Live Blog: KCLSU Candidate Question Time

Candidate Question Time begins at 2 pm with VP for Welfare and Community

Coverage by Niamh Cunningham and Kaveh Kordestani

Zoya Soni begins Candidate Question Time

Zoya focuses her speech on how her extensive experience will aid her in the role.

Adithi Sathiyan goes next, saying, ‘welfare is not abstract but intensely personal.’

She will focus on ‘everyday barriers’ that ‘don’t work as they should.’

For all: What new initiatives will you bring?

Adithi mentioned her ‘hardship travel fund’, aiming to reimburse students for their travel to exams.

Zoya wants department specific welfare leads so staff know ‘exactly’ what students need.

For all: What are your plans for KAAS?

Adithi said to improve ‘Halls for All’ initiative, expanding KAAS and raising the income criteria above £42,000. She also aims to work with the King’s Money and Housing Advice service.

Zoya said she will focus on the ‘Guarantor Guarantee’ scheme and signpost available resources.

Hamza Malik begins Candidate Question time for this section

He says he strives for ‘well-thought plans that have a lasting impact.’

When questioned about improving newsletter services, he says he will improve the calendar so everyone can see deadlines coming up to KCLSU.

Henny Sonnemann-Petty said, ‘at the heart of all these problems is the KCLSU not listening to their students.’

She wants to deliver promises that can actually be delivered in a year, making sure not to over-promise.

When questioned about how her focus group idea mentioned in her manifesto, she said she will ‘standardise-committee handovers’ to improve changes between committee leaderships.

For all: ‘Process fixing’ has been the backbone of all candidates’ campaigns – why is yours different?

Jade says he has spoken to a lot of societies’ presidents and has raised issues about room bookings for societies.

Charlie noted that changes to finance have had ‘mixed results’ and she wants to introduce a plan to test all new software for societies before rolling it out.

Henny said she wants to improve decision-making. The VP role, she says, does not do enough and wants to improve the role and better integrate student voice.

Hamza spoke about better connecting people with issues to the correct personnel.

For all: How do you plan to help low-income students with high membership costs?

Jade doesn’t think that this is an issue because some societies host events that do not need a membership, but said that KCLSU could perhaps subsidise membership fees.

Charlie wants to expand accessibility funds to allow students to join the societies. She said ‘we already have the infrastructure in place.’

Henny said memberships for bigger socities are often higher as they feel ‘left out’ and not adaquately represented because KCLSU tends to focus on newer socities.

Hamza wants the KCLSU to provide means tested membership fee funds to support students in difficult financial situations.

Harrison Lee begins the discussion

Said he ‘met some of the greatest minds’ but also witnessed, from time to time, ‘injustice and threats.’

When questioned on his aim to expand his student and tutor scheme in his manifesto. He said he wants to improve relationships with personal tutors and connect senior and junior students.

For all: What issue do you want to work on in the committee?

Maria said she wants a platform to update students on what the VP is doing.

Harrison agreed with Maria and said that KCLSU should be more in touch with students.

For all: What will be your biggest challenge?

Harrison said it will be improving KCLSU’s ability to fund students.

Maria said there will be many challenges that they won’t know until they are in the job.

Candidate question time for VP Arts and Sciences begins now

How do you plan to improve the study spaces on campus?

Mahdi proposes students use a KCLSU app to see where there are free spaces on campus, emphasising that students need more informal environments to learn.

Candidate question time for VP Postgraduates begins now

Niharika Anand: ‘Postgraduates need to feel more at home in London’

She stresses seamless academic scheduling, and pledges to establish an app to bring in a virtual mentorship schedule for postgraduate students to receive enhanced guidance.

On the pledge to introduce free gym access for all postgraduates, she discussed the importance of physical exercise but was unable to commit to a funding mechanism.

Soha Adeel: ‘I will introduce travel support for exams in the Excel’

Soha spoke of enhanced support for academics, international students and exams – as well as travel funding for exams to the Excel Exhibition Centre.

On her proposed online chat system, she said this would be a live interactive chat with staff and a ticketed portal to ensure 24/7 support.

For all: Which sub-group from King’s postgraduates are currently underserved at King’s and what would they do for them?

Fiona did not remain for the general all-candidate questions. Puru said that part-time and mature students who do not have access to full support are most underserved.

Niharika said all postgraduates are underserved compared to undergraduates.

Soha said international students are her priority – particularly those who did not complete their undergraduate at King’s and are unaware of the support.

For all: How would you encapsulate your vision for King’s postgraduates with specific changes?

Niharika committed to a step by step guide on how to navigate dull London weather as well as increasing support for students experiencing racism.

Puru said increasing inclusion and strengthening postgraduate voices was their priority.

Soha said she would enforce one-to-one support systems and information packets when joining King’s to better support international students.

Sanaa Sarfraz is up first

She talks about her unique candidacy, with the GKT Rugby Club and medical student experience – such representation she has never seen before. Her main priorities are centred on safe spaces for women and ensuring victims are encouraged to come forward with better provisions.

On her affordable housing initiative, Sanaa said this stands out from KAAS because she wants to introduce a King’s Guarantor, which she claims is a specific policy that will support students whose parents don’t reach the income threshold to acquire a guarantor.

For all: What are your aspirations for your first 100 days in office?

Luqmaan said he wants to institute a King’s amendment to divestment during during the summer period.

Sanaa said that she would set up a meeting with heads of committees and faculties to decide what to do – she also spoke of the importance of establishing an anonymous platform for reporting issues, with women’s safety prioritised.

Arjun wants to streamline digital services, improving response guarantees which would be sanctioned if not met by the university and the SU.

A student in the audience has asked a question on students covering costs themselves while awaiting reimbursements

Arjun described a long-winded process of uploading evidence, which would be countered by focusing on smaller investments into societies rather than leaving students with big funding deficits.

Luqmann emphasises ensuring stronger reinforcements by revamping the system, potentially by reducing the evidence required. Sanaa voiced her personal experiences about the Soldo code system being inefficient, with an ideal replacement using a easier bank transfer.