GET READY FOR
ELECTION
SEASON 01/03 - 03/03 LITTLE BOOK OF MANIFESTOS
WELCOME! It’s CUSU-GU elections season! The seven full-time sabbatical officer positions elected this week will represent you at every level of the students’ unions and work to change the University. We’re also electing delegates to the NUS (National Union of Students) National Conference, which is the policy making body for NUS. These delegates (of whom two must be self-defining women, with three open places) will vote to shape policy for the national student movement. Along with this, there’s an election for University Councillor - this student will sit on the chief decision-making body for the University. We have compiled this book of manifestos so that you can find out more about all the candidates. They will also be campaigning around the University and Colleges, so if you see them or their teams take the chance to ask them questions! You can also check out our website (www.cusu.co.uk) for more information about what the roles involve and the people who are running and vote on our voting portal: bit.ly/cusugu-vote. If you would rather vote in person, then there will be voting in colleges on March 3 and the CUSU team will be roaming around the following sites at lunchtimes with our Elections Roadshow: March 1 - Sidgwick Site March 2 - Sidgwick Site March 3 - Downing Site Remember: this is your opportunity to have a say in who represents you to the University, in the local area and even to national government. It is also a key way that you can shape the direction CUSU or the Graduate Union will take over the next year. Your Students’ Union is one of the most directly democratic organisations you will ever be involved in: don’t pass up your chance to pick its’ leaders. The success of the central Students’ Unions will only be bolstered by the amount of votes that candidates receive, and the mandates that they get will mean that the University takes us seriously when we represent you and argue for change on your behalf. Get involved, use your vote and if you can’t see someone who represents you - maybe it’s time to run in our next set of elections? Thanks! Jemma CUSU Coordinator, Returning Officer for the CUSU Elections Committee 2015-16
FOLLOWING THE ELECTIONS Keep up to date with the CUSU 2016 Full-time Elections in the following ways:
www.cusu.co.uk/elections-2016
facebook.com/CUSUonline
@CUSUonline
VOTING CLOSES & PROVISIONAL RESULTS ONLINE
THURSDAY 3RD MARCH, 7PM ALL RESULTS, INCLUDING NUS, CONFIRMED & ANNOUNCED
FRIDAY 4TH MARCH, 7PM
vote cornelius4cusu
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT CORNELIUS4CHANGE.COM
president
VOTE FOR CHANGE
#REPRESENT Lead a CUSU that represents the interests of all students and not just small minorities while preserving the independence of the autonomous campaigns. Create a CUSU that listens before it acts.
#Connect Work with JCRs, MCRs and societies, providing them with the resources needed to implement their ideas and campaigns. Engage with students through social media and the student press.
#SUPPORT Make information on all university regulations (ex. intermitting process) accessible. Acquire enhanced sporting facilities for university and college teams. Support students with mental health diďŹƒculties.
FORMER TRINITY JCR PRESIDENT/UNIVERSITY TRUSTEE/ACADEMIC REP.
