Leeds University Union Student Exec Reports Progress

Student representatives outline recent initiatives and achievements

Leeds University Union’s Student Executive Committee has provided an update on their activities over the past month, highlighting a range of initiatives aimed at improving student life, promoting sustainability, and representing student interests both locally and nationally.

Key projects and advocacy efforts

The Student Exec members—Amara, Eden, Safiyah, Katrina, Lydia, and Shivani—have been involved in various projects and campaigns. Their work spans community engagement, student welfare, sustainability, and policy development.

Highlights from individual Student Exec members

• Shivani launched The Book Swap, an initiative developed over a year to encourage sustainability and provide financial support to students. She has also represented Leeds students at a national level, including speaking in Parliament and engaging with sector leaders such as Vivienne Stern. Additionally, Shivani collaborated with the University of Leeds to secure the continuation of The Diversity Blog, a platform aimed at amplifying diverse student voices and experiences.
• Amara secured the establishment of a permanent Muslim Chaplain position through partnership with the Islamic Society and Leeds University Union. She developed a community engagement strategy to strengthen connections between the Students’ Union, local communities, and civic leaders. Amara also ensured the continuation of the SASHA (Students Against Sexual Harassment & Assault) Accreditation Programme, which focuses on student safety. Furthermore, she expanded the ‘Making Misogyny a Hate Crime’ campaign, which has gathered over 100,000 signatures and is set to involve discussions with MPs at Downing Street.
• Katrina supported the development of two successful Better Forums ideas, facilitating the translation of student suggestions into tangible changes within the University and the Students’ Union. She chaired the LSMP x LUU Forum, which provided a platform to discuss student experiences with GP services, and supported the PGR Forum, representing postgraduate researchers’ priorities in ongoing discussions.
• Safiyah launched the Women’s Health Campaign, aimed at providing confidential access to physical health and wellbeing resources for students across campus. She also reviewed the Union’s partnership policy to ensure that collaborations align with the organisation’s ethical standards and values.

Ongoing work and student engagement

The Student Exec continues to work on initiatives that foster student involvement and address key issues affecting the student body. Their efforts include organising forums for discussion, advocating for student safety and wellbeing, and promoting sustainability and diversity within the university community.

Further information about these initiatives and updates from Leeds University Union can be found on their official website.