Student Union Elections 2015: Question Time
It’s that time again. When you can’t walk into a Uni building without getting harassed by candidates “vote for me for..” even though you’ve already read their manifestos and being hounded in a corridor won’t change your mind.
But what may change your mind is their answers to some of the questions asked by their toughest crowd – the students. Here is my view of what went on at Question Time on Monday this week.
By Nicole Williams
The event was hosted by Zoe Harrison, current President of the Student Union. Each set of candidates was quizzed firstly by her, then by the students at the event and those who submitted questions via the SU Twitter account.
The candidates for Student Experience Vice President went first. This position was described as the lead on club and society support. They ensure that there is an enrichment program for informal social and recreational activities and also lead on volunteering opportunities within the SU. Candidates who attended were Monique, Dan and current Student Experience VP, Kulimye.
Candidates were asked how to ensure every student got the best Student Experience. Monique said she wanted to promote and push the clubs and societies more in order to get more participation. Dan said that he would aim to get more participation in all societies and club as well as make it easier for societies to be formed so that people could join anything they wanted to. Kulimye said he had already been working on this during his time as VP and he would continue to work on this if he was re-elected.
They were also asked about how to ensure students know more about Volunteer Central, the universities’ brand new volunteering sector. Dan said he would make sure they got a base at all campuses, not just City. Monique said that she would like to speak to lecturers and make them aware so that they can pass this onto students. Kulimye said that the university already advertises careers and volunteering opportunities.
The next question was about how to engage people in competitive and recreational sport. Kulimye said the key was to promote it more and to lower joining fees. Monique said that it should be about encouraging groups of friends to join rather than joining alone. Dan said people would join if there was a qualified coach running all sessions.
They were also asked about how disabled people could get more involved in sport. Monique said she would make sure current adaptive sports sessions were better known within the student body. Dan said he would create a Disabled Sport society and that there should already be one. Kulimye said he will make sure the adaptive sports sessions are advertised better.
Next up were the candidates for Welfare Vice President. This the VP who is “the principle lead for welfare issues and supports the union in welfare issues. They are also in charge of environmental and ethical standards within the union.” The only candidate who attended for this position was Nik.
The first question was about what the Welfare VP’s first priority was. Nik answered that he would campaign for the disabled students who’s funding is due to be cut, in order to make sure they get the best support.
Nik was then asked about how he would make sure that the Student Union was accessible to all. He responded that he feels that stamping out racism is very important and that No Hate campaigns should be promoted within the university.
He was asked by the current Welfare VP, Gemma, what he would do to continue promoting Mental Health Awareness. Nik replied that he wanted to contine to make links with external organisations and to continue to raise awareness for those suffering from mental health issues.
The candidates for Academic Vice President went next. This role involves looking after students academic needs Course Reps and Faculty Reps. Candidates who attended for this role were Habiba, Lax and Sarah.
They were asked about academic issues within the university. Sarah said the biggest issue was lack of communication with other buildings within City Campus such as MK, MX and MH, which aren’t located within the City South area. Lax said the biggest issue is people being unaware of extenuating circumstances situations. Habiba said external qualifications and outside skills are the biggest issues that students face.
Candidates were then asked how they would enhance the Student Voice. Habiba said that she would ask students what they want and then focus on improving those issues. Sarah said she wanted to improve communication with all faculties and lecturers. Lax said better communication with faculties was needed.
They were quizzed on how to improve the academic experience of Postgraduate and International students, who sometimes feels under-represented within the Student Union. Lax thinks he needs to talk to postgrads and see what they want. Habiba thinks that specific pods should be available for PHD and Masters students in the library so that they can work in peace. Sarah said she would look into what the SU can offer postgraduate students in order to improve their experience.
And finally, the candidates for President took to the stage. The President is in charge of overseeing the union and leading them in all aspects. They are also in charge of media relations within the union. Both candidates for President, Karl and Yaz attended.
They were first asked what could be done to improve the Student Union. Yaz said he felt that the SU had let down some students and that he will make sure everyone is welcome in the SU. Karl said that he wants to concentrate on the use of social media to promote the SU and their projects.
The candidates were asked whether students who worked online needed an SU. Both candidates felt that wherever you learn it is still important to have an SU to support you.
In their manifestos, both candidates talked about wanting to open a Student Bar on City Campus. Karl said that this is a part of student life which is missing. He also said he has spoken to many students, all of whom agree that they would like a bar on City Campus. Yaz said he thinks that a bar would improve the students experience and encourage them to interact outside of lectures.
In Yaz’s manifesto, he talks about wanting to make the library permanently open 24 hours a day, not just during assessment periods. He says he feels that, as he is paying £9000 a year, he should be entitled to work in there whenever he wants to.
Karl wants to make printer top up machines more accessible. Although you can now top up online, you can only do this with money in your bank account and you can only do it in multiples of 5, which is not always ideal for students.
Finally, they were asked what the biggest issue affecting students was. Yaz said that e-submission should be available for all assignments and all courses. Karl said loneliness because those who are local already have their friends and those who move to Wolverhampton for university sometimes feel excluded.
All candidates manifestos can be found on the SU website, www.wolvesunion.org/elections.
Voting is open from 10 am to 4pm from Sunday March 1st to Thursday March 5th in most university buildings. Make your vote count and make a change to your Student Union.
