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Hi. My name is Vishnu J Nair. I am doing my Masters in International Construction Management and
am running to be your Union Affairs and Communications Officer. I have experience working and
volunteering at different facets within the University and the city of Leeds and currently the
representative for my course. I have experience working as a communications consultant in my
home country and aim to provide my expertise for the betterment of the UoL students.



Ask yourself: What has the Union done for you? University life should help you better yourself and
the Union, with me as your UAC officer will ensure you have a more inclusive and engaging Union
and thereby a better University experience.



My aim is to inculcate a sense of inclusivity and help deliver the fun University experience to
students, from all backgrounds. My first objective will be to streamline communications between
the Union and the students. Everything should be more accessible to everyone.



As your Union Affair and Communications officer, I aim to achieve the following:



Value for money:

Pandemic, Inflation, Endemic; prices are spiraling making it difficult for students to get the same
quality of experience as they did 2 years ago. I want to make it better than 2 years ago. I believe I
can work and pressure to improve on competitive pricing thereby reducing the costs for food and
drinks within the campus establishments.



The terrace, old bar and pyramid are the three main venues for students to socialize within the
University. The student numbers are increasingly dwindling due to limited choices in food and
beverages. Working part time at these establishments, I believe I can, as your Union officer,
implement changes that reduce your costs for food & drinks!



Expo 4 Exposure:

Students are pigeon holed within their courses and the only exposure to other disciplines and people
are through house parties, societies and clubs. Organizing a University Expo would give students the
chance to get to know other disciplines, meet new interesting and engaging people that help
develop students to achieve a more rounded learning experience.



Your time at university is not all studies and clubs, its foraying into the unknown! And the expo helps
with that, safely!



Cultural Awareness:

Leeds is a vibrant student city that hosts students from all over the world! The cultural diversity
within the campus is the perfect opportunity for ALL students to dip their toes and get a taste of
different cuisines, fashion and culture. The union is the perfect place to achieve this and I intend to
propose regular cultural events that incorporate students and business within the city to provide a
unique and authentic experience for students. Everyone Matters!

I am Maria a second-year student of computer science with artificial intelligence. I am running to become your next Union Affairs and Communications Officer. I have the passion and determination to remove the obstacles that stop us from getting the educational and everyday life experience that we are paying for. My action plan is based on realistic problems students are facing. These will be my priorities:



YOUR VOICE ON THINGS THAT MATTER TO YOU

• Ensure that students' concerns are heard by working closely with school representatives and the help and support staff.

• Create an online portal for students, similar to ‘The Big Leeds Conversation’ to anonymously express their concerns, available 24/7, regularly reviewed by execs



ALL MEANS ALL

• Press for a broader selection of options in union venues to accommodate each students’ dietary needs and preferences such as more vegan, halal and healthier options.

• Make the LUU and Engage websites available in several formats so that they are accessible to all students

• Support and counselling services to be offered in other languages



GET MORE OF OUR MONEY BACK AS FUNDING FROM THE UNIVERSITY TO THE UNION

• As students we pay a lot of money, and I will fight for our initiatives to be financed by the university with additional funding

• Funding increased from 3,840,00 in 19/20 to 4,338,000 in 20/21. I will fight for this not to be taken back as a temporary measure because of the pandemic.



FOCUS ON YOUR WELLBEING

• Unavailability of GP’s has left students with chronic health problems. Campaign to improve Leeds Student Medical Practice services.

• Union cafes to offer coffee subscription e.g., up to five coffees a day for a fixed monthly price

• Union must offer specialist training to well-being and mental health related societies, to be able to support students



LUU FOR THE STUDENTS AGAIN

• Fight against the policy that restricts LUU staff from publicly speaking against LUU. Problems of LUU concern students.

• Restructure the Help & Support operations model. Pop-up union support desks around campus to make student support services more accessible



KNOW YOUR UNION

• Students are unaware of services offered by the union e.g. financial support and free sanitary products. Actively engage students in marketing projects to improve branding and communications

• Social media posts and newsletters to be more direct, and targeted to union services and societies rather than commercials

As a third-year theatre and performance student, my desire to run for Union Affairs and Communications has come from feelings of disappointment and uncertainty having been the President of Jazz and Blues society during second year lockdowns. I faced difficult decisions when transferring the society to be based in LUU this year, all whilst relaunching the society from having just two remaining members at the start of this year to now having a thriving community of musicians connected together through a common interest. I speak with confidence to the changes LUU should begin to pursue so we can all, truly, love our time in Leeds



The Union and the University are defined by students:

- Improve the system of referral and signposting to on campus support services-
By introducing an equivalent school-based wellbeing rep alongside the academic reps, we can better communicate student concerns and connect them to appropriate services quicker.



- Develop forums for event promotion and organisation on and off campus -
By showing off what us and Leeds have to offer, we can increase the scope of what students and societies aspire to achieve together beyond just their degrees.



- Expand and reform LUU spaces to be fair and equal -

By re-considering the first come first served approach of the current system, there can be equal and better communicated access to the storage and communal spaces.



These improvements are only the start, and by speaking up on your behalf in trustee meetings, I hope to improve the UOL campus for you and the next generation of students for years to come.