Thai Dunlevie

Election post

President

Course

Studying HND Visual Communication: Illustration at Granton Campus

What are your top three priorities for students?

Empower Students to be Heard
Protect Access to Education
Provide Material Improvements

How will your priorities improve the student experience at Edinburgh College?

Continuing improvements to class/lead representation schemes will put more power in student's hands, getting your voice heard. Having more representatives involved with decision making ensures issues relevant to you are considered. I will secure more NUS (National Union of Students) seats to give us voting power allowing your voice to reach a national level. I intend to work alongside the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) while we undergo our first Tertiary Quality Enhancement Review (TQER) to put students front and centre of education—This review is not only an important opportunity for the college but for the whole of further education—as student president it would be my job to bridge your voice and QAA which could have lasting effects on Scottish education.
I will guarantee that regardless of political changes within the government that Edinburgh College maintains its values of diversity, equality, and inclusion, ensuring that your rights and the rights of your peers are protected. Furthermore, I will work with the College, NUS and the Scottish Government to ensure every student’s right to education is protected, Specifically standing up and advocating for the protection of further education as not only a valid academic path, but one that is treated with the same respect as other higher education models. I will not be a by-standard in the face of injustice; I will launch initiatives designed to tackle inequality such as a “buddie” system for our hundreds of student refugees to help them feel welcome at Edinburgh College and able to succeed in their goals.
I am going to scrap hidden fees and improve student's physical spaces. All of your course related expenses should be covered within SAAS including studio fees, PPE and essential equipment. Many of our social spaces are not fit for purpose and create an anti-social, unwelcoming atmosphere; I would see improvements are made to make these spaces more usable. I would also make the bathrooms on campuses open graffiti spaces; graffiti is already very present so why not harness this talent and make these spaces creative galleries. I would see that maps are made for each of the campuses, that WiFi is improved and that access to our digital team is made easier for those struggling with technical aspects such as Moodle.

Why should students vote for you?

I’ve been a teacher, an activist, and a leader, I now want to use those skills to be your Student President.

When university didn’t work out for me, I thought that higher education was simply out of reach. College re-instilled my confidence and belief in myself. I understand how important college is.

I don’t have all the answers, but I assure you if elected, I will spend every day fighting for you. I want to be part of making a change. You can be part of that change too; that’s why I am asking for your vote in these elections.