Update on the Undeb Aberystwyth Officer Role review.
As part of the ongoing consultation on the roles of full-time officers within the Students’ Union, we have made the decision to address one specific aspect of the review separately. This early decision comes in response to concerns expressed by our members about the future of the Welsh Officer and UMCA President role. In light of clear and unanimous support expressed in our consultation process, the Trustee Board has decided to continue with the current arrangement of having the Welsh Culture Officer and UMCA President as a full-time sabbatical role in any proposal that goes to an all-student vote.
Led by the Welsh Culture Officer and UMCA President with support from the UMCA Committee and SU staff, UMCA represents students at the highest University committees, provides a calendar full of activities for Welsh speakers and learners, and works to ensure access to Welsh medium education and opportunities. UMCA celebrated its 50th anniversary this year and we’re proud of the rich contribution that they have made to Welsh culture and life in Aberystwyth and across Wales over the last half century.
As the first Students’ Union in Wales to adopt a Welsh name, introduce a bilingual policy and operate fully bilingual, Undeb Aberystwyth has a strong track record of championing Welsh language and Culture. This commitment to Welsh language is further underlined by the decision the Trustee Board has taken to confirm the continued need for the Welsh Culture Officer and UMCA President role as a priority at the earliest stage.
The next stage of the process will be to develop proposals for the wider Full-Time Officer team, based on further insights from the consultation. Details of the proposals that will go to all-student vote will be published in due course.