In my two years at UCA, there have been multiple things I would like to see changed. However, in order to adequately represent the student body, I conducted a survey to understand what we as students collectively would like to see changed within the next year. Below is the platform on which my campaign stands and how I intend on bringing in these important changes:
CANCEL COLONIAL CURRICULA:
Institutions in the UK, and Western Education in general is built upon historical genocide, enslavement, displacement and colonialism. Because of this, the way we learn is dictated by one specific group of people and one style of learning. Relying on this style of education creates a severe attainment gap and builds barriers for minority students.
Institutions in the UK, and Western Education in general is built upon historical genocide, enslavement, displacement and colonialism. Because of this, the way we learn is dictated by one specific group of people and one style of learning. Relying on this style of education creates a severe attainment gap and builds barriers for minority students.
HOW CAN WE DO THIS:
- By centering the voices of BIPOC/QTPOC (Black, Indigenuous, People of Colour/Queer, Trans*, People of Colour) in our literature, our resources, and our curriculum, we will be able to remove the barriers of colonialised education.
- Work with the National Union for Students (NUS) to utilise our combined resources to start decolonising our education.
DEMONSTRATE DIVERSITY:
Committing to representing diverse voices is integral in creating safe spaces in education. Simply stating that an institution is diverse in its student/staff makeup is not enough.
Committing to representing diverse voices is integral in creating safe spaces in education. Simply stating that an institution is diverse in its student/staff makeup is not enough.
HOW CAN WE DO THIS:
- By actively representing and uplifting the voices of Disabled, Queer, Trans*, POC (People of Colour), Neurodiverse, and Minority students/staff/creatives within the institution, we can begin to facilitate the growth of safe and welcoming spaces in creative education.
- By actively representing and uplifting the voices of Disabled, Queer, Trans*, POC (People of Colour), Neurodiverse, and Minority students/staff/creatives within the institution, we can begin to facilitate the growth of safe and welcoming spaces in creative education.
- Take the time to understand who is excluded from creative conversations, and actively supporting/uplifting these creatives.
CULTIVATE CREATIVE COMMUNITIES:
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, students have had to deal with extreme isolation. Uni is one of the best places to meet new people and make lasting relationships. On top of this, the University for the Creative Arts states that our community promotes creative collaboration, however, this is not felt by the student body.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, students have had to deal with extreme isolation. Uni is one of the best places to meet new people and make lasting relationships. On top of this, the University for the Creative Arts states that our community promotes creative collaboration, however, this is not felt by the student body.
HOW CAN WE DO THIS:
- During my time working at the Union as the Design Assistant, I was able to create The Digital UCASU, a Discord Server for all UCA students from all 4 campuses. You can join now and meet new people and collaborate with other students by Clicking Here!
- By creating a Uni wide multi-disciplinary studio, students would be able to collaborate on creative campaigns. By working on self-initiated briefs, students can use their different creative backgrounds to create full-package campaigns. This project is already in the works, you can follow the (stu)dio on instagram now by Clicking Here!
STRENGTHEN STUDENT SUPPORT:
Student Mental Health has taken an extreme decline since the start of the pandemic, and this severely affects our ability to interact with our courses and peers. Finding help for these challenges has proved difficult for students, and for some, has become completely inacessible. In turn, more students are finding it difficult to continue with their studies.
Student Mental Health has taken an extreme decline since the start of the pandemic, and this severely affects our ability to interact with our courses and peers. Finding help for these challenges has proved difficult for students, and for some, has become completely inacessible. In turn, more students are finding it difficult to continue with their studies.
HOW CAN WE DO THIS (TRIGGER WARNING: SEXUAL VIOLENCE):
- Counselling services at UCA currently only last for 6 sessions, extending the length of treatment will help in diffusing short-term challenges.
- By collaborating with local GP's, UCA can create a network of accessible Mental Health resources available to all students. A yellow-pages of resources.
- Applying for Mitigating Circumstances can be a humiliating and inaccessible process for Neurodivergent students, creating a more streamlined and simple process will help to remove this barrier to access.
- By collaborating with local GP's, UCA can create a network of accessible Mental Health resources available to all students. A yellow-pages of resources.
- Applying for Mitigating Circumstances can be a humiliating and inaccessible process for Neurodivergent students, creating a more streamlined and simple process will help to remove this barrier to access.
- Implementing better internal protection for Trans* and Queer students to mitigate deadnaming and misgendering while advocating for wider external acceptance and appreciation.
- Implementing stronger and more efficient protection and resources for students who have experienced sexual violence on campus. As well as enforcing complete acceptance and belief of all victim stories. You are not alone.
- Implementing stronger and more efficient protection and resources for students who have experienced sexual violence on campus. As well as enforcing complete acceptance and belief of all victim stories. You are not alone.
ACTIVATE ACCESSIBILITY:
There are multiple physical, mental, social, and societal barriers to accessing higher education. The more barriers there are, the less inclusive an institution. Actively committing to removing barriers and understanding accessibility challenges is integral in making an inclusive Uni.
There are multiple physical, mental, social, and societal barriers to accessing higher education. The more barriers there are, the less inclusive an institution. Actively committing to removing barriers and understanding accessibility challenges is integral in making an inclusive Uni.
HOW CAN WE DO THIS:
- By implementing and actively supporting justice groups within the Union, we will be able to understand and remove the barriers students face when trying to access education. These justice groups would include Disabled, Queer/Trans*, Neurodiverse, and Minority Students.
- There are many words used within the institution that are either outdated or harmful to minority students. By actively assessing the language used by the Uni, we can begin to remove harmful language. Especially those referring to Minority students.
- By instating mandatory Neurodiversity, LGBTQIA2S+, and Sexual Misconduct trainings, we can facilitate the creation of a safe and empathetic UCA.
IMPLEMENT INTERNATIONAL INCLUSIVITY:
Non-EU and International students join UCA with little to no previous experience with Western/UK education. Often left out or forgotten in their courses, more avenues of access are needed to help facilitate true inclusion at UCA. Simply opening the doors to international students does not mean those students are adequately accommodated.
Non-EU and International students join UCA with little to no previous experience with Western/UK education. Often left out or forgotten in their courses, more avenues of access are needed to help facilitate true inclusion at UCA. Simply opening the doors to international students does not mean those students are adequately accommodated.
HOW CAN WE DO THIS:
- Creating a dedicated channel of resources for International students to help in the understanding and transitioning into UK education.
- Implementing a translating scheme to help Non-Native English speakers understand and comprehend their coursework. By working with other students who are multi-lingual, we can create a translation network to help International students.
Have any questions? Or maybe a better idea on how to achieve these goals? Send me a message:
Thank you for your contribution!Remember to Vote on Friday, 15 April and #GoForGaeb!