Officer Blogs

Union Development & Democracy Officer Blog

Hey! I’m Jade and I’m your Development and Democracy Officer for this year. It’s my job to help develop Keele SU to make sure it’s responding to the needs of students. I also make sure students feel represented, while acting as a voice for Keele students on issues and campaigns they care about in the University, local community and nationally. 

At Keele I have studied a BA in Politics with Sociology and a PG Dip. As a student, I held a part-time officer role and attended many clubs and society events. Outside of University, I love game nights with my friends, going shopping, listening to JLS and laughing at my own jokes. 

Talk to me about:

  • Making Keele SU a more welcoming place for everyone
  • The facilities and services that students need such as transport, parking, laundry and accommodation
  • Cost-of-Living
  • Empowering the student voice through part-time roles, elections and Networks

 

Email me at su.uddofficer@keele.ac.uk or contact me on social media below: 

Facebook logo: Click here to be directed to Tom's Facebook profile

Jack's Union General Meeting (UGM) Report - February 2021

Posted on Mon 01 Feb 2021 at 14:59

Hello! I'm Jack Karimi and I'm the Union Development & Democracy Officer. I am the chief representative of students to the university, communicating with students as to what the university is doing, and representing students on top University leadership committees. As well as that, I lead on policies that affect student experience, the union's development, as well as our democratic processes as a union.

 

Covid-19 & Accommodation

I have become the Full-Time Officer primarily responsible for accommodation during the lockdown period, and my priority is expanding on the existing commitments from the University regarding rent rebates.

I have met with the Vice Chancellor and discussed December rent, continuing rent rebates, and off-campus rent rebates with him. His open letter to off-campus accommodation providers was forwarded to landlords signed up to the North Staffordshire Landlord Accreditation Scheme at my request.

I have additionally written a letter on behalf of the Full-Time Officer team to Simon Tagg, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, asking them to lobby for rent rebates and a nationally-administered tuition fee reduction. The full letter can be read here.

 

Democracy

Despite the lack of success in passing the Part-Time Officer Review through the AGM, I am still committed to expanding the size of our democracy and creating more opportunities for students to get involved in campaigning and setting policy. In line with that goal, I have submitted to our democratic process a motion to reinstate the Non-Portfolio Officer and Environment & Campus Officer roles on Union Council that were abolished last year.

Additionally, I have taken the action point on election information from the Officer Review, and will work to raise awareness on how to vote and rank candidates using the Single Transferable Vote system at elections.

 

Accountability

I have been in consultation with other Full-Time Officers and SU staff about holding online events to give you the ability to hold us to account. Regular drop-in sessions with alternating groups of Full-Time Officers, or a full Q&A stream with the Full-Time Officer team have been considered.