welcome to your guide to the candidates running in the su elections 2017! It’s once again time to choose your future student leaders and representatives! We are asking you to not only vote for the six full time Executive Officers but also for your part time Student Representatives in the form of Forum Chairs and the Accountability Board. In addition, we will be asking you to cast your vote, as a member of UPSU, in a full-member referendum as to whether or not UPSU should incorporate and approve the new ‘Memorandum and Articles of Association of the University of Plymouth Students’ Union’ (our proposed new governing document). You can find out more about the CLG Referendum on the back page of this guide and at upsu.com.
Voting takes just a few seconds - not bad for a decision that will probably have a substantial impact on your experience whilst studying at Plymouth University.
The elections are for everyone. Whether you are based on Plymouth campus or in a Partner Institution, an International student or living locally, a mature student re-entering education or an 18 year old straight out of college, the Executive Officers are here to represent you. It doesn’t matter if you have never stepped foot in your Students’ Union building because the Executive Officers spend a lot of their time representing students’ interests in the University, local community and even nationally. Even if you don’t think that UPSU has anything to offer you, the chances are that you have benefited in some way by decisions that have been influenced by the Executive Officers. There are over twenty students standing in the SU Elections. They are all giving up their time for one week to try and persuade you that they are the best person for the job of representing Plymouth students and ultimately making your student experience the best it can be. If you see them around campus then be sure to challenge them on what they can do for you and choose your preferred candidates carefully.
Go to www.upsu.com/elections to view the candidates, their full manifestos and to vote for your future student leaders. voting is open from friday 24th february (midday) to friday 3rd march (midday) Read about each of the candidates for all of the positions and have a think about who will represent you the best, who wants to address issues that are important to you and who you think would make the best Executive Officer or Student Representative for the next year.
Your Executive Officer Candidates President Candidates • Lowri Jones • Will Styles
VP Education Candidates • Dan van Cleak • Maja Smith
VP Sport Candidates • • • • • •
Ajay Patel Alexander Bingle Andile Chiwuta George Renwick James McLean Philippa Williams
VP International & Outreach Candidates • Alex Gosling • Hadiza Adah • Hanaa Alrammah
VP Activities Candidates • Alex Doyle • Karlie Evans
VP Welfare Candidates • • • • • •
James Warren Jenita Loheswaran Lauren Duffy Maude Lowry Rose Fanning Vicky Jackson
Your Part Time Candidates Forum Chairs • • • • •
Jack Witek Laura Prigge Esha Bhandari Kevin French Abby Williams
Accountability Board members • James Lord
The SU Elections are one of the biggest and most influential ways that you can have your say on how your SU is run! Everything that we do is led and guided by your views, input and feedback, whether that’s through the student led Forums, Course and School Reps, by submitting motions (ideas), attending our AGM or voting in our Part or Full Time elections. The candidate manifestos can make a huge difference to the way that your SU is run and they will influence the direction of the Union and the University through their campaigns and projects. It’s really important that you take the time to read the candidates pledges and vote for the people that you believe will truly represent your views and your needs as a Plymouth University student.
So have a chat with the candidates, read their manifesto and go to upsu.com and vote!
Steph Wearne
VP Education, 2015/16 and 2016/17
President The role of the President involves: • Leading the Executive Officer Team • Internal and external communications • Representing Plymouth students in the local community, nationally and across the University and developing community relations • Working as a trustee of UPSU
Lowri Jones
Plymouth Law School
My Three Key Points: 1. President’s Picnic: Have Your Say sessions for all students to ‘feed’ into my work. Only 1 part of my plan to strengthen democracy at UPSU. 2. Graduate on the Hoe: Redo the Students as Partners policy to ensure student voice on big decisions, such as changes to graduation. 3. Help not Hate: A safety, wellbeing and health campaign on drugs. There needs to be confidential advice on campus and drug testing kits.
