Thursday 16-04-2020 - 16:27

Student groups at Durham are continuing to bring students together, create communities, and share interests and cultures. And your SU is here to support you to do that.

Annual Awards 
We will still be celebrating the amazing work of student groups through the SU Annual Awards. Though the event due to take place in June 2020 has been postponed, we’re looking to reschedule it to November 2020. And the nominations process remains open, so you can continue to nominate students and staff who deserve recognition for their hard work, passion and achievement. 

Stay Home Socials
Many groups are creating innovative ways to continue their activities online. We want to help you share these activities to a wider audience in our weekly “Stay Home Socials” timetable. If you’d like to get involved, just email dsu.engagement@durham.ac.uk.

Student Groups Training Academy 
It’s just as important as ever that student group leaders are given the tools to run successful events and create strong communities. That’s why we’re looking to develop an online Student Groups Training Academy for June 2020 for all Committee members. We’re also hoping to offer increased online resources and training content for you to access over the summer. 

Freshers’ Fair 
Sadly, we’re currently working on the assumption that we will be unable to offer a physical Freshers’ Fair in October 2020. But we know how important the fair is for welcoming new students to Durham and helping our student groups reach new members. We’re currently exploring the idea of a digital Freshers’ Fair in October 2020, followed by a physical Freshers’ Fair in January 2021. 

Event contracts
Due to continuing uncertainty, we have made the decision to not sign off any event contracts for Easter term or for Michaelmas term at this stage. We understand this may be frustrating for groups wishing to plan next year’s activities and will review the decision regularly in line with the latest government guidance. 

Student Groups Committee elections 
We will still be electing a new Student Groups Committee. Voting will now take place online in Easter term, rather than at Student Groups Forum as before. More information about these elections, including how to nominate yourself for a position, will be coming soon. 

Registration 2020 
This year, you’ll need to complete the registration process for your student group online. This will involve submitting a new registration form and having an online chat with a member of the Opportunities Team about your constitution and your plans for the year ahead. 

Committee handover 
Handing over to a new committee remotely has its challenges! That’s why we’re producing a handover template that you can use to help the transition from your existing committee to your new committee. We’ll also soon be providing some helpful guidance on how you can effectively handover remotely. 

AGM and elections 
Many of you will find your AGM and Elections have been affected by Covid-19. Please see our AGM and elections guidance for more information about your groups democratic processes in light of Covid-19. 

 

We're here to help. Whatever your question, big or small, the Advice Service is here for you through Covid-19.
☎️ helpline (available 09:00-17:00): 07922648802*
📨 email: dsu.advice2@durham.ac.uk
💻 online: click here

*Please note: the Advice Service helpline is not a crisis number, in an emergency please use 999 as usual.