Students Need Their Own Voice. So, Make The Right Choice
My name is Salauddin Ibne Saife and I am running for the role of Greenwich Students' Union Officer. Having been an international student myself on the campus for one year, I have come to identify various issues crippling international and local students and I believe that in these one year of observing and hearing different viewpoints, I have developed a sense of maturity in my views and thus, in a position ready to contribute to the student union. Although running for the position of Greenwich Students' Union Officer, I also worked as Asst. Manager at Caffe Concerto; Supervisor at Pret e Manger; Outreach Ambassador– Retention Project at Greenwich Students’ Union (GSU) and am certain that I can further empathise with different positions and hence, make nuanced and sensitive decisions when called upon.
If elected as Greenwich Students' Union Officer, I will:
1. Basic Guide for new students
- Conducting sessions and personal face-to-face guidelines according to the needs of the students, such as how to get a Student Oyster card, Rail Card, and benefits of these cards.
- Help new students to find accommodation, and on-campus & off-campus accommodation ideas and information.
- Will take sessions on part-time jobs of on-campus and off-campus also will share the tips and tricks to get it easily.
2. Real Support for Victims of Harassment and Abuse
- All sexual harassment and assault cases shall be taken care of as fast-track consideration.
- Increase councilors for the counseling service so victims get the support they need, specifically for the Sexual Assault and Harassment Advisor.
- Make a webpage to complain and ask for help anonymously.
3. Personal Safety and Wellbeing for First Years
During the first-year induction sessions, I propose giving a talk regarding their personal safety and wellbeing at the University of Greenwich. For many, this will be their first time away from home with absolutely no supervision. During this session information would be given regarding how to take measures to avoid spikes, and if they should need to report a crime against them how to do so. Additionally, clear information would be given about how students can get help on campus from personal advisers, the counseling service, and the role of the Union.
4. Physical Health Awareness
Although there is a massive emphasis on mental health at Greenwich I propose raising awareness of physical health issues such as meningitis and cancers which are particularly prevalent amount student-age individuals. This would be done both over the Union’s social media platforms and on-campus in Union Way and designated bulletin boards throughout campus, such as monthly reminders to check for lumps with an emphasis on students to get to know what is normal for their bodies so they know when something is not normal.
Why Me?
I am a first-year undergraduate student and I have real experience of managing difficult situations and holding, negotiating, and dealing with people. I work in the Retention Project of Greenwich Students’ Union (GSU), so I need to face a lot of students from diverse backgrounds with varieties of problems and mental health issues. So, as I have these experiences, elect me; you'll see your voice at the very center of everything I do; because students are names and not numbers.