Haniya for HEMS! – SU Election 2021

By Haniya Syed

Greetings fellow students!

I am Haniya Syed, I am an MSc Public Health student at ARU Cambridge. I am also the course-rep for my course. For the two months, I was at the uni (COVID right?) I did as much as I could and I enjoyed it. I became the course-rep to address the problems my cohort were having in reference to their academics and it was seen through. During the time I was associated with the course as a rep and as a student, I’ve come across some issues that need to be addressed for the betterment of the students and the university. That is the reason I have decided to run for the VP HEMS. Since HEMS is my faculty and I am more familiar with the workings of the department, I think I am a very good candidate for HEMS and for the students of the university. So! here is a summary of my plan for the faculty of HEMS, otherwise known as the election manifesto.

I have spent most of my course in online classes so believe me I know the situation at hand and these are the main things I would like to improve:

1. Accountability and Transparency :

The faculty has to be brought to account in case students face any sort of issue with the course or any member of the staff in particular. I will provide my full support and make your problem mine. If a student wants to give anonymous feedback, I will respect it and I will be the voice. No student should feel under pressure or stress out because they can’t voice their concern. The university will be transparent with its decisions and accountable to any questions asked by the students. Faculty and student forums to be encouraged and made more public for more participation. 

2. Improved research and innovation opportunities: 

HEMS includes doctors, nurses and scientists; health professionals and social care professionals who work for the healthcare of society and should thus be up to date with the latest research and innovative technology which I would strongly endorse. To bring more research opportunities into the university would not only benefit the students but also would raise ARU as a pioneering research institute. More exposure to modern technological innovations in the field of medicine and healthcare including artificial intelligence would be a major step towards excellence of the students and the university.

3. Prioritising and addressing mental health concerns:

My priority is to reduce the factors affecting the mental health of the students. Providing support for mental health concerns is always there, but I would like to reduce the chances of students getting stressed academically and by university factors. Addressing student concerns and signposting them to the right person can reduce mental health concerns by a margin and I pledge to do everything in my power to make the university experience less stressful.

4.  More financial support, increased temp job opportunities and scholarships:

More financial support and funds to make finance less difficult. Making students aware of the employability options provided by the university and increasing scholarship options.

5. “Meet the heroes”: 

During the current pandemic crises, we saw a lot of people rise above and beyond to protect the country from this dreadful situation. More interaction with the allied health professionals, public health specialists, medical officers, scientists, who made everything that is today, possible. The students can benefit a great deal from their experience and head towards a better future.

6. Tutoring; student-student or student-teacher:

The students in HEMS are not only students but nurses and carers with jobs and of a wide age spectrum. Sometimes these students need a bit of an extra nudge to stay up to date with the studies and the digital technology used for teaching. A session with a fellow student who would volunteer or a student-teacher session can be arranged and set up. Students and faculty can sign up for the programme and can work around the student’s schedule. 

7. “Support system”

Accommodation, food, travel, university issues, study skills, canvas, online lectures, assignments or just a friendly ear, I am here to help in any way I can, particularly for the international students who are away from home and need a friend. University can be a difficult time but hey! THE SUPPORT IS HERE!!

8. Equality:

Bullying, harassment, abuse of any kind or discrimination on the basis of race, colour, gender, nationality or unfair treatment will not be tolerated and the students can come to me with any problem or if they feel discriminated against. There is no place for such things in the university and I will personally handle such issues and it will be sorted regardless of whether the person in question is a student or a member of faculty. My idea is to turn the university into a place of equal opportunities and well, a fun place to study.

9. Sustainibility: 

I would do my part in making the campus more sustainable and plastic free. I will also organise more community-based projects to endorse the same.

As Margaret Thatcher once said ” you turn if you want to. The lady’s not for turning”. So vote for me, Haniya Syed, for the vice-president of HEMS and give your thought a voice. Together we can reform HEMS and the university.

See you on the other side 🙂

Images: Element5 on Unsplash and Haniya Syed.

Dipanshu for VP of Science and Engineering! – SU Election 2021

By Dipanshu Kant

Hii.. I’m Dipanshu Kant.. Current candidate for vice president (science & engineering).. I’m a postgrad clinical psychology student..

I was born and brought up in Delhi, India and have been living in Cambridge for more than a year now.. I was involved in various committees during my undergrad in India and have worked for 2 years as an assistant psychologist in clincal setting in my home country… So you can be rest assured if I say reducing stigma surrounding mental health will be my foremost priority.. These days (especially after covid) there has been a lot of buzz over mental health which has led to many people coming forward to tackle these issues, even those who dont have enough knowledge on this topic.. If I get selected, I’ll try to work from ground up such as by setting up an anonymous student advisor committee.. So I kindly request you to not vote for me if you dont consider me as the right candidate and my manifesto doesnt seem engaging.. I have only included those points in my manifesto which I consider will be achievable for me if I become the Vice President.. Here are some of the other things which I’ll try to accomplish:-

• Night time food/food stalls managed by students
• Dealing with graduate depression
• Freshers week for sept 2020 and January 2021 students
• Worship place in the university
• Anonymous student advisor committee
• Sustainability & Transparency

Images: Element5 on Unsplash and Dipanshu Kant.

