So, what are the Elections? Walking around campus you’ve probably noticed a lot of Elections posters, some polling stations or even student’s campaigning in home made T-shirts. What you are witnessing is the annual Students’ Union Elections!
These are the candidates for 2015! The UPSU Elections are held every year in March to democratically elect five Sabbatical Officers (Sabbs). The Sabbs lead the Union, and represent your views to the University. They ensure the Union and the University operate in the best interests of all students.
VP Education & Democracy, VP Sports and VP Welfare & Community.
This year, 19 amazing students have come forward for the student leadership roles. They have prepared manifestos explaining to you why they deserve your vote. Over the next 14 pages, Every spring, all students at the University of you can meet all the candidates and read their Portsmouth are invited to nominate themselves for manifestos! one of the five positions: President, VP Activities,
Question Time Question Time is your chance to meet the candidates and your opportunity to ask any questions you may have before deciding who to vote for! Question Time will take place in the Student Opportunities Centre (First Floor of the Students’ Union Building) every evening at 5pm between 23rd February till 27th February. Seating is limited so be advised to turn up early! Question Time will also be broadcast live via www.upsu.net/elections.
Monday 23rd February at 5pm - VP Activities Tuesday 24th February at 5pm - VP Education & Democracy Wednesday 25th February at 5pm - VP Sports Thursday 26th February at 5pm - VP Welfare & Community Friday 27th February at 5pm - President VOTE ONLINE AT UPSU.NET/ELECTIONS OR AT ANY POLLING STATION ON CAMPUS
VOTING WEEK MON 2ND MARCH - THUR 5TH MARCH
How & where can I vote? You can vote online at upsu.net/elections or visit one of the polling stations around campus between Monday 2nd March till Thursday 5th March. Monday 2nd March
Tuesday 3rd March
Wednesday 4th March
Thursday 5th March
Park
10am - 6pm 10am - 8pm 10am - 6pm 10am - 6pm 10am - 6pm
10am - 6pm 10am - 8pm 10am - 6pm 10am - 6pm 10am - 6pm
10am - 8pm 10am - 8pm 10am - 1pm 10am - 1pm 10am - 1pm
10am - 6:30pm 10am - 6:30pm 10am - 6:30pm 10am - 6:30pm 10am - 6:30pm
Eldon
10am - 6pm
10am - 6pm
10am - 1pm
10am - 6:30pm
Portland
10am - 6pm
10am - 6pm
10am - 1pm
10am - 6:30pm
Online
From 10am
24 Hours a Day
24 Hours a Day
Closes at 6:30pm
Location Students' Union Library Richmond Anglesea
Make sure you cast your vote and remember, we use Alternative Transferable Vote - every vote counts!
No Suitable Candidate When you come to cast your vote, you will see “No Suitable Candidate” (NSC) featured within the voting choices on the ballot paper. If you do not want to vote for any of the candidates in either of the five positions, you can choose to vote NSC. (If NSC wins the election, the nominations will re-open for that position and the elections process will start over.)
Results Night The results of the vote are announced on the evening of Friday 6th March. The Results Night will be held in the Union Building and broadcast live. This one night event will be brought to you by UPSUtv, the Galleon and Pure FM, along with guest presenters. It will be an exciting evening and everyone is welcome to attend! The Results Night will also be broadcast live at upsu.net/elections.
Notes *Candidates were asked to keep to a character limit within their manifestos. Where an asterix (*) is used within a candidate’s manifesto, implies the candidate went over this character limit and their manifesto has been cropped for fairness to all candidates.
VOTE ONLINE AT UPSU.NET/ELECTIONS OR AT ANY POLLING STATION ON CAMPUS
VOTING WEEK MON 2ND MARCH - THUR 5TH MARCH
Candidates for President
Nick Johnson Nick 'Jonno' Johnson
• No Bullet Points Submitted
If elected I will achieve:
Hi! My name is Nick Johnson and I am running to be your president of the year 2015/2016. I am currently your Vice President of Sport, having already been a sabbatical officer of one year I feel I have the knowledge and understanding to be an effective President. With the knowledge I already have I would be able to get into the role straight away.
Lobby the University to increase the Students’ Union block grant enabling us to increase students facing staff and more money to support our student groups
The main reason I am running for president is the love I have for the University and the Students’ Union. The SU has given me so many opportunities as a student and I want to give something back. I want all students that come to Portsmouth to have the same opportunities and experience I had.
