Wednesday 24-06-2026 - 15:13

 

 

By Rory O’Ceallaigh, Leah Buttery, Emily Houston-Woods, & Liz Gillett 

 

 

 

 

It’s the end of the year and what a year it’s been! Your outgoing officer team (and one who’s staying) have been reflecting on our highlights of the last 12 months before the annual LUSU FTO facelift happens next week. 

 

 

LUSU President, Rory O’Ceallaigh 

“The year started with a curveball, fighting the introduction of the new ANPR and parking regulations, but it really kicked me into gear, and I’m pleased we could achieve the out of hours permit which I’m hopeful will continue into next year. From here, I have had three main focuses in my term: rent prices, student loans, and support for JCRs. 

The issue of campus rent was core to my election to the role, and I have worked throughout the year to amplify the struggle it causes students to face, and the risks it poses to Lancaster as a push factor for student recruitment. I worked nationally on student loans with Leah and the National Union of Students (NUS), and we are on the cusp of seeing some real change here to a system which has been broken from the start. JCRs have been a personal project for me, they are how I found my community as a student at Lancaster, and the potential for really fantastic things they can do only needs to be unlocked to make our college system actually live up to the hype – support for Freshers’ Week, Winter Balls, College Rivals events, Extravs, and amplifying concerns over college spaces and the college membership fees have been the most rewarding part of the job.  

Thank you to everyone I have had the joy of working with this year, it’s been a blast! Lancaster is in capable hands with Kate taking the reins.” 

 

LUSU Wellbeing Officer, Leah Buttery 

“This year my main goals have been addressing student safety, and alleviating period poverty on campus. I’ve been working closely with the university and The Birchall Trust (a charity that supports survivors of sexual abuse) to improve Lancaster’s approach to tackling harassment and sexual misconduct, as well as working with the City and County Council on improving safety in town. I’ve also put forward a proposal for the introduction of free period products on campus, which has been taken on board by the university – watch this space for an update from my successor! 

The real highlight of my year has been working with our incredible Liberation groups on making Lancaster a more inclusive and accessible place to live, work, and study. Their achievements this year have been extraordinary – from contributing to the creation of a sensory space on campus, to pushing for the re-introduction of a gender expression fund, to the World Food Fair. Those students have absolutely made my year, and I’ve loved being able to work alongside them.” 

 

 

LUSU Education Officer, Liz Gillett 

“My highlights of this year have been working on self-certification, PGR spaces and a sensory room on campus. Self-certification is an ongoing project which should allow students more flexibility with managing their workloads. I have also thoroughly enjoyed working with PGR students in FHASS on improving their study spaces and the wider PGR community.    

My biggest highlight was working with the Accessibility Community on sensory spaces, exploring options in the library and the colleges. The Minecraft server to get ideas from other students was so much fun to do and see other students’ creations (whether sensory room related or not!). I’m excited to see how the Accessibility Community continues this project.  

Finally, working with Academic and Faculty reps was the best part of the role. The passion from our student volunteers to improve the academic experiences for their cohorts is invaluable and I am so proud of the work they have all achieved.” 

 

LUSU Activities Officer, Emily Houston-Woods 

“My biggest highlights this year have been setting up the Sports Access Fund and ensuring that is secured for coming years! A big worry of mine when I was a student was paying for fees associated to sports and societies, so having a hand in helping both the Sports and Societies access fund this year has been amazing.  

And obviously winning a record-breaking 5th Roses in a row, with the highest points ever was incredible!” 

 

 

Emily will be continuing as the LUSU Activities Officer for the 2026/27 academic year, alongside Kate Bracewell, David Grice, and Niamh McAuley who will be beginning their terms as President, Wellbeing Officer, and Education Officer respectively from Monday 29th June – we wish them all the best of luck in these roles not quite like any other!