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Hello fellow students!!

I'm Merna Kassab (She/Her), a second-year law student, and I'm excited to announce my
candidacy for NUS Delegate.

In my past endeavours, I established the Mosaic Club to celebrate our diverse ethnic
identities within our school community. Our club led several campaigns to heighten
awareness and education about our differences. Notably, we organised educational
events like a BVL workshop, which allowed students to share the experiences as
racialized individuals in our community. We also campaigned vigorously to enhance the
experiences and safety of LGBTQ+ students in our school.

Additionally, I served as the Director of Finance at Youth Social Impact, a group
committed to social change through fundraising. My role involved managing finances,
assisting in website development, and organising webinars on topics such as "Becoming a
Change Maker" and "Feminist Panel Talks." Our efforts contributed significantly to various
sustainable development goals.

As an NUS Delegate, I plan to focus on:

Enhancing Mental Health Support: As students, we often face immense pressure to
keep up with our education, hold a job, participate in extracurricular activities, maintain a
social life, and appear employable to future employers. This pressure is substantial, and
more often than not, it adversely affects our mental health. When we reach a point of
burnout and exhaustion, we seek support but struggle to find adequate help. As a NUS
delegate, I aim to enhance mental health support by:
- Increasing the number of counselling sessions available per term for each student.
- Providing more counsellors of colour.
- Offering the option for students to continue with the same counsellor if they
prefer.

Improving Leeds' Accessibility ("Leeds for Wheels"): I propose making Leeds more
accessible for wheelchair users and cyclists. This involves adding wheelchair-friendly
entrances and functional lifts in more structures. Having temporarily used a wheelchair,
I've experienced only some of the challenges faced by wheelchair users in navigating
Leeds' pavements, shops, and transportation systems.

Expanding Financial Aid for International Students: In response to the cost of living
crisis, I advocate for more scholarships and bursary options for international students,
easing their financial burdens.

If you have any questions, ideas, or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out. You can
contact me on Instagram at @merna.kassab or via email at lw22mfk@leeds.ac.uk.

Thank you for considering my candidacy!

Vote for Merna

Hi everyone - if we haven’t met before, I’m Emily! I studied English Literature and Creative Writing and am currently in the process of completing my MA in International Communication here at Leeds.
I’m also LUU’s Union Affairs & Comms Officer and was fortunate enough to have spent the last year as the Wellbeing Officer which has given me the opportunity to come together with students across Leeds and the rest of the country to work towards bettering the university experience for all. I truly believe in the potential of the student movement to effect change and want to be able to continue to use my experience and my passion for student voice to champion this. I would love to have your vote to be one of your NUS delegates because...

Nobody should have to miss out at university because of financial barriers
The 2.8% increase to student maintenance loans in the last academic year is simply woeful. As the National Union of Students, we should be continuing to lobbying the government to -

-Guarantee an increase in maintenance loans that at the very least matches the rate of inflation
-Review the existing allocation system for maintenance loans.
-Support universities and SUs to fund the essentials for student life, including period products, travel costs
and academic materials.

We need a future we can count on
-With a general election and local elections on the horizon in the next year, it’s vital that we use our
collective voice within NUS to make sure student issues are a priority for the next government. This means
a student manifesto that addresses crucial topics such as -

-The national mental health crisis
-The student housing crisis
-Voter suppression

Thank you very much for reading - I would greatly appreciate you trusting me with your vote.
-Emily

Hello everyone,

I am honoured to put forth my candidacy for the NUS delegate position. As the current International and Postgraduate Officer, my commitment lies in enhancing the university experience for every student. I've actively engaged in various initiatives to transform our campus into a vibrant community, and I'm excited to expand this advocacy to a national level through the NUS.

My ongoing initiatives include:
-Engaging in conversations to identify and implement small yet impactful changes that enhance student comfort and overall experience.
- Collaborating with student groups to organize diverse and engaging events that celebrate our global diversity right here at LUU.
- Ensuring LUU's presence at pre-university events, facilitating a seamless transition into university life. Addressing Housing Challenges: Particularly focusing on housing solutions, especially for postgraduate students. Building a Lasting Positive Impact: Developing projects that positively influence our student community, leaving a lasting and positive mark.
- Forming robust networks for academic and personal assistance among students.
- Working on improving platforms like Better Forum and Help Desk for more accessible and efficient student engagement.

Furthermore, I'm actively advocating for the university to act as a guarantor for students, especially international and estranged students without UK-based family, to ensure their housing needs are met.
I'm passionate about ensuring an unforgettable campus experience for international and postgraduate students.

As an NUS delegate, I aim to magnify our voice, bring about positive change, and create a more inclusive and supportive university environment for all.

Your support would mean a great deal in this endeavour.

Thank you for your consideration.

