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.