/asset/Manifesto/449/Election-Poster.pdf

I have been your Department Student Coordinator and am currently your Women's officer, now, I would like to take the next step and become your Welfare and Diversity Officer:

During my time at Goldsmiths I have been no stranger to the hardships that face us in our time of study both within the confines of the campus but also in the wider community. Financial and academic stresses, battles with poor mental health, sexual assault and illness. I survived because of the support networks put in place here. I have been lucky and I am incredibly grateful but there are still so many struggling, unable to seek the support they need.

Welfare Issues:

• Accessible Counselling – I have heard complaints about the forms and assessments involved in accessing this service, along with the extended waiting times. With this in mind and acknowledging the limitations of my experiences I will hold focus groups to discuss the changes you need to feel comfortable accessing this service and take your ideas directly to service management.
• Open office hours – I know that you need available and accountable staff within your SU. As your Welfare and Diversity officer I will utilise social media and mobile contact to expand the channels you can access me by. Equally I would like to have regular daily open hours, including early mornings and evenings for those with children and awkward working hours and ‘walk in’ times as well.
• Zero Tolerance for Bullying and Harassment – Where instances of bullying and harassment are concerned I will not stand for anything that creates an unsafe and uncomfortable working environment for you. Having undertaken a course on disclosure training I will organise further training not just for myself but other members of staff within Goldsmiths and the SU so that you can have confidence if you should ever need to confide in a member of staff.
• Student Food Bank – I was disappointed to be faced with so much red tape in the face of attempts to protect those students struggling with financial problems. I will campaign to start an official student food bank that works so as not to out struggling students but still protect them from the harsh financial realities of UK study. You cannot succeed if you are starving.

Diversity Issues:

• Students Not Suspects - I want to continue Goldsmiths SU’s connection with the Students Not Suspects campaign and push Goldsmiths to officially denounce the work of Prevent. Goldsmiths as an institution should be at the forefront of denouncing inherently racist laws.
• Full Time Women and Non Binary Officer – As a union we’ve been made abundantly aware that this is something students want and need and it is time we put together the appropriate business plan to show Goldsmiths that this is an affordable necessity.
• Connecting with Marginalised Groups on Campus – There are still issues of diversity within the curriculum, racism, homophobia, misogyny, whorephobia and transphobia on campus that need stamping out. By connecting with our part time liberation officers on a regular basis I hope that your problems on campus can be brought to my attention sooner and dealt with more effectively.
• Part Time Officer/Society Support – This academic year has proven just how crucial our part time officers are. I want to meet with them regularly to make sure they are getting access to the guidance and support they need. This extends to leaders of societies involved in political affiliation and identities.

Too many students are unaware that they have a friend within the SU. I want to be that friend, whenever you may need it. So for everyone and anyone who in the past year has felt unheard, has seen their colleagues forced from positions within societies that they love by outside bullying and for those of you who are losing faith in your SU I ask you to vote for me, Alice-India Garwood.