ACADEMIC OFFICER CANDIDATES

The Academic Officer represents students on issues relating to their course, teaching and learning facilities. The Academic Officer also works with almost 300 Course Representatives, Department Representatives and Faculty Representatives to ensure that every student has the opportunity to shape how their course is taught.

DEBAYAN ‘DEB’ DEY | HE/HIM | BOLDLY ADVOCATING CHANGE

MSc Cyber Security | Graduate | @debforacademic

Why do you think departments struggle to fill all their academic representative positions, and what will you do about it? Departments often struggle to fill academic representative positions due to a lack of awareness and incentives. I plan to address this by launching a comprehensive outreach campaign to increase visibility and involvement, as well as implementing a rewards system like Student Action Group to incentivise participation. My goal is to ensure that every department is fully represented and every student has a voice.

If you were a building on campus, what building would you be and why?

If I were a building on campus, I would be the Ron Cooke Hub. Like the Hub, I strive to bring people together, provide resources and support, and facilitate collaboration and innovation. I aim to be a central hub for the student community and play a key role in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Three Key Manifesto Points

1. I guarantee to improve the SSP (Student Support Plan) and EC (Exceptional Circumstances) support and increase the self certifications numbers.

2. I guarantee to improve the feedback on assessments & proper exam scheduling.

3. I guarantee to improve the careers & placement with more internship opportunities along with scholarships & bursaries.

HESANDI | SHE/THEY | CAREERS? DIVERSITY? PROSPECTS?

WE HAVE IT ALL HERE!

Why do you think departments struggle to fill all their academic representative positions, and what will you do about it?

It’s because students who are appointed as academic representatives feel as if their voices aren’t heard when they are in a position where they could make change within their degrees and their departments. Departments should be more approachable and open to change. I will make sure to be a point of contact for academic representatives so they could tell me their frustrations at their department, and I could contact the relevant department to settle disputes.

If you were a building on campus, what building would you be and why? Spring Lane Building, because it’s incredibly sexy.

Three Key Manifesto Points

1. An inclusive University: a self-referral system for Student Support Plans (SSPs).

2. A better transition to Uni life: an improved Student Buddy Scheme.

3. Better international student representation: an Overseas Course Rep for every department.

WALTON WHITE | HE/HIM | HI I’M WALTON WHITE AND I MAKE IT MY BUSINESS TO History

Defend The Students Of York

Why do you think departments struggle to fill all their academic representative positions, and what will you do about it?

I think because there is in general a lack of community in the overall departments. There seems to be a bit disconnect I feel like for students between the course and the department. As someone who has done history at this University, I did feel like I lacked a certain connection with the department last year. A big reason why I chose to become President of the History Society was to create a better sense of community in my department and I want to do that on a bigger scale as Academic Officer.

If you were a building on campus, what building would you be and why?

Definitely Courtyard. Catering skills aren’t quite there, but that’s not the case for my mixology skills. We also seem to both love playing ‘Chocolate’ by The 1975 at the most random of times. Also great place to go to if like me, you like to watch Eurovision solo. Also hands down, the bar on campus.

Three Key Manifesto Points

Introduce measures to maintain student engagement during striking periods / Help create a better sense of community for students in their departments/ Make the Self Certification system more accessible for students.