Union Affairs Officer - Spring 2021

Husam Imad

What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?
I'm Husam, a postgraduate Politics student, and I'm running to be your next Union Affairs Officer.
According to the NSS Survey 2020 only 51% of students agree that the SU effectively represents their academic interests.
If elected I will:
-Lobby for funding of additional academic costs, such as research-related field trips
-Collaborate with officers to introduce more academic support
-Improve student/SU relations through focus groups and a feedback system
-£1 Coffee, every little helps
-Introduce Project Referendums: Your UCL, Your say. Vote for the projects you really want.

What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?
Given my interest in student politics, I drive to improve the SU, build your trust and support your voices.
My role as a Student Mentor during my undergraduate years has allowed me to make university a better experience for students, something I look forward to doing if elected. As someone who has helped small businesses during my time as a consultant, I am confident in working with others and implementing projects successfully. My experiences, approachable presence and passion for change will help you emerge from these difficult times, for a better present and future.

Anything else?
A vote for Husam is a vote for You. So lets vote.

Osman Teklies

What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?
Hi, I’m Osman, a 3rd year Chemistry student and I plan to work on the following as your Union Affairs Officer:
Campaign for tuition fee compensation in light of the changes caused by Covid
Fight for affordable, accessible and quality accommodation for all UCL students
Develop a strategy to ease the integration of students back onto UCL campus
Create a better induction and welcome program for both postgrad and international students
Improve reporting systems so that students can easily report discriminatory incidents
Push for a review of UCL's ethical and sustainable investment policy

What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?
Throughout my 3 years here at UCL, I've actively worked with UCL and the Students Union as part of my work as a Student Ambassador, Treasurer of the Islamic Society and spearheading student-led fundraising campaigns such as Charity Week. My experiences have led me to understand how every student is an integral part of this university and that there is a vital importance for a Students Union that allows for our voices to be heard to the highest decision makers at UCL. I have the skills, experience, and drive to be your voice - now all I need is your vote!

Anything else?
The Student Union needs to rejuvenate the UCL student experience for 2021/22 and a simple return to pre-pandemic life is not enough to mitigate the impact this year has had on students. If elected, I will prioritise your voice within UCL to make your experience next year the best that it could be.

Kara Morris

What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?
Communications and Engagement:

* Better communication and clarity between UCL, the Student’s Union, and all students

* Improved feedback times

National Policy:

* Continued campaign for tuition fee refunds

* Supporting students with fair, meaningful policy change (i.e. no detriment) in the future

Sustainability:

* Replace single use plastic cups in UCL bars at night with reusable (washable) safe alternatives

* More water fountains/water bottle refill sites across campus

Other:

* Bring back £2 hot drink and cake in the afternoons

What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?
* Four years' experience at UCL

* Natural Sciences Society (3 years - elected to run departmental society)
-President and Operations Secretary
-Organising and running both academic & social events to a budget in person and online
-Experience chairing meetings
-Worked alongside staff and students to find effective solutions to issues raised

* Active member of the department and university
-Transition mentor and senior mentor (3 years)
-Student Ambassador for Access and Widening Participation & Department (3 years)

* UCL SU Society - CalSoc PR & Outreach officer (1 year)

Anything else?
With a degree split across 5 departments I've had my fair share of contrasting convoluted communication.

I advocate a clarity in communication and improved response times to students.

Help me help you by ensuring students are always kept in the loop!

Tonja Nguyen

What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?
I want to improve communication between students and the Students’ Union and make sure the SU accurately represents ALL students. If elected, I will:

Improve post-pandemic life at UCL.
*Extend the long-term laptop loan scheme.
*Create more student jobs in the SU.
*Introduce meal deals in cafés.

Help EU students with Brexit.
*Provide up to date information on student loans, fee status and scholarships.

Improve Zero tolerance for racism at UCL.
*Make sure campus is a safe space for all.
*Support Asian students through this time of increased racist attacks targeting them.

What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?
As a 3rd year international student, I understand the struggles students face: uncertainty surrounding Brexit & COVID, racism on campus, not knowing where to get support or how the SU works. Working in the Union for the past 2 years in several teams gave me a good understanding of the SU’s structure, how it works with UCL, and how things get done. My prior involvement with the Union and my experiences as an EU student would give me a head start as a Sabb as I’m already familiar with the framework of the job, allowing me to tackle issues in the student body quicker and more effectively.

Anything else?
You might not know me, but you’ve seen me! At last year’s Fresher’s Week on a campus tour or the Welcome Fair, at Gordon’s Café behind the counter making your oat latte, or on the Students’ Union website on the Fee Refunds page. I’m already a face of the Union, why should I not lead it as well?

