Tuesday 16-03-2021 - 10:50

Here is a quick update from me on what I have been up to since my last blog, to represent YOU and your academic interests.

> WIN- GENDER NEUTRAL TOILETS ON CAMPUS

Last year the LGBT+ Group asked me to campaign for gender neutral toilets, unfortunately due to Coronavirus this was put on hold but I am delighted to announce that on Feb 26^th 2021 for LGBT Month our first sign went up and we will now have many inclusive toilets throughout campus! View my video here.

> WIN - IN PERSON GRADUATE CEREMONIES

In addition to the agreement for online ceremonies to take place in Summer 2021, in the background I have continued to have conversations with the University to ensure that there would be future physical ceremonies for the Class of 2020 and Class of 2021. We all thought it was important for you to celebrate your achievements in front of your family and friends and walk across the stage in the Royal Concert Hall. After this difficult year I’m sure you will be as delighted as me that this will now happen.

> WELCOMED GCU PRINCIPAL TO ASK THE OFFICER

Among the discussions and questions from students we talked about students’ mental health and International Women’s Day 2021 and the theme Choose to Challenge. Watch video here.

> TOOK PART IN INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY ALONGSIDE OUR PRINCIPAL AND THE UNIVERSITY CHANCELLOR, DR ANNIE LENNOX

We may be of different generations, have lived different lives, and come from a variety of backgrounds, countries and walks of life, but together we can all stand up for justice and equality of women everywhere. It is our duty to speak out against discrimination and stand up for social and economic justice and equality for all. View the Principal and Annie Lennox video alongside my own here.

> ATTENDED NUS SCOTLAND CONFERENCE

I attended the NUS Scotland Conference 2021, alongside the other elected representatives Tabitha Nyariki our VP SHLS, Zoe Nicholson our VP SCEBE and River Gowans our LGBT+ Officer. We discussed key issues such as; Ending the use of non-disclosure agreement, or NDA, in case of sexual misconduct, Digital Students’ Associations: Online Community Engagement: Making Change Beyond Activism, Erasmus+ and Climate Emergency and COP26.

We also received Video Message from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and an amazing, powerful, inspiring guest speaker, Professor Sir Geoff Palmer on Decolonising Scotland!

> NUS SCOTLAND PET OF THE YEAR: MOSS THE RAT

We even had time for the pet of the year competition and sadly my wee Trixie didn’t win, see how sad she is, however River Gowans pet rat Moss reigned triumphant and was a well-deserved winner and I am happy to have a GCU winner J