Manifesto

Hi everyone, I’m Greg.

For the last four years I have been a student at the University of Liverpool, during which I have seen the best and worst of university life. As a postgraduate student I have been a member of both the Management School and Politics Department, involved myself with societies, and remember how much I enjoyed university pre-COVID.

My university experiences have provided me the knowledge and understanding to identify key areas in which the Guild can affect positive change and improve student life.

If elected I will:

• Prepare a COVID relief package to safely facilitate the transition back towards pre-pandemic university life and ensure academic fairness.
  • Increase the availability of funds and resources to societies so we can socialise safely from the word ‘go’.
  • Organise student mixer events aimed at easing students back into social life.
  • Push for greater transparency on teaching/assessments & a no detriment policy for degree classification (regardless of which year of study has been disrupted by the pandemic).
• Increase awareness for mental health issues and level up existing student support measures.
  • Establish a men’s mental health week to increase awareness and destigmatise men’s mental health issues.
  • Lobby the university to offer drop-in counselling at university accommodation and the libraries, reduce wait times for support, and offer group counselling sessions.
• Improve Liverpool Guild’s sustainability & facilities.
  • Establish a no waste shop in the Guild.
  • Provide water refill stations throughout the Guild and main lecture buildings.
  • Increase the range of vegetarian/vegan food at the Guild
  • Increase the number of special events held by the Guild (think guest speakers & student nights!).

Thanks for checking out my manifesto. Find out more @gregforguildpresident on Instagram and Facebook, or get in touch at gregforguildpresident@gmail.com

Vote Greg for Guild President.

Click here to view my manifesto video

Manifesto

Discussion Panel for Housing Crisis - The housing discussion panel will promote conversations between the university, students, government, and private housing associations to bring greater protection and better housing for students. Get students involved in providing evidence of the negative impact poor housing can have on their welfare, so the relevant authorities will be compelled to act & find a feasible resolution.

Inclusivity & Diversity Panel – I want to promote inclusivity and diversity in the university and our community.

• I will set up unconscious bias awareness training to promote the practice of identifying our unconscious biases and becoming more self-aware, so we as a community can ensure equality, diversity, and inclusion of all.
• This panel will maintain & encourage the use of an injustice blog, which will bring awareness to injustices local to us and around the world.

Highlight negative social norms and how we can challenge them:

• Stigma towards mental health & disabilities
• Prejudice & discrimination aimed towards our LGBTQ+ and ethnic communities.
• Gender double standards & gender inequality
• Bring awareness to types of sexual harassment
• End victim blaming – Let’s provide a comforting, encouraging environment for victims to come forward.

Weekly Interactive Events - Giving you the opportunity to tell us what you want every month through a voting poll!

Student Wellbeing - Helping students cope with homesickness, lack of motivation and stress & anxiety from the pressure of studying.

Employment – With the pandemic & the impact of Brexit awaiting us, the competition to get a job is fierce. Students need access to the right resources and support to conquer the job market and pursue their dream careers. I will bring students access to grad scheme tests, appoint workshops that will prep students for interviews and develop their confidence, and how to deal with disappointments & rise above them.

 

Manifesto

My name is Jamilia, and I want to be your next Guild President. My main aim is to put ‘uni life back on track’, after the detraction of our student experience from the pandemic. I want to ensure that we can bring joy back to student life though facilitating opportunities to meet other students, tackling inequalities faced by students and encouraging students to engage in a healthy and active lifestyle.

1. Improving accessibility to sports
Physical activity is one of the best ways to aid mental health and meet new people. I want to reduce gym membership prices for students and associated costs for Campus Sports, introduce a flexible monthly payment scheme and expand the range of campus sports available.

2. Improving accessibility to mental health support
I want to place support sessions guided by welfare professionals where students can freely share and build a support network of students. Additionally, I want to introduce a welfare check system, where concerns can be raised, and a timely check will refer people to help if they so require. I want to continue to promote our services and remove the stigma of support.

3. Supporting and encouraging diversity 
We are a diverse student body therefore we should learn to accommodate and appreciate one another. That is why I want to introduce diversity training for staff and students. Additionally, I want to offer accredited open courses about Black, Asian and LGBT+ British History. Furthermore, I want to create more events such as balls and fairs to celebrate our diversity.

4. Prioritising Sustainability
We need to reduce our global impact. I am committed to reducing single use plastics around campus. This would also require supporting students to adopt a sustainable lifestyle by offering reusable items such as flasks.