W O T A S S U G T N AN E D I S E R P U CUS
fOR
POLICIES
Follow me: @angussatow bit.ly/angussatow
welfare FIRST
- Increased funding for Disability Resource Centre - Uniform college welfare policy - Cut Counselling Service waiting times
A CUSU that ENGAGES
- Shift admin work onto support staff - Student engagement sessions - Database for continuity over JCRs and MCRs
LIBERATION
- More co-ordination and facilities for liberation campaigns - Roles on University Committees - Curricula - less male, pale and stale - Interfaith prayer rooms at faculties - Decolonising Cambridge
STUDENT POWER
- JCR and MCR voting rights on college councils - Resist privatisation of HE nationally - Push for fossil fuel divestment - Using students’ voice to push for a staff living wage
Find out more about my policies at angussatow.tumblr.com MAGDALENE JCR
- 2016 Vice-President - 2015 Green & Ethical Officer
ZERO CARBON
- Founded the divestment campaign
- Served since as Campaigns Officer - Engaged with Uni decision makers
EXPERIENCE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
- Led resistance to colleges’ attempts to be exempt - Proposed successful motion at CUSU Council - Worked with Sabbatical Officers on implementation
voting open 29th Feb 23:59 to 3rd march 19:00
John Sime for CUSU President Transparency. Responsibility. Conviviality. Like most other undergraduates I am really enjoying the experience of being a student at the best University in the world. Cambridge is quite a change from my previous education, and I really appreciate all that Cambridge offers in terms of friendships, history and the wealth of knowledge and experience available from teaching staff and other students. What I want to bring to the Presidency of CUSU is a combination of openness and the promotion of free speech, together with enhanced social events throughout the year. It is no secret that CUSU has consistently disappointed a large number of students across the university, as can be seen by the astonishingly low satisfaction rate of 31% in the National Student Survey in 2014. While the work CUSU does to aid marginalised groups is commendable, it has been done at a cost of a lack of accountability, and has left most of the student body feeling unrepresented by the Union. I want to give the CUSU back to the majority of students by promoting three policies: INCREASE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY – Recent scandals have revealed a fundamental problem in the structure of CUSU, where affiliated autonomous bodies are free to act how they please, yet when their actions come to light CUSU gets the blame and has proved so far incapable of holding those responsible to account. Campaigns cannot have it both ways. The solution is to require these bodies either to be affiliated and answerable to CUSU, or for them to be autonomous and nothing to do with CUSU. This was raised in the Lent CUSU Council 2 meeting, a meeting where important questions were avoided by invoking the "safe-space policy". I will make sure there is a full debate on the status of autonomous affiliated campaigns, and that the safe-space policy, which serves an essential purpose, is safeguarded to prevent further abuse. EMBRACING FREEDOM OF SPEECH – In recent memory, a small number of students have campaigned to noplatform certain speakers, such as with Nigel Farage, Germaine Greer and Tim Hunt, from appearing at some events. I feel and believe that these small numbers of students don’t represent the vast majority of Cambridge students who, like me, would love the opportunity to hear, engage and challenge these speakers in an open format. To counter this, I will champion responsible free speech to protect Cambridge’s status as an institute dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. ENGAGE STUDENTS WITH EVENTS – At many other universities the student unions have an active role in student life, hosting regular events throughout the year. As a step in that direction I will organise large music concerts for the students in Michaelmas and Lent terms, with familiar and up-and-coming performers. These will be organised in a similar fashion to May Balls with the students who help receiving tickets. Half the profits will go to a relevant charity of the time.
POLICIES
I’m Amatey Doku, an HSPS finalist and I’m running for CUSU President. We all know the problems facing Cambridge students and this campaign is about implementing the real reforms that CUSU needs to begin making a difference. I’ve got the experience and skills to make real changes, and a pragmatic and positive vision of how CUSU needs to adapt to better play its role; supporting JCRs and championing student interests.
Actively supporting JCRs:
Whether it’s rising rents, dissatisfaction with teaching, or pervasive gaps in College welfare provision, CUSU must be at the disposal of all College JCRs. To make this happen, I will pledge to meet regularly with all JCR presidents, and revamp our online database to give JCRs a powerful tool when negotiating with their Colleges.
Increasing student engagement:
Not just a catchy phrase, I would institute a special ‘Vice-President’s Council’ of JCR representatives as an immediate point of contact and oversight, ensuring that CUSU is always in touch with the students it serves. Elected by CUSU Council each term, your JCR President would have the chance to get right to the heart of CUSU decision making.
Demanding greater transparency:
According to the Big Cambridge Survey “81% of students are vehemently in favour of having a voice in the investments and actions of the Colleges”. I’m committed to making sure that students’ opinions are being fairly represented at every level, and will strategically challenge the exclusion of student voices and oversight- starting with the unaccountable Bursars’ Committee.
EXPERIENCE As President of Jesus College Students Union, I: • • • •
Just as important as good policy, however, is a good approach. Being CUSU president means responding quickly and calmly to unforeseen challenges, and working effectively with people from across the University. I will bring a pragmatic, focused approach to the job. Need convincing?
Oversaw the most extensive constitutional reform in 6 years, reforming the way the Student Union ran Removed a £7000 deficit in JCR expenditure without compromising any clubs and societies Successfully blocked changes to the College’s regulations which could have adversely affected students Sat on over 7 different College committees and had a robust working relationship with the College authorities to work towards solutions in the best interests of all students.
