Personal Profile

I am currently a first year student studying on a year zero science foundation course. Starting from September 2012 I hope to begin a degree in Adult Nursing at UWE, I have always had an interest in helping people in any way possible.

At present I live in Unite run city centre accommodation, my interest in running for community and welfare officer has sprung from my experiences whilst in this accommodation. I have found that the standards have fallen well below that expected for the money that is paid. I have also found that being in the city centre means that students can feel segregated from university life.

I have always been a hands on kind of person which is why I decided to run for this position, it means that I can actively do something to help make a positive change.

Contact - UWESUCommunityWelfareOfficer@gmail.com

Manifesto

I am a first year student currently living in city centre accommodation run by unite, my own experiences living here has become my inspiration to run for community and welfare officer. My main goal whilst in this role is ensure that every person at our university has the best years of their lives, the way it is supposed to be.

I wish to draw particular attention to accommodation, to enforce more rigid standards and checks before students move in. Although I will not be able to have an effect on the prices of accommodation, I aim to make effect on the value for money in which students receive.

I would also like to be able to bring our students together more, no matter what campus they study at or where in the city they live. I aim to make our university feel more like a community where every one is included in order to gain a true university experience.

I aim to then expand on this by creating events which focus on many different groups in society, ranging from different cultural groups to students suffering mental illness.

I plan to achieve this through a number of events which aim to widen our knowledge of the people sat beside us. I believe the best way to do this is to come from an angle which we as students already have interests, to build on knowledge which we already wish to possess.

In this role I will work closely with the Vice-president of community and welfare and other members of the students union to ensure that no voice goes unheard.

Key points

• To raise the standards of city centre accommodation.
• To bring together students from all different campuses as a community.
• To raise awareness of mental health illnesses.
• To educate people on different aspects of society from an angle which people are already interested.
• To work closely with all members of the Students Union to make sure that every ones voice is heard.

Personal Profile

My name is Miki Parr, I am currently a second year student here at UWE studying for a BSc in Mathematics. For a long time I have been interested in many sports, mostly American sports such as American Football.

I have achieved my Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, and have also hiked the Trans Pennine Trail in order to raise money for a charity close to my heart.

I love doing charity work, which mostly includes music events, but this year I am taking it up a notch by doing a sky dive.

Recently I took part in the Gold Challenge that was held here at UWE’s Centre for Sport where I managed to cycle just over 100km. I really enjoy going to the gym, I go at least 3 times a week, or more if I get the time. Keeping fit has become one of the most exciting things in my life; I couldn’t live without it.

Contact - UWESUSportsOfficer@gmail.com

Manifesto

Being a student at UWE for two years, I have been around a lot of people who have been a part of sports clubs of all different shapes and sizes. I find it inspiring how these clubs try their best to make the experience of being a part of sports club at UWE the best it can be.

However, saying this, I feel that this could be enhanced. I propose to enable clubs to be better suited at allowing students of all abilities to take part in any way, shape or form possible. I am aware that most, if not all, clubs spend a large amount of their time trying to raise money for different things, such as equipment or even transport to competitions.

As a very successful fundraiser, I vow to take a very active role in helping the clubs raise as much as possible for these things. I feel that existing clubs, and in fact new clubs, are always in need of communication with the Sports VP and Officer, and so, if elected, I would make it my priority to make visits to every sports club available at UWE, and to keep in close contact with all presidents and captains. Woking as Sports Officer will give me a great opportunity to be able to help everyone here at UWE lead a more active and healthy lifestyle.

Key points

• Bring a wider variety of sports to UWE including sports for ALL abilities.
• Make sports clubs more affordable to students.
• Take a leading role in helping existing and new teams raise money for competitions/equipment etc.
• Take an active role in all sports clubs, eg. keeping in continuous contact with presidents/captains.
• Have more "taster days" for the sports clubs, old and new, to entice more students to take part.

Personal Profile

I’m Lydia and I’m running for Societies and Communications Officer. During my 1st year, I have been on the RAG committee; a Student Representative; Primary Mentor and, most recently, a NIKE Select.

You may not have heard of me before but, what I lack in SU experience, I make up for in enthusiasm and humour. Some personal challenges have taught me to make the most of every second and now I want to share my passion for life and creative ideas with the student body.