Hi, My name is Samantha and I am a final year history student. I will strive to make campus feel inclusive, safe and welcoming for all students, enabling everyone to reach their full potential. Here are some of my key aims:

Accountability - Discrimination is unacceptable and I will hold NUS to account. Student Unions should be a welcoming space for student voices to be heard. I will work to ensure that NUS fights for students of all backgrounds
No student should feel unsafe on campus.

Accessibility - Working to ensure that campus buildings are wheelchair and disability friendly. This includes ensuring that all students requiring assistance have the correct staff on hand to support them. No student should have to miss or struggle to attend lectures and seminars on campus.

Awareness - I will lobby for affordable housing options and explore partnerships with local housing providers.
The cost of living crisis has had a huge impact on students.

Mental Health - I will promote easy access to on-campus mental health services, advocate for more mental health professionals on campus, and push for more campaigns and destigmatisation workshops. Mental health affects many students on campus. No student should have to feel alone.

I'm Ruby (she/her). I'm running to be an NUS delegate as I have the experience and commitment to fight for Leeds students at this conference. 13 years of Tory government and a cost of living crisis has left students behind - we need to get a better deal.

My experience:
Co-chair of Leeds Labour Society - active campaigner and represented Leeds at National Labour Students Conference (presenting our motion on tackling campus antisemitism)
Political and Campaigning rep on LUU activities exec - I listen to and represent views of political societies and their students

If elected, I will campaign for:
A student living wage - minimum wage for under 21s is currently £7.49/hour, far too low for struggling students in this economy.
Renters' rights and rent controls - students always get the worse end of rent deals and are forced to accept poor housing for high rent. We need a better deal for student renters.
Pressure on the NUS to act on antisemitism: racism has no place in student politics. Antisemitic racism has dragged down the NUS and threatened Jewish students. We need to maintain pressure on the NUS to enact their antisemitism action plan and make sure all racism stays out of student politics.

I am engaged with politically active students in LUU and have the relevant experience to represent Leeds at NUS conference. I'm active and committed in student and national campaigns and would be an engaged delegate for LUU.

Please do email me if you have any questions or ideas for this: r.herbert@luu.org.uk !

Hello!

My name is Emily and I’m a final year Politics and Parliamentary Studies student at the University of Leeds.
I am standing to be your NUS delegate because I strongly believe in the power of community, and the strength of collective power to bring about positive change.. As a student community, I know that we are strongest when we work together.

If elected, I would be keen to listen to you to ensure I highlight issues which matter most to our student body. I am friendly and approachable, and inclusive of all.

I am a proud champion of social justice and thoroughly enjoy campaigning for issues which I am passionate about. I have led campaigns in the past on a range of issues – such as increasing voter registration for students, tackling sexual violence and misogyny on campus, and addressing the food poverty crisis in the local area.

There is much work to be done on our campus, and across the country, on improving the availability and accessibility of mental health services. I know from personal experience how important it is to have the right support in times of crisis. If elected as your delegate, I would be a vocal representative on issues of mental health – I feel too often this is an area paid lots of lip service which doesn’t translate into the targeted action and solutions needed.

It would be an honour to represent University of Leeds at the student conference. I hope you vote for me, and I can be a positive voice for our students.

Hello, I'm Erin, a passionate and politically engaged first year History and Sociology student.
Recognising my upbringing, where I have always been encouraged to stand up for what is
right, I am determined to use my voice to advocate for those who feel unheard.

My degree shows my open-mindedness, thirst for knowledge, and commitment to staying
informed about current events. I not only strive to educate myself but also share what I learn
with others around me. With a background in drama, I am a confident public speaker, ready
to articulate my ideas effectively.

As a member of the feminist society, I actively worked towards promoting gender equality. I
have directed 2 feminist plays in my high school to shed light on the daily struggles women
face and to expose how commonly used sexist terminology reinforces patriarchal norms.

I aspire to actively contribute to the ongoing improvements within our university. By taking on
this role, I envision myself as part of a team that not only impacts the lives of current
students but also works towards creating a better university experience for future students. I
firmly believe that making active changes is the first step towards progress. Through my
experience as Operations and Finance Manager and Front of House Manager for a catering
company, I have gained valuable insight into effective teamwork and leadership. In these
roles, I ensured that the voices of my colleagues were heard and represented.