MY VISION FOR CUSU
I will commit to managing a CUSU that implements real changes in an effective, responsive and pragmatic manner. Sometimes this will require me to publicly call the university out to push for reforms but it is through working robustly and confidently with the University that real lasting differences can be made to students’ lives. Ultimately, only a CUSU team which is visible, attending JCR open meetings and meeting students regularly can truly be one that represents you at every level and that is the CUSU I want to lead.
JOIN THE CAMPAIGN TODAY: @AMATEYDOKU #VOTEDOKU
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Secured the GU’s future as an independent union following a Uni review, despite calls for merger with CUSU by senior Uni figures and CUSU itself.
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Repaired the GU’s credibility at Uni-level after years of turmoil and scandal.
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Prioritised re-engaging MCRs – GU needs democratic legitimacy to be taken seriously, achieved through advice and support of grads’ elected representatives.
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Taken responsibility for GU governance – GU is now fully registered with Charity Commission, up-to-date with filing of accounts, and has a complete Trustee Board.
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Built bridges with CUSU – while two Unions exist, we have a duty to avoid redundant duplication. CUSU and GU now in talks over shared service provision, staff, etc.
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Root-and-branch reform: o Utilise talent and experience across Uni by integrating reps of existing groups (e.g. ClinSoc, Gates, PdOC, CUSU campaigns) into GU structure o Devolve power to MCRs and fac reps by enabling Council make policy online, facilitate inter-MCR/fac collaboration, etc. Empower graduate campaigns: o Introduce VP sabbatical officer to take lead on campaigning, letting President run GU, serve on Uni cttees, etc. o Strength of GU’s campaigning voice linked to its governance – respect of Uni key to ability to make change fast. Negotiate settlement with CUSU: o Maintain independent grad voice; eliminate duplication, competition, confusion
bñéÉêáÉåÅÉW= • GU President (incumbent): o Experience of over 20 Uni cttees, including Council, General Board, Sen. Tutors’ Cttee
o Working relationship with major Uni figures
MCR President MCR Treasurer MCR Domus (accommodation) Officer College societies funding cttee x 3 JCR President JCR Welfare & Rights Officer JCR Steering Cttee, Ents Cttee member King’s Affair Drinks Officer Graduate Bar manager College Council member, Governing Body member, and Trustee x 2 • And much more that won’t fit!
• • • • • • • • • •
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ROBERTA HULDISCH EDUCATION vote.cusu.cam.ac.uk
FEB 29 – MAR 3
@roberta_natalya
Vote SOPHIE BUCK
for CUSU-GU Welfare and Rights Officer Feb 29 – Mar 3 vote.cusu.cam.ac.uk #buckhasyour back
EXP E RI EN CE Ge n era l orga n isa tion Exp erie nce - Emma June Event Music Co-Organiser (2014) - TCS Deputy Features Editor (Michaelmas 2014) - ECAPS (college art society) Vice-President (2015) - TEDxCambridgeUniversity Publicity Lead (2015) - TEDxCambridgeUniversity Co-Organiser (2016) W elf are- sp ecific Exp erie nce - Sixth-Form House Welfare Prefect (2013) - ECSU Female Welfare Officer (2015) - Subject Parent; College Parent; PBS buddy; Faculty Rep - Regular attendance at CUSU-run welfare training - Personal experience with University Counseling Service and Disability Resource Centre - Academic experience in welfare and rights from my degree, Psychological and Behavioural Sciences (PBS). Topics I’ve covered in depth include anxiety, depression, psychosis and addiction; social representations of mental health problems; well-being; prosociality; unconscious discrimination; “intellectual disabilities”; policy; justice and human rights.
POLICIES 1. Better use of c ollege welfare officers’ time I plan to run more time-efficient training for welfare officers so that more people can attend, as well as flesh out the existing handbook with, for example, thorough comparisons of welfare facilities available at each college for the benefit of idea sharing, and step-by-step guidance with what to do in different welfare emergencies. Given my background in Psychology, I’d be in an informed position to arrange this.
