Thanks for your question! To improve student life I would ensure that students at Winchester have the chance to have meetings with the relevant people who make changes, where they could discuss what works on campus and what their grievances are. This dialogue would ensure that the students and the staff understand each other, and in turn would mean that students would be taken seriously and inspire change. I also would like there to be a greater link between the Winchester campus and Highfield, as I feel it is a bit too separatist at the moment for my liking. An idea I had was a sort of carnival/festival where the Winchester students could showcase their work, as well as students from Highfield. I believe I am bold enough to fight for change for all, so am happy to speak to you about any things that affect you and your studies.

This question was also only asked to ShanelleAnswered by Shanelle on 19/02/18 17:04

Yes, yes and yes! I think there should be a new menu, where a substantial amount of students (enough so the election is relevant to the student body) can come and vote on what they believe should be in the provisional menu, then come in to have taste tests before the menu is actually launched. I think the taste tests and polls beforehand are what would ensure the menu is better than it is now, in terms of taste and value for money - after all, we are students!

This question was also asked to Matt Cowley, Emily Dawes, Lii Mohamed, Tom PethickAnswered by Shanelle on 19/02/18 17:08

Definitely. By saying I would like the green initiatives we launch to be inclusive to all intersections including those with disabilities, I am referring to a recent debate the Union had about metal straws and the use of plastic on campus. The moves made by the Union so far have been good, but I would dare to go further and actually be the Devil's Advocate who says we should have a limited number of plastic straws on campus, in order to be inclusive to those who are unable to use metal straws (due to disabilities). As someone with close friends and family members with hidden disabilities and those you can see; I am definitely an advocate for inclusion, as stated in my manifesto. I am all for inclusive green initiatives on campus, where those who we may not always think of when making such decisions are tended to. I would also like to have braille and large print menus in the cafeteria and other places, that would be printed on recycled or recyclable paper.

This question was also only asked to ShanelleAnswered by Shanelle on 19/02/18 17:18

I have just been made aware about the paper straws, and saw some metal straws in The Shop a few days ago. My point was that I wanted the green options on campus to be inclusive to all, as they currently are.

This question was also only asked to ShanelleAnswered by Shanelle on 20/02/18 19:28

Hey. I didn't say I wanted to increase the use of metal straws, actually. It was quite the opposite - I said I wanted to make the Union greener whilst taking into consideration how changes are affecting our students with disabilities. So whatever the green option is (which appears to be metal straws, as the general consensus suggests), I suggest it be one that is inclusive and fair, so as not to disadvantage some; as making the Union metal straws only will.

This question was also only asked to ShanelleAnswered by Shanelle on 20/02/18 19:25

Hey! Sorry for the delay. I think the main issue is that when people think about sexual assault or sexual harassment, it is always in a way where men are not included, when they absolutely should be. Men can be victims of sexual abuse, sexual violence and domestic violence just as women are; the same can be said for depression, suicide etc. You shouldn't worry about the language being used as you are in mind when we use this language - everyone is. Men aren't the enemy here and never have been - the enemy are those who assault and take advantage of others without their consent. Since this is a university campus and this happens a lot, I think its an important point.

This question was also asked to Matt Cowley, Emily Dawes, Lii Mohamed, Tom PethickAnswered by Shanelle on 23/02/18 18:12

Hey! I think that Union Staff/Sabbs as well as Students should all be disciplined when they have done something wrong. I actually really like your idea of a portal where you could report any issues you have, where an investigation could be made that would be fair and quick (with a particular emphasis on 'quickness', as there is still a report on racism that I am waiting for since October 2017). I do believe that sufficient action should be taken, and I hope to ensure that be being voted as President, so students can feel safe and like the issues that affect them matter and are being looked into. I can't lie and say I know who the complaint would reach as I am not too well versed in the disciplinary structure, but I would suggest an anonymous trial where both the jury and those being tried aren't aware of the situation or who is facing the action. As for the cliquey nature of the union, thats literally why I applied to be President! I don't feel like the Union represents the vast majority of students, or that many students feel any affinity to it or have any interest in it, and I was the same until a few weeks ago. I feel like the Union should be an extension of the students, not a separate body, and I don't feel it comes across as that way now. I know the word 'transparency' is thrown around a lot but I do believe that I am forward, driven and honest enough to lead this Union the way it should be going, which is toward being for the students and by the students.

