Student Exec Blog

Keep up to date with your Student Exec and what they’re doing to represent you and make sure you love your time at Leeds.

Hi everyone!

With Welcome Week upon us we wanted to welcome back our student community – and welcome thousands of new faces, too. We also want to introduce ourselves – we are your LUU Student Exec, and last spring students elected us to represent their voices and interests at the University, Union and beyond.

Over the next few weeks you’ll be seeing lots of ways to engage in student communities, and we wanted to take the time to update you on the work we have been doing on community cohesion following the tensions we saw in the last academic year – on campus and off it. As you’ll know, the conflict we are still seeing in the Middle East has deeply impacted our student community. We have all witnessed the horror of the war and are personally devastated by the loss of innocent lives, and the impact on countless families. Last term, we saw protests and vigils on campus to recognise the loss of life and the grief that so many of us are united in.

We have been in discussions over the summer with the University, LUU society PSG (Palestine Solidarity Group) and student campaigners in working groups around the University’s Chaplaincy functions and their industrial and educational partnerships. This also actively includes student leaders from our JSoc (Jewish Society). We are looking forward to working with the University as they progress this into real action and support for students affected by the devastation across the Middle East. You can read the University’s updates here. As your Student Exec, we are committed to updating you all on developments as they arise via this blog.

As part of our induction over the summer, we took part in training on antisemitism, Islamophobia and dealing with hate crimes, to make sure we have the tools we need to support and protect our diverse community. Sadly, many of our communities, especially Muslim and Jewish students have felt unsafe due to the conflict abroad, and recently, the Islamophobic and racist far-right riots here in the UK. Our priority is to ensure a safe and secure campus for all, and representatives across LUU are engaging with the University’s Antisemitism Working Group and Islamophobia Working Group to help achieve this.

We know many students want to join in and stand in solidarity with global movements. We work closely with our clubs and societies to make sure that their events, campaigns, protests and vigils are as safe and effective for all involved as possible. If you would like to make your voice heard about any of the issues mentioned in this blog, check out our list of authorised LUU groups to join in their activities, or submit a policy idea.

Our Help & Support service is available to any students who have been affected by these events. Hate crimes, including acts of Islamophobia and antisemitism should never be tolerated and should be reported via the University’s Student Information Service. Downloading the Safe Zone App can also be a useful tool for important and accurate safety updates.

Working for a peaceful and unified campus community will be our focus all-year around, and we know all students who come to Leeds deserve this to be a time you love. We hope you all have a great start to the new term and look forward to meeting as many of you as possible throughout the year ahead.

Best wishes,

Your LUU Student Executive 24/25

Your Exec Officer Team has been busy over the last month collaborating with the National Union of Students (NUS) on an impactful initiative—the “No More Guarantors” campaign. This campaign, designed to alleviate housing pressures on students, ties in with the new government’s proposed Renters’ Rights Bill. By engaging local Members of Parliament (MPs) and Student’s Unions, this campaign advocates for reforms that could profoundly improve the student rental experience across the UK.

Here’s what Union Affairs and Communications Officer Lucy has to say about what she’s been up to while working on this campaign:

Working alongside the Leeds Beckett Student Union in a newly formed alliance called Leeds Working Together, we have reached out to numerous MPs in support of our campaign. This united front amplifies our voice, signalling a growing consensus that student housing policies need reform to better support students’ rights.

Your Education Officer Shivani and I, partnered with Leeds Beckett Student Officers to meet with local MP Alex Sobel, a key advocate for the campaign in Parliament. MP Sobel has proposed three pivotal amendments to the Renters’ Rights Bill:

Regulating the Starting Date of Lettings: Preventing early-season starts to give students fair access to housing.

Capping Deposit Time Limits to Three Months: Reducing the financial burden of holding deposits.

Abolishing Guarantor Requirements: Eliminating the need for guarantors, a major barrier for many students, especially those from low-income backgrounds or without access to UK-based guarantors.

