Nominations: Nominations closed
Voting: Voting closed
Election
Category
Candidates
Benjamin Scanlan
(He/Him)
What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?
Hi everyone! I'm a fourth year History undergraduate. I took a semester abroad followed by a 6 month sabbatical during which I worked as an accommodation co-ordinator for EF Education First, a large international language school.
My job required me to become familiar with what does and does not constitute suitable accomodation and living standards. I worked with students, teachers, and accommodation providers to ensure that all complaints were listened to, and necessary action was taken.
I have a sympathetic ear to housing complaints, and the determination and willpower to resolve your problems.
What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?
My ambition is simple. I want every single student to have access to good quality, affordable, accessable housing.
I am prepared to deal with landlords and student accommodation providers with the help of renters unions and the students' union to ensure this is the case.
At the end of the day, we are at university to study and to have fun, not to be constantly worrying about rent, landlords, and housing. If I can play a role in ensuring that students no longer have to worry about those things, I would be very very happy.
Please summarise why students should vote for you.
I'm experienced, competent, and most importantly passionate!
If you're as fed up with the housing market being rigged against you as I am, you should vote for me!
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Fengyun Tang
(she)
What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?
As the head of the student rights department during my undergraduate years, I successfully advocated for students' welfare, improving both academic and living conditions. I also have personal experience with UCL housing, having researched various accommodation options and faced challenges while living off-campus.
I offer strong problem-solving and communication skills, with a passion for helping students make informed housing decisions and avoid common pitfalls. My ability to represent students and collaborate with key stakeholders will be vital in this role.
What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?
If elected, I aim to make student housing more affordable and accessible. I will push for transparent rental costs and improved accommodation quality, addressing maintenance and safety concerns. Raising awareness of student rights, especially regarding tenancy agreements, will be a priority.
I also plan to streamline the accommodation selection process by providing clear, accessible resources to help students make informed choices. Ultimately, I want to ensure that all students have access to affordable, high-quality housing and the support they need when facing accommodation issues.
Please summarise why students should vote for you.
Students should vote for me because I have a proven track record of advocating for student rights and improving living conditions. My personal experience with UCL housing allows me to understand the challenges students face and how to overcome them.
If elected, I will prioritize key issues like rent affordability, housing quality, and student rights. I am committed to making the accommodation process easier and ensuring that all students have access to the support they need. Your vote will help ensure that these important issues are addressed.
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YIXIAO HUANG
(he)
What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?
I bring strong research and advocacy skills from my work on social issues like urban vacancy, where I analyzed data and presented findings. My role as a Business Advisor at BDO London honed my ability to collaborate with diverse groups and advocate for their needs. Additionally, my volunteer teaching and support work developed my communication skills and empathy, enabling me to understand and address students' housing challenges effectively. My analytical mindset and dedication to student welfare will ensure I represent their needs with passion and precision.
What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?
I am committed to guaranteeing that all students have access to high-quality, safe, and affordable housing. I will prioritize the provision of assistance to students residing in private accommodations by conducting regular drop-in clinics and providing them with information regarding their rights as tenants. Furthermore, I intend to collaborate with the Welfare & Community Officer to promote the expansion of the UCL Rent Guarantor Scheme, which will facilitate the process of securing housing for students. Ultimately, my objective is to establish a supportive environment that accommodates the housing requirements of each student.
Please summarise why students should vote for you.
I am committed to ensuring that all individuals have access to high-quality, safe, and affordable housing. With a background in advocacy and research, I possess the ability to effectively advocate for student concerns and urge genuine change. I comprehend the obstacles that numerous of you encounter when seeking suitable accommodations, as a result of my experience in providing support to a variety of groups, including mentoring younger students and providing guidance to clients. I will work tirelessly to guarantee that your voices are heard, your needs are prioritized, and every student receives the support they deserve.
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Maria Toigonbaeva
What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?
Having previously been a Hall Rep for John Dodgson accomodation, I believe I will bring a lot of support to those who will become Hall Reps for this year. Having arranged 3 successful trips (including a trip to Thorpe Park - which students LOVED) and also attending and participating in the Welfare Zones, I will aid any Hall Reps in any issues with submitting their ideas, voicing their concerns and in general, just giving them support and encouragement.
