Candidate for the position of Commuter Students Officer

Claire Kerry

Elections Candidate Statement

I would be a good candidate because

I am Claire Kerry, a first-year commuter student who catches the train and uses the U1 bus service to access campus. I understand how tiring (and expensive!) travelling to university can be. I am passionate about becoming your Commuter Students Officer to ensure we are represented and supported during our time at the university.

The first thing I want to achieve is

Along with many commuter students, I have experienced having to wait half an hour for a later U1 bus service due to the previous bus being full. I want to explore ways to improve this experience. Options could include increasing service frequency, creating an indoor waiting space, or adding seating or heating to the bus shelter.

The second thing I want to achieve is

By working with the bus company, University and Students' Union, I also aim to find solutions to ensure students with onward travel (bus or train) are not missing their connecting service.

The third thing I want to achieve is

Being a commuter student can be expensive! I will explore possible financial support for those in need and implement campaigns to help students save money. This could include better guidance to support mature students in applying for a student rail card and implementing a car-sharing scheme.

In addition to saving money, encouraging students to use public transport or car-share will also reduce the number of cars travelling onto campus, having a positive impact on the environment.

The fourth thing I want to achieve is

Commuting to university can also be tiring, it can be difficult to carry bags and items we need can easily be forgotten. I will explore new ideas and existing resources to make life easier for commuter students. For example, better access and increased promotion of on-site lockers to securely store our items on campus.

The fifth thing I want to achieve is

As someone who has been diagnosed with dyslexia and dyspraxia, I am keen to improve the facilities and services for neurodivergent students who are more at risk of becoming burnout or becoming overstimulated. A difficult or long commute can add to this so I will focus on ensuring services are improved and support is in place keeping in mind the needs of all students.

Summary

Thank you for considering my candidacy. Vote for Claire as your Commuter Students Officer!