Following this meeting, we reached out to student officers across the country involved in the NUS campaign, to encourage their MPs to vote for Alex’s amendments to the Renter’s Rights Bill.

Lobbying Day at Parliament: Voices of Change

On October 23, Felix, our International and Postgraduate Officer, joined the NUS in a landmark lobbying day at Parliament, where nearly 50 student representatives from across the UK gathered at Westminster’s Methodist Hall to bring attention to the campaign. Here’s what he has to say about what he got up to:

On 22 October, as a member of the LUU Exec, I travelled to London as part of the NUS advocacy team to meet MPs regarding the issue of abolishing guarantor fees, particularly for students. As you may be aware, guarantor fees have been a major barrier for students in accessing accommodation that is both healthy and safe.

Many of our students, especially international students, those from low-income backgrounds, and estranged students have been disproportionately affected by guarantor fees and related costs. This has led to students sharing single rooms, staying in hotels, and using guarantorship services.

I met with MP Imran Hussain and MP Samantha Kate Dixon, the Government Deputy Whip, who both showed support for the campaign and acknowledged its importance. They committed to ensuring that legislation would not disadvantage any student group, promising to carry the conversation forward in Parliament.

What’s happening as a result?

As part of the campaign’s ongoing efforts, MPs asked MP Alex Sobel to share the details of his amendment proposals for the Renters’ Rights Bill so that they can vote for the amendment if it’s selected.  As we look ahead, your Exec Team will keep working to champion safe, affordable housing for all students, supporting a vision where no student is left struggling to secure a place to live.

Your Exec have been busy this month working on a number of projects! Scroll down to see what they’ve been up to, and don’t forget to follow them on Instagram to stay up to date with their latest projects.

Amara Relf, Equality & Liberation Officer:

This month Amara has been working on breaking barriers and making university life more accessible for all of our student community. She has introduced a permanent clothes swap in Essentials, which includes baby clothes for our students with children, and worked with our Dance Societies on making shows more accessible and inclusive, with a particular focus on sign language interpreters.

She’s also been working collaboratively with the LGBTQ+ Society on ‘ Fix the Cistem’ Trans+ inclusive policies. Finally, she has been working to recruit the Liberation Student Committee! Keep an eye out for some great events coming soon.

Felix Ejessu, International & Postgraduate Officer:

This month Felix has attended many University Board meetings, these are places where the Exec bring your feedback and voice to the table to influence policy. This included the Library Board, Graduate Board, International Board, Pro VC International Board, and Unipol Board. He has been speaking with the University about PGR networking events and international student experience.

There are also plans to contact GPs and the NHS to develop a good working relationship and allow local GPs to hear student feedback. Keep your eye peeled for more information on this as it progresses!

Lucy Hart, Union Affairs & Communications Officer:

Lucy has been working hard to engage you in talking about spiking this month. This has included the spiking survey, running stall activity to educate you on safe nights out and giving out bottle spikeys.

She has also been working on a number of community based projects, this has included:

• Working with the University sustainability team, exploring a closer relationship with Leeds Beckett SU on events that include Reclaim the Night.
• She has also been connecting with local government officials including local Councillors, MP’s and the Vice Chancellor about her ‘let’s talk about students’ event – keep an eye out for this event and our other events in the Let’s Talk series.

She’s also been developing key connections and meeting directly with our community – including an NUS guarantors day and meeting with Alex Sobel, read more about that here. She has held drop in hours with nursing, medical and midwife students, and met the BMA (British Medical Association) x NUS x RGSU (Russell Group SUs) to discuss how we can lobby the government around improving healthcare student experience. On top of this she has been working hard to make sure that your Better Forums policies are implemented, including the charity donation points for UK med (in place from 4th Nov – 13th Dec) and the Student Parents Policy which has now been brought to a working group.

