Joshie Christian - Vice President Education

I’m Joshie - I want to support your amazing Course Reps and ensure student voices are heard across the university. I’m running for another year as your VP Education to provide continuity, strengthen your representation, and improve your student experience!

Introduce reading weeks - When the Academic Calendar changes, there’s a unique opportunity to campaign for something many students have been asking for! I’ll work with your School/Department Presidents to secure either reading weeks, consolidation weeks, or simply a week during Semester 1 without teaching activity: time to rest, catch up on content, and get ahead on assessments! Existing reading weeks should be aligned, supporting Joint Honours students who often benefit from none of their different reading weeks. Every student deserves a work-life balance, including regular opportunities to recharge!

Continue reducing overassessment -The new university policy will prioritise student consultation during the design of all assessments! As returning VP Education, I will develop additional training and workshops over the summer so your Course Reps can confidently challenge unsustainable assessment practices and improve your overall assessment experience! I’ve collected extensive student feedback about clarity in assessment, and will introduce student-designed templates for assessment briefs. This ensures academics include all the information you need to know, whether that’s wordcounts and referencing, or online tools and the submission process. I will introduce templates for the front pages of in-person and online exams, making sure you’re never left feeling uncertain.

Keeping you informed - When changes happen and decisions are made, students shouldn’t be left behind. I will regularly make sure our student body are the decision makers for the university and the students’ union, incorporating a fortnightly vote or question into the emails from the Sabbatical Officer team! Throughout next year, our university will implement new assessment policies, change its academic calendar, choose a new vice-chancellor, and more! I will ensure all students are regularly updated by running informational campaigns, online and across our campuses, and by directly asking students what they think our community should know more about!

Reduce email overload - Students’ inboxes waste valuable time, as do constant notifications from the app. I plan to push back against extraneous mass emailing, moving communications into appropriate alternative channels, such as MySouthampton feeds. Your primary inbox should be reserved for information about your studies and student experience, with options to opt-out of the clutter. I want every student to be able to prioritise what matters most to them.

Study spaces - I want you to get the most out of your teaching, learning, and study spaces. 

• Empty floors of Building 2 should become quiet study spaces.
• Students to be consulted on new study spaces at WSA and City Centre campuses.
• Room data needs overhauling, improving information available on timetables and booking systems about accessibility, sensory needs, lighting, ventilation, bathroom access, etc.
• Livestreamed/recorded lectures suffer from shoddy tech; students need direct reporting channels for cameras and microphones that need upgrading.
• Introduce well-defined room categories to help match activities to the right spaces.