Find out about what your President, William Campbell, has been up to over the last few months!
What an exhilarating time it has been as Your Students’ Association Cross-Campus President! I've had the pleasure of meeting new students, reconnecting with returning ones, and celebrating the achievements of our graduates. These initial months have set the tone for an exciting year ahead, and I'm thrilled to share some of the highlights of my journey as Your Students’ Association President.
Celebrating Graduations:
There's nothing quite like the joy of witnessing students’ triumph in their academic journey. I've had the privilege of traveling to diverse locations, from the enchanting Outer Hebrides to the scenic Argyll, the rugged North Highland, and the secluded Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. These graduation ceremonies reinforced the strong sense of community at UHI. It was an opportunity to engage with outgoing students, hear about their UHI experiences, and discuss their visions for enhancing student life.
Freshers Events Across Campuses:
Welcoming new students to our vibrant community is a cherished tradition. I attended Freshers' events at various campuses, including Perth, Inverness, and the Centre for Health. These events were a resounding success, offering incoming students a chance to forge connections, discover campus resources, and kickstart their UHI journey on a positive note. Alongside Freshers' events, I participated in initiatives like Perth’s ‘Good Vibes Festival’ and supported Inverness's Sports Freshers, promoting mental health and encouraging participation in sports clubs.
Sparqs Training: Enhancing the Student Experience:
Improving the student experience is a top priority, and to that end, I attended Sparqs' ‘That’s Quality’ training. This invaluable experience equipped me with insights into enhancing education quality and student engagement in tertiary environments. Networking with other Student Unions provided a wealth of ideas that I am excited to implement at UHI.
Turning Objectives into Regional Campaigns:
My commitment extends far beyond the successful implementation of isolated initiatives. I am currently spearheading a strategic move to transform my objectives into comprehensive regional campaigns. These endeavours aim to tackle entrenched issues that impact students across multiple campuses, and they are the product of collaborative efforts involving students, UHI partners, Trade Unions, and external stakeholders, uniting our forces to bring about substantial change.
In the upcoming months, I am poised to engage with diverse groups, laying the foundation for impactful regional campaigns. Among the immediate priorities is the cost-of-living campaign, a central focus for the Students’ Association. Taking swift action, I sent an urgent letter to the Co-op addressing the removal of the NUS totem card from their discount list based on valuable student feedback primarily from the Island and rural regions of UHI as there is serious issues with shopping monopoly in the Islands and rural regions. I am currently awaiting responses the Co-op and have received support from NUS but that their hands are tied because it was the co-op’s board decision, these proactive measures underscore our dedication to advocating for student needs.
In a noteworthy partnership with UHI and the Centre for Health Science team, we secured cost-of-living support for Nursing Students. Notably, UHI has committed to matching any funds allocated to the cubby—a vital resource offering food and toiletries for students. This victory represents a significant stride in supporting our Nursing and Midwifery students, although there remains much work to be done to further enhance their support systems.
Addressing transportation challenges, I engaged with Stagecoach regarding bus prices and their collaborative program with the Highland Council, resulting in a remarkable 14.5% increase in bus usage during the free bus week in Inverness. Armed with this compelling data, I am now set to engage with MSPs and Councillors to advocate for fairer bus travel for students. Looking ahead to the new year, coordination with Principals covering island regions is on the horizon, with the aim of initiating discussions with CalMac and North Link Ferries to promote fairer travel policies.
Furthermore, I have taken proactive steps to address the housing and accommodation crisis for students in Scotland, particularly focusing on the challenges faced by students in the Highlands and Islands region. Supported by the NUS, I sent out emails to MSPs, resulting in two responses from engaged MSPs who are actively supporting bills set to be presented in the Scottish Parliament.
These initiatives underscore the depth of our commitment to advocating for positive change, and as we navigate these challenges, I remain resolute in my dedication to creating a more supportive and equitable environment for all UHI students.
Student Representation:
The recent All-Student Meeting on December 1 provided students with insights into the Association's activities over the past year. Noteworthy outcomes include support for the quintennial review of Articles and Schedules, except for Schedule 2. This schedule, pertaining to leaders of the association, has been returned to the Executive Committee for discussions on the structure of the Executive and officer composition. A student policy mandating mental health first aid training for all student-facing staff at UHI was successfully passed. Future steps involve engagement with Academic Partners and policy writers to implement or closely align with this initiative. I have been actively engaged with UHI Shetland students to address their concerns regarding the restructuring plans proposed by UHI Shetland. In response to these developments, I will be present in Shetland to support student-led protests, focusing on urging the Scottish Government and the Scottish Funding Council to support UHI Shetland as if not there will be a significant impact on the local economy and educational landscape of the islands.
Student Partnership Agreement - The 2024-26 Student Partnership Agreement was signed that outlines points that the university will work towards and what the Students' Association will work on in partnership. Next steps will include working internally to see how we implement our part of the agreement.
Effective Communication Regarding Strike Action:
We are facing many difficulties in terms of strike action and what this may pose on our student population. Our commitment to transparency and student welfare led us to communicate extensively with students, UHI partners, and trade unions regarding strike actions and actions short of strike. We believe that open dialogue and constructive engagement are crucial to finding solutions that benefit everyone in our academic community.
As we wrap up these eventful first months, I want to express my gratitude. Stay tuned for more exciting developments and opportunities to get involved. Your voice matters, and together, we can create an even better student experience for all UHI students.
Thank you for an incredible start!
William Campbell Your Students’ Association President 2023/2