The first paid president of City of Bath College’s Students’ Union wants to bridge the gap between staff and students to ensure all voices are heard.
Jenny Payne has vowed to play an active role in improving College life by taking the suggestions of students “right to the top.”
The 18-year-old has gone from being a full-time fashion student to heading up the Students’ Union in a matter of weeks.
And Jenny believes the secret to her new role will be to “continue to think like a student” so she is “on the same level” as those she is reaching out to.
She says she will not only listen but also work with governors, heads of department and the senior management team to act upon what she hears.
Jenny, who started her new job in July after completing a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Fashion and Clothing, said: “I’m not going to just sit in an office and wait for students to come to me.
“I am representing the students so I want to get out there to start communicating with them. It’s about getting people talking and giving everyone a voice.
“I want my face to be known and for students to know that I am the link between them and staff.”
Jenny is planning ‘lunchtime walkabouts’ to meet as many students as possible so she can talk to them directly about their views of the College.
She will also operate an open door policy so that students can also privately go to her with their opinions.
Jenny said: “I want the students to be heard. I’m really interested in what they have to say and I will always make the time to listen.
“I will always try to act on their comments so they will also see a reaction. I will take things on board, be proactive and try to make changes.
“I want to be visible around College and plan to come up with further ways of grabbing students’ attention.”
Jenny of Bristol, who went to Broadlands School in Keynsham, is planning to kick off the new academic year by going into tutorials to tell students how the SU can help them.
She is particularly keen to promote the importance of voting in student elections, increase the number of course reps and strengthen the role of the Learner Expert Panel.
Jenny has already met representatives from the National Union of Students (NUS) who then publically praised her on Twitter for the exciting things she has planned for the year.
The once voluntary year-long role of Students’ Union president was re-launched as a paid job to meet the needs of College students.
Jenny is paid a basic wage to work four days a week after being voted in by her peers.