Furthermore, she has passed two policies at the recent Better Forums including one on changing LUU bye laws to fit with changes of the NUS democratic structure and encouraging LUU to lobby for an alternative higher education funding model which does not rely so heavily on student fees.

Lydia Shale, Activities & Opportunities Officer:

Lydia has been working hard in collaboration with the University to bring you a discovery module for Club and Society members. This is a great opportunity for all of our members to develop their professional skills. She has also been working hard on creating inclusive spaces for our communities, this has included the development of mixed gender Netball and Football teams. Outside of activities she has made sure that there are wheelchair accessible spaces in Terrace, Old Bar and The Winter Tent!

Shivani Gug, Education Officer:

Shivani has been working on celebrating your student voices and putting them into action. This has included the Education Assembly, celebrating diversity in the Reimagining Higher Education Conference – on the topic of decolonisation and excitingly, University Challenge! Thank you and good luck to all of our applicants so far.

She also successfully resubmitted a Content Note Guide policy in Better Forums in collaboration with Iliyana the AHC Undergrad Faculty Officer. This means that there will be a brief content note ahead of certain modules, so if there’s any sensitive subjects in that module or bit of teaching students will be aware of it before they see and access that material. AHC has already adapted it and has a content note guidance and this good practice that she will be introducing to other faculties.

This month Shivani has presented a report in the Senate that she created as a result of the feedback from all the Faculty Officers to inform everyone of the student experience in each faculty from the students themselves. The Senate is the University Governance board with a focus on academia, it is chaired by the VC and has the Deputy VCs, University Secretary and key academic staff within the University.

Within her role she also sits on Council, the highest governing body of the University and the Taught Student Education Board (which has a more educational and wellbeing focus. They are spaces where she is able to influence educational and wider University policy. In these spaces she is looking at University wide education related projects like curriculum redefined which explores making changes to the current curriculum and looking at the use of AI with regards to assessments in the University.

Your Exec has been busy this month working on a number of projects! Scroll down to see what they’ve been up to, and don’t forget to follow them on Instagram to stay up to date with their latest projects.

Amara Relf, Equality & Liberation Officer:

This month Amara has been breaking barriers in her accessibility work, the new Accessibility App has been approved – more updates to come in the new year. Keep your eyes peeled! She has also been working on her Fix the Cistem work with the Binder Library – a trial event where students could take a binder to use, and they could then be returned. She has also been working on a number of Trans Inclusive Policy updates.

To empower your voices Amara has put the hours in working on the Mayor’s fund, and SASHA Accreditation. In November she also held the Reclaim the Night March, an annual event that stands as a powerful declaration of women’s rights to freedom, safety and equity. She also has made an appearance at the Westminster Higher Education Forum talking about Tackling Sexual Harassment within UK HEI. Finally she’s proud to announce that all positions on the Liberation Committee have been filled! Keep a lookout for more information in the new year.

Felix Ejessu, International & Postgraduate Officer:

This month Felix has been bust improving your student experience. He was recently involved in the University Block Research Review Framework to expedite research proposal reviews. He has also submitted to the Taught Students Education Board (TSEB) Task and Finish Group installed LUU asks for PGR payment uniformity, training, and contracts. He also has had success in his recent proposal and has received news that the University will be supporting Guarantor to students.

He has also engaged in networking and engagement through the LUU Everywhere project review, has featured on student podcasts and has attended many high profile meetings this month:  including:-Pro-Deans International, International Strategy Board, Senate, Research Ethics Committee, VC Monthly Meeting, Library Meeting, Joint Graduate Board.

Lucy Hart, Union Affairs & Communications Officer:

Lucy has been working in depth on the cost of living and tuition fees. You can catch her interview with LSTV on tuition fees here. She also passed a Better Forums policy on lobbying to change higher education funding models, which you can find here.  In relation to her previous update on the Renters Rights Bill she has been working hard to write recommendations. She’s also been making great strides in student safety, last month was the 47th Reclaim the night. She’s also been working hard to change the lives of Student Parents buy introducing a child area in Common Ground – more information to come on this soon! And for Healthcare students she has been having conversations with Russell Group SUs – linking up to support work by the BMA and gathering evidence to improve your experience. Finally she’s been relationship building by having VC Shearer on LSR and engaging her with other student media channels.

