Student Elections 2018: Candidate Guidebook

DEC IDE 2ND - 9 T H MAR C H

W H Y BOT H ER?

You're busy with assignments, deadlines, placement and exams the last thing on your mind is the Student Elections.

So, why bother voting?

Firstly, the Sabbatical Officer team have the power to make real change. You can see a few examples of previous successes to the right.

They also sit on the Trustee Board of the UPSU, a multi-million pound charity organisation.

Secondly, it only takes a minute. Really, it does. In that minute you decide who you trust to speak on your behalf to senior members of University staff and to actively

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campaign on issues affecting you as a student at the University of Plymouth.

Finally, for only a minute of your time you could win a range of prizes, some of them are worth up to £300!

See the back of this guide for more information.

If you’ve got any questions come along and speak to one of our Election teams around campus during voting week, read through this guide to find out what each candidate stands for and speak to the candidates themselves to find out why you should vote for them.

UPSU.COM/ELECTIONS

PAST SAB BAT I CAL OF F ICE R W I N S

»» Creation of the SU App »» 24 hours opening in the library »» Safe taxi scheme »» Removal of debit card charges across the SU »» Creation of ICONS »» Online clubs and societies memberships/ sign ups »» Influenced a fee freeze for international students »» Creation of the A-Z of help and improved advice resources »» More student representation at high level university decisionmaking meetings

The UPSU President is responsible for leading the Sabbatical Officer team and guiding the development of the organisation.

R EMIT:

Team leader, Union Affairs, Democracy, Strategy, National Campaigns, Students as Partners, Sustainability and Partner Colleges.

V P W ELFARE & D I VERSIT Y

The VP Welfare & Diversity campaigns on issues surrounding student welfare.

R EMIT:

Liberation (LGBT+, Disability, BAME, Women, & non-binary) Wellbeing, Sexual Health, Mental Health, Sustainability and Partner Colleges.

VP COMMU NITIES

The VP Communities aims to build links between communities both on and off campus.

RE M IT:

International students, Mature students, Housing, Community Partnership, Sustainability and Partner Colleges.

VP AC TIVITIES & DEVELOPMENT The VP Activities & Development works to improve the overall student experience and availability of opportunities.

RE M IT:

Employability, Comms, Volunteering, Societies, Media, Sustainability and Partner Colleges.

VP SP ORT

DECID E 2ND - 9TH M AR CH

PRE SIDENT

The VP Sport supports clubs with their development as well as developing partnerships and strategies to enhance sporting opportunities.

RE M IT:

Sport engagement and participation, Sport Campaigns, Sustainability and Partner Colleges.

VP E D U CAT I ON

The VP Education is responsible for improving experience in all areas related to education at the University of Plymouth.

RE M IT:

Education (UG & PG), Sustainability and Partner Colleges.

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M EET THE CANDIDATES

To support mentally ill students by lobbying the uni and campaigning for accessible and flexible help.

Promote solidarity among students with big SU events, such as the Sadie Hawkins Day Dance.

A DR IENNE S OLON

S CH OOL OF HU MANITIES & PE RFORMING ARTS

RUNNING FOR:

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VP WELFARE & DIVERSITY

To start up a consent and anti-rape campaign with the SU to promote a safer university environment.

A LEX DOYLE

PLY MOU TH BU SINESS SCHOOL (GRADUATE)

RUNNING FOR:

PRESIDENT

Democracy development: Our democratic process is weak and your sabbatical officers need to be properly held to account. Development of democracy is needed based on the students’ wants. This also extends

to the development of our forums as they are not being fully utilised and need to change into a platform students can engage with!

Executive Discussion Platform: We invited the University Management Group to our Societies Forum to be held to account by the student body. These question and answer assemblies need to be held every term!

DECIDE AT U PS U. COM

Students as Partners: Ensure that students are included in every decision-making process at the University. We have worked hard to make sure the Student Charter is in place and now it’s time to make sure the expectations of students are made in partnership!

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M EET THE CANDIDATES

Increase awareness and continued improvement of university facilities, that support mental health.