Work with the VP Sports to oversee the transition and introduction of the new BUCS ratings project and introduce an Athletic Union 3 year strategy
Lobby the University to have the library open 24/7 all academic year round
Put extreme emphasis of being as student facing as possible! Having open drop in sessions with students to discuss and This year as VP Sport I have overseen the introduction of the new help where I can, on all issues facing the students social B accounts in Barclays, making it easier for our students to access their money. We have made massive strides to improve Lobby the University to increase the quality of Sporting the relationship with the Sports and Recreation department. facilities available to all Students After clubs being unhappy with the facilities allocation in the summer we have worked with Sport & Rec to change the So if you would like an open student facing president that process and be in charge of the bookings after receiving has your best interests at the heart of ever decision I make block times the facilities are open to the Au, which is a massive Vote NICK ‘JONNO‘ JOHNSON #1 for President! achievement and will make staff and clubs lives easier. Also we have got Varsity back at Portsmouth again this year and hopefully will be bigger than ever.
• Night Bus - campaign for the university bus service to be our union successfully. extended so students can get home safely after a night out. • Late Fee - to campaign for the university library change their Please vote Connor. policy on late fees. • Housing - draw closer links with the Uni housing department to Thanks aid students to find rental properties without paying admin fees. Hi, I’m Connor and I am running for the Student Union President. My targets, if elected, are to get the university bus running times extended so students can get home safely after a night out. Secondly the late return of library books. Put simply, no one likes paying fees for returning books a few day late. I will campaign to get the policy on the late returns of university library books changed.
Connor Mathews Connor
Finally, housing is something that affects us all throughout our time at university, I want to work with the university housing department so more students can avoid paying agency fees. I believe these goals are achievable, I didn’t want to make a large number of unrealistic promises. Currently I am a second year Media Studies student. Before attending university I worked as a Manager, in the role I lead and organised a team in achieving realistic goals. I believe the skills learnt while working as a Manager will enable me to lead
• Continue the work that has been done to better the relationships between students and their landlords. You need to know that your landlord c* • Lobby to improve assessment spread and formative feedback across the year. Students should know how they are performing across the entire ye* • Have a wider range of accepted absences as students are having to work to fund their time at university.
Pole Dancing Club. This has allowed me to meet a wide population of the student body and I want to be there to represent every single one of you. We want you to join our army and make the Union the place we want it to be. Vote Jo for President
Hiya! I’m Jo Miguens, a final year business studies student, and I #WeWantYou am running to be your next president.
Joanna Miguens Jo Miguens
Furthermore, I would like to increase the amount of social study spaces within the university. The refurbishment of the library has provided more areas to complete group work, but it is now busier than ever. I also want to work closely with VP’s to ensure engagement with activities and sports remains high, lets make our students as employable as possible. Why choose me? I can guarantee that I will bring a level of energy and enthusiasm unlike anyone else. I want every student to love their time at the university as much as I have. I am highly driven and want to ensure that the union remains fun and engages with students as much as possible. I am an active member of the union, working as a student staff member for two years as well as being a member of the
VOTE ONLINE AT UPSU.NET/ELECTIONS OR AT ANY POLLING STATION ON CAMPUS
VOTING WEEK MON 2ND MARCH - THUR 5TH MARCH
Candidates for President
Joydeep Mondal JOY
• Leadership: At present working as a researcher of Liberal Democrats (UK) and has vast experience in working with students and common people. • Energetic and dedicated officer: Will promote the values and ideas of all students in national and international forum. • Friendly and supportive: Will listen to all students, value their intellectual capacity, employability skills and rewarding their efforts.
Introduce close society forum which will help to set our beloved university apart from other universities. I will introduce voluntary mentoring scheme. The postgraduate students could give tasks to the first year undergraduate inspiring them. This means the Union will help to bridge the gap between undergraduate and postgraduate for better future of all students and to encourage further progression into the postgraduate education.
‘My Vision Moving University of Portsmouth forward’
It is important for students to feel welcome into the university society and the best way of achieving this is by ensuring that we create activities and coordinate field trips where the students can meet and get to know each other in an open environment. I am dedicated to build a foundation where the union will take care from education to sports to entertainment to welfare of all students.
About Joydeep Mondal (JOY): I am incredibly proud to be a student of University of Portsmouth. Participated in various political movements to make society more sustainable. At present I am studying LLM at University of Portsmouth and working as researcher of Liberal Democrats (UK) and representing the law school as a course representative. I have excelled in versatile areas from playing football in clubs to script writing. I will propose the university to create a forum for international commercial awareness by creating a workshop where If Elected as President I will: I will endeavour to improve the day it will conduct activities from parliamentary debates to to day services offered by the University. Union will focus on conferences to entrepreneur scheme which would set the provisions of services in the library and the University halls. university of Portsmouth peerless. Union will look to improve student engagement in the university societies and activities. These extra curricula engagements I will introduce (symbolic cup and certificate) for the will ensure that the students develop their own inter-personal individuals who have excelled in the community services. strengths. This will enhance their CV and practical knowledge and wisdom for future employment.
