Hannah Watters is 4th year in Politics and Theatre studies, and she is the candidate for Vice President Student Support (VPSS) in the upcoming SRC elections.Â
Watters has been involved in the SRC as a Welcome Helper in 2nd year because she enjoys the environment that it fosters. She stated that the SRC has provided her a place where she feels comfortable and she aims to extend this hospitality to all students that are searching for a place where to be themselves. Watters has been involved in multiple societies such as her being the President of Women in Politics as well as the Neurodiversity Officer in the Disabled Student Society. She was also a member of the FemCollab and outside of the university works as a freelance drama teacher.
The main points of her campaign are all about including students. Her main focus is on tackling gender based violence (GBV), divestment and strengthening student voices. In her manifesto, Watters states that she would continue “pressing the University to honour its verbal commitment to join the Emily Test Charter”. She would also reduce stigma around GBV, making support easier to access while signposting to GBV counsellors. She seeks to push the University to commit to the Divestment of arms. Watters said to The Glasgow Guardian “Being a Politics student, I know a bit more about the politics going on outside the University, and I want to use [my knowledge of politics] to support student campaigns, and support making changes at University.” Finally, Watters aims to reinforce student voices. “I do have personal experience of being disabled, being a home student and a widening participation student, but it doesn’t mean I know everything about this demographic. […] So I want to really improve students’ [ability] to come to [the SRC], to talk to us about their issues. For students, the sabbatical officers can never represent every single student at University accurately without listening” Watters stated. Lastly, Hannah wants to support activism on campus. She mentions Amnesty International’s Defend Dissent Campaign around the UK to support protests in higher education. Her goal is to involve UofG in this campaign to ensure students can protest while also knowing their rights. For these reasons, she is keen to work with Amnesty on campus and keep the communication regarding student rights open.Â
Watters aims to be a VPSS “that can listen for you, that is a bit more visible, that doesn’t feel separate from the student body.” Watters stated she was “very passionate about representation” and her goal was to work with other societies and be a VPSS that people can come to with their issues.”Â
Read her manifesto in full below:
Hello, I’m Hannah (she/her) and I’m running to be your next VP student support.
Why me?
- Two years’ experience in SRC Council and continuous work as a class representative.
- Student representative on the University Student Voice Working Group.
- Strong society involvement: President of Women in Politics, FemCollab member, former Secretary of the Neurodiversity Society, and current Neurodivergent Officer with GUDSS.
- Volunteering background in community development, mental health and wellbeing, environmentalism and charity fundraising.
I’m a committed activist working to make institutions more equitable, accessible, and inclusive. I want to bring that drive to the SRC to help build a UofG that works for all students.
If elected, I would
Tackle GBV
- Continue lobbying the university to fulfil its oral commitment to join the Emily Test Charter.
- Strengthen and review the current GBV training, ran in person by the SRC and the Moodle course.
- Improve signposting to GBV counsellors through stigma‑reducing communication.
Push for Divestment and Ethical Finance
- Use the last years student referendum to push for the Divestment of arms.
- Work with the Divestment Coalition to continue their work on fighting to ensure UofG finances a better future, not arms companies.
Strengthen Student Voice
- Challenge the University’s restrictions on protest, particularly targeting activism on Palestine.
- In line with Amnesty International’s Defend Dissent Campaign, create a student activism guide ensuring all UofG students are aware of their right to speak out and protest.
- Maintain regular communication with student groups to keep the SRC genuinely student led
Amend Extenuating Circumstances
- Ensure the EC process is accessible and fair for all students, including neurodivergent students and those with complex needs.
- Evaluate to ensure the process does not put undue pressure on students experiencing bereavement, GBV, pregnancy lost or other complex issues affecting their mental wellbeing.
- Ensure the University rapidly adopts the recommendations of The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
Support Mental Health
- Continue the push for the creation of dedicated wellbeing and sensory spaces on campus.
- Increase provision for peer-led support initiatives, like support groups and student mentorship schemes to improve transitions.
Supporting students
- Respond to feedback surrounding the University decision to use Safe Zone to monitor attendance of international students to ensure UK VI compliance. Including making the rules clear to visiting students and attempting to mitigate the effects.
- Develop close working relationships with Mature Students Association, Disabled students society and GULGBTQ, and other groups representing under‑represented students.
Prioritise Access, Inclusion, and Cross‑Campus Community
- Ensure the University remains committed to the World Changers Need Access campaign, pushing for meaningful progress on widening participation and breaking down barriers to higher education.
- Strengthen relationships with unions on Gilmorehill and student experience groups at Garscube, Dumfries, and international campuses in China and Singapore.
- Advocate for the protection and wellbeing of transgender students, ensuring UofG remains a safe, affirming, and supportive environment for the trans community.
WATT-ers You waiting for? Vote Hannah for VPSS
