KASHMIRE DSHAWKER

2 N D Y E A R B A ( H O N S ) P O L I T I C S S T U D E N T

PROGRESSIVE LEADERSHIP, INSPIRING OPPORTUNITIES

ELECTION MANIFESTO FOR PRESIDENT OF

SHEFFIELD HALLAM STUDENTS UNION

2018/19

SOME OPENING WORDS

EVER SINCE STEPPING THROUGH THE DOOR OF HALLAM IN SEPTEMBER 2016, I ALWAYS KNEW THAT SHU WOULD BE A SPECIAL PLACE WHICH WOULD GIVE MYSELF MEMORIES, OPPORTUNITIES AND POSITIVE CHALLENGES.

CERTAINLY, I DIDN'T EXPECT TO BE WHEN JUST 9 YEARS BACK, I WAS HEADING INTO A SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS PRIMARY SCHOOL EACH DAY ON A BIG AND DEMINING BUS, NOT HAVING A CLUE OF WHERE MY LIFE WOULD GO.

AND THUS BEING HERE, WITHIN THE 2ND YEAR OF A POLITICS DEGREE AT SHEFFIELD HALLAM - NOT JUST AS A STUDENT OR AS YOUR ELECTED DISABLED STUDENTS REPRESENTATIVE MAKES ME AN EXTRAORDINARILY PROUD 20 YEAR OLD.

HAVING BEEN IN REPRESENTATION FOR AROUND 6 ½ YEARS, I FEEL THAT I UNDERSTAND THE PRESSURE OF BOTH LEADERSHIP AND WANTING RELEVANT CHANGE, WHILST ALWAYS THINKING PROGRESSIVELY AND WORKING IN CO-PRODUCTION: A TRAIT OF WHICH NEEDS TO BE USED MORE OF IN MODERN DAY SOCIETY. AS WELL AS THIS, I KNOW OF TOO MANY INSPIRATIONAL PEOPLE, WITH JOURNEYS THAT LIKE MINE MAY HAVE SEEMED IMPOSSIBLE, BUT CAME TRUE THANKS TO THE BIGGEST POSSIBLE GRAFT.

YOU CAN'T MAKE THE PROGRESSIVE CHANGE - AND BOLD AMBITIONS IF YOU DON'T DARE TRYING, WHICH I WHY I TRULY BELIEVE IN PUBLIC SERVICE AND IMPLEMENTING THOSE "PRACTICAL MEASURES, IN PURSUIT OF NOBEL CAUSES", WHICH ARE FOR THE MANY, NOT THE FEW.

WHICH IS WHY I SAY WHEN THINKING PROGRESSIVELY: WHY NOT HOLD AN NUS MEMBERSHIP REFERENDUM IN SPRING 2019, AS WELL AS PUT EVERY INTERNATIONAL STUDENT AND FRIEND IN MIND THROUGH A JOINT SHU/SHSU STRATEGY ON BREXIT AND ALL STUDENTS WHO NEED A HAND BY MAKING HALLAM 100% WELCOMING TO ANYONE WITH A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE.

OR WHAT ABOUT THOSE WHO STRUGGLE WEEK IN AND OUT WITH FOOD COSTS AT CATERING OUTLETS BY FURTHER ALTERATIONS AND POSITIVE CHANGES TO THE OFFER WHICH HALLAM PUTS ON - AND THOSE WHO WISH TO BE A CHAMPION IN ANY PART OF SHEFFIELD THROUGH VOLUNTEERING, BUT HAVEN'T HAD THAT OPPORTUNITY COME ABOUT, THROUGH THE COMMITMENT THAT EVERYONE HAS A CHANCE TO "MAKE YOUR MARK" AT SOME POINT IN 2ND YEAR.

AS A SMALL POINT BEFORE ENDING: IF I CAN ONLY EXPERIENCE MY 2ND EVER FORIEGN VISIT (TO BRUSSELS AND BRUGGE) THANKS TO MY COURSE, WHY COULDN'T OTHERS HAVE THE SAME TYPE OF WORTHWHILE AND LIFE REMEMBERING EXPERIENCE TOO?!

I AM FOREVER BE HONOURED TO NAME SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY AS THE PLACE OF MY FURTHER STUDY - AND FOR YOU TO ALLOW ME TO HELP OFFER PROGRESSIVE LEADERSHIP AND INSPIRING OPPORTUNITIES ALONGSIDE IT, WOULD BE THE MOST AWESOME AND HUMBLING OF RESPONSIBILITIES I WILL HAVE HAD TO THIS VERY POINT.

THUS, I AM DELIGHTED THAT YOUR READING THIS PLAN AND THAT BASED UP ON THIS, IT WOULD BE BEYOND AMAZING FOR YOU TO VOTE KASHMIRE HAWKER #1 FOR HALLAM UNION PRESIDENT FOR 2018/19!

