MEET THE CANDIDATES: MANIFESTO BOOKLET GRADUATE UNION ELECTIONS Voting opens at 9am on Tuesday 30 October, and closes at 5pm on Friday 2 November.
WELCOME Welcome to the manifestos booklet for the 2018 GU Michaelmas Elections. This academic year, the winners of these elections will be running some of the key campaigns within GU, impacting the Unions, the University, the city and on a national level. Their manifestos are your way of deciding who you want speaking for you – so please do spend a little time reading through them before casting your vote. Remember: in every election, if you are not happy with any of the candidates, you also have the option to vote to re-open nominations (“RON”). If RON wins an election, nominations for that position will be re-opened and a by-election held in due course. Voting is online-only via www.vote.cusu.cam.ac.uk. The ballot will open at 9am on Tuesday 30 October, and close at 5pm on Friday 2 November. You are able to check that you are on the electoral role at the same address until noon on Monday 29 October. We hope you enjoy the elections! - GU Elections Committee
WHAT IS RON? RE-OPEN NOMINATIONS If you are not happy with any of the current candidates standing for election, you can vote to Re-Open Nominations (RON). RON appears on the ballot and votes for RON are counted in the same way as those for candidates. If RON is declared the winner after all votes have been counted, the election will be held again. The original candidates are allowed to run again in the new ballot, but it gives the opportunity for new candidates to run. WHY VOTE RON? Voters may choose to vote RON for one of the following reasons: • They do not think any of the available candidates should be elected. • They would rather have more choice and be able to select from a greater number of candidates (not a guaranteed outcome). • They have already ranked some candidates, but feel that none of the remainingcandidates should be elected. VOTING RON IN STV/AV ELECTIONS The GU Elections are counted using the Single Transferable Vote system (STV) which becomes Alternative Vote (AV) for positions with only one place. Put simply, this means you will be able to rank candidates in order of preference, instead of only voting for one candidate. When counting votes, if there is no outright winner, the losing votes will be re-distributed according to voters’ second preferences (and then third, fourth and so on) until there is an outright winner. You can rank RON first and still rank other candidates afterwards, so your vote is not wasted if ReOpen Nominations is not successful. You do not need to vote for RON in an election, so if you think all of the candidates are better than no candidate, don’t put a number next to RON on your ballot! More information about STV can be found online: www.cusu.co.uk/takeaction/elections
Candidates standing for
VICE-PRESIDENT
Candidates standing for
FAMILIES OFFICER
Karthick for ‘Student Parents – We do Exist’ Why I’m running? Nearly 700+ student parents are currently studying at university of Cambridge Shocked? Do they have timely, rightful assess to • University’s housing facilities? • University’s Nursery facilities? • Child care bursary support? • Child care leave? • Maternity/Paternity leave? • A Child friendly work place within university? The answer is NO - we are underrepresented. I am here to change this reality. ‘Student parents – We do Exist’ is a campaign to improve student parent’s life, enabling them to be more productive and make the most of the amazing learning experience at University of Cambridge
VOTE FOR KARTHICK MURUKESAN AS FAMILIES OFFICER
What I plan to do?
It is great that University of Cambridge is one of the few universities truly committed to a vision of age being no barrier for education I will Lobby the university • To increase number of places in nursery reserved for kids of student parents • To pursue maternity/paternity leave initiated by outgoing Executive Committee • To increase the funds available at the childcare bursary support • To bring in more transparency at Nursery & Housing facilities waiting list • To create official social platform specific for student parents • To create at least one child friendly work place within university premise • To liaise with college MCR’s to create student parent friendly socials • • • • •
2nd Year engineering PhD student (parent), St. John’s college Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholar (St. John’s scholar) Ex - R&D engineer at TSMC, Taiwan (Fortune #368) Ex - R&D engineer Co-op at SERIS, Singapore IIT- Bombay, India Alumni
Candidates standing for
INTERNATIONAL OFFICER
Elly Tai
Graduate Union International officer Hi everyone! My name is Elly Tai. I am a member of Lucy Cavendish College and am pursuing a Masters of Philosophy in Educational research. Having lived overseas most of my entire life, I understand the difficulties of being an international student. I am genuinely passionate about optimizing our experience at the University of Cambridge in a multifarious way, and if elected as International Officer I will spare no endeavor to persuade the graduate admission office to facilitate the procedure of obtaining unconditional offer and to accelerate the issuing of CAS number for us.
Apart from this, I would like to introduce the transition mentor scheme and contribute to the international orientation program more specifically for international graduate students. I will also aim to work closely with some of the international societies in order to arrange formal swaps or day trips to Ely and Windsor etc. In addition, I hope to arrange events that will promote interaction among international and domestic students, allowing us to learn more about England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. I was a student representative fro two years at my previous university UCL, making me capable of acting as a liaison among the students, departmental representatives and university administrators effectively. I will devote ample time and effort to be reachable and deal with issues with my undivided attention. It would be an honor for me to help brining our graduate community closer together. Looking forward to working with you all soon!