Will Styles School of Art, Design and Architecture
My Three Key Points: 1. Make information more available We need condensed vital information that we will actually read, not 100 emails we don’t care about 2. Tea/Social Spaces We run on caffeine! We need some seating areas in the university with kettles and we can then have space to chill and chat 3. Write a motion week To celebrate our democratic process this I will hold a ‘Write a Motion Week’. We exist for your needs after all!
read the full manifestos at upsu.com
vp education The role of the vp education involves: • Representing Plymouth students, both Postgraduate and Undergraduate • Working to improve student experience in all areas related to education (feedback, course costs, placements etc.). • Leading on the development and support of the academic representation system • Working as a trustee of UPSU
Dan Van Cleak
Plymouth Business School
My Three Key Points: 1. I will lobby the university to reduce printing costs. Tuition fees for undergraduates rise to £9250 later this year; we pay enough as it is! 2. More “Stress Less” events like the Puppy and Cupcake parties, helping you to chill out and enjoy yourself – particularly around exam time! 3. I will improve employability throughout the university with approachable workshops focusing on CV writing, interviews, and related skills.
Maja Smith Plymouth Institute of Education
My Three Key Points: 1. To lobby for free printing for third years’ dissertation and postgraduates and push for all course to have online module hand ins. 2. Promote & celebrate academic excellence by: Creating a grad calculator, Graduations on the hoe, Greater module guidance pre module selection 3. To lobby for more fun, relaxed study spaces across campus as well as extending the puppies and cupcakes party across the SU.
read the full manifestos at upsu.com
vp sport The role of the vp sport involves: • Representing Plymouth students • Supporting the short and long term development of UPSU sports clubs • Developing sporting partnerships strategies and opportunities in the University and local community • Working as a trustee of UPSU
Ajay Patel School of Engineering
My Three Key Points: 1. Our sports community – Get more clubs playing competitively. Introduce a team/player of the week & broadcast game results throughout the SU. 2. Easy access – Improve the accessibility of transport to our clubs. Simplify the system for ordering team kits. More accessible facilities. 3. Participation in Sport – Make taking part in sport more inclusive and equal for all students. Further improve sport taster sessions.
Alexander Bingle
School of Biological and Marine Sciences
My Three Key Points: 1. Increase Inclusivity 2. More Funding 3. Improved Facilities.
Andile Chiwuta School of Engineering
My Three Key Points: 1. Inclusivity within BUCS & Local League for all people of all swings of life 2. Health & fitness and more Give it a Go sessions for casual players 3. Improved relations with local business and sports venues
George Renwick School of Engineering
My Three Key Points: 1. Enhance Training – By developing better relationships with local clubs and facilities, also improving transport links to training sessions. 2. Expanding External Funding – by helping clubs better advertise sponsorship opportunities and highlight grants which can be accessed. 3. Raise Participation Numbers – by increasing, and better advertising chances to take part in intramural tournaments and leagues.
James McLean Plymouth Institute of Education
My Three Key Points: 1. Equality for all. I will make sure everyone has the opportunity to take part in sports. 2. Enhance communication between clubs. 3. Team spirit.
Philippa williams School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
My Three Key Points: 1. Facilities -To advance our sport, we need facilities to rival other universities. I’ll fight for suitable, local facilities for every club 2. Funding - I’ll lobby PU to allocate a funding pot, allowing clubs to apply to better their student experience e.g. attend competitions 3. Publicity - I will create a platform to showcase the successes and commitment of our students, driving engagement and pride for UPSU sport.
read the full manifestos at upsu.com
vp international & outreach The role of the vp international & outreach involves: • Representing International students on the Plymouth campus and those who are studying at one of our Partner Institutions • Developing and supporting the Plymouth Partner Institution network, ensuring that they receive sufficient support, representation and access to facilities that other University of Plymouth students have • Working as a trustee of UPSU
Alex Gosling School of Law, Criminology and Government
My Three Key Points: 1. Better representation for all partner college students. 2. More cultural celebrations hosted by UPSU. 3. Actively lobbying for a good deal and support for our international students with the run up to Brexit.
