Having caught the bug for the Student's Union, and realising the importance of making sure you all get the representation that you deserve I made a return to the SU as the Academic officer for the clinical years. Requiring a different skill set to that of treasurer I have been able to see a different side to what the SU needs to offer.
I have made crucial links with faculty and senior college management allowing the change and improvements that you asked for to be pushed through delivering the course you deserve. By building on these relationships next year we will be able to ensure that any future change is always in the best interest of you, the student.
This year has rounded off the skillset needed for presidency allowing me to experience the welfare aspect of Student Union life. By helping those in need gave me the realisation that our course is unfortuantely not perfect, but I know that working together we will be able to ensure that no student feels like they cannot cope and have help should they ever want it.
Last year on the Student's Union I threw myself into the role of treasurer, trying to get involved in as much as I could. Developing the role to work more closely with the clubs and societies officer we delivered our most successful budgeting year to date. It was during this time that I developed the key working relationships with ICU that will allow us to not only develop as a Union but to keep the traditions that make us proud to say we are ICSM.
Through also working closely with our entertainments team and deliver a wide range of fantastic events throughout the year ranging from our biggest events of Freshers to our much loved regular events like snow ball and post exam nights.
This role has shown me the vital importance of finance for the day to day running of the Union and has given me the skill set needed to ensure a financially secure SU.
You might also recognise me as the friendly Reynolds face who is there to listen to your problems whilst serving you drinks and acting as a sounding board. That's right. For the last 16 months I have been one of the student managers at the Reynolds Bar.
Our home away from home has seen a lot of change over this time. So much so that we have had an over £100,000 refurbishment which I was instrumental in delivering. This highlighted the passion you all have for our medical school and was a fantastic way to celebrate our heritage and traditions.
Not only has this position allowed me to strengthen my relationships with ICU and college but has also given me invaluable experience in managing a team to deliver a wide range of fantastic events whilst ensuring all the behind the scenes work runs seamlessly.
Committee Positions
Throughout my time at ICSM I have thrown myself into medical school life getting involved in a wide range of activities. I have been RAG treasurer, MedEd 5th year Co-ordinator, Half Way Dinner Treasurer, MedEd OSCE tutor Co-ordinator, STFYD treasurer, head of access to medicine e-tutoring, and intoUniversity schools co-ordinator.
This range of committees has given me the experience for how many of our different societies run, what it takes to make them succeed, but most importantly the level of dedication and passion from all of those who take on committee roles.
I will be able to use this experience to both support my officers in their roles to deliver all of their goals, but to also ensure that all of our clubs and societies get the support that they deserve. Without the societies of ICSM we would not be the medical school that we are, and it is this passion that fuels the ICSM family.
Rhys Smith has been preparing for this role since joining the SU back in 2015. He makes a success of everything he turns his hand to and I’m sure President will be no different. No one could be more prepared to take on this role and offer something new to ICSM.
Med Harris
Mala Mawkin
Rhys is one of the most hard-working guys I have ever worked with on the su. No matter what time or day, I can rely on him to be there to help me with whatever su problem I am having...Whether it's academic related, vat related or the good old 'rhys can you help me submit a claim please'. He is a great friend and will make an excellent president. He will 100% ensure the best for all students next year and I can't wait to see what improvements he makes to the student experience!!
Nicky Raeside
Rhys is the most hard working, dedicated and reliable person in this medical school. Having called upon him for help numerous times while he was SU treasurer to working under his leadership and organisation as Bar Manager, there isn't anyone more qualified and capable as Rhys for SU President
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Hi Guys. I’m back again to try and show you all as to why you should vote Rhys to be your next ICSMSU President.
My past two years on ICSMSU have given me the experience and knowledge to thrive in this role. Having already run a multitude of successful events, such as the town hall meeting with faculty, to freshers, I know I have the skill-set to best represent you. Our strong community spirit is matched only by the hard work all of our students put in, and I want to make sure you get the recognition you deserve for that. I want to be your next president so that together we can take ICSM into the modern world whilst preserving the history and traditions that make us proud to say we are part of ICSM.
Education
· I will empower students throughout their degree by offering more student choice modules. This will deliver a course tailored to your specific interests right from the start.
Welfare
· By offering personal tutor systems based at Charing Cross, at a time that suits you, I will ensure that our welfare and personal tutor provision is easily accessible.
Clubs and Societies
· I will work with the Union to improve the efficiency of club activities. I will do this by increasing the space available to our clubs, maximising transport options and reducing the bureaucracy surrounding your activity.
Events
· Expand our range of events and introduce new activities to provide experiences that all can enjoy, without breaking the bank!
Thank you for taking the time to read my manifesto, for more about my ideas visit my website.
And don't forget......VOTE RHYS!
With an already packed social calendar we host some of the most successful events at Imperial. These events have a long history and tradition behind them which I want to maintain as we update them to match our current identity.
Whilst we do cater for a large number of people already there are clearly groups of people in the medical school who do not have the same level of provision. We therefore need to look into expanding the range of events that we offer.
The term non drinking events is thrown about a lot this time of year but whilst that is my main aim I want to make these events feel inclusive to all. I will therefore look into activity based days where alcohol can be consumed but is in no way integral to the event. Events in the pipeline include activity days like paint-balling and ice skating, or full day excursions to places like Thorpe Park.
EVENTS
At the heart of ICSM lies our clubs and societies. They are what gives ICSM the community spirit we all love and without their hard work we would not be the medical school that we are. Run by groups of passionate and driven individuals, their hard work goes almost unrivalled throughout the rest of College.
Thanks to the fantastic work of our clubs and societies team on ICSMSU we have fantastic representation throughout the Union and after many long and hard battles we are finally getting the recognition we deserve.
This doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement however. To be able to ensure that clubs carry out the activities they want to I will work with the other Union officers to improve the storage facilities available to our clubs, and also strive to improve the transport that the Union offers to help curb the rising cost of travelling to and from club activities.
CLUBS AND SOCS
Here at Imperial we have a world leading education thanks in no small part to the work of our Academic Officers and the relationship that we have with faculty. The changes we are likely to see over the next few years with the introduction of the Medical Licensing Assessment and a move to primary care education are untested times for us.
Using the experience that I have built this year as Academic Officer for Clinical Years, I know I have the skills needed to ensure that we deliver the course you deserve.
One of my key campaign points for next year is to ensure that faculty introduce more student choice into the curriculum. We deserve the right to explore areas that interest us right from the start, be that in research or pure clinical medicine. With a greater range of student selected components you will be able to take back control of your education.
My second campaign point for education is to strive to ensure that every graduate of ICSM feels that they are ready for life as a junior doctor. Be this in job applications, what paper work do you need to become a doctor, or how to carry out day to day life on the wards I will work with faculty to deliver a course that allays any of these concerns.
Throughout medical school we are provided with fantastic learning opportunities. There are one or two areas that I would like to improve however. Building on the work I have started this year as Academic Officer I want to introduce a mock PACES for all 5th year students the same as the centralised mock OSCE system.
EDUCATION
Over the past few years we have seen fantastic change in the level of welfare support that we provide as a students union including the introduction of the welfare committee. Whilst this change has been fantastic for the Students Union it is time that the faculty followed suit.
My first manifesto point is to be able to provide better access to your personal tutors. We are lucky enough at Imperial to have practising consultants as our personal tutors but it is often difficult to find time to meet them. I will work with faculty improve access to support services and also look into the feasibility of bringing personal tutors to the Reynolds so as to reduce travel time and cost for students.
The second area I want to improve is our financial support of students in hardship. With the likely fee changes that will accompany the Teaching Excellence Framework and the inherent high cost of living in London it is the joint responsibility of the Union and Faculty to ensure that any student who wants to can afford to study at Imperial. I will look into the feasibility of increasing the hardship fund and improving access to the central college hardship fund.
WELFARE
Florence Bell
Rhys is Consistency and commitment personified! Always willing to give that little bit extra to make sure things go smoothly, he is someone I would always support in whatever he chose to do - because I know he would be successful!
Rhys has consistently been enthusiastic and driven about ICSM and its future. His roles on various committees have not only demonstrated commitment but also have resulted in Rhys being incredibly useful to approach. Despite changes within the structure of the medical school, both socially and academically, I am confident that he will be good advocate for students - current and future.
Rebecca Cassin-Scott
Laurence Pallant
I've seen Rhys as an integral member of the ICSMSU team over the last 2 years - and I believe, as President, he would continue in that vein! Relentlessly hard working, I would be hard pressed to come up with a more reliable and dedicated safe pair of hands to guide ICSM through the next year. Vote Rhys!
Jasmine Chingono
Countless times I've said 'Rhys, I need your help' I've never been scared to ask and he's always been happy to help, no matter how small or big the problem. His wealth of experience on SU and involvement in the medical school means he's well equipped with the skills and knowledge to represent ICSM as president.
You can always count on Rhys to get things done. He's reliable and he has a wealth of experience which comes in handy when he's helping you out. I know that he'll make a fantastic ICSMSU President!
Yathu Maheswaran
Sophie Beverley
Working with Rhys during my time as bar manager and as a society treasurer I found him not only to be incredibly knowledgeable, but also the single most reliable person I've worked with within the Med School - these are fantastic attributes to bring to the role of ICSM president.
Rhys would be a fantastic SU president. He is incredibly organised, trustworthy and reliable and has already given so much to the medical school. His wealth of knowledge and experience will enable him to tackle all situations that will arise and build a better ICSM for the future.
Matt Baker
Charles Hallett
Rhys has spent so much time at the Reynolds he's occasionally mistaken for a chair from time to time, but I can't honestly think of anyone else who is so involved in ICSM, and also has the knowledge and experience of the Students' Union. He consistently works his socks off for the benefit of our community and there is no one i would rather have representing us.
Hannah Scanlon
Having worked with Rhys at Reynolds all I can say is if you want something done and you want it done properly he's truly the best guy for the job and I cant think of anyone who would be a more fantastic ICSMSU president! Just genuinely an all round super star and wonderful human being!
