Meet our Student Union
York College & University Centre recently announced its new Student Union Representatives for the 2024 – 2025 academic year, highlighting a team dedicated to enhancing student life on campus.
The elected representatives are set to focus on a range of initiatives, from improving student engagement and campus activities to advocating for student welfare and fostering a sense of community.
Having a Student Union offers a wide range of benefits for students and serves as a representative body for the student population, ensuring their voices are heard on issues that affect their academic and social lives.
The Student Union aims to promote diversity and inclusivity and to organise campaigns and initiatives that create a welcoming environment for all students, regardless of background.
The roles include key positions such as the President and Vice President as well as officers specialising in health & well-being, student voice, equality & diversity and more.
So let’s meet the team!
“I ran for the job of President for the student union because I wanted to be able to be the voice of the student body, get engagement up and drive changes.
“I’d like to see a community where student and staff ideals align and hopefully change things big and small.
“I’d like to fully establish the union, I want to make it more accessible to any student that wants to be part of it.”
“I really want to help the students and gain some experience. I’d like to raise awareness of the Student Union so I can help students and direct them to the appropriate places.
“I’d like to see more awareness of ethnic minorities and create groups to represent them. I’d also like to suggest improvements for green spaces as well as introducing a sensory room for those with neurodiversity.
“I hope to create a forum so students can promote their work and get to know everything there is to know about College life.”
“As we’re in such a big college some people’s voices can be unheard so I want to encourage them to speak up.
“I’d like to raise awareness of mental health difficulties because it’s hard to speak out and say in public how you’re feeling. To tackle this, I’d like to create a space where people can talk but also feel like they can protect their identity.
“I’d also like to think about how we can better communicate with students.”
"Two of my friends are Student Union Representatives and so I really wanted to be involved too. I’d like to see what I could do to help the student voice.
“There’s been a lot of changes this year with the new timetables and lunches and I’d like to help students get settled into that.
“I’d love to make College a more inclusive and welcoming place for students and through my student voice role, I thought this would be a great way to do it.
“We are also looking to create a student-led newsletter to help with communications.”
“I applied to be a Student Union Representative because I wanted to help out with student well-being.
“I want to encourage people to use our well-being services and get to a point where they don’t need it.
“I’d like to spread more awareness about neurodiversity and what can lead to mental health problems.”
“I applied for the role of Student Well-being Officer as I am extremely passionate about supporting mental health and well-being. I have had training and experience of working in pastoral roles in schools with primary-aged children and wanted an opportunity to support young people in Further Education in a college and university environment.
“I hope to achieve a greater understanding of what young people need support with, in relation to well-being and mental health as they work towards their qualifications, acquiring skills in College.
“I aim to listen to and support students going forward, and work with the Well-being Team to provide more well-being ideas and opportunities for all students and staff to engage with during their time at College.”
“I’ve done lots of volunteering and fund raising previously so I thought I could be helpful.
“I’ve done a 5K run and 13 mile walk to raise money for charity and I’ve also done lots of volunteering for the Duke of Edinburgh Award. I’m currently volunteering at a library for a year in Malton when I facilitate ‘nit and natter’ sessions for the elderly.
“I’d like to inspire others to volunteer, it’s a great thing to do. I’d like to share the benefits of volunteering as it’s good for both charities and students. I’m going to use National Volunteer Day in November to advertise this.
“I’d also like to support students with their mental health. I’ve noticed people find moving to the second year hard with their work loads so I’d like to think of ways I can support students with that.”
“I’ve always been passionate about representation and recognising inequality and I wanted to be part of making a difference in College.
“I’d like to have a meaningful impact that lasts past when I leave. Something that people can look back on and think wow that made a difference!”
“I’d like to gain some experience in finance as this is something I’d like to go into in the future. I felt that applying for this position would give me great insight.
“I’d like to work closely with the other reps to help raise funds and manage our budget.”
“I’m very interested in the law and want to become a solicitor one day. I’m particularly interested in the human rights side of the law which is why I applied to be a Student Union Representative.
“I’d like to promote EDI and raise more awareness. We’d also like to create a platform like a student-led newsletter or a forum with questionnaires so people’s voices can be heard.
“I’d like to arrange for external organisations to come into College to do talks to raise more awareness and I’d like to set that up.”
“I converted to Islam a year ago. Before then I didn’t realise how many Muslim students were at College and I’d like to represent them.
“Growing up with autism, I struggled because I had no one to advocate for me so I want to be that person for other people.
“I’d like to raise more understanding of learning difficulties, and I’d like people to feel confident to speak up and to someone of their own age range.
“I also think it’s important to maintain everyone’s dietary requirements and so I’d like to see the introduction of Halal food in College.”
“I applied to be a Student Union Representative because I’ve done volunteering work previously. I helped volunteer in my mum’s care home and in a library. I thought I could take the experience I have to contribute the Student Union.
“So far we’re working on organising an event so I’d like to get that done first. I thought that as I’ve done volunteering before I could be useful to the Student Union.”
“Last year I got involved in some clubs and I noticed there were a few structural issues. I thought it could be improved. I applied to be a Student Union Representative to hopefully alleviate some of those issues.
“I want to make it easier for people to manage clubs, set them up and run them. It’s hard to find information on them so I’d like to make this easier. I’d also like to help people run the clubs once they’re set up.”
“I thought it would be nice to be involved I the Student Union so I could have more understanding of what’s going on in College to benefit me and other students.
“I’d like to be able to improve well-being and help people to manage both their college and personal lives. I’d like students to feel like they can cope with their studies and anything else they’ve got going on.”
“I’m really passionate about students and I thought that I could help improve communication. I’d also like to make clubs more accessible.
“We have had changes to timetabling and breaks this year and I’d like to gather feedback from students to share with staff.
“I’d also really like to create something in College to showcase the work that students have done.”
For more information on Yor College & University Centre’s Student Union, click here.
