What would you do to improve Education at the University?
As the Education Officer, I will improve education by taking forward the success of the VP Education’s work on lecture capture’ and campaigning for online workshops to be recorded (if they were to continue) as this improves the experience of students that cannot attend due to work or caring responsibilities and makes learning more inclusive for disabled students and international students. I would also like to campaign for workshops to run for students on how to access everything they need online, by doing tutorials on how to navigate Student Central, by requesting more books from the library to be made online. Making sure the online system runs more coherently, consistently and making sure its accessible, and beneficial to the students. I would like to work on improving the learning experience so it’s higher quality and ensuring student and staff work together to develop a curriculum. Education needs to cater to students with additional needs, so we must overhaul the support system.
What would you do to improve the Employability of students?
As the Education Officer, I will improve employability by working with the university to increase tutorials like the step-up program, (employability workshops) more into the curriculum. Implementing 1 module as work-experience into all subject areas so that when students graduate, they can have relevant experience on their CV to the particular subject they are studying. Collaborating with local businesses to give students a chance of work experience. Finally, raise awareness of BAME.
How would you make the Union and the University more Inclusive?
As the Education Officer, I will make the university or union more inclusive by working with the University to make the curriculum more diverse. I would also like to campaign to create a leadership programme for BAME students, having a safe space for BAME and LGBTQ+ students. Finally, it is important to make sure there is a union present across all campuses to make the university more inclusive as a whole.
How would you improve the Welfare of students?
As the Education Officer, I will improve welfare by campaigning to make sure that all subject modules are semesterised. This would make it less stressful for students to study six different modules throughout the whole year, that exams are well spread out to give students to study enough for each exam. Implement a compulsory mental health awareness session every semester, students need to be aware of how to cope with mental health during their studies. I would also like to campaign to have a professional mental health supporter available via appointments/emergency slots for students, tutors may not know how to respond to distressed students and students may want to speak to someone about it who isn’t their tutor so they don’t feel their grade is judged based on their mental health issues. I would also like to campaign to improve academic policies put in place which at the moment are causing additional stress. So I will work by making sure that we continue taking forward the safety net policy for the long term which the VP of Education has achieved in the past 2 years. These policies have improved the learning experience for all students and decreased stress.
How would you improve Communication between the Union and students?
As the Education Officer, I will improve communication by developing the network of course reps across the University to understand the issues affecting students, have regular meetings with the course REPS with issues arising in specific schools. Also as the officer, I will report back to students on the work done for them through social media and create a network of students to be able to receive further feedback. Also, I would improve communication by making sure all campuses are receiving feedback on the concerns they have raised.
What qualities or experience do you have that would you make a good full time officer?
I am committed to the work I do; I have participated in the mooting module in my course which has helped with communication skills verbally and in writing. I have also participated in client interviewing competition which has increased my attention to detail and communicating effectively in a small time period. I have a part-time job as a sales assistant which makes me outgoing and reaching the right audience for our shop. This would help me in this position when giving presentations and campaigning for new ideas to improve the student experience. Furthermore, I have good time management skills, I complete all University work required with a part-time job, personal responsibilities at home and I now volunteer with Brighton Cooking Club. Finally, I have been a course REP for 2 years running and have seen the hard work the Student Union put in to help the students have a better experience at University, I would like to run to ensure students receive what they need to have a better time at the University of Brighton. I am looking forward to being given the chance of taking up this position and working collaboratively with other officers on joint areas of responsibilities.