A FEW OPENING WORDS

THE JOURNEY SO FAR AND MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS

From moment one since October 21st 2016 - the date of a successful By- Election campaign within the Autumn Elections, I have seeked to be as

engaged and active as not just a Representative, but as a champion for SHU's concerns and dreams for the greater Uni we deserve.

Highlights of this agenda have included:

Establishing a good working relationship with the Disabled Students Support team, enabling myself to put forward the voice of the many - having 2 questions within DSS's Annual Survey brought around important feedbackEngaging with fellow Disabled Students through a Disabled Students Network - of which when it meets is a platform for engagement with myself and a chance to hear directly of folks concerns and ambitionsCo-producing a Disability in Sports Awareness Week in February of 2017 and 2018 with SHSU's Sports and Physical Activity Officer, of which aims to deliver Awareness, Inspiring Stories and chance to try out popular Disability SportsBeing a Member of the University Mental Health Day Planning Committee for 2017 and 2018, which organises events across both campuses to mark the annual day set up by Student Minds Actively feeding back this work to students, within various Student Union Zones and The Union Council—the highest decision making body of elected representatives in Hallam Union, as well as members of SHU's Board of Governors Representing SHSU within the National Union of Students Events, as well as at NCAFC's Free Education Demo in November 2017Worked in partnership with Disabled Students Committee, which is running campaigns to make students aware of various disabilities Engaged with Team Hallam and various sports teams, as well as Sheffield FAAwarded Outstanding Achievement to Student Campaigns at the SHSU Awards 2017 and Society Member of the year, at the 2017 SHSU Society Ball and Awards, in recognition of my work

DEMOCRACY AND PARTICIPATION

I therefore pledge, that if Elected I will: Hold a Spring 2019 NUS Membership Referendum, thanks to seemingly lowering interest in NUS Activity at SHU: as shown at Autumn Elections 2017 but take as full as role within the organisation until such a vote is held Seek to Re-Establish the post of a Full-Time Liberation Officer, along with a Sub-Committee featuring elected Liberation Reps, elected Officer Group and open spaces for people from eligible Liberation groups Create a Student-Led Participation Plan, for the chance to see as many students as possible, become engaged within all areas of Hallam Support SHSU's Governance Review proposals in a October 2018 Referendum, which includes new roles for students who are Parents and Carers, who study at Collegiate, Trans students and splitting the Post-Graduate Rep role into two, for folk who are on PG Taught and PG Research courses, as well as greater ways of engagement for all students Develop a City of Sheffield Students Council, consisting of Hallam, Uni of and Sheffield College SU Leaders, for a basis to campaign, co-product and produce change right across The Steel City

Hallam Union has always been an active part of playing it's part: both nationally and locally. However it's extremely clear that a fresh direction may soon be needed, in particular part to the constant crises in the National Union of Students.

Thinking progressively therefore means asking a bold question, but at the same time considering new approaches to ensuring Hallam continues to influence Student Politics, activism and deliver a Better Uni in the process.

I therefore pledge, that if Elected I will: • Create a specific strategy, between both the Union and SHU relating to International Students and the effects of the UK Leaving the European Union • Aim for Hallam to be a 100% Welcoming University, for anyone who experiences/has experienced Mental Health Difficulties, through a number of co-led projects and continued involvement in the annual University Mental Health Day, of which I commit to taking my place on the Organising Group due to its importance • Support the proposals from a November 2017 Accessibility Audit, taken within ALL SHU Buildings and put together a transformation plan based upon the findings, for all current buildings with the SHU estate; whether or not part of the University's 20 Year Masterplan to be revealed later this year • Seek to open up it at all possible, further financial support to Students who are in great need; particularly those from Minority Backgrounds, Disabilities & Student parents • Continue the efforts of measures: which 2017/18's Officers sought to introduce, such as Hallam becoming the Guarantor for International and Estranged Students, ensuring Wednesday Afternoons are kept free for those in Sports team, overseeing the full introduction of Recorded Lectures and holding an annual Book Swap Fair each February/March • Fully support any student/group who seek to stick up for their rights, including those who Rent Strike due to the undercutting of standards by landlords and those who feel their course doesn't have the sufficient adjustable means • Continued expansion and pricing alterations of SHU's Catering offer, by attempting to create a £3.25 Meal Deal: of which the food involved is of the highest possible quality • Seek to lower Transport costs for Commuting Students, by working with Stagecoach and FirstGroup on permanent Student Fares including on the Supertram

SUPPORTING STUDENTSWith over 3400 International Students, 3900 Disabled Students, 56% of Hallam being Female and many thousands being commuters from nearby Villages, Towns and Cities, SHU is one of the UK's most diverse Institutions. With the future never certain as shown with 2016's Brexit vote, being a champion for them and giving them the support all deserve couldn't be more paramount of to such a position as President.