Kamlesh for VP of Business and Law – SU Election 2021

By Kamlesh Bhoopal

Hi, I’m Kamlesh Bhoopal and I’m passionate, driven, determined, proactive and approachable, these are all the types of traits you would expect a candidate to say when running in an election? Although this does not tell you why I am running for the role of Vice President(Business & Law). Our Student Union is brilliant in so many ways, but I believe it can be even better. A fresh approach that offers new solutions to our problems, and I’m confident that I can provide this with your support from this election.

WHO AM I?

Currently pursuing my MBA at ARU Cambridge,UK. I am from Bangalore, the silicon city of India where IT and startups have had its greatest boom in the last decade and counting. Having completed my bachelors in Computer Science Engineering I have had real world experience by attending and volunteering in Business/Technical events(Hackathons, Ted Talks, etc…) with a wider business perspective. My curiosity to understand Business at this level grew within. This drove me to pursue an MBA at ARU. After interning within the University for my placement as ’Business Development Coordinator’ for the Faculty of Business and Law, having worked closely with the Student Engagement Teams to ensure students employability for work placement i feel confident with voicing the students on how ARU as an organisation works towards fulfilling students needs. 

I’M HERE TO WORK WITH YOU.

There couldn’t be a Students’ Union without students, so it is essential that your voice and your opinions are at the heart of what the SU does. My passion for ensuring every voice is heard comes from a belief that everything can be improved. If you raise an issue, I will guarantee that it will be listened to and acted upon in the most reliable and helpful manner. 

I’d love to be your Student Union Vice President for Business and Law this year as I want to continue representing the students and make sure that your voice is heard and the overall student experience continues to improve year on year. 

I know that I’ve had an amazing experience here at ARU and want students to be able to have a great experience here as well. Having actively worked within the university and throughout the university to improve the standard of personal tutoring, and currently student employability, I have a strong insight into what needs to be done to enhance student life at ARU. 

WHAT I WILL DO FOR YOU.

Bringing Campus Together – 

• Give you more community mixed campus events.(TOPICS – Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Cryptocurrency and more depending on your feedback.)
• Have a proper Refreshers week. It is easy to miss the boat the first time around with so many things to take in, all the fairs and opportunities available the first time around should be available the second time around.

Incubation Center –

• Adapt incubation stages in order to classify startups and ideas according to progress.
• Increase volunteer opportunities to enhance real world capabilities.
• Creating an Investors’ club for external funding opportunities.
• Build a strong network of creative and strong individuals who can contribute building towards success.
• Awards and Recognition to those students with outstanding contribution.
• Bringing students from all courses to work as one on selected projects(I am a Business student with a Computer Science background and I can tell you more about the benefits of this in the near future).

Transparency and Democracy – 

• Feedback boxes made available around SU building and online questioning space on the SU official website.
• Regular polling of trending students’ opinions. Instead of assuming we know what the student body thinks – let’s ask! This could easily be done online (surveys) or via email.

Beyond the Bubble

• Creating a student ballot for monthly engagement of events and feedback.
• Organising online events and webinars regarding support during the pandemic.
• Intercampus activities (Picked from Student Ballot).
• Online Student Engagement with Industry level experts on trending topics.

 According to Harvey Firestone ‘the growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership’. Your growth and development as a student is dependent on your Education and Welfare. I am determined to ensure your growth and development as a student by ensuring that issues relating to your academic interests and welfare are dealt with timeously, efficiently and effectively.

Vote KAMLESH BHOOPAL for Vice President (Business and Law).

As always, please accept the assurances of my highest regards and consideration.

Looking forward to serving you.

Best regards,

Kamlesh Bhoopal.

Images: Element5 on Unsplash and Kamlesh Bhoopal.

‘My disabled body isn’t why I’m disabled’ – SU Election 2021

By Tiegan-Leigh Everitt – Disability Representative Candidate (Cambridge Campus)

Disclaimer: This article has not been edited by The Ruskin Journal. The Journal will publish similar submissions from other election candidates that want to get involved. These posts show no bias – the opportunity to post a manifesto with us is open, and has been advertised too, all candidates.

What if disability was less physical, and more of a social issue?