Lydia Shale, Activities & Opportunities Officer:

Lydia has been working hard on accessibility this month. As highlighted in her last update, this month she has successfully held mixed gender netball and football festivals in collaboration with the University of Leeds. There’s also some exciting events coming up including a Women’s Sports Panel where you may have the opportunity to hear Olympians speak on the panel! She has also had the privilege of presenting at the Sports Scholar induction evening, speaking at the BUCS Regional Meeting with Amara and excitingly has had her discovery module for Club and Society members approved! This is a great opportunity for all of our members to develop their professional skills.

Shivani Gug, Education Officer:

Shivani has been working hard to deliver her Faculty Roadshows to a number of faculties this year – and these will continue into the new year! She has also been working closely with the Library and will be discussing accessibility with them in collaboration with disability services. Finally, you’ll have seen her featured in a number of communications campaigns relating to graduation!

The Renters Rights Bill is a set of proposed new Laws currently being debated in Parliament. It is not yet a law and will not be until it passes all stages of the legislative process. Those stages are due to take place through 2025.

LUU members and Exec Officers have worked alongside Alex Sobel, MP for Leeds Central and Headingley to support students with having their say in advocating for student renters. In particular, around issues students from marginalised groups face around guarantorships, and needing to pay multiple months’ rent in advance. Below is the timeline of progress that has been made on this project.

Timeline

February 2024: 
Vishanth Suresh, previous LISN member, alongside Rimsha Khan, International and Postgraduate Office, and other students spoke to Alex Sobel MP about the rising cost of living, and specific issues in terms of rent being asked for in advance at the LUU Let’s Talk About… Cost of Living Event hosted by former Union Affairs and Communications Officer, Emily Tabern.

April: Alex Sobel MP publishes an amendment to the Renters Reform Bill.

June: A UK General Election is called and Renters Reform Bill isn’t passed in the “Parliamentary Wash up”.

July: Election of new Labour government.

September: Launch of NUS’ No Guarantors Campaign. Labour also announce a new Renters Rights Bill

October: Felix, current International and Postgraduate Officer travels to the NUS No Guarantor Campaign day in Westminster, joining over 50 student officers from around the country, meeting over 70 MPs in order to draw up support for issues that students face in terms of housing. Current Officers all meet with Alex in October, November and January.

January 2025: Alex Sobel MP shares Matthew Pennycook’s letter stating rent in advance will be limited in the new Renters Rights Bill. It is officially written into the bill, which has not yet become law.

LUU will continue to work with Alex Sobel, and other partners to improve student experiences of housing.

Reflecting on the work Lucy Hart, Union Affairs and Communications Officer says, “This a huge win for student housing and if passed will be particularly impactful considering how cost of living is affecting students. It is an amazing example of how LUU students can directly lobby national policy through discussions with key decision makers and local MPs.”

Former LUU Officer, Alex Sobel, now MP for Leeds Central and Headingley says “Renters’ rights have been a cornerstone of my work since my student days, and they remain as crucial today as ever.”“…In early 2024, I had the opportunity to discuss the Cost of Living Crisis with students at the University of Leeds. It was clear that unfair practices disproportionately affect students, particularly care leavers, estranged students, and those from low-income backgrounds.”
“…These amendments address the specific challenges I’ve heard from constituents in Leeds Central and Headingley.,” 

If you experience any issues with your tenancy, please get in touch with Help and Support at advice@luu.leeds.ac.uk or come and see us in the Foyer.

Keep an eye out for more events over the coming term where you will have the opportunity to work alongside your local representatives. The first is scheduled for Friday 31 January.