Full Time Officer Election 2022

My name is Laiba Tareen and I am a 4^th year undergrad student. I have been elected as the International students’ officer (2020-2022) and Senate member representative 2020/21. I am running for the elections of GCU’s president. This position is one of the most important offices in the GCU Union as the President ‘is primarily responsible for safeguarding the academic interests and personal welfare of students’ as well as ‘ensuring that the Union is acting in a way which promotes the academic interests and welfare of students’ of this great University.

Furthermore, I strongly believe that the welfare of students is key to attaining academic excellence. It is therefore imperative for students to elect someone who understands their interests and who is committed to safeguarding such interests. I am therefore seeking your support and votes even as I offer myself to serve you in the capacity of President (Education and Welfare). 

As your student president, I will

• Ensure to consistently and relentlessly represent the views and interests of all students especially as it concerns their education and welfare.
• Make sure that women rights are being heard like 3-4 days permitted absence for illness caused by mensuration.
• Talking about refurbishing Cali court.
• Pushing the university to increase the space of GCU’s nursery for mature students.
• Ensure that LGBTQ rights are well heard.
• Push the university to increase online examination duration.
• Make improvement at university’s buildings and ensuring that students have a safe environment in terms of covid.
• Ensuring that international students do not face any challenges or racism at the university.
• Push the university to release more funds for students facing financial difficulties.
• Talk about cheaper parking for students.
• Ensuring that disable students receive good learning development experience.
• Encouraging more events at the university.
• Support the mental health awareness at GCU

“A leader is someone who shows others what they can achieve.”

This year, as a Student Connection between Uni and You, I've shown what's possible with my persistence, authenticity, and enthusiasm, which has resulted in significant changes for everyone at GCU, London Campus. As President of Your Student Union, I will continue to show what is possible and push for changes that YOU want to see across GCU, globally.

WHAT I HAVE ALREADY DONE AS STUDENT VICE PRESIDENT PUBLIC RELATIONS AND OUTREACH FROM GTU - 2014 - 2017 and VP Industry Relations at ITM Business School, Vadodara, Gujarat, India from 2017 - 2019.

• Led the formation of the Nationwide Social Service as a national effort to raise awareness of our society's contribution to university life across the country.
• GTU has more than quadrupled the number of Academic Societies and developed closer links with University Departments to attract more industry relations and funding for our student-led organisations and training purposes.
• Encouraged university to dream larger and assisted in the expansion of events and activities organised by our student group and lobbied for an INR 20,00,000 hardship fund to be set up by the university to help students at University who had been working hard but had been impacted financially.
• Achieved top numbers of placements ratio at both the Universities.

WHAT I INTEND TO DO BEING YOUR PRESIDENT!

• Take the lead on problems that affect our student body at GCU worldwide campuses.
• Develop and implement a leadership programme at GCU to empower students, further strengthen talents, mentorship for our elected student leaders and eager to grow fellow-mates.
• Examine our messages are verified, accurate and fair.
• Develop a start-up culture in the GCU, such that everyone can grow individually.

Mantra: “Guys, we will rock together.”

Looking forward to serving you.

Kind regards,
John.

If Elected to serve as a full time officer I will work tirelessly to achieve the following for students and staff at GCU:

1.Expanding the GYM and sports facilities 

2.Supporting Students to recover from the effects of the pandemic

My name is Rajdeepsinh Zala and I am running for the Student Union President.

My initial aim is to raise awareness of our student’ Union and all of the organisations, societies and volunteering opportunities available to the individuals at the Glasgow Caledonian University. I hope to work closely with Staff, Students and Alumni by using all forms of social media to promote said opportunities.

A union that approaches you to resolve your issues instead of vice versa

I want to be remembered as a student president who pursued the wishes of the students and accomplished many great things. I will be willing to do anything within my power to achieve this as the students are my main concern.

To feel safe and comfortable regardless of Age, Race, Religion, Gender and Sexual Orientation

As student president, I would bring leadership, commitment, and creativity to the role along with a strong work ethic and a positive mental attitude. Over the next year I want to see more power in the hands of students, and this will be an underlying objective of any changes that I make over my term.

A union that listens and is free to do what you want

As Student President it will be my aim to ensure that all students' voices are heard. My motivation is simple; I believe in this university and through the collective work of the student union, staff, and the students, we can continue with the great progress that this university is making.

My final aim is to increase communication between the Students’ Union and the students to try and provide everyone with regular updates on what the Student’s Union is doing to improve the experience of all students.