2. Improving the intermission pr ocess I will carry out an in-depth investigation into the intermission process at different colleges, gathering testimonies together from a variety of students and devising ways in which the process can be improved (e.g. making it less isolating), and then presenting this to the University Council to encourage change.
3. CUSU as an actual Student Union The Union, JCRs, and societies are not sufficient as forming a Student Union. The Union is expensive and competitive; not all colleges are equal in their welfare provision; and arts and sport events at society levels are often fairly ability-driven, meaning not everyone can access their mental and physical health benefits. Using the Grad Building more, I want to run relaxed events open to the entire university, such as Art and Chill evenings, yoga, and an intercollegiate sports day (at the athletics track) with egg & spoon races etc.
4. Facilitating access to sexual health supplies To allow efficient restocking, college welfare officers will be allowed to collect more sexual health supplies. Moreover, measures will be taken to make it less embarrassing and easier (for anyone) to ask for supplies.
5. More widespread engagement with welfare Firstly, I will work more with autonomous campaigns to ensure a consistent and integrated welfare system that addresses all welfare-related issues. Secondly, I will target mature colleges, which are currently neglected in the welfare system despite entrant age being as young as 21. Thirdly, I will run welfare discussion groups, open to the whole university, with a different topic each week: such as perfectionism, ‘manning up’ and eating disorders. Lastly, I will push for DoS training, since most stress is work-related.
WHY TRUST ME?
I’m 8 months into being the Welfare and Rights Officer for CUSU and the GU, and I spent the first six months as Acting President of the GU too. Over the last eight months I’ve shown that you can put your trust in me; I have consciously used my privilege to significantly improve the welfare available for the student body, at all times I have listened to you, and all my campaigns and activities have been student-led. I’ve worked hard, learnt a lot and achieved a lot, given the context of a slow-moving University and juggling two new jobs. I’ve fulfilled most of my manifesto pledges, and continue to work on the others. Having got my head around all the responsibilities of the role, I’ve built great working relationships with University staff, who now have trust in my ability, and are prepared to listen to and work with me. . Come July, I’ll have a year’s worth of experience, I’ll bring continuity, and I’m a safe pair of hands.
RE-ELECT
POPPY ELLIS LOGAN
WHAT I’VE DONE SO FAR
Supporting Welfare Officers from all of the Colleges has been central to my approach this year. I’ve made a Welfare Officer handbook, established an extensive training programme, and created the Welfare Network Forum. I’ve planned cross-College events, coordinated and planned their campaigns, written their Bulletins, and provided resources and information for all their support and advice needs. Equality of support has been another priority. I’ve liased with the University to plan the Education and Welfare Review; this will measure College provision against baseline criteria (as chosen by Welfare Officers), to ensure that basic levels of welfare provision are in place for every student. Each College will be reviewed by the university triennially, and I will initiate a student-led review of every College, each year, to hold them accountable, accurately represent their varying levels of pastoral provision, and celebrate examples of best practice, making welfare provision central to a College’s reputation. I’ve set up a prescription delivery service to every College. I’ve secured more funding for the DRC, which will pay for a dedicated Mental Health Advisor. I’ve linked up student support services across the University. All provisions, including College, Students’ Unions’, University, local, and student-led services, are now integrated with one another. Students in almost any situation now have a spectrum of services available to support them at any given time. Now, I want everybody to receive enough information about these services for them to know exactly where to go for different types of support, and I’m setting up an app designed to ensure this. I’ve worked to increase the University’s understanding that flexibility is key to supporting students, and that a one-size-fits-all approach is not sufficient. I’m working on a flexible intermission policy for every college, a policy for changing colleges, and introducing mediation services for students.
2016/17 cusu/gu welfare & rights officer
WHAT ELSE DO I WANT TO DO?
I delivered sessions for Tutor Training this year, and for this I compiled, in cooperation with students, a timeline of the academic year to emphasise all of the many ways in which a student’s welfare may be impacted across the year, which might otherwise go unconsidered. However this training is only received by newly employed Tutors, and is still somewhat inadequate. I hope to convince the University to reconsider what should be prioritised when planning the training day, and argue that it would be better to dedicate the day itself to learn and practice how to support someone appropriately, rather than using it to disseminate information about how the University works that could be accessed online. Because the training is so early in the year, a newly-elected Officer wouldn’t be able to prepare adequately for this - they simply wouldn’t have had enough time to go through the necessary training themselves, let alone prepare and deliver it confidently to the Tutors. I will work to address the periods of time that students requiring NHS support spend in a state of transition, be it due to waiting lists for diagnostic assessment, or the unavailability of immediate treatment or support to supplement that which students may have relied on at home. I have already successfully lobbied our MP, Daniel Zeichner, to demand better mental health services in the area, and am establishing a place for the W&R Officer on local NHS committees in order to ensure that the allocation of resources to our local services prioritise the needs of students. I will complete my Welfare Charter, and alongside the enforcement of the Accessible Education Pledge across Faculties, will hold Colleges and other parts of the University accountable to it. Having been one of many homeless students in Cambridge, I will ensure that all students are accommodated for throughout the year, including those without the financial means to pay extra rent, or whose parental income prevents them from receiving financial support from their College. I will strive to make available structure and resources for PhD students and students with very unstructured arts degrees.
FOR WOMEN’S OFFICER
VOTE AUDREY SEBATINDIRA EXPERIENCE
BME Women’s Representative on the Women’s Campaign Committee 2014-15 Facilitator for Fly, the network for BME women 2014-15 Trinity Hall College JCR BME Officer 2015-16
IF YOU’D LIKE TO CHAT ABOUT MY MANIFESTO, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT: ajws2@cam.ac.uk
OWNERSHIP
INTERSECTIONALITY
We’re entitled to feel safe and acknowledged in spaces at Cambridge. I will: continue work on college harassment policies centralise consent workshop procedure and ensure that freshers receive the same quality of information across colleges investigate and challenge the lack of gender parity in our reading lists facilitate and support ideas for university-wide campaigns
The Women’s Campaign exists for ALL women. I will: tackle the gender attainment gap from multiple perspectives continue the tradition of inviting other liberation campaigns to run forums strengthen the Women’s Campaign’s relationship with Fly support cultural societies in any women-oriented events they choose to organise
SOLIDARITY
The total liberation of women at Cambridge requires collective effort. I will: build solidarity between JCR women’s officers create a mentorship network between female academics and undergraduates produce and run a survey to find out what’s expected of the Women’s Campaign organise workshops on personal and political identities and the basics of intersectional feminism
CELEBRATION We’ve a lot to do but, with many colleges celebrating 40 years of women’s undergraduate admission, we’ve also come a long way. I will: set up an online bulletin celebrating the successes of female students and academics support public speaking and debating workshops for women and invite inspiring women speakers address disengagement and dissatisfaction
Josh Jackson for UNIVERSITY COUNCILLOR
Active • Effective • Communicative I am so passionate about ensuring students get the best possible representation at university. This is nowhere more important than on the University Council, the main decision making body at the University. The decisions made here effect each and every student. That's why it is so important they are held to account and that the process is open and transparent for all students. If you elect me as University Councillor , I will champion any cause you wish of me, I am bound by no agenda. However I will start by addressing the Þve most pressing concerns among the Student Body; 1) I will strongly push for more University oversight on college rent hikes. Things are expensive enough as it is and with the number of poorer students decreasing, we need to get a hold of this. 2) I will end the partisan divide between students and CUSU at the level of the University Council. Literally no one even knows who the current Councillor is and what he's actually done - students will know I'm available 24/7. 3) I will push for student representation on all matters of university spending. Certain committees don't have student representatives and these are often the most important ones. I want to empower JCR treasurers to have more say in Þscal policy. 4) I will Þght for a modernisation of the exams system. It is so important that in 2016 students can use the same laptops they've been using all their life to do their exams on. End the paper bias. 5) Finally, I'll be there, no matter the policy; if it's living wages, ethical donations, divestment, tripos reform, or you just want to tell the big guys at the top they suck -
Josh Jackson will be there
VOTE JACKSON UNIVERSITY COUNCILLOR
The Council is the executive and policy-making body tasked with the administration of the University, for the planning of its work and for the management of its resources. It is essential that students have strong representation on Council to help ensure our vision is well represented in the future of the University.
MY EXPERIENCE
Ø Ø Ø Ø
Current Board Member, University of Cambridge Faculty of Law Current Part-Time Executive, CUSU Union Development Team Director of Policy, The Wilberforce Society Associate Vice President Academic and University Affairs, UBC Students’ Union
COUNCILLOR GOALS
Ø Influencing the agenda: Making student wellbeing a key priority and assisting the student community with getting their issues heard at Council. Ø Accountability: Ensuring transparency and advocating for real and effective consultation practices. Ø Representation: Informing the discussion from a student’s perspective through regular correspondence with JCRs and MCRs. Ø Values-based decisions: Scrutinizing university business over ethical standards. Ø Relationship building: Keeping students-at-large informed about and engaged with the actions of Council. Improving the knowledge and relationship between Council and students.
CONNECT
Ø www.umang4uc.com Ø Facebook: Umang for University Council Ø Twitter & Instagram: @u_khandelwal, #umang4uc
VOTE 00:00 MARCH 1- 19:00 MARCH 3, 2016 http://www.vote.cusu.cam.ac.uk
that I will represent students’ concerns accurately, independent of student politics or controversy.
that I am best equipped to deliver this, with the strong background in governance I possess. I have spent a year as a CUSU Trustee, during which time I have worked to ensure CUSU lives within its means while doing the best possible for students. I have a strong track record and experience of university-wide issues such as Access, demonstrating my commitment to the future of the University’s students.
Peter Juhasz for University Council
The University Council is the principal executive and policy-making body of the University. It has overall responsibility for the administration of the University, for defining its mission, for planning its work and for the management of its resources.
I am a second year Physics undergraduate student and running for the independent position on the Council besides the CUSU and GU presidents, who are automatically members.
Experience I have:
Trinity JCR International Committee member responsible for organising the College International Freshers Week and providing general welfare.
Already sitting on the Cambridge University Societies Syndicate, a committee assessing fund requests from all Societies – so if your society got some money from the University, I probably had a say in it!
Junior Treasurer of the Hungarian Society, innovatively implementing a quarterly transparency disclosure of the finances of the Society.
Policies I would act upon:
As independent from CUSU and GU, I can always be outspoken when
needed in the interests of students. Promote the understanding that the Colleges and the University are not against each other, but have the same goals. Involve JCRs and MCRs in matters relating to students and convey information regularly to them about the topics concerning them.
Olly Hudson for Cambridge NUS Delegate Hi there! I’m Olly, a second year HSPS student at Sidney Sussex and I’m standing to be your Cambridge delegate at this year’s NUS National Conference. I’m JCR President at Sidney where it’s my job to represent the interests of students on a daily basis. I want to provide an effective and accountable voice for all Cambridge students at the NUS. I will be keen for you to contact me before conference so I can ensure that the issues that matter to you get a fair hearing. Here’s what matters to me:
*Supporting the fight for a full time Trans officer on NUS* There is simply no case against Trans students receiving fair representation. Trans students should be able to define their own liberation and NUS delegates have no place obstructing this debate. I pledge to support any motion that makes it to conference calling for a full time officer. *Preventing Prevent* The Government’s Prevent strategy is a racialized policy that treats students as suspects on campus. Non-compliance is one option, but the NUS also needs to think innovatively about ways to resist Prevent so the voices of those affected by the policy do not become more marginalised than they already are. *Fighting DSA and Maintenance Cuts* The scrapping of the Maintenance Grant and cuts to the Disabled Students’ Allowance will push thousands of students across the country into hardship. I want to see the NUS opposing the government’s policy but also holding universities to account to ensure that access bursaries and disability allowances continue to be made available. *Defending the Public University* The Green Paper for Higher Education poses yet another challenge to the principle of education as a public good. The NUS must be vocal in its opposition to this ideological policy that intends to undermine the power of student unions and remove accountability.
