By Mia Redding, First Year, Politics and International Relations
With campaigning for the Student Union elections well underway let’s meet the candidates for the position of Student Living Officer.
The Student Living Officer represents student welfare interests – with a particular focus on wellbeing, housing and sustainability. They are expected to liase with their SU colleagues and local groups and campaigns to advocate for Bristol students' housing interests. Their other responsibilities include overseeing student finances and SU interaction with the wider Bristol community. The position is currently held by Lucy Pears – who is trying for her second term in this election.
Over the last few years, the position of the SLO has been pushing for better transport, improved liaison with local residents over housing and community issues, as well as sustainability initiatives such as Fossil-Free Careers.
With Bristol students facing an increasingly tough market for accommodation, previous Epigram research has suggested that university involvement in issues surrounding housing and poor living conditions, as well as sustainability, has been a high priority for students. This election offers students the chance to select the best advocate for their interests.
Sahithi Sesham
MSc Business Analytics student, Sahithi Sesham, is running on a platform of improving living conditions and ensuring student concerns can be heard.
Sesham’s campaign has proposed the introduction of vegan-only flats to ensure ‘safe’ and ‘ethical’ student accommodations as well as protection from student housing scams, to address the troubles of navigating Bristol’s housing market.
Policies such as 24/7 student led support and flatmate conflict resolution underlie Sesham’s promise to support students' mental health and foster a strong community within the University and Bristol.
Lucy Pears
As the incumbent Student Living Officer, Pears is hoping for her second term, running of a platform of increased wellbeing and housing support as well as a push for a more sustainable campus.
In line with her promises to deliver cheaper living costs for students, Pears is highlighting her previous year of experience – providing Housing Advisors, £15,000 worth of laundry funding, and initiatives like free buses to exams and more free food available on campus – to advocate for a second year representing student interests
Both Sesham and Pears' platforms have based their platforms on the most prominent issues facing University of Bristol Students. But which candidate will win your vote?
Voting opens at 9am on Monday, 10 March, when candidates begin their official campaigning, and closes at 9pm on Thursday 13 March.
To vote, and look at candidates across all officer roles, visit:
