

Deputy President for Education and Welfare, Hannah Theodorou, 23, has also just finished her fourth year in Medicine and she loves shoes and owns over 40 pairs for every occasion…

Felix Editor, Jovan Nedic, 22, is an Aeronautics graduate and he juggles editing Felix and writing with also being a budding artist…

Medic President, Mark Chamberlain, 22, has also finished his fourth year in Medicine and has proudly attended every black tie event the Medic Union has run in the last four years…

Imperial’s new student Sabbatical Officers, from L-R, Lily Topham, Jovan Nedic, Jenny Morgan, Christian Carter, Hannah Theodorou and Mark Chamberlain