Approaching spring 20’ was an exciting time for most of us at the University. While students were planning their Easter break and getting on with coursework, the Exec Officers at the Students’ Union had many plans laid out for the last quarter of their term. I had planned to achieve my goals of supporting students and making the university experience worthwhile by working on a research supervision policy, extending Ali G opening hours for summer dissertations, improving study and work spaces and more.
 
Little did we know that we would be forced to lock ourselves up to make us and our surroundings safe, to fight against an unknown and invisible enemy. While this global pandemic posed threats to the way of living around the world, it also affected the higher education sector with challenges never faced before. This meant that the universities had to take a rigorous approach to ensure student learning continued after the complete lockdown of UK universities. For student leaders like myself, the duty to represent students and ensure that they are not mistreated was more important than ever. Although the university closure meant a halt in a lot of my work, it raised a number of challenges to the students I have a duty to represent and work for.

I have been working remotely along with other SU exec officers to ensure we are up to the task and lobbying the university to deliver an accessible learning experience for students. Here’s what I have been doing in the past few weeks:
 
·     Laptop/IT Support: Learning had to be shifted online which meant many of our students would face difficulties to connect themselves with the virtual world of learning at the university. Along with other exec officers, I ensured the University provided IT support and laptop loans for students who might not have access to them. For support, please email on helpmegetonline@manchester.ac.uk 
·     No disadvantage Policy. Along with the other Officers, I worked on the university’s ‘No disadvantage policy’ to mitigate the impacts of disruption on assessment. 
·     Hardship Fund: We convinced the university to improve the student support fund to provide financial support for our students. I lobbied to ensure that PGR students who need this support are also eligible and are included in our efforts to support our student community. More information 
·     GTA payments: With the help of UCU, I have been successful in lobbying for continued payments for graduate teaching assistants during this pandemic. I am continuing to work to ensure no one has been disadvantaged financially. 
 
We have also conducted a survey to gather data around the issues faced by our PGR community, this data collected through this survey highlights the major concerns faced by the PGR students, the report can be found here.  I am working hard to ensure the university takes a similar stance to UKRI funding extension of funded extensions for PGR students to the amount of time disrupted due to the university closure.  There remains uncertainty around the position of external funders whose co-operation on the same lines would be important in order to achieve a desired outcome from this effort. 
 
Although, this pandemic has created a lot of panic and distress among everyone in the higher education sector, there is a bright side to it as well. There has been years of effort and hard work from several SU’s to promote alternative assessment methods, new approaches to learning and the decolonisation of the curriculum. This pandemic has provided an opportunity to show that there is room for these changes. We have seen that the university can be flexible and inclusive if these avenues are further adopted in future. With opportunities in online learning, alternative assessments and less need for a campus based university experience there is always a bright side of spending resources on the welfare and wellbeing of both students and staff. 

All students are requested to stay indoors and practice social distancing, only following government guidelines can ensure safety for our family and loved ones. In the meantime, if you have any queries you contact me on postgrad.su@manchester.su.uk.