Empowering EEECS: Building a Balanced, Accessible, and Transparent Academic Future. Vote for clarity, fairness, and support. Together, let’s navigate our academic journey with confidence!
Vision for a Streamlined, Fair, and Empowered Academic Experience
As a candidate for the School Representative of EEECS, I am committed to advocating for policies that directly enhance the academic experience and welfare of every student. Understanding the unique challenges faced by our peers, my campaign is built on three foundational pillars designed to address these issues head-on, promoting a more supportive, transparent, and equitable learning environment.
TL;DR: In my manifesto for School Representative of EEECS, I lay out a vision to enhance our academic experience through key initiatives: establishing a grace period between coursework deadlines and exams to reduce stress, ensuring flexible access to recorded lectures for all students, and providing clear academic scheduling for better planning. As a master's student in Computer Engineering, with a background that intersects Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and as someone who lives with autism and cerebral palsy, I bring a unique perspective to address the challenges and opportunities within our school. My three years of experience as a Course Representative have equipped me with a deep understanding of student concerns and the complexities of our academic environment. I am committed to advocating for a supportive, transparent, and inclusive educational environment, building on the work of my predecessors to address ongoing issues. My campaign is not just about advocating for change; it's about championing a movement towards a more equitable, supportive, and successful academic experience for every student. Join me in making a difference for a brighter future in EEECS.
1. Establishing a Grace Period Between Coursework Deadlines and Exams:
Education should be challenging, not overwhelming. Recognizing the undue stress placed on students by closely packed coursework deadlines and exams, I propose the establishment of a mandatory grace period. This policy will ensure that no coursework is set too close to exams, providing students with essential breathing space to prepare effectively, reduce anxiety, and ultimately perform better academically. By instituting this grace period, we aim to foster a more balanced approach to learning and assessment, allowing students to excel without compromising their well-being.
2. Flexible Access to Recorded Lectures:
In our pursuit of a flexible and accessible learning environment, the continuation and strategic release of lecture recordings remain paramount. I stand for empowering lecturers with the discretion to release these recordings in a manner that supports their teaching goals of their courses. To ensure equitable access and academic fairness, these recordings will be made available to the entire class at a minimum of a week before the next exam or midway through the coursework.
Understanding that unexpected circumstances can affect anyone, it is essential that students facing legitimate issues that prevent them from attending lectures take a proactive approach. I propose a structured policy whereby affected students are required to reach out directly to their lecturers, discuss their situation, and request early access to the recordings. This ensures that every student’s need is addressed individually, based on merit and fairness, without making assumptions about their circumstances.
This approach not only fosters a culture of open communication between students and lecturers but also ensures that those genuinely in need receive the support they require without delay. It underscores our commitment to an academic environment that is adaptable, student-centered, and responsive to the diverse needs of our community.
3. Clarity in Academic Scheduling:
Information is the cornerstone of preparation. To eliminate the ambiguity surrounding academic dates, I propose the implementation of a comprehensive communication strategy. At the start of each semester, students will receive an email detailing key dates, including coursework deadlines, exam periods, and the return date for the following semester. This initiative aims to provide students with a clear roadmap of their academic journey, enabling better planning, reducing stress, and enhancing overall academic performance.
Rooted in Experience and Academic Insight
Pursuing a master’s degree in Computer Engineering (CE), I am uniquely positioned at the crossroads of Electrical Engineering (EE) and Computer Science (CS). This hybrid academic background enables me to bring a comprehensive perspective to the challenges and opportunities within EEECS. My academic journey provides me with the insight to approach the role with a balanced understanding of both sides of the school, ensuring that initiatives and policies are inclusive and beneficial for all.
Personal Insight into Neurodiversity and Disability
Living with autism and cerebral palsy has provided me with profound insight into the diverse challenges faced by students with disabilities and neurodivergent conditions. These experiences include navigating physical and digital accessibility issues, managing sensory overload, overcoming communication barriers, and seeking appropriate accommodations and support services. I’ve witnessed firsthand the difficulties in assessment and examination processes that do not account for diverse needs, as well as the lack of curriculum flexibility and widespread understanding of neurodiversity and disability. These personal experiences have not only shaped my understanding but also fueled my passion for creating an academic environment that is genuinely inclusive and accessible. I am deeply committed to advocating for necessary accommodations, support systems, and a culture of understanding that acknowledges and respects the unique needs and potential of all students, particularly those navigating similar paths.
Leveraging Experience for Effective Change
Building on my three years of dedicated service as a Course Representative for Computer Engineering, I bring a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the student voice to the table. My tenure has not only familiarized me with the Student Voice Committee (SVC) systems but also provided me with invaluable opportunities to address student concerns in collaboration with the Student Union. This background has equipped me with the insights and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of our academic environment effectively.
I share this experience not to boast, but to highlight the practical knowledge and hands-on expertise I bring to the role of School Representative. It's this foundation that I believe positions me uniquely to advocate for and implement the changes we seek within EEECS. My goal is to use this platform to foster a community where every student's voice is heard, respected, and acted upon, ensuring our collective needs and concerns are at the forefront of our school's agenda.
With this experience in mind I strongly believe as school rep I should build off my predecessors work and continue their legacy and follow up on issues that are still affecting the school today, as many processes will take more than a year to implement through the complexities of a school and working out issues and concerns
Together, Towards a Brighter Future
As your representative, I am not just a voice, but a committed advocate for change, dedicated to making EEECS a beacon of academic excellence and student well-being and a fair playing field of students of all ability. By voting for these changes, you are not just supporting a campaign; you are championing a movement towards a more supportive, equitable, and successful academic experience for all.
Join me in making EEECS a place where education is not just about overcoming challenges but thriving amidst them. Vote for a brighter future, vote for progress, vote for a manifesto that truly represents the needs and aspirations of every student in our school.
Together, we can, and we will, make a difference.