Who's Got Your Vote?
Tuesday Week 7 saw the first ever Heseastings – a wonderful play on words describing hustings held on Hes East. The glasshouse played host to the YUSU candidates running for Sport, Academic, Activities, Welfare and finally the top dogs running for President. They came to tell us exactly why Hes East should vote for them and despite the few who were unable to attend the event was a huge success. The evening was appropriately hosted by Langwith’s president Symone Thompson and Goodricke’s president Tara Annison. In case you had the misfortune of missing the event, we’ve been kind enough to give you an overview of what went down. For more information on the candidates and to hear from those who were unable to speak visit the YUSU election page . You can also find videos of the candidates and their debats at York Student TV.
SPORT
Dave Washington was up first, and his main policy was clear; communication, communication, communication. He believes there is a need for a York Sport website, with each sport having their own page. He also wants to work with RAG and volunteering, combining them with sport, to create more fundraising and sporting opportunities. In relation to Hes East, Dave sees a definite need to make sport more accessible, and aims to continue working closely with college sportsmen which means more opportunities within the university.
Next up was Langwith’s own Cassandra Brown. Being the current York Sport President, Cass is fighting for her second year in office. The experience and previous successes she brought to the table were difficult to rival, with her past triumphs including securing an extra £10k for sport physio sessions as well as introducing a pre-roses training camp. She wants to improve and expand on her existing achievements, focusing on York Sport Village. She aims to get priority for students instead of the public in terms of booking out courts, as well as make classes available to non-members and ensure all students know when the on and off peak gym times are.
ACADEMIC
First up was Robyn Haycock. She expressed her desire to improve academic departments in general, with her more specific focus being on introducing online submissions for assignments. If elected, she plans to increase awareness and accessibility of study spaces, all of which she believes need improving.
Next to speak was Josh Henning, a current fourth year student. His policies were well received, with many of them focused on developing Hes East. He includes plans to increase the amount of study space over here, and was also the first to mention the common room Langwith so desperately needs.
Finally, YUSU’s current Welfare and Community Officer George Offer took to the stage. His manifesto was overwhelming, with an endless list of policies he wants to implement. These ideas include introducing “employability within the curriculum” to help students find work after university, create more study abroad options, and make room for more computers and bookable study space on Hes East, as there is currently a serve lack of this.
WELFARE
Jemima Busby took to the floor to explain her plans for YUSU’s welfare position. She wants to work to make easier to access services and making sure people know what is available for them. She also hopes to be able to promote a healthier university lifestyle and reduce the cost of keeping healthy at university. She gave further discussion to improving the universities study spaces and promised to increase provisions before 2015.
Grace Winpenny’s goals appeared to revolve around community. She wishes to introduce neighbourhood reps helping the hundreds of students living off campus. This logical policy helps maintain into second year the community spirit experienced when living on campus. Grace main hopes are also to be able to empower and support all students encouraging independence.
Finally for Welfare there was Beth Campbell who promises her run for welfare will do ‘exactly as it says on the tin’. She believes her experience as Alcuin’s vice chair last year puts her at an advantage, especially considering her role in winning Alcuin Best Welfare Team at the YUSU awards. Like Grace Beth focused part of her short speech on community. She wants to make off campus communities stronger ensuring they are well connected to YUSU. She sees a need for a link between supervisors and college welfare teams and thinks that hes east deserves its own support services centre.
ACTIVITIES
Chris Wall has some exciting plans for activities. He offers better support for societies, increased participation in volunteering, more and better RAG events. His manifesto mentions Hes East in particular, demonstrating his desire to ensure all students are included. He sees potential in buildings such as law and management and hopes to be able to open up their rooms for bookings.
Next for Activities was Herriet Gibson who plans for more integrations. She wants to integrate colleges, societies, RAG committees and volunteer groups to ensure for maximum involvement. She wants societies to be able to get in touch with YUSU easier, increase awareness of volunteering projects and get RAG more involved on Hes East. Harriet wants it to be easier for people to join societies and suggests taster sessions to inspire involvement.
Bev Rogers made it clear that she wants to listen to the student body. Her goal is to take in ideas for activities from across the university and listening to what societies themselves want improving. She thinks activities should be better advertised and spread across both campuses realising there are ‘untapped resources’ in the hub and elsewhere. Bev’s ideas also include ensuring society leaders and event coordinators receive proper training, including in first aid and management.
PRESIDENT
Surprisingly, there was a disappointing turn out for presidential candidates, with only 5 out of the 9 potentials in attendance. Danny Nolan, Andy Lake, Jack Coy and Tom Armston-Clarke were all no-shows, leading us to question their dedication to not only Heslington East but to the role in general
.First up was Dan Whitmore, YUSU’s current academic officer. He promised more funding for colleges, better communication across the university, and more facilities such as kettles and microwaves on Hes East. He also expressed his desire to help Langwith obtain a common room. He claimed to know exactly what he can achieve in a year and has set out a plan to succeed. However, when asked what his main policy was Dan simply stated ‘all of them’ making it seem as though he was unable to think on his feet.
Next up was the only female presidential candidate, Josie Field. Her main policy was to create a YUSU petition site to increase democracy across the university and ensure everyone’s voices get heard. She expressed the need for both short and long term goals within the university, as well as introducing more physical change both on and off campus. She also stated her desire to work closely with the colleges, as she believes YUSU works as a communication bridge between the university and the colleges.
Then there was Dylan Chambers, who wanted to highlight his policies for Heslington East. He wants to ensure Constantine is fully integrated as a college, and suggests new students join Langwith and Goodricke in sporting events to help them develop. Again, Langwith’s lack of common room was mentioned as Dylan aims to make this happen as soon as possible. He seemed to understand that it is unreasonable to expect a college to function without this space.
The penultimate candidate to speak was Langwith’s old chair Sam “Irish” Maguire. Sam felt that the key areas that need to be addressed within YUSU are organisation and communication, mentioning the importance of keeping the YUSU website up to date. He also would like to work closely with the colleges as well as improving opportunities within the union. Sam also mentioned the need for a Langwith Common Room, although his approach was slightly different: he suggested building a bigger bar, as the arrival of Constantine in September will leave Hes East even more pushed for space, and give the glasshouse completely to Langwith as a common room.
The final presidential candidate was American Footballer Fred Isaac. His policies promised to unite everyone together (colleges, societies, sports teams) in order to produce a long term plan for the university. In his speech it seemed his main focus was having fun, which led some to question his seriousness in relation to the role. Regardless of this he seemed passionate and certain that he could provide a “cheaper campus”, opening up bars and other spaces for societies and groups to use for activities as well as for academic use.
VOTING OPENS MONDAY WEEK 8. WHO HAS GOT YOUR VOTE?
Langwith Love - Olivia & Aimee
