What it means to be a DUSA President

Both Freshers and Refreshers Week are typically when the Exec gets to engage with students the most. During these busy weeks, we try to explain who the Exec are, and how we work to support the student body, and we also really try to highlight the influence we can have in ensuring they are represented at all levels. As a team, we work across the year to ultimately improve the student experience; we do this by creating events, campaigns and initiatives that engage the range of diverse backgrounds that the student body belongs to. We have an Exec manifesto that details all our aspirations for the year, and this ties into DUSA’s 5-year strategic plan too. 

Day-to-Day Responsibilities of a President

As President, my day-to-day responsibilities include overseeing the Exec activities from each area of the team. From supporting the Wellbeing Wednesday campaigns with the VPSW, to facilitating discussions with different student groups with the VPR, or looking at concerns raised by students about the new combined school structure with the VPA, the role of President really means being involved with all aspects. With the non-sabbatical officers, I support them with their specific areas of work. This year, the VPSA organised the Spring Festival, and the VPC and VPF introduced a, ‘DUSA’s Got Talent Show,’ and a Christmas dinner to help build community among students.  

Being President allows me to be involved with as many elements of DUSA I want, including marketing and communications, governance, finance, and even things like the St Patricks Day merch designs. I also get to be very visible to students through our social media content, alongside content requested by the University and external organisations like The Courier, ITV, and BBC. Here, I often speak about the experience of students from all the wonderful, and not so wonderful, conversations people have openly brought to me. I aim to empower these voices in all discussions I have, especially the several committees I am a member of both within DUSA and the University. The role of President also means you automatically sit on University Court, which is the highest administrative body of the University. 

It’s important to recognise in this specific role that as much as I was elected to represent 19000 students, I am STILL one of those 19000 students myself. I might get things wrong or forget to represent some viewpoints at times. But I always make an active effort to understand those groups to find out how to make better change for them. This role has been a massive learning curve and it comes with a lot of responsibility. I’ve learnt that.

I’ve also learnt that it’s important to KEEP SPEAKING TO STUDENTS in every space I can to understand how things are for a range of people, and if there are ideas for improvement. I think a fun thing for me is every once in a while, seeing that one email from an ambitious student that has tonnes of ideas they want to bring forward, but they don’t know who to take them to. I love these situations because I am then able to speak to the student face to face and do everything in my power to help make that a success for them. Typically, this involves introducing them to other members of the exec that would be able to work alongside them or directing them to the Student Representative Council to maybe propose a motion to bring about this change. 

I know some people may have read this so far and thought how BORINGGGG, but I tell you now, coming from being a student that felt like they knew nothing that was happening around the University or DUSA and feeling so frustrated when I wasn’t a part of the consultation or feedback, to now being one of the first people to know ANYTHING is great. I promise you the tea is always extra hot because of the meetings I get to attend, but it’s always important to keep my mouth shut, especially with the exciting news that’s on its way!