We can currently view disability as a problem within someone’s body, and their disadvantages only exist within the scope of themselves, therefore they must seek treatment to get as close as they can to function like the average person (however defining what this is, is a conversation within itself). This puts a huge weight on the shoulders of disabled people – we are constantly trying to fit the standards of people who are able bodied and neurotypical, and go against the natural functions of our bodies and minds. 

This is somewhat depressing and seems like life will always be an ever increasing uphill climb (hopefully one with wheelchair access) for people with disabilities, the end goal being to emulate something unnatural to us. The good news is, by simply switching the way we perceive disability, life as a disabled person becomes a lot more hopeful.

Disability does not exist in a vacuum. It is directly impacted by the society around us. For example, the ability to function like an able bodied person is much easier to achieve for deaf people when there are subtitles and sign language interpreters present at events and lectures. When these accommodations are implemented, suddenly the deaf person becomes a lot ‘less’ disabled, despite their deafness not changing at all. This is an example of the social model of disability.

Here is perhaps the most easy to understand analogy of this model that I have come across. Imagine that one day, everybody on earth, except you, gains the ability to fly. You are not disabled, despite this, everything is as normal, you can walk to the shops, go to work, and participate in everything society has to offer, as nothing in society has changed. You physically cannot do what everyone else can do, yet you are not considered disabled. However, a while down the line, shopping centres are built into the sky, your workplace moves to a building high in the clouds, that can only be reached by flying, most entertainment venues are up too high and you simply cannot reach them. Now, you are considered disabled. It is near enough impossible for you to work, shop and do anything you would usually do. You have not changed at all, but society did, and those societal changes made you diabled. 

As an autistic woman, most of the time I do not feel too different from my neurotypical peers. However, when there are overwhelming sensory situations, or when I am in social situations with people that cannot accept my autistic traits and I have to mask them, suddenly I feel out of place, and disabled. In my case, if sensory accommodations such as noise cancelling headphones were seen as normal and were easily accessible, and if the people around me were able to understand and accept my autistic traits as natural rather than weird, I wouldn’t be so ‘disabled’, despite me not changing at all.

If our society was more accommodating, if subtitles and audio descriptions were required, if autism traits were portrayed as normal in media, if wheelchair ramps were commonplace and if therapy was easily accessible and affordable, we would find that these conditions that render us ‘disabled’ in our society become less of a hindrance and more of a natural human variation. 

University can be a difficult place for disabled students of all abilities, and if ARU was to adopt this mindset that the setbacks of disability are more social and societal than an inherent flaw in the diabled individual, we could make a campus where everyone has an equal chance to succeed in their education, and equality and inclusivity become the standard, rather than a luxury.

In my campaign for disabled students rep, this is a mindset I would aim to help the whole student union adopt, and prioritise creating a safe, inclusive campus that champions accessibility, helping every student embrace their unique abilities, rather than be held back by them.

To make change at ARU, taking part in democracy is a must! Don’t forget to vote from the 6th of march for the candidate that will best uplift and support your community, so we can all get the very best from our university experience.

Check out @tieganleigharu for more disability advocacy content at ARU, and vote Tiegan-Leigh Everitt for disabled students rep if my campaign values align with your own.

Image: Element5 on Unsplash.

‘It’s okay not to be okay’ – SU Election 2021

By Maddison Taylor– Mental Health Rep Candidate (Chelmsford Campus)

Disclaimer: This article has not been edited by The Ruskin Journal. The Journal will publish similar submissions from other election candidates that want to get involved. These posts show no bias – the opportunity to post a manifesto with us is open, and has been advertised too, all candidates.

If you are struggling with your mental health, you are not alone. Did you know that 1 in 5 students suffers with their mental health? Or that 33% of students often or always feel lonely¹. It is important to recognise that we all have a mental health. By definition, mental health is a person’s cognitive, behavioural, and emotional well-being². Perhaps you are thinking but why does this matter to me? It matters as we all experience emotions. By developing a greater understanding of our emotions, we can better cope when life throws a curveball at us. Focusing on your mental wellbeing is as important as your physical wellbeing. It is fundamental that there are more safe and open forums for students to discuss how they are feeling and feel comfortable to do so without negative consequence. 

I am Maddison and I hope to be your first ever Mental Health Rep at ARU’s Chelmsford campus. My aim is to guide students to making subtle but positive changes to support their mental health and support other students’ wellbeing. Small changes can be so effective, I hope to share some wisdom from my experience of cognitive and dialectal behavioural therapy.

I am aware that some of the biggest challenges which impact student’s mental health include: relationships, body image, substance abuse, loneliness, anxiety and social media. I would like to tackle some of these concerns by implementing training for students to improve our resilience, coping skills and address a healthy work-life balance. There is an awful lot of stigma attached to mental illness and through more open discussion and education, these misconceptions can be addressed. If you would like to hear more from me and discuss how you can help make changes too, please reach out. I am always happy to have a chat and can ensure you confidentiality and lack of judgement are two of my moral principles when it comes to mental health discussion.

