I am delighted to welcome you all to Durham.
Not to sound cliché, but this will genuinely be a new chapter in your life.
I’m Callum, your student union president for the coming year. I am delighted to welcome you all to Durham.
Not to sound cliché, but this will genuinely be a new chapter in your life. Everyone in this room is about to change. Maybe your politics and interests, who you call when you’re sad, your music taste, your cooking skills or maybe even your accent. I am not the same person who was sitting where you are right now, and I certainly sound far less Scottish. In what way exactly you’ll change, who knows. With greater independence, new people and an array of opportunities, anything can happen. Your Durham experience is yours to make of it.
You may be nervous, especially after I’ve just told you everything in your life is going to change. But this is good; these nerves are natural, and they're part of the excitement. Crucially, you are not alone. Around you are students in exactly the same boat, even if they seem confident on the surface, everyone has just started a new chapter in their life, wherever they come from. But don’t worry, if you’re ever feeling alone or overwhelmed, there is a team of people in your college that are there for that very purpose. I was also terrified on my very first day. I knew no one coming to Durham, I was worried my accent would ostracise me, I was scared no one would like me. But despite the nerves I quickly fell in love with Durham and I hope you will feel the same. The wonderful city, with the Cathedral, Riverwalk and Bailey, our many student societies, college socials and formals, as well as the infamous nightlife. Durham has a space for everything and everyone.
Durham is already so amazing, but the SU is here for you to make it even better. The Students' Union isn’t just a building (whether you like brutalist architecture or not), a logo, an abstract committee, or me and the other officers. The Students' Union is yours. We do our best work when you come to us. If something is a problem, or you’re facing barriers to your degree, we are here to defend your rights.
I want to ensure everyone can have the experience I have and empower you to have the best opportunities. If you’re struggling with the cost of living, transitioning to university as a neurodivergent student or feel excluded because of who you are. The Officers are working on these issues and so much more. We’ve already opened a Student Pantry, free for all to use, and are working with the university to best support neurodivergent students and create a space of belonging no matter where you come from. This is not an exhaustive list but gives you a taste of the work we do. Whatever problems you face, the SU is here to help you in any way we can.
Alongside me, there is an extensive team of other student leaders. My fellow officers Mia, the Education Officer, and Alex, the Community Officer. The JCR Presidents (with their varying titles), Team Durham, and Performing Arts. There are so many people committed to representing you and working to improve your Durham experience. You’ll have already seen lots of this hard work from your JCR exec and their team of freps. I want to thank them for their commitment, and I hope you do too.
All of this is a privilege to be able to have. Whether because of costs and poverty, discrimination or simply where they live, people don’t have access to education at all, and many across the world, as well as in this room, face continuous barriers to success. It is important to remember the opportunity you have in this context, appreciate where you’ve got to, and use it to motivate you. Durham students can and do amazing things, changing the world at every level.
You still can be nervous, you don’t need to believe me when I tell you how amazing Durham is. Those nerves aren’t going to disappear tonight. But as you find your friends, your way round the city and yourself, you’ll be at home. This is your Durham experience, make the most of it.