Andy Law Student Trustee Candidate

As someone who works full-time in higher education in the area of academic quality, and
also in the area of equality and diversity in two roles that are additional to my job title,
guaranteeing and developing the quality of the student experience for each and every
student is important to me.

My experience of working in a university grants me a depth and breadth of knowledge of the
sector. I am able to draw on this, and specifically on my experience of studying and working
at a different university, to table fresh and well-informed perspectives rooted in observation
of best practice.

I would push for the Graduate Students Association to provide input into university
committees on the diverse needs of postgraduate students, identifying and addressing
issues such as the accessibility of postgraduate programmes to those supporting their
studies with full- or part-time work.

I would encourage officers and staff at the Graduate Students Association to develop an
always-listening approach through actively seeking feedback on the quality of services and
activities on a regular basis, in a quick and easy form. This would serve to increase the
engagement of postgraduate students in the future direction of the Graduate Students
Association, and establish a greater level of ongoing input.

I would encourage support for the establishment of new diversity groups and the
development of existing ones, such as the LGBTQ Postgraduate Network. I would
encourage collaboration between postgraduate and undergraduate groups where such a
relationship may be beneficial in order to stimulate involvement and build critical mass in the
foundation stages. I would push for more comprehensive information about such groups to
be provided on the Graduate Students Association website.

I bring vast experience of committee work in various different roles: within charitable
organisations, the students union at the university where I completed my undergraduate
degree and professionally in higher education as part of my day job.

My experiences with a wide range of groups and organisations have instilled in me a
knowledge and understanding of the governance of charities and charitable organisations.
With York Pride, I supported the transition from charitable organisation to charity, helping
both with the Charity Commission application and the development of the constitutional
documents.

I constantly strive to improve the life experiences of other people of all people. I have
dedicated countless hours to volunteering for various different groups, organisations and
projects over the last few years, winning and being nominated for numerous volunteering
awards for my work.

However, on starting my MA here, I could no longer commit to my three significant voluntary
roles on top of part-time study and a full-time job. Being a student trustee would enable me
to once again contribute to the community above and beyond my day job, without overly
straining professional and academic commitments. I am excited by and highly value the
opportunity to improve the student experience for others, both for my peers and for future
postgraduate students at the University of York.