Policies

1. Online second-hand book platform:

As students, we often need to find necessary course books on short notice at a reasonable price. My aim is to create a straightforward, efficient, online marketplace on the Portal where students can advertise books for sale which they no longer need, allowing next year groups to find the material they need without overpaying.

2. Improving career access on a school-level:

I would work with the Careers Office to highlight the immense benefits of spring weeks and internships in finding graduate employment. I would also negotiate with Schools to organise and get more students involved in career workshops and, where there is demand, career skill modules.

3. Online mentoring networks:

During my time as GeogSoc’s Publicity Secretary, I have successfully implemented and coordinated a school-wide mentoring scheme. This has helped students to make difficult decisions on their module choices by providing first-hand information from older students. I intend on expanding this scheme to other schools.

4. Eliminating hidden course costs:

Many courses feature obligatory costs in addition to the standard tuition fee. This is particularly pertinent with regard to Veterinary Medicine equipment and Architecture materials and printing. I would use the opportunity to build upon the work of previous Education Officers, such as eliminating first-year Geography field trip costs.

5. Expanding lecture material available online:

This process is already in motion; many tutors regularly make their lecture recordings available on Moodle. My goal is to encourage and facilitate this practice across all courses, whilst ensuring that the research of the University is protected.

6. Tackling low printer allowance:

We pay a great deal for our education and we only get a basic printer allowance of £6. While some departments subsidise this, it is often inadequate, particularly for courses which require substantial printing. Since a new contract with Xerox, which will greatly reduce the cost of printing, has been agreed, I plan to lobby for an increase in the minimum printer credit afforded to departments that require it. In addition, I would make a concerted effort to encourage online marking without needing hard copies of assignments.

Responsibilities

• NUS Delegate 13/14 I will be representing your views at the NUS Conference in April. I will be using this opportunity to address nationwide issues in education.




• FlairSoc President 13/14 I have taken the society forward this year from running mixology training in a storeroom to the exclusive weekly use of a private upstairs bar in the city centre. I would put the negotiating skills I have acquired in this role to use if elected as Education Officer.




• GeogSoc Publicity Secretary 13/14 An integral part of leading a successful education network, in which all students can participate, is raising awareness of it. I would use the skills gained in my role as Publicity Secretary to ensure that all aspects of the network are adequately promoted to you.




• Enactus Project Leader 13/14 In this role I have implemented a commercial scheme that has seen me building relationships with people in influential positions such as the Vice-Chancellor. This experience would set me in good stead to cooperate with the University to strive for partnership between the University and students.




• URN presenter 11/12 I had an early morning show which saw me presenting to the student body and hosting various guests.




• Other roles include: Nightline Publicity Team 13/14, Enactus Mobile App Team 12/13