People say I have an ability to connect with everybody, so hopefully I can use this gift to get us working together to build a university we all feel we belong to. I am not a fan of politics or empty promises so I will offer honest, realistic aims, with one promise: To make a positive difference to our experience at UWE!

Contact - UWESUSocsandCommsOfficer@gmail.com

Manifesto

To work closely with students, societies, SU Presidents & staff on all campuses to strengthen the union & enhance the UWE experience.

Maximise promotion to increase societies participation, as they are key to employability after graduation.

Strengthen the relationship between courses & their corresponding societies, inviting students to attend socials based on their course choice, which will gradually spread over all courses and campuses.

Work towards drawing more media attention for societies, whether involving internal media (e.g. Hub radio or Western Eye) or local newspapers & stations, to put them on the map!

Ensure adequate details & training for all committee roles, so the societies can do the best they possibly can.

Contact companies & businesses to obtain guest speakers & sponsorship to increase the budget of societies during this difficult economic climate.

Bristol RAG raised over 10k last year, whereas UWE scraped a mere £75… Is this really the UWE spirit to let UB make us look so un-altruistic? Help relaunch & promote RAG to make it a success across all campuses.

To secure a position for society noticeboards, for members to proudly exhibit their accomplishments, promote events & encourage people to get involved.

We elect people to represent us and make decisions on our behalf, but do we know what they do with our vote? I plan to get elected officers using their blogs & letting us know!

Key points

• Maximise promotion of societies through Freshers, social networking, noticeboards and media.
• Adequate training and support for committee members to ensure they can work to best effect.
• Relaunch and increase awareness of RAG to integrate it into everyday university life.
• Improve dialogue between elected representatives and students to increase transparency and trust.
• Find sponsors and guest speakers for societies to increase self-sufficiency and interest.

Personal Profile

I've been a member of every student council available to me since Primary School, and have genuine interest and drive in the implementation of good representation and democracy. Perhaps equally importantly; through musical performance I have performed in countries across 3 continents; played on cricket, rugby and basketball teams and have participated in public speaking competitions at national level.

The relevance? Engaging in student representation and seeking to fight for the rights of students is really important, but to achieve results for those you represent you need to make your voice heard.

I am confident and able to engage with others, be they fellow students or university staff, and have prior experience in doing so, having already served as a student rep and department chair.

Contact - UWESUEducationOfficer@gmail.com

Manifesto

Ultimately, it all starts with belief. Do students believe in the system that they are a part of? Do they believe that they can make their voices heard and incite change? This university takes student opinion seriously and acts on it - but only when it is successfully communicated from the student body to the executive boards and individuals with the power to implement change.

In this regard it is the responsibility of student representatives, the VP for Education, and of course the Eduction Officer, to make sure that there is a really effective and regularly-used way of communicating the thoughts, concerns and wishes of the most important people at the university: The students. If elected as Education Officer I plan to fight against the feelings of students that their voices go unheard and nothing gets done.

As the Student Rep Chair for the department of History, Politics and Philosophy I have overseen positive and practical changes and improvements and am eager to achieve the same results on a bigger scale through the Education Officer position. I plan to improve the means through which Student Reps are selected, to make sure you have the best people possible for the job of representing you.

I also plan to put in place effective means for student reps to communicate with their fellow students so that at meetings *everyone's* views are represented. I will also tackle the issue of academic contact hours and get come clarity over this much-debated issue.

Key points

• Your voice matters! - An effective system of communication between students and student reps.
• Contact Hours - Fighting for more quality academic time, not just group sessions on Blackboard etc.
• Who represents you? - Letting students decide who's best to represent them.
• No more apathy! - Getting students to believe in the process. More student voices = better results.
• Everyone's voice - Equal representation of the student body at rep meetings.

Personal Profile

I am a well-motivated and dynamic individual with the ability to communicate effectively on all levels such as within the students union and externally.

I am also extremely keen to to learn new things, whilst developing existing skills. Living in three very different parts of the world I have met a lot of different people which has helped me learn and develop my skills to work and communicate in a mixed but nonetheless successful environment.

Being a devoted and active student I was nominated student representative at school back home and in order to keep myself engaged and to try and help improve the student experience in UWE.I took up the role of student representative for my course in my first year of university which has helped me understand how the system works.

