We sat down with the President of the Student’s Union, Liam Hand, to discuss his thoughts on the year so far.
Liam, what has been your favourite part of being SU President so far?
I didn’t expect how much I’d enjoy going out to student spaces. We have students who come to the forums who have felt heard and kept coming back, so that feeling that I’m working on something important is super rewarding. I get a massive amount of enjoyment from hearing people’s voices, implementing a solution, and seeing it do something positive.
And the worst part?
I think it’s navigating the bureaucracy and politics of the relationships with people like the University who move at a glacial rate. They approach everything like an academic rather than somebody who wants to get something done – it’s like, you don’t need a 20 page report on why the stats you’re looking for are the right stats, and sometimes that can mean, like with bursaries, that students aren’t getting the support they need when they need it.
How well do you feel you’ve achieved your manifesto promises so far?
The biggest thing, because it was the most urgent thing, has been cost of living stuff. Committing to a comprehensive support plan and I think I’ve done pretty well with that; we’ve had cheaper alternatives, we’ve lobbied the university to increase hardship funds and they’re now reviewing their bursary policy and I’m still involved in those conversations. There’s a community fridge about to be set up and just about every way we could have made our space better for students during the crisis we have.
Renters stuff has been a bit slower partially because of the overlap between myself and the Welfare and Sustainability Officer, so this upcoming semester there will be more focus around renters rights, especially with rent strikes going on at other universities. We want students to have the whole toolkit they need.
How has your experience been so far?
The year in the role has been fantastic, often very challenging but really enjoyable. I feel like where I started six months ago as a person and where I am now are totally different – I feel like I’ve got a decade of experience already.
What has surprised you about the role?
Two things: how in demand you are as President, and how much people do actually appreciate the things you put in place. When doing the elections, you think you can do anything but then you get into the role and realise it’s a lot to process and you’re getting pulled into lots of interesting meetings but it’s important to keep focus on what matters. You have to consider how many students you’re helping with every decision.
What are the key skills an SU President needs?
There’s not just one way to be president. You could be an ambitious blue sky thinker or you can be that driver who gets things done and pulls people together. I think I’m the latter. Otherwise, I think you need to be really adaptable, team-focussed, and prepared to listen to people but also know when to push your ideas. Patience and resilience are also key. And boundaries, I’m here nine to five and then I leave; in that time, I’m focussed and working, but you do need to be a human outside this building too.
What advice would you give to your successor?
You get elected in March, you don’t start until June, so get to know your team over the first couple months. You’re working with these people every day and an SU officer team lives and dies on whether they can work and communicate together. Also build relationships with the uni and other SU’s nationally from the get-go. Just because we’re the UK’s best SU doesn’t mean we’re the best at everything.
Favourite place to go out out in Sheffield?
I’m torn between – I really like Yo Karaoke – and Pop Tarts is fun. Club Tropicana at Leadmill is also good so those would be my top three. But Yo Karaoke would be my go-to. I’m not good at it, but I put on a good performance!