Primary Objectives

Set Up Sensory Spaces for Disabled Students

It can be a challenge to find a place on campus to work that reduces exposure to potentially overstimulating sensory experiences, including within libraries where designated ‘silent zones’ may still be subject to disruptive behaviours. By creating designated spaces to be used by all students who self-identify as having sensory issues, the university can support those who struggle to find places to study outside the home or who worry about experiencing overload whilst on campus.?

• A room on each campus in a quiet, accessible location (ground floor/lift access, automatic doors, open to all students) to be designated as a sensory space.

• Each room to be equipped with appropriate signage and guidance for use of the room to designate it as a space with a specific function.

• To include varied, comfortable seating, and other equipment implemented based on the opinion of students in each of these spaces.

• To provide comprehensive directions on the University website/Student Services Online to make accessing the spaces easier for disabled students.?

This provides a safety net for disabled students enabling them to take part in student life and experiences without the need for fear or preparation.

??

Expand the Disability Support and Inclusion Team and Improve Communication?

At present, waiting times for an appointment with the KCL can be long and unpredictable, which can cause stress and delay students getting the assistance they need.?

• Expand the service to reduce waiting times for advisor meetings, with a two-week target.

• Be transparent about waiting times in each step of the process.

• Increase communication about the service to students, to improve awareness of what the service offers and clarify who can use it. At present, students who would benefit from support are discouraged from applying as they have little understanding of the process and are unsure if they qualify.??

?

Expand KAAS to Include More Rooms and to Include Full-Time Postgraduate Students  

The cost-of-living crisis will have a long term impact on costs, which can make it difficult for students to afford both student accommodation and private housing. Expanding KAAS will support KCL students not just in their studies, but in their lives.  ?

• Include more rooms under the scheme.

• Publish the number of rooms offered under the scheme compared to non-KAAS rooms both of the same room type and overall (as a raw figure and percentage) to improve transparency.

• Include full-time postgraduate students in the scheme, to improve access to postgraduate study for students with lower household incomes.?

?

Reinstate the Continue at King’s Bursary

The Continue at King’s bursary scheme (Continue at King’s Alumni Bursary Scheme) offered a £5000 discount to tuition fees for KCL students graduating in 2022 on postgraduate taught courses. It was a pilot project that has not been offered for 2023 graduates. In order to improve access to postgraduate study to students with lower household incomes, the University should continue to provide this.

Expand the KCL Counselling & Mental Health Support Service?

Presently, demand for support from the Counselling & Mental Health Support is high but resources are limited.??

• Expand the service to improve access to the services currently offered by decreasing waiting times and avoiding closure of the waiting list. The former can leave students for an extended time without assistance, and the latter can discourage students from seeking help in the future.

• Communication and transparency should be improved, with students being made aware of waiting times and waiting list opening status prior to applying, with figures being published and regularly updated on the webpage for the service. This will allow students to make an informed decision concerning their personal mental health support plans.

• Expand the service to provide long-term therapy to continue from standard short-term therapy offered for students with extenuating circumstances, in a non-means-tested manner. Long-term therapy (here defined as more than 6 sessions) is difficult to access unless seeking private treatment, which can be highly inaccessible to students, due to the considerable financial burden on top of existing mental health conditions for which they are in treatment. The lack of access to this treatment can lead to detrimental effects on both personal mental health, quality of life, and academic performance.

About the Candidate 

I am currently completing my MSc in Neuroscience after finishing a BSc in Biomedical Science. After nearly four years as a member of the student body, I recognise the importance of listening to and acting on the experience and feedback of students to create a better environment for studying, living, and socialising. As a member of the Student Officers, I wish to bring my knowledge and experience into an environment where I can make the changes that will have the greatest benefit for students.?

 I have developed a passion for working with my peers to deliver a better experience. During my time as a KCL student, I have involved myself in the Student Union through serving on the committee of activity groups, working as a member of student staff, and founding my own society to fill a gap amongst the varied and interesting activities offered by my fellow students. Additionally, through my studies I have volunteered with peer-led schemes to welcome newcomers and tutor others. ?

To be successful in these endeavours I have made constant improvement of what we deliver the highest priority in the planning and execution of our events. My commitment to this was demonstrated in my final year undergraduate dissertation, which was primarily focused on gathering student opinion and suggesting improvements for the delivery of a teaching programme. 

This was a series of recommendations on how to optimise teaching to deliver an excellent learning experience which maximises student satisfaction, which carry relevance for improving the teaching programme researched as well as the suggestions on the future direction and usage of online teaching in a university setting.?

These experiences will support me in my endeavours to represent the interests of the student body in regard to experience, wellbeing, and inclusivity, and to push for the change that we have desired in these aspects for so long.