Hadiza Adah School of Law, Criminology and Government
My Three Key Points: 1. Accommodation: I would work towards providing a scheme that represents international students and helps them in knowing their rights. 2. Safe environment: I’d work towards providing a system that protects and defends international students and immigrants. 3. I’d create avenues to develop employability & transferable skills by creating specific forums to cater for international & exchange students
Hanaa Alrammah School of Biological and Marine Sciences
My Three Key Points: 1. Representing you & improving your experiences as international, Postgrad, Mature Students, & those that are studying at Partner Institutions 2. More social events for both international & resident students. Food & cake with non-alcoholic events. Organise Trips to explore the UK 3. More English language café & free courses to improve your English language skills in everyday & academic aspects. Ideas & feedback sessions
read the full manifestos at upsu.com
vp activities The role of the vp activities involves: • Representing Plymouth students • Develop and support Societies, Volunteering, Fundraising and Student Media • Supporting staff at UPSU and the University in key activities including training, Sports and Societies Fairs & Award ceremonies • Working as a trustee of UPSU
alex doyle Plymouth Business School
My Three Key Points: 1. Enhance the promotion of societies, recruitment drives and influence societies to get more involved in the “Give it a go” scheme 2. Front line SU:Media and use them as a resource to showcase what our sports clubs, societies and volunteering department have to offer. 3. Support clubs in the process of external funding, holding advice sessions and ensure they are not taken advantage of.
karlie evans School of Humanities and Performing Arts
My Three Key Points: 1. Societies: I will implement optional sub-forums for societies, where more specific issues raised by you are addressed 2. Volunteering & Fundraising: I want to raise awareness surrounding volunteer opportunities so that participation increases 3. Media: I will introduce easy access portfolio’s on the SU website for anyone who photos/films/reports on events to further your media career
read the full manifestos at upsu.com
vp welfare The role of the vp welfare involves: • Representing Plymouth students (and students in the community) • Improving student experience in all areas relating to welfare (health & wellbeing; equality & diversity; support services; housing, safety; student finance) • Supporting Mature students • Working as a trustee of UPSU
james warren School of Law, Criminology and Government
My Three Key Points: 1. No means rape - UP currently lacks an anti rape campaign and any policies surrounding rape. If elected I’d bring both into play at UP 2. UP has started with its mental health awareness, I’m hoping to bring in a more detailed campaign which also looks at male mental health 3. Our current VP Welfare has done amazing work this year in regards to sexual health,I wish to continue this by improving how accessible testing is
jenita loheswaran School of Biomedical & Healthcare Sciences
My Three Key Points: 1. Mental health & wellbeing – promoting & enhancing student services that both the uni & UPSU offer; pushing for more advice & help online. 2. Promoting student safety – helping ensure students feel safe on & off campus. I want to introduce club hosts at all UPSU student nights. 3. Feel good Fridays – events focussing on helping students combat daily student stresses, including inflatables and ice-cream for all!
lauren duffy School of Law, Criminology and Government
My Three Key Points: 1. Health: I will campaign for quicker access to counselling services and introduce more ‘Stress Less’ events. 2. Happiness: I want to work for better accountability for dodgy landlords and have a database of recommended housing. 3. Fortunes: Ensure students can receive money tips & financial advice with ease.
maude lowry School of Humanities and Performing Arts
My Three Key Points: 1. Improved awareness of student services and opportunities. 2. More inclusive event planning. 3. Affordable, accessible food on campus.
rose fanning Plymouth Institute of Education
My Three Key Points: 1. Equal Platforms: Provide equal platforms for each individual to have the opportunity to move our university forward by increasing safe spaces 2. Consistent Awareness: Pastoral care made mandatory across faculties, forums, clubs & societies providing students with current information 3. Reduced Strain on Services: Promote the use of outside services and support within UPSU to combat the strain on campus services.
vicky Jackson School of Art and Media
My Three Key Points: 1. Increasing support for mental, sexual, and physical health issues with campaigns, workshops and events, to combat stigma and prejudice. 2. Promoting our diverse community, with interaction in a student-led Welfare Conference, to target discrimination and intolerance. 3. Improving economic support with a student guide on job searching in Plymouth, money saving and budget planning, tailored directly to you.
read the full manifestos at upsu.com
forum chairs The purpose of the Forums is to enable UPSU to support and embrace the diverse nature of the student body. The role of a Forum Chair is to lead their Student Forum and to attend the Union Executive Committee, giving them the influence to really evoke change.
environment and sustainability forum This forum is a chance for students to share their ideas for ultimate change within the UPSU and the University. It meets monthly to discuss and plan local and national campaigns around environment and sustainability issues affecting Plymouth University students.
