Virgil Friedman - Arts and Humanities Faculty Officer

Over the course of my four years at this university and two years in representation roles, I have gained a deep love for the way student government works. I have had the honour and privilege of serving as a course rep and English department president, alongside several committee positions across various societies. These roles have equipped me with skills such as welfare experience, lobbying, student-staff liaising, event planning, and administrative experience, all of which qualify me to be your next Arts and Humanities Faculty Officer.

Student representation is a cause close to my heart. I came to this university knowing absolutely no one, and through representation roles and getting involved in my student community, I have been able to thrive here, and I want nothing more than to improve upon that system and make things easier for future students like me, and like you.
I have already worked to make tangible changes to Avenue Campus, and over the course of my tenure as a student rep and as the English department president, I released an 18 page report on accessibility issues regarding Avenue Campus, worked with the Student Accessibility Network to collect feedback from Avenue students, established the English buddy system, and worked with faculty to set up more student events and build camaraderie amongst the department.  
Should I be elected, I would like to focus specifically on the following five points:
1) Improve transportation and accessibility to and from Avenue Campus
As a physically disabled student, I've personally experienced the difficulty of getting to Avenue, alongside issues with accessibility within Avenue. I will improve accessibility in and around all campuses, such as campaigning for bus routes, automatic doors, etc.

2) Establish rest rooms for disabled/ND students on Avenue
Highfield Campus has the Clarkson Rest and Study Room, a safe space that students can go to should they need privacy due to overstimulation, medical episodes, etc. I would like to ensure one of these exists on Avenue, so students who are not primarily on Highfield still have a safe space to go if needed.
 
3) Increase reception presence
There is a lack of presence at Avenue’s reception, which can be especially difficult for new students who may not know their way around or need help. I’d like to increase reception presence to three days a week, or every other day, such that students have easier access to help when they need it.

4) Set up quarterly faculty-wide events
This year, I’ve been lucky enough to be able to help put on some events for the English department. Next year, I’d like to set up events for the faculty as a whole, allowing the humanities departments to mingle more.
 
5) Ensure student voices are heard
Perhaps the most important of my points: should I be elected, I will continue to ensure all students' voices are heard and their beliefs represented. I want this to be a campus where we all feel at home, and together, we can make that happen.