1. A reformed approach to tackling sexual violence [Sophia Hartley, Welfare Officer 2020/21]
Sophia, your 2020/21 Welfare Officer successfully passed policy at the Better University Forum challenging the University to meet the recommendations in her report, A Reformed Institution-Wide Approach To Tackling Sexual Violence At The University of Leeds, which called for a new approach which is trauma informed, victim-survivor centred, intersectional and ensuring perpetrator accountability. Sophia’s campaign led to approval from the Vice Chancellor who agreed to put the recommendations – including consent classes and additional recruitment in the Support Team and Student Cases Team – into action.
2. Decolonising the Curriculum [Various Education Officers, including Melz Owusu]
This has been a major piece of work for several successive Officer teams, and kicked off with Melz Owusu’s ‘Why Is My Curriculum White’ campaign. 2019/20 Education Officer Abiha Khan passed a piece of policy challenging the University to close the BAME Awarding Gaps, and in 2020 Carolina Hall-Rodriguez helped to shape a major strategy document which is now used as the University’s Decolonising Framework, and a wider Curriculum Redefined Project which aims to reshape and diversify the curriculum over the next five years.
3. Electing an International Officer [Chris Morris, Union Affairs Officer 2019/20]
In 2019 Chris passed a policy suggesting LUU should have an International Officer and that there should be a full review of the Exec team structure. As a result, in 2020 Franks Feng became LUU’s first ever International Officer, and in 2021 students elected officers to six brand new roles (including International & Postgraduate Officer). Thanks to Chris’ policy win, our wonderful international community is now properly represented by LUU’s student leadership. Want to be part of this important work? We’re looking for our next International and Postgraduate Officer now, and anyone’s invited to run.
4. Implementing a Sustainability Strategy for LUU [Izzy Walter, Union Affairs Officer 2020/21]
In 2020 Izzy Walter passed a policy suggesting that LUU should implement a Sustainability Strategy, developed by the Student Sustainability Advisory Board. This vital document, designed to guide LUU’s work to embed sustainability in everything we do, was published in 2021 – you can find it here. Izzy and her fellow Officers also oversaw the establishment of LUU Climate Week, and plenty of other eco initiatives including providing non-dairy milk as standard in our cafes. Interested in sustainability at LUU? Read more here.
5. Introducing Sanctuary Scholarships at the University of Leeds [Jack Palmer, Union Affairs Officer 2017/18]
Union Affairs Officer Jack (alongside our fantastic Student Action for Refugees Society) successfully campaigned for the University of Leeds to introduce Sanctuary Scholarships, designed for students seeking sanctuary (or refuge) in the UK. They cover tuition fees and living costs, and make a huge difference to the lives of students who have been forced to flee their home country. Today, there is ongoing work in this area to increase the number of scholarships available, and to work towards Leeds becoming a University of Sanctuary. Find out more about Sanctuary Scholarships at Leeds here.
6. Creating cost of sport funding [Various Activities Officers, including Lauren Huxley]
Cost of sport funding is another ongoing piece of work led by successive Activities Officers that’s been making a big difference to students’ lives. Through a Better Forum policy success, research and lobbying, a former Exec secured annual funding from the University to reduce the cost of participation in competitive sport at Leeds. Subsequent Activities Officers, including 2018/19’s Lauren Huxley, have worked hard to reinforce this win down the years, and to push for further funding for our brilliant sportspeople. More than £1 million in funding has been allocated so far to keep sport at Leeds accessible for all.
Feeling inspired? These Exec wins are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the changes Exec teams have made down the years. From education to wellbeing, Exec campaigns and initiatives touch the lives of students every single day.
If you’ve got big ideas to improve the Union, University, or city of Leeds, we’d love for you to consider running in LeadLUU for the chance to make them a reality. Nominations are open until Friday 4 February, so there’s still time to put yourself in the running. Find out more here, or nominate yourself – or someone else – today.
