Vote for experience. Vote for widening access to education. Vote for spotlighting clubs and socs. Vote for Battle of the Bands.
Campaigns and Engagement Manifesto
Dia Daoibh,
I’m Saj and I’m the current Equality and Diversity Officer, and I am co-lead on the campaign to get QUB to divest from the arms industry, all while fighting to make sure minority issues are at the top of the agenda. Without blowing my own hole up too much, I’m an experienced campaigner and a certified demon of the sesh. That is why I want to bring my skills to Campaigns and Engagement, to continue the good fight and make sure we all have a bit of craic while we’re at it!
Expand Access to Education
I want this manifesto to be fun. But this is the political bit, so skip if that’s not you.
Bit of history here, way back in the olden days when the demon’s in charge of the government decided to increase tuition fees, they felt they needed to throw a bone to us poor folk. So they made sure a fixed amount of funding went towards supports to ensure that people from ‘deprived’ backgrounds can still access university.
For the past few years the number of students who get to Queen’s from ‘deprived’ backgrounds has stayed relatively static. Queen’s does offer a range of great supports with their Widening Participation initiatives, but ultimately this is bottle-necked by the amount of funding allocated by the government, which has stayed the same for years. A small fraction of the overall funding QUB gets from the government for teaching and tuition fees.
I want to work with the university to lobby the Department for the Economy to increase this funding and the number of places available to students from lower class backgrounds. I’m the first in my family to make it to Uni, I don’t intend to be the last, if you too have managed to climb the ladder, then help make sure it’s still there and stable for the next person.
Spotlight Clubs and Soc
Have you ever sat and wondered what exactly is going on in the SU on any given week? There is over 260 clubs and socs in the SU, near constant events, yet no single place to get a sense of what’s happening. Outside of freshers fair and word of mouth, its quite difficult to know which clubs and socs are active and how to get involved. Clubs and socs are the heart and soul of the union, with the most dedicated and passionate people working hard to make your Uni experience fun and exciting, so it stands to reason that their dedication should be promoted.
I want to bring in dedicated digital displays that are solely for clubs and socs events promotion, that will be visible in the SU for all to see. Let’s grow our clubs and socs, and make sure no one misses another match, quiz or karaoke night!
BATTLE OF THE BANDS
It is what it sounds like!
It’s time we properly utilised the new students’ union building, we have a huge music hall, and the wee bar has been great for spotlighting local indie bands. But we could be using these venues to shine a light on student talent. I don’t feel like this needs to be over-sold too much, it’s a great big tournament for musicians, it’s going to be awesome!
Other Priorities
Student Representation for Clubs and Socs
Continue to work with our national unions to establish Belfast’s first student housing co-operative
Protect students from off-campus discipline.