Vote Joe Toovey
Your Choice for NUS Delegate 2016 Representing You
Doing Politics Right
Focus on Mental Health
About Me
I’m running for NUS Delegate, so I can effectively represent your voice at the National Union of Students’ National Conference Experience ü NUS LGBT delegate, 2015
ü I’ve already got my head around the confusing NUS jargon – I can effectively represent you from day one
ü Chair of CUSU ü Chair of Trustees of Nightline – known as Linkline in Cambridge formerly: ü CUSU LGBT+ President ü St Edmund’s CR President ü St Edmund’s Bar Manager ü St Edmund’s LGBT Officer ü St Edmund’s May Ball VP 2013
Voting positions ü Full time trans officer for the NUS – YES ü Opposing FoI exemption for Universities – YES ü Fossil fuel divestment – YES ü NUS for the NHS - YES
For More Info and more detailed policy positions cggm2@cam.ac.uk connor4NUS.wordpress.com
Independence: Too often NUS is bogged down by factions.I will serve as an Independent Delegate Engagement: Organize oncampus consultations in the final week of term to present the various motions to be discussed at the conference. I want as much feedback as possible. How I Will Vote My vote must help improve educatoinal access My vote must improve the quality of life of students My vote must be made in consultation with Cambridge students
Communication Keep a blog during conference so that students know what I am voting on and where I will be Publish an online survey with the NUS Conference motions so that students can share their opinions with me. Consult with key stakeholders – I will offer to hold special meetings with autonomous campaigns so that their input on motions that affect then can be heard.
A Proven Record HSPS Representative: Created Faculty Term Card Better coordinated Supervisions Faculty Wide Suvery to be delivered over Easter Part-Time Education Campaigns Officer: Working to extend surveys University Wide Working on holding Colleges accountable for Welfare provision Liberal Party Campaigner: Youth organizer campaigning for Rights of Minorities Economic Investment Environmental Protection Won the Canadian Election
WHAT IS RE-OPEN NOMINATIONS (RON)? 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. If nominations are re-opened for one of the sabbatical positions, NUS Delegate or a University Council position, then a new cross-campus election for those positions will be held in Easter Term. If nominations are re-opened for one of the CUSU Ethical Affairs position, then representatives from the colleges and faculties will vote for those positions at CUSU Council. 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 remaining candidates should be elected. Voting RON in STV/AV elections The CUSU-GU Cross Campus 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 Re-Open 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!
CHECK OUT THE CANDIDATE’S FACEBOOK EVENT PAGES CUSU PRESIDENT
WOMEN'S OFFICER
Cornelius Roemer - https://www.face-
Audrey Sebatindira - https://www.face-
book.com/events/472366189635369/
book.com/events/1714673288777618/
Angus Satow - https://www.facebook.
Connie Muttock - https://www.face-
com/events/1048214168576682/
book.com/events/732776730156718/
Robert Corbyn-Smith -
NUS DELEGATE
https://www.facebook.com/ events/1021430094562195/
John Robert Sime - https://www.facebook.com/events/1859693250924332/
Amatey Doku - https://www.facebook. com/events/1690754424540157/
GU PRESIDENT Chad Allen - https://www.facebook.
Olly Hudson - https://www.facebook. com/events/1140110985999026/
Joe Toovey - https://www.facebook. com/events/221955868152278/
Brendan Mahon - https://www.facebook. com/events/545379652309853/
Connor MacDonald - https://www.facebook.com/events/658801520925523/
com/events/214308925588837/
EDUCATION OFFICER Roberta Huldisch - https://www.face-
UNIVERSITY COUNCILLOR
book.com/events/1772816336279861/
Josh Jackson - https://www.facebook.
ACCESS & FUNDING
Umang Khandelwal - https://www.face-
com/events/181639565542797/
book.com/events/1140110985999026/
Eireann Attridge - https://www.facebook.com/events/446272912248731/
Jon Wall - https://www.facebook.com/ events/1724591781120017/
WELFARE & RIGHTS Sophie Buck - https://www.facebook. com/events/1695631877321655/
Poppy Ellis Logan - https://www.facebook.com/events/549100795257171/
Peter Juhasz - https://www.facebook. com/events/1701846446767085/
IT’S TIME TO
VOTE 01/03 - 03/03
elections@cusu.cam.ac.uk bit.ly/cusu-gu-vote