Jack witek
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Running for: environment & sustainability forum chair
Global students Forum This forum is a chance for any student interested in being a part of the global community to meet and discuss and plan campaigns around topics such as international events, student integration and other global issues.
laura prigge
School of Biological and Marine Sciences
Running for: global students forum chair
mature students Forum This forum is a chance for any student interested in mature student issues to meet and to discuss and plan national and local campaigns around topics that affect mature students.
esha bhandari
Plymouth Institute of Education
Running for: mature students forum chair
Disabled students forum chair This forum is open to any student that identifies as a disabled student and the chair of this forum can only be elected by students that also identify as disabled. It meets monthly to discuss and plan local and national campaigns around topics that affect disabled students.
kevin french
School of Humanities and Performing Arts
Running for: disabled students forum chair
volunteering forum chair The Volunteering forum is open to anyone interested in volunteering and fundraising at Plymouth University. It is a space for Plymouth University students to get together and discuss and plan volunteering/fundraising opportunities and events.
abby williams
Plymouth Institute of Education
Running for: volunteering forum chair
read the full manifestos at upsu.com
accountability board The Accountability Board is made up of elected Students. It is their role to scrutinise the elected officers and student Forums to ensure they are being as fair and representative as they could possibly be, and to hold them to acccount. The responsibilities of the Accountability Board fall into 4 main areas: • Holding meetings with the Executive Officers to hold them to account. • Observing and scrutinising Student Forums to make sure they stay democratic and that members of the Forum are being listened to and treated fairly. • Observing the Union Executive Committee, and making sure the decisions made are fair and representative. • Assessing policies submitted by students during Policy Referendums, and making sure they are legal, safe and financially viable before they go out to an all student vote.
accountability board member james lord
School of Marine Science and Engineering
Running for: accountability board member
The Accountability Board consists of nine elected members and a Chair, in addition to the elected candidates from the SU Elections 2017 a by-election will be held in Autumn 2017/18.
Union Executive Committee Chair The Union Executive Committee (UEC) is made up of the 15 elected Forum Chairs, 6 elected Executive Officers, and is also attended by the Chief Executive and staff support members. The UEC is in place to make important decisions that affect the student body and ensure that the wide diversity of the student body is fairly represented in these decisions. In the 2017/18 Academic Year nominations will open for the next UEC Chair. The chair of UEC is responsible for chairing the monthly UEC meetings, and progressing and chasing any actions arising from the meetings. They should run the meetings in the most fair and democratic way possible and should become knowledgeable of the UPSU Constitution and Bye-laws so the meetings can be run in accordance with these.
Interested and want to find out more?
Contact the Student Voice team on studentvoice@su.plymouth.ac.uk
read the full manifestos at upsu.com
forum by-election
Interested in running for a Forum Chair position? There are some positions still unfilled...
These part time roles offer you the opportunity to campaign on issues that you are passionate about and kick start your career with experience, skills development and training. Nominations for the following positions will open in Autumn 2017:
• Academic Forum Chair • Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Forum Chair* • Faith and Belief Forum Chair • LGBT+ Forum Chair* • Partner Institution Forum Chair • Postgraduate Forum Chair • Sports Forum Chair • Societies Forum Chair • Welfare Forum Chair • Women’s Forum Chair*
find out more at upsu.com/studentvoice/forums
how does it work? the voting system • The Alternative Vote (AV), also known as Transferable Vote, is a preferential system where the voter has the chance to rank the candidates in order of preference. • The voter puts a ‘1’ by their first choice a ‘2’ by their second choice, and so on, until they no longer wish to express any further preferences or run out of candidates. • Candidates are elected outright if they gain more than half of the first preference votes. If not, the candidate who lost (the one with least first preferences) is eliminated and their votes are redistributed according to the second (or next available) preference marked on the ballot paper. This process continues until one candidate has half of the votes and is elected. • Voters are also able to vote for Re-open Nominations (RON), you can vote for RON at any stage of the voting.
re-open nominations (ron)
no further preferences (n.f.p.)
