Lydia Green's Manifesto for the Position of Undergraduate Representative on University Council

Lydia Green
Student Member of University Council

Why me?

As JCR President of Sidney Sussex College, I already enjoy working with Senior Members of the University and other elected officers, and have excellent relations with both of these groups. I know how my College works, and would love to play a more active role in the wider University Community.



Why do I want this role?

As much as I enjoy all the work I do in college, I know that there is a much wider role to play in the Unviersity. I would enjoy the opportunity of working in the University community to help improve the experience of all of its members.



Why would I be good at it?

Valuable: As a representative of Sidney students to College Council and CUSU, I am very happy to hear students’ views. If elected to University Council, I would always be available to talk through issues, and would think very carefully about any contribution I made to a discussion.

Experienced: I play an active role on the College Council and its subcommittees at Sidney, and understand how college works. I have also sustained and improved the excellent relations between Senior and Junior Members, even while dealing with difficult issues. This experience would help me to be a valuable member of University Council, and to get used to the way it works very quickly.

Reliable: I have worked very hard as JCR President (and previously as Admissions Officer) to improve the experience of students at Sidney and to build up excellent relations with Senior Members. I would be just as committed in a role on the University Council to making the University work as well as it can do for all of its members.

I am committed to being a valuable and reliable member of the University Council, and have the experience to do the job well.

Yang Xia's Manifesto for the Position of Graduate Representative on University Council and the General Board

Why University Council?
To learn first-hand about University decision making
To engage in strategic discussions and help make a better environment for us
To make our own voices heard

Why me?
Have been around here since the start of my BA in 2003 (I know!!!)
Ample experiences running student societies, as President or team member
Work experiences in Investment Banks and good initiative in finance
International background, vision from a different angle; our link with China
Enthusiasm and dedication!!!

Charlotte Roach's Manifesto for the Position of Undergraduate Representative on University Council

VOTE CHARLOTTE ROACH on to UNIVERSITY COUNCIL

AIMS:

Commitment from the University to build the sports centre, to allow donations to the sports centre and to transparently report its position on this topic.

Open access to college specific facilities to all university members, or to openly publish college facility differences. College discrimination is unacceptable, we are all part of Cambridge University and few undergraduates are aware of the differences on application.

Push for the removal of Saturday lectures, as this is out of line with most departments and the rest of the world, which discourages wider student university experience and puts unnecessary additional pressure on students.

Departmental guidelines for supervisors to structure supervisions and set work, often they are irrelevant and time wasting.

Remove the atmosphere of fear that surrounds acceptance to Cambridge, we are allowed to try to introduce change into this age old institution

Why VOTE me:

Experience of a better American system - they out class us on fundraising, facilities and applications.

State schooled second year Nat Sci who openly struggled with the work volume but not difficulty, I would like to represent the many silenced others who feel the amount of work expected is simply ridiculous, the focus should be on quality not quantity.

International cross country runner, mentored by Kelly Holmes.

CUSU’s facilities and catering officer, working with the Hawks and Ospreys.

Responsible for the initiation of the Sports Centre Campaign

Action, Straight Talking and Answers is what I stand for.

Farzin Mirshahi's Manifesto for the Position of Undergraduate Representative on University Council and the General Board

University Council Elections 2009
PLEASE VOTE FARZIN MIRSHAHI AS UNDERGRADUATE REP!

Experience

· As Undergraduate College Representative for the Student-Staff Joint Committee in the Classical Faculty, I am used to putting forward views with senior lecturers, fellows and university staff, as well as engaging with students and gauging their opinions on academic and welfare matters.
· I was president of Cambridge University United Nations Association (CUUNA) – with over 1300 members – from 2008-2009, managing a committee, and organising a portfolio of activities including speakers, campaigns, socials, a trip to Geneva UN Headquarters and a magazine. So I know how to negotiate around student and university politics!
· As president of CUUNA, I liaised with the Vice-Chancellor in producing an invitation for Kofi Annan to speak in a future Rede Lecture, providing me with some insight into how the University Office works.
· I created a society from scratch, the Christ’s Classics Society, and so have a broad knowledge of business and budgeting requirements, as well as honing the art of the proposal!

Aims and Ambitions

· I hope to provide a confident and resourceful undergraduate representation at the meetings and to be persistent and passionate in my proposals.
· To make the processes of the University Council more transparent to undergraduates, and therefore a viable agent of change.
· To create schemes whereby the opinion of the undergraduate can be heard and acted upon.
· Most importantly: TO ACHIEVE RESULTS!

David Lowry's Manifesto for the Position of Undergraduate Representative on University Council and on the General Board

David Lowry for University Council and General Board

The experienced, independent candidate who knows how to get things done.

Why me?

-I have the necessary experience of obtaining real results for students from what seem like old-fashioned institutions.
-I am a truly independent candidate: I won't slavishly follow the line of either CUSU or narrow political factions.
-I don't plan to act as a rubber stamp: representation means always sticking up for students' interests.
-This is a crucial year: I will focus on keeping the fees cap, improving education and pushing for green planning.
-CUSU has great education policy that needs following up on the General Board on libraries, supervisor training, small subjects and exam feedback.
-We need accountability from the UC and the General Board: I will use the press, the CUSU website and CUSU Open Meetings to consult the student body more effectively.
-I am running for both the UC and the General Board because the two frequently overlap and we need student oversight to stop bureaucracy hurting our interests

My Experience

-Jesus College Student Union President & LBGT Rep
-Jesus Amnesty President
-Sit on 6 college committees
-English Faculty Library Board
-Member of CUSU Council
-CUSU NUS delegate

My Successes

-Delivered 3rd lowest rents rise in Cambridge through effective use of negotiation at College Council.
-Secured improvements to student accommodation (more trunk rooms, more free laundry facilities, installation of pinboards and modernised plumbing) through strong representation at committees.
-Prevented college ending Jesus bops by negotiating with the Dean.
-Reformed outdated graduate representation through Open Meetings, negotiation with Senior Tutor and constitutional change.
-Increased the input of ordinary students with new polls and meetings.
-Changed procedures to make student union finance open and accountable.

Sean Newham's Manifesto for the Position of Undergraduate Representative on University Council

Sean's Manifesto

I understand that the being on the university council won't allow anyone to change things directly, or even quickly, but I want you to understand the sort of things I will raise and the sort of things I believe in.

A centralised system of supervision feedback on Supervisors, so that comparisons can be made. This information would be seen by DoSs. I believe we need this as sometimes Supervisors aren't great, but they're not so bad to complain about either, it would be nice to be able to give anonymous feedback through our DoSs.

A more substantial effort by the university proper to instigate ethical and green policies. Either the university is a lot more motivated than I've noticed, or the university normally reacts to CUSU ethical affairs rather than push for ethical policies, such as limiting/stopping investing in unethical companies. I would either like to show what work is being done, or encourage the university to do more.

I would like to see a university policy against on changes to student life without student consultation. It rarely happens but there are cases when colleges don't inform students before doing something that affects them, departments fail to notify all students that a course will be different than in previous years, or when departments are renamed, or merged into others.

I would like to see the university and colleges to treat sports more seriously, the sporting facilities here are a joke, the money and attention spent on rowing as opposed to every other sport is overwhelming. Rowing is good, it's what we're known for, but perhaps we could be known for lacrosse, netball or judo

If elected I would like to educate students about the activities of the council and the activities of various committees I would attend through a dedicated twitter feed/facebook page. Nobody knows what goes on, and I hadn't heard of the council until I purposefully looked into the structure of the university, in order to air a grievance.

About me

I am a second year natsci at homerton.

I have no political or religious affiliation, but believe religion should be both respected and acknowledged, as should atheism and agnosticism

I believe in gender equality, and have worked against domestic violence, toward men and women in my local area as part of a survivors group.

I have been on CUSU-LBGT as a minority rep for bisexuals. I am on my College union of students as the lbgt officer, but I want to do something for thestudent body in general and not just a small section.

I am also a cheerleader and a gymnast, and therefore understand the importance of needing sports facilities.

I want to represent students politely, but forcefully, and would like any student to tell me about their uni experience, any time about any specific area, so that I present your views, exactly as you want. I can be reached through facebook, twitter, and my mobile number is on facebook. 

Beccy Talmy's Manifesto for the Position of Undergraduate Representative on University Council

Beccy Talmy for University Council

Undergraduate Representative

 

Decision-Making Power

The University Council is the main decision-making body of the University: it’s really important for students to understand and be able to feed into how our institution is operating and why.

 

Active Stakeholders

The decisions that the University Council makes are taken and carried out in our name; the fees we pay contribute to financing them; we are stake-holders in the university, and as such we should be being given a proper say in how it is being run, where it is investing its money, and whose interests it is furthering or undermining.

 

Genuine Representation

Because CUSU is our main source of democratic decision making and student representation, I will use a place on the University Council to actively voice CUSU policy. I will always distinguish between personal comments, and input that has the full weight of the student population behind it.

 

Assertive Representation

If the University Council seems to be acting against the interests of students, undermining CUSU policy, or failing to take account of its responsibilities as the decision-making body of a world-renowned, wealthy and influential institution, I will speak out forcefully. I want to make sure that I can explain to you exactly why these decisions are being made, and provide you with the opportunity to challenge them.

 

Open Channels of Communication

I will work hard to keep students informed about what is happening at University Council, by starting a blog and publicising it as widely as possible. You will always be able to contact me and put forward any questions, concerns or ideas that you want me to raise at the University Council. I will make sure that you are kept informed as to when the University Council is meeting, and what issues will be on its agenda.

 

Bottom Up, not Top Down

I decidedly will not be going along to University Council to passively find out what decisions are being made for my own personal interest: I will be there to represent you, feedback to you, and input into the decisions that are being made based on CUSU policy and your ideas and concerns. Decisions made by the University shouldn’t be happening over our heads: we should be actively helping to shape them.