Here’s a word from a few of our Strath Union Executive Team members to give you an idea of some of the work they’ve gotten up to this semester.

Eva Curran – President

Hey everyone! I am loving being your President. I started my term with an intensive induction, learning more about the union and university’s procedures, refining my objectives and working with the team. I’m extremely grateful to be working with such a committed and lovely team who share a genuine care for the Union and its students. Together, we’ve achieved some amazing things, and we’re only halfway through!

My priority in this role is supporting students. I ensure that I respond to every message and that I’m always there if a student needs a helping hand! I’m more than happy to work with you to fulfil your ideas so don’t be shy reaching out. I work closely with our executive and non-executive officers, whether that’s organising the 16 Days of Action against gender-based violence with our Women’s Rep or lobbying for Spring Graduations for January starts with our International Students Rep.

An element of my role that you may not know a lot about is my involvement with the University. I sit on a lot of committees, which allows me and my exec to effectively represent students and their interests within decision making. One element of this is Senate, the university’s senior academic committee, where I provide a regular update on the union and key issues facing students. I also sit on University Court, the overall governing body which is responsible for overseeing the management and administration of the whole of the university.

Through collaborating with the university, I’ve formed strong relationships with staff, including the Principal and his team. This enables the union to communicate directly with the university’s management.

Rachael Okoh – Vice President Welfare

It’s with enthusiasm that I write about what I have been working on as Vice President Welfare this year and what I hope to achieve. The year started with good time allocated for bonding with the team, I’ve been able to streamline my manifesto points to achievable aims, while sitting in different union and university committee meetings where I represent student’s interests.

I plan to kick off the Strath Union Creative Hub, which would be a platform for students with creative skills to display to the university community while encouraging cross collaboration between courses and faculties. This would take form as a ‘virtual Hall of Fame’ for individuals and groups interested, which would be promoted by the union. The creative hub would have its premiere events in ending January and early February where different groups would collaborate and perform. It’s going to be epic!

I am also running a housing campaign this year. The key asks are that the university provides extra support for students in regards to housing, from becoming a student Guarantor, to having a joint union and university policy which is a document that would lay out in writing what the plans for student housing is. We are also asking the university to add housing challenges as a legitimate personal circumstance as well. We would also continue to educate students on their tenancy rights, having a collection of resources all our students need to know when going into the rental market.

I’ve been working on increasing the university’s visibility of wellbeing and mental health provision. With an understanding of how much time goes into our studies, I am advocating for student to be made aware of all the provisions available to them. There are lot of great avenues aimed at enhancing wellbeing and your mental health. We just want to let you know you are not alone and there is support for you.

I would be working to improve the wellbeing provision for PGR, PGT and PhD students this year while working to make sure the Wednesday Afternoon Policy is followed for all undergraduate students. I was also voted as General Secretary for Glasgow Student Forum, working to make change as regards the cost-of-living crisis students are facing.

If you have a question or have welfare concerns and are not sure where to ask, you can send an email or say hello at the Union and I’ll be more than happy to have a chat and guide you to where you can get adequate support.

Justyna Kardasz – Vice President Community

Since starting my second term in June, it’s been pretty busy. It’s been all go, go, go and it’s definitely been a thrill. Some of the things that I have been working on have rolled over from last year like the Quiet Room, which was soft-launched over Freshers, and the Pantry that will be getting a reboot soon.

As for projects this year, one of my main manifesto themes – “Increase Awareness and Education in Sustainability” – has been approached from different angles. Over the past few months: myself, the Centre for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Strathclyde have been working together to promote the new Introductory to Sustainability course on MyPlace for all Strathclyde Staff and Students – SD500. Some departments across the University have even made it credit- bearing, so I would encourage you all to check if that is the case in yours! The other approach which I’m pretty excited about is the Sustainability Policy. The purpose is to embed sustainability in all student activities like sport, societies, volunteering, and hospitality.

Community-wise, the team and I have been developing more training programmes that will help societies run with more confidence and build new skills for students. As well as this, the intersoc-rep project has expanded this year to include a welfare side to it!