RON stands for Re-Open Nominations. UPSU believes that you, the voter, should always have the choice to make a positive vote, even if you don’t agree with the policies of any of the candidates standing. This means that even those candidates who appear to be standing alone for a post still need to convince you that they are the best person for the job.
Placing a “1” next to No Further Preferences is vote of abstention, see below. If you do not intend to abstain you should place a “1” next to your preferred option. Your preferred option will be either your preferred candidate or if you believe no candidate is suitable for the position Re-Open Nominations (R.O.N).
UPSU would urge you to consider this carefully. Don’t be prepared to vote for someone to represent you if you genuinely don’t think they are the best person for the job. Equally, don’t think that not voting will help either. The winners of these elections are the voice of the students on how this university develops and delivers its service to you. If you really don’t care whether your university is any good or not and decide not to vote, then the university will take that as a very positive message that they don’t need to listen to students. You will then find it much harder to be heard if you have a problem. Stand up and be counted and make a positive vote. Vote for every post and, if you don’t agree that the candidate is good enough to represent you, then vote for RON. But most importantly of all, VOTE! Your future depends on it.
You should continue numbering your options consecutively in strict order of preference until you are indifferent between the remaining unnumbered options. At this stage you should assign the next number in sequence to No Further Preferences. The Voting system will not accept Ballot Forms where an option is numbered subsequently to No Further Preferences. Please note that under no circumstances can a later preference count against an earlier preference. • Selecting No further Preferences (N.F.P) is an expression of indifference towards all remaining options. • Selecting Re-Open Nominations (R.O.N) is an active vote against all remaining candidates.
How do i vote? 1. log in to upsu.com
2. read through the manifestos
3. number the candidates in order of preference
having trouble logging in? get in touch with us at login@upsu.com
Plymouth Institute of Education School of Art, Design & Architecture School of Humanities & Performing Arts School of Law, Criminology & Government School of Tourism & Hospitality Plymouth Business School Graduate School of Management school of Health Professions School of Nursing & Midwifery School of Psychology
School of Engineering School of Marine & Biological Sciences School of Computing, Electronics & Mathematics School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences School of Medicine School of Dentistry School of Biomedical & Healthcare Sciences
nominations: 13th - 17th march (midday - midday) voting: 20th - 24th march (midday - midday) find out more at upsu.com
q&A with davide & steph We caught up with two of your current Executive Officers and asked them about their time in office. Both Steph and Davide have been in post for two consecutive years as Vice President Education and Vice President International and Outreach respectively. We asked them about their time in their roles, what they’re most proud of and why it’s crucial that you use your vote in the SU Elections 2017. Which achievements are you most proud of in your roles over the past two years?
davide I’d say securing prayer spaces
on campus. It’s something that was never looked at before and it was something that the students were asking for. Even though it’s not completely resolved we now know that the University managemernt know that it’s an issue that needs to be addressed. Ultimately, we’ve found a temporary solution to the problem and it doesn’t feel like it’s much but I know that there are students who are benefitting from it, they’ve got a better deal and it’s having a positive impact on their personal welfare. So I’m proud of that.
Steph I suppose one of my favourite events that I’ve organised with the students is the Puppy and Cupcake Party. It’s a stress relieving event that students can come to, take a break from their studies, eat some cupcakes and play with some dogs. It’s proven that dogs make people happy... and so does cake... so I thought that putting the two together would make something really cool for students. I worked with the Guide Dogs Trust, which is a charity, and the Baking Society. Together we made over £500 for the charity, raised awareness of the Baking Society and provided students with a stress relieving break (and dogs and cake).
How would you describe your role as an Executive Officer to someone who perhaps wasn’t sure what it was?
