Jenna Moffitt - Union President

My name is Jenna Moffitt, and I am running for the position of Union President. I am a master’s student studying international law and human rights and am the current president of the university’s cheerleading society (Vixens).  

If elected, my goal would be to improve the student experience for everyone through the development of the support systems and spaces available to the student body. Further to this, I aim to prepare the students for independent life through accessible real-life skills guidance.

• Improved access to life-skill resources

My main focus for my campaign is improving access to life-skill resources. The transitions to and from university are some of the biggest life changes, yet many people are left underprepared for the switch. Education should expand beyond your degree and prepare you for life after university. I aim to create accessible, engaging and understandable resources to inform students about the challenges of independent life, managing finances, pensions, housing, etc.

• Enhanced mental health support

In line with this, I wish to advocate for improved mental health resources and the promotion of more well-being initiatives. The student’s union has made great strides to enhance mental health support over the last few years, my goal would be to continue this and increase the accessibility of these provisions to normalise prioritising mental health.

• Upgraded student spaces

From study spaces to social hubs, students need spaces that are modern and work for them. One of my focuses would be to optimise areas on all campuses to create updated study zones. Whether this be adding things such as chairs or plugs or working with the university to increase the opening times of areas during exam seasons to help combat the ‘exam rush’ in the library. Beyond this, I would look to improve social spaces, such as Stags and the Wide Lane bar, to create accessible hubs for student engagement.  

• Advocating for student safety

All students have the right to feel safe no matter where they are, whether that be on campus, in Southampton or surrounding areas. My aim is to work with the student body to make them feel safer as well as to implement my own initiatives, such as communicating with local venues to ensure anti-spiking mechanisms are in place. I would also aim to work with the council to advocate for students, for example, those walking home alone or travelling in the dark, to ensure their safety concerns are heard and valued by the local authority.

• Sustainability

Over the last decade students have cared more about sustainability and the student’s union should reflect that. If elected, I would advocate for a more environmentally responsible campus focusing on student-led initiatives and working with the local community to advance our shared objective of a more sustainable environment.

Thank you for taking the time to read through this. I hope I have highlighted the changes you would also like to see happen at the university that I would aim to achieve if I were elected.