Make your voice heard by voting for your Student Union Executive Committee 2024/25 on the form sent to your emails on Friday 15th November.
Not sure who to vote for? Read over the manifestos below!
Vice-President for Higher Education and Student Governor (HE) - Dorron Britz
Since first enrolling at AUP in 2021 (3 years hence), I have served as a student
representative, actively seeking to identify student needs and issues which impact on students across the AUP campus. My activities in this area have since broadened to include contributing to the ‘Student Voice Meetings’, ‘Student Engagement & Experience Committee Meetings’, ‘Staff Student Feedback Meetings’, highlighting issues for discussion and working with course leaders to schedule and deliver meeting feedback to the cohorts.
My personal engagement in AUP life has ranged extensively across several areas from the academic to self-driven initiatives in setting up exhibitions, exhibiting externally, taking part in collaborative creative workshops, Eden Project facilitation, KARST and The Box volunteering and participating in the Turing Programme. There are so many doors of discovery open to us at AUP that I am still, constantly finding new avenues to explore.
We are experiencing a period of tumultuous change; the institutional status change from College to University, the consequential adjustments filtering through from the AUP structural changes during the 23/24 academic year, the recent change of Government. Change brings disruption and a degree of uncertainty which can be unsettling and in the worst case, a distraction from our main purpose as students. But change also brings new opportunities.
My aims are to;
● Ensure that all student voices are heard, from the reserved, introverted students to
the confident, outspoken students.
● Realise that opportunities are identified and leveraged to ensure that our academic learning is enhanced along with our experience of student life and the support mechanisms that are in place to lift up student wellbeing to overcome barriers to success.
● Empower students to make their AUP experience as individually and collectively
meaningful, significant and life changing as possible.
● Seek ways to enable students to prepare themselves for a rewarding ‘creative career’ and life after AUP.
If elected, I will give of my best endeavours, skills and life experience to being a worthy, accessible conduit for all student voices, supporting the excellent work of Beth Evans (SU President), the Student Union Executive Committee and the University as a whole, to create a safe and nurturing environment offering every opportunity for enhanced academic ambition and positive personal growth.
Disability Representative (HE) - Alex Miller
Disability: Deaf and Autism
My name is Alex Miller, and as I enter my fourth year at this university, I stand before you as a candidate for the Disability Representative. Throughout my journey, I have encountered various challenges as a disabled student, and I have come to understand the importance of advocating for change. It is my belief that our university can and should become a more inclusive space for all students, especially those with disabilities.
This manifesto outlines my vision and the key issues I aim to address as your Disability Representative.
1. Amplify Disabled Voices
It is crucial that the voices of disabled students are heard and valued. Too often, our concerns and perspectives are overlooked or dismissed. I pledge to work tirelessly to ensure that our voices are not just heard but are actively represented in all discussions regarding university policies, campus life, and support services.
2. Enhance Accessibility on Student Portals
Access to information is fundamental for all students, especially for those with disabilities. I will advocate for the implementation of accessibility tools on the student portal, ensuring that every student can easily navigate and access important information.
3. Reliable Elevator Access
Access to all university facilities should not be hindered by unreliable lifts. I will push for timely maintenance and improvements to existing elevator systems, making sure they are functional and accessible at all times.
4. Guaranteed Availability of Subtitles
Subtitles are a necessity, not a luxury. I will fight to ensure that subtitles are provided for all video content, including lectures and events. This is essential for deaf and hard-of-hearing students and should never be considered optional.
5. Improved Accessibility at Photocopiers
The current photocopying facilities do not adequately accommodate all students. I will campaign for the installation of lower stand photocopiers and the availability of various coloured papers to aid those who require alternative formats for easier reading.
6. Accessible Resource Guides
Access to resources should be clear and straightforward. I will work towards creating comprehensive accessibility guides that will help all students navigate the various support services and resources available on campus.
7. Enhanced Sensory and Quiet Rooms
Students need spaces to recharge and find calm. I will advocate for the development of better sensory and quiet rooms that are spacious and equipped to meet the needs of students seeking respite from overwhelming environments.
In conclusion, I am committed to creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for all students with disabilities. Together, we can create a university experience that acknowledges and values diversity in all its forms. I urge you to support my candidacy for Disability Representative, so we can champion these necessary changes together.
Thank you for your consideration.
