[This article was originally published on 09/02/2024. It has been updated since then.]

Hello there, this is Katwamba bringing you the second LCF Officer Update of the academic year, letting you know what I’ve been up to! Second term started off long and busy!

What I’ve been doing

Student Community at East Bank 

It was lovely to see and talk to many of you at our student launch last term to celebrate the opening of the East Bank Building and start to feel the community at LCF coming together. Last term I joined the Students Events Committee, I am looking forward to helping plan for more events to happen the new campus and the student community even further. 

LGBTQIA+ History Month 2024

Over the last month, CSM Officer Minna Ellis and I have been getting ready for LGBTQIA+ History Month, which is finally here! Our theme for this year is Queer Resistance and Expression Through Creativity, which aims to centre around championing the huge variety of ways that LGBTQIA+ people express themselves while ensuring we celebrate the importance of the concept of queer resistance. We have an enriching events program available here. We already kickstarted this month with an exhibition Opening Night and Social at Queer Britain photos available real soon!

Decolonising The Curriculum & Attainment Gap

Last term, I gained feedback through Student Dean Forums to get your insight about how decolonising the curriculum and the attainment gap. It was great to hear your thoughts and for me to find out what each School is doing and plan out the next steps.

I have also been working with Head of Social Purpose in beginning to feed into how LCF can become a decolonised college. I look forward to working with them closely over the next term.  

What I am currently working on

Student Feedback at East Bank

Since the opening of the new building, I have been collecting and raising your feedback through emails, your School Reps and termly Student and Dean Forums. For example, some of your courses have been affected by contracting issues, which has resulted in a lack of access to studios or not doing specific workshops. Your Associate Dean of Student Experience, Annamarie Mckie, and the Technical Resources Team have been aware of this with the Deans of each School and are working to resolve this issue and ensure that other measures can be implemented to ensure you are not disadvantaged where possible.

In response to common building feedback issues, a Building Feedback Status Updates page on Moodle provides the latest information for the most frequently raised feedback. Other feedback we have received, such as canteen prices and extended library opening hours, require more campaigning, specifically working with students to lobby the University to challenge the decisions being made. We will be in touch in due course with students interested in how to get involved. Over the following term, we will host opportunities to voice your concerns with the appropriate teams at the College and University overseeing the departments.

If you have any questions or feedback regarding East Bank, please continue to contact buildingfeedback@fashion.arts.uk or me over at lcfofficer@su.arts.ac.uk

Arts Student' Union Office at East Bank*

There have been lighting issues which have meant delaying the opening of our office to more regular hours. We hope to have the issue sorted out soon. Until then, the office will remain closed on most days however, you can find me every week on Tuesday or Wednesday. 

Arts Shop at East Bank

I am working with Andrew Teverson to get frequent updates about the opening of the Arts Shop East Bank which has experienced significant delays. Ihope to be able to have clear news about when the shop will be opening by the end of this term.

Thank you for reading, see you at the next update!

- Katwamba

*UPDATE: 21st March 2024 - As for the Arts Students' Union presence at East Bank, the office has been limited from being opened regularly due to the lighting not working, which has now been fixed. There was a delay in fixing this because teaching spaces are being prioritised. Our overall plan by the end of the academic year is to have a regular presence on campus. Thank you for being patient and understanding as we work through these issues!