NUS Black Students' Campaign August e-update
Essential news and information for all Black Students across the UK

Welcome to the first NUS Black Students' Campaign e-update of 2012! I hope everyone has enjoyed the holidays, and are looking forward to the year ahead. This term we will see Black History Month celebrated, the launch of this year's Black Students' Handbook and our acclaimed Winter Training Conference - all incredibly exciting. However, this term will also mark the first time that many students will be paying at least £9,000 university fees and another year passes without the vital Education Maintenance Allowance that helped many Black students including myself get through college. It is absolutely vital that we resist the austerity agenda of the Tory-led government and oppose their plans for further cuts, privatisation and student debt - we cannot give them the green light for more attacks on education and the public sector. With the cuts, comes an increase in racism as migrants, asylum seekers and Black communities are scapegoated and blamed for an economic crisis that we did not cause. That is why it is so important we join the NUS National Demonstration on the 21.11.2012 and show the government that Black students will not sit in silence and that we will make a stand.

It's an absolute privilege to lead the largest constituency of students of African, Arab, Asian and Caribbean heritage in Europe and as your new officer I look forward to working with you so please get in touch and let's make this year memorable and successful! All the best with your studies and keep in mind this quote:

Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” – Malcolm X

In unity,
Aaron Kiely
NUS Black Students' Officer

1. Order your FREE NUS Black Students' Campaign materials
2. NUS National #Demo2012
3. Celebrate Black History Month
4. NUS Black Students' Winter Training Conference 2012
5. International Students' right to study under continued attack
6. Report from NUS Black Students' Campaign Summer Conference
7. A decade of Love Music Hate Racism - 15th September

1. Order your FREE NUS Black Students' Campaign materials

Order your FREE NUS Black Students' Campaign materials you need to help you campaign on campus this coming year! From increasing Black representation, to fighting racism and inequality, and working for international peace and justice - these materials will help you campaign on the issues that matter to you. The materials include copies of the brand new Black Students' Handbook 2012/13, powerful posters including one for Black History Month as well as materials from progressive organisations that we are proud to partner with.

We'll be aiming to get them sent to you for the 17th September. We have a limited amount of packs that we can send out so get in your order now to avoid disappointment! Send your requests today for your FREE Campaigns pack to aaron.kiely@nus.org.uk with your name, Students' Union/College/University, telephone and address to guarantee your materials.

2. NUS National #Demo2012

On 21st November tens of thousands students will march on Parliament to protest against the Tory-led government's savage attacks on education. We call for investment in education and the public sector to create jobs, growth and social justice. The NUS Black Students' Campaign will be working to support and make sure that the demonstration is as loud, vibrant and reflects the diversity of the student movement.

Join the official Facebook event and invite all of your friends: https://www.facebook.com/events/259158454193672/
Follow the #Demo2012 hashtag on Twitter and tweet at @nusBSC with what you're doing to support the demonstration!

If you need any help mobilising for the demonstration, please contact aaron.kiely@nus.org.uk.

3. Celebrate Black History Month

Black History Month is held every October to commemorate the history of Black communities and celebrate the enormous contribution that people of African, Arab, Asian and Caribbean heritage make to society. The NUS Black Students' Campaign will be producing a guide for Black History Month and will be supporting events on campuses across the UK. If you need help or advice or would like us to promote one of your events  then please contact aaron.kiely@nus.org.uk.

4. NUS Black Students' Winter Training Conference 2012

We are delighted to announce the date of our annual training Conference as Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd December which will be held in London. Put the date in your diary now and make sure to look out for updates regarding what will be an excellent event!

5. International Students' right to study under continued attack

Did you know that the Home Office is considering revoking the student visa license of London Metropolitan University? London Metropolitan is home to many international students and has more Black students studying at it than all of the elite Russell Group institutions combined. This means that international students will be forced to either find a new University or leave the country altogether - costing thousands to them and being an extremely stressful ordeal. It is vital that we raise our opposition to such proposals to the UK Border Agency.

NUS needs your case studies: How does the fact that the Home Office can do this affect your opinions on the international reputation of the UK as a place to study? Why did you decide to study in the UK? Did you consider any other countries? How would being forced to leave your course affect you and your life?

Please send NUS your thoughts/case studies to Will.Hoyles@nus.org.uk and NUS International Students' Officer Daniel.Stevens@nus.org.uk.

6. Report from NUS Black Students' Campaign Summer Conference

Check out the report from the NUS Black Students' Summer Conference including what happened, who was elected as Black Students' Officer, the new committee and the policy democratically decided on. It also includes the outline of priorities from the new officer for the year ahead and a short biography. View it now on NUS Connect: http://www.nusconnect.org.uk/news/article/blackstudents/NUS-Black-Students-Conference-2012/

7. A decade of Love Music Hate Racism - 15th September

Join Salma Yaqoob, Ken Livingstone, Paul Gilroy and many more in celebrating 10 successful years of Love Music Hate Racism on the 15th September!

Aaron Kiely, NUS Black Students' Officer said: "Love Music Hate Racism, the sister campaign of Unite Against Fascism (uaf.org.uk) has been great in bringing together musicians, artists and people from diverse backgrounds in opposing all forms of racism.I've just ordered my tickets - make sure you get yours before they sell out! With poetry, music, film screenings and more - this looks unmissable! Come and join the NUS Black Students' Campaign for what promises to be a great and memorable event!"

Time: 1pm – 1am
Venue: Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA
Tickets available now! Call LMHR on 020 7801 2781

Want to set up a Black Students' Society on campus? Want to create the position of Black Students' Officer in your union? Need guidance on running campaigns???
Email: aaron.kiely@nus.org.uk
Mobile: 07919 323 935

Last, but not least... ?Keep in touch with the NUS Black Students’ Campaign.
To receive regular updates and information on the campaign and how to get involved:
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/nusBSC?
Join our JISCmail list: http://jss.im/nusBSCL/
Like us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/nusBSC
Check out the Black Students' Campaign section on NUS Connect: http://www.nusconnect.org.uk/campaigns/black/