Find out what Rowan, Jitendra, Othman and Holly have been working on this year...
In March 2024, Rowan, Jitendra, Othman and Holly were elected by students to campaign for changes to help improve your time on campus.
Here’s an update on everything your Officers have been working on this year:
Rowan
Cutting Graduation Costs
Rowan has worked hard this year to help with the hidden costs of graduation. Students who are on bursaries will now have access to funding to help with the cost of graduation gowns.
Promoting Mental Health Support
With mental health a key part of his manifesto, Rowan has been working this year to increase awareness. This has included a World Mental Health Day stall offering students free hot drinks and snacks, and Movember stalls and communications to encourage students to check in on each other and highlighting the Guild Advice service available. He has also collaborated with societies such as Yoga Society to offer free events to encourage students to look after their mental health.
Developing The Cellar
Rowan has worked to make key updates and improvements to the Cellar, which is bookable for society events. He is working towards a functioning bar facility in the space.
Discounts in Guild Outlets
As part of his manifesto to look at discount options in our building, Rowan has introduced reduced food stickers in the Guild Shop and Union Brew. Students can now find up to 50% off sandwiches and snacks in our outlets.
Student Safety
Building on his work on the relaunch of the Night Bus in 2023/24, Rowan is working with the Combined Authority to expand the range that the Night Bus offers. He has also represented the student voice in Council meetings regarding student safety in the city.
Relationship Building
Throughout the year, Rowan has established key communication across campus and the city to further help the student experience. This has included creating a stronger working relationship with the AU and setting up a Liverpool Officers x City Region Mayor group to discuss city wide issues.
Jitendra
Red Brick Fest
Jitendra hosted a full day festival, showcasing talents from across Guild societies and students. The festival covered dance performances, stand-up comedy, live music, crafts and stalls from 17 societies.
Improved Social Spaces
Jitendra has launched his Courtyard Games, a free station of games for students to enjoy together.
Food Waste Reduction
Alongside President Rowan, Jitendra has introduced reduced food stickers in the Guild Shop and Union Brew, which helps reduce the amount of food going to waste.
Cheaper Gym Fees
Jitendra has met with Sport Liverpool to gain insight into footfall and finances. He is currently looking at their plans to expand the gym space and how this could help reduce costs for students. Jitendra has also worked with Sport Liverpool to bring women-only swimming and squash court sessions to campus.
Guarantor Support
As part of his manifesto to explore guarantor schemes to help international students, Jitendra has researched similar schemes in Universities across the UK to bring to discussions with the University.
Support for master's Students
Jitendra has worked with the University to find a suitable 24/7 summer study space to support the academic needs of master's students when the libraries reduce their hours. From 12th July – 14th September, there will now be a dedicated overnight study space in the 502 Building. He is also looking at introducing quicker dissertation resit options and is currently researching Universities with similar opportunities.
Othman
Preventing Deadline and Exam Stacking
Here is Othman’s latest update on his campaign:
“I have been campaigning the university to make exam season and academic workloads more manageable for students. I collected lots of feedback through polls, focus groups, and a survey, currently working with them on the additional considerations policy and curriculum project, which will address these issues. They will both start being implemented next academic year, but some points will be addressed over the next years."
More than a Month and Representation
Here is Othman’s latest update on his campaign:
“I am continuously campaigning the university to cut its unethical partnerships, especially with companies complicit in the genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza. I have also focused on intersectionality with the "More Than A Month" wall to make sure we had Palestinian representation and raise awareness of the Palestinian struggle and the oppression Palestinians face under Israeli apartheid. I am organizing an emergency protest with Liverpool Palestine society tomorrow against the starvation of Gaza. Also made sure we had non-boycott drinks options in the meal deal fridge in the guild shop.”
Take a Break
Othman has hosted a range of free wellbeing events during peak exam seasons, including working with societies such as Bake Soc and Book Soc, to remind and encourage students to take breaks during their revision. He also handed out free breakfast during exam week and organised a session on how to deal with exam stress for neurodiverse students.
Quiet Room
During summer exam season, Othman launched the Guild’s Quiet Room. This multi-purpose space is for students to use when they need to take a break from the busyness of campus and is equipped with fidget toys, cosy seating and lighting. The Quiet Room can be found in the Guild basement next to the Cinema Room.
Improve Diversity in Campus Food
Othman has ensured that the food options in the Courtyard is halal, with the beef now updated to a halal option. He also worked with Union Brew to introduce a Ramadan drink special.
Celebrating Ramadan and Eid
Othman arranged for the Guild to be decorated to celebrate both Ramadan and Eid, as well as giving out free traditional sweet during Eid and having stations to break fast in the Guild throughout Ramadan. He also worked with teams in the libraries and halls to replicate this in key spaces across campus.
Improve Facilities in the Libraries
As part of his manifesto, Othman has been campaigning to add microwaves to the Sydney Jones library as well as looking to install bidets. He has sent the University a report outlining the need for bidets, as well as the environmental benefits and case studies from other Universities.
National Lobby Day of No Guarantors
Othman joined NUS’ national campaign to abolish guarantors and went to Parliament alongside student officers from across the country to meet with our MP and lobby for the abolishment of guarantors as well as other key student housing issues.
International Student Report
Othman joined the Russell Group Students’ Unions (RGSU) campaign to gain feedback from international students on their University experience. He then went to Parliament for the launch of the RGSU report and discussed the findings.
Holly
Gender Expression Fund
In February 2025, Holly launched the Gender Expression Fund, which aims to help students express their gender identity by removing some of the financial barriers that students may face. You can learn more about the Gender Expression Fund, eligibility and how to apply here.
Student Safety
Holly organised the first Reclaim the Night march in Liverpool since 2019. Hosted in collaboration with John Moores Student Union and Liverpool Hope Student Union, 100s of Liverpool students took to the streets as a reminder that the safety of women and marginalised genders must be prioritised. See the march here. Following Holly’s submission to Change It, Guild Summit reached consensus for the Guild to adopt a Pro-Choice stance. You can read what the policy means for out student and campus here.
Renters’ Rights
Holly has hosted a series of Know Your Rights sessions alongside JMSU and Liverpool Student Homes to spread awareness to students on their rights as tenants and where to find support. She has also fed directly into the Renters’ Rights Bill by gathering evidence from students and sending directly the to the government. In addition to this, Holly has been working with the council to reduce cases of damp and mould in student houses.
Sustainability
Holly has worked with the Guild’s Sustainability team to launch a permanent Swap Shop in the Guild. Students can now donate and swap clothes throughout term time in the Guild. She has also increased recycling facilities across campus, including introducing pen recycling points in the Guild Shop and at Guild Reception.
Ethical Investment
Holly has worked with the University to sign the Cambridge Request for Proposals alongside 74 other Universities in ‘a new effort to create a market for cash products that do not contribute to the financing of fossil fuel expansion’.
Transport
As part of her manifesto, Holly has added a 699 live tracker to the Safe Zone app so students can see when the next 699 service is arriving. She is also working on implementing a bus service from Leahurst to Liverpool, as well as a student bus ticket.
Othman, Holly and Jitendra will be continuing their work as part of your Student Officer team 25/26 alongside Will Jones. Keep up to date with everything they’re working on at @vicepresothman @vicepresholly and @deputypres_jitendra