My Proposal:
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Persuade the graduate admission office to facilitate the procedure of obtaining unconditional offer and to accelerate the issuing of CAS number Introduce the Transition Mentor Scheme Contribute to the International Student Orientation program more specifically for international graduate students. Work closely with international societies in order to arrange formal swaps or day trips to Ely and Windsor etc. Arrange events that will promote interaction among international and domestic students Produce International GU brochures in fresher pack. Create an Official Facebook messenger group for international postgrads before fresher’s week Make International students aware of the services that the Graduate Union provides.
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Welcome events for International students who have pre-sessional course. International events such as cultural Show, potluck and concert.
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ROSE NGO FOR INTERNATIONAL OFFICER
I've had a lot of experience living and studying in other countries, like Australia, Vietnam, and the UK. Although I understand that it can be an exciting adventure, I also know that these experiences present many unique challenges. Homesickness, loneliness, and depression/anxiety are not uncommon among many international students I've interacted with. I want to be someone that supports people who struggle living internationally, but also celebrate the wonderful journey and experience that it can be.
Candidates standing for
BLACK & MINORITY ETHNIC OFFICER
ONYINYE DEBORAH OKAKWU FOR BLACK & MINORITY ETHNIC OFFICER
Vote Onyinye Okakwu for GU BME Officer (for Diversity and Inclusion) The quest for social impact has continuously put me at the forefront of leadership. Before my arrival in Cambridge for an MPhil in Public Policy, I was responsible for the digital team at BBC Media Action Nigeria, the international development charity of the BBC World Service, where I led on strategic content development, workshops and campaigns to inform and engage diverse audiences on various burning issues. Grasping a host of Media Action strategies and guidelines have equipped and enabled me to prosper in a local setting but with a global outlook. What BME means to me: I am particularly interested in taking on the role of the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Representative because I am part of this beautiful community myself. I believe the BME students should be comfortable, feeling no less of themselves as humans deserving of being in Cambridge with a well-rounded Cambridge experience. Inclusion and diversity have continued to shape global conversations over the past few years. I believe that the combination of my deep-seated passion for this cause, my willingness to serve and work with other people and my acquired and developed technical skills would help me to add value to this role at the Graduate Union over the next couple of months. Mission: I am enthusiastic about promoting safe spaces, policies, and dialogues about the BME community and the promising future it holds here at the University of Cambridge and globally. I believe that the strength of leadership is not in one’s ability to individually decide on what issues to tackle, but rather, to make decisions based on what the group he/she is representing faces. With that said, I intend to: • Facilitate specific dialogues on BME issues as brought to bear by members of the community • Foster, promote and amplify the contribution of BME graduate students at the University of Cambridge and beyond • Work with relevant university bodies to think through and advocate for new inclusive policies for the BME student community. • Work with diverse BME societies to get voices heard. • Organize social and discussion events with the aim of encouraging graduate (and even undergraduate) BME students to be vocal about their challenges – which I would follow up on with relevant authorities. Previous avenues to make an impact: As the Editor-in-Chief of my undergraduate University’s newspaper publication and as the first Google Student Ambassador at my University, I secured a grant from Google to improve the ICT infrastructure at my university and was awarded Star Google Student Ambassador in Africa by Google. In the last four years, I worked in various capacities at BBC Media Action and managed several teams successfully. I have also been a volunteer for various causes, and I believe that my vast experiences over the years make me a suitable candidate for this role. I promise to actively represent you if given the opportunity. Let’s make diversity and inclusion possible together!
Candidates standing for
ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER
CARLO ZIMARINO FOR ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER
Recently, it has been published a scientific study that has advised humanity on global warming and climate change. We have ten years to prevent the planet increasing its temperature of 1.5C degree. After that, global warming will be irreversible. Effects are going to be devastating... Then I asked, how many people have actually read this scientific report?...the answer is none, they just stopped their curiosity to a newspaper article. Spreading this information within the university is my mission. Making people conscious of the problem will change their behaviour towards coordinated environment activities that the colleges are supporting. Start small, inform, behave differently and save the planet... we have only one.
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS IS CRUCIAL. LET'S DO THIS TOGETHER!
