Alice 'Axolotl' Robertson - Union President
- Increase connection and belonging between the campuses
- Implement freshers inductions into what and Students' Union actual is
- Encourage Government election voting through education and awareness strategy
- Conduct research into why students miss classes to identify issues
- Lobby university to review Special Considerations consistency across faculties
Why vote for Alice 'Axolotl'?
HELLO! :D Instagram @aliceaxolotlsusu
I’m Alice ‘Axolotl’ Robertson, and I would like to represent you! I’m passionate about making change within our university, and take pride in helping others achieve academically and develop as individuals.
Below are the key areas I want to tackle. You won’t find any sensational claims like ‘free ice cream every Wednesday’, I’m aiming for things can I actually impact:
Connecting Campuses
- We have disconnected campuses and students. WSA and Medical students especially are very disconnected. As union president, I would strive to build connections between the campuses. Reshaping the way students see themselves from ‘my campus’ to ‘our campuses’.
SUSU Induction
- What is SUSU? This is not so easy for every student to answer. If you are reading this, you probably understand what SUSU is and what it provides, but think; do all your housemates and classmates know? I believe implementing a proper induction into what a students’ is can help us get the most out of the resources available to us at UOS.
Encouraging Democracy
- When the topic of politics comes up, there is a typical response of ‘what’s the point of voting, I have no power to impact change in society’. This is untrue - EVERY ONE OF US CAN HAVE AN IMPACT! By 2030, Gen Z will be 25% of eligible voters…that is a lot of power! Setting up increased education and awareness of how to understand local and general elections, and how simple voting can be. Building confidence in voting, we can ensure students get involved and MAKE the politicians hear us.
Attendance Issues
- There is a surprising lack of attendance in many courses’ lectures. People may be struggling, finding the teaching unengaging, or a hundred other reasons. I want to conduct research within the student body to identify common reasons for missing class. Identifying barriers, attitudes, and behaviours can uncover root causes to be addressed, and get us fully engaged with the academics.
Special Considerations Consistency
- What scenarios count towards special considerations varies wildly. There are some heartbreaking and traumatic student situations that are rejected from receiving special considerations. I believe a review of reasons applications were rejected needs to take place, with a comparison across faculties. There should not be reasons that are considered ‘valid’ in one part of the uni but not another.
Why vote for Axolotl?
—> I am not afraid to stand up and speak. No matter the role, I will say what needs to be said.
—> I have experience with SUSU. Being a course rep in 1st-year, a SUSU trustee in 2nd-year, club committee in 3rd-year, and society committee in 4th-year.
—> I am a marketing student. Marketing is the communication between a company and its customers - the university and you. We identify your needs and wants, evaluate the company’s resources and capabilities, and build practical solutions. I want to build practical solutions for YOU!
Questions & Answers
Ask Alice 'Axolotl' Robertson a Question
Please note that the views expressed by candidates are their own and may not reflect the views and/or values of SUSU.
SUSU supports the expression of all lawful opinions as long as they are expressed with respect and do not attack or undermine the rights of others.
SUSU may also place reasonable restrictions on the expression of views linked to the time, place or manner that the views are expressed.
SUSU supports the expression of all lawful opinions as long as they are expressed with respect and do not attack or undermine the rights of others.
SUSU may also place reasonable restrictions on the expression of views linked to the time, place or manner that the views are expressed.
Thank you for your question :)
If there was no constraints, eh?
Well I'd still be realistic - I know we'd can't get rid of tuition fees, or develop advance direct-to-brain teaching devices!
What I would implement would be free storage lockers with a refrigeration section. You could sign one out for a day/week/semester, storing food and cutlery, plus other small essentials like deodorant and an umbrella.
We need to eat (obviously), but if you're studying on campus there are only so many hours before you need to stop and get food. If you can't afford to buy the pricy food on campus, you have to go home instead. This sucks if you lose your grove, and motivating yourself to go back to campus can be a losing battle. Being able to store prepped meals on campus could help us all save money and stay in study spaces longer!
~ Alice Axolotl
If there was no constraints, eh?
Well I'd still be realistic - I know we'd can't get rid of tuition fees, or develop advance direct-to-brain teaching devices!
What I would implement would be free storage lockers with a refrigeration section. You could sign one out for a day/week/semester, storing food and cutlery, plus other small essentials like deodorant and an umbrella.
We need to eat (obviously), but if you're studying on campus there are only so many hours before you need to stop and get food. If you can't afford to buy the pricy food on campus, you have to go home instead. This sucks if you lose your grove, and motivating yourself to go back to campus can be a losing battle. Being able to store prepped meals on campus could help us all save money and stay in study spaces longer!
