Why sweep the problems under the carpet, when you can put it under Matt?
(The #Mattifesto)
Why vote for me as VP Education?
A vote for me as VP Education is a vote for a confident, dedicated guy with a lot of experience in student representation. I’ve been involved with the Students’ Union for a number of years, currently as a School Officer for the Management School and as a Course Rep. The university can do better when it comes to some issues, so we need someone who’s committed and driven enough to go out and begin sorting these problems. If elected VP Education, I would:
Addressing…
There’s a lack of adequate car parking spaces on campus and the problem only looks to get worse. It’s time steps were taken to address this issue once and for all. I’d also look to review the condition of seminar rooms, making them more fit for purpose.
The majority of students study some form of joint or combined degree, yet there is little coordinated support for them. I want to work with the University to ensure schools offering joint degrees work with one another to avoid issues such as clashes in classes or deadlines.
The University needs to review the way it makes and communicates changes in its programmes, we should be able to study the course we initially signed up for and not a rehashed version.
Supporting…
Everyone should have the right to access higher education, regardless of their background. I think we should strengthen and increase the number of access programmes offered and increase support for getting non-traditional students into University.
I feel it’s important the Union seeks to engage as many students as possible, so I want to involve students who have potentially felt ignored – such as post-grads, part-time, and distance-learner students. Together we can create a more inclusive union.
I’ll work with the VP Communities to develop partnerships between academic clubs and associated schools/divisions.
As an education student I know just how stressful and important placements are. So, I think the University should increase the support it offers to students on placement and throughout their programmes.
Developing…
There’s nothing worse than spending ages on an assignment for it to come back with a rubbish grade and a couple of indistinguishable scrawls on it. I want to see Schools improve the feedback they give us on our work, ensuring detailed positive and developmental comments are given on all work.
I want to grow the RATE awards into Stirling’s answer to the Oscars. RATE continues to improve learning and teaching across the University and I want to develop this further.
Representing…
- And Strengthening the Student Voice
We have many passionate Course Reps dedicating their time to help make a difference for students across the University. I want to strengthen this voice by working with them and School Officers to ensure the University and its Schools listen to students, and adopt a proactive approach to making enhancements.