David, at Graduation 2022Welcome everyone to my second blog, there has been a fair bit been going on since I was able to sit down and write a blog since I spoke with you all last.  I hope you have now all settled into your classes and found everywhere that you would need to be on a daily basis.  If you are still struggling with any of this please feel free to drop into any of our offices and we are only to happy to help you out.

This year across all the campuses catering is a major issue for both students and staff, last week Skye and myself raised this issue with the Board of Management around the lack of provisions at lunchtimes and affordable healthy food.  Since then, this has been taken to senior management and there is plans to food service on every campus in the very near future.

Another great project which is ready for pilot launch is the Breakfast Club, this is going to be available again across all 4 campuses 3 days per week between 8.30 am and 9.30 am.  We are in the process of employing students as staff to run the project so we are able to offer students something to eat before they start there day and able them to be more productive.  This is one of my priority objectives for the year and something I really want to work.  

The class rep system is also starting to take shape for this year with at the point of writing this we have just over 100 reps signed up.  The training for class reps kicks off next week with the first sessions at Milton Road, Sighthill, Granton then Midlothian with a session being available online as well.  This will then be repeated the week after the October break allowing to catch up reps who have maybe not registered yet.  It is really important this year with being back on campus to try and encourage as many class reps as possible to drive positive change around the college.  It is a new experience for everyone being back on campus after missing the last 2 years and us here at ECSA need to hear about what you the students are liking about being on campus and what you are not liking so we can drive that change.

This year ECSA have opened an online shop where you are able to purchase ECSA branded merch. There has been various different logos made by our graphics designer so go and fill your boots with ECSA merch 

I was also fortunate enough to attend Graduation and after successfully completing an HND in Events Management last academic year.  I also stayed for the last ceremony of the day as a member of the Board of Management to see Creative Industries students graduate.  The McEwan Hall in Edinburgh is a beautiful venue and if you ever get a chance to attend Graduation I would highly recommend it. 

Please always feel free to contact me if you have a problem or come to any of the offices, the team is always here willing to help you can get me on my email david.elder@edinburghcollege.ac.uk

Till next time, laters