During LGBTQ+ History Month here in the UK, Black History Month in the US and the upcoming International Women's Day, the sabbatical officers discuss the Union's key values.
Royal Holloway Students’ Union functions on the principles of democracy and representation. On our website, our key values are outlined, one of which is inclusion and as a progressive organisation we seek to ensure that each and every student feels equally valued, comfortable and safe on our campus and within the Union.
In addition to this, as a political organisation led by representatives who are elected by our student body because of their positive personal values, we will always strive to speak out against any behaviour or incidents that make students feel unhappy or at risk.
During LGBTQ+ History Month here in the UK, Black History Month in the US and with International Women's Day coming up on the 8th of March, we would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that Royal Holloway and RHSU are places of inclusivity and multiculturalism.
We represent many different students from a range of backgrounds, with differing opinions and experiences of the world. As an educational and political institution, we value free and open debate and celebrate this on campus. However we recognise that with freedom of speech comes a level of responsibility.
As your Union, one of our central responsibilities is ensuring you all feel safe and free to be yourselves. We have an obligation to prohibit hate speech so that students can focus on living and learning in a comfortable environment.
We will always work to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students and their identities over abstract beliefs and the sensibilities of people who hold these beliefs in order to build a supportive and positive community.
We, as the Students’ Union, value these principles and will champion all students who face any threats because of who they are. If you ever feel you are being threatened, your safety is at risk or you are being discriminated against please do contact us and we will work with you to make sure you feel comfortable and safe.
If you have any concerns of this nature please do not hesitate to email President@su.rhul.ac.uk
Natasha Barrett – President (Education and Campaigns)
Laura Lewis – Co President (Welfare and Diversity)
Pippa Gentry – Co President (Societies and Media)
Steff Milne – Co President (Sports and Development)