Hi everyone!

My name is Emily Munn, and I’m running for the position of Vice President of Community and Welfare. 

Truth be told, this year has been a difficult one for everyone. With socially distancing now the norm, my goal is to make a difference and connect people in whatever ways are possible. Though it is difficult to know what COVID-19 will bring for us next year, I hope that we will soon return to normality, but I have a few ideas for the time being. 

As we all know, essays and assignments are essential whilst at university. However, the things that get us through are the people around us, whether on or off-campus. This year has shown us the importance of community and spending time with people close to us.

Why should you vote for me?

If elected, the most critical priority is to listen to all students. I want to hear your stories, viewpoints, and recommendations. In my opinion, this is the best way to have an impact and change the university for the better.

Plans for Wellness

My main goal for next year is to encourage more conversation around mental health at university. The aim is to reduce the stigma surrounding speaking to someone about the issues we all face and to make counsellors more widely and quickly accessible to everyone. I want to normalise seeking help in addition to some other schemes to promote mental wellness.

• Clearer advertising of our wellbeing services around the campus
• Shorter waiting times for counsellors - 6 weeks is too long
• Campaigns around the university for light exercise, such as walks around Richmond park or places in London, as well as an introduction to running (Couch 2 5K)
• Access to healthier food on-campus - there is little to no fruits or vegetables in the on-campus shop or the canteens 
• Quicker response times from maintenance for students in on-campus accommodation
• Sanitary pads and tampons in the university bathrooms
• A regular mental health newsletter with advice sent out to all students, including signposts for essential wellbeing services, which students can respond to with any concerns they may have
• Further accommodation rebates for students living on campus this year due to COVID-19
• The introduction of Empathy Circle groups - where students come together in smaller groups, talk together about anything and everything and practice active listening

Plans for Community

What I love about this university are its community and diversity. However, there is always space for improvement, particularly regarding communication between students and senior members of the university. Also, with such a great variety of people and interests, it's time to hold a more excellent assortment of events! Here are my thoughts on how to achieve this.

• An invitation to bring the head of security to SUC meetings
• Diversity training for security staff 
• Dry events for students on-campus such as parties, quiz nights and movie nights
• Dry events off-campus such as trampolining, mini golf and theme parks

Most of all, I want to hear from you! 

What do the students of Roehampton want from the RSU?