LGBTQ+ Representative (HE) - Jasper Hutchings
Hello, My name is Jasper, I’m a 3rd year illustration student (He/Him), and I’m running for the role of LGBTQ Representative. Whilst in this role I aim to do the following:
Maintain the university’s positive and welcoming environment towards queer folk. This university does an outstanding job at providing a safe and inclusive environment for queer folk. I want to ensure that this continues, moving forwards into the coming years.
Encourage discussions about intersectionality, and how this impacts different groups of people. People can be part of different minority groups, and it is important to ensure that the university feels welcoming to all queer students.
Address the continuing issues with registry and bursary continually deadnaming students. Many students are receiving emails addressed to old names/deadnames that can be uncomfortable to receive. If this is something that can be rectified I want to try and ensure that it is.
Incourage an ‘Ask, don’t assume’ stance in terms of gendering students across the university amongst both staff and students. There has been feedback stating that some students have been repeatedly misgendered, intentionally or not, by members of the university. I want to discourage the use of gendered language unless the student has made it clear what makes them comfortable.
Ethnic Minorities Representative (HE) - Ahamad Ahmadou
No manifesto provided.
Volunteers and Charities Lead - Olivia Roberts
Hello! I am a year 1 costume production degree student putting myself forward for the position of charities and volunteer's lead in the Student Union Executive Commitee.
My vows to you:
• To be a good listener, open to support and to liaise with organisations
• To strive forward with kindness at the core of what I do
• To show compassion and be open to learning
Causes I am interested in supporting:
• The empowerment and uplifting of the trans community such as helping
more people to access gender-affirming care
• LGBTQIA+, to support organisations that celebrate different sexualities and identities would be an utter privilege, as well as mental health support for the community
• 1 in 2 people will get cancer in their lifetime so cancer charities have never been more important right now.
I want to empower other creatives to use your capabilities to help others. Think about what you could do to make a difference! Could that be...
Bake Sales?
Craft sales?
Volunteering?
Small or big you can make a difference.
Events and Societies Lead - Evan Wiffill
Hello, my name is Evan Wiffill and I am running for the role of Events and Societies
Leader. I am interested in this role as I am passionate about creating spaces in
which people feel not only welcome but excited to be present.
I believe I’d be suitable for this position as I have experience with organising events.
For about 4 years I volunteered with the Youth Parliament. During this time, I attended and helped organise a variety of events. Additionally, I am well connected
within the local community. I know several event promoters and local performers who would be willing to assist me in organising events.
I have a range of ideas I’d like to put in place. Primarily: organising open mic, poetry and music events to provide a space in which people feel comfortable to get
themselves out there and help promote local talent. I would also like to help run
well-being related events to maintain a positive attitude and good mental health
within the university.
Other themes I’d like to explore include: sustainability, inclusivity, life skills and
money management. Many of these ideas could be incorporated into workshops for example.
To summarise, I’d be good for this role as I am well-connected and passionate about running events. I have a variety of ideas I’d love to set in motion. I look forward to beginning my campaign, thank you.
Sustainability Representative (FE) - Ellen McPetrie
As AUP’s Sustainability Representative (FE), I will make sure every FE student and staff
member has their say in the university’s sustainability practices and ethics. I will also strive to seek to improve upon AUP’s existing sustainability practices where deemed possible, and further publicise the actions of the university that are directly environmentally sustainable (ie, raising awareness around the food waste collection for compost in The Refectory, celebrating the contemplative garden in Tavistock Place). I will ensure everyone's voice is heard through deliberate interaction, in person and virtually, via monthly call-arounds and termly questionnaires.
I believe it is important that students have their voice heard particularly in the subject area of sustainability, because it is such a widespread issue that affects and is affected by everyone’s daily lives - biodiversity issues, waste disposal habits, and global warming to name a few. Students will be heard and fairly represented, and will be encouraged to challenge and reflect upon the university’s attitudes towards sustainability - including how we can improve, and what areas we are already excelling in.
I also believe it is important that staff have their voice heard with regards to AUP’s
sustainability. As well as actively welcoming and seeking students' opinions and ideas on the university’s sustainability, I will look for staff’s thoughts on sustainability within AUP, actively providing space for issues to be raised and followed up that perhaps have not been adhered to before.
I view the role of Sustainability Representative (FE) with genuine excitement and curiosity for what might come from it.
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