Plymouth Gazette are working with UPSU during this student election cycle to bring the candidates to you in their own words, unedited and unabridged to represent their true personalities and passion. These are Alannah O’Neill’s answers to our questions. Alannah is running for VP Wellbeing and Diversity.
Why are you running for your role?
I am running for the role of VP Wellbeing and Diversity as I have experienced and witnessed the impact that the past year has had on student mental health and general wellbeing. What makes you different to the other candidates running? • I believe that my experience sets me apart. Last year I was Health and Safety Officer for RAG, where I took on the responsibility of a huge number of students. I also personally extended the role to Health, Safety and Wellbeing as I recognised the need to ensure that the wellbeing needs of students are met as well as their physical health and safety. I also have been part of the Family Law Clinic for two years, where I have worked with people of a variety of backgrounds, which has required me to be able to communicate personally and effectively in multiple different scenarios. This experience has been extremely valuable, and I believe it to be incredibly useful in running for this role.
In what way will you improve the influence of the student voice on the way that the university and SU operates?
I will ensure that the processes and operations are transparent for the students. By making this accessible, the student voice can be informed and amplified, allowing students to make their own choices and be empowered to make change. I will act as a vehicle for student feedback, taking the issues that you care about to the university, pushing for change. I will not speak over you, I will be a representative for you, and I will fight for what you want and need. I will also ensure that feedback tools are kept up to date and regularly assessed to make sure that they are accessible, starting with ensuring that anonymous reporting on the speak up tool can get results. At present, it is not possible to submit a full report on the speak up tool unless you waive anonymity, which makes it less likely that people will report issues out of fear of repercussion. As such it is not an effective tool, and needs urgent improvement.
If you could only pass through one of your policies this year, what would it be and why?
Although I feel strongly about all of my policies, I would have to say that it would be lobbying the university for improved and personal mental health/wellbeing services. Feedback from the student body, and my own experiences has shown that the current offerings for support are inadequate, with the services often overlooking student issues, and providing little to no help in addressing and improving problems. When struggling with mental health issues or unsupported disabilities, it can be near impossible for students to achieve to their full potential, so in order for them to make the most out of their time at university, they need to be properly supported and given the help they need. With 73% of students reporting a decline in their mental health during the pandemic, I want to see real change in the conversation and action surrounding mental health and wellbeing.
What approach are you going to take this year regarding working virtually and in person during your time in office?
It is difficult to predict where we will be any time in the future, but I will aim to make my approaches for either virtual or in person work as seamless as possible. That will
mean hosting either face to face or virtual drop-in sessions, outreach or meetings, etc. If we are back in person next year, I will still make myself available virtually for those who would prefer it or find it harder to access the SU in person. I will operate an open-door policy, ensuring that I am readily available to students and ready to take on their feedback and concerns.
Do you think there should be more emphasis placed onto students to either get their work and research published in academic journals or to compete representing the university in their sports clubs/societies? Why?
Every student is different, and therefore it would be foolish of me to say that there should be more emphasis either way. For some, having their work and research published could be a huge step up in their chosen career, and should be greatly encouraged. However, for others, sports clubs and societies are the thing that helps them settle into or carry on with their studies. Being part of a society was integral in helping me gain my confidence at university, and I am sure it is the same for a lot of people. Many students benefit from both having their work published and being part of a student group, and I don’t think that the two are mutually exclusive in any way. University is not a one size fits all experience, and students deserve the opportunity to make the most of their university experience in the ways that they choose.
How will you improve the university services digitally and in person?
I will ensure that digital services are regularly tested and improved on, as we have seen from the limits of the Speak-Up Tool, it is not accessible to many people. Students should be able to report any issues they face without the setbacks of being afraid of putting their name to a report. I will lobby the university to improve the offerings of wellbeing services and offer tailored, personal support to students, focusing on their individual issues and creating a support plan that meets their needs. The generic advice and one size fits all approach that has let many students down in their times of need is not enough, and it needs fixing now.
Students can vote from the 26/02 – 05/03 on the UPSU website.