‘Ensuring Council positively impacts students’

Ben Knowles and Grace Loweth represent the Reading University Students’ Union on the University Council.  Ben is the President of RUSU and recently graduated his undergraduate degree with a 2:1 in Chemistry at the University of Reading. Grace Loweth is RUSU’s Welfare Officer and recently graduated her Undergraduate degree with a 2:1 in Economics at Reading University. Grace’s remit at RUSU includes mental health, safety on campus and accommodation. 

What is your role on Council?

Ben Knowles: As President of Reading University Students’ Union it is my role, alongside Graceto ensure that Council is working in the interest of Students so that they may have the best education and experience whilst at Reading. Ensuring that decisions made at Council positively impact students is my key role.

Grace Loweth: My role is to provide an external, student facing perspective to Council. I provide updates to the Council on the work that RUSU is undertaking and why, as well as highlighting the key problems facing students at different times of the year, with suggestions of how this can be improved.

What is a good thing about being a member of the University Council?

Ben: Being a member of Council gives significant insight into how the University operates and enables student representation at the very highest level. Through both direct reports to Council and via Student Experience Committee all members are engaged and focused on ensuring students have the best time at Reading.

Grace: One of the great things about sitting on Council is the opportunity to discuss problems and ideas with senior University Stakeholders and ensure that the student voice is at the very front of this. It’s been a fantastic opportunity to gain advice from university senior management about the work that RUSU is doing, as well as provide a student narrative to the projects discussed at Council.

What is challenging about being a member of the University Council?

Ben: In my experience of being a member of Council, a challenge facing Council is how potentially far removed it can be from many of the students, whilst many of the decisions that are made at Council enact positive change upon students many will not know this.

Grace: One of the personal challenges of sitting on Council is the depth and quantity of the papers for pre-reading. After completing a degree, I am quite familiar with the reading academic papers, however the papers submitted to Council require more strategic thinking and this is something I’ve had to adapt to.

What are you passionate about regarding the Council or the University Strategy?

Ben: As a representative of all Reading students, I ensure that I speak up about students concerns on the ground and that Council’s strategic decisions have the optimal impact on as many students as possible.

Grace: I am passionate about elevating the student perspective to be heard at all Council meetings to ensure that it is at the forefront of the University Strategy. I think having student representatives in the room is extremely beneficial to all at Council and helps co-ordinate work that both the University and RUSU are undertaking.

What has been your single biggest learning during your time as a Council member?

Ben: Coming into the position from being just a student with minimal experience of meetings and committees to then being appointed to Council was a big step up, however this has given me huge experience through conversing with members of the university and lay members of Council. Bringing student concerns and perspectives to Council and enacting change has certainly changed as to how I approach high level meetings for the future.

Grace: Since sitting on Council, my biggest learning has been that no question or comment is ever unworthy. Sometimes when sat in a room with people much more senior than yourself, it can be easy to stay quiet and not comment or ask questions, thinking that you can add nothing to the conversation. I must stress that this is not true and is something I’ve learnt to put aside as my comments and questions have always been well-received since sitting on Council.

About University Council

Council is the ultimate governing body of our University and ensures that our institution is properly governed and meets all of its legal and regulatory requirements. Amongst its tasks is monitoring the University Strategy, as well as appointing the Vice-Chancellor and the University Executive Board.

Council is made up of 27 members in total, including 15 members external to the University known as lay members.

For more information about University Council: