As a student rep, I find myself being invited to several School Management Meetings to provide student representation. Whether that is EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) committees, sustainability groups, or several others that need student representation. As much as I want to help and provide my perspective, it is really difficult when I (as most reps) have my hands full with my full-time course and part-time work.

Going to these often means changing my schedule to make it in. It can look diferent from student to student, but this can means that some people have to miss their shift at work, or having to pay parking costs and childcare arrangements. As much as we want to make our voices heard, that is incredibly difficult when it is probably going to cost us to do so. 

To help with that, some incentives would heavily be appreciated, such as being compensated for the duration of the meeting as if it was a job. We propose that a central University fund should be set-up that could pay students who attend these important meetings to offset the cost of showing up. Please comment below if you have any thoughts about this or similar expereinces?