CRSid: flf25
: FredFa97228
Candidates standing for
LGBTQ+ OFFICER
ALESSANDRO CECCARELLI FOR LGBTQ+ OFFICER
I am a third year PhD student in archaeology. My project aims to observe social mechanisms responsible for resilience and transformations of ancient technologies and craft traditions of the Indus Civilisation (2500-1900 BC) in northwest India. I would like to volunteer myself as a suitable candidate for two reasons. Firstly, in the past two years, I have been involved in activities concerning diversity and equality for LGBTQ+ across the Cambridge and London, supporting events organised by CUSU and local charities. Secondly, my experience with activism for LGBTQ+ rights also reaches South Asia and continental Europe, where I have also been working with charities that are supporting victims (children and women) of domestic abuses. This helped me to strengthen a network of contacts that can provide support and a safe environment for discussion. Moreover, I am familiar with difficult contexts where LGBTQ+ rights are still developing (i.e. South and Eastern Asia). I have four main goals which I wish to achieve as LGBTQ+ Rep. I aim to: (1) organise activities and help mature students get involved in a number of events. I enjoy running a range of social and educational events for (but not limited to) the LGBTQ+ community. These include regular coffee meets, speaker events, pub crawls, and more. (2) actively connect colleges and departments to a broader Cambridge LGBTQ+ network. This will generate concrete evidence that the University is advancing in the arena of equality, diversity and inclusion, and will contribute to make LGBTQ+ students feel heard and recognised in the wider community. (3) connect students to additional support or advice such as counselling services – e.g. advice and support for women, trans*, non-binary, and international students. (4) increase the visibility of LGBQT+ students. (5) complete a draft of “Guide for LGBTQ+ students”, to be revised by the LGBT+ Staff Network, GU and CUSU. I would like to promote this document across Colleges and Faculties in Cambridge, possibly making it available on Departments’ and MCR websites as well. Among my most recent achievements I would like to mention the forging of a MCR LGBTQ+ office at Magdalene College, a dedicated LGBTQ+ page on the college’s website, and a ‘Welcome Letter’ were advices for LGBTQ+ students are mentioned. I have also contributed to organise a range of events across colleges during the Freshers’ Week 2018/19, and talks addressing LGBTQ+ issues in Asia at the Festival of Ideas 2018. I am also organising events at a departmental level with members of staff and graduate students. My fieldwork season has concluded, thus I am happy to dedicate as much time as necessary to generate a positive change, and share my resources to support LGBTQ+ activities in general.
ESTEBAN GARCÍA Cambridge is an immensely diverse place in every way imaginable. We are a community of scholars from around the world who share this common space. We make this university our home, and thus are entitled to be embraced and celebrated in our entireties. As LGBTQ+ Officer, ensuring that Cambridge does just that would be my mission.
In my past experience as a member of the executive board of the LGBTQ student organisation at Georgetown University, and student officer at the university’s LGBTQ Resource Center, I placed LGBTQ+ issues at the centre of my life and work. I served as a liaison between LGBTQ+ students and the university, and advocated for the interests of all members of our community, such as greater access to gender-neutral housing and inclusive language in university publications. We held conservative administrators accountable for their deficient LGBTQ+ policy, and demanded equal representation in decisionmaking bodies. I also liaised with the greater Washington D.C. LGBTQ+ community, organising events and mixers. I want to make sure that all grad students of all gender and sexual identities benefit from that same type of enriching environment while here. I’ll bring my own global perspective, as a Mexican and an American in Europe, to this global university community. We may speak different languages at home, practise different faiths or none at all, present different passports, but our LGBTQ+ identities cut across all of those things that differentiate us. I want to be the person that works to make you – every aspect of you – feel welcomed here. The stress and anxiety that are a natural part of grad life are unavoidable, so we deserve to be free from the oppression of homophobic, biphobic, transphobic, and misogynistic policies and attitudes in our personal and social lives. From activism and advocacy for representation to organisation for more social LGBTQ+ events, I will demand more and better for our community. We have to be unapologetic and we have to be heard. This is our home and I will ensure it feels that way.
JACK CHADWICK FOR LGBTQ+ OFFICER
Candidates standing for
WOMEN’S OFFICER
CLARE BISSELL FOR WOMEN’S OFFICER
Before starting a PhD in Political Ecology (Department of Geography) I worked for over ten years as a youth and community worker. My specialism was working with young women who experienced many different barriers to opportunities, including gender, race, class, age, immigration status, homelessness and so on. Whilst this was a very different context to working with students in Cambridge, my motivation remains the same - to support women in using their agency to live their best lives, together challenging structures that perpetuate intersectional inequality and creating positive change in our communities. As the Graduate Union Women's Officer I would use my professional skills and background to: - liaise with and support the work of college women's officers, facilitating joined up campaigns and initiatives across the university - advocate for women's and other intersecting issues during Graduate Union committee meetings, policy reviews, funding decisions and events planning - nurture a culture of critical thinking, creating safe spaces to raise awareness of different types of privilege and tackling this at all levels - pursue holistic, intersectional campaigns by working in partnership with other liberation officers at the Graduate Union and colleges - promote gender equality across the university within faculties, colleges, administrative and executive structures - provide support to women and non-binary people experiencing discrimination due to their gender I would relish the opportunity to represent women and non-binary students at the Graduate Union Executive Committee.
VOTE www.vote.cusu.cam.ac.uk Voting opens at 9am on Tuesday 30 October, and closes at 5pm on Friday 2 November.