Julio: Union Affairs Officer

Hello, my name is Julio. I am an international law student from Kenya, East Africa and I will be your Union Affairs Officer for this year. 
 
My role is all about FUN! From student groups and extracurricular activities – I’ll be working to represent societies, democratic networks and student-led campaigns!
 
My journey at the University began in Sept 2015 when I started my degree. I represented my friends and hall-mates as President of the JCR in Clifton Hill House, represented my course mates as a Course Rep from Years 1 to 3 and as the Faculty Rep for Social Sciences and Law. In my second year, I successfully established the first University Of Bristol East African Society. On the more fun side, I played rugby for UBRFC the uni rugby team in my first two years here at Bristol and in my final year played football for the UBLC Law Intramural football team. All of which were facilitated by the powers, services and opportunities provided by our SU! 
 
I strongly believe that life at uni should not only be centred around academia but should also be an environment for one to fulfil or realise their full potential. Through Bristol SU there’s an opportunity for everyone to find a home outside of their degree – whether that’s discovering a new hobby or forming a new network of lifelong friends.
 
That’s why my aims for this year are to introduce a UoB/Bristol SU Mobile App that will improve student experience, offer further support to student groups and rejuvenate the belief in the Student’s Union. If you’ve got any exciting ideas or irritating obstacles ahead, suggestions or even criticisms get in touch over email or Facebook and let’s start a conversation! 
 
Let’s Champion Community Care and Contribution within the Campus Heart! 

See everything your SU has been up to here.

My big plan:

Improve SU and University communications

• UoB and SU app that helps students
• SU presence in faculties, UoB website
• Ensure the Campus Heart Initiative reflects students’ needs by including a food court and a student bar.

Student ownership of UoB spaces

• Identify unused space that could be used for students – opening up lecture theaters, using unused rooms for student storage
• Change name of Richmond Building to the SU
• SU spaces in Senate House and interior design stuff

Supporting Societies

• Benchmark achievement grants – grants that help new societies do their first activities, incentives to keep going
• Introduction of ‘Society of the Month’ Awards.
• Fair and equal distribution of locker and storage space for societies within the SU.

More inclusive, collaborative societies

• Encouraging collaboration between student groups
• Mandatory E&D training to improve intersectionality in society group committees

Lower cost of living

• University providing some basic student services for free - Free washing in halls (1 per week), bus travel around the city, etc
• Grants and loans for asylum seekers – increasing hardship grant
• Raise awareness of the Totum discount card and try to get more deals for students in local shops, restaurants and grocery shops

Here's what I've done so far:

Policy: