7 minute read
President
2020 UMSU ELECTION GUIDE | OFFICE BEARER POSITIONS
PRESIDENT
STATEMENTS
FIND YOUR FACTS
What is the role of the UMSU President?
What power does the President have?
Who does the President answer to?
Ezra Bangun | VVholesome Hi there, Ezra here, again! With VVholesome! But instead of Pikachu, we have Pingu now! So, what exactly is our ticket? It’s quite a meme ticket but also with a slight seriousness here and there. We want to ensure that UMSU Election is fun and democratic. With UMSU election still usually getting less that 10% turnout rate, it’s very important to raise awareness that you can and you should vote! Now! I want normal students to be more involved in UMSU because they comprise more than 90% of the student population. No one really knows, even hacks, what UMSU is or what it should be. This is not the most serious ticket, but if you vote for it, it shows you want to redefine UMSU. You want UMSU to becomes better and represent the whole student population. So, if you are reading this guide, you will be able to read all my statements! Please enjoy my procrastination work and have a laugh. If you are unsure who to vote for, make sure to read everyone’s statements and ask them about their policies so you’ll be informed! You should also vote for us because I do believe that we, including me, are viable candidates, even with our fun statements. Not all of us hope to be elected, but we all care about students! Enjoy election week everyone! I’ll be here hanging out with Pingu! Always be VVholesome, and don’t forget to vote [1] (and [2], and [3], and etc.) for the ticket you prefer (it can be us, or anyone else)! Jeremy Mann | Amplify I’m standing as your UMSU Presidential Candidate with Amplify on a centre-right wing platform of representation, accountability and sensible governance. I believe in a Student Union that truly delivers for the needs of all students; ensuring that student union funds are used in an appropriate matter to serve your best interests. During the difficult times we are all facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, students have not been able to fully utilise the services that they are paying for and entitled to utilise. With Amplify, I will advocate on your behalf to abolish the unfair and undemocratic Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) once and for all; whilst students find themselves isolated at home and unable to participate in any on-campus activities. I believe in actively standing up for students by pushing for the University to ensure that all lectures are recently recorded, and course resources are updated to meet the demands of an online learning environment. As your UMSU President, I will deliver on providing greater accessibility to student services, including timetabling, career advice and dynamic study spaces. Our Student Union should look at what truly affects students and Amplify will ensure that your voice is heard.
Allan Tran
No statement recieved
Archit Agrawal | Community for UMSU UMSU is meant to represent all students at the University of Melbourne. However, it has not done enough to represent marginalised communities. It’s now time for a change. I am an international student, who came to Melbourne in 2018. I volunteered for UMSU INTL for almost 2 years before being elected as President. During my time, I have campaigned for the launch of the Emergency Support Fund, I fought for a 24x7 Mental Health Toll-free Support Line and I established close ties with Council of International Students Australia to bring more opportunities for our students. My passion for activism and change has led me to be able to do these things. Despite these successes, there have been many times where I’ve felt frustrated and hurt by UMSU’s complex bureaucratic systems that exclude those who don’t fit the mould. UMSU has so much potential but has crucially fallen short of being the kind of representation students need. UMSU can do better, and I know I will get us there if elected. This year has been challenging. It has been exhausting. But that’s why we need a leader who will care about students and act in their favor. I vow to bring the passion and activism from UMSU INTL to UMSU. UMSU should be a place where everyone is welcome, where students regardless of their background can grow and learn from each other. Differences should be celebrated, inclusion should be a priority and above all, we should strive for a representative body that actually reflects its students. If you’re after an UMSU that better represents you and reflects the realities of UniMelb today, take this chance to vote [1] for Community, your community! For more details on Community, my achievements this year, and my policies for 2021, visit communityforumsu.com
Henry Jackson
No statement recieved Jack Buksh | Stand Up! Hi! I’m Jack (he/him) and it would be an honour to be your 2021 UMSU President. The last year serving as General Secretary has only cemented my passion for this union and the amazing work that it does. 2020 has not been an easy year for students and now, more than ever, we need a progressive student union that can fight for their rights and make real change. As General Secretary this year, I have been able to lead UMSU’s response to COVID-19. We were able to take student voices straight to the university executive – that was how we won the WAM amnesty, changes to special consideration, COVID-19 financial support and so much more. This robust experience that myself and the rest of the Stand Up! team has means that we know how to get results for students when it counts. But the fight isn’t over yet. I’ve seen firsthand the absolute inability for the university to adequately respond to student demands and student needs. Universities are student funded and they should be student owned – this means putting student voices at the forefront of University decision making processes. Student voices are powerful – we proved that this year – when we come together and stand up for our rights, we can make a difference. I will fight for reform to university council; more student representation on Academic Board, including a representative for UMSU International; fairer, more accessible special consideration; more support for students in the fallout of Covid-19, and more. We can – and must – fight back. Against government funding cuts to our education, on safety on campus, cuts to university support services and an inaccessible campus. Together, we can make this happen. Vote [1] Stand Up! and keep up the fight.
Dan Crowley
No statement recieved
Benjamin Cronshaw | Independents
for Student Democracy I am a 4th year Arts student completing a thesis on Roman slavery and early humanitarian thought, including early Stoic and Christian writings on slavery. It is quite fascinating, and connects to my passion for contemporary social justice and the modern fight against slavery. I have had a great experience in my time at university, and I want to help make a positive time for everyone else as well. I have been deeply involved with the Unimelb community and clubs and societies. This has included serving as: • President (Classics and Archaeology
Students Society • Vice President (Chocolate Lover’s Society + Biological Society) • Education Officer (History Society)
General Committee (Film Society and many others) For the past year, I have also served as an elected representative on the UMSU Activities Committee, helping with events such as trivia. I believe university is a great place for learning and the exchange and contest of ideas. We should be respectful of each other, but also opened to being challenged and hearing new perspectives (even where we disagree). The Student Union has an important role in upholding the varied interests of students and facilitating a positive and caring student community. Why I am running for President? The simple answer is because I can, which is to say, I think we should always appreciate and take the opportunities we have in a democracy. I encourage people to be involved in democracy wherever they can, whether to vote, supporting a ticket/ party or standing for office themselves. If you are reading this and voting, perhaps you might want to run for President next year too. Independents for Student Democracy is a group of students passionate about democracy and promoting student wellbeing and community/clubs experience on campus.