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Manifesto

Hi! I’m Josie Sawtell-Cousins. I’ve been active in politics since the Tories won power in 2010. Austerity made me angry, and that anger developed into a commitment to fighting for positive change. If elected as student officer I will work to achieve positive change through making the Guild more inclusive, engaged with the local community and representative of student voices

1)Establishing strong local connections

Liverpool has suffered disproportionality from a lack of Government resources in the Covid-19 outbreak compounded by the already shocking levels of regional inequality. If elected as student officer I will campaign for issues affecting both students and the wider community and unite with local organisations in challenging the Government and providing sufficient local resources to help those in need.

2) Tackling sexual harassment and assault

The recent UN women survey found that 97% of women aged 18-25 in UK face sexual harassment in public spaces. Change needs to happen from within the Guild to ensure campus is inclusive and safe. If elected, I will guarantee the Guild has a strong reporting procedure to ensure that women are heard and action is taken. I’ll also work with students and academics across the University to set up a digital educational platform to establish an inclusive community for learning, support and raising awareness of sexual harassment.

3) Widening access to higher education

Everyone deserves the opportunity to access higher education. Today, however, the most advantaged 20% of young people are seven times more likely to attend the most selective universities than the 40% most disadvantaged. If elected as student officer, I’ll build connections with local organisations to ensure that prospective students have equal opportunities in higher education. I’ll also aim to invest in student services and bursaries to ensure that students are financially supported by the University.

Click here to view my manifesto video

Manifesto

Some things about me!

Hello! I’m a working-class, English lad from Blackpool, studying my second year of Politics at Liverpool.

Promise 1 - Defend Freedom of Speech!

• I will lead the engagement with students on the formation of a new Charter for Academic Freedom, enshrining our rights to the free debate of radical ideas and invitations for controversial speakers on campus. I want to lead the working-groups, inviting all students to voice their opinions on these new policies. Our campus should be a space where we all feel free to voice our opinions, without risk of persecution or harm, but with the freedom to offend and challenge the status quo.

Promise 2 - Boost funding and staff for Mental Health Support!

• Mental health support from the Guild and University is under serious strain during COVID. The number of staff to listen and support us, the funding for student welfare, the assistance for the creation of an environment for prevention and recovery from mental health issues and illness simply isn’t adequate. The Guild and University can and should do more. We must put mental health first.

Promise 3 - Continue the campaign for Rent Cuts and Tuition refunds!

• Following on from the amazing work of the previous Student Officers, I fully support their campaigns to support students and fight for rent cuts and tuition refunds for this past academic year. COVID has put a serious strain on all students financially, the Guild can facilitate this change.

Do you want to put students voice’s first?

To end the ‘cancel culture’ and create a more tolerant campus? Ensure mental wellbeing is enshrined in the Guild and University’s priorities? Want a student officer who will campaign to cut Rents and Tuition fees? Then vote for me on April 19th!

Manifesto

Covid-19 has hit many if not all students extremely hard in terms of mental wellbeing and financial hardship. If elected, i will put students, their community and their wellbeing above anything else to ensure that their Guild and University support them in the best possible ways. Mental and emotional health support systems should be massively bolstered within the University and Guild in order to provide a modern mental health support system which is why I want to see the introduction of the Liverpool Guild Mental Health Support Centre and an International Student Liaison Committee. As well as these commitments i believe introducing new roles called "Community Officers" will hugely benefit the work of the guild and the support it offers to students, the community and city, their roles will be to focus on the history, achievements and aspirations of different sections of society so that as a Guild we can further the representation of all communities both in and outside our University. These new roles will work alongside a new campaign, where University of Liverpool students will be offered various chances to work more closely with other educational institutions on an array of issues from climate change, racial equality, LGBTQ+ equality, women’s rights and many other issues that will allow the Guild and the University community to work closely with schools and other groups in Liverpool to better our city, lives and experiences. As a current Trustee of a young person’s charity and having ran my own LGBTQ+ organisation, i know the importance of support, especially in education, in times when governments and councils have forgotten about higher education students. It’s for this reason that i believe i could help make a difference to the experiences and lives of University of Liverpool students.

-Mitch and his campaign team

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Manifesto

Over the past year, I’ve really enjoyed advocating for students in my role as Vice President. By working through the pandemic, I have gained knowledge and experience of how to continue supporting students in uncertain times. If re-elected, I would work on the following pledges, tailored to make genuine change to students’ lives.

Mental Health Support Mental Health is a passion of mine, and I pledge to continue working on improvements to wellbeing and support. I will lobby the University to allow for students to self-certify when applying for extenuating circumstances (ECs) for personal reasons - this has been a temporary improvement during Covid and I will work to keep this change. I will expand my current Mental Health Forums to occur monthly, focusing on topics like prioritising wellbeing and addressing isolation. Having listened to their concerns, I also pledge to support our Commuting students and their unique needs.

