Interview: Pulse and SDM on Freshers’ Week so far

It’s day three of the new academic year at UoM and Freshers’ week is well underway. Annabel Hili caught up with members of student organisations Pulse and SDM to see how things are going for them. Andrea Micallef is Pulse’s university co-ordinator and Mark Grech is the PR officer for SDM.

How do you feel about this year’s Freshers’ Week?

AM: As regards the stands, the concept was good but it failed badly. Students are passing through the tent just to get outside. It was too crammed, we needed more space. We would have preferred to be in the quad as in past years, but in general we can’t complain.

MG: Freshers’ Week is an excellent opportunity to give a warm welcome to the new students who will be populating our university. Every year we keep welcoming the new students and involving them in all our activities. It’s such a great time, the feeling is electric. Being part of our university is like being part of one big community and every year this community grows with enthusiastic Freshers.

How does this year compare to 2011?

AM: This year we’re a bit worse off as last year our stand was in quad, where we were able to better reach out to students. This year, most people came by on the first day and then didn’t come again.

MG: I believe that every year Freshers keeps getting bigger and better. Everyone’s past experiences aid in giving a more organised and innovative event. This year it is definitely one of the best Freshers’ Weeks organised in the past years, there is a beautiful atmosphere which is perfect to welcome the new students and hopefully get them involved in one of the many student organisations on campus.

Did you encounter any problems this year? Are there any improvements that you think could be made next year?

AM: On Monday we had no electricity for around three hours. I don’t know who was to blame for that… we weren’t told. As for improvements, we’d like to have our stand back in Quad, rather than in the organisations’ tent.

MG: No problems, no. Regarding improvements, well, every year we can improve on what was done in the past. Whilst this year’s Freshers’ Week was very well organised, everyone can learn from their weak points and work towards improving them next year.

How do you feel about corporations being given stands in the quad?

AM: I understand why KSU needs to give importance to its sponsors, but I think putting companies’ stands here would have been fine for them as well. Corporations have more money than organisations, so it’s easier for them to promote their stands. After all students are always looking for freebies!

MG: I believe it is a necessary evil. KSU is an NGO and unlike other student unions in Europe, has no source of funding whatsoever from any external sources other than from private entities. It is only through these entities that KSU can raise enough money to actually organise Freshers’ Week or even fund any other projects which are beneficial for students’ everyday life such as installing water fountains, lockers etc or even organising academic events aimed at student’s educational needs.