I have the ideas, dedication and experience to prioritise and tackle the social and educational challenges faced by students (insert definition of BME) in UCL and UCLU spaces. I will fight for BME students to be at the top of the UCLU agenda.

IF ELECTED I WILL….

1./ Social
I will ensure that UCLU continues to organise a programme of alternative Freshers’ Week events. These events will be accessible to all students, specifically those who do not engage in nightclub based events, and also students from other liberation groups (Disabled, LGBT+ and Women) as well as mature and part-time students.

Further, I will push to enforce sensitivity training for all clubs and societies to prevent and address incidents of racism, xenophobia and cultural appropriation.

2./ Education

I will work with UCL Race Equality Group to continue to tackle the attainment gap between non-BME and BME students at UCL.

In several departments, the gap between BME and non BME students graduating with 1:1 or 2:1s is as high as 10%. (indent this)

I will endeavour to tackle the attainment gap at UCL in three ways:

1. Setting up informal mentoring groups for BME students who feel they could benefit from engaging with other BME students at UCL.

2. Challenging departments to implement the NUS Black Students’ Liberating the Curriculum briefing

3. Setting up a BME Studies Seminar Series that will allow students to learn about topics relating to Black and Ethnic Minority communities.

On a national level, I will work with other BME Student Officers across the country to create a space where BME Students can report on their experiences of Higher and Further Education.

3./BME Network and UCLU

1. Set up a BME Network committee. The committee will be decentralized so that students and BME related clubs and societies are able to freely and autonomously organise events under the BME Network banner.

2. Challenge the Union to include the BME Student Officer on the Trustees board. It is crucial that the voices of BME Students are heard across all channels and on all platforms.

3. I will increase awareness of the BME Network as well as consider changing the name to ensure that it reflects all students who are represented by the BME Network.

4. / Communication

I will always have a line of communication open between myself and students via regular em