UAL have agreed to look at options for a Guarantor Scheme for students unable to get their own guarantors for their accomodation. As guarantors need to be UK residents, the majority of international students struggle to find someone suitable. Home students also often struggle - for example, where a guarantor needs to be earning in a certain income bracket.
The Sabbatical Officer team suggested this in meetings with UAL, before supporting a student's idea for a UAL Guarantor Scheme. This Idea was passed at the 2022 Annual Members meeting by students, becoming part of Arts SU policy.
The Guarantor Scheme campaign has been supported by:
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Sophia Nasif (LCC Officer 22-24)
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Daniela Commey (Union Affairs Officer 23-24)
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Students' Union staff (Shane Simpkin - Campaigns & Student Voice Coordinator
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Martin Dodd - Deputy Chief Executive Membership).
At the start of the term, the Officers then met with:
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Mark Crawley (Dean of Students)
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Heather Francis (Chief Operating Officer)
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Jane Donachy (Associate Director of Catering Retail and Accommodation)
Here, they discussed the options for an internal or external scheme.
The Officers petitioned for the Guarantor Scheme to be led by UAL internally. They agreed for UAL to consider partnering with a third-party company as an option to secure a scheme for the benefit of all UAL students. We are also lobbying for students to be able to apply for Hardship Funding to cover any fees of the external Guarantor Scheme, should they need to.
We continue to have ongoing discussions with UAL about the establishment of a scheme. We hope to share a further update on progress before the start of the 2024-45 academic year.