Re-Elect Oluwatobi Falana as VP Academic Officer
It has been a great privilege to be the Academic officer at the University of Wolverhampton Students’ Union whilst studying for MA Britain Twentient Century. Been the current Academic officer, I can say that Higher Education is faced with so much unpredictability currently. With uncertainty such as COVID-19, Brexit, Fees BAME attainment gap, declining international reputation, recruiting the right people, providing value for money, gender inequality and host of other issues affecting the higher and further education sector. I believe the need for the right leadership is needed and more important than ever before.
Through my past and present experience, I have developed a good understanding of University of Wolverhampton students. I have helped to initiate campaigns and programmes that are beneficial and meet student needs. I have helped raised awareness of students to elements of misconduct such as plagiarism and how they can avoid it especially the international students. Regarding issues which affect students in the UK, I have campaigned and won victories in relation to fees, supported the President’s BAME attainment gap and welfare which are dear to my heart, myself and the other sabbatical officer also brokered a deal with local charity to deliver food parcel to our students who are affected financially due to COVID-19 and finally lobbied the University to support our student’s with laptops an dongles for students affected by COVID.
Digital Poverty
- I will continue to liaise with the University to ensure that all students at the University of Wolverhampton is equipped with laptops and dongles for easy access to their learning and teaching.
- I will ensure I lobby the University to reduce tuition fee because of the type of learning and teaching (Blended Learning) currently provided to students.
- I will ensure the University provides access to software such as (Adobe) for all students to enhance their learning and teaching.
Student Engagement
- I will continue to support and work with school reps, course reps, student council and all other liberation groups within the University placing student concerns at the forefront of our policies and decision
- I will continue to work closely with the University to ensure our international and disengaged students are supported during Pre-Arrival activity to the UK, Welcome Week and any other student transition related projects.
BAME Attainment Gap
- I will continue to work closely with the diversity officer and the University race equality charter in decolonising the curriculum of our students - an area widely misunderstood by university management.
- I will work closely with the University to recruit a more diverse staff that reflects our student demographic.
- I will continue to work with the Welfare and Community Officer to tackle the unique and intersectional welfare issues that concern BAME students in our University.
- I will ensure the society, course rep, school reps and all other groups within the University and students’ union are inclusive.
- I will work with Universities to incorporate the elimination of gaps in success (attainment and continuation) in their APP targets.
Representation
- I will continue to represent and validate your voice at committee and sub-committee meetings where key decisions are been made on behalf of our students.
- I will launch a nationwide campaign that will make the university responsible for payment of the Immigration Health surcharge without increasing tuition or to scrap the IHS.
- I will ensure that international students/Home students have access to hardship fund (COVID-19)