I believe that our student union, while good, could be better. Societies have taken a huge hit in recent years and the cost of living is giving students a less than desirable university experience and I believe that I can help to combat some of the issues students are facing.
We need to address our societies, with many struggling for funds to run events. By providing societies with more funding (and allowing them to explore more ways to raise some), we can improve the student experience. Societies should be able to place advertisements around campus at no cost, both outside and inside buildings, which will help our societies grow while creating a vibrant campus. Policies towards removing members from societies should be looked at. It is essential for the system to treat students with respect.
An area that, I believe, requires attention is the wellbeing team. Month-long wait times are not ideal and, as an officer, I will push the university to hire more staff to work on weekdays and weekends. I will look to bring in sexual health and addiction clinics regularly to provide access to vital support and I will also explore the use of the LRV for student vaccinations, ensuring students get easier access to vaccines, such as meningitis, mumps and monkeypox.
I am aware of the financial challenges we can face. It is the responsibility of our student union to provide affordable options, which is why I will prioritize initiatives that alleviate the financial burden on students. Cheaper snack options around lunchtimes are important and newsletters should inform students about deals too.
Safety is a concern for our students. More nighttime staff around campus will ensure that students can feel safer, alongside turning on lighting around campus at night. We must prioritize student safety.