Contact - FrenchayCampusOfficer@gmail.com

Manifesto

Not living on campus I was at a huge disadvantage and I realised how useful the Frenchay campus would be for me! Therefore, my aim is to help students utilise all the amazing facilities we have here on Frenchay.I was also lucky enough to experience visiting friends at student village where I spent a lot of time taking into account issues they faced and how to improve every aspect of life on campus. I have been an active member of Student Union since day one.

I was a student rep in my first year and I have given my opinions and feedback to Student union to the best of my ability AND now I feel I want to increase my involvement through taking up much larger role .For this reason I also met with current elected members of Student Union including the present Frenchay officer "Catherine" to learn about what was achieved during their time and what they though needs to be improved or changed.

University has agreed for a "NEW" 3,000 square metre SU building which will be located on Frenchay campus. The project is to have detailed plans by the end of April 2012. Creating a building that you want is one of my top priorities and therefore, I want to make sure that your views and vision for the students’ new building are heard! And finally, to make sure your views are heard and no opinions overlooked, I will setup regular one to one contact between the students here at Frenchay campus and myself.

Key points

• To raise awareness surrounding what facilities are already available and identify the areas of lapse
• To fix these lapses to improve things by going through Student Union and my contacts there.
• Continue building the relationship between other campus.
• Engage with HALLS REPRESENTATIVES to increase activities(tournaments) within the student village.
• Voice student opinion for the new SUbuilding to improve the facility for current and future students

Personal Profile

Richard: I am a 29 year old Northerner who is in my second year of diagnostic imaging, or radiography as everyone else calls it.

People who know me know that i am dedicated about Glenside and the student union. Although being campus officer would be a bit of a departure from anything i have done before, i know i can bring a lot of energy to the position and will work hard to make sure glenside is a place people will be proud to study.

Hollie: I'm a 21 year old, dedicated Glenside student studying Learning Disability Nursing. I fell in love with Glenside the minute I saw it and 3 years of study has only made me more passionate.

Experiencing the position of Angel & Campus Officer this year has not only given me a large insight into the SU as a whole but inspired new ideas to carry forward.

Contact - GlensideCampusOfficer@gmail.com

Manifesto

Our goal if elected is to make the student population of Glenside feel that their voice can be heard and that their opinions and ideas are valued and important.

We aim to make access to your campus representatives easier, giving you the chance to put your concerns across to us, face to face, through monthly surgeries.

We want to make everybody feel they can fully engage with the student experience, whether you are straight out of school or a mature student. You have the right to access facillities to make your life easier and more enjoyable. We will push for a more straight forward way for you to get the support you need, right here on Glenside.

We will promote the development of Glenside student halls reps, giving those that call Glenside home a direct link to the campus reps, helping you make Glenside a better place to live as well as study.

We would like to show that we are a outward thinking and generous community by promoting and developing charitable events such as RAG week and the Steve Wright memorial rugby match. We can make a difference!

Finally we want to protect student facillities that already exist, such as the Glenside student union centre, and continuing to improve access to transport, making getting to and from placement easier and safer.

Key points

• Improve access to your Campus officers, through better promotion of the scheduled monthly surgeries.
• Support and representation for all students, including mature students, giving everyone a voice.
• Implement the framework put in place for Halls Reps on Glenside.
• Actively support charitable events such as RAG week and the Steve Wright memorial rugby match.
• Protect and develop facilities on Glenside using greater links between the SU and University.

Personal Profile

Hey, my name is Daisy; I'm a 2nd year drama student. I am in love with all things St Matts. Living here in my first year brought me very close to the campus and I’m here almost every day. If we are elected I hope to make it possible for everyone to enjoy this beautiful campus. I will do my very best to make sure your voices are heard whether you are just here for one lesson or a week or are here every day just like me.

Hi I'm Terri; I am also a 2nd year Drama student and am on St Matt's constantly. I would love to be able to make a difference to your experience at St Matt's and would love to represent you as the best campus at UWE. We have loads of great ideas and have double the enthusiasm and are running because we think, together, we will be able to work harder for you.