• International students Christmas Programme. I pledge my 2015 Christmas holidays to making the holidays special for those who can’t go home • Create refresher training and a handbook for personal tutors to ensure they feel confident and able to give academic and welfare support • I got you course rep hoodies; now let me get more benefits for you volunteers. With 120 days of UPSU and a monthly award scheme as a start
Kayleigh Teague Kayleigh 'Incredible' Teague
You elected me as your Vice President for Education & Democracy, what a year it’s been! I’ve brought you the ‘It’s OK to not be OK #UPSUok’ campaign, promoting mental health awareness and where you can get help, in and out of campus. Course Rep hoodies plus a load of extra help and training resources for Course Reps. I have progressed an excellent relationship with members of the University from Purple Door to the Pro Vice-Chancellor who I strive to work with as your President to give you an INCREDIBLE University and Union experience. I’ve also worked with our Advice Service to sort out problems affecting YOU.
an online forum/suggestion box on the website. This is to get public answers from your Sabbs and a way of you following the status of your query if appropriate. I want videos of students and sabbs, showing off how INCREDIBLE your time can be here (believe me, I’ve lived it). Work to raise awareness and campaign for more issues affecting students. Mental health has been a start, but I would work with Sabbs to have their own INCREDIBLE campaigns. Increase relationships between the University and Union and use them to make University of Portsmouth students more INCREDIBLE. I would use the relationships I’ve gained with Purple Door this year to create more opportunities for students and interaction with the Union. Purple door is an INCREDIBLE well-known resource! I’ll be strong enough to stand up for you, flexible enough to listen, act and positive enough to make your Students’ Union experience as fun and engaging as possible.
But enough about this year, why should you be electing Our time at University and the Students’ Union was KAYLEIGH ‘INCREDIBLE’ TEAGUE as your President? Including the INCREDIBLE, we want to make it INCREDIBLE for YOU! above, I want to: Increase transparency of your Sabbatical Officers by creating
NUS Affiliation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Should we affiliate with
YES or NO?
Reasons why we shouldn’t affiliate:
Reasons why we should affiliate:
The National Union of Students (NUS) is a • It costs the Union around £46,000 to affiliate voluntary membership organisation which each year which could be spent differently. makes a real difference to the lives of students • NUS issues are National and therefore can be and its member students’ unions. far removed from the interest of Portsmouth • NUS represents over 7 million students in 95% students. of students’ unions within the UK. • Some places still offer student discounts without the card. • NUS gives students a national voice, and helps influence the ‘big issues’ such as tuition fees and student housing. They also provide your Union with training and support, and negotiate national discounts for all members. •
• The Union also gains funding back from the NUS card sales to reinvest in Union Services.
VOTE ONLINE AT UPSU.NET/ELECTIONS OR AT ANY POLLING STATION ON CAMPUS
VOTING WEEK MON 2ND MARCH - THUR 5TH MARCH
Candidates for VP Activities future Societies, Media and RAG are being funded fairly. Reinvented Pugwash with a new committee and design. The first issue of Pugwash will be coming out for Varsity and I am really excited for it. UPSU TV proposal for a temporary studio in Mercantile building has been accepted. TEDx license has been approved and an event will be coming up in the year. Societies Exec this year have been really good. We have made massive pushes this year: to get more societies fundraising, making new societies trained and developing Hello my name is Emily Dell and I am your current VP Activities. faster and lastly, looking out for the welfare of societies. I have been working throughout this year with Societies, Media and RAG to help them develop and grow. I have also been My other objectives include: Creating a societies of the supporting them with any issues that have come up and month award where they will either get funds or equipment to develop the student group. Try and make a more problems that have been occurring. positive and approachable atmosphere in Media. Create Looking at my manifesto from last year: I have given free a training day for recruits, using the RAG committee and societies the same rewards and recognition programmes that external charities. This will include: how to raid, processes of paid societies have. I have also been helping and supporting buckets, how to run events, how to use social media to your Academic societies as much as possible. Lastly, I have been advantage and more. working tirelessly throughout this year to implement a Safety Bus, I’ll be strong enough to stand up for you. Flexible enough to this is still ongoing. listen and do what you want and positive enough to make My wins from this year: Created a new overarching Vote of your Students’ Union experience as fun and engaging as no confidence procedure for all student groups. Working with possible. RAG a lot this year to come back from a massive setback in the summer. Now they working with student groups and had their first Our time at University and the Students’ Union was year of skydives and walking the Great wall of China. Looking INCREDIBLE, we want to make it INCREDIBLE for YOU! at Fair funding across all student groups, this is so that in the • Introduce a Give it a go programme of student groups taster sessions, for September and January. • Introduce an Enterprise Zone so students can use the Students’ Union to advertise and sell products through. This will also include an Ent* • Committee Hub - Create a committee hub that will have the resources and step by step guides of all the processes that student groups need.
