Dia Daoibh, this past year I have worked on improving assessment and feedback for students with students not receiving their marks on time and being overloaded with assessments. I have also worked to ensure that student reps are respected as expert voices in their own education, along with fighting to ensure that lecture recording is implemented across the University. I have also worked on a national level to platform and promote Gaeilge within the National Student Unions through the Gaeilge Taskforce within USI.
-Reform of academic sanctions:
Currently the measures placed on students for academic sanctions are far from fair when compared to other Universities, with a 40% maximum placed on all students no matter the circumstances. This means that QUB is the only University in the UK and Ireland that has not moved to a variable percentage, where other Universities will measuree the severity of the offence, with 40% being the absolute maximum but rarely used penalty, QUB will place a Universial 40% cap on all your marks and resists. This is absolutely unacceptable and I will lobby the University to change this policy to a more fair policy.
When compared to other Universities, QUB does nearly double the amount of assessment, placing massive pressure on students here compared to other Universities in the UK. The massive assessment burden that is placed on students leaves them stressed, overworked, and unable to enjoy their time in university. This combined with the current cost of living crisis leaves students unable to fully engage with their extra-curricular activities. I will demand that this massive burden is removed from students and that QUB rethinks its assessment burden.
-Enhancing rep recognition
I will advocate for Students to be respected for the contributions they make to the University. Student reps should be the backbone of how policy is shaped. Currently, the University does not fully respect the contributions and commitment of the students who help shape how it works. I am commited to fighting to platform and ensure that students who take an active part in shaping the University are fairly compensted for their work. I will push for students to be respected as partners and not consumers.
With recent surveys from national student unions showing that many students are now spending between 80%-100% of their maintenance loans on rent, it is obvious that students are not only facing a cost-of-living crisis, but a cost of survival crisis. Students are now forced to decide if they should heat their homes or feed themselves weekly, it is unacceptable that students are forced into poverty during University. I will demand that QUB ups is commitment to supporting students during this crisis.