Thus opening our doors and ensuring folk are loved and can achieve there dreams is a must, of can be done by the means of Co-Production and working hand in hand is a major aim if given your trust.

I therefore pledge, that if Elected I will: • Guarantee every student the chance to Volunteer - whether through their course, SHSU or further opportunities within their 2nd Year: whether through a Work Placement, with a Charity or similar organisations • Disability Sports becoming a firm fixture of Sheffield Varsity, with aim of 2019 being a Trial Year for popular events • Ensuring of accessible viewing areas at Hallam facilities for events such as Varsity, Election Results night and the annual Award Ceremony's • Link into various city wide organisations on a number of projects, which could be beneficial to the student population: I.E UK Youth Parliament's Make Your Mark Ballot for all 18 Year Old students, partnered with Sheffield Youth Cabinet and make stronger use of Venture Matrix who are based at Hallam and who's Work Projects are a fine example of such partnership • Recognise all at Hallam for their various areas: whatever topic or interest it maybe, through the annual award ceremony's, scholarships and more • Meet and work with Members of Parliament of all 6 Sheffield Constituencies, Government/Shadow Ministers, Sheffield City Councillors and the newly elected Mayor of the Sheffield City Region (as of May 2018), to push forward students concerns and get them involved further within the decision making process • Seek to get Hallam into widely known national events, of which would include myself within the first week of office: writing to the House of Lords and the English Speaking Union expressing an interest in SHU having delegates for the annual Lords Chamber Event of which I've had the honour of attending - and speaking in twice (picture above is from 2016)! • Opening The HUBS up for more national events, including the Superbowl, major Sporting occasions, Political Election nights and the Eurovision Song Contest, all of which bring student groups together

OPPORTUNITIES AND COMMUNITY LINKS

The connections Sheffield Hallam has to the City and the wider Higher Education community, makes SHU a force for being engaged on as big as scale possible. Through charities, sporting sides, politicians and many other sectors, the constant communication which is had widely makes the Uni a place to be, if wanting to your bit is a mission.

Carrying this on and making use of the contacts the Uni has couldn't be more key, in giving "Inspiring Opportunities" - whether during or out of your studies. If it wasn't for my Course,I wouldn't have such a brilliant 5 day visit to Brussels and Brugge in November 2017: something of which I am beyond grateful for!

I therefore pledge, that if Elected I will: • Be transparent by publishing all minutes, of every meeting I intend: which I am allowed to make known on a public scale: so all knows what really goes on • Establish a twice Semester Officers and Reps Question Time event, for the chance to hold each of us elected as fully accountable, along with the existing Union Zone, Education Zone and Community Zone which elected folk attend • Ensure all emails are responded to within no more than 4 working days • Regularly tweet from the Representatives Twitter Account: @HallamPresident and from my own public Facebook page: Kashmire D.S Hawker - University and Youth Representative • Ensure these updates aren’t just statuses of writing, but also include imagery, videos and other important material to show when needed • A fortnightly post via Hallam Union’s new and updated website • A 2 Minute, 30 Second YouTube video every week, which informs a large section of the wider public of my work and actions • Maybe a few surprises throughout the year too!

ACCOUNTABILITY AND KEEPING YOU INFORMED

Becoming the leader of a Multi-Million Pound organisation should give that person no excuses for not keeping one and all updated what one does, as well give chances to keep those to account!

Despite Hallam's big characters, some haven't been as informed as they should have/should be - something which must instantly change. And possibly sitting at the President's desk with more than 1500 people's trust as the boss wouldn't make me sit on my morals.

A FEW FINAL WORDS, HOW TO VOTE AND GET IN TOUCH!

"SHU is a place with so much to offer, but also has so much more room to fill in terms of offering the best possible University Experience, to every student from every nation on every course. The ideas of they is what will lead my campaign and which I'll seek to bring about.

And if given that most awesome opportunity by Hallam's very own, together those inspiring stories - quite possible like my own, can and will become reality!"

Voting takes place between Midnight on Monday 12th - and Midday on Friday 16th March 2018 - via HallamStudentsUnion.com/Elections/

When voting, put Number 1 in the box next to my name - but with it being a transferable voting system and you think I am not the preferred candidate, a vote of numbers 2 or 3 is just as important!

Got any questions or want to be involved in the campaign? Find me at:

Website: kashmirehawker.wordpress,com/ Facebook: Kashmire Hawker for SHSU President 2018/19 Twitter: @Hawker4Hallam LinkedIn: Kashmire DS Hawker Snapchat (TBC): kashmire.hawker

Sheffield Hallam Students Union are registered with the Charity Commission, under Charity no. 1141925

#Hawker4Hallam / #HallamElections