SPRING ELECTIONS 2012
INFO PACK
SABBATICAL POSITIONS 7TH/8TH MARCH www.glasgowstudent.net/elections
PRESIDENT Job Title
SRC President
Term of Office
12 months, commencing 1st July 2012
Working Hours
Monday to Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-4pm. Some evening and weekend meetings. (34 hrs p/w)
Pay
ÂŁ15,292 p/a
Aims 1.1
To provide overall strategic leadership of the SRC and ensure that strategic priorities represent the views and needs of students registered at the University of Glasgow
1.2
To ensure that all SRC services are delivered to the highest possible standard and that the SRC meets legal and best practice requirements, in terms of equal opportunities, in all areas of its activities.
1.3
To have the primary role in publicising the views of the SRC and representing students to the University, external organisations, politicians, and the media.
1.4
To provide the main link between SRC Council and senior SRC staff.
CANDIDATES Chizzy Chisholm James Harrison Jani Helle Lucky Dhillon Matthew Haigh
PRESIDENT
CHIZZY CHISHOLM Lyk a day quine/voter my name is Christopher ‘That’s Chizzy’ Chisholm and I have a vision, please humour me for 300 words. There’s been a lot of gassing about who should be your next SRC President, well look no further, it’s me it’s Chip-pe, coming at you from all angles. Following the Stuart Ritchie debacle of 2011, it’s clear the SRC needs to be more transparent. To achieve this I pledge that I will see the John Mac Building torn down and rebuilt entirely out of glass. I will spend at least one working day of each week listening to the concerns of students directly. I will do this mostly by hiding in bushes near where they’re having conversations. Re-open the Joesph Black Mines to give students jobs. I will build stairs or a slide to the Rennie Mackintosh door on library hill. Since the Main Building looks like Hogwarts anyway I will replace MyCampus by buying 24,000 carrier owls, and implement the Sorting Hat to pick every students’ course at the beginning of first year. All of the catering faculties will be replaced with Maggies vans, and Maggie will be installed as my first lady. I will keep the library open 25 hours a day and make the announcement lady even louder. I will turn the 12th floor of the library into a petting zoo. I will give everyone a 2:1, even those who have achieved 1st’s. University Avenue will be transformed into a canal, SRC buses will be replaced with party gondolas. I will occasionally send emails to students to ‘switch places’, which will mean students must change faculty until further notice. I will live with wolves for 3 months to get acclimatized to Council meetings. VOTE Change Honesty Integrity Zeal Zebra Y Nae?
PRESIDENT
JAMES HARRISON Hi I’m James, and I’m your current Vice President (Learning & Development) at GUSRC. With three years’ experience on GUSRC, I have the skills and best ideas to be your President for the year ahead. As VP (L&D) I have; - Saved the semester two revision week after speaking out at University Senate - Coordinated an innovative and exciting Freshers’ week, and established the first online Freshers’ Week survey - Worked to ensure provision of space for postgrads - Ensured this year we have had more GUSRC reps than before with an intense publicity campaign - Overseen our new class rep training system - Organised this year’s record-breaking Student Teaching Awards scheme - Lobbied the government to limit their plans on RUK fees and increase equal rights As President I will; - Fight against student fees and cuts to education - Continue to develop a University-wide Lecture Recording Policy to make students’ rights clear - Implement democratic reforms to GUSRC, increasing accountability and openness - Continue to hold the university to account over MyCampus - Increase our national campaigning capabilities, through institutions like the Aldwych Group and CHESS, and ensure GUSRC doesn’t forget its role as a campaign body - Continue work from the past year at encouraging more communication between class reps and SRC council - Work with the VP Student Support to make sure we cater to the needs of international students - Oversee opening of the new postgraduate social space and the planned expansion of SRC space in the John McIntyre Building Next year will be a crucial year for GUSRC, and I believe that with my strong record as a class rep, SRC General Rep, Academic convenor and from working full time as your Vice-President this year, I’m the best candidate to be your President. Thanks!
PRESIDENT
JANI HELLE After a year of controversy, mismanagement and deals behind closed doors, students are frustrated – and for good reason. The students deserve accountable and transparent representation. It’s time for reform and I, Jani Helle, am fully aware of this challenge and eager for the opportunity. This is no time for business as usual or picking fights with the University. This is a time for unity and cooperation, with students’ interests and quality of education at the forefront. We need a leader who can effectively represent all student interests. As your President, I will: • • • • •
reform the SRC and amend the constitution to hold the Executive and Council accountable to the students who placed trust in them; clearly communicate SRC activities as they happen; bring the SRC to students, to engage them in Halls and around campus; be driven by student concerns, not political ideology; and most importantly, listen to and represent all students.
As a student at Glasgow University I have dedicated over 3 years reforming, creating and leading student societies as well as a year representing over 4,000 students as SRC International Students’ Officer. As President of the Politics Society, and in co-reviving an 18th century student society, the Parliament of Oceana, I have gathered experience helping students with academic concerns, running publicity, listening to a variety of opinions, solving problems, and turning around an ineffective society. As a member of the SRC and Senate I have witnessed problems the students, the SRC and the University face both now and in the future. I believe the students are what make this University great. I will work to ensure that student concerns are expressed, listened to and actually dealt with. We deserve stronger representation. 300 words are not enough. Read my extended manifesto at Facebook.com/HelleForSRCPresident
PRESIDENT
LUCKY DHILLON I’m running for President because Glasgow University students need strong, effective, and accountable leadership from their representatives. As students we are facing difficult times: increased student debt, decreased funding, education cuts and growing graduate unemployment. We need a democratic and fighting SRC which campaigns for its current students, and keeps in touch with issues facing graduates. I support the OurGlasgow campaign to reclaim our education and our campus. As President I will: 1) Re-democratize the SRC and fight for accountability and transparency within the university by; - Holding referendums on key issues and creating a petitioning forum for your campaigns. - Ensuring meeting of governing bodies is held in public and have more student representation. - Publicising reports and minutes of all key meetings. 2) Oppose cuts and fee increase and lead a ‘vote of no confidence in management’ referendum in the event of their implementation. 3) Campaign nationally for the reinstatement of SAAS travel expenses. 4) Tackle dodgy landlords and bad employers: - A ‘Student Letting Agency’ which helps to vets landlords and a register of bad employers in a ‘name and shame’ campaign - Promote representation for students, by twinning with trade unions and legal organisations. I’ve spent my time at University fighting for students. I co-launched the petition that successfully removed our former president Stuart Ritchie after he supported 9k top up fees; lead local and national campaigns against education cuts sat on council as Race Equality Officer. The SRC should not be simply an advice centre - it should be a campaigning body and with your mandate together we can fight, campaign and win. If you want a President that’s working for you and ready to argue your corner, vote Lucky! (I will also demand the reinstatement of a printer in the Reading Room!)
PRESIDENT
MATTHEW HAIGH Hi, I’m Matthew Haigh and I’m a third year engineer. The SRC provides a fantastic range of services to students from the advice centre to the halls-campus minibus. However, many feel that the SRC has no effect on their lives at Glasgow. Fresh leadership is needed to shake things up and enliven the SRC on campus. I am running for SRC president because I believe that I can be that leader. I am passionate about representing the students of Glasgow University fairly and honestly. I will work to hold the university accountable to its students whilst remaining accountable myself. In previous positions I have held representing students to staff on my course, in my halls of residence, and at school, I have strived to keep up to date with peoples’ issues and understand different points of view. I do not believe that extreme politics are the way to get things done. If elected I will instead focus on creating a useful working relationship with the university that is not cushy or self-serving, but will be realistic to the needs of normal students. I will work hard to understand and represent a wide range of issues in an easily approachable way. The SRC is one of several student bodies on campus and I would encourage greater cooperation between the SRC and the unions. More SRC events hosted at the unions would mean greater student participation. Students would also be better represented to the university if the GUU and QMU joined the SRC on University Court, and I will fight to make this happen. I will use my position to ensure that the needs of Glasgow University students are heard at a national level. I will promote fairer funding and access to higher education, and hold up the value of good teaching.
VP LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT Job Title
Vice President (Learning and Development)
Term of Office
12 months, commencing 1st July 2012
Working Hours
Monday to Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-4pm. Some evening and weekend meetings. (34 hrs p/w)
Pay
ÂŁ15,292 p/a
Aims 1.1
To provide effective student input into the decision and policy review process of the University of Glasgow on all matters pertaining to formal and extra curricular learning and personal development opportunities.
1.2
To ensure that the SRC provides relevant training and learning opportunities to members of Council, Student Representatives and other Student stakeholders.
CANDIDATES Razvan Balaban Megan Cowie Dave Walker
VP L&D
RAZVAN BALABAN My name is Razvan Balaban and I am forth year Politics and Business student. I am experienced, very involved and energetic, with a strong desire to represent you. In the past I was: Class representative for all my subjects 2008-2011; Faculty of Arts convener 2009-2010; Member of the Senate 2009-2010; Member of the learning and teaching committee 2009-2010 (the most important committee the VPLD seats); President and founder of two societies that today count over 200 members; Member of the undergraduate teaching committee; I am also part of different clubs and societies, the university handball and Glasgow city handball team; I come from an international educational background: studied in USA, China, Italy, England, Scotland and Romania, which gives me a well- rounded experience in teaching and learning methods, an important quality, and different views that I can bring to the committees. If elected I will: Put forward policies that improve course work feedback and provide feedback on exams; Work on projects to improve employability by engaging with employers and inviting them often at Glasgow University; Provide more information, work with the schools and college representatives on employability in order to offers students more training to tackle the competitive employment environment; Organize the best freshers week: 1. Give everyone a fair share in volunteering; 2. Make students from home and abroad feel welcome and integrated; 3. Ensure a wide variety of activities exists so everybody can participate; I can deliver all this because I have 8 years of experience in organizing events ranging from local to international. I will work in close relation with unions, societies and clubs. Offer my full support to all class representatives, school representatives and College Conveners. If you have any questions feel free to contact me: 0805803b@student.gla.ac.uk or on Facebook. Your Vote Matters! Vote Razvan Balaban!
VP L&D
MEGAN COWIE I am running for VP Learning & Development because I believe the SRC needs to be transformed and turn its resources towards effective campaigning for students. It needs to be a fighting SRC. I have begun and am willing to continue to put up that fight. As VP Learning & Development I will: • Reclaim Freshers’ Week from big business. • Clubs and societies should be given priority for Freshers’ Fair. • Offer grants to affiliated societies so that they can showcase themselves for Freshers. • Strengthen the student voice. • Advocate stronger links between SRC faculty convenors and class reps with at least one meeting a term. • Encourage faculty convenors to attend staff/student meetings in their school/colleges. • Staff-student departmental meetings should become more regular in order to strengthen relations between undergraduates and staff. • Democratise our campus: Significant, rather than token, student representation on senate. • Utilise the ability to call student referendums on important issues. • Make Glasgow University an ethical institution • Management interactions with investment companies should be transparent. • Contracts with external companies should be open and explicit. • The SRC should actively ensure that student concerns are expressed and represented throughout the decision-making process. • Concrete a student petition process to make lobbying the SRC easier. • Oppose all cuts and fees. • Breadth of academic courses must be defended. • Decisions should be made to better the academic standing of the university, rather than purely for profit. These are tough times to be in education. The political landscape is changing and we need an SRC that is able to listen to the student body, recognise the wider picture, and fight to secure the best outcomes for our university. Another year cannot be wasted. Glasgow must defend its courses, its services, and its staff. It is for these reasons that I support the OurGlasgow campaign.
VP L&D
DAVE WALKER Hello! My name is Dave Walker and I’m currently a 3rd year Genetics student. I’m standing for the position of your SRC VP Learning & Development. If elected, there are three main areas in which I would like to work: 1)
Representation
I want to work closely with the School Representatives and College Convenors to improve the level of interaction between students and the SRC by developing a stronger link and dialogue with Class Representatives. This will involve ensuring that the SRC and course co-ordinators are promoting the advantage and importance of student representatives and that they have the best possible training to deal with the responsibilities. 2)
Development
Our University has so many opportunities for you to get involved in something that can be both personally rewarding and helpful, in terms of improving your individual skills. I want to work with the Student Volunteer Support Service and Careers Service to promote the benefits of being involved to your graduate attributes, employability and general personal development. I’ll start with an enormous focus on participation during Freshers’ Week events, with a move to target all students throughout the rest of the year. 3)
Accountability
I will organise open meetings with your academic representatives as frequently as is feasibly possible, which I will also attend. Any view represented at University committees should be directed by the student body and I will engage with you as much as possible. As a Freshers’ Helper and member of the Board of Management at the QMU, a panel member for a Periodic Subject Review, and the current School of Life Sciences Representative at the SRC, I feel that I have developed the student-centred mindset required for the position of VP Learning and Development. Vote for me and I won’t let you down!
VP STUDENT SUPPORT Job Title
Vice President (Student Support)
Term of Office
12 months, commencing 1st July 2012
Working Hours
Monday to Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-4pm. Some evening and weekend meetings. (34 hrs p/w)
Pay
ÂŁ15,292 p/a
Aims 1.1
To ensure that the needs of students of the University of Glasgow are considered and addressed in the areas of policy development and service delivery, both within the University and at governmental and international level. Particularly with regard to matters pertaining to their physical, social, emotional and financial well being.
CANDIDATES Jess McGrellis Ellie Munro James Orr
VP STUDENT SUPPORT
JESS MCGRELLIS Over the past fourteen months I have been wholly committed to my role as President of the GULGBT. This position has given me experience of running successful events, moreover, of overseeing the welfare of students, which I wish to expand to the entire student population. If elected to VP Student Support, I will endeavour to: • • • • • • • •
Continue to raise awareness of the SRC’s role and the opportunities it offers across campus. Work with the Accommodation Services and Strathclyde Police to ensure that we are doing every thing we can to make our halls of residence and campus safe for students. Work with the Counselling Service to find a plausible method of reducing their waiting time, with out depleting the valuable service offered. Continue the development of the University’s Trans Equality Policy, which will give guidance as to the university processes for those individuals who have, or are currently transitioning, and inform those in managerial or advisory roles of the process. Lobby the Scottish Government on issues concerning our students. Ensure that the relocation to the new Postgraduate Social Space runs smoothly and that the out come is agreeable. Work directly with the Clubs and Societies Officer to promote the benefits of SRC affiliation, as well as implementing skill sessions for board members of clubs and societies. Develop the SRC welfare weeks, by raising the prominence of RAG week and introducing ‘Equality Week’, which would be a cross-campus promotion opportunity for our welfare officers, and also for our welfare clubs and societies.
It would be a privilege to be elected and be given the opportunity to be a representative of the GUSRC. I will work thoroughly and professionally, and will strive to ensure that every student at Glasgow University has a positive experience. Comments/questions: 0908543m@student.gla.ac.uk
VP STUDENT SUPPORT
ELLIE MUNRO Manifesto My name is Ellie Munro and I’m a Politics and Economic and Social History student. I have been involved with a range of charities, including the QMU, working to improve services and support for students. I am running for V.P. Student Support to use the skills I have gained to improve support in three key areas: Better Services Mental well-being, sexual health and volunteering are my priorities. I will work with the University to • • • • • • •
ensure that services are the best that they can be; create a system of match-making students with volunteering opportunities within the University and other organisations; ensure that all volunteers are supported, trained and accredited for their role; ensure full support for students facing academic difficulties as a result of mental ill-health; promote the benefits of exercise and a healthy lifestyle for mental well-being. ensure that Free Condoms services are coordinated across campus provide comprehensive advice regarding sex and relationships, and fill gaps in provision.
Effective Campaigns I want to see the SRC continuing to support campaigns that are important to students on and off campus. I will ensure that Health and RAG Week build on past successes and are effective at conveying key messages around health, wellbeing, and the contribution that Glasgow students make. Equality must be at the heart of everything the SRC does; I will work closely in conjunction with relevant SRC officers and societies to promote this. Clear Accountability I will hold a weekly drop-in session for anyone to come and talk about concerns or ideas for improvement regarding student support, or the SRC as a whole. I will work towards ensuring that there is meaningful student participation in services. Where improvements are needed, I will make sure that students are involved at every level.
VP STUDENT SUPPORT
JAMES ORR Hi, I’m James Orr. I’m a third year Chemistry student and am standing for the position of Vice President (Student Support). I have been actively involved in clubs and societies across campus since starting at university where I have represented students by fulfilling roles such as social convener and president. I believe university life is much more than just turning up to class and receiving a degree and that’s why I see the role of VP (student support) as such an important one. If elected I will: • Strongly encourage cross-campus relations between the four student bodies. I recognise the valu able support each of these bodies provide to students on campus and I would like to see a more unified approach to student support. For example in RAG and Health weeks, making these events truly Glasgow university events and seeing an active role being played by SRC, GUSA, GUU and QMU. • Ensure, through continued support of the SRC welfare officers that the council can be as repre sentative as possible and that no group of student on campus, minority or majority, goes unheard and without representation. • Build current work to modernise the university’s student debt policy so that students are not com pletely barred from moving through academic years when they are in debt to the university. Along with this I’d like to see the SRC educating students more on personal debt and making stu dents more aware of what state and university funding is available to them. • Work closely with the Charities, Clubs and Societies officer to encourage cooperation between clubs for both, their own, and SRC, events. Along with this I’d like to work to improve the volun teering, clubs and societies awards. Please vote James Orr for VP (Student Support). I welcome your comments and suggestions to 0909009o@student.gla.ac.uk.
VP MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS Job Title
Vice President (Media & Communications)
Term of Office
12 months, commencing 1st July 2012
Working Hours
Monday to Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-4pm. Some evening and weekend meetings. (34 hrs p/w)
Pay
£15,292 p/a
Aims 1.1
To facilitate and generate communication between the SRC and students; the University and the media.
1.2
To provide a “first point of contact” between the SRC and Heads of Student Media and ensure that Student Media receive appropriate support.
1.3
To maintain and raise the profile of the SRC amongst students and other stakeholders.
1.4
To ensure that a coordinated approach is applied to SRC Publications and Publicity.
CANDIDATES Douglas Aithie Craig Angus Adam Campbell Pete Sansom
VP MEDIA & COMMS
DOUGLAS AITHIE Hello, my name is Douglas Aithie, I’ve spent four years at university working in student media (whilst occasionally studying). I love everything about the SRC. Here is a big list of what I would introduce if voted in: / / / / / / / /
The role of the SRC VP- Media Communications will be the subject of an external review next year, I will ensure that student media is fairly represented. Re-build the SRC website so that it actually makes sense, replacing the M.C. Escher inspired mon strosity we have now. The new site will include a guide that has clear definitions on legal concepts all students need to know. Revolutionise the way that student media communicate with clubs and societies, making it easier for clubs to receive consistent coverage without compromising editorial freedoms. Resolve the ‘Community Question’: Organise a discussion with media heads about becoming more involved in the local community. Advertise SRC events with video content. Co-ordinate Media Week with the other student media groups allowing for an event that is more hands-on than in previous years. Attract more people to the technical side of student media by organising events that allow more involvement with techy things. Encourage student media to host events which will raise money for charity.
In my time at GUST I have held the role of Technical Co-ordinator for two years, in the role I have: / / / / /
Moved GUST into HD broadcasting. Wrote a 10,000 training manual for GUST. Organised a technical team. Increased the quality and quantity of live programming. Set-up plans that allow GUST to make money despite having decade-old equipment.