Feel free to follow my campaign on Instagram. My direct messages are open.

Voting opens Saturday 06 March at 09.00am. You can vote by visiting www.angliastudent.com/vote

Source:
¹  https://freshstudentliving.co.uk/2020/04/01/university-student-mental-health-uk/ 

² https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154543

Images: Element5 on Unsplash and Maddison Taylor

‘ARU Mental Health Rep’ – SU Election 2021

By Alina Clarke – Mental Health Rep Candidate (Cambridge Campus)

Hiya everyone! My name is Alina clarke and I would love to be the Cambridge mental health rep. I am currently studying biomedical science In my first year at university and would love to be more involved in the community. During my time at sixth form I was also mental health rep for my school, I really enjoyed this job as it felt great to be voicing the problems and stigmas around mental health and how we can best help each other in understanding mental health better. I myself have had my own mental health struggles so I understand how very easily mental health can be misunderstood but I believe it is crucial for us all to be given a chance to be heard. 

I also think this would be a great role for me as it would help boost my confidence and get more involved in ARU, I’d love to try and improve my weaker spots and I feel this would be something I’d be passionate about and really get involved in.

overall I wish to give a better experience at ARU for the students and also provide a voice for us. Wether this is a support group or information hub or fundraisers, I want the student voice as involved as possible so that everyone feels apart of the community.

I hope everyone has a great academic year ,

A x

Image: Element5 on Unsplash and Alina Clarke

‘100 Years of Silence’ – Poetry

By Ciéra Cree

In commemoration of ‘International Women’s Day’ 2021.

Disclaimer: This piece is not published with the intent of pushing any personal agenda.

plagued by her thoughts; an unfamiliar voice
utters words of depreciation
that permeate the silence
 
the depths of her mind etched out
in a cross of grey
smudging her opinion
& craftily painted lips
colour staining porcelain skin
is she worth more than this?
 
she holds a touch that’s feather-light
& sleek as a ballroom floor
a symbol of fragility
encased in a false serenity
 
adorning her heart on her sleeve
as she paces relentless streets
filled with dark corners &
societal mourners grouped in an
atypical fleet
 
protest leaks from the edges
of delicately pencilled eyes
fluttering from the lashes of
an unbound compromise

why should women have to disguise
& present themselves with a mask,
to be a walking “pop of colour” 
with a mind kept
sheltered in the dark?
 
one hundred years of silence
& a proudly retained composure
held together with a smile & the promise
of change creeping ever closer
 
she isn’t just an object
which is easy on the eye
she’s not merely a victim
failed by a system
that doesn’t try
 
to mediate opinion
& value individual worth
 
for this girl is wholly human
& that’s what should be put first

Image: Marina Khrapova on Unsplash

‘Elect Vignesh Periyasamy for Vice President of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences’ – SU Election 2021

By Vignesh Periyasamy – Candidate for VP of AHSS (Cambridge Campus)

Disclaimer: This article has not been edited by The Ruskin Journal. The Journal will publish similar submissions from other election candidates that want to get involved. These posts show no bias – the opportunity to post a manifesto with us is open, and has been advertised too, all candidates.

Hi students, 

I am VP (Vignesh Periyasamy) running for VP (Vice President) at AHSS Faculty in the  student election this year, 2021. I am currently doing my Masters degree at Anglia Ruskin  University, Cambridge campus.  

About me: 

I try to pursue excellence in everything I do. My university friends know that I always  lend hand when needed irrespective of the faculty, ethnicity and etc…  

I am an extroverted person and am interacting with a load of students on a daily basis  and resolving their issues. I can’t be certain about the number of students I have helped in  terms of accommodation, travel and other university related works. That being said, when I  am helping students even before becoming the VP, think about how much I can help once I  become the face of the faculty and make the right decision.

I will work on, 

1. Increasing Full-time employment opportunities 

• My ideas to make this effective are as follows, 

• Connecting with alumni of the faculty you belong to. 

• Persuading their employers to visit our campus on a yearly basis. 

• Trying to create agreement with potential employers to recruit students  yearly. 

• Conducting LinkedIn workshop for students (Real time growth hacking  workshops for FREE). 

• Creating awareness on ATS (Applicant Tracking System). 

2. Implementing technical support for the faculty and for every ARU student • I have planned to create a platform that gives access to all of the platforms. • The above-mentioned point totally eliminates navigation between multiple  

platforms. Hence, reduces the worry of having to navigate between multiple  platforms. 

• Lobbying to make the timetables available earlier in the trimester.

