Newly elected School Presidents met for the first time this afternoon. 19 School Presidents along with 1 Student Assoc President, 1 Director of Representation, I SRC Education Officer,  2 Deans, I Vice Principal , as well as The Master and The Rector meant that there was a lot of firepower in Venue 2 of the Union to  discuss key issues of the student academic experience including the need for early feedback ( Prof Pat Wilmer the VP (Teaching) promised 'a blitz' this semester to secure improved practice) ; the role of student opinion in assessing teaching staff; the prospect of changing the academic calendar (with potentially sub honours exams at the end of semester 1.) I thought the meeting was engaged and purposeful and  and a step forward from the class reps forums which attracted over 100 reps but made it difficult to progress a strategic agenda.

Second year Mediaeval History student Amanda Litherland has been appointed as the new Rector's Assessor.

Hailing from the Isle of Man, Amanda will aid and advise the Rector, Kevin Dunion, until the end of his term in the role in October 2011. She will also be tasked with encouraging students to nominate a wide range of candidates in the next rectorial election. Outside her studies, she has appeared in a number of student theatrical productions including The Tempest.

Amanda replaces James Shield, who has completed his term as Rector's Assessor following a year as Director of Representation at the Students' Association. The appointment was decided following a competitive application process and two rounds of interviews.

Students and societies who are interested in asking the Rector to participate in an event next academic year can contact Amanda via the contact form on this page.