Pronouns: She/Any

Introduction

Hi, I’m Kaitlin! I’m a 4th year Psychology student and your current Chair of Student Council. I have been on council since October 2022 and have spent my entire university career advocating for student representation. I am the Equity Officer for Debater and the Secretary of the LGBTQ+ Forum. I’m a big fan of the Six Nations Rugby and love a pint.

What are your three priorities for the year?

Student Spaces

• Study spaces are vital to education. I will work to reinstate longer library hours at the SDR and Taylor libraries.
• I want to set up a project group and work with the university to look at how we can utilise space on campus and transform them into study spaces.
• Our campus also massively lacks in recreational spaces. I pledge to work with the VP Activities to bring a Student Bar to the union and create more spaces for students to relax.
• PhD students are currently being dealt the short end of the stick when it comes to offices, with many offices being shut down, not properly heated, and moldy. I will lobby the university into giving PhD students adequate workspaces.
• Our Green Spaces are underutilised and left to rot. I would like to bring biodiversity back into the forefront so that our Green Spaces can be revitalised.

Bridging the Gap

• International Students are currently being left behind, overcharged, and neglected. They are not properly supported. I would like to bring back and expand the Borderless campaign.
• The university is currently opening a campus in Mumbai, yet don’t have the money to fix the Polwarth Library, Hillhead Student accommodation, or commit to working with the council to instate more 9U bus times. During my time at university, I have made sure students are the focus on every decision, as President I will continue this work so that SMT can’t leave students behind anymore.
• Many students feel unheard or completely out of the loop when it comes to union activities. I aim to bridge the gap between the union and students by working directly with schools, clubs, and societies.

Transparency

• Currently the University and the Union are undergoing changes to their structures. There is a lack of transparency in many of these changes, with students not having a voice in the conversation.
• I am committed to bringing the focus back to students and creating better communication pathways, so students are aware of changes rather than forced to adapt.

What unique skill/knowledge can you bring to the role to stand out from the other candidates? 

I have spent the last 4 years actively involved in the union through student politics. I have advocated for students across all levels of university governance and I’m not afraid to stand up for students. These years of experience have given me great connections within the university and greater confidence to work with SMT.

What do you think is the biggest issue that students are facing at the moment and how do you plan to tackle it? 

The library hours being cut are a huge issue. Students can’t adequately access study spaces because of this. We as students are only as good as our education, if we aren’t able to study then we are not reaching our full potential.