3. 24/7 Support to Home and International students 

• This continuous lockdown made it tougher for every student including me. • Every student struggle to find the proper accommodation and find it difficult  to travel abroad from home country. 

• I will be creating an online platform and a physical space to drop your queries  irrespective of the faculty. 

• The online platform and physical space will have students responding to your  query at any given point of time. 

• This can be utilized by any faculty and priority will be given based on the  severity of the query raised. 

Voting starts March 6 (09:00 AM) – March 12 (02:00 PM). 

Go to ARU Student’s Union website and cast your vote. 

Connect with me on, 

Instagram: Click me! 

Facebook : Click me! 

Twitter : Click me! 

LinkedIn : Click me!

Vote for me: HERE!

Image: Element5 on Unsplash and Vignesh Periyasamy

‘Shubham for Disability Rep!’ – SU Election 2021

By Shubham Singh – Disability Representative Candidate (Cambridge Campus)

Disclaimer: This article has not been edited by The Ruskin Journal. The Journal will publish similar submissions from other election candidates that want to get involved. These posts show no bias – the opportunity to post a manifesto with us is open, and has been advertised too, all candidates.

As you all know me, I am Shubham Singh, I am studying in 2nd year B Eng, In my first impression I would like you to start again with, from my father spoke to me that sticks with me for a long time “Don’t let your disability stop your success, make your disability as your strength”. I hope I will be running to be your next Students with Disabilities Officer. For Context, I have a hearing impairment with 100% deafness by birth. I don’t let this break my spirit no matter what. 

However, Despite this range, I am very much aware of the broad of disability, which many of them I have experience dealing with it. My own experiences alone are not enough to adequately represent the range of disabilities students at ARU will have, because of the new country that I am representing for the second time and first time for NUS, which is why I will first of all endeavor to hold feedback sessions and drop-ins a couple of times a month in order to find out if there are any issues which need addressing that I am not aware of. As usual, I would operate in conjunction with the needs of the students I represent, hence why engagement will be one of the priorities for me. Following on from that, I also intend to use my communications and marketing experience from previous society positions back in my home country and working in student media to ensure that my work, campaigns, and assistance is advertised to as many of the disabled student population as possible and hopefully Some of them will work/help me to ensure everything is fine.

Thank you for reading my manifesto, and please vote for Shubham Singh.

Image: Element5 on Unsplash.

‘Re-Elect Fatima for VP of AHSS!’ – SU Election 2021

By Fatima Lakhani – Candidate for VP of AHSS (Cambridge Campus)

Disclaimer: This article has not been edited by The Ruskin Journal. The Journal will publish similar submissions from other election candidates that want to get involved. These posts show no bias – the opportunity to post a manifesto with us is open, and has been advertised too, all candidates.

I am super active on Instagram and if you cannot make your mind up about me as a candidate please check out my Instagram page @re_electfatima and find out what other students have to say about me as VP AHSS!

This year I am in a slate with Omkar and Em Long. Having worked with them has been amazing and they are truly in support and sincere about their work for students. So please do support them!

Images: Element5 on Unsplash, Fatima Lakhani, Omkar Singh and Emily Long

‘Ciéra Cree for AHSS Faculty Rep’ – SU Election 2021

By Ciéra Cree – AHSS Faculty Representative Candidate (Cambridge Campus)

Disclaimer: This article has not been edited by The Ruskin Journal. The Journal will publish similar submissions from other election candidates that want to get involved. These posts show no bias – the opportunity to post a manifesto with us is open, and has been advertised too, all candidates.

Arts, Humanities and the Social Sciences are important, intelligent and beautiful areas of study. I am running for the position of AHSS Faculty Representative because of my genuine passion for these areas, as well as my passion for the experience of others in our university.

Ciéra Cree and the launch photo of the 2019-20 Ruskin Journal annual.

I may often be quietly spoken but I’m a person with a loud mind filled with ideas and a great love for creativity. As a person who dabbles in many things that work collaboratively with Media Studies (my chosen course), such as photography, article work and creative writing, I feel I am a good candidate to represent the collective student voice for this broad sector.

It’s vital that we all have the opportunity and comfortability to express how we feel about our courses and class atmosphere, and it would be my aim as a representative to ensure not only that people are able to do just this, but also that areas highlighted for improvement or consideration are brought to the attention of those appropriate.

I campaigned for this position in last year’s Student Election and it was an invaluable experience. It taught me a lot about what it means to put yourself forward as a leader and the importance of properly selling yourself to an audience.

Looking back upon last year, I feel that I should have sold myself better. I am 20 years old and, for a 20 year old, I feel that I have pretty extensive experience in many AHSS areas. I have experience with The National Centre for Writing and spent a year with them under mentoring as a Poet Laureate. During that year I got involved with many things such as commission work, performing and even teaching. I am published in an Australian Poetry Anthology, among many other places, and would be able to provide students who wish with information about the first steps to submitting their artworks and writing to magazines, zines and online platforms. I have also been highly commended by The Royal Society of Literature, have worked with the Young Norfolk Arts group and am a member of the Young Artists In Suffolk Collective.

If you’re interested in radio I have spent two years at university studying radio modules and have spoken on BBC Radio Norfolk in the past. If you’re interested in journalism I have been writing articles for 2 years and have spent the last year and a half running The Ruskin Journal. If you’re interested in blogging, video work or work in regards to social media, I currently work two part-time jobs in these areas. One job involves student life blogs and the other entails the production of content for a social media marketing team. I spent many years studying and enjoying Philosophy, too, and I also took on Sociology as an A-Level at college. Let’s start some conversations and think about networking!

Upon leaving college with an Excellence In Media Award I didn’t know where to go, but deciding to join ARU is one of the best decisions that I have ever made. I’ve been doing my best to show gratitude and give back – be that in the form of spending a year as a Course Rep or through volunteering for over 430 collective hours with the Student’s Union so far – but I want to do more.

I know that I would do my best in representing you, and I know that I would work hard to ensure that your voices are heard. I will not let you down.

Images: Element5 on Unsplash and Ciéra Cree

‘Re-Elect Omkar for VP of Business & Law’ – SU Election 2021

By Omkar Singh – Candidate for VP of Business & Law (Cambridge Campus)

Disclaimer: This article has not been edited by The Ruskin Journal. The Journal will publish similar submissions from other election candidates that want to get involved. These posts show no bias – the opportunity to post a manifesto with us is open, and has been advertised too, all candidates.

Hello! I’m Omkar, current Vice President at ARU Students’ Union. I’m re-running for VP business and law in this SU elections 2021.

I’m so thankful to all the students who trusted me and elected me as their VP. Since start of my term, I have been working on certain projects which were successful & few others which I would like to accomplish in my next term

1. Incubation centre project: 

I started this campaign in August 2020 with a main motive to boost start-ups and create entrepreneurial ambience on campus. This incubation centre is a physical space in the university where like-minded people come together and network. In other words, this space will bring students from all the discipline & companies, under one roof. I’m happy to share that this project is already got a massive win, and finally accepted by ARU to move forward. This wouldn’t have been possible without all your support and efforts. 

If re-elected: If I’m re-elected, I shall make sure that I’m continuously working on this project and bring incubation centre on campus. This centre is going to change the life of students on campus  

2. Lockdown series:

During second national lockdown, I have created a series of 30 videos to bring awareness on mental health and its importance. The 30 speakers were ranged from members of parliament Cambridge, Chelmsford, vice chancellors to students. This series was well received by students and university all together. I have also done sufficient research in the university to understand all the resources available within, I have always signposted students to the right place. I’m also representing ARU at Citizens UK, to make mental health a priority in the upcoming Council elections.

If re-elected:

Mental health and well-being among students is always being my priority, I would like to enhance support to students by reducing the appointment gap and increase peer-peer support. I’m also keenly looking into adding this as topic of discussion in the curriculum through Ruskin modules.

3. Employment opportunities: I have created placements in the faculty, 5 of the students are working directly with me on the incubation centre project. Students from both the campuses were selected in their placement year. I have also hosted employment session to develop student CVs and provide resources available, called “Employment team with Omkar Singh”

If Re-Elected: Creating placements and employment will be my priority for the next year too, I would like to create more employment in the faculty by internal placements and via incubation centre networking options.

4. Assignment support: I have been working on campaign to support students with their assignments whilst bringing awareness on academic integrity. I have hosted a session with study skills plus to signpost students to the right support. I have been also closely working with union advice team and the university’s director of studies to keep supporting students in every possible manner. 

If Re-elected: I shall keep supporting students and bring campaign on importance of academic integrity, plagiarism.  

Multi-faith space: 

Last year I lobbied for prayer spaces/ multi faith space on the campuses. I accomplished this campaigns by getting a commitment letter from the university. Already plans for Chelmsford campus is started and there is a long term plan for Cambridge campus to have permanent space and Peterborough plans are also in place

If Re-elected: I shall make sure that multi- faith space is delivered on all the campuses and all religions are celebrated by hosting #DiverseARU events and other activities. 

I’m very much excited for next year’s role, I have already made changes and I need one last term to implement all those.

Do vote and support me, your vote matters.

Link to vote : http://www.angliastudent.com/voteforomkar 

I’m re-running with amazing team Em Long for President and Fatima Lakhani for VP AHSS. Do read their manifestos on the SU website

Images: Element5 on Unsplash and Omkar Singh

ARU Vegan Society -Society Showcase

By Kya Johnson – ARU Vegan Society

A safe place for all (not just vegans!) who want to learn and engage about Veganism and its related subjects ie. Sustainability, Global Impacts and Animal Welfare.