Steph I look after students on educational matters. If students have any problems on their course I can try to fix it or put them in contact with the relevant people who can make those changes. I work with Course Reps, School Reps and Postgraduate students and work to make their experiences better.
davide I generally describe my job as
representing International students and Partner students. My role crosses over with the Education side in supporting Partner students with issues around their academic studies. It also crosses over with Welfare but more specifically focussed around International students. So there’s a lot of overlap between the positions. So you say that you represent students how do you do this in your day to day job?
davide We sit at the Senate, for example,
which is the highest decision making body within the University on all things academic.
Steph We’re on Board of Governors, we’re
on the Trustee Board, we sit on pretty much every committee you could even think of. We also go out and talk to students and talk to them on social media. We utilise Course Reps. We send a LOT of emails both to and on behalf of students.
Davide We also organise drop in sessions for students if they want to give us some feedback or if they want to talk about any issues they’re having.
Have either of you heard any common misconceptions about the Executive Officer roles over your two years in office?
Steph I absolutely hate it when people say “Oh it’s not a real job, next year when you leave you’ll be able to go out in to the real world” - it is a real job. It is a 9 - 5... often not just 9 - 5 - often loads of hours! You work really, really hard under lots of pressure trying to make things better and improve the University experience of over 25,000 students. It’s not a fake job or a gap year, it’s a lot of hard work and dedication. Davide I definitely second that.
Finally, what would you say to a student who doesn’t think that the SU Elections are relevant to them to persuade them to vote?
Steph If you’ve ever been in the SU you’ll see how much fun it is and all the really good things that happen for students. The only reason those things happen are because students have asked for it. So, volunteering opportunities, the course rep system and even the food that’s served by our catering team - it’s all student led. You need to decide the right person to represent your interests. It really does make a difference and you can make that difference by taking five minutes to vote. davide By voting you’re choosing the
best people to run your SU. It’s a way of channelling your voice through some your peers to make sure that the SU and the University keep their progressive and everchanging status. Don’t forget that you can like your Executive Officer team page on Facebook to find out more about campaigns they’re running and to give them feedback throughout the year:
/execofficers Also, follow their individual Executive Officer accounts on Twitter: President @UPSUpresident VP Education @UPSUeducation VP Welfare @UPSUwelfare VP International & Outreach @UPSUIntOut VP Sport @UPSUsport VP Activities @UPSU_activities
Show you’ve voted and use #runupsu on instagram and twitter for a chance to win some amazing stash.
Keep an eye on upsu.com throughout Voting Week for more information on the prizes on offer.
minute to win it Friday 24th february Each candidate will take to the stage for 60 seconds to try and persuade you that they are the best candidate for the job. Anyone stand out? We’ve included some check boxes in this guide next to each candidate, make your mark next to those who perform well or perhaps those who you want to find out more from - you can make a point of questioning them on their manifesto during Campaign Week.
campaign/voting week friday 24th February - friday 3rd March As soon as the Minute to Win It speeches draw to a close, Campaign Week will start with a bang! During this week candidates will be out in force physically campaigning for your votes. Make the most of this opportunity to question what the candidates plan to do for YOU because the successful candidates will represent you as Plymouth University students for a whole year! Voting opens as soon as Campaign Week begins and closes at midday on Friday 3rd March.
results night friday 3rd march After a long week of campaigning all of the candidates, their campaign teams and students will come together in the SU to find out who will be successfully elected in to the Student Rep positions and Executive Officer team for 2017 - 2018 as well as the announcement of the results from the CLG Referendum. Don’t miss out!
At its meeting on 21st October 2017, the UPSU Trustee Board considered detailed papers setting out the process and potential for UPSU to move from being an Unincorporated Association towards Incorporation (as a Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG)). The Board formally resolved that UPSU should do this. Our Constitution (governing document) sets out UPSU’s powers to ‘incorporate’. Incorporation is the legal process of declaring that an organisation exists in its own right, separate from its owners, who in our case are currently the Trustees. Over the past several years, many Students’ Unions have incorporated, and it is now the most common form for medium to large size Unions. We are therefore asking you, as a member of UPSU, to vote on the proposal to incorporate and to approve the new ‘Memorandum and Articles of Association of the University of Plymouth Students’ Union’ (our proposed new governing document). This will be done via a full-member referendum between 24th February and 3rd March, alongside the Officer Elections.