The new My Warwick Life feature gives an insight into staff and students’ life at Warwick, considering both their work and social life on campus.

Here we hear from Leo Boe, Students’ Union President for 2011-2012.

There’s no such thing as a typical day, but, in a nutshell, my job involves…

speaking to students, representing their views in high level meetings with University senior staff, ensuring the running of the Students’ Union and all of its services goes smoothly along with the six other full time elected officers.

I had a really useful meeting recently with …..

the Disbursement Group at the University. In this meeting I was one of five members (the other four were University staff) discussing where hundreds of thousands of pounds raised through alumni donations would be invested in order to have maximum impact on students. A few areas we invested in include internationalisation, scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate research students, a hardship fund for postgraduate taught students, the Library, the Undergraduate Research Scholarship Scheme, work placement bursaries, Warwick Volunteers, and Warwick in Africa.

It would be really useful to work more closely with….

the Graduate School. The Students’ Union has identified postgraduate taught and research students as key communities we must do more to engage constructively with. We look forward to working more closely with the Graduate School in order to fulfil our strategic objectives relating to increased recognition of postgraduate lifestyles and indeed research by the Students’ Union.

I recently attended a conference/event which involved ….

an educational tour of Israel, organised by the UK Union of Jewish Students for student leaders in the UK. The trip, funded by the Pears Foundation, gave me the opportunity to interact with a number of high-profile speakers who each in their own way gave their stories and perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The trip was organised to broaden and deepen our understanding of the issues relating to the conflict which are often brought up within the student movement.

I recently learnt that….

universities across the UK will need to look at their overseas and postgraduate taught degree costs in order to retain competitive advantage over other institutions, and indeed to plug the funding gap which will be a result of the new funding regime for undergraduate home students.

I’ve only just realised that….

universities are considering post-qualifications admissions. This will mean that sixth-formers won’t have to wait for results before knowing if they have won a place at their chosen university under a plan to overhaul the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service system.

Warwick’s unique because….

It places a large amount of emphasis on developing students beyond their typical coursework and exams. The Rootes Memorial Fund, the Undergraduate Research Scholarship Scheme, and the work experience bursaries all contribute to expanding students’ skill sets making them not only more employable, but also potentially challenging them intellectually thereby developing their academic interests and experience. The relationship that the Students’ Union has with the Careers and Skills department is also invaluable in terms of ensuring that students are recognised for their efforts to the campus and the wider community through the Advantage and Global Awards scheme which we work together on. Warwick SU has also recently embedded employability and recognition of contribution and innovation into its three year strategy to complement the work that is already done from all sides. The limits really are endless.

The best thing about working at Warwick is…

How kind and forthcoming departments of the University are, particularly Careers and Skills and the International Office whose support has brought us a long way in developing our campaigns and services for the benefit of students.

If I could change one thing at the University, it would be…

Lower International and home undergraduate student fees to improve access.

I’m a regular at the Sports Centre for….

Badminton, swimming, and general fitness!

I recently had lunch at…

The Bread Oven in the SU building. The variety and price is second to none for a quick bite in the middle of the day. My favourites are smoked salmon and cream cheese, and lemon mayo chicken, both on brown bread!

I usually travel to campus by…..

Bike or on foot from Canley!

I make use of …..

The Language Centre! It is absolutely amazing and indeed is one of the main reasons I applied to Warwick in the first place. Through my years I have studied Greek and Arabic there, and intend on picking up sign language this coming year!