We set up this society with the aim of cultivating a space for all who want to learn more about Veganism. It can be scary to try something new but we strive to be there for anyone who needs support. Whether that support is to learn about nutrition, environmental impacts or for more individual and tailored assistance, feel free to get in touch with us and our resources. 

Starting a society during COVID-19 has been difficult, and unfortunately certain events we would have loved to put on face-to-face are currently impossible. However, we are making up for it with plenty of online events. Already within our first couple of months, we have hosted game nights, discussions and Netflix parties. For the future we are hoping to run cooking classes, book clubs, competitions and more! Suggestions are more than welcome as we try to tailor our events to our members.

We are proud to say that when you purchase a membership to the ARU Vegan Society, 50% of your membership fee is donated to a charity which is decided on by members. This was something that Sarah (our treasurer) and I were very determined to put into place. 

As some of you may know, January is an exciting time for Vegans as Veganuary takes place. In honour of Veganuary we will be opening all of our January events to everyone (whether you have a membership with us or not) so for those who are unsure about whether to purchase a membership, you can drop into these events and see if they are something that you would like to continue with. 

So whether you are looking for a place to share recipes, meet people with similar interests or to simply have fun, we look forward to meeting you!

Image: Jo Sonn on Unsplash

Black Friday or Blatant Fraud?

By Ciéra Cree

‘Black Friday’ 2020 will be taking place on Friday 27th November. Due to lockdown it will be predominantly online.

So, it seems it’s made its way around again – Black Friday. Shops slice their prices to smithereens in order to offer us irresistible deals, and strong doses of satisfaction, just in time for the holiday season. Festive tunes and sparkling lights glimmer in the background while we look through the shelves among our favourite stores, searching for the perfect items for both ourselves and the people in our lives. We leave with bags full of things and purses much emptier than they were upon our morning departure, but it’s alright because what we bought was for a bargain price, right? We may have left with way more items than we intended to buy but it’s justifiable when you’re saving so much money, isn’t it? Think again.

Black Friday is heavily anticipated by people across the globe who are eager to get their hands on the best that they can find for the best possible prices. We see something is a good deal and missing out is, frankly, not an option. It’s instinctual, but what’s scarier is the fact that people are so blinded by the promise of savings that they often don’t stop to think about what, or why, they are consuming in the first place. We’re in an almost zombified state, mindlessly picking up products, since that’s what the day is all about – consumption. The fact that we have a dedicated day of appeal towards mass consumption, when there are people whom we walk past on the streets after our shameless shopping sprees sleeping rough and needing shelter is, in the bluntest of terms, rather disgusting.

Shops aren’t here to operate in your best interest and supply you with something amazing. Why would they be? Why would they throw their profits and priorities down the drain to give us what we want? It’s all an illusion, a facade, and we fall for it time and time again.

Do you ever take a moment to acknowledge that when you enter shops on Black Friday, the products you see are often different from what’s usually there? Or that there are magically way more items present? This isn’t the shops providing you with new things at terrifically tiny sums out of nowhere, but instead, it’s a display of all of the items from the back of the storage that normally don’t sell. As it’s Black Friday, and people are in a scatter grabbing gifts, they know that this is the time to shift these away from their catalogue. And what about the products that suddenly aren’t there anymore when they used to be? This doesn’t always mean that they were popular and sold out before you got there. If the store owners wish not to have them incorporated among any of this, they simply take them off the floor and replace them with what they want to get rid of until the period ends. And the prices, these bargains we so wholeheartedly adore, fall into this manipulation too.

Let me introduce you to the art of price-fixing. This is where retailers increase the price of items in their inventory before, for instance, Black Friday so then once the price is cut, it provides the public with the illusion of a good deal. Something could normally have a shelf value of £5, be placed up to £10 in the days before the event, and become halved back down to £5 when the day emerges. We see this product at half price and believe that we obtain more than what we paid for, whereas in fact, we’re succumbing to something false – a tactical industry move.

So, what should we do to combat this? How can we possibly avoid falling victim to these schemes? I’m not here to tell you to miserably stay indoors and never shop again, but I do feel that we can afford to be a bit more mindful. Before you go shopping perhaps make a list of who you intend to buy for and what you are thinking of buying, or if you’re shopping for yourself, have a look around the stores prior to the event and take note of what sparks interest and the price it is displayed as. Regardless of the fact that this day is apparently all about grabbing a bargain, there’s no reason to not stick to a budget. Leave your debit card at home and only go out with the amount of cash you can comfortably spend. And if you don’t need anything, don’t feel the pressure to participate because others are. Shopping nowadays has become a social event and pastime, especially for young people, but just because you are out with friends doesn’t mean you have to buy something.

