Hello lovely people!
I’m Diya Rattanpal and I’m standing to be your Equality and Diversity Executive officer for a second successive term!
It has been an absolute joy and privilege to have been in this role, and to have had the opportunity to represent all of you beautiful people for a year. I would be honoured to get do it again.
By the end of this year in term I will have successfully: Facilitated BHM and PHM to great success, developed a new space on campus - open to students who may not feel comfortable in the loud and fast paced environment of campus centre; helped launch ‘Decolonising DMU’; been the DSU lead on a new initiative being launched to help the university tackle hate incidents; supported on the most successful ‘Light the Night’ march to date; and worked to helped the university update its systems to support trans students, as well as begin the work on a wider conversation regarding the normalisation around asking for pronouns.
There’s still so much work to be done however, and if re-elected these are the main manifesto points I’d love to carry out:
- WORK TO INCREASE VISUAL BAME REPRESENTATION ON CAMPUS
- By working with Decolonising DMU, I would love to start ensuring there is more visual BAME representation not only on our screens via social media, but by inviting distinguished guests onto campus. Everyone deserves to have someone to look up to, that looks just like them.
- PUSH FOR MORE USAGE OF RECORDED AND SUBTITLED LECTURES
- We need to acknowledge that not all students learn the same way. For some students, coming into to a big lecture room could trigger their anxiety, meaning that they aren’t able to focus. Or maybe a student where English isn’t their 1st language is struggling with the fast paced environment. In addition, not every student is able-bodied, and it is important that their education is not hindered by an ableist learning system. Whatever the reason, having replay to fall back on allows for students to make the most out of their education.
- HOST A DMU GLOBAL TRIP FOR STUDENTS
- I truly believe that one of the best ways to promote tolerance and understanding of other cultures is to travel! Leading a trip for students to experience new cultures is something that will not only will benefit you through university, but much after that too.
- CONTINUE TO LEAD ON A UNION WIDE CULTURE CHANGE
- It’s important to remember that with such a diverse and multicultural student population, we as a union cater to everyone. Whilst so many changes are being done behind the scenes, there is always more to do. I want to make sure that everyone feels at home here at DSU
After a year in the role, although it may have taken a little time to get the ball rolling, I strongly believe that the insight and experience I have received is invaluable, and has pushed me to a place where I undoubtedly have the confidence and ability to lead and represent our union. The foundations for all of this work has already been set up, and if re-elected, I would be able to hit the ground running, and absolutely maximise all the wonderful things we can do in the next year!
#Re-ElectRattanpal as your Equality and Diversity Executive and NUS Delegate