My Manifesto
Take a look at my original manifesto that was written when running for Education Officer.
Manifesto
My Pledges and Updates
- Build stronger academic communities by creating more opportunities for undergraduates, postgraduates, and international students to connect and feel supported.
- An SU oversight group for academic communities was convened, with meetings dedicated towards building communities, and supporting student leader networks.
- I've been meeting with some of our amazing student leaders to learn more about what's going well, what's missing, and where the SU can provide more support!
- In April, we hosted a "Pitches and Pastries" event with student leaders and staff from Computer Science, Management, and Social & Policy Sciences. Here we presented different approaches to community building, received a presentation from Bath Computer Science Society, and shared best practice at departmental levels.
- I'm beginning to scope out how we can improve Freshers' Week events at the departmental/faculty/school levels to best welcome new students and establish peer-led networks from day one!
- Strengthen academic support networks by pushing for clearer and more consistent academic advisership.
- Addressed the need for a central resource for support signposting, and sought staff collaboration for creation of such a resource, at the Senior Academic Advisor Forum.
- Structures are different at a department level, so this is a large piece of work. Due to being busy with other projects, I haven't been able to work on this resource alone. I'm hoping to make this a firm, collaborative project with the University in my next term.
- Ensure transparency and collaboration in decision-making by closing the feedback loop with students and improving communication, especially around university policy changes.
- Helped facilitate a space for student feedback around inclusive teaching & assessment, actionable feedback mechanisms, and GenAI at this year's Rep Roundtables.
- Secured student consultation in the University’s Investment Policy renewal following discussions with People & Planet, staff union representatives, and Students Organising for Sustainability UK (SOSUK), helping ensure student and staff input was considered in the final policy outcome.
- Helped lead student consultation into the University's Reasonable Adjustment Procedure, allowing students with lived experience to feed into a draft list of inclusive teaching and assessment adjustments.
- Advocate for fairer assessment policies by working to improve processes such as Individual Mitigating Circumstances (IMCs), extensions, and late coursework submission.
- Made fairer assessment a core focus by setting two Top 10 priorities for 2025/26:
- Revising the Late Submission Policy
- Worked with University staff to review the Penalties for late or non-submission of coursework in QA16, outlining a potential new approach for incremental deductions.
- Due to system limitations (e.g. constraints between Moodle and Samis) we're currently scoping the feasibility of manual implementation.
- Exploring a Deferred Assessment Scheme
- Put Deferred Assessment onto the University's agenda, leading to it being considered by the Additional Considerations Group as part of potential future IMC developments.
- I'm actively advocating for a shift away from outdated assessment regulations that prioritise progression rules over enabling students to achieve their potential.
- I helped review IMC policies, making changes ahead of Semester 1 exams to ensure it's clearer and more compassionate for students. This launched in December, and details around the changes can be found in my blog post!
- Push for more useful and consistent feedback so that all departments provide constructive comments that help students progress, while amplifying students’ voices on how feedback is delivered.
- Conducted a "vibe-check" poll with reps, confirming students find quality/constructive feedback more important than timely feedback, ensuring my lobbying in meetings pushes for what students want.
- I've actively advocated for greater focus on quality feedback, and for improved feedback in exams, in key meetings including Education Quality and Standards Committee (EQSC), Senate, and University Council.
- When a new policy was being discussed for timeliness of feedback (for 2026/27), I ensured it was emphasised that quality of feedback should not be compromised.
- Invited the Centre for Learning and Teaching (CLT) to our first Rep Roundtable to discuss and gain student views on the best approaches for actionable feedback mechanisms.
- Worked with staff in CLT to include exam feedback in Actionable Feedback Workshops delivered to academic staff ahead of Semester 2 exams.
- Recognise and reward student leaders by ensuring their contributions are valued and celebrated.
- The SU, in partnership with the University, has introduced a Student Voice Request Form to ensure students are properly acknowledged - and, where appropriate, compensated - for their involvement and consultation.
- If you are a student leader or advocate being asked to undertake work for University staff, please make them aware of this form!
- The Bath Award has relaunched this academic year, allowing students to gain formal recognition for the skills and experience developed through volunteering, leadership and paid work done alongside studies.
- Prioritise student wellbeing by fostering a culture that puts wellbeing first and improving signposting to mental health support.
- Over the summer, the Officer Team decided to make the Top 10 item on Mental Health Approaches, which Izzy is taking lead on! Check out the Top 10 page for updates on what she's working on.
- Support accessibility in learning by pushing for lecture capture (or asynchronous alternatives where that isn’t possible), ensuring Disability Access Plans (DAPs) are recognised, and supporting work to make campus more accessible.
- Invited university staff to our first Rep Roundtable to present ongoing and planned work for the Inclusive Education Steering Group (IESG), including the anticipatory approach, gathering feedback from our amazing academic reps.
- Worked with the Community Officer, SU President, and Campus Services - as well as consulting with Disability Action Group (DAG) - to renovate 6WS Learning Commons into an accessible, neuroinclusive study lounge: "Woodland Lounge"!
- Supported the introduction of the Reasonable Adjustments Procedure (launching for 2026/27), which embeds many common DAP adjustments as standard practice.
- "Asynchronous alternatives to live sessions" have been secured as a Stage 1 adjustment, ensuring all students have will have access to lecture catch-up.
- Address cost of living by making information about hidden costs clearer, providing clearer messaging about what financial support is available, and lobbying for stronger bursaries/scholarships where possible.
- The University has expanded its international scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
- The SU President and I have started early conversations with the COO and Director of Campus Services around improving accommodation costs/support. I'm hoping to continue these discussions in my next term.