Jen Manifesto (PDF)

JEN JOHNSON’S VP ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
MANIFESTO
ABOUT ME
Hi, I'm Jen and I'm hoping to be elected as your VP Academic Affairs for next year.
I am running for this position because I have seen and experienced the issues within the
university in terms of PhD funding, timetabling issues, issues with student representation
meeting places and a lack of work placements within degree courses. These issues and
others faced by other student members are causing problems and I want to be able to
help you solve them. If elected, I’m here to be your voice, promoting your needs and
getting you what you deserve from your university experience.
I’ve been a Student Trustee for the past two years, working closely with the current and previous
Student Leaders to make financial and legal decisions concerning the Students’ Union. As a board we have been
able to influence the SU in a number of ways including the creation of an advice center in order for Students to be
able to share any academic worries they may encounter for a quick resolution. As a Student Trustee I was elected
to make student life a more enjoyable and proactive experience to suit your needs, something I intend to follow up
on as your vice president.
I’m also an Open Day Ambassador for the University, working with members of the School of Psychology to
encourage prospective students to join the university, through this experience I’ve been able to work directly with
members of my course, helping me to recognise the issues present within the academic affairs of the university.

WHAT I CAN DO FOR YOU
CREATE ‘THE UNIVERSITY OF LINCOLN PHD BURSARY’.
PhD funding within the University at large is extremely problematic, with many students course-wide moving to
other institutions to their PhD due to greater opportunities elsewhere. I will ensure that an award is put into place
granting full PhD funding to one student from each of the four colleges within the university every year.

“Give those who deserve to stay the ability to”
I WILL SOLVE TIMETABLING ISSUES
Almost every student at University has faced timetabling issues at one point or another, currently these problems
are being solved extremely slowly causing problems with lecture schedules and clashing. I will solve this problem
by improving these issues directly and personally working with timetabling within the university, ensuring that you
will no longer have to deal with this extra stress.
DISABLED STUDENTS ALLOWANCE (DSA)
As of next year, the DSA is being reformed meaning that many disabled students are being left without vital funding
needed to support them through their life at University. I aim to change this by introducing bursary funding.

STUDENT REPRESENTATION HUB IN THE UPSTAIRS TOWER BARS
Currently within the university there is an issue with the space allowance for course representation meetings, I aim
to create a social learning space for course representatives and students. This space will include computers for
group work and seating areas for meetings.
POSTGRADUATE HARDSHIP FUND
Currently there is no hardship fund for postgraduate students who are struggling to pay for both their study and
their personal funds. I will create a fund specifically for these individuals.
OPTIONAL CAREERS TASTER SESSIONS FOR SECOND AND THIRD YEARS
This will create work placements as part of the university course to encourage work experience.

So, Vote Jen for VP Academic Affairs- ‘it’ll be Wicked’.