~ Alice Axolotl
This question was also asked to Krzysztof Mikulski, Isobel Porteous
Answered by Alice 'Axolotl' on 02/03/26 19:33
Thank you for your question :)
The university infrastructure is definitely a challenge. They are expanding with more buildings but those will take years to be ready (and it doesn't help us current students, that's for sure!).
The current trends in the UK don't help either, with less people applying for university year-on-year. Our university has tried to keep revenue coming in by expanding the numbers of students on courses that can increased practically (not necessarily reasonably) in terms of how the subject is taught.
I can tell you understand the situation by the mention of student and lecturer pressures, as this effects both sides of the teaching and feedback, so the academics are not happy with the situation either. This tells me the decision has come from the leadership of the university, and they must be confronted.
To act on this problem there are two elements:
One: Find out to stop this in future.
Two: Try to find ways to elevate the pressures now.
One: I would demand to see a full picture of the universities data and finances to see the details that led them to the current process (identifying anywhere they may have just gotten a little greedy!) I'd reanalyse their information and look at alternate ways they could seek to balance finances or create new initiatives to attract new students.
Two: For us current students, finding study spaces and getting academic support are two of the main challenges.
For study spaces I would create an information campaign about the study spaces available across campuses and their open hours. Did you know Avenue Campus is usually open on Saturday and Sunday during term-time? There are loads of quiet spaces to lock in! The SJM building in town also has a recently renovated study area, and the building is open until 8pm Mon-Fri.
For support, the information campaign would fully explain how the library resources, study skills experts, and the many online support sources can be used. (You've probably heard of these, but how many have you actually used?...) We can take some pressure off overworked academics and better utilise the other resources the uni funds!
~ Alice 'Axolotl'
The university infrastructure is definitely a challenge. They are expanding with more buildings but those will take years to be ready (and it doesn't help us current students, that's for sure!).
The current trends in the UK don't help either, with less people applying for university year-on-year. Our university has tried to keep revenue coming in by expanding the numbers of students on courses that can increased practically (not necessarily reasonably) in terms of how the subject is taught.
I can tell you understand the situation by the mention of student and lecturer pressures, as this effects both sides of the teaching and feedback, so the academics are not happy with the situation either. This tells me the decision has come from the leadership of the university, and they must be confronted.
To act on this problem there are two elements:
One: Find out to stop this in future.
Two: Try to find ways to elevate the pressures now.
One: I would demand to see a full picture of the universities data and finances to see the details that led them to the current process (identifying anywhere they may have just gotten a little greedy!) I'd reanalyse their information and look at alternate ways they could seek to balance finances or create new initiatives to attract new students.
Two: For us current students, finding study spaces and getting academic support are two of the main challenges.
For study spaces I would create an information campaign about the study spaces available across campuses and their open hours. Did you know Avenue Campus is usually open on Saturday and Sunday during term-time? There are loads of quiet spaces to lock in! The SJM building in town also has a recently renovated study area, and the building is open until 8pm Mon-Fri.
For support, the information campaign would fully explain how the library resources, study skills experts, and the many online support sources can be used. (You've probably heard of these, but how many have you actually used?...) We can take some pressure off overworked academics and better utilise the other resources the uni funds!
~ Alice 'Axolotl'
This question was also asked to Krzysztof Mikulski, Isobel Porteous
Answered by Alice 'Axolotl' on 02/03/26 20:08
Thank you for your question :)
o The drive to improve the experience of students.
o Frustration over some the university's decisions.
o The desire for all UoS students to understand what a students' union actually is.
o Passion to boost student moral!
o A never ending curiosity to understand why so many of us miss lectures.
o Ambition to reduce student stress by reframing mindset and understanding of certain situations.
o The thirst for equality for students applying for special considerations.
o Eagerness to encouraging Gen Z participation in democracy (best gen frfr).
o Love for Axolotls.
o Encouragement from friends!!! (Love you lot)
o The drive to improve the experience of students.
o Frustration over some the university's decisions.
o The desire for all UoS students to understand what a students' union actually is.
o Passion to boost student moral!
o A never ending curiosity to understand why so many of us miss lectures.
o Ambition to reduce student stress by reframing mindset and understanding of certain situations.
o The thirst for equality for students applying for special considerations.
o Eagerness to encouraging Gen Z participation in democracy (best gen frfr).
o Love for Axolotls.
o Encouragement from friends!!! (Love you lot)
This question was also asked to Krzysztof Mikulski, Isobel Porteous
Answered by Alice 'Axolotl' on 02/03/26 20:42
Hello!!! :)
As a massive fan of SUSU and democracy it is truly amazing to see so many running!!
You can follow the Axolotl campaign on Instagram @aliceaxolotlsusu
As a massive fan of SUSU and democracy it is truly amazing to see so many running!!
