News Article

SOAS SU Weekly News 27st Feb

Olga Aleksandra Popiolek-Szulczewska

Find out what's happening at SOAS SU this week! Events, Activities, Information and more.

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SOAS Student’s Union Newsletter

NOMINATIONS CLOSE TODAY AT 11PM

Do you want to make SOAS and SOAS SU the best that it can be? This is your chance!

At the SU we're here to represent, support, and provide activities and opportunities for students, so if you've got ideas about how we do this, join us!

We've extended nominations until 11pm tonight for the following roles:

1. Mental Health Awareness Officer

2. Cost of Living Campaigns Officer

3. Afrikan Studies Officer

What are you waiting for? Head to the Elections Webpage for more information.

Preferenda Portfolio Part-Time Officers 2022/23:

Over the summer SOAS SU changed its Part-Time Officer structure to enable SOAS students to have more of a say about what matters to them by deciding the roles of 8 Part-Time Officer roles. These roles are voluntary, and the students elected into post will remain in office until July 31st but are asked to support over summer and help organise welcome week activities.

The roles available are:

1. Mental Health Awareness Officer

2. Cost of Living Campaigns Officer

3.Afrikan Studies Officer

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We’re excited to listen together to the new Faraj Suleiman songs album, this Tuesday 28th February 19:00-20:00.

SOAS Bar will join more than 30 cafes and bars across Beirut, Cairo, Jerusalem, Damascus, Amman and Tunis, to celebrate and stream the online release of Upright Biano (Arabic: ???? ????? ?????). Creators Faraj Suleiman and Majd Kayyal write: “The album is drowning in the water of our families and homes. These songs are an endless vortex of dark blue pain. Songs inherited from an old silence, about nightmares, ordinary anger, exhausting compassion and absurd escape.”

Find out more about Suleiman's work and upcoming album at: https://www.farajsuleiman.com

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Clubs and Societies Events:

SOAS Cuban Big Band @ The Post Bar

Tuesday 28th February, 7:30- 10PM, 316 High Road N15 4BP.

Come along for some music to fundraise for the Turkey Mozaik Foundation!

Link to fundraiser.

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Justice for Workers & CMDS (Centre for Migration and Diaspora Studies) Film Screening.

Wednesday 1st March, 5-7pm, SWLT (Senate House).

We will be screening the award-winning documentary film Limpiadores, which charts the history of campaigns by (racialised as) migrant workers at SOAS to secure fair working conditions, from securing the London Living Wage to ending outsourcing, and the immigration raid which led to the deportation of nine members of our cleaning staff in 2013. This film is a must-watch to understand more about our university, and its historic treatment of its staff.

After the documentary, we will have a roundtable discussion with SOAS Justice for Workers campaign and CMDS academics, followed by further discussion in the JCR for those who would like to join.

Please see poster for further information, and we look forward to seeing you there!

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The Future of Journalism: a panel hosted by The Spirit

Friday 3rd March, 7pm, SALT

How can we create media spaces that differ from the mainstream? What is the future of journalism? Is anything ever truly objective in our polarised society? Does truth itself still exist - if so, who does it belong to? Join Toby, Amelia, and a panel of industry experts as we dissect these questions, and discuss the role of Journalism in our ever-changing world.

Keep an eye on our socials to get updates on panelist reveals! @soasspirit

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Pool and Pints Society Tournament

Wednesday 1st March, 6pm, SOAS pool table/bar.

Come along for our second pool tournament! All levels welcome! Just fill out the sign-up sheet below and we'll see you there!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScYMjg4LpBPTOzVQuyyq0m-Lj2HTzvM108olXR6nRU0J3DNpg/viewform?usp=sf_link

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‘Discover Islam Week’ with SOAS Islamic Society

Friday 3rd March- Tuesday the 14th March

Da'wah stalls: 4 days throughout the week, 11am-4pm, Inside/Outside the Main Building.

Curious about Islam? Want to gain new insight on Islam? Come to SOAS ISOC's very own Da'wah (deriving from the Arabic language as the act of 'calling' or 'inviting) stall, where we can answer your questions and engage in inquisitive discussion!

'Dealing with doubts in your faith' by Shaykh Tawfique Chowdhury: Monday 6th March, 6pm, BGLT

Doubts enter our lives regardless of which spiritual path we choose to follow. Join us as we hear how to overcome these doubts from an Islamic perspective. An event open to everyone, designed to ease your worries around the complexities of faith!

