PRESIDENT CANDIDATES

The Union President acts as the main spokesperson for YUSU, chairs the Union’s Board of Trustees and is responsible for the reputation, leadership and direction of YUSU as a democratic organisation. They work closely with the University’s Vice Chancellor and staff team, as well as key contacts in the city of York and, most importantly, students.

PIERRICK ROGER | HE/HIM/HIS | A BOLDER YUSU? ROGER THAT. #PIERRICK4PREZ Masters of Biology (Integrated) | Graduate | @pierrick4prez

What do you think is the biggest issue facing students at York, and what would you do about it?

Accommodation - there’s a lack of housing stock, with dropping standards and rents increasing to all time highs. I will finalise setup of a UNIPOL housing charity charged with regulating the private market and implementing Accreditation and Rate My Landlord Schemes. I will demand construction of 1,500 rooms on campus to relieve strain on the private market and secure a 1 million pound Rent Support Package to be made available to students in the next academic year.

If your campaign had a mascot, what or who would it be?

A human-sized tin of Heinz Baked Beans. YUSU loves beans, especially the beans on Courtyard 40p beans on toast. Ah... beans... Everyone should have beans. More cheap food anyone?

Three Key Manifesto Points

1. Improve housing: secure £1 million in rent grants and introduce private lets regulation.

2. Improve inclusivity: lobby for fairer academic processes and the rise of York Bursaries in line with inflation.

3. Improve campus life: invest in campus travel infrastructure and demand the University pay College Committees.

KLEO GREENHALGH | THEY/THEM | FEED US. PROTECT US. RESPECT US

What do you think is the biggest issue facing students at York, and what would you do about it?

Our lack of help from the university. The University provided a support payment to all the students who have their bills paid separately to their rent. This was helpful, and it definitely helped my household out - but what about the students who’ve had their rent increased? What about the students who could barely afford rent in the first place? The payment was not fair - and I know a few ways to help us out more.

If your campaign had a mascot, what or who would it be?

Bit cringe - but the students at York. We all know what we want, and we are all willing to scream and shout to be heard. We are mascots of our own making and we all need to be noticed if we want to be listened to.

Three Key Manifesto Points

1. Subsidised meals for all.

2. Applications are hard, we need to fix that.

3. The Uni gave us blankets, we need more.

Previous Union President Successes

A vital role within the Students’ Union, there have been many past Union Presidents that have made their mark on the University: YUSU’s first president went by the nickname “Pip”, although formally known as Pradip Nayak. Perhaps the most famous, though, is Tom Scott (2008/09), aka “Mad Cap’n Tom Scott”, who ran as a joke candidate yet managed to receive almost 3000 votes, becoming YUSU’s 48th Union President. Tom Scott posters can still (sometimes) be found around campus!

Patrick O’Donnell also held the role of President for two terms. Despite failing to end Circuit Laundry contracts during lockdown due to high alternative costs, ‘P.O.D’ was successful in his goals of “collaboration and working together”.