Rana’s Blog: What I’ve Been Working on for You

Hi everyone,

The past few months have been incredibly busy, and I wanted to take some time to share what I’ve been working on and what’s coming next. A lot of this work has been about listening, learning, and then turning your feedback into action. From food delivery frustrations to graduation celebrations, here’s a detailed look at the progress so far.

Getting Started with Training & Introductory Meetings

At the beginning of my role, I attended a series of introductory meetings with university officials. These were important opportunities to build relationships and establish networks so that I can represent students effectively at the right tables. Having those lines of communication open from day one has already made a big difference when raising issues.

I also completed all of the essential compliance training required for the role. While it might not sound exciting, this training ensures that I’m fully equipped and compliant with university procedures, so that when I’m advocating for students, everything is done the right way and can be acted on quickly.

Fixing Food Delivery at Isambard Complex

One of the first issues I started working on came directly from student concerns: the difficulties around food delivery on the Isambard complex. Many students told me about drivers struggling to find their halls, which often means food arrives cold or in some cases, doesn’t arrive at all.

To address this, I wrote a detailed document highlighting the issue and proposing practical solutions:

• Fixed delivery points: designated spots for clusters of halls to make it easier for drivers to locate students.
• Improved signage around campus, so that drivers can navigate more effectively.
• Clear instructions within delivery apps, telling drivers exactly where to go for each hall.

I’m currently working with the Security and Estates departments to develop a plan for implementation, with the goal of making food delivery smoother, more reliable, and less frustrating for everyone living in halls.

Making Graduation More Meaningful

Graduation is one of the most important moments in a student’s life, and I’ve heard from many of you that the current format feels rushed and impersonal. Right now, students simply walk past the stage one after another, with little opportunity for recognition.

To improve this, I drafted a document that argues for each graduate to have their own moment of celebration and recognition whether through a handshake or a pause to take a photograph. This small change would make graduation feel more special and memorable for both students and their families.

The document also emphasises the importance of inclusivity. Not every graduate may want to shake hands, and some may have specific preferences for how they’re celebrated. My proposal suggests that ceremonies respect these choices so that every student feels comfortable and included.

Campus Food Survey (What You Told Us)

Improving campus food provision has been one of my main priorities. We launched a food survey to gather honest feedback from students. The response was fantastic with over 230 students participating but the results showed that there’s real work to do:

• The average satisfaction rating was only 4.8/10, which is below average.
• Students expressed that they wanted affordable meal deals, ideally priced between £4–£6.

We took these results into a meeting with Chartwells (the university’s catering provider). Unfortunately, the initial discussions didn’t produce the improvements we were hoping for. Because of that, I am now working on escalating this issue to senior university leadership, to ensure that student voices are taken seriously at the highest level.

In addition, we’ve invited a Chartwells official to attend our Student Assembly in September, so that they can hear student concerns directly from you. This will be a powerful opportunity for accountability and open dialogue.

Meeting with our Local MP

This month, I had the chance to meet with our local Member of Parliament to discuss issues facing students, as well as wider community concerns. Some of the key topics we covered included:

• Work restrictions for international students, which often make it difficult to support themselves while studying.
• Immigration routes and post-study visas, with particular concern about the shortening of the post-study work visa.
• Rising tuition fees for home students, which continue to add financial pressure.
• Housing challenges, both for students and in the broader community.
• And most urgently, the situation in Gaza. Palestinian students who have received offers from UK universities are currently unable to travel because biometric centres have been destroyed in the genocide by the settler colonial occupation forces. Without access to these centres, they cannot complete visa requirements and are being denied their right to education.

Following my request, the MP has now written to the Minister for the Middle East to consider creating a new scheme for Palestinian students, so that those eligible to study in the UK are not blocked by the impossibility of accessing biometric centres in Gaza. This is an important step forward, and I will continue to monitor and push on this issue until students get the chance to pursue the education they deserve.

Council & Senate Engagement

I attended and contributed to my final Council Meeting as a member, which was a bittersweet moment after being part of that forum.

In June, I also presented the UBS Report at the Senate Meeting, ensuring that student feedback and concerns were represented at the university’s most senior decision-making body. These opportunities are key to making sure student voices influence university policy.

Looking Ahead

The past three months have been a mix of learning, listening, and acting. Going forward, my priorities are to:

• Push forward the food delivery plan with Security and Estates so that students in halls can receive food reliably.
• Continue advocacy on making graduation more meaningful and inclusive.
• Ensure the food survey findings lead to real change, holding Chartwells and the university to account.
• Raise money for the Union Hardship Fund, so we can better support students in immediate financial need.
• Work with Part-Time Officers to identify areas of improvement for different student groups—particularly around the needs of disabled students, many of whom have told us that their university experience is currently having a negative impact on their wellbeing. This needs urgent attention.
• Keep engaging with local and national representatives on student issues.

Thank you to every student who has shared feedback, filled in surveys, or spoken up about issues affecting your experience. Your voices shape the work I do, and together, we can keep making change happen.

If there’s something up-and-coming, or if you’d like to see a change in any part of university life, please feel free to contact me directly via email or just come and find me in person. I’m always happy to chat and hear your thoughts.

Until next time,

Rana Nauman