Image Credit: Trish Bailey
Trish Bailey, a third-year sociology and social policy student, is running for Union President.
She spoke to Brig about her candidacy and what her goals were if she is elected.
Trish’s passion for sociology and social policy started from a deep interest in how society works. She recognises “nothing is connected, but everything is connected” – a passion and interest she has carried throughout her running for the position.
Q. Why are you running for this position?
A. “I am Secretary of the African and Caribbean Society and when this committee got together we slowly came to discover that without having a person of colour [in the union] we kind of get overlooked. I think we need another person of colour in there to represent us and minorities.
“We need someone who is aware and wants to open it up to more than just one voice and one outlook.
“The university itself is very diverse, and I think sometimes we forget about that. Everyone needs to be represented.”
Q. If elected, what is the first thing you will do in the union?
A. “The first thing will be to lobby for better mental health support.
“Some students won’t reach out for the help they need unless it is given to them.
“That is another thing I am trying to lobby for is to try and work with student services. My original thought was, every semester send out an email to students to fill out and, if it flags for concerning reach out to that student.”
Q. What are your long term goals for this position?
A. “To make the uni much more celebratory of what we have here, not only do we have a gorgeous campus but the students as well. There are so many of us, and we’re all so different and that’s what makes us great.
“I feel like we do celebrate diversity, but we could do it a lot more.”
Another goal of Trish’s is affordability on campus. “It is so expensive on campus.”
Trish also addressed the budget cuts, she said: “You want the students on campus. The more we take away what students want, the less time they will spend here.”
Q. What did the current person in this position do well?
A.”I think Justine [Pédussel] done a good job in her position. The Take Back the Night march was brilliant.
“I live just down from the castle and I could hear it in my flat. It’s the kind of change and anger you want to see.
“It makes a difference. I was very impressed with it.”
Q. What did they do that you would like to emulate in your own work?
A. “Speak more powerfully, when I’m in that position, that’s something I want to continue doing. I find things like that so important.”
Q. What in the university inspired you to run?
A. “My whole experience with the ACS, and, [also], I got an email that someone had nominated me.
“It gave me that kind of confidence kick to go for the position. If someone else believes in me enough to nominate me, then I should believe in me enough just to go for it. ”
Q. What makes you right for the position?
A. “I very much have a ‘come on, let’s do it’ attitude. I am definitely someone who wants to get things done.
“I am for the students. I am here as a third year, I have seen the struggles. I want to be that difference. Working with other students as well, together we can be the difference.
“I want the university to be better for all students, for it to be fair and equal, and to provide better support to everyone, as well as celebrating the diversity we do have on campus and promoting these events.
“Thinking of what we can do that’s best for everyone.”
Trish is running her campaign for Union President on affordability, representation, and support for students.
Feature Image Credit: Trish Bailey