Contact - StMattsCampusOfficer@gmail.com

Manifesto

We firmly believe in continuing the work of Daniel Hinchey to keep St Matthias green. If elected we would look to introduce more recycling bins to the campus, not only in and around the bar but also around the campus and accommodation. As well campaigning to how recycling benefits us and the community.

We wish to lobby for improvements at St Matts' library. With library fines being as high as they are, we need to see our money going back into the student experience. We wish to get more books for our library including more copies of core texts. We also want to look into getting the library open for longer hours over the holiday period. Furthermore we wish to introduce student book sales.

Safety on St Matts isn't as good as it could be. We want to continue the campaign to improve security on campus. We also wish to facilitate and raise standards of the cycling culture on campus leading to more people cycling to university knowing their bike is safe on campus.

We would like to organise sport and be more inclusive with activities anyone can take part in. For example, Zumba, 5 a side football or even Quidditch! We also want to make watching sport a part of campus culture by showing terrestrial sporting events on St Matt's.

We also want to work on the community side of St Matts. We hope to introduce a newsletter once every fortnight, contributed to by the students with information on events and exciting things happening on St Matts!

Key points

• To continue and improve St Matthias' green policies.
• To work on safety so that students and staff feel their property and person is safe on campus.
• Improve our library services with more books and longer opening hours.
• On campus free sport for all skill levels. Wider range of fun sporting activities.
• Fortnightly newsletters providing information for St Matthias students.

Personal Profile

I am currently a halls rep for international students andhave also been the Head of Entertainment at college.In these roles I have developed many skills.

I’m a good leader and a decisive decision maker. I have great communication skills, and am used to discussing problems and or issues on and off the field.

I’m very understanding and respectful. I’m extremely sociable and outgoing, and very approachable.

Contact - HartpuryCampusOfficer@gmail.com

Manifesto

If elected I will engage I will make sure that my campus is represented fully and fairly.I also aim to improve the social life at my campus.This will ensure that every student gets the full opportunity to maximize their time here at Hartpury.

I also want to improve and establish student communication within the Campuses.Most students around the University miss out on this great opportunity. In an effort to solve this issue I will encourage social campus activities and events as there are a few activities that take place, and will vary the locations where they are held.

These some social activities will be held inorder to fundraise for different charity organisations.I also believe that I would be able to address the needs of the international students and to increase their participation in the student students’ union.

Key points

• My other aim is for more social events to take place
• Students voice to be heard
• To organise more new and exciting events Hartpury which have not yet been seen
• to support charitable causes
• To ensure students enjoy their time at Hartpury

Profile

Hello, we are Jen and Gavin! Both in our third year of study in Media Practice and Graphic Design. Having spent our university experience on Bower Ashton we believe that we have can combine our insights and have found a passion for what we can do to make the campus a better place. We want to maximize what is available to us here on Bower.

Generating a stronger community vibe through social events whilst sprucing the campus up complimenting the creative atmosphere around campus. If elected we will ensure that experiences Bower Ashton will leave with a sense of pride.

Manifesto

Our goal if elected is to engage the whole campus with the UWE student experience. We aim to do hold more events on campus there fore create a stronger bond and a greater sense of community. Whether it be a weekly bicycle meet and ride or summer evening BBQ’s, pub quiz or open mic night. Lets make the most out of Bower Ashton and secure its legacy.

It is important to have a strong student voice and making sure Bower Ashton is heard. We aim to make sure you know who represents you by developing an interactive area, both physically on campus, through UWE online resources and social networks that allows Bower Ashton students to make suggestions and improvements about their campus and interact with others suggestions.

We would like to improve communication channels within the campus and between other campuses, including an online Bower zine where students can submit articles, work and advertise their own fundraising events. This will also provide a platform for students with similar interests and ideas, who may either be looking to collaborate, help each other out or simply chat about common interests.

By branding Bower Ashton we aim to promote the protection of its facilities and improve the aesthetics around campus. Branding can create unity and sense of pride, a lot of art colleges around the country have created a brand that has really established them as iconic areas of study within a larger institution. We plan on creating a friendly and creative atmosphere by utilizing free spaces and blank walls to showcase Bowers talent.

Finally, we believe we should be engaging with the local community by promoting involvement in RAG week and holding our own community events on campus, including regular gallery exhibitions open to the public and other fundraisers.