Emily Dell Emily 'Incredible' Dell
Benjamin Perry Benjamin
• Listen to students more and be directly approachable to allow the union to be reflective of the whole student community • Introduce more variation to union events and activities to engage with all student groups by holding weekly drop-ins and frequent communic* • Open up more channels, such as weekly meetings and personal communication, to work with and listen to all societies and clubs
well as giving me a full skill set to effectively fulfil the role of VP Activities. Since coming to university three years ago I have become very familiar with the Union, inspiring me to run in this election so that I can fight for all students and ensure that you all have the best university experience possible!
• Support students, with mental health or disabilities, who want to get involved but are anxious about doing so. • Make life easier: hold a process audit and create working guides for societies. Improve communication between activity groups, staff and sabb* • Ensure that funding is spread equally. That our amazing award winning media groups are able to thrive and are supported by The Union.
Supporting those who struggle with joining in with activities due to disabilities and mental health. I want to work closely with individuals and activity groups (RAG, Media and Societies) to make sure there are provisions in place to support students. Hold regular drop in sessions for those who want to get involved but for whatever reason are anxious about doing so. Working with both them and the group they want to join to support them to the best of my ability.
If elected I will: 1. Listen to all students, both through Societies and by establishing weekly drop-in sessions, to allow your views to Hi Everyone, I’m Benjamin Perry, a third year Politics student, and be heard when arranging student activities and events. I’m running for VP Activities alongside my very good friend Joe Davison, who’s running for Welfare and Community. We want to 2. Endeavour to stage as many activities and events make the University a more inclusive and homely environment from the Union as possible to ensure that all students are accommodated for and to guarantee that you love every of all, to create a perfect student community. moment of your university experience. Currently, I’m standing for the City Council next year. This has allowed me to get to know the Portsmouth community, 3. Develop the Union to be a safe and fun place for all as well as the student community, and I believe with my students by listening to your concerns and enhancing the knowledge of the city and the University, I can work with the Union facilities, to help support you in: student community to make this great university perfect for all a. Finding employment that suits you its students. Additionally, when at 6th form college, I was the b. Your educational needs Treasurer of the Central Committee. This past role has given me c. Enjoying your time in Portsmouth a lot of experience in organising activities for students, such as parties, a college magazine, charity events and finding work This is your university, your Union, and your experience! So opportunities for students (whilst also delivering a healthy profit vote for a better, brighter future for Portsmouth University to funnel in to future events). These roles have allowed me to Vote for Benjamin for Activities! engage and represent students on a number of occasions, as
I would push for a process audit at The Union. Making sure there are no unnecessary or overcomplicated steps which stop media groups, societies and RAG achieving what they want to do. Working with the operational side of the activities department in providing up to date information and ‘how to’ guides for societies. Push for more forms to be placed online, not only making life easier for students, but Another role I undertake is Societies Events and Fundraising also improving the environmental footprint at The Union. Executive. In this role I represent all societies on two executive #paperlesspompey committees: RAG and Societies Executive. The charity work that RAG do is simply amazing and is great fun for those involved. Ensure that funding, support and facilities are equally spread RAG is definitely an important part of The Union and I have around The Union. Making sure that societies get the same level of support and funding as sports clubs get! That our loved being involved within the last year. amazing award winning media groups, who benefit the I’m also a trained mediator and am currently about to start entire student body, remain supported by the students’ community mediation with Portsmouth Mediation Service. I union. Anyone can write for the galleon, anyone can appear believe this would be useful in the role at trying to solve disputes on PureFM and UPSU TV and in addition to that they provide exceptional coverage of union events. within committees. I’m currently the law society’s president. I thus have experience of running an activity group and I feel this has given me a really good skill set which would help me in the role of VP Activities. Studying law has taught me how a close eye for detail is important and I feel like this would be especially useful in this role.
David Ayton
I want to provide more opportunities to more students by:
VOTE ONLINE AT UPSU.NET/ELECTIONS OR AT ANY POLLING STATION ON CAMPUS
@IAMDAVIDAYTON
VOTING WEEK MON 2ND MARCH - THUR 5TH MARCH
Candidates for VP Activities • Better Communication – Ensure that students are aware of opportunities that UPSU offers, keep ALL members up to date on relevant changes. • Tracking Volunteering – Develop a system to track student volunteering hours, in order to accredit and reward them accordingly. • Prioritising Skills Development – Reinvigorating the training process to ensure students get the most out of their union experience.
