The National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts Black Students’ caucus fights for the rights of black students in antifees and anticuts campaigns, and works to ensure that the needs of black students are adequately represented within the NCAFC.
Along with the other liberation caucuses – women, disbabled and LGBTQ - the NCAFC’s black students network has one reserved voting place on the national committee, shared between an Open place and a Women’s Place.
The current officers are:
- Alusine Alpha, who is a sabbatical officer at the University of Bradford (Open Place)
- Maham Hashmi-Khan, who studies at SOAS and is a member of the NUS Black Students Campaign Committee (Women’s Place)
To get in touch with the NCAFC black students campaign, email ncafc.bme@gmail.com
Alpha – BME Representative
I have written this short Personal Profile to give you, the students I represent, a better idea of the type of guy this Alpha person is. I generally see myself as an adaptable, enthusiastic, efficient and hard working individual who takes great pride in seeing work through from start to successful completion. I also possess excellent communication skills, combined with the ability to relate well with people at all levels (rolls off the tongue, don’t it).
Well I myself am from South-East London New Cross (really it’s not that bad a place), after graduating from Hill-Side Sixth Form (Forest Hill) with a couple of A-levels in German, R.E, P.E and History. I was fortunate enough to gain a place at the prestigious University of Bradford (and no they don’t pay me to say that) and I snapped up the chance to make something of myself with both hands.
I have always had an interest in areas of Law, which I knew I would do well in as I had a knack for arguing and politics. I have always been known as a ‘get off your arse and do something’ type of guy, this I developed mostly during my time as the Chairman of Lewisham Youth Board for which I also received the Jack Petchey award.
In my leisure time I enjoy playing a wide range of physical sports from Rugby (in which I am currently playing for the university in) to Boxing. I love the outdoors and going out with friends and family.
Last year I was elected to the post of Academic Representative by fellow students on my course, and this role has allowed me to gain the knowledge of the in’s and out’s of university affairs. This has lead to me being elected to the Position of Union Secretary Treasurer earlier on this year.
As Union Secretary Treasurer on my campus it‘s my job to ensure that the funds which are allocated are spent correctly, sit on committees, co-ordinate democratic issues and internal matters of the Union. But most important of all is that I go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that support and help is in place for all students at my University (see what I just did there) all of which I hope will allow me to gain experience to become a better representative to you.
Issues faced by International Students Community
As a large proportion of BME students are international students and in these times of growing uncertainty after our governments attack on the HE sector, it would be a good time to highlight some of the issues faced by our international students. After attending the NUS Internationalisation Networking Day & Awards I was made aware of the great number of issues faced by our international student community some of which I need to read into and consult with staff at my University to gain a clearer picture.
- There still seems to be the measure issue of integration on our campuses up and down in the country.
- Many campuses share the issue we have at Bradford, although looking at our student population which is majority BME (Black Minority and Ethnic) one would be right in saying that we are a very divers campus in comparison to most other Universities. But walking around campus the issue of the fact that our international students are not fully socially integrated becomes apparent.
- As a Union we have made efforts to reach out to the international community by organising events which are more culturally diverse and not alcohol related although some of this events have been quite successful and have reach some of the internal students, we still fail to reach a massive proportion.
- In my opinion one of the measure hindrances to full integration into University life, is the mind set students arrive to University with mostly by their Parents or Sponsors about what there have come to do at University. A lot of times the importance of attaining a high degree is the only point which is emphasize to international students, but as Union Secretary Treasurer I have been able to up serve the importance of making social connections in job market. Social connections which a lot of times are attained through the engagement of social events or participation of Sports, subsequently I share the opinion that it comes down to who you know rather then what you know.
- In terms of integration itself, it raises the question at what point is an international student deemed to be fully integrated any way? Is it enough that he or she cast a vote in the Union elections or plays for a University sports team?
- Another topic which came up we’re the issues that our Erasmus Programme Students face, the Erasmus Program is student exchange programme which allows students from other Universities within the EU to study in another University, ranging anything from one semester to a full year. After talking to Michael Allhouse from the International students Office room 101 and Sue Bunney Regional International Co-ordinator – Erasmus, Europe, Study Abroad and Exchanges who both have helped me to gain a better grasp of what challenges these students face.
- Accommodation seems to be a recurring issue as the University has never been quite sure on the number of students who will be arriving a lot of times it is above expectation. It falls then to staff such as Sue to talk to the previous Erasmus students to see when there will be leaving the accommodation or in some cases look to putting up these students in Hotels.
- We may have to look at the induction process, as we do not have a similar one o the one we do in September for new arrivals. But to my knowledge this issue is being addressed as Matt the International Students Officer has been asked to speak at the re-induction and we pride our self on the fact that we also through a re-fresher’s fair for the Erasmus students to take advantage of.
- The importance of Sabbatical pick up, as first point of contact for arriving students is essential tool to making does first connections and must continue as such.
- Another measurer issue which is one that falls to the schools is the importance of the early release of Module time tables, we have always had issues with all schools releasing their timetables on time to allow prospective students to gain clarification on we’re there meant to be on arrival on campus.
- This ties in with the release of the Module Catalogue which these student use to determine the choice of Modules has in sometimes been released as late as 3 weeks to late. Resulting in students enquiring about subject that may not exist or have been removed from the Module list.
- We have a current system of requiring all students who are doing courses under 60 credits to SLED.
- This means these De-associated students pay the full international fee for a language course which is £150, while all home students and Europeans students on credits over 60 pay £30.
- In regard to this issue the idea of maybe getting these language courses subsidised through the raised tuition fee, as we all now know the Higher Education Funding Council for England has withdrawn that avenue of funding. As from a personal perception I see the language courses as a tool of integration within the University itself as it bridges the gap between our home students and international students.
I am current looking into many others faced by our international community on campus and will hope to include more on the topic in my next report.
By: Alpha –Bradford University Students Union
Union Secretary Treasurer, NCAFC BME Rep.