To encourage political activism of students within local and national politics.

A L EXANDER HE ATLEY

SCHOOL O F LAW, CRI M I NO LOGY & G OVERNMENT

RUNNING FOR:

5

PRESIDENT

To promote and support student-led engagement in campaigns and referendums on issues that are affecting students at the SU, the university and wider community.

I will campaign for a minimum requirement of student welfare training for personal tutors.

A NTONIA WALL

PLY MO U TH INSTITU TE OF E DU CATIO N

I will strive for promotional materials to represent the diverse community of students.

DECIDE AT U PS U. COM

I will investigate the efficiency of signposting and advertising for our campus counselling, making any necessary adjustments.

RUNNING FOR:

VP WELFARE & DIVERSITY

6

M EET THE CANDIDATES

Create a platform to develop awareness of student sporting achievements within their courses. Increase awareness to university courses of what people do for sports in UPSU.

BEN MOR R IS

SCHOOL O F NU RSING & M I DWIFERY

RUNNING FOR:

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VP SPORT

Enhancing sport clubs - initiate training for charity secretaries and develop the treasurer role training. Launch a player welfare officer in every sports club, developing this role to support the mental health of club members and other issues that they may be facing.

Make Wednesday evenings all about sport! Full time scores and player awards at post match food at the SU. Develop plans to improve this whole event. Additionally, look at making more people aware of where and when university teams are playing to encourage more people to come along and support.

B E TH J O NES

S CH OOL OF ART, DESIG N & ARCHITECTU RE

Develop the way in which societies work together and hold regular networking events for societies to share and offer their skill set to other societies, encouraging more collaborations.

Develop and enhance the ‘Build Your Future’ workshops by allowing students to have their say on what they want to learn and the skill sets they want to develop, as well as getting further sponsorship to have guest speakers from outside of the university to come in.

DECIDE AT U PS U. COM

Work with committees to teach them how to use Social Media platforms to their advantage. Holding regular meetings and training sessions on areas they need help and guidance with, encouraging them to promote themselves.

RUNNING FOR:

VP ACTIVITIES & DEVELOPMENT

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M EET THE CANDIDATES

BI TTY WALTER I NYANG

PLY MOUTH BU SINESS SCHOOL

RUNNING FOR:

9

VP COMMUNITIES

Communities: I will create more events to help students socialise more positively, this will enable a more friendly environment in and around the university premises. Creating these events will also help students know that networking with other students will aid them more than just having a clique of friends.

Accommodation: I will work towards making international students more knowledgeable about accommodation, providing a scheme that represents international students, because some

international students tend to have problems getting accommodation based on the reason that they need to have a guarantor, especially when they are coming into the country for the first time.

Voice: I will also try to create a session where the voice of the students can be heard, as they are always saying something.

PLY MOU TH BU SINESS SCHOOL

RUNNING FOR:

VP ACTIVITIES & DEVELOPMENT

External Speaker Policy: With lengthy processes within the university for approving societies’ events with external speakers, it’s difficult to advertise and market the events effectively.

I will review this policy and lobby the university to rethink their approval processes, to create one that benefits our students.

Volunteering: I will work to support and integrate the volunteering on campus, offering more volunteering opportunities and fundraising resources to societies in support of them achieving their ICONS.

DECIDE AT U PS U. COM

C HAR LOTT E PA NCH AU D

Funding: Society expenses have increased due to higher student engagement, yet the amount provided to societies has stayed the same.

I propose to increase the available pot of money provided by the university to reduce this strain and support societies to expand and develop.

