04/03/2021
Welcome to our first manifesto breakdown! 🎉
Last week I attended the VC's student Q&A and was reminded, yet again, of how much we've been let down by University leadership.
If elected, I would work to bring some accountability back into decision making, by lobbying for more academic accommodations like no-detriment policies, shortened word counts and safety nets. Here’s a full breakdown of my first 4 manifesto pledges!
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Page 1: Strengthening the University's Covid response
Page 2: Hold the University accountable for decisions regarding its management of the pandemic.
The Problem: This one’s obvious. University leadership has consistently mismanaged the pandemic and prioritised securing students' fees over our uni experiences and mental health.
The Solution: Working with the other VPs, I want to provide scrutiny and accountability across all areas of the uni’s response. From supporting rent reductions, to improving online teaching, and tracking reopening plans, I want to ensure student voices are prioritised in decision making and push for expanded support for students in hard situations.
Page 3: Advocate for more student support as the pandemic continues to impact us.
The Problem: The “package of measures” the uni announced to “mitigate the impact of Coronavirus” did not achieve its goal. After a full year of online (sorry, ‘hybrid’) learning, students deserve strong academic support, reassurance and accommodation.
The Solution: I will lobby for a new “package of measures” that actually addresses student concerns, including no-detriment policies along with specific school-by-school measures (for example, addressing ECA students’ access to studios or ecology students' ability to complete fieldwork)
Page 4: Lobby to ensure students are given a voice in determining the rescheduling of the promised in-person graduations.
The Problem: the University’s communication of their graduation plans has been confusing and unclear. They have failed to reassure graduating students’ that they will have the opportunity to celebrate their degrees in person when it is safe to do so.
The Solution: I want to work with University leadership in their development of plans for in-person graduations, to secure student choice and accessibility in the outcome.
Page 5: Push for expanded online teaching training for staff members.
The Problem: Professors & tutors had very little time or support in the transition to online learning. Teaching quality has become less consistent and more reliant on how good with zoom your teacher happens to be.
The Solution: I want to support our academic staff by advocating for more support and training on online learning, and by facilitating more transparent communication with students through School Reps so concerns can be addressed sooner.