Orion Brooks Orion 'Shoot for the Stars' Brooks
Hi, I’m Orion and I want to be your VP Activities. My experience in Activities has spanned my entire time at Portsmouth. In Media, I started as a Branded show presenter on Pure FM, went on to be Station Manager for Pure FM, directed some of the elections broadcasts last year with UPSU TV including ECAL and Results Night; and wrote for The Galleon. This year I am the Media Executive Chair, Head of Sales and Finance for Pure FM and have recently become Treasurer for Pugwash, to ensure they had a large enough committee to re-establish themselves.
My societies experience began in second year, with me adopting the English society with a friend, then being elected as Vice-Chair of Societies Executive and mentoring a number of societies, one of which won the Most Improved Society at the End of Year awards. I want to improve communication with students, so they are never in the dark about changes that are happening within the Union. This will take the form of Newsletters, Lecture Shout-outs, working with Lecturers to pass information and hitting Induction meetings. I will also re-evaluate the current communication structure from Sabb to Execs to Committees and through to members, to ensure that information reaches all affected students.
I want to work with the Volunteering Co-ordinator to create a system whereby we can track volunteering hours across Activities (but also in a wider context of Sport, Course Reps and VIP), allowing us to reward those who are giving up their time to improve the experiences of others, but also to monitor In RAG, I joined in first year and signed up to Climb Kilimanjaro, engagement. This would be useful if the University engages raising over £2700 and reaching the summit in the following more with the Higher Education Achievement Report. summer. In second year I was the Media Officer for RAG, helping to market RAG and launched the Facebook Like Page Finally I want to evaluate the training materials available, and helped it to reach over 500 likes. I have continued to work and then work with students to improve them and make with RAG, driving them for events and assisting new committee them more accessible. I then want to make them more members. widely available to the student body and to engage student’s skills development from volunteering in the context of employability by working alongside Purple Door.
VOTE ONLINE AT UPSU.NET/ELECTIONS OR AT ANY POLLING STATION ON CAMPUS
VOTING WEEK MON 2ND MARCH - THUR 5TH MARCH
Candidates for VP Education & Democracy • Sociable: In this area has vast experience in working with students and common people international and national. • Leadership: at my studies and more I have gain from my work past experiences international and national. • Compassionate: friendly and supportive person learnt from the working experience and from Buddhist society volunteer work back Sri Lank*
local seminars and conferences to create more awareness among students. Union will ask help from local bodies, MPs and university to participate in the regular activities. I will pay more attention in university journal, newspaper and other staff. I will look after the matter whether library is regularly updated according to the student needs. I will create forum for ethical and moral awareness for peace in the society. This campaign will cover moral values. These awareness ‘My Vision Moving University of Portsmouth forward’ camps are not fashionable cliché but integral part of our education. I will introduce new short and sandwich courses Aboout DON: I would like to run as the Vice-President for in sports to develop the physical and mental health. And Education and Democracy. I am a master’s student in MSC student needs more attention coaching counselling to Financial Decision Analysis. I have been studying at the develop their mental health. University of Portsmouth for the past 4 years. I have decided to run for this post because I feel that I could contribute significant experience and understanding of being a student to this role.
Don Kamal Malinga Amarasekara DON
If elected as vice president I will: I will be strive my level best to introduce dynamic educational Campaigning regarding collaboration courses in undergraduate level and post graduate level with professional bodies and others and at the same time introduce proper training scheme to the coursed representatives to bridge the gap between lecturer and other students. Introduce dynamic Assembly for looking after the memorandum of association for future amendments so that the university and students are well aware of their present rights and can facilitate. I will introduce new National and
• Improve your feedback - I want us all to be getting the quality feedback we deserve by reinforcing the 20 day feedback policy. This will ens* • Improve timetabling - I will work to stabilize timetables across all university courses in order to give you all equal opportunities to main* • Breathing Week - Through the introduction of Breathing Week I aim to develop the work done by the previous Education and Democracy Sabbatica*
Carla Watton
of the Union and feel that it is my responsibility to ensure that you have access to all information. An example of how I intend to uphold this by is by ensuring student access to minutes within seven days of meetings being held, promoting accountability and reliability at all times.