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M EET THE CANDIDATES

CAND IDATES FOR PRESIDENT

AL E X DOY LE

P. 4

ALEX A NDER P. 5 HEATLEY

DA NIEL NONOO

JU LIA GLU KHIK H

LAU R A BELL

P. 1 4

CAND IDATES FOR VP COMMUNITIES

DAN I E L S H E AFF

P.15

P. 1 6

CAND IDATES FOR VP EDUCATION

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M AJA S MI T H

P.19

P. 1 7

BITTY WA LT E R IN YA N G

P.9

C H UK W UD I KOS I EZENYI

P.13

CANDIDATES FOR VP ACTIVITIES & DEVELOPMENT

P. 8

ADRI ENNE S OLON

P. 3

CHA R LOTTE PANC HAU D P. 1 0

CANDIDATES FOR VP WELFARE & DIVERSITY

ANTONIA WAL L

P. 6

CANDIDATES FOR VP SPORT

BEN M ORRIS

P. 7

LAW R ENC E P. 1 8 FEBV R E

TILDA FR AS ER

P. 20

DECIDE AT U PS U. COM

BETH J ON E S

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M EET THE CANDIDATES

Promote inclusive and intercultural communities amongst international students Ease of integration into the Plymouth University student life and its community

C HU KWU D I KOSI E ZENYI

PLY MOUTH BU SINESS S CH OOL

RUNNING FOR:

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VP COMMUNITIES

Maximising and developing facilities within the university for students of diverse communities to follow and practice aspects of their cultures and interests.

DANIEL NO NOO

S CH OOL OF CO MPU TING, E L ECT RO NICS & M AT HEMATICS

Support the current UPSU banned substance campaign and lobby for more services to help and advise students on substances confidentially (including testing kits and signposting to existing services).

Healthy body healthy mind: Promote benefits of staying healthy on the mind and increase awareness of mental health issues across the Student Union.

DECIDE AT U PS U. COM

Strengthen democracy at UPSU by creating more opportunities for students to put their voices forward in an informal way using suggestion walls, the UPSU app and sabbatical surgery.

RUNNING FOR:

PRESIDENT

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M EET THE CANDIDATES

Student voices in the Community: We need voices representing us in the council and the community. I will build the student voice in these areas and create a platform for students to promote positive change in these spheres.

DANIEL SHEAFF

PLY MOUTH BU SINESS SCHOOL

RUNNING FOR:

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VP COMMUNITIES

Real Living Wage for Student Staff: Students employed by the Union shouldn’t have to worry about being able to afford the basics. That’s why I will campaign for a real living wage to be paid for all student staff positions.

Community Workshops: I will organise workshops to help you feel confident engaging with the community.

Whether you want to run in elections, research social issues or you want more general advice, these workshops will help you.

J ULIA G LU KH IKH

S CH OOL OF LAW, CRI MI NOLOGY & G OVERNMENT

RUNNING FOR:

VP COMMUNITIES

work towards building partnerships with the Student Unions ABROAD participating in Erasmus/ International Exchange programmes to bring more INTERNATIONAL experience opportunities to ALL PlymUni Students.

DECIDE AT U PS U. COM

I will work to empower INTERNATIONAL and MATURE students through targeted employability programmes, provide student representation at the key PlymUni events and create new socials with consideration given to the commitments of the wider community of students.

I will campaign for FAIR ACCOMMODATION for all and raise awareness amongst students in I will lobby the local and halls and private housing national government to about their rights as protect the RIGHTS of EU tenants.

STUDENTS in Plymouth against the effects of Brexit on fee status, funding for research, and financial support. I will

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M EET THE CANDIDATES

I will create a space for mature students to excel by supporting students who have had a break from education as well as improving the forum to discuss concerns. As a union we will make sure mature students are provided with the same opportunities to join societies and sports clubs.

L AUR A B E LL

S CH OOL OF LAW, CRI MI N OLO GY & G OVERNMENT

RUNNING FOR:

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VP COMMUNITIES

Let’s celebrate culture and diversity in our community, while advising and protecting international students by improving supportive spaces such as forums and

creating advice sessions.

Promote study abroad opportunities for others to join the international community.

Showcase and encourage the opportunities students get to involve themselves in our community by organising more events to give back to our local and student community such as promotion of the Green Team.

L AWR ENC E F E BVR E

S CH OOL OF ENGINEERING

RUNNING FOR:

VP SPORT

Community and Student Development - I will build connections between student sport clubs and local charities, organisations and companies by implementing a system for subsidised coaching hours -this provides the community with a coaching service

and gives students qualifications and experience.

