Only 1 Week to go until nominations close! - If you are considering running for Independent Member of Court? Rumana (IMC 2018-2020) shares her experience of the role and how it impacted her student experience and beyond!
If you want to run for IMC, School President or be a Member of the Student Executive next year find out more here: dusa.co.uk/nominate
"Hello! My name is Rumana, and I held the position of Independent Member of Court between 2018-2020. It all started when my passion for students and staff found me sleeping outside the University Principal’s office for two weeks during the industrial action strike and occupation. So, when the opportunity to become the IMC came up, I jumped at the opportunity to become the emissary for staff and students. I was elected IMC after a university wide democratic election, and then re-elected the year after.
As a member of Court my core responsibilities were to be proactive in bringing the student voice to the discussion at Court meetings, and within the committees I sat on, which included Governance and Nominations and being the first student to sit on the Remuneration committee. These gave me the opportunity to have input on high level strategic direction and governance decisions that affect the university community and its stakeholders.
Being a member of the University Court was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my young professional career. There had been many times that I have walked straight out of an exam an gone into a court meeting, and so it has taught me the importance of time management, prioritising and most importantly adaptability.
Being in a room where 99% of the people are older and far more experienced and qualified than yourself can absolutely be daunting, but being on Court taught me to make the most out of these situations, to ask the right questions, take examples from my peers and colleagues and implement them into my own study and behaviour as a professional.
Without student representation I wouldn’t be where I am today. So take part in student politics, nominate yourself, be a part of the discussion and most importantly vote!"