If want to vote for the best man for the job then vote Douglas Aithie for SRC VP- Media & Communications 2012! Booyah. FB Page: http://tiny.cc/nmz1e
VP MEDIA & COMMS
CRAIG ANGUS Hello folks, My name is Craig Angus and I’m a 4th year Scottish Literature/English literature student, and I am running for the position of SRC Vice President of Media and Communications in the upcoming election at Glasgow University. Here’s some information as to what I’ve been up to in the last 4 years: - I was the Entertainments Convener at GUU in 2010/2011, a position which was extremely challenging, but equally rewarding. -As a board member I always promoted cross-campus relations, and firmly believe that Glasgow University benefits from having such a range of student bodies and societies. - I was responsible for booking acts for Freshers’ Week and Daft Friday, and brought Bombay Bicycle Club, Two Door Cinema Club, Alex Metric, Ministry of Sound, The Maccabees, Kele Okereke and Russell Kane to the GUU. If elected: - I will commit to refurbishing and updating the SRC website. - I will work closely with all of the Student Bodies to ensure that Freshers’ week 2012 is a massive success across the entire campus. - I will endeavour to make Media Week a massive success again, and I would advocate moving it back two weeks to allow 2 weeks of strong and committed PR after the winter break. - I will strive to ensure that all of the Student Media services across the University campus are given all the support they need to maintain their success. - I will explore ways to promote the Student Media services more effectively online. - I will continue to promote an inclusive culture at Glasgow University where everyone is welcomed and valued. - I will personally run at least 4 events at the University over the course of the year, with all proceeds going to a charity or cause closest to Glasgow University students. Craig
VP MEDIA & COMMS
ADAM CAMPBELL In a year of reduced income it is important to have an individual who can communicate the impact these cuts will have on students. I believe I am that person. My name is Adam Campbell and I’m in forth year studying English Literature and I am running for the position of SRC Vice-President of Media and Communications. For the past 18 months I have worked at the SRC as an Admin Assistant, this has enabled me to see the work of two previous executives. I have also volunteered at the SRC, through a number of their programmes and co-ordinate their Nightline service. I have also been involved with the Glasgow University Guardian, bringing important issues to the attention of students. I see the year ahead as an exciting opportunity to open up the work of the SRC to the wider student body. I would do so through strengthening the online position of the SRC, with an aim to redesign the website. I would consult with the students to help understand students’ perception of the SRC. I would look to highlight the more mundane, everyday work of the SRC, not only campaigns and events. The media groups have shown that they can act as an effective form of scrutiny on the role of the SRC as a whole, I would want to continue that by promoting their output while ensuring the media bodies make the most of their budgets through advertising and events. I would also seek to pass on my enthusiasm for the media to others by organising talks throughout the year, not only during media week. It is no secret that the SRC has experienced a turbulent year, so let’s get it back on track and vote Campbell for Comms on the 7th and 8th of March. Thank you.
VP MEDIA & COMMS
PETE SANSOM The SRC should be students’ first port of call for information – from mumps outbreaks to Senate decisions. Yet students remain unaware of valuable services and the age-old question endures: What does the SRC do? It’ll be my job to answer this question and promote the SRC as an interactive body, not just a building. NEW WEBSITE The current SRC website is inadequate and underused. I’ll oversee a complete overhaul, tearing it down and rebuilding from the floor up, to create a website that is cohesive, intuitive and which utilises social media. The site will allow in-house editing, making it an adaptable resource and significantly cheaper. MEDIA WEEK & MOVEMBER The events in Media Week should be as comprehensive as possible, and tailored to the interests of students. By reviewing attendance figures from past events I’ll establish which areas could benefit from more representation. I will work to continue the high profile and rapid growth of the Movember campaign. STUDENT MEDIA My focus will always be on communicating with and supporting the four student media bodies. My first task will be meeting with representatives from each body to identify specific operations and needs. Together we’ll establish data for how media is accessed and consumed, and formulate strategic plans for the course of the year – focusing on involvement, training, audiences and advertising. WHO’S PETE? I’m a 4th year English Literature student. I’ve been a contributor and an editor for qmunicate magazine, a Freshers’ helper three years running, and produced brand identities for QMU events and two SRC initiatives: Language Café and Student Teaching Awards. I will continue rebuilding the SRC’s credibility, establish a stronger dialogue with students, and represent us faithfully in national media. This is an important job and my promise is simple: I will get it done.
SPRING ELECTIONS 2012
VOTE
7TH/8TH MARCH www.glasgowstudent.net
SPRING ELECTIONS 2012