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Bring Back Emily for Union Affairs and Communications Officer!


Rebuilding our community


A major part of the student experience is making a home within your university and city.
* Let’s train and empower students to be community builders, to make our seminar rooms, clubs and socs, and halls as inclusive and welcoming as possible.
* I want to invite those feeling disenfranchised to use the union space for the causes that matter to you - whether it’s climate justice, industrial action or global affairs.
* I also want to do more to platform and promote local businesses and organisations that reflect our students’ values.


Cost of living & learning


No one should have to drop out because they cannot afford to go to university.
* We must make a commitment to ending period poverty on campus once and for all.
* Extend our free breakfast scheme and keep prices low in our outlets.
* Lobby local powers to make public transport more reliable and low-cost, so you can get to and from uni safely, no matter how far you live from campus.
* Work with the university to develop a strategy for making your education affordable, now and always.


A safer city for everyone


* Harassment and sexual assault have been issues in Hyde Park for too long. LUU and the university must use our influence in the city to create new solutions to this problem, especially for women and other marginalised genders, and those targeted for their ethnicity.
* We have great reporting systems, but we need proper preventative measures in the areas we know aren’t safe, including CCTV, increased lighting and student safety officers on the streets to be there for you when you need them. This university isn’t safe until every one of us is.


Why me?


As your Wellbeing Officer for this year, I’ve worked hard to win us drug testing kits, put support for student sex workers on the university’s agenda, secure funding for cost of living support, and loads of other things to improve your safety, health and happiness.
Outside of my role, I’m a keen member of Modern Dance and Ballet society, having been on committee for several years, and previously worked as a Cafes assistant in Common Ground and Balcony. I’m also in the process of completing my MA in International Communication, and am writing my dissertation on how student unions across the globe can work together to achieve great things.
I absolutely love getting to be a part of LUU and see all of the brilliant things our students achieve during their time with us. I’m truly passionate about making our union the best that it can be, so please vote me #1 for Union Affairs and Communications Officer!

My Candidate Statement – Matt Ford

Transparency within LUU
More transparency around LUU expenditure and why money is spent, along with making the union itself more transparent in its reasoning, in my role as the union affairs and communication officer I will make sure that all expenditure is not only necessary but also affordable and likely to impact students the best.

Investment into LUU
Investing in spaces and venues around LUU, make the union a place to be for societies, reps and students alike, with updating spaces and making them more accessible for everyone. We need to invest in our union like we have seen with the investment and amazing renew of Terrace Bar, LUU is one of the leading unions in the country so we need to look like it, this means both looking the best but also investing in programmes like anti-racist and antisemitism awareness training for all clubs, societies, staff and even students alike, investment like this will help the union go from strength to strength.

Access to more information
Provide accessible Exec meeting so all members can raise issues with us all, both online and in person, the Covid-19 pandemic moved everything online which was a good thing for a time, although now we are through it we need to start giving access to information about the union in person, whether this be drop in sessions with exes or in person training sessions for all members and staff alike. When I am the union affairs and communication officer I will make sure that we publish all data about profits, environmental impacts but also issue based reports which will be compiled by feedback from members, this will allow for a growth in the community of LUU members which honestly is slightly lacking.

Local Partnerships
Reach out to both local and national companies and organisations to provide upskilling for students so we help them to be the best people when they leave university, the union isn’t only here for current members, it has a huge alumni network which is hardly tapped into, when I am elected I will start an upskilling programme for all students, so they are proud of the union and will be proud members of the alumni network, this will not only help with creating a sense of community but it will also raise the unions profile on a national and international scale.

Who am I!
I'm a final year BA Business Management student, who has been lucky enough to be on the LUBS Society for the past two years, serving as Events Sec and currently President of the society, being in the role of president of one of the largest societies on campus has given me a chance to manage an amazing, diverse and large committee whilst also allowing for me to have a unique perspective on life within the union, whilst I have been president my main focuses have been on reform since the society had become stagnant and reliant on it reputation alone. Which led to a decrease in membership, when elected I will start to reform the union and it process since many of my members feel that the union is stagnating and genuinely boring.

I also work in LUU as a Bar supervisor in fruity this has given me such a unique peer into how the union works, the union is an amazing employer and has given me the skills for the union affairs role, but I have also seen some of the challenges the union faces, whether this being providing proper training to its staff which genuinely help their staff members, but also how they can engage staff also.

I’m a 3rd Year BA Business management student also who is about to graduate at the end of the academic year. Whilst studying I have had two jobs whilst studying, (Working for M&S as a barista for the past 4 ½ years & the Union as a Bar Supervisor for the past six months), having these two jobs has taught me how to balance both my academic, professional and personal life…… I love a challenge and I want this role in the union as your Union Affairs and Communication officer is it.

Bet on Benton!


Hi! I'm Alice and I’m running to be your next Union Affairs & Communications Officer. I’m a third year History and Sociology student but you’ve probably seen me around LUU either making coffee in Common Ground or playing my Cafes playlist on shift (hint - lots of Girls Aloud).


I’ve worked for LUU for the past two years and I'm Staff Voice rep for Cafes so I really do know the inner workings of the Union. LUU has given me so many opportunities and really shaped my university experience. I want to make sure everyone gets the same chance to see what LUU offers them and truly love their time at Leeds.