You can follow the Axolotl campaign on Instagram @aliceaxolotlsusu
This question was also asked to Krzysztof Mikulski, Isobel Porteous
Answered by Alice 'Axolotl' on 02/03/26 20:12
Hello, thank you for your question :) There are two reasons for Unilink buses not being a key campaign point. Firstly: there are already cheaper ways to get Unilink/Bluestar bus tickets. On Unilink app there are many different ticket options for regular users. I buy the single trip bundles which reduce the price of a single journey as cheap as £1.53. There is also the dayrider for £4.30, which can be extended to the Bluestar no.1 and U7 for no extra cost! Yep, all the way to Winchester for just £4.30, plus ride all day in Southampton too. (This extended ticket type is unique to UOS students and staff, and you have to verify your ID.) Secondly: My manifesto points aim to look at key topics that are beneficial to the students long-term, but that can actually be acted on within the 12-months the sabbatical officers have. My goal is to set up the union and the university positively for the future. Having an effective, practical effect that many will benefit on. I know it sounds fun to promise free ice cream every Wednesday, or massage chairs in every lecture hall, but we all know there are limitations. I want to help YOU become confident and successful so in future you can comfortably sit in your own massage chair eating ice cream!
This question was also asked to Alice 'Axolotl'
Answered by Alice 'Axolotl' on 07/03/26 09:52
Hello, thank you for asking this question! 1) YES. Transgender people are valid! It is important to use preferred pronouns, so don't be afraid to ask people theirs (mine are she/they). 2) They should use the bathroom they are most comfortable using, aligning with their true self. 3) Gender-neutral facilities are beneficial in creating harmony. (We have some gender neutral bathrooms in SUSU if you are looking for somewhere safe to pee on Highfield!) Individual, neutral showers and changing rooms are positive (like the ones in building 85). There are more complexities with group facilities, as some people can't keep their eyes to themselves - those situations can make anyone feel uncomfortable! I believe it is possible for everyone to use any facilities positively if everyone using them is respectful, which is the challenge. 4) In sports, people should join teams they are most comfortable with, aligning with their true self. There are so many benefits in participating in sport, physically, mentally, and in building community. No one should be turned away! Thank you again for asking this question. Be proud, be you. <3
This question was also asked to Krzysztof Mikulski, Isobel Porteous
Answered by Alice 'Axolotl' on 09/03/26 14:31
Hello, thank you for your question :) It is great that you are considering the candidates from a practical perspective! Within the University and SUSU, I have experience with course representation, both as an official course rep and as the 'asks-a-lot-of-questions' (axolotl questions, if you will) student - constantly pushing on questionable decisions, drilling down into the motivations and seeking to build an understanding of why policy changes occur. I have experience in Club and Society committees, where I have practised responsibilities of coordinating with students, for the benefit of students, and gained an understanding into how often you need to adapt and iterate in the SUSU exosystem! During my time as a SUSU Trustee, I got to experience how the inner workings of SUSU, meet the senior leadership team, and see the data and feedback provided by students from the other side (there are definitely some big bridges that need to be built between SUSU and students!). As a trustee, I also sat on both the Audit & Risk and the Finance & Resources committees, so I have a practical understanding of the capabilities of SUSU and am aware of how the relationship between SUSU and the university functions. The student senate meetings are examples of the true fire and passion students have about our university! (Please bring that energy to getting students to vote!!!). Additional student government experience from College includes being part of the feedback committee for my year, and two years in the Model United Nations
(I lived in Germany half my childhood). Both years at MUN represented the Green Party, and my second time, I was part of the organisation committee group that wrote the content for the conference, and acted as Chair/Co-Chair during the live activities. I actively seek to be involved in initiatives and panels that can improve the experience of students now, and in the future. I am not afraid of people's titles or power - I will speak up for you, all of you. One last important thing that makes me qualified for this role - I love this university and our students' union!!!! I truly desire to spread the sense of connection and belonging I feel with all the students of the University of Southampton. Any positive impact I can have is a fantastic, it really makes me proud to see people grow and enjoy the opportunities and activities available to us!!!
(I lived in Germany half my childhood). Both years at MUN represented the Green Party, and my second time, I was part of the organisation committee group that wrote the content for the conference, and acted as Chair/Co-Chair during the live activities. I actively seek to be involved in initiatives and panels that can improve the experience of students now, and in the future. I am not afraid of people's titles or power - I will speak up for you, all of you. One last important thing that makes me qualified for this role - I love this university and our students' union!!!! I truly desire to spread the sense of connection and belonging I feel with all the students of the University of Southampton. Any positive impact I can have is a fantastic, it really makes me proud to see people grow and enjoy the opportunities and activities available to us!!!
This question was also asked to Krzysztof Mikulski, Isobel Porteous
Answered by Alice 'Axolotl' on 09/03/26 15:15