Oveis Rezazadeh

What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?
Accountable, communicative
-Ensure SU prioritises, advocates and communicates students' needs
Take action
-Formalise Union support for student-led campaigns
-Require UCL publish investments and tuition fee spending
Make more happen on campus
-Diversify Union evening offer, particularly alcohol-free spaces
-Hold inaccessible campus accountable, alongside DSN
-Co-create diverse student spaces: accessibility, worship & rest
Push for fairness
-Ensure equity in employment; support essential workers & student staff rights
UCL East
-Prioritise student ownership in all decision-making

What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?
The direction our university is headed is concerning. During COVID, the university has prioritised its own interests above students. This needs to change.

It’s my firm belief that students are the most important part of this role, not the person who fills it. It will be my responsibility to work for you.
With the new Provost, I want to pressure the university towards transparency and accountability of its values.

I study urban planning, I might’ve served you pints in Phineas and I want to use my experience working within public institutions to force UCL to change for the better.

Anything else?
I've had to limit what I can cover, to fit nicely into the ballot’s limits. Does it look like I’m missing something? If so, go to my stall for my full manifesto of what I’d like to do in this role, where there's links to ways of speaking with me. I’d really like to hear your thoughts!

Kayleigh Jackson

What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?
Democracy and accessibility
•Virtual ‘suggestions box’- increases direct democracy
•Pressure UCL to record all in person lectures

Employability
•Run bar/cafe workshops teaching you the skills you may need if looking for a part time job

Your Union
•Diversify food options in outlets- focus on affordability with rotational pop ups
•Continue to increase range of events inclusive to all

Sustainability
•Promote plant based eating in outlets and at events
•More bins and recycling facilities on campus
•Increase frequency of sustainability events
•Create a zero waste shop

What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?
I bring a promise that my voice will be the amplification of yours. We will work as a team!

In my time at UCL I’ve had many roles in the university and union. I have listened to what you’re facing as an ambassador of the keeping in touch campaign. I have worked with thousands of you in running active bystander and pride in sports workshops. I may have even made your vegan kebab in my 2 years working at Stone Willy’s!

These many hours spent in the union came from caring. I care about the challenges and hardships you face and want to continue to make UCL a place you’re proud of.

Anything else?
Amplify your voice!
A vote for Kayleigh is a vote for you!

Learn more about my campaign and get in touch:
Instagram: @vote_kayleigh
Facebook: Kayleigh for Union Affairs Officer

Moise Mbarga-Abega

What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?
If I were to be elected as a Sab for Union Affairs my three top priorities would be to :

- Participate actively in planning students and staff quick and safe return to face-to-face teaching, face-to-face social, and extra-curricular activity for the 2021-2022 academic year.

- I would like to make sure that graduations for 2020 and 2021 graduates go ahead!

- Last but not least, I would also hope to join the Student's Union call for a Government intervention on tuition fees. As I believe all students deserve a Government-funded fee refund for this academic year.

What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?
I will bring to this role my +3 year experience of working with the Union in a wide range of roles such as Student Rep, Transition Mentor, Accommodation Ambassador, Student Quality Reviewer, and Photographer for the Volunteering Service.

I want to bring my passion for service and diversity to the role. Moreover, I also wish to be a voice for undergrads as well as postgrads, carers, and international students. I want to make sure that students feel fully represented, understood, valued, and heard by UCL and the Union and that their grievances, thoughts, reflections, and ideas will be heard.

Anything else?
My current manifesto is not comprehensive due to the characters' limits. However, I want you to know that my manifesto is also yours to make. That you can reach out to me. Moreover, that, I'm determined to create the best possible student experience for you and with you.

All the best,

Moïse

Isaac Hanson

What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?
If elected I will:
• Establish student-staff covid councils to give you a real say over where we go from here: no more decisions communicated from on high!
• Review UCL’s finances and ensure more is spent on students: we fund the university, so where’s our money going?
• Fight for a tuition fee refund: this year hasn’t been what we expected, and the university has profited as we’ve struggled to get through. We deserve our money back.
• Improve student mental health services: underfunded and oversubscribed, the service needs more staff and shorter wait times to safeguard our wellbeing.

What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?
As chair of Liberate the University, I have spent the last year fighting for students' rights in response to the pandemic and have ensured that our voices are heard. I have been a key organiser in intercollegiate rent strikes and campaigned to reinstate the UCL guarantor scheme last July. I have worked closely with the president of the National Union of Students as well as SU officers and campaigners across the country to get us a refund from the government and improve university democracy. I will stop at nothing to make our universities listen and to win for all of us.

Anything else?
I'd love to hear from you and answer any questions you may have about why I should be your next Union Affairs Officer! Here's how you can contact me:
Instagram: _isaachanson
email: [email protected]
Facebook: Isaac Hanson