Why vote for me?
Hi!
I’m Ella I am a third-year music student, and I would love to be elected as your next VP Activities.
Over the last year I have served as your RAG President, where I have gained a wealth of knowledge on how societies and their committees operate and what they need from SUSU, and its sabbatical officers. In addition, I have acquired great organisational experience from events such as Morale Week and Fight Night.
I want to see the safe return of face-to-face activities: SUSU has a vital role in facilitating this. However, this service can, and should, be improved: I want to make the Risk Assessment process more user friendly by providing a step-by-step guide, a library of examples, and tips on how to get them approved.
If elected, I want to help societies with promotion, such as graphics advice, post scheduling, and maximising reach. I want to build on the fantastic work that Corin has done this past year - continuing to improve in-house society advertising, making use of social media spotlights, digital screens and accentuating the start of Semester 2 as a valuable time to recruit new members.
I know that societies can feel they have been left behind in funding rounds compared to sports clubs. I would make the process more transparent and offer meetings with committee members to discuss outcomes.
Furthermore, I would like to set up an “Events Fund” for those societies wishing to host large scale events but lack the budget. Large events not only benefit the student community, but also can improve the union’s image.
Freshers Week is a staple in university culture. Following last years, I want to give everyone the Freshers week they deserve. I want to encourage non-drinking events, to create a safe space for all first-year students to make friends.
Bunfight is a vital, but hectic, part of the initial university experience, and potentially be the first contact many will have with SUSU. Often, people miss societies in the chaos. Bunfight should be spread over several days with a different category of society highlighted each day. Increasing organisation will mean the first impression of the Union will be much more positive.
Southampton University has an incredible performing arts community. As VP Activities, I can improve the opportunities for these societies, and individuals - to publicly showcase their work by helping to promote and finding appropriate venues.
A key goal for the new academic year is to encourage every student to be active within the wider union community. This can be done through increased activity at all University sites by working with the faculty, campus and halls officers.
Working with the VP Welfare and Community, I want to expand existing “Buddy” schemes, where older students volunteer to mentor others, so that all first-year students may partake.
As your VP Activities I know I will bring empathy, experience, and most importantly, fun, to the next academic year.
Please vote me as your number one this election.
Thank you!
Ella