If elected I should like to continue to promote and increase the volume of the student voice to make sure that you are all heard. I want to increase visibility of course representatives and improve student engagement by rewarding and I’m Carla Watton and I would be proud to be your next Vice advertising student wins within our course rep community. Being a friendly and approachable member of your Union President for Education and Democracy! means that I want to hear what matters to you. I am a great believer in having a student led union and working with the university to ensure a fair and practical approach. My Fair, transparent, committed, Carla Watton for Education committed and productive nature means that I will get tasks done and Democracy by listening to the student voice and tackling issues head on. My experience as your elected Science Faculty Representative means that I have already gained a strong insight into the inner workings of the University and have the knowledge in order to achieve my goals and solve your problems. Having sat on a variety of sport and society committees in various positions of responsibility means that I have a wide toolset of skills at my disposal and my versatility ensures that I am capable of handling any situation. I hold an honest and transparent approach to the fair working
variety of people all the time. This has given me the chance to not only develop my communication and people skills, but My name is Doris. I am a punctual and reliable first year it has also enabled me to adjust my behavioural response to Accounting and Finance student with strong communication, different personality types. teamwork and people skills, developed through working in the care sector and volunteer work, with the ability to work flexibly. Punctuality and Responsibility - Tutored A’ level mathematics to 5 GCSE students. Four passed with one A, two B’s and I am running for VP Education & Democracy. one E grade. Tutoring greatly improved my punctuality, as Why vote for me? As a student Rep, I am passionate about well as developed my methodical and logical approach to improving the educational involvement of my fellow peers and ‘difficulties’. making our time here in Portsmouth ‘better than’ worthwhile. Whether an undergraduate or a postgraduate, I believe that Interests - Playing scrabble and Sudoku. Interacting with new everyone can have a sensational academic experience here. people, taking on new adventures and learning new things. Making YOUr educational experience in Portsmouth the best I possess the relevant skills and experience for this role, but most it can be. So, vote for ME. importantly, I’ll represent YOU. As your Education & Democracy VP, I will do my best to ensure that students have a strong voice here in Portsmouth and beyond. • No Bullet Points Submitted
Doris Anayo Doris
Relevant Skills Teamwork - Representing my school in a Senior Math Challenge boosted my teamwork skills. This is because I had to work with my other classmates efficiently, supporting each other during the competition. Communication - I am currently volunteering at the British Heart Foundation charity shop, working as their cashier. Here, I meet a
VOTE ONLINE AT UPSU.NET/ELECTIONS OR AT ANY POLLING STATION ON CAMPUS
VOTING WEEK MON 2ND MARCH - THUR 5TH MARCH
Candidates for VP Sports • Creating a sporting habit for life – Everyone needs to improve their soft skills, and highlighting this is very vital. • Sports development plan – My biggest area of improvement would be that I will spend time with a non-performer in turning him/her a performer* • Improve cross group collaboration – It will be my desire to improve collaboration among all groups in the university in the area of sports.
promote team spirit among all faculties and encourage all to participate in sports. I believe that every student of this University has something they can do better in sports. My job will be to encourage and inspire all to be able to harness their capabilities. I would love to do this job as I lead a very active lifestyle and have a lot of ideas that could greatly improve sports in general. I shall make sure I negotiate with the necessary department involved to reduce the fee students pay to attend the gym among other issues.
I am Clem, and I am running for VP – Sports because I want to make a difference to your University experience at Portsmouth. VOTE Clem the right choice for the office of the Vice I am the current PBS Faculty – Representative. This position have President – Sports! allowed me to interact and represent students on a number of issues as well as gain a wide range of skills and qualities that are vital for this role in terms of leadership.
Clem EfevawereOnowotu Clem Efe'
Being actively involved in the student union activities and union politics, I have understand the fact that to enable easy and friendly approach by having regular interaction with students and putting my best foot forward in answering students queries, grievances and complaints that holds key as a responsible union member. I will make sure I bring the ideal changes in the area of sports if voted into office. I shall work very hard with the University to provide more guidance/assistance to vulnerable students experiencing personal, professional difficulties in the area of sports. I shall
• I want to encourage more students to join our Uni gym. I believe that a way to do this would be to create a discount for students who compet* • I want to re-evaluate the Sport & Rec budget to try and help the sports clubs more. Sport is a great way to get students involved in the Uni* • Participation at home matches is poor at our University. Having a crowd there to support our teams will make such a big difference. We shoul* I’m Elisa and I’m running for VP Sports. I believe I have the right skills and mind-set for the job. Being President of a Sports Club this year has really helped me gain a knowledge of how our Union works as well as essential organisational and leadership skills which I know will be useful to me for the rest of my working career.
Elisa Kanagarajah
I would also like for every Sport club and society to have one member who has passed the minibus test and a member who is first aid trained. We should have one day a year where all the clubs can send their members to gain these skills. First aid is very important and a skill that the student themselves can take with them after University. Every club should have a minibus driver to drive them to events and matches. By making it compulsory we avoid the last minute rush of emails where committee members are begging other clubs for help. By having a compulsory driver
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and first aider we remove these worries and stresses from the other members of the club. I like to be in a position of leadership as I do believe I have a knack at organising tasks for people and delegating jobs to my work colleagues. I always strive to do everything I can to make sure I complete my tasks to the best of my ability. I will put my all into this job and try and help the sports clubs as much as I possibly can. The work that my committee and I have put into our club this year shows by how successful we have become. We are currently one of the biggest girl socials this University has and have collaborated with many other teams in upcoming charity events as well as socials, etc. I like to work with other people and work in teams for group work. My degree of Graphic Design has helped me gain an analytical eye and skills which I think will be really useful in any career. We want you to join our army and make the Union the place we want it to be. Thanks for reading, Elisa #WeWantYou
VOTING WEEK MON 2ND MARCH - THUR 5TH MARCH
Candidates for VP Welfare & Community • To create a student run self-help scheme to keep highlighting the importance of mental health • Within the union I will run several wellbeing days during the final assessment period in May • I will also make the union more accessible to students with disabilities.