'Where does Islam fit in?' by Ustaadh Abdullah Andalusi: Wednesday 8th March, 5pm, RB01

In a time of political and social unrest, a religion that is also a way of life gives Muslims insight on how to navigate their lives in times of uncertainty. Enlighten yourself through this talk as we unveil the position of Islam in today's society!

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Japan Society ‘Queer Japan: Law and Social Realities' talk.

Wednesday 8th March, 3:00-4:30pm, B204 (Brunei Gallery) and online.

Japan Society is arranging a seminar, 'Queer Japan: Law and Social Realities', remotely delivered by Dr. Yuto MORI (Hitotsubashi, Japan).

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Upcoming Events:

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UCU Strike Dates

Update, 20th February 2023: Due to significant progress with university employers UCU and UNISON have paused strike action until the 2nd of March. This means that teaching will go ahead and campus will be open as usual. SU Staff will be working on-site and the Coffee Pod and Shop will be open.

Week 3	Tue 14, Wed 15 and Thu 16 February
Week 4	Strike action paused
Week 5	Strike action paused
	[No action week commencing Mon 6 March]
Week 6	Thu 16 and Fri 17 March
Week 7	Mon 20, Tue 21 and Wed 22 March

More info on UCU strikes is available here

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SOAS Catering Forum

Are you interested in developing the SOAS restaurant? SOAS are looking for 6-10 students with different backgrounds and dietary requirements to provide their feedback. The first forum will take place on the week commencing the 6th of March and will continue every month. If you are interested in getting involved please contact DS86@soas.ac.uk.

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The National Student Survey at SOAS

The National Student Survey (NSS) will run until 30 April.

Find out more about completing the NSS

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LGBTQ+ History Month

SOAS SU is hosting events for LGBTQ+ History Month.

Click here to see more information about our events this month.

Look out for the teach-out schedule during strike action, as we have plenty of teach-outs lined up for LGBTQ+ history month. These are some of the teach-outs we have lined up!

1. History of Policing Queer Communities + Securitisation at SOAS
2. What does it mean to be an ally? - Discussion with the LGBTQ+ students’ caucus

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SOAS GOES TO CALAIS - Weekend of 24-26 March

Do you want to join the “SOAS GOES TO CALAIS” trip on the weekend of 24-26 March?

This is a refugee solidarity volunteering trip, helping the activist groups in Calais.

We are holding an organising meeting on this Thursday 16 March at 5.30. Meet at the Russell Room in the basemen. Come along to find out more.

Or e-mail ee11@soas.ac.uk for more details.

https://www.geocities.ws/soasgoestocalais2023/

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Opportunities and Information:

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Do you want a say in how SOAS celebrates festivities or awareness days?

Take part in a focus group to help SOAS create a more inclusive and comprehensive celebration calendar! Sign up using this form https://forms.gle/aYmuT6ja26YTRREb9 or contact 686480@soas.ac.uk if you have any questions.

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Call out for artists for an upcoming art exhibition - SolidariTee SOAS

SolidariTee SOAS is doing an art exhibition in the upcoming weeks and we would love a variety of artist to be included in the exhibition. The theme is Migration and the Contemporary - any art is welcomed!

If you are interested or want more information, do not hesitant to reach out to Marie (696320@soas.ac.uk)

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FREE TRANSPORT CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED

In the recent NUS UK Student Cost of Living Survey, 51% of students and apprentices said they were cutting back on transport costs. And as always, it’s the students from the most disadvantaged backgrounds who are being hit the hardest, missing out on vital teaching time, harming their grades and limiting their opportunities.

That's why we've launched a new petition calling on the Government to make public transport free for all students and apprentices.

Sign the petition here

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Ideas Portal

At SOAS Students’ Union, representing students' views is at the heart of everything we do. Students get to have their say over what the SU works on by voting for a Co-President that is passionate about the same things as them and by setting Union Priorities, which are objectives the SU is mandated to deliver. These priorities are decided by students and can cover a range of different things.

Visit the Ideas Portal to propose anything, from big structure changes, or quick wins. There are instructions on this page about this information you need to include for your submission.

Need support? Click on this link to see the Report and Support options available to you at SOAS.

If you would like your event to be featured in this newsletter, please register your event on the SU's website through your society page.

If you have anything else to contribute to the newsletter, please email Eve - Governance and Comms Coordinator: SU@soas.ac.uk