KCLSU’s President, Sebastiaan Debrouwere, welcomes the new intake of King’s freshers.
Hi, and welcome to King’s! After unpacking countless boxes, the many goodbyes and even more hellos, you’ve made it – you’re now officially a student at this wonderful institution. I’m Sebastiaan, and this March I was elected by King’s students to serve as President of our students’ union (KCLSU) for 2013/2014. We’re an organisation run by students for students, so for us it’s all about you.
The next few days and weeks will be thrilling. Our student community at King’s is very friendly and diverse. There are over 300 ratified student societies, sports clubs and volunteering groups. Campus life is further invigorated by our student media groups: the ever sharp but witty pen of the many student journalists working for Roar!, the smashingly good broadcasts made by both KCL Radio and KingsTV, and the striking pictures taken of it all by KCL PhotoSoc. Make sure you get the best out of this by attending the KCLSU Freshers’ Fair on 19 and 20 September at Barbican Exhibition Hall 2.
But KCLSU does more than just facilitate the work of these groups (even though that is already quite a lot of work in itself!). We run student-friendly venues: Waterfront Bar and Kitchen at Strand Campus, and Guy’s Bar on Guy’s Campus. On top of that, our new Unlocking London programme will bring you the best of the city’s culture and entertainment at student-friendly prices. At KCLSU we’re here to make sure you have the best possible student experience.
Finally, and most importantly, we are a democratic membership-ran organisation. My three fellow student officers and I were elected in March to serve you full-time for a year. We’ve set out an ambitious agenda to make King’s a fair place for all students, a strong community and a place where you can be yourself. Keep an eye on our website, where our detailed agenda will shortly be published.
As a King’s student you’re also automatically a KCLSU member, which means you get a say in how we’re run. One of the ways in which you can do so is by running in our elections to become a student council member. These elections will take place at the end of this month, and you can nominate yourself online. Do run – your voice is an incredibly powerful thing.
Enjoy yourself and get involved. And feel free to pop by our offices at Strand, Guy’s or Waterloo for a coffee or a chat anytime – I’m a known and certified espresso addict!
See you soon,
Sebastiaan