Jazmine Clark Jazz Clark
My name is Jazmine Clark and I am running to be your next VP welfare and Community for the university Students union. During my time here as a student I have suffered with mental health problems and from personal experience I feel that a student run self-help scheme is needed. I will work very closely with the counselling team at the university and train up student volunteers who will run events on mental health. From personal experience and from talking to fellow students with mental health problems and that the VP Welfare and community along with the counselling team should train up voluntary officers to talk to any student in need of help or advice. Secondly in keeping with my first manifesto point having spoken to fellow students they feel that exam season is a very stressful time of year and that the union could do more to support students with exams and handing in final assessments. I plan to as VP welfare and community to run wellbeing days by coordinating with the university gym, mental health team and ASK run sessions to try to reduce student’s stress levels. To further this point students that I have talked to have said that
• Listen to and be approachable for all students to give a platform for individual concerns, by creating open and accessible outlets • Work with Purple Door and external organisations to promote exciting and easily accessible volunteering opportunities • Hold drop in sessions with students to discuss concerns about student life to encourage engagement with the student community
Joe Davison
they would like to see cafés throughout the campus having extended opening times in Portland building and the express café in Anglesea Building. Finally I feel that the union does not do enough for disabled students. As someone who works with disabled students only one of them has ever been part of a society and this shouldn’t be the case. I will work closely with the university online team and students with disabilities to make the UPSU website more accessible and more inclusive. I also feel that to do this properly I need to liaise closely with both VP Sport and VP Activities to ensure that provisions are made for disabled students at both Freshers Fayre and socials; specifically asking both societies and sports clubs to hold sober socials. I believe that this should be done as for people with certain disabilities can find bars and clubs very daunting places. I will also encourage each society and sports club to try their best to hold a sober social within Freshers fortnight to make each society more accessible from the start of the year.
welcoming student community. I want everybody to be able to feel welcome as soon as they enter the Student Union by promoting more activities from as many societies and student groups as possible.
2. Improve volunteering opportunities – Portsmouth is lucky to have so many organisations working to make the world a better place. I will work with Purple Door and organisations in the city to make volunteering opportunities in the city and Hey everyone, my name’s Joe Davison and I’m running for elsewhere more accessible through a special section on the Vice President Welfare & Community of your Students’ Union in Union website. collaboration with my friend Benjamin Perry who’s running for VP Activities. I’m a third year International Relations & Politics 3. Listen to people – I will be holding drop in sessions, in student as well as an active volunteer for a local charity, partnership with VP Activities, to help give a platform for the leading a team of volunteers in delivering adventurous activities views of everybody in our student community. for young people. I’m also a native of Portsmouth, having been 4. A wider range of computers and software for students born and raised here. – Currently it is hard for alternative software users to I’m passionate about our student community and I want to work complete assessments, I want to ensure that free & open with all its members to ensure it can be as vibrant, welcoming source software is better supported by Information Services, and inclusive as it can be. Everybody should feel welcome at departments and the library the University of Portsmouth and we can all work together to To see a more vibrant student community, vote for Joe achieve that. Davison for VP Welfare & Community. If elected, I will work as hard as I can to: 1. Enhance the student community - Promote a friendly and
• To make counseling services more readily available and visible to students. Students that I have spoken to have said they have no idea where* • To provide more secure cycle storage space around campus: The bike store in mercantile is severely underused and the available locking stati* • To increase student awareness and opportunities for volunteering. Volunteering is overlooked by students, and is a fun way to network, and l*
Joseph Gisby "Joey" Gisby
campus, and I’m sure many more haven’t been reported (source: http://www.police.uk). My aim is to make students feel safer leaving their bicycles around campus.