I hope that this article has highlighted for you some of the trickery that can be found underneath Black Friday’s surface, and that it may encourage you to think before reaching into your pocket.

Image: Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Pint Shop Cambridge: Interview & Food Review

By Ciéra Cree and Lorenzo Barba

We were recently given the opportunity by Pint Shop (Cambridge) to try their cuisine and learn more about what they have to offer to students. To follow you will find an interview that we conducted as well as a selection of reviews discussing some food and drinks that they kindly delivered to us.

Due to the current national lockdown caused by COVID-19, Pint Shop have had to close their restaurant doors. However, you can still order food via click and collect!

Lorenzo collecting our delivery from FoodStuff!

Interview

How long has the Pint Shop been open for? How did it all start?

‘Pint Shop opened on the 4th of November 2013, so we’re just coming up to its 7th Birthday. It all started when me and Benny met whilst in London. We wanted to open the sort of pub we’d drink in. We spent nearly two years looking for the perfect building, but knew the first time we walked into this building it was perfect.’

If you had to describe your establishment in 5 words, what would they be?

‘Simple, Seasonal, British, Fun, Boozy.’

Why do you feel that this is the best place for students? What do you offer them and how are you unique?

‘I think that we have the perfect blend of modern beer and cozy old pub. There are not many places which offer that around this area. We run a number of deals for students including Kebab Monday which is any Kebab and any beer for just £10. On a Tuesday it’s all about burgers, with a burger and a beer for £10. The best way to stay informed about our deals is to follow our special student Instagram account.’

What are your personal favourite items on the menu? Why?

‘Personally I love the kebabs; they have been one of our top selling dishes for years. However, probably the thing that most people know us for is our scotch eggs. We sell hundreds of them every week and they are always the recipe that people ask me for.’

Food Reviews

‘The Greatest Hits’ (£25): Ciéra’s Review

A snapshot of ‘The Greatest Hits’ including chips, sausage rolls, scotch eggs and a variety of sides.

As soon as I saw that ‘The Greatest Hits’ box included both chips as well as sausage rolls, I instantly knew that it was something that I wanted to try. I had actually been looking around stores in Cambridge for quite a while, trying to find a good sausage roll, but they are surprisingly hard to come by. The sausage rolls in this meal had lovely, flakey pastry. However, the chips were still the highlight for me.

Anyone that knows me is aware that I love a good portion of chips. The ones from Pint Shop reminded me of chip shop style servings that I used to get when visiting the sea when I was younger. The portions are a generous size as well (even as I’m typing this review up now I’m munching on some because I can’t help myself!).

This meal additionally came with two large scotch eggs, a variety of sides and a packet of pork scratchings. For two people buying this option from the menu would provide an incredible feast!

Fried Chicken and Chips (£10): Lorenzo’s Review

(Top right) A snapshot of the Pint Shop’s Fried Chicken and Chips

Upon opening the box, I immediately noted that the fried chicken and chips were beautifully presented. I could tell straight away that this was a place that takes genuine pride in what they do before even taking a bite. The chicken was succulent and crispy, falling clean off the bone, perfectly accompanied by a wide selection of condiments and dippings to further compliment the dish. 

The chips were deliciously crunchy and absorbed the flavour of the condiments perfectly. Despite being more than 50 miles away from the sea, these chips very much reminded me of the kind you would expect to receive when going to the seaside. All available at your front door or within the confines of a cozy pub in the heart of Cambridge!

Drink Reviews

Since neither myself or Lorenzo drink alcohol, we passed them on as a gift to his family. They shared the following thoughts with us:

A bottle of beer and Gin + Tonic delivered along with our meals

‘The gin and tonic was the best that I have ever had! It was so lemony and fresh, containing a perfect balance of the two flavours. I felt relaxed after having it; a very pleasurable experience!’

Kelly Barba

‘The first thing that I noticed as I opened the beer was the great smell. It tasted very nice and it’s a drink which I would recommend!’

Emanuele Barba

Overall Experience

Ciéra: From talking to the staff at the Pint Shop to the experience of receiving and trying the food itself, everything was pleasant. Doing this was my first time reviewing food for an establishment and I can say with certainty that it was something that was made memorable in the best of ways. If you’re reading this Elizabeth, thank you so much!

Lorenzo: I highly enjoyed my experience dining with the Pint Shop, and cannot recommend this lovely establishment enough. The staff were exceptionally friendly and welcoming. I truly felt like a valued customer, and despite only finishing my meal a short while ago I already cannot wait to dine there again! 

Images: Taken by Ciéra Cree