New clubs - I will make it easier for new clubs to start by having more trust and communication, and having an opendoor policy with them.

This will be improved by having bi-monthly meetings with the club presidents to sort issues.

DECIDE AT U PS U. COM

Funding - I will continue the previous VP-Sport’s work on lobbying the University to provide a funding pot for UPSU sports clubs. This is necessary as there is drastically low budget split between 59 Sports clubs.

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MEET THE CANDIDAT ES

Speak Week - A week for students to give their feedback on their course earlier in the year to ensure that real change can be made for the students, by the students that will aim to make an impact in the same academic year.

MAJA S MITH

PLY MOUTH INSTITU TE OF E D UCATIO N

RUNNING FOR:

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VP EDUCATION

Transparent Fees - To lobby the university to transparently advertise where students’ fees go in a clear break down to ensure value for money for all students ensuring that Hidden Course Costs will be transparent before confirming your place on a degree.

Education for all Work in partnership with the university to ensure an easier and fairer Extenuating Circumstances process to make claiming for ECs a more manageable experience.

TI LDA FR ASER

S CH OOL OF PSYCHO LOG Y

RUNNING FOR:

VP WELFARE & DIVERSITY

Mental health: Physical activity increases mood and moderates mental illness. I will improve student mental health by increasing the number of students referred to the sports and fitness services on campus, for treatment of mental health issues.

Liberation at the heart of UPSU: Form a committee that connects representatives from liberation groups (LGBTQ+, BAME, Women, & Disabled students), allowing them to work together and feed back directly to VP of Welfare & Diversity. This will strengthen their voice and ability to impact decisions.

DECIDE AT U PS U. COM

Students Supporting Students: I will utilise existing student networks to create student-led supporters.

Offering training to students, on how to effectively signpost fellow students to mental, physical and sexual health services.

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DECI DE 2ND - 9 T H MARC H

F REE NIGHTCLU B ENTR Y TO THE SU BROWNIE LADY BROWNIES

F REE HU BBOX BU RG ER FREE BOSTON TEA PARTY COFFEE

VI P SU MMER BALL T IC K ETS

V IP TR EATMENT FOR 8 P EOP LE AT P R YZM

V IP TR EATMENT FOR 1 0 P EOP LE AT WA LK A BO UT YO S U S HI: S U S HI MA K ING K IT S

£10 0 A LDI S HOP P IN G HA MP ER

£ 1 0 0 STA H O L I DAY VO UC H E R

£ 1 0 0 T E SCO FO O D SH O P ST UD E N T H O USE DEEP CLEAN ...A N D M O R E !

PLU S O NE LU CK Y WIN N ER WILL HAVE TH EI R CH OI CE OF ON E OF OUR STA R PRI ZES. . .

2 X FITBIT CHARGE 2 - A P P LE WATC H - £30 0 A MA ZO N VO UC H E R - £ 3 0 0 FO O D SH O P CI N E MA VOU CHER - B EATS S OLO3 W IR ELES S HEA DPH O N E S - I PA D - T H E AT RE TO K E N S 1TB PLAYSTATION W ITH FIFA - V IR G IN E X P E R I E N C E VO UC H E R RESTAU RANT C HOIC E VOU C HER - 4 3" 4 K S M A RT T V /A M A ZO N EC H O

I T ’ S S IMPLE. ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS VOT E.

You can find us at one of our pop up stands across campus from 5th - 9th March. If you vote there then you’ll get a free goodie bag plus a spin on our Wheel of Fortune to win more prizes!

Alternatively, you can vote online any time, anywhere, simply by logging in to upsu.com.

Every single person who votes will automatically be entered into a grand prize draw. Here you have the chance to win bigger prizes and one lucky winner will receive their choice of a star prize.

YOU’ VE GOT TO BE IN IT TO W IN IT!

Find out more at upsu.com, if you’re having trouble logging in please email us at LO G I N @ UPSU. CO M