Living in Portsmouth all my life, my local knowledge can be considered to be at an expert level. I aim to get more students involved with volunteering opportunities through networking, and helping you get the relevant volunteering and work experience you need to start your careers in whatever field you want to be in! Volunteering is overlooked by students, Hi, I’m Joey and I’m a third year Forensic Psychology student, and is a fun way to network, and looks really impressive on and your hopeful candidate for VP Welfare and Community your CV. 2015-2016. I’m here to make sure you’re looked after! I’m not here to make a living; I’m here to make a difference! As current welfare executive for societies, I feel my experience, plus my knowledge in Psychology makes me the perfect VOTE JOEY #1 VP WELFARE AND COMMUNITY candidate! As outlined above, I want to increase the visibility and awareness of the Student advice service. Lots of students I have spoken to have no idea who, or what student advice, including counseling and the chaplaincy, do. My aim is to make sure all students know who they are, and that they will help you in any way possible. Building upon the fantastic “its ok to not be ok” campaign this year, which the current sabbs are running, will help me achieve this. I also want to build more secure bicycle storage units. Since September 2014, 21 bikes have been reported stolen from
VOTE ONLINE AT UPSU.NET/ELECTIONS OR AT ANY POLLING STATION ON CAMPUS
VOTING WEEK MON 2ND MARCH - THUR 5TH MARCH
Candidates for VP Welfare & Community
Jamie Mitchell Jamie the Big Jolly Giant (BJG)
• Greater awareness of the Advice Centre, Wellbeing and Counselling Services offered by the University and the Union • Continued promotion and development of Welfare campaigns • Increased opening hours for the University Library
If elected, here are some other things I intend to do during my time in office: Ensure students from all backgrounds are given a voice: making sure their concerns, queries and comments are acknowledged and respected.
Hello fellow students, I’m Jamie Mitchell and I am running for VP Welfare and Community. People’s welfare is something I am passionate about, and I want to represent YOU, by addressing any problems, concerns and questions you may have.
Increasing awareness of wellbeing services from day one! It is vital that all new and returning students know about the welfare services on offer as University can be a stressful time! Work closely with Resident Assistants in Halls to monitor and promote student welfare.
I’m a third year student Studying Criminology and Forensics and strive for my future career to be with the Police. Throughout my time in Portsmouth, I’ve been an active member of the University, representing students, supporting them and listening to their concerns through my previous role as Faculty rep and my current role as Course rep. I’ve also worked for the University’s Marketing and Housing departments promoting the University, the city and my course on open days, whilst helping students find homes and supporting them with any housing-related concerns.
Edris
Welfare events and campaigns featuring guest speakers who have experienced times of difficulty and hardship, and wish to share their experiences with students, reassuring them they are not alone and support is there.
Whilst volunteering with PureFM - the Union’s student radio station - and the local Police Service, I have learnt that not only is volunteering great fun, it provides a great service to the community, looks brilliant on our CVs and helps us stand out for future employment. I want to extend more of these opportunities to students, so will work closely with the Union’s Student Opportunities Centre and other agencies to maximise volunteering opportunities available for students.
Increase the University Library’s opening hours for the first term, so students can benefit from the study space for longer.
• Deliver continual welfare campaigns to deal with widespread and acute issues alike. • Ensure all students from all origins, from home or international, have what they need. • Represent the interests of students in the community to make university life as easy as possible.
other forms of harassment.
I’m Edris Rezazadeh and I would like to represent you in the union and the university as your vice president for community and welfare. My ambition is to make your time in Portsmouth University as enjoyable and stress free as possible, by combating the issues that you may face in or around the campus, improving relations with the community and supporting you with the difficulties of studying.
Edris Rezazadeh
Host ‘Welfare Wednesdays’ and/or ‘Welfare Weekends’ – weekly drop-in sessions for students to have a free, confidential chat about any concerns or issues, or just a friendly chat and cup of tea!
I have extensive experience in working in, starting and running charities, ranging from community projects to international causes. These experiences have taught me a great deal about networking, pragmatism, dealing with communities amongst many other things. I would like to bring this experience to the union to help you with any difficulties that you may face.
Organise ‘green’ projects, to support the local community and protect valuable resources. To make this happen, I need YOU! Vote JAMIE MITCHELL for VP Welfare & Community!
I also aim to provide all students from all backgrounds and origins, whether they are home students or international students, with any support or help that they may need, as well as trying to deliver any requirements that they may have. Lastly, I will represent your viewpoints and interests both on campus and outside the campus to make your student life as easy and as hassle free as possible. I will deal with issues ranging from student accommodation, sanitation and cleanliness to security and transport, as well as public relations with the local community and the police. Finally, I am also a student and I am aware of the problems and difficulties that you may face. I want to represent you as your VP of community and welfare to make our time in university as enjoyable as possible. Make you voice heard and make your vote count, vote Edris.
To do this I aim to deliver continual welfare campaigns to tackle psychological issues that may arise from any aspect of university life, from the difficulties of studies to living away from home. These include stress, anxiety and depression. Additionally there will also be campaigns to deal with issues such as bullying and
VOTE ONLINE AT UPSU.NET/ELECTIONS OR AT ANY POLLING STATION ON CAMPUS
VOTING WEEK MON 2ND MARCH - THUR 5TH MARCH
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