Candidate for the position of City Campus Officer (Bower, Arnolfini, Spike & Watershed)
Change is ACE
I believe the safety of all students at UWE is paramount, and should not depend on which campus you belong to or where you live. City campus students have very limited accommodation options situated far from Bower Ashton. I hope that the university will help me lobby First Buses to provide a better, more reliable service to Bower Ashton to ensure the safety, wellbeing and equality of all students. Only one unreliable bus services the campus, the 71. The library opens long after the last bus departs and the night buses do not run as they should, missing stops and sometimes turning around before they reach Bower Ashton. This means students are forced to journey in the dark, late at night, along the river on motorways and underpasses, to get home. The next stop is a poor option, where the buses are less frequent and only run to the bus station. It is unacceptable that our safety is compromised by a lack of decent public transport.
Secondly, I am concerned by the food provision at Bower Ashton Campus. If there were better provision, people could use the library later and more easily, stay on in the Students' Union later, and get the full potential out of the amazing facilities. We have a sizeable canteen and Students' Union space, but Bower Ashton is the only main campus whose primary food facility is run by an external company. Food stops being served by 4pm, meaning you will find it difficult to get dinner on campus, especially as there are no shops close by and little in the way of food at the Students' Union bar.
The last point I wish to highlight, that is of great importance to me, is to publicise the services available at the university and Students' Union to students at City campuses. UWE has amazing mental health provision and counselling, money advice, and safety and wellbeing information but students have told me that when they seek advice from their tutors, they don't even know if these services exist. I want to make sure that staff and students across all campuses are made aware of what is on offer and where to access this help to give every student the opportunity to succeed and thrive at UWE.
These points are just a sample of the ideas I have, to enhance the experience of all students, regardless of campus.