In a society still rooted in patriarchy, women face multiple social disadvantages and constant
pressures. As a candidate for the NUS Delegate position, my focus will revolve around
addressing these issues:
● Period poverty- It is unjust that women struggle to afford basic necessities while
already navigating through the challenges of student life. By advocating for free
period products in every university toilet, we can challenge the patriarchy's grip
on women's lives and ensure their basic needs are met.
● Providing training for lecturers to effectivley address sexual harassment,
sexist language and gender stereotyping- these are common in educational
institutions but often overlooked or mishandled. By equipping tutors with the
necessary tools and support, we can create a safe learning environment that
values and respects all students, irrespective of their gender.
● Providing a student support hub for women on campus- this space will serve
as a sanctuary where female students can come together, share experiences,
and create a support network. It is essential to provide an outlet for women to
seek guidance and find solace in knowing they are not alone in their struggles
I want to break the mold of the gender expectations that perpetuate harassment and
gender injustice, I am committed to fighting for a more equitable and inclusive
society. As a friendly and approachable advocate, I aim to be that voice and use my
privilege to make meaningful changes in our society

"Hi! I’m Bethan, the current education officer at Leeds University Union. I am extremely lucky to have been elected for a second term in my role. The work I have been able to complete and the opportunities that have opened my eyes to the world of student politics and its possibilities.

Here at Leeds I have the responsibility of representing the academic interests of undergraduate students. This has involved accessibility in our regulations, removing hidden costs and working with students during industrial action.
This has been the best learning experience and I would love to continue working on these themes at national level.

Cost of living
Students are struggling. loans don’t cover rent and more students are accessing food banks than ever. Working nationally can enable mass change.

Accountability
The context of the last few years in NUS is important. The new team must be elected by those who remember. The progress that has been made cannot be reversed.

Ownership
Students must feel ownership of NUS and its decisions. As the Education Officer in Leeds I am part of a team that have highlighted this as our own priority and, we have clear representative responsibilities already."

Hi everyone! My name is Hannah Catterall, and I am the current elected Wellbeing Officer here at LUU. I am now running to be an NUS Delegate, to take my priorities from Leeds to a national conference.

As the Wellbeing Officer, my day-to-day responsibilities include meetings and projects focused on topics such as housing, mental health, academic stress, cost of living, sustainability, and more. I am passionate about so many issues, but I have prioritised three which I would like to take to NUS’ National Conference, in hopes of encouraging national change.

Cost of Living:
It is no secret that the maintenance loan just doesn't cut it. Inflation has risen and the cost of living has risen, but the money that students’ are expected to live on has not. Students are left with so little to live on, that they are working jobs which demand so much of their time. Time that they should dedicate to their studies. This impacts a student’s ability to focus, thrive, and make the most of extracurricular activities like societies, which can be so vital to the student experience. Students should not have to worry about eating, paying bills and rent, and praying for other necessities; they have enough to worry about with their degree.

Working with the NUS and other Delegates I aim to:
Pressure the government to reconsider their maintenance loan system and grant more equal loans amongst students, considering factors outside of parental income.
Pressure universities to increase their financial assistance funds, and support more projects like the Basic Needs Hub project UoL and LUU have partnered on.

Mental Health:
Every day, I encounter a student who is struggling with their mental health. Whilst Leeds has support systems in place like our LUU Advice service, wellbeing workshops, the university’s Counselling and Wellbeing Service, and pastoral support in schools, these services do not reach all our students. Some students, unfortunately, fall through the gaps. Further, I know that many universities do not have the same support networks that Leeds has. A students’ mental health could be impacted by health issues, relationship issues, bereavement, and the list goes on. Circumstances outside academics can influence their academic achievement, but academic stress and pressure can also prevent a student from achieving high marks.

Working with the NUS and other Delegates I aim to:
Encourage a bigger platform for the Student Minds’ Mental Health Charter, and make mental health a priority.
Urge the government to reconsider the statutory duty of care proposed by Universities’ UK

Housing:
Most UK cities have a student housing crisis. Whether there simply are not enough houses to go around, conditions are poor, or the rent is too expensive, it is not uncommon for a UK student to experience one (or all) of these issues. Students are also often taken advantage of by landlords, because they are first-time renters, and do not know their rights and entitlements. What’s more, is that students are expecting to live like this for the foreseeable, as the prospect of having a mortgage feels further and further out of reach. This means that student housing could become a bigger issue, as the demand for houses will be dominated by a larger number of young people - including graduates and professionals - than ever before. I am a trustee of Unipol, a student housing charity based in Leeds, so I am acutely aware of how these factors impact Leeds students. However, I want to take my knowledge to the next level and explore what impact I could have nationally; students should not be subject to poor living conditions as a ‘right of passage’.

Working with the NUS and other Delegates I want to:
Pressure the government to prioritise student housing, and consider students’ lived experiences before enacting the Renters’ Reform Bill.
Work with charities like Unipol to hold landlords accountable and provide a better standard of living for students nationwide - and it is crucial that students are protected and know their rights.

These are big ambitions, as these are issues which impact most students nationwide. I am hopeful that the NUS Conference will provide the platform and collaboration necessary to work with other Delegates on these issues. I would very much appreciate your support and vote!