Friday 07-03-2025 - 11:21

 

 

The AcF632 cohort, encompassing MSc Finance and MSc Accounting and Financial Management students, has achieved a groundbreaking victory: weekend access to the Charles Carter A Floor, including the Bloomberg Room, from 09:00 to 17:00.

 

 

As the Accounting and Finance department rep and president of the Postgraduate Board of Graduate College, I’m proud to spotlight how student voices, amplified by the Students’ Union, turned this vision into reality.

The issue was stark: the Bloomberg Lab—a vital tool for research and coursework—was restricted to weekday access. With the term wrapping up at the end of March 2025 and dissertations looming, this limitation frustrated many. Leveraging my roles, I launched a petition, validated by the SU’s education department, which garnered 50% postgraduate support in days. Seeing its broader potential, I consulted academic reps across Graduate College and beyond, securing PGR and undergraduate backing by Friday, 21st February.
Partnering with the SU, I presented our case to ISS, Lancaster’s Information Systems Services, a pivotal body overseeing facility access—much like the Senate shapes academic policy. ISS listened, and with the SU’s robust network of reps (VP Education, faculty reps, and more), our collective voice prevailed. The result: weekend access for AcF632 students, a leap forward for our learning environment. I’m now advocating to extend access over the breaks, with the SU firmly behind us. 

I’m thrilled with ISS’s swift action and the unwavering support from the Lancaster University Students’ Union. This is a game-changer for our students.
For Accounting and Finance students, especially those tackling dissertations, flexible access to the Bloomberg Lab is essential for top-tier research and career-ready skills—be it in finance, academia, or industry. Weekday-only limits were a real obstacle, especially for those juggling packed schedules or tight budgets. Research highlights how hands-on experience with platforms like Bloomberg boosts employability and project success, much like open access elevates research impact. This SU-backed win opens doors for our postgraduate and undergraduate communities, giving us the edge to thrive.

Join the celebration! AcF632 students are invited to a drop-in session on Sunday, 16th March 2025, 9 - 11 AM, in Charles Carter A19. We’ll discuss maximizing this access, brainstorm future goals, and enjoy free coffee—every milestone deserves a cheers!

 
Especially this week, let’s celebrate how far we’ve come.