Return to Normality After the difficult year we’ve all had, I will focus on returning to normal student life by making more opportunities for students to meet. I will support Societies in getting back on their feet, focusing on a hybrid model of activities which accommodates all students’ preferences whilst returning to their normal social lives.

Ensure in person Graduation The Classes of 2020 (Summer & Winter) and 2021 still have no certainty or any details about their Graduation Ceremonies. I will push the University to ensure these ceremonies go ahead, and importantly are in person events.

Reform Module Selection Finally, I want to complete my work on reforming the Module Selection process. Through my work this past year, I have a commitment of moving to a fairer, better preference-based system and I want to complete this work.

Follow me on Instagram @voteforffion or check out my website at www.voteforffion.squarespace.com!

Click here to view my manifesto video

Manifesto

I am Muhammad Zumair and I would like to be your next Student officer. I was born in Pakistan and have grown up in Saudi Arabia. I am currently studying MSc in Finance and Investment Management. This is my fifth year in UoL making me an experienced candidate, knowing the whereabouts of University. I have been involved consistently with the Guild by volunteering as a course representative and a student mentor.

As a student officer it is my aim to improve teaching, education and resources at University of Liverpool, guaranteeing that all students get the best value for money out of their degrees.

My priorities are:

1. More career opportunities for international students

I will make sure that all students especially international students get more support around careers after university. International students struggle to find even an entry level job after graduation. In addition, I’ll ensure all international students feel more welcomed by holding events specifically for them, apart from the welcome week!

2 .Campaign for increased contact hours:

I do understand that students have been frustrated with online lecture delivering this year. I will campaign for lectures to be more than just studying everything yourself.

3. Act as a bridge between students and the University to enhance communication

I believe that all communication from Guild and the University, should be easily understandable, insightful, and relevant. I will work with the University and Guild to make messaging to all our students easier!

#votezumair4studentofficer

Manifesto

Hidden Course Costs – Scrap Graduation & Textbook Fees

• Lobby the University to cut graduation fees and reduce the costs of textbooks classed as essential.
• Improve the transparency of course costs and campaign against the disparity between courses.

Equality & Diversity – An Inclusive Campus

• Complete inclusive policies and guidance for transgender and gender non-conforming students.
• Ensure the University enacts anti-racism work and organize their work to decolonize the curriculum across faculties.
• Increase accessible spaces and facilities across campus.

Tackle Sexual Assault, Harassment & Support Survivors

• Tackle sexual assault and harassment on campus and work with local bars and venues to tackle it in nightlife and at student venues.
• Creative a Survivors Network in the Guild as a safe place for survivors to come together.

Improve and Rebrand Mental Health Services

• Continue to improve the Universities mental health services and wellbeing opportunities and keep on top of the services funding, staffing and waiting lists.
• Rebrand the services based purely on student feedback – putting the control back in students.

COVID Support – Tuition, Rent, No-Detriment, Freshers

• Continue to support students throughout COVID, lobbying for tuition and rent mitigations, defending student’s academic progress and aiding in the transition back to face to face teaching.
• Covid permitting, I will Refresh Freshers so that students can make up for lost opportunities.

Imagine Imogen…imagine what else!

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Manifesto

According to all known laws
of aviation,

there is no way a bee
should be able to fly.

Its wings are too small to get
its fat little body off the ground.

The bee, of course, flies anyway

because bees don't care
what humans think is impossible.

I wanna help turn this uni into ones bees will be proud of.

Manifesto

My name is Vasiliki Samuels, and I am a second year law student currently running for the position of Student Officer.

This academic year has been challenging for every student. It has made me question what standards I expect from the University as we begin to transition out of these restrictions. I want to take this opportunity to actively participate in improving and restoring the University experience by taking on board the concerns and wishes of students.

I am confident, compassionate and driven, and if elected, I would aim to:

Improve University communications
The transition to online learning has proven that the communication between the University and students has been poor. Students shouldn't be receiving their timetables days before the semester starts. Instead, I aim to create selected timetables, whereby students will select and formulate their schedules. I also aim to stop deadline overlaps and ensure exams are spread out more appropriately.

Support the mental health and physical wellbeing of students
My second aim will be to create peer support groups that work alongside local charities to support students' mental health and physical wellbeing. As things hopefully begin to revert to normality, I aim to create designated spacing in the University which will be accessible to all students, enabling them to connect and support each other.

