What would you do to improve Education at the University?
Education cannot be improved through a ‘one size fits all’ approach. Each course and department have their own specific needs and requirements which will only be achieved through the collaboration between students, staff and the university. As President I would actively be involved in strengthening communication between students and the university through the already existing course committees ensuring students are able to actively give meaningful feedback and suggestions which would improve their educational experience.
Further to this, I would work to combat the digital poverty gap and campaign to ensure every student has access to the technology that is necessary for higher education.
I would campaign to keep the no detriment work done by the VP education to be in place even when the pandemic ends as these have made a huge difference to students.
I will keep pressure on the University to decolonize the curriculum working with students and staff to do so.
What would you do to improve the Employability of students?
It is presently a challenging time to be entering the Job Market off the back of a global pandemic and a recession. In recognizing the difficult circumstances that we face; it is important to provide opportunities that will help Brighton Students stand out which is why I would create a plan to introduce a work experience scheme involving local firms and the university to support students in gaining degree specific work experience that will enable them to find jobs in those sectors should they desire to do so.
Further to this, I would ensure there are regular CV workshops to help students build a CV that will highlight their skills and qualifications to show them to the best of their ability
How would you make the Union and the University more Inclusive?
As President I would lead a union that has ZERO TOLERANCE on sexual violence and all forms of discriminatory harassment on campus and throughout the city. Working with the university, the local council and local businesses, I will fight to strengthen the processes through which reporting, investigation and disciplining take place in the effort to make Brighton as a city a safe place to live, study and work.
I would continue the work done by the VP for education on lecture capture and live streaming lectures in order to support students who may struggle with traditional methods of teaching and allowing for content to be accessible for all.
I would work with the Student Union cafés to improve the diversity of food available to students on campus and campaign for as much produce to be locally sourced as possible in making the university more sustainable.
How would you improve the Welfare of students?
Housing Justice will be at the heart of my tenure as President. Accommodation is often a rip-off and many private houses do not meet legal requirements for houses of multiple occupation. I would start a “Know your Rights” campaign and ensuring every student has easily accessible information on the standards their homes should meet. Alongside this I would work with the University, the council and local community groups such as ACORN tenant’s union on empowering students to act against dodgy landlords. I would work with the council to set up an ethical landlord registry as a database for students to refer to when looking to rent properties which could also be rolled out city wide in the campaign for Housing Justice.
As President I would actively lobby the university for more resources for mental health. The pandemic has negatively impacted many of us mentally and the university must recognize this and provide added support for students.
Zero Tolerance approach to sexual harassment needs to be coupled with a strong educational campaign surrounding sexual consent. The NUS have a campaign called “I Heart Consent” which sets up workshops and provides materials to educate students on consent. I would work to introduce these at all Campuses across Brighton University throughout the academic year.
Redistribution of resources - when moving accommodation, there is often a large amount of kitchenware and appliances leftover which are thrown away despite being perfectly usable. As President I would want to set up a scheme where there are donation points across all campuses for kitchenware that can be redistributed (following assessment and disinfection) across the student community and prevent so much waste going to landfill whilst also saving students money.
How would you improve Communication between the Union and students?
It would be a priority to me as President to strengthen the democratic channels of communication between the Student Body and the Union. I would work to make the processes more transparent and open with students to build trust between the Union and Students
On a personal level, I would hold regular drop-in sessions for students to come speak to me about any issues that are affecting their experience at the university. It is important for officers to actually interact with the students which they represent and spread their time across the campuses
I would work with students in creating the new SU strategic plan setting out the program for the next few years. Organizing workshops and meetings across all campuses to gain the widest feedback possible for the Union to set out a strategy that would benefit the majority.
What qualities or experience do you have that would you make a good full time officer?
I have over 4 years of experience as an activist and campaigner. Ranging from a campaign to stop the deportation of a member of the local community, to being involved in wider political party campaigning I am well acquainted with the strategies that work and the strategies that don't. As President I would be the face of the union and I am confident navigating the media with experience on national and local radio, national TV and local newspapers which will be valuable in campaigning for wider change for students. Having been sat on multiple committee's in the University I am already well acquainted with the structures and processes in place so would enter the role with relevant experience to the role.