Running In A Student Election - My Campaign as VP Equality and Belonging

What is the UUSU Leadership Elections?

UUSU is one of the largest membership organisations in Northern Ireland supporting over 26,000 student members. Operating as a charity, UUSU represents, supports and connects its members through a range of services, activities, and pledges, and is the voice of students at Ulster University. Over the years, UUSU's representation and services have grown significantly with a range of services for members including academic representation, volunteering opportunities and enhancing the student experience through events and activities.

Over the next few weeks, candidates will be across all 3 campus' telling you why you should vote for them for their respective roles. Voting is open from March 4th at 9am and closes on March 6th at 4pm, so make sure you log into the UUSU Website to vote. 

My name is Caitlin-Rose and I am running to be your next VP Equality and Belonging.

Why I’m Running

If you had've said to me a year ago that I'd be running for a position within Ulster University Students' Union (UUSU), I might have laughed. But here I am, stepping up to run for VP Equality and Belonging - a role that has never been held by a woman, to represent the diverse student body we have at Ulster. My time as Chair of Student Council has shown me the importance of creating a student community where everyone belongs, now I want to take that commitment further.

I have been an active member of UUSU, acting as a course representative last year and being part of the Learning and Teaching Awards panel. This year, I took on the role of school representative for business at Magee, Chair of Student Council, and Magee Representative for the Women's Empowerment Network. It's safe to say I haven't stopped this year—from helping organise events to encouraging others to get involved with UUSU, I am devoted to advocating for students and creating a sense of belonging at Ulster.

(Students representing UUSU attending Reclaim the Night, Belfast)

What This Role Means to Me

VP Equality and Belonging is more than just a title. It’s about ensuring that every student, regardless of their background, identity, or personal circumstances, feels a true sense of belonging at Ulster University. From tackling accessibility issues to promoting diverse cultural events, this role is at the heart of making student life better for everyone. I believe that a strong and inclusive community isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential.

Being the first female Chair of Student Council in a long time has been an incredible honour, and if elected, I would be proud to make history again as the first ever female VP Equality and Belonging. This role is about more than representation—it’s about ensuring that every student, regardless of background, gender, or identity, has a voice in shaping their university experience. By advocating for meaningful change, I hope to pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future at Ulster University, where every student truly feels they belong.

My Campaign Vision

I am striving to create a university where every student feels as though they belong. In order to achieve that, I have set out a few key issues I aim to address:

1.) Improving Accessibility - Students at Ulster Uni may face several barriers to their education that need to be addressed and advocated for. Following the work of previous student officers, I aim to continue to lobby for a feasible creche/childcare facility across all 3 campus'. The average cost of childcare is around £193 a week, on top of a cost of living crisis. I promise to continue to lobby for these facilities to be available to all students across Ulster University. Furthermore, continuing to lobby for a solution for language translations across all university platforms (such as Blackboard Learn), allowing students to access any learning materials in their own language.

(Encouraging business students to become a Course Rep with UUSU during Welcome Week in my role as Department Rep) 

2.) Nightlife Safety - Working with the Women's Empowerment Network Committee and attending rallies across Belfast and Derry, it is so important we continue to promote nightlife safety. While drink spiking can be dealt with under existing legislation in Northern Ireland (Such as the Offences Against The Person Act), we must work together to lobby the government to create a specific offence of drink spiking to protect students. Spiking is a sinister crime and it's often a precursor to acts of violence against people, especially women and girls. It is really important that we as students do everything in  our power to eliminate it and punish those responsible. If I am elected, I will work with the Women's Empowerment Network to ensure we are actively advocating for anti-spiking legislation and to ensure safer nights out for students both on and off campus. 

(UUSU at Reclaim the Night, Belfast)

3.) UUSU Networks - The students union offers a variety of networks for students to join  in order to raise issues they may have on campus, for example, the Women's Empowerment Network is planning to launch the Women's Charter across all Higher and Further Education organisations. I aim to make students more aware of these networks by ensuring all networks have an effective social media presence and a direct access via the UUSU Website. This will allow students to collaborate on shared issues more effectively and ensure their voice is heard and represented. Furthermore, utilising the UUSU Networks to host more events for students. Prior to Covid-19, UUSU did trips for international students to visit local landmarks close to their campus (e.g. Coleraine students could visit giants causeway), working with the BAME+ Network, I would like to bring these events back to allow students to explore tourist areas close to their home campus. 

(First Year Business Students taking part in a society engagement event I hosted during welcome week)

4.) Lobbying for GP's on Campus - Student officers (Long before I was even at Ulster University) have been advocating for GP's on campus. This is a necessary step towards improving equality and belonging on campus, and will help the growing pressure on the NHS emergency facilities and local General Practices. I promise to continue to lobby for GP's on campus for all students, ensuring students have accessible medical treatment. 

The Campaign Experience So Far

Running a campaign is both exciting and exhausting. From designing posters and stickers (yes, I’ve got some cool ones coming!) to speaking with students across campuses, every day brings a new challenge. Connecting with students and hearing their stories has been the best part. YOU have helped shaped the campaign that I am running, addressing key issues within the university. Their experiences fuel my motivation and remind me why I’m doing this.

('Create A University Where We All Belong' Stickers)

Why Your Vote Matters

Student elections might seem small in the grand scheme of things, but they have a huge impact on our university experience. By voting, you’re choosing the people who will advocate for your needs, fight for your rights, and shape student life for the better. If my campaign resonates with you, I’d love your support!

(Vote Caitlin-Rose for VP Equality and Belonging)

Let’s Connect!

If you have ideas, questions, or just want to chat about how we can make our university a better place, reach out! You can find me on Instagram @Caitlin4Equality , by email Lowry-c13@ulster.ac.uk, or around campus (I am based on Magee but will be going across all 3 in the next 2 weeks).

Together, we can create a university community where everyone belongs.