Candidate for the position of President (Campaigns and Societies)

Image for Shaun/Steve Smith

Shaun/Steve Smith

Hello! I’m Shaun, also known as Steve (they/them), and I am currently studying MA Education. I am running for the role of President (Campaigns and Societies).

 

I am the Wellbeing and Inclusion Officer of the Socialist Society, the course representative for home (UK-based) students within my course and campaigns lead of the Disabled Students Society. I am running alongside Max Clinch (they/them) who is running for the Community, Diversity and Inclusion President role.

 

What would make me suitable for this role?

I have worked hard this year in being active within the university and around Canterbury. I am passionate about inclusivity and accessibility, and this will reflect in my year as the President of Campaigns and Societies.

 

  • Working with and supporting the CCSU NUS Referendum No Campaign

  • Being politically active and attending protests for things such as Climate Change Action, Reclaim These Streets, and Keep Trans in the Ban

  • Supporting change for accessible mental health support for student teachers

  • Working with members of the Union Council to make the sabbatical elections inclusive

  • Campaigns Lead in the Disabled Students Society and helping bring about change for disabled students of CCCU

  • A Campaigns Lead in USEC

 

If I were elected to be your President of Campaigns and Societies, I would prioritise:

 

Pushing the current campaigns further and making new ones…

  • Period Awareness Campaign - The SU have ensured that some toilets have free period products available. I will push this to ensure all toilets across the library and both campuses have period products accessible and sanitary bins for both student and staff access.

  • Medway Campus - All students need the support of their union, regardless of how far away the other campuses are. I will visit the Medway campus at least once every 2 weeks and be flexible for more frequent visits. In addition to this, work with the other student unions to make the environment better for the students in all 3 universities that occupy the campus.

  • Keep the Educate. Understand. Respect. Campaign going as the original student envisioned it, rather than letting staff take hold and change it to please management.

  • LSP Campaign - Ensuring that this campaign keeps going and changing to make sure that the LSPs are read, paid attention to and respected.

  • Work with the Student Green Office (SGO) to set sustainability goals for the SU and pressure the university to make their own sustainability goals.

 

Support for new and small societies

  • I will help societies gain interest by promoting them through social media, university-owned social spaces like The Lounge and supporting societies at Freshers’ and Refreshers’ Fayres.

  • Working with the SU staff to make the SU website more accessible for sports and societies.

  • Encouraging students to start course-related societies - Having larger course-related societies (for example, nursing, to include all nursing students) can promote networking, peer-to-peer support and being able to socialise with like-minded people.

 

Keeping the student union for the students

  • Communication - Working closely with the student voice coordinators and societies, I will increase the level of communication with students (e.g. starting a monthly email newsletter).

  • As an individual, I will be unable to complete these on my own and would work closely with USEC, TSEC, the Union Council, the other presidents and the student body to push to improve our student union.

  • Keeping the student union democratic

  • Now that the SU is coming back on campus, it is imperitive that it is accessible and that the staff are always available to talk to.

  • Take the opportunity to work with the other unions on the Medway campus to promote campaigns across the three universities.

 

Additionally, work with societies to add more students into campaigns lead roles to make changes to the university and student union for the better. Activism is important. Without activism, there is no change.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read my manifesto. Please don’t hesitate to contact me to ask questions or just have a chat via email at ss1691@canterbury.ac.uk or on Instagram @steve_the_bard :)