What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?
I will hope to achieve more clarity with events planning within the Hall Rep role. UCL is very useful in its Welfare Zone meetings, and I think there can be a further improvement in the 'ease' of events.
From my last year, I noticed many hall reps did not use their budgets a lot and while this did leave money, it also made me aware that the budget can be used for many useful things e.g. buying a ping pong table for your accommodation! Which can help facilitate socialising within your accom if your accom struggles with that. Hence, I would love to aid in improving this.
Please summarise why students should vote for you.
For better accom events!! Let's go! I'll help your Hall Reps with their ideas and always need students to feed in their interests too. Voicing concern in accommodation is vital and if there are any problems, it is important to have someone who will be there to help you with whatever you need during your accom life!!
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Weining Pan
(Weining)
What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?
As a second-year student, I’ve experienced both UCL accommodation and the challenge of finding private housing. In first-year halls, I faced issues like poor communication with management regarding maintenance. This year, I had to juggle studies while searching for off-campus housing, and I encountered difficulties with slow responses from private providers. My friendly, empathetic nature allows me to easily connect with students, making me an approachable advocate to bridge the gap between students and accommodation providers.
What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?
If elected, I aim to improve the availability and communication of housing options, particularly for second-year students who can no longer rely on UCL halls. I will work with UCL and external providers to release accommodation lists earlier and ensure better communication about available options. I also plan to establish housing advice clinics to support students in navigating private rentals and avoiding risks. My goal is to create clearer communication channels and reduce the stress associated with housing.
Please summarise why students should vote for you.
Students should vote for me because I deeply understand the challenges of UCL housing. From experiencing issues in first-year halls to navigating the private rental market, I know how stressful housing can be. I’m approachable, empathetic, and determined to push for practical solutions—such as earlier access to housing lists, better communication with accommodation providers, and support for students in private rentals. I will work tirelessly to ensure all students feel supported and have access to affordable, comfortable housing.
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Francis Deng
(He/Him)
What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?
I can bring expertise, leadership, and communication skills to this role. In high school, I was China Think Big's National Committee's Operation Vice President, committee member of many societies, and VP of the Student Union. These positions have strengthened my organisation and problem-solving ability and to listen to peers and work with them to make positive change.
With my expertise in politics, sociology, and internship experiences in education, I can grasp diverse perspectives and meet students' accommodation needs with these qualities and my passion for student life.
What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?
I aim to enhance the overall student housing experience and advocate for better support for all residents. I noticed the problem of the shortage of common room supply and a less desirable hall facility experiences in many halls. I aim to achieve an independent and secure storage environment where each person locks their storage cabinet and refrigerator space in the shared kitchen. I will optimize communication with the landlord to achieve faster resolution of damaged and missing equipment issues by setting up hall Rep teams and ensuring funds for timely maintenance.
Please summarise why students should vote for you.
I'm vote-worthy because I bring a wealth of experience, a strong understanding of student needs, and a proven ability to lead and implement effective solutions. I am committed to representing the diverse voices of our student body and ensuring that everyone’s concerns are heard and acted upon based on an improved IT system to hear them, and improved communication with landlords and a logistics management system to solve them. With my background in leadership, communication, and advocacy, I am dedicated and confident that I can make a meaningful impact as your Accommodation & Housing Officer.
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Botai Wu
(He/Him)
What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?
I’m excited to bring my personal experience and passion to the role of Accommodation and Housing Officer.I have now lived two year in London and dealt with both UCL housing and private landlords, I know how tough it can be to find decent, affordable accommodation. I’ve had my share of bad landlord, so I understand the frustration students go through. I want to use my experience to push for better housing standards, fairer rents, and more accessible options for students.
What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?
If I’m elected, I want to make housing more fair and accessible for UCL students. I’ll push for better landlord communication and make sure student housing issues, like repairs, get sorted more quickly. I also want to raise awareness of student rights and improve resources to help students navigate the private rental market more easily. My goal is to make sure everyone can find a decent place to live without the stress.
Please summarise why students should vote for you.
Vote for me because, I’m ready to fight for fairer, more affordable options for students. I’ll listen and take action to improve your housing experience.
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