I’m always open to new ideas and suggestions about what you want to see at LUU - feel free to stop me for a chat or drop me a DM! (Instagram and Facebook @alice4unionaffairs)



Bet on increased opportunities

Gaining experience in preparation for life after university can be challenging. The Union has a wide range of departments which could offer paid internships and work experience opportunities. I want to give students the best opportunities for personal and professional growth.


Introducing paid opportunities and internships within the Union for students to gain experience working with different departments, like Political Engagement or Activities will equip students with valuable skills for employment


Giving students the opportunity to know their Union improves communication and engagement - this is key for making the LUU work for you


I will also lobby the university to make rep roles paid positions in recognition of the time and effort which goes into representing students

Bet on better spaces

I have seen a real desire for more spaces from students to have the ability to hold exhibitions, pop up shops, networking events and society meetings but find themselves with limited options. By giving LUU’s empty spaces back to students, we can give students a chance to express themselves and get more involved with LUU.


Using the outlets for pop up shops for students to trial their own businesses, exhibitions and events helps support personal and professional development - the Union would assist students in generating new sources of income during the cost of living crisis


Liaising with the university’s Careers Centre to use these spaces for regular drop-ins and networking events so students can prepare for life after university will make support for students more accessible in the Union

Bet on cost of living support

Landlords have taken students’ need for accommodation for granted - rent for next year has significantly increased. I want the Union to play a leading role in advocating for the fair treatment of students and ensuring that those most affected by the cost of living crisis get the support they need.


I will work with organisations like Unipol to ensure that landlords aren’t ripping off students and instead provide houses that are good quality and value for money


Lobbying the university to allocate a dedicated proportion of the Financial Assistance Fund exclusively for rent will mean you don't have to worry about missing a rent payment


Whilst the university’s five-fold increase in the Financial Assistance Fund is promising, more can be done to highlight and ease students’ concerns about the crisis - I want to build on the existing communications between LUU and the university to ensure that students’ interests are at the heart of university policy


LUU and your Student Exec should be a reflection of you and the change YOU want to see. I really want to help make these changes and I’m committed to representing you and listening to your ideas.

So, Bet on Benton and vote Alice 4 Union Affairs & Communications to make sure that you get a representative who wants to make LUU work for you!

My name is Kevin from Korea (the good one), a second-year sustainability and environmental management student. I am a candidate for Union Affairs and Communications Officer. My desire is to provide Union that is transparent and accountable to its members. University and LUU should be open and honest about their actions, and that students can have their voices heard. By working together, I believe that we can make the Union, and the University, a better place for all students. To this end, I pledge to ensure that our governing systems, policies, and procedures promote equity and fairness across all areas of the Union.

ACCESIBILITY to LUU
Q: Were students aware of 1.5M extra funds launched by the university in 2022 due to cost of livings?

A: Probably not. Students can be subsidized up to 4.5k per person. I promise better promotion on university policies!

Q: Where did online live lecture go?

A: I will bring online live lecture back! When you are ill or having personal issues, access your lectures in your bed!

Q: Are you an international student having a hard time reaching out for help because of the language barrier?

A: I will create a program to train students of your nationality to become helpers. Feel free to reach out for help within your language!

Q: Do you wish to have diverse events in the Union?

A: Fruity provides cheap drinks and tickets, but I want to have a DnB night, Jazz night, Rock night and etc… Why not? Let’s make it happen. I will move event schedule to Minerva so that you can easily check as well!


Quality to LUU
Q: Do you use Refectory often?
A: Potentially, but when you want to grab a bite or lunch, you would rather go to Tesco or bakery 164. Let’s bring up the food quality in the Refectory!

Q: Having hard time adjusting to schedule changes due to industrial strike?

A: I will negotiate with staffs and lecturers to provide strike action dates in advance so that you can plan your week better.

Equality to LUU
Q: Have you been assaulted because of your gender, sexual orientation, religion, race, and disability?

A: We are educated that everyone is equal before coming to university. Education on equality is significant, however, it still occurs. Now, it is time for an action. I will enforce the University’s penalty for Hate Crimes. Make sure they pay for their action.

Q: Are you a disabled student, but you don’t where to go when you need to raise your voice?

A: Indeed, it is unfair not to have disabled student executive officer. Let’s make sure your voice is heard.

I’m Jess, a final year Sustainability and Environmental Management student. As an environmental activist, I am driven by climate justice and want to ensure the university, as a global institution, is addressing environmental issues with the urgency they call for, to protect our futures and the Leeds we love.

The climate crisis will impact all our futures, and at current rates we could be seeing extreme weather events, mass migration and famine in our lifetimes. The climate emergency must inform every decision made to ensure our futures are protected. Currently through ties with fossil fuels the university is funding the destruction of the environment. I will lobby the university to divest from climate destroying industries.

When facing problems of this magnitude, it is vital we use our voices. We cannot tiptoe around the big issues like climate justice, decolonisation, and strikes. We must face them head on to address them in an effective and honest way. The university has a track record of ignoring staff and students campaigning for change. I am not afraid to speak out for students and speak out against the university, holding them accountable and answerable to students.

University staff have been fighting tirelessly for fair and equitable working conditions, they are overworked and underpaid. Our experience as students largely reflects the quality of the education we receive. The university failing to support staff is also the university failing to support students and our education. Therefore, I will stand with striking staff- working conditions are learning conditions.

To protect your future and the Leeds we love, say yes to Jess #1 for union affairs and comms.