Hello, I'm Joshua Adkins or Josh if you prefer. I want your vote for President of the Student Union. I'm in the Printmaking MA2 programme. My work is around themes of social justice, challenging the intuition and political structures. Like many of you, my work output has been across several mediums. That exposure and experience working alongside many of you has lead to engaging conversations about what we like and what frustrates us about the institution of The RCA. That is my motivation for running for President of the Student Union.
I have a deep understanding of the relationship imbalance between The RCA, Estates and the Student Body. I gained that experience through being the programme rep for my print cohort and have held the post of Student Trustee since the 21/22 academic year. Both positions have allowed me to help solve and address student issues within the program and throughout the college. I advocate for self-empowerment and encourage issues to be resolved at the lowest level possible and then escalate from there. Through my leadership and direction, working as a partner with the Vice President and the permanent Student Union staff, we will strive to make the college more student-centred by:
-Continue to push for more studio, workshop and library times to include the expansion of access to Sundays. Always with the goal of pre-covid or better.
-Expand and streamline the exhibition spaces that both the SU and RCA have across all three campuses, allowing for easier access to these places for student lead exhibition spaces with internal support.
-Increase and create more opportunities for students to sell their artwork, crafts or wares at more RCA/SU events.
-Push for more financial transparency from The RCA, accompanied with information on how our student fees are being utilized by the institution.
-Ensure that Student Societies will still thrive during the New Master model without legacy crossover between years.
-I will always remain adaptable and flexible to the current and future challenges that arise by listening to you the student and working together to resolve your issues.
I truly love everyday at The RCA, learning from the technicians, peers and tutors; it's equally frustrating to know that the college has the potential to be much better. We can change that together.
Sincerely, your next Student Union President,
Joshua Adkins
@joshuaadkinssr