Create a collaborative student community
Lastly, whether a society is raising money for charity or a student is running their own business and needs that extra support, I aim to launch a hall of fame that will encourage and promote students' entrepreneurial spirit. This will enable students and societies to reach a larger number of people. Thus, creating a collaborative community extending beyond the intimate student circles.

I would love the opportunity to be the next Guild President to restore the student experience promised.

Click here to view my manifesto video

Manifesto

I want the university to be a better and more inclusive space for all students. The EHRC’s found 24% of students from ethnic minority backgrounds said they experienced racial harassment at university. With the BLM protests this summer, the university needs to listen to the voices of students. Online equality and diversity training was provided for students this year but I would like to see this made compulsory, alongside the equality and diversity training currently mandatory for staff. In addition, I will make access to mental health services easier and more accessible.

I will also work to make the campus a safer space for women and non-binary people via sexual harassment prevention. The UN women UK survey found 97% of women aged 18-24 had experienced sexual harassment. Through local organisations and the university, I will promote awareness of the issue and improve the process for reporting sexual misconduct on campus. While also working alongside the university to better support the survivors of sexual violence.

I want to improve the universities sustainability goals beyond their commitment to divest from fossil fuels. The climate crisis is an intersectional issue affecting those at the bottom of society disproportionately. I will lobby for the university to push forward its target to achieve net-zero carbon emissions, alongside working with local action groups to make changes, looking at ways we can reduce waste and increase biodiversity on campus.

Finally, I want to push the university to give students compensation for the disrupted teaching this year. The university hasn’t been transparent in its decision-making, and we have not been given the university experienced we were promised in September. I am going to push for financial compensation for students and ask that the university be more transparent in their decision making in the future.

Click here to view my manifesto video

Manifesto

I am re-running for Guild Student Officer as I want to continue standing up for students, holding the University to account and carry on the work I have currently been doing. If re-elected I pledge to…

1. Tackle Sexual Assault – Over the last year, I have been in talks with the University and students through which I have noted numerous weak spots in the reporting and disciplining of sexual misconduct. I will continue this work in ensuring the sexual misconduct reporting process is as survivor focused as possible, in order to prevent re-traumatisation of survivors.
2. Fight Tuition Fees – The COVID pandemic has also shown the unfairness of tuition fees and that they are only in place to line the pockets of Universities. If re-elected, I will ensure to organise with other student unions and NUS, to campaign the government for the abolition of tuition fees.
3. Reduce Rent Costs – Rent prices at the University of Liverpool are way too high and mostly aren’t covered by maintenance loans. I will campaign for University accommodation rent to be reduced significantly in order to put money back in the pockets of students. Moreover, COVID-19 has shown that private landlords will always exploit students, even during a deadly health crisis. I further pledge to pressure the University to hold student landlords to account, ensuring students aren’t living in poor quality and expensive housing.
4. Introduce Drug Purity Testing – Drug use is a commonly overlooked part of student life which can unfortunately often lead to declining mental health and can even be fatal. Unfortunately, due to COVID guidelines, I was unable to put in place drug purity testing kits. However, if re-elected, I will ensure that students, on their return to campus, will be able to test the purity and contents of illicit drugs.

Click here to view my manifesto video

Manifesto

MY HAIRLINE MAY BE GOING BACK, BUT MY POLICIES WILL MOVE US FORWARD.

• Put dodgy landlords out of business – Let’s put an end to the con-artist leaches amongst landlords that steal from students every year and make sure you know who to avoid.
• Refund your rent – One of the dodgiest landlords this year has been the university with student halls, I won’t give up on getting your money back.
• The Student Support We Deserve – In the weeks after my dad was diagnosed with cancer my passion for this campaign began. The student support wasn’t there for me and sadly 2 years on it still isn’t now. I will fight every day to ensure that it’s there for you.
• Cheaper Gyms and AU costs – John Moore’s students pay nothing for the gym, why are we asked to pay £180 each year?
• More Guild Events and Nightsout than ever before – Let’s get the Guild back to what it does best and double down on it, we’ve already missed out on too much.
• Make our City Safer – Blacklist nightclubs that don’t do enough to combat sexual assault and promote those that do.
• The Unis first ever Safe Taxi scheme – When it comes to making our city safer let’s not stop there, let’s create a safe taxi scheme like those run by Uni’s across the country so that students who are in danger can safely get home.
• A Guild for Everyone – from international students to mature students this guild should do more to ensure it represents every one of its members.
• Greater Support for Societies – Let’s Improve society resources, support & freedoms.

For more information, please follow my Instagram @VoteWoodcock

Thank you.

Click here to view my manifesto video