Wednesday 24-05-2023 - 15:37

This past year has been a long ride, jumping from one meeting to another, engaging with students across campus and prioritizing tasks.

The year came with all its goodness and challenges. I got involved with policy reviews such as the Timetabling and Room Booking Policy, Attendance Regulations Policy and Societies Policy Review. I also reviewed the Student Partnership Agreement with University Staff and colleagues, which will be going live soon.

My Personal Objective this year was promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing on Campus and for this; I engaged with the GCU Wellbeing Team and our Advice Centre regularly to ensure that this was possible. I organized free events during Feel Fab February, which is a campaign that we run to promote mental health and wellbeing, which was a great success. I lobbied the ARC Gym to provide free gym passes to students all through the month of February for students to be able to use the gym for no charge. I have been involved in the review of the Student Mental Health Agreement as well as consulting with academic reps to know their points of view on what they would like to see in our mental health and wellbeing activities.

I believe in the old adage “All work and no play makes Jack a dull person” and with this, I was keen on promoting multicultural activities through events, and organized the Afro Caribbean Culture Night, helped in planning the Diwali Night, Holi Festival, to name a few. Together with my colleagues, we were also able to introduce a new African Menu and looking forward to diversify this further.

My team and I were able to lobby the University to start a Free Breakfast Scheme that ran all through the academic year. As I write this, I also begin to reflect on some meetings such as the Academic Policy and Practice Committee where huge decisions are taken and I always ensured that I made meaningful contributions to enhance students’ experience.

Indeed, it has been a year that went so fast, and I won’t forget to mention that I wouldn’t have been able to do this without YOU; Students and Staff. I am looking forward to continuing working with you all in the coming year as a returning Full Time Officer.

Jennifer Abali
Vice President School of Health and Life Sciences 2022/23