This question was also asked to Matt Cowley, Emily Dawes, Lii Mohamed, Tom PethickAnswered by Shanelle on 25/02/18 22:03

Hey! I think that is a very unfair summary of what I said, if I'm honest. When I said that I wouldn't class mental health issues as a disability (which I still don't) it was said in relation to comparing being unable to drink without a bendy straw (due to being physically disabled in a wheelchair) to a having depression or anxiety. I said they 'come and go' because you are always unable to drink without a straw when you cannot move your neck, but your depression and anxiety are transient, and do not affect you at every waking moment; though they may incapacitate you for a certain period of time. As someone with close friends and family members with disabilities, I actually really don't appreciate being told that I am alienating anyone, especially when I myself suffer from anxiety and depression and have had such issues since I was in school. I also do not see my mental health issues as a disability because I think that takes away from those who suffer from disabilities day to day, like I said in that thread. I have had severe mental health issues in my past and I still struggle with them, but I honestly do not see them as a disability in the same sense, though I know they may disable me. My main point was that the distinction between the two is that I can feel low for weeks or months, but still be able to function, though I do not feel able to. A person with physical disabilities, be they hidden or in the open doesn't have that chance.. It is on my manifesto that I would like there to be greater mental health provisions at the University because I believe it is a very vital and important issue to be tackled at the university, as well as the wider community. This straw man argument of yours doesn't actually help anyone and is taking us away from discussing pressing issues that a lot of people suffer from at this university.

This question was also only asked to ShanelleAnswered by Shanelle on 25/02/18 21:50

Hey again! I don't consider what I said a logical inconsistency if I'm honest, and I would be lying if I said I did. I mention depression and anxiety because those are the two main mental health problems that students will struggle with - not because I believe they are the only ones. I also didn't say that I believe they are the only ones either, so its disheartening to see words being put into my mouth on such an important subject to me. However, your point about those with hallucinations and psychosis is right, and I admit that I hadn't thought about psychosis when I said that statement. I was thinking more along the lines of BPD, Bipolar etc, which are issues that you have with your mind, hence the use of there word 'feel'. I agree that those who suffer from severe mental health issues may feel that they are not in control of what they are doing, because they aren't. My point was that there is a distinction between being depressed (one relatable example for students here) and being unable to do anything, but it is in your mind and there are ways to handle such thought, such as CBT. Physical disabilities are usually unable to be 'fixed'. An example of my reasoning is I can't say I have a disability and have people think I am speaking about mental health. I think the distinction is important here between physical and mental 'disabilities', though I am only speaking as myself, and I note that others may have more debilitating mental health issues that would be as extreme as a physical disability. I'm disappointed that you don't think my answer is satisfactory, but I invite you to ask anything else you may feel is necessary because every opinion is important to me. I'm sorry you feel I'm bering ignorant but I am also being honest and speaking from my experiences, as well as that of my friends and family. If you have anything more you'd like to discuss you could contact me on here, my Facebook pages or email me on sw1e16@soton.ac.uk and I'd be happy to answer.

This question was also only asked to ShanelleAnswered by Shanelle on 25/02/18 22:39

Hey! I campaign for microwaves in the library because I, like many other students am a night owl and tend to perform better at night. As a result, I take countless trips to the library where I'll bring hot food or a a hot drink like a coffee to subside me. I'm not saying that we should have hot food all throughout the library, and break all the rules, though. I just think that having a microwave or two in the cafe area of the library would be very helpful, and useful. The library staff already stop you entering with food when its visible, and could do the same for those using the microwave - whatever they warmed up must be finished downstairs before they re-enter. That means students don't have a chance to bring hot food to other floors because they've been seen heating it. I think thats a reasonable compromise for both sides. Thanks!

This question was also only asked to ShanelleAnswered by Shanelle on 28/02/18 12:26