Hey everyone! Chloe here back at it again for another year as your Academic Affairs Officer. I decided to re-run for my position because this past year at AberSU has been one of the best in my life, and I have learned so much in my role that I want to put out to the world one more time. As a student I studied psychology, sat on 2 society committees, and did loads of volunteering within AU. However, I still feel like I know more now about student issues than I ever did before. I’m so excited for this year ahead, and I hope you are too! I can’t wait to see you in September!
Tell us an interesting or random fact about yourself...
As all my friends will roast me for telling EVERYONE, I spent a massive portion of my childhood in British Columbia, Canada. It’s my second home and has a huge place in my heart, because who doesn’t love mountains, bears and beaver tails?!
Choose three words that best describe you.
Energetic, clumsy and loud!
It’s your last meal on earth…what’s on the menu?
Anything with gravy please... throw in some Yorkshire puddings for good measure!
Do you have any hobbies or interests?
As cheesy and generic as it is, music is at the heart of everything I do. I love to sing (sorry to those that have to hear it!) and can play a number of instruments from trombone to guitar. You’ll very rarely catch me doing anything without bopping to my own tune!
Why did you choose to stand for this role?
The answer I give most people to this question is simply because I’m 100% a nerd. As a student I was involved in everything I possibly could be revolving around academic issues, and I realised pretty quickly that I’m super passionate about student voice. I knew I wanted a role to play in making sure students are the ones shaping their own experiences at AU, and being an SU officer (specifically the nerdy one) truly seemed like the perfect fit for me.
What are you looking forward to this year?
The one thing I’m most looking forward to this year is seeing how our students manage to make the best out of a bad situation. The community we have in Aber is simply unmatched by any other, and I’m really proud of what our students managed to achieve this year, despite everything that has happened. I’m truly excited to see the amazing things our students manage to accomplish by coming together during what will likely be a very different time.
What are some causes you care about?
I am really passionate about giving the special circumstances and extensions policy at AU a much needed overhaul. Students shouldn’t be required to submit a boat load of paperwork and insensitive evidence while facing hardship, so I am super keen to find a different way of approaching it
I also really care about improving provision for those students that have extra learning requirements. I’d like to make the process of identifying these needs smoother for students, as well as ensure that departments are equipped to produce the appropriate alternatives to students where necessary.
What is your favourite Aberystwyth hangout?
Hands down, the pier. They literally have it all! Date night? Arcade. Chilled evening with your mates? Pub quiz. Not so chilled evening with your mates? Night club. A bit of friendly public humiliation? Karaoke. What more could you want?
If you were a superhero, what powers would you have?
If I were a superhero the only power I would want would be psychokinesis. Since discovering that I can turn on my TV with Alexa instead of grabbing the remote, I just want more. Also, I could convince people that they are being haunted, and that is pretty hilarious to me.
Name a favourite place you have visited and why.
My absolute number one destination in the world has to be Whistler B.C. As a kid I would visit there at least once a year, and I would give anything to be able to go back as an adult now. One of my fondest memories is travelling down a ski lift with my dad when a bear and her two cubs passed under us, they were so close it was honestly breath-taking, not in the scary sense though!