A Union That Organises – Not Just One That Talks
I see the Student Union not just as a service provider, but as a radical organising body - a space where we mobilise our collective power against injustice and demand accountability from those shaping our student lives. This year, I am running for President of the Goldsmiths SU to deliver the change we need.
As a Middle Eastern student from a low-income background at the intersection of multiple disadvantages, I experienced marginalisation by oppressive systems. Yet at Goldsmiths, I found a space to express my authentic self.
I have had the unique opportunity to witness the inner workings of this institution through my roles at the IT desk and as a Student Ambassador. These positions have not only shaped my understanding of Goldsmiths but have also exposed shortcomings in how it protects and supports its students. Over the past year, I have fought across all departments, advocating for a student who faced challenges in being safeguarded both as a woman and an international student. These experiences have refined my leadership, negotiation, and organisational skills and deepened my insight into our student safety teams. I will leverage this experience to campaign on your behalf, championing your safety and enhancing your experience. Battles have been lost, but the war is far from over.
Throughout my time on campus, I've witnessed firsthand the institution's inability to protect women’s safety, particularly in cases of harassment and sexual misconduct. I am surprised to find how much more injustice and marginalisation is experienced at Goldsmiths especially given its activist, left-wing reputation. More concerning is the institution’s tendency to gaslight victims, downplaying their experiences and minimising the severity of the harm done. This culture of dismissiveness and inaction towards survivors shows the deep flaws within the system, revealing an administration more concerned with profit and reputation than student well-being.
As a candidate, I recognise the profound challenges our institution faces. The proposed redundancies affecting the MA Black British Literature and MA Queer History courses have raised serious concerns about our university's commitment to diversity. The lack of meaningful consultation with the student body regarding these changes has further eroded trust between students and the administration. I will be working closely with the team of sabbatical officers to ensure that all possible bases of actions are covered, from liberation to educational systems.
As your Student Union President, I will:
-
Protect Academic Diversity: Fight against the discontinuation of courses that celebrate diverse histories, ensuring programs like MA Black British Literature and MA Queer History thrive.
-
Champion a strict, unwavering policy against sexual assault by collaborating with sabbatical officers, campus security, and wellbeing services to ensure swift and just consequences for perpetrators. I will demand clear, robust protocols that protect survivors, hold offenders accountable, and create a safer campus environment for everyone. I will challenge departments that fail to hold assaulters accountable, demanding justice, immediate investigations, defined response timelines, and cross-department collaboration to achieve these outcomes.
-
Advocate for Transparent Decision-Making: Collaborate with sabbatical officers, student representatives, and faculty to ensure every major decision is made transparently through open forums and structured consultations.
-
Advocate for rigorous financial oversight within the Student Union, ensuring funds are managed responsibly and strategically allocated to enhance the student experience. This includes demanding transparent budgeting and open channels for student input on funding priorities.
A Union That Organises – Not Just One That Talks: I will build stronger student-led liberation networks to create lasting anti-racist, feminist, and anti-ableist action, supporting grassroots student campaigns that fight for the safety and rights of women on campus. Real change does not come from above—it comes from collective struggle.