To be SU President for me is not about power and "to run things"... it is about honour, responsibility and representation. I was elected nearly six months ago, and I can say that I am not ashamed of what I and the Union have achieved, I am proud. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do the following:

1. The University and Union worked together on revising the "Turnitin" system and improving it.
    
2. The Food Court undertook our recommendations to label the food better (for allergies) and to have more fresh vegetables and fruits.
    
3. We started conversations with the University about the new student space on campus. They gave us a few options and the conversations are still on-going.
    
4. Student communication and representation. This year we have had the largest amount of students attending University boards, committees and interview panels. We collected more than 750 "Challenge US" feedback cards and went to Broadstairs, Medway and Canterbury at least once a month.
    
5. The SU ran a campaign lobbing Sainsbury's to start accepting EU ID cards - NOW THEY DO!!!
    
6. The Union is working with the University to run an employability week in the beginning of May, organising seminars (media training, interview simulation, CV and self-employment workshops).
    
7. We organised a protest and called a halt to the housing fair as part of our "Housing Awareness Campaign" The University and the Union intend to write a set of criteria which every landlord and property should adhere to in order to attend the fair in the future. Also the Union will work in the future with letting agencies and landlords about whom we receive complaints, aiming to work with them for a better student experience – helping out our students.
    
8. I am proud of the communication that I managed to continue and develop with the NUS. It has been so inspiring working with them. Thank you for all of your support.

What's to come:

a) We will work with the University to lobby "Stagecoach" Bus Company for cheaper individual tickets for students and staff (using the data from our Travel survey)

b) I will propose to Union Council to have a referendum at CCCU in the beginning of May asking about the Union’s position on the EU referendum.

I want to say a big thank you to all the SU staff, Sophie Dudley and Nicola Jane for working so hard for the students and putting the students’ interest on the top of their agendas and for being supportive and passion about their job. I am proud and honoured to know you. I also want to thank Emily Barron, for 1 million reasons and simply for you being the BEST.

I could not have done any of this without them.

Krum Tashev

Union President 2015-16