Thank you for reading my manifesto and feel free to get in contact:

+447776820807

RZALA201@caledonian.ac.uk

Olivia Hall

Improve interior of the Re:Union Bar

• With my work as a Full Time Officer for 2021/22, I achieved my objective to get a cheaper menu, with more vegetarian/vegan and halal options, as well as making sure there was a selection of food that accurately reflected the needs and wants of students. To continue with this work, I will work on improving interior of the bar to create a better place for socialising and relaxation for students after their classes which includes more plug sockets, better seating, and better lighting. 

Improve accessibility for our disabled students 

• Working within the Students’ Association previously has highlighted some areas we can continue to work on to enhance the student experience. If elected, I will ensure disabled GCU students have better accessibility for sport inclusion, and will highlight to the student body and staff how we can continue to be more inclusive.

More flexibility with learning on and off campus 

• Hybrid learning has allowed students to take control of the way they learn and can be beneficial for those who have other commitments such as student carers, parents, or those who are disabled. As your Full Time Officer I would listen to student needs to work on allowing a degree of flexibility within their learning and teaching.

I’m River, my pronouns are he/they, and I’m a 4^th year Forensics student. I’m running for Full Time Officer this year because I can substantially improve our Students’ Association for everyone.

I’ve been involved in the Students’ Association since 2019 and have been LGBT+ Officer for two years, winning representation group of the year for 3 years running. I sit on multiple committees including Trustee Board, the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion committee, Senate, Senate Disciplinary, and I am department rep for Applied Sciences.

My goals:

More Variety in SA Events

I will push for a wider variety in the events the SA host, such as “day out” activities, sober events, and mental health activities. There will be something for everyone, and inclusivity will be a priority.

Refurbish the Faith and Belief Centre

I will ensure the Faith and Belief Centre is refurbished so that it’s warm and inviting for students and staff of any faith to use for prayer, reflection, and meditation.

Hot Water Around Campus

Whether it’s for tea, coffee, instant noodles, or more, I will ensure there is free hot water available for students in every café around the Glasgow campus.

Flexible, Student-Led Learning

How we learn has changed drastically due to the pandemic, and it’s clear that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to education. Students should have flexibility and choice in how they learn whether that’s on campus or at home.

More Student Meeting Rooms

I will push to create more meeting rooms that students can book to use. Societies can host meetings and events, and friends could use them for studying.

Voting opens on Monday 7^th March and closes Thursday 10^th March on the GCU Students website.

Vote River for Full Time Officer!

Hey, I'm Ryan and I am running for Full Time Officer for 2022/23.

I am in my 2nd year of studying Social Sciences. As a mature student and member of the LGBTQ+ community I stand for representation and inclusion always. If elected my main priority would be you, the student, that your voice is heard and your experience at university is the best it can be.

My main campaign goals are as follows:

• No one goes hungry!

As all students know, during your studies money can be tight, therefore I believe on request, every student should be entitled to food at GCU if they cannot afford the prices. Access to food and water for all should be a priority on our campus.

• Timetable & Module Choices

Year after year students have difficulty with their timetables, from employment to childcare affecting availability. Many students also want more and varied module choices. If elected I would work closely with staff to ensure all timetable issues are sorted quickly and explore a wider selection of module options to be made available.

• Student led projects

The creation of the Cold Case Unit highlights the usefulness of student led research groups at GCU, if elected I would aim to apply for more funding to create more opportunities for active learning that gives you, the student, valuable firsthand experience that also makes a difference to society.

• Mental Health and Socializing

Working alongside the health and wellbeing services, if elected I would pursue more awareness and conversation of many issues that students face. I would also encourage more opportunities to socialize on campus since the pandemic.

YOUR VOTE MATTERS!

If you want to be heard and represented, I'd appreciate your vote from 7th to 10th March.

Please feel free to give me an email: rbrown236@caledonian.ac.uk

MANIFESTO

True Leadership is moved by passion to serve despite the odds. As a student, I have experienced firsthand the devastating effects which lack of support can have on students, I feel pained about the barriers that too often hinder students from achieving their aspirations. I have personally experienced a number of these obstacles and I was lucky to have gotten exceptional advice and guidance throughout, however, I know this is not the case for all students, who frequently fell let down.

This mandate will deliver our common interest with the following aims;

• To provide resources and support to students as they transition from online to in-person studies.

• To lobby for a reduction, and easy accessibility in the student Accommodation cost, and also provision of temporary housing for international students.

• To campaign for inclusion in our academic and social space through the adoption of more BAME authors and diversity in our societies and staffing.

• To facilitate easier access to the University activities through the introduction of a Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) application and Student eCard.

• To continue the fight against racism within the university.

• Finally, to liaise with other full-time officers to introduce an in-person feed backs from students in order to serve them better.

My name is Jennifer Abali and I am a Postgraduate student currently on the Masters of Public Health (MPH) programme. I am vying for the position of a Full Time Officer in our prestigious Glasgow Caledonian University Students’ Association and I need your support.

For me, this position means a lot as it means speaking up for students. It means standing as a force that bond students together; a force greater than the Van der waals force of attraction.

It means joining hands together and making the Students’ Association of Glasgow Caledonian University an association where unity and diversity prevail. My priorities are outlined below;

PRIORITY 1: IMPROVING THE WELFARE OF THE STUDENT BODY

 I strongly believe that the welfare of students is a key to attaining academic excellence. My aims are;

• Identifying areas where students need support through a dot voting process where students identify their welfare priorities.
• Collaborating with the school authorities to provide yearly academic scholarships.
• Setting up a mentor-mentee programme to guide students through academic challenges and basic life coaching.
• Creating awareness about the available mental health support program in GCU.

PRIORITY 2: REDUCTION OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ HASSLES OF ADAPTATION

As an International Student of GCU, my aims are;

• Liaising with the school authorities to ensure that accommodation is easily accessible by international students.
• Working with the school management in ensuring that meals sold on-campus represent the diverse nature of students of the university.
• Setting up a program that will help international students find part-time jobs easily
• Organizing various cultural events that will help international students ease culture shock.

The voting process will run online, from the 7th -10th of March, 2022 and please, I need your support. Thank you for your time.

Remember my name; Jennifer Abali.

I’m Catherine, I’m a final year Social Sciences student and the Chair of the GCU Social Sciences Society. I am standing to be your Full Time Officer because I have the necessary passion and skills needed to represent everyone. If elected, the main pledges I will fight to have implemented are:

• Advocate for group marks for group projects to be scrapped. I’d push to replace group marks with individual marks for group projects. Quite simply, it isn’t right that students currently receive group marks for group projects. This has meant that engaged group members have had to pick up the slack for group members who don’t pull their weight so their marks don’t suffer. Therefore, if elected, I pledge to push for group projects to be individually marked so you don’t have to worry about other group members’ contributions (or lack of) impacting your well-deserved grades.
  
  
• Push for in-person graduations to resume ASAP. COVID-19 has had a significant impact and we still don’t know when we will get in-person graduations again. Most restrictions are now gone, which is why if elected, I’d push for in-person graduations to be reintroduced so you can get the proper graduation you deserve.
  
  
• Advocate for more library resources. For many key textbooks, students only have access to one/two electronic copies of vital textbooks needed for our courses. This is impractical, especially when students rely on having access to electronic books to complete essays and exams. I would therefore push for more electronic copies of library books, so you do not struggle to access key readings needed to complete your assignments.

I am passionate about standing for everyone and improving your student experience. If you want to see these vital changes, and more, make sure to vote for Catherine Mackie as your #1

1.Push for renovating Caledonian Court

2.Cheaper parking for Students.     

3. Ensure that A safe and Physical graduation ease in place for students

4.Voice Against Racism. 

5.Updating all the Equipment for laboratories. 

6.Introduce Adjustment time table thaat enable Lecture dates.  

7. 24 Hours Access to Students for Support

8. Providing college accomodation for International Students. 

9.Plan College Radio with additional technology

10.Building toilets in all blocks of University

Hello, my name is Rauf Akintola, I am currently pursuing MSc Climate Justice.  I am running for full-time Officer at GCU Students’ election. I am pursuing this position because I possess all that is required to be a dependable student representative. My past records in Leadership and my experiences in human administration could be used to benefit my fellow students. I have over three years’ experience working closely with Students union bodies to achieve their desired goal while maintaining both physical and mental health. If elected, I will campaign on the following cardinal points:

Firstly, because accommodation has become a major issue for students, I will ensure that accommodation challenges for students with dependents and without dependents are tackled decisively. No matter the locations you are coming from, I will ensure that there will always be availability of accommodation for families. Students’ welfare will be placed in the front burner!

Secondly, I will work assiduously towards supporting internship opportunities for students.  I will make sure there are more jobs and internships for students. I will liaise with corporates bodies to offer more training and internships to the final year students.

Thirdly, I will convince GCU to permit students to take part in professional certifications that will help in the attainment of relevant additional skills required on the field and in real life. This will go a long way in boosting our marketability and employability.

Lastly, being a social environment where challenges are inevitable, I will be a listening representative. This, I plan to achieve through organisation of forums where emerging issues will be tabled and addressed as they arise.

Please vote for me to work as a full time Officer and you will ‘see’ your voice in every step I take. #Vote for unalloyed commitment to your success - Rauf