Living Rent on Campus
My primary focus is to tackle one of the most important issues facing students today: the rising cost of university accommodation. I would pressure the University to lower rents in on and off campus accommodations, lowering the cost of living for students and combatting the issue of students living in "accommodation poverty".
Landlord Vetting
The Union has a duty of care to all its students, wheter living in University accommodation or not. Due to the extortionate costs of living in university accommodation, more and more students are forced to take on private tenancies. As such, a growing concern for students has become the integrity of their landlords and letting agents, who do not maintain their properties to an acceptable standard. Thus, I would look to create a "blacklist" of all private landlords and letting agents who do not meet the high standards we should expect of them.
Improving your Union
Our Union should be our number one destination for a night out, like student unions across Scotland are for other universities. I will pressure the Union into lowering its prices to better compete with pubs in town, to provide a safe and affordable night out for all.
Mental Health
Mental health - particularly anxiety disorders and depression - is becoming more and more prevalent among university students. As your union president, I would look to tackle the stigma surrounding mental health, as well as providing information and relief for all those affected by mental health difficulties.
Employment
It is the responsibility of the union to pay all its employees a living wage and allow them security of hours. I would seek to increase all hourly paid employees to a living wage and eliminate zero-hour contracts on campus.
Inclusivity
In recent years, the reputation of the university and its sports teams, clubs and societies have been blighted by the issue of problematic behaviours. To combat this, I would encourage all teams, clubs and socs to participate in sensitivity training. This would encourage our students to consider their behaviour more carefully, making our clubs safer for everyone. Protecting our clubs from external criticism would also allow them to focus on their activities, and not be concerned with negative press.
Environment
Tackling our university's carbon footprint must be a priority. By taking a greater role in environmental matters, we can take pride in working to preserve our surroundings and reduce our impact on the planet. I would like to increase the availability of recycling facilities in all residences, and work with the Green and Blue Space to take more responsibiliity for our impact on the environment.
"Luxury" Goods
Inspired by a successful campaign at Dundee University, I would pressure the shops in our Union to lift the tax on female sanitary products, so our students aren't subjected to this discriminatory